Your Majesty, Dinner Is Ready. – Chapter 30 – An Offer You Can’t Refuse

Author: Cireng

Chapter 30 – An Offer You Can’t Refuse

“The two of you? Would you like me to prepare a meal?”

When I nodded, the inn employee, Pendrick, smiled gently and led us to an empty table.

It was tucked away in a corner, separated somewhat from the other guests a seating arrangement chosen out of consideration for the fact that elves generally preferred not to mingle with other races.

‘He’s observant after all.’

While such thoughtfulness wasn’t uncommon in Pletica, the City of Harmony and Unity…

Rosalia currently had her ears hidden, and outwardly I looked no different from a human.

Yet he’d recognized we were elves before we’d said a word and was treating us accordingly.

Bzzzzzt!

Perhaps it was because he appreciated such delicate consideration or perhaps simply because of Pendrick’s appearance.

The One who dwelled higher than anyone else suddenly sent a surge of violent electricity through my body.

Concentrating on interpreting it… Apparently, He was making a tremendous fuss because Pendrick possessed exactly the sort of appearance that suited the religious standards expected of followers of the Tainted Sky.

“Lord Sue’je. Do you perhaps have nothing better to do? You seem to spend an awful lot of time watching only me.”

Bzzzt!

He vehemently denied it.

Which meant… I’d hit the mark.

“I’ll take your order!”

While suppressing the current Sue’je kept sending with Black Lightning Bloom, Pendrick returned carrying a clear glass pitcher and two cups.

[Pure water created by a Water Spirit. It possesses a refreshing, clean taste on an entirely different level from ordinary water. Elves especially adore it and often drink it in high spirits, almost as though it were alcohol.]

Even the water was served according to the customer’s race.

Rosalia seemed pleased.

The corners of her eyes softened ever so slightly.

As the youngest present, I poured water for my elder while Pendrick continued.

“Our inn’s specialty is lamb steak. The meat is wonderfully tender, and the sauce is made with spices found only inside dungeons. The flavor is incredible.”

“Is it really that good?”

“Well… It ‘is’ our inn, but honestly? It’s amazing. Especially if you pair it with beer brewed by the dwarves of the Eastern Continent… Ahhh!”

He even acted out drinking it with obvious delight.

With service this friendly and such vivid descriptions…

How could anyone resist?

“My mouth is watering already. How much is it?”

“Twenty silver!”

“Then we’ll have two servings of lamb steak.”

“Certainly! It’ll be ready shortly!”

Pendrick hurried into the kitchen.

The restaurant filled with the quiet chatter of its handful of customers.

“Lady Rosalia.”

After quietly enjoying the cozy atmosphere for a moment…

I lowered my voice.

“The employee from earlier… He’s the swordsman we’ve come here to recruit.”

“……”

The assassin, who had lowered the cloth covering the lower half of her face just enough to sip her water, narrowed her eyes.

It was an expression that made her meaning easy to understand.

“Please refrain from insulting his parents. I may not have parents myself, but I’m a soft-hearted cultist.”

I turned away slightly in my chair, making my wounded feelings obvious.

Rosalia quietly set her cup down.

“…Evidence.”

For a moment… I almost failed to recognize her voice.

She’d spoken three whole syllables.

Surely this was proof she’d opened the door to her heart toward me by at least the width of a fingernail.

Filled with overwhelming emotion, I answered,

“Lord Lidni delivered a revelation. He said the employee’s future shines so brilliantly that even he can’t see it clearly.”

As soon as I deployed my all-purpose excuse…

Rosalia pondered for a moment before slowly nodding.

[I’m too tired to deny it anymore. You have permission to do as you please. Praise the Wise One’s boundless grace!]

At last… I’d received permission.

It seemed I’d now be able to market Evil Gods much more aggressively.

This was all part of my grand plan to spread the faith of the Twisted Truth.

Someday… Lord Lidni would surely understand my burning devotion.

“Your lamb steaks are ready!”

Pendrick emerged from the kitchen carrying two steaming plates.

He placed one before each of us.

Then carefully laid out our forks and knives before taking a respectful step backward.

“Enjoy your meal!”

The reddish sauce coating the steak was enough to stimulate anyone’s appetite.

After cutting off a small piece and taking a bite… An involuntary murmur of appreciation escaped my lips.

“Mmm…”

“How is it?”

“I’ve become fully convinced that your earlier description wasn’t exaggerated in the slightest.”

“Hahaha! Of course it wasn’t! If you need anything else, just call me!”

We needed to recruit him… But first things first.

Food.

I enthusiastically devoured the steak.

“Whew… I can’t eat another bite.”

The elf, who lowered her face covering only long enough to take small bites of meat…

Glanced at my plate.

I’d somehow eaten nearly three times as much steak as she had.

She raised her head and looked into my eyes.

“Isn’t that rather too much?”

“……”

After finishing our thoroughly satisfying meal…

I beckoned to Pendrick, who was sitting near the entrance.

He hurried over immediately.

“How may I help you?” Will you be staying with us?”

“For now, we’re planning to stay about five days.”

“For guests who’ve dined with us, we offer a special discount! Half price! Just fifty silver for the room. Will the two of you be sharing one room?”

I looked toward the silent elf.

Fortunately…

Her eyes weren’t clouded with worldly desires.

“If my dear older sister wishes it… I stand ready to accept at any time.”

“……”

Rosalia silently stared at me with a faint furrow between her brows.

I returned her gaze with sparkling eyes that innocently asked, “What’s the problem?”

Then I turned back toward the smiling employee.

“Sir Pendrick.”

The moment I quietly spoke his name… Pendrick’s eyebrows shot upward.

“Huh? Did I introduce myself earlier?”

“Well… You can simply do it now. What difference does the order make?”

I put on the expression I’d perfected while dealing with Manager Choi… One capable of making a good impression on absolutely anyone.

Then I extended my hand.

“A pleasure to meet you. My name is Kar. A cultist of the Twisted Truth.”

Cultist.

A class that had become one of society’s unfortunate minorities.

Although continuous oversight by the Harmony Church had prevented cultists from committing the same atrocities as before…

Most explorers still preferred to avoid them.

According to Artein’s teachings…

People who encountered worshippers of Evil Gods generally wouldn’t discriminate openly.

But at the very least… They’d show some measure of disgust.

Even polite and perceptive Abel had reacted that way at first.

“Oh! So you’re a cultist?”

Pendrick… Was different.

“Nice to meet you! My name’s Pendrick!”

He enthusiastically shook my hand.

Not a trace of pretense or mockery could be found in his cheerful greeting.

“I don’t really know much about it… But which deity do you worship?”

[Borderless Sociability.]

A trait reflecting a personality capable of getting along with everyone, strangers, fellow explorers, and companions without any conflict whatsoever.

“I worship Lord Lidni. The Evil God of Wicked Knowledge and Monstrous Sorcery.”

“Oh! I’ve heard of him!”

“He was the Evil God who devoured the World Tree of the Eastern Continent long ago, right?”

Then… As if afraid to even bring up the subject… Pendrick cautiously asked,

“I’ve always been curious about something. Among all the Evil Gods… Which one is the strongest?”

[The Wise One is listening intently.]

Bzzzt!

The attention of both deities instantly focused on me.

I’d suddenly found myself in an impossible situation.

But panicking now would only reveal my inexperience.

‘There’s only one way.’

Both of them were precious to me.

I couldn’t bear to disappoint either.

So I boldly gave the correct answer.

“Lord Okail. The Evil God who guides catastrophic upheaval. The deity of unwavering falsehoods and purposeless transformation. He has over a thousand followers. The others don’t even have a hundred believers each.”

[The Wise One has become dejected. So have I. :<]

Bzzzz…

Faced with undeniable facts… Both Evil Gods seemed to accept it sadly.

“Lord Okail! He’s currently the chief deity among the Evil Gods, isn’t he?”

“That’s right.”

“Though… Compared to Lady Artein, the gap between their influence is almost embarrassing. Even so… I still think he’s a great deity. Maybe someday… The age of the Evil Gods will come too.”

It was obvious Pendrick didn’t mean a word of what he’d just said.

He turned toward Rosalia instead.

“Is the elf beside you also a cultist?”

“This is Lady Rosalia. She belongs to the Assassin class.”

“But wow… You’re both unbelievably good-looking. To be honest, when the door opened earlier, I was shocked.”

“There hadn’t been any customers, so I was nodding off. Then suddenly this brilliant light poured in. Are you both Wood Elves?”

The red-haired elf quietly averted her gaze.

So I answered in her place.

“I’m only a half-elf. Lady Rosalia is the Wood Elf.”

“I knew it! I could tell! When you walked in, this faint floral fragrance drifted over. I used to live on the Eastern Continent. I knew lots of Wood Elves there, so I’m used to it. Do you happen to know someone named Miriel? She’s a famous druid. We’re best friends!”

“……”

Rosalia’s gaze gradually became more and more vacant.

Chatting was the exact opposite of her nature.

Even so… The friendly employee continued talking enthusiastically.

If left alone… He’d likely chatter forever.

So before he could continue, I cut in.

“Sir Pendrick. As you can see… Lady Rosalia is extremely shy. So I’d appreciate it if you kept the conversation with her to a minimum.”

“Ah! I see. My apologies. I have so many Wood Elf friends back home that I unconsciously acted as though we already knew each other. I’m sorry.”

Pendrick apologized sincerely.

There wasn’t the slightest hint of teasing.

Then, seemingly out of consideration for Rosalia… He immediately became far quieter.

Perhaps she’d realized his intentions.

The assassin’s usually expressionless face softened ever so slightly.

“……”

A moment later… She looked at me and gestured toward Pendrick.

It was a rather positive indication that she thought recruiting him would be acceptable.

I nodded before speaking again.

“The reason we’ve come here today… Is because we’d like to recruit you into our exploration party.”

“Huh?”

Pendrick scratched his head awkwardly.

“Thank you. I’m honored. But… why me? I’m still just an aspiring explorer who hasn’t even earned a Bronze Badge yet.”

“Lord Lidni granted a revelation. He declared that the employee working at ‘The Sheep’s Cry’ possesses the potential to someday become the foremost among the Twelve Heroes.”

“Oh. I see. That’s truly an honor!”

Once again… My oyster-sauce-level universal excuse worked flawlessly.

Pendrick immediately accepted the explanation.

Accepting it… Didn’t necessarily mean he was persuaded.

“Thank you very much for the offer. And please thank Lord Lidni as well for thinking so highly of my potential.”

It was obvious he wanted to refuse.

But he was expressing it with painstaking politeness so as not to hurt my feelings.

“Realistically… I don’t think I can join your party. I’m already affiliated with a guild.”

If a guild was like an agency bound together through business…

An exploration party was simply a crew formed by people who got along.

Odilon’s severe distrust of others was unusual.

Normally… Exploration parties didn’t even bother drafting contracts.