Your Majesty, Dinner Is Ready. Chapter 53 - No Backing Out Later

Chapter 53 – No Backing Out Later

 

Pletica had a tram system that circulated through all six districts.

A fairly comfortable means of transportation powered by mana stones.

It was convenient, but the fare was outrageous, making it hard to ride casually.

Still, on a day when you’d earned a fortune, wasn’t it only right to indulge in some gloriously unplanned luxury spending?

“Oh, it’s pretty fast.”

Holding Astrimia in his arms, Pendrick smiled as he looked out the window.

Sitting beside him, I sipped what remained of Abel’s Flower Garden in the Lake tea.

“Captain, how long until we reach District 6?”

“About twenty minutes.”

I intended to simply relax until then, but black text suddenly appeared before my eyes.

[I demand a thorough explanation. How do you know about the Great Monster of Nightmare Dungeon? This time, I will uncover your secret!]

I waved the text away with my hand and quietly drank my tea, but Eyes That Perceive the Truth kept producing more messages.

[:(]

[:(]

[:(]

At this rate, it’d keep talking to me all day if I ignored it.

Reading each message steadily chipped away at my mental energy.

It was unexpectedly effective as a method of conversation.

With no other choice, I replied using a similar method.

[Stop it.]

Pale letters made of flame appeared in the air.

It was flame calligraphy using Deathflame.

Since Lriria himself was so humble, even the power of his Mystery was pitifully weak.

For now, this was about the most sophisticated way I could use it.

Wriggle, wriggle.

The back of my hand suddenly itched.

Wondering why, I looked down and found the snake tattoo on my left arm grinning happily.

Perhaps the Silent One, who only had two followers besides me worth watching, was pleased with my practical application of his Mystery.

[The Wise One is snickering, saying that such a pathetic application suits that rotten-smelling Evil God’s Mystery perfectly.]

‘Crackle!’

Even while the two Evil Gods mocked Lord Lriria., the tram continued smoothly along the rails.

“…”

After some time,

“Let’s get off.”

We had arrived in District 6.

The station was the central plaza.

Near the old library where I’d once come with Abel and met the young master and his secretary.

“…”

Without saying a word, Rosalia looked toward the wealthy residential area, the only part of District 6 that wasn’t gloomy.

By now, Astrimia had become accustomed to this taciturn assassin’s body language and attempted to interpret it.

“We’re going that way, right?”

“Correct. Let’s first report to Young Master Odilon, the Moonlight Expedition’s financial manager.”

At this hour, my wards, the siblings, were probably training hard at the estate.

We headed straight for Odilon’s mansion.

“Welcome.”

Apparently, Rosalia had already informed them in advance through the communication artifact Connecting Fragment, because the butler Sergius was waiting at the entrance.

“Karr!”

“Patron, you’re here.”

The young siblings had apparently been waiting as well.

Marlin and Abel ran over and threw themselves into my arms.

The shabby appearance they’d had when we first met was nowhere to be seen.

They were now dressed so well that it made me realize anew just what sort of path I had been walking.

“Have you both been doing well?”

Using the advanced technique of vigorously rubbing both their heads with my hands, I asked.

The siblings exchanged meaningful smiles.

“Of course! You’ll fall over in shock when you see how much we’ve improved!”

“To be honest, we haven’t improved ‘that’ much. But we’ve worked quite hard.”

Their levels of modesty differed, but both were secretly satisfied with the fruits of their training.

How could they be so admirable?

“I bought you two presents.”

I took out the prizes I’d exchanged for at the casino from my subspace.

For Marlin: First Breath & Final Breath, a matched set consisting of a dagger, throwing knife, and storage belt.

For Abel: Devouring Fang, a kitchen knife.

Both were luxury-grade items.

Even at a glance, their quality was obvious, and the siblings’ eyes widened.

“Karr…! Thank you!”

Marlin’s tail began wagging furiously.

“You don’t need to thank me. Yours was just something a blacksmith was about to throw away, so I quickly picked it up.”

“Stop teasing me!”

Yes. This was the reaction I’d been craving.

The stimulating response I couldn’t get from the taciturn Rosalia.

“Hello.”

While Marlin tugged at my clothes, Pendrick and Astrimia greeted Abel with slight bows.

“I’m Pendrick. And this is Astrimia.”

“Nice to meet you.”

“…Is… that beautiful sword actually talking?”

“Hehe! You’ve got good taste for someone so young!”

It truly was a heartwarming atmosphere.

“Hello, Mr. Swordsman. I’m Marlin.”

“Nice to meet you. We’ll probably be seeing each other often from now on.”

“I hope we get along!”

“So do I!”

“This is Astrimia. We’re lovers.”

“Nice to meet you!”

“…Lovers?”

While I nodded contentedly, Butler Sergius quietly approached.

“So that’s the swordsman you wanted to recruit?”

“That’s right. What do you think?”

“The aura he gives off is extraordinary. And that black sword must be an artifact. He’s even more impressive than expected. The young master will be pleased.”

Though at most he’d probably only comment,

“Acceptable.”

“Sir Karr. Young Master Odilon has instructed us to prepare a welcoming banquet for your new expedition member. You’ve all worked hard, so please rest with your companions until dinner is ready.”

“Hm. Was that really the young master’s idea?”

There was no way that self-centered sociopath had come up with it himself.

“…Actually, it was my suggestion.”

“I thought as much.”

“In any case, we’ve prepared an artifact in the guest room that relieves fatigue. Please rest while Charlotte prepares the meal.”

As expected of an experienced butler.

His thoughtfulness was impeccable.

“Patron.”

At that moment, Abel approached confidently and clenched both fists.

“At dinner, you’ll finally get to experience the skills I’ve developed after officially becoming a Chef.”

“Really?”

Not everyone was fortunate enough to enjoy food prepared by their own ward.

“I’m looking forward to it.”

Patting Abel on the back, I headed upstairs to the guest room.

There was an artifact that looked suspiciously like a massage chair, designed to relieve fatigue.

I immediately sank into it.

“Karr, I’ve trained really hard, and my movements are becoming sneakier and sneakier! Now I’m confident I could never lose against a mage or craftsman of the same level!”

Marlin pulled over a chair beside me and chatted nonstop while I rested.

Of course… it wasn’t annoying at all.

“My skills used to be nothing compared to everyone else in the guild. But now I’m the one who’s ahead!”

How could it possibly be irritating?

This was the same child who’d once worn an expression far too weary for her age.

Now she looked so happy.

“Your hard work paid off.”

“Yep!”

“But beating craftsmen who aren’t combat classes isn’t exactly something to brag about.”

“But the butler said some craftsmen are really strong opponents…”

“Some exceptional craftsmen are indeed quite formidable.”

While chatting endlessly with Marlin, the evening arrived before I knew it.

“The banquet is ready. Please follow me.”

Led by the butler, we entered the dining hall.

There stood a long, noble-style dining table.

At the seat of honor furthest from the entrance already sat the owner of the mansion.

“You’re here.”

Odilon Brites.

The frail young master suffering from various chronic illnesses was leisurely sipping wine before the meal had even begun.

Behind him stood Rosalia like a shadow.

“Greetings, Young Master.”

“I trust you’ve been well?”

“I haven’t exactly been healthy.”

“I suppose not.”

I sat to the right of the seat of honor.

Marlin sat beside me.

Soon Pendrick, who’d been resting in another room, came downstairs.

The moment he entered the dining hall, he smiled brightly and bowed to Odilon.

“It’s a pleasure to meet you. You’re Young Master Odilon of House Brites, correct? I’m Pendrick.”

“So you’re the promising swordsman. Welcome.”

“I don’t know if I’m promising, but don’t you think I’m fairly handsome?”

“I suppose.”

“But Young Master, your hair is absolutely magnificent! Do you have some special secret for taking care of it?”

“…”

Faced with the merciless onslaught of friendliness generated by the trait Boundless Sociability, the young master who fundamentally distrusted human relationships was momentarily speechless.

“I smell something delicious! Wow… my mouth’s already watering!”

“…Just sit down.”

Pendrick sat across from me.

Astrimia, resting in his arms, swayed happily.

“Nice to meet you, Young Master. I’m Astrimia.”

“So you’re Astrimia of Joy.”

“That’s right! And Pendrick and I are passionately in love!”

“…”

Once again, the young master, who regarded romance itself with cynical eyes, fell silent.

‘Crackle!’

The Exalted One, already excited because there were so many people here suited for “religious activities,” laughed happily, clearly enjoying the spectacle.

“Hehe! Food’s here!”

Soon, the maid Charlotte entered together with Abel, carrying dish after dish.

Every single plate looked extraordinary.

“Oh…”

Pendrick stared in amazement.

Abel set several vegetable dishes before me.

“Every dish has been tailored to an elf’s palate.”

“They look delicious.”

“You won’t be disappointed.”

“If I ‘am’ disappointed, prepare yourself to be mercilessly teased.”

“Yes.”

The experienced maid Charlotte quickly arranged dozens of dishes beautifully across the table.

“Now that the talented swordsman Pendrick has joined us, the future looks promising. Let’s eat. Rosalia, you sit as well.”

With Odilon’s rather uninspired congratulatory speech, the banquet welcoming our newest expedition member began.

There wasn’t any grand event.

Just an abundance of excellent food.

After tasting each dish, my eyes widened unconsciously.

“Abel. This is incredible. he vegetables are dancing on my tongue.”

“You’re flattering me.”

“You’re right. I was flattering you.”

“I thought so.”

“…No, actually, it’s genuinely delicious.”

He’d only recently become a Chef, yet he’d already reached this level.

His future looked even more promising.

Abel’s cooking was wonderful, but Charlotte’s was beyond imagination.

She was so skilled that when Odilon’s mother had been expelled from the family, she’d insisted on bringing Charlotte with her.

“I don’t think I’ll ever be able to eat at an ordinary restaurant again. Chef, you have to take responsibility.”

“Hm… That’s exactly what my mistress used to say.”

Pendrick, who had already become friendly with Charlotte, used his natural gift for conversation to keep the atmosphere lively from beginning to end.

When everyone had nearly finished eating, I finally spoke.

“Everyone on the Moonlight Expedition. I have something important to say.”

Everyone turned toward me.

Marlin and Abel.

The members of Odilon’s household.

Pendrick and Astrimia.

“I want to stay with all of you until the very end.”

Originally, the siblings would’ve become human sacrifices at the Hideout of the Hidden Ghoul Pack, or later enemies we’d inevitably face inside another dungeon.

Now they lived as my wards.

The lovers who were destined to be separated by a curse still leaned upon one another even now.

Destiny could be changed.

And I would continue carving out new paths as a cultist.

To accomplish that, there was one thing we absolutely had to do.

“But don’t you think we’re still far too few?”

The Moonlight Expedition was not yet complete.

“From now on, our expedition has two primary objectives. First, recruit talented people. Second, steadily build our reputation through dungeon exploration.”

And there was only one ultimate destination.

“Someday… we’re going to conquer Nightmare Dungeon. If anyone lacks confidence, raise your hand.”

Pendrick smiled brightly and raised his hand, only to lower it after Astrimia scolded him.

After that, no one else raised theirs.

All I saw were differing expressions of determination and anticipation.

“Excellent.”

Now that everyone agreed upon our ultimate goal, all that remained was to charge forward.

“I’m going to keep running toward that goal without stopping. So later, even when things get difficult… no changing your mind, understood?”