Your Majesty, Dinner Is Ready. Chapter 67 - How Romantic of You

Chapter 67: How Romantic of You

 

Top floor of Odilon’s estate.

I was diligently practicing my faith for the sake of the Exalted One.

“First of all, I’d like to let Mr. Targon know that I intend to participate in the guild war.”

As I nibbled on a piece of cheese while speaking, Odilon indifferently sipped his wine.

“So you’re really going to do it.”

“Didn’t you already give me your wholehearted permission?”

“I said, ‘Go ahead and try if you want.’ Were you too stupid to tell the difference between sincerity and sarcasm?”

“Since you chose to respect my opinion instead of flatly rejecting it, isn’t that practically the same thing as wholehearted approval?”

“…Fine. Do whatever you want.”

Young Master shook his head slightly.

Behind him, Rosalia also quietly shook hers.

Since I’d brought their hearts into agreement, couldn’t I say I’d contributed to their harmony?

Lady Artein, I’ve done it again.

“You’re my business partner, but on paper, you’re listed as being under me. After all, I’m the one who founded the expedition party.”

Watching Rosalia nervously pour wine as usual, Odilon continued,

“So I’ll be the one to meet Targon.”

“You’re going all the way to District Three? I’m worried you’ll collapse on the way.”

“…I’ll be taking Rosalia with me.”

“But does Young Master really need to go personally?”

“I do.”

After reassuring his escort secretary with a glance that it was fine despite the spilled wine, Odilon placed [Comforter] in his mouth.

“The Ashen Wolves might try to force unfavorable contract terms on you. It doesn’t hurt to be careful.”

“That does make sense.”

I was merely an ordinary explorer.

The other party was the Ash Wolf Guild, one of Pletica’s Milky Way-class organizations.

Senior Warrior Targon wasn’t the scheming type.

The real problem was his secretary, Elvira… the Jewel Elf who pursued profit with absolute devotion.

If I let my guard down, I might happily sign a slave contract with no compensation.

Naturally, I’d rather discuss the contract myself.

Still, it was wiser to follow Odilon’s judgment here.

“Understood. I’ll leave every matter regarding the guild war contract entirely in your hands, Young Master. You’re the one who handles all the troublesome paperwork for your affiliated explorers anyway.”

“That’s right.”

Odilon gave an absent-minded nod before slowly exhaling the smoke he’d been holding in.

“And you mentioned you’ll be using the benefits offered by the Church of Harmony?”

“That’s correct.”

Following the Exalted One’s will that I actively make eye contact, I continued,

“As you’re already aware, once a cultist accumulates enough reputation, they may participate in Volunteer Service under the Church of Harmony’s guidance.”

“To be honest, it’s ridiculous. They actually call ‘that’ a benefit? At this rate, they’ll start dragging cultists away for forced labor and call that a blessing too.”

As expected of someone with severe trust issues regarding human relationships…

No one could match his sarcasm.

“You shouldn’t say that. This is an opportunity that truly doesn’t come around easily.”

“An opportunity? To do nothing but nurse sick people from the past?”

Providing care for patients…

Within a labyrinth set in a past era.

That was the second-tier benefit of the Church of Harmony’s cultist reputation system.

Resting his chin on one hand, Odilon curled up one corner of his mouth.

“Go ahead and do that, too. I won’t bother stopping you.”

“Hmm. Could you stop me anyway?”

“Why? Don’t tell me you actually dislike pointless nursing work too?”

“Not at all. It’s just that when someone tries to stop me before I begin difficult work, it makes the task feel even more daunting, and then, once I finish it safely afterward, the sense of accomplishment doubles. It’s much more refreshing that way.”

“……”

The grinning Young Master covered his face with one hand.

The red-haired assassin also closed her eyes and gently shook her head.

Lady Artein… I’ve brought harmony once again.

“…Cultist Karr. Simply talking to you rapidly drains my energy.”

If anything, that meant I held special significance.

From that perspective… It was practically a compliment.

“Thank you. I’ll go make my preparations.”

“Wait.”

Stopping me, Odilon frowned slightly.

“You said before that one of the Ashen Wolf Guild’s vice guildmasters… Rigobert… was the traitor selling information to outsiders.”

“That’s correct.”

“…Strange.”

“Don’t you think so?”

I gave a small shrug.

“A subordinate who’s been Targon’s closest friend since the guild’s founding betrays him? And even manages to avoid the instincts of a Level 9 Berserker?”

“It’s too unnatural.”

“Then what do you consider ‘natural?’”

“Probably something Targon himself has already vaguely realized by now.”

Setting [Comforter] down, Odilon narrowed his eyes.

“The Six Apostles you mentioned before. They’re involved, aren’t they?”

“……”

There was nothing for me to add.

It was already the perfect answer.

“That is correct.”

I looked once at Odilon…

Then at Rosalia…

Before lifting my gaze toward the ceiling.

Hidden beyond it… The moon was probably shining brightly in the night sky.

“One of the Six Apostles whom we’ll someday face… Can deceive even a Level 9 Berserker whose senses surpass those of most monsters.”

A level of deception capable of fooling Targon completely.

Meticulous enough that none of the other guild members noticed anything.

Honestly…

They would be unpleasant enemies to face.

“Which is exactly why they’ll be worth fighting.”

I would conquer the Nightmare Dungeon and prevent the world’s destruction.

And before that…

I intended to eliminate every one of the Six Apostles who sought to interfere with its conquest for their own purposes.

“You don’t regret it yet, do you? Sharing the secret that the world may someday come to an end.”

Young Master answered without the slightest hesitation.

“Our family has always lived with heavy, unpleasant truths while carrying on with daily life as though nothing were wrong. Information is ultimately just another way of making money.”

His escort secretary answered just as readily.

“Not at all.”

It was the answer I’d expected.

Even so… Hearing it directly from them eased my heart.

“Excellent. Let’s do our best.”

A world where labyrinths truly existed… Like rain nourishing my barren heart.

No one would be allowed to endanger the fate of this world.

Because… I would make sure of that.

 

***

 

The next morning.

I stood in front of our house in Cultist Town together with the companions who would be volunteering alongside me.

“You’d all do well to warm up thoroughly.”

First volunteer.

Me.

Cultist Karr.

“So this labyrinth can only be entered alongside a cultist eligible for the Church of Harmony’s benefits. How interesting.”

Second volunteer.

Black Mage Bartimir.

‘’…This road ahead looks nothing but miserable.’’

“Still, if we’re doing it, let’s give it our all!”

Third volunteer and weapon.

Swordsman Pendrick and the Ego Sword, Astrimiria of Joy.

The siblings had reached the final stage of their basic training, so I intended to leave them behind.

Rosalia would accompany Young Master to District Three.

Thus…

These were all the expedition members joining this exploration-slash-volunteer mission.

“Sir Kar, but… is there actually a reason we have to do volunteer work?”

While her boyfriend stretched his body, Astrimiria voiced her doubts.

“I had Pendrick investigate it separately. Apparently it’s nothing but endless suffering… even members of the Church of Harmony avoid it.”

“Hmm. That part is true.”

“…Excuse me?”

“Allow me to say this in advance. The volunteer work awaiting you will be utterly meaningless and completely unrewarding.”

Pendrick blinked quietly.

Bartimir’s lips curved upward.

“Furthermore… It won’t merely be difficult. You’ll repeatedly find yourselves in life-threatening situations. Your lives will be in danger countless times.”

“Wait a second. We’re risking our lives… just to volunteer…?”

“That’s correct. Even so… We must go.”

I met each of my companions’ eyes in turn.

Lastly…

I looked toward the Ego Sword resting inside the artifact scabbard.

“Because if we accomplish everything successfully… History itself will change.”

And that wasn’t all.

“We’ll also obtain rewards that will continue helping us throughout all our future explorations. Moreover, we’ll become honored guests of the Church of Harmony. We’ll receive treatment unlike anything we’ve experienced before. And when the time comes to challenge the Nightmare Dungeon, we may receive tremendous assistance.”

“…Now I’m even more worried. This really is just volunteer work?”

Astrimiria trembled inside her blade.

“We’re not secretly going to wipe out some ancient evil organization that’s been operating in the shadows… are we?”

“It truly is simple volunteer work. The danger just far exceeds anything you can imagine. If anyone doesn’t wish to go, please say so now.”

Even after receiving ample warning…

Not one member refused.

“My life might be in danger? I love it!”

The demon, who understood the true joy of exploration, answered without the slightest hesitation.

“I’m a little nervous… But I’ll still go. The Captain would never force us to do something impossible.”

The super-genius swordsman, a monster of positivity and sociability, simply kept smiling.

Astrimiria, on the other hand… Hesitated for quite some time before letting out a mental sigh.

“Now I have to go just to find out what happens. Knowing Sir Karr’s personality… It’s obviously going to be unbelievably dangerous…!”

[The Wise One’s eyes sparkle. They eagerly anticipate what new knowledge you’ll satisfy their thirst and yearning for through your next actions!]

I could confidently say…

They wouldn’t be disappointed.

Though there might be situations that made them somewhat anxious.

“We’ve kept you waiting!”

After we’d been waiting for a short while, Valentin walked over.

“Good morning, Sir Valentin. A morning protected by Lady Artein over the road ahead.”

“And another morning watched over by the Protector of All, Sir Kar!”

The Holy Knight with the brilliant smile enthusiastically shook my hand before introducing the two members of the Church standing behind him.

“This is Priest Lucius of the Seeking Lamp. He’ll monitor any unexpected changes within the labyrinth.”

“Greetings, Explorer.”

The slightly sleepy-looking priest bowed politely.

In truth… We’d met before.

He’d been the labyrinth administrator assigned to The Hidden Ghoul Pack’s Lair.

[At last! You can exploit that fellow’s mild personality, become friends with him, and swindle him!]

Next came the Holy Knight who’d accompanied Valentin last time.

Her eyes remained remarkably clear.

“This is Ilia. The youngest member of the Spear of Order.”

“Pleasure to meet you. Karr, Cultist of the Twisted Truth.”

The exact same greeting as before.

The exact same unnaturally straight posture.

She was alive…

Yet everything about her felt so awkward it was almost uncanny.

[Holy Knight Ilia (Human, 22). A former vagrant turned Holy Knight after having “Order” implanted into her mind while committing crimes. Followers of that hypocritical goddess truly are revolting!]

Still… Wasn’t forced rehabilitation preferable to prison? …Actually… Now that I thought about it again…

Choosing to abandon the evil of one’s own free will and sincerely repent would be the more difficult challenge.

That might be the better path.

Afterward… I introduced my own companions.

“This kind-looking Demon Black Mage wrapped entirely in bandages is Mr. Bartimir.”

“Nice to meet you.”

Bartimir merely waved one hand in greeting.

“Wow. You really do look… very kind.”

At Ilia’s AI-like reaction…

Astrimiria, resting inside the artifact scabbard Hall of Swords, quietly gasped.

“And this is the super-genius swordsman Pendrick from the Eastern Continent.”

“…I’m not ‘that’ amazing. But… pleased to meet you.”

Once the awkward introductions concluded…

Valentin turned to me.

“I’ll now guide everyone to the labyrinth. Please follow me.”

The Holy Knight with the dazzling smile led us…

To the Artea Monastery, which we’d visited previously.

More precisely… To somewhere nearby.

“Sir Valentin. I’ve heard the labyrinth we’re entering today recreates a location deeply connected to the Church of Harmony. Is that true?”

“It is.”

Valentin smiled broadly at Pendrick’s friendly question.

“Wow. How fascinating. How did a labyrinth connected to the Church of Harmony just happen to appear beside the Church’s monastery?”

“It’s caused by certain mana flows that are difficult to explain theoretically. It happens from time to time. Though it’s quite rare.”

There had once been a detailed video uploaded by the creator, Mitube, explaining this exact phenomenon.

Unfortunately… It had been so complicated that I remembered absolutely none of it.

“It’s over there!”

A gauntleted hand pointed toward the labyrinth entrance.

A pristine white pillar… Standing directly beside the monastery wall.

Even from a glance… It possessed an unmistakable elegance.

[Entrance to the [Sanctuary of Restful Purification].]

Despite standing right beside the entrance…

Not a single explorer was nearby.

Hardly anyone could enter.

And even if anyone could… It still wouldn’t have been popular.

“Greetings. Sir Karr, Cultist of the Twisted Truth.”

After exchanging greetings with Valentin…

The labyrinth administrator priest turned toward me and immediately began asking a series of questions.

“Are you truly volunteering of your own free will?”

“I am.”

“You’ve received a full explanation? I’ve been thoroughly informed.”

“And you haven’t changed your mind?”

“I don’t believe I ever will.”

“…Very well.”

As the priest stepped aside…

Astrimiria whispered so only I could hear.

“Just what kind of labyrinth is this? Why is he questioning you so persistently?”

“He’s simply making a fuss.”

“…I already know there’s absolutely no way that’s true!”

At that moment…

Priest Lucius happened to meet my eyes.

After cautiously checking whether Valentin was watching…

He silently mouthed a warning.

‘Run away while you still can. This labyrinth is truly horrifying.’

We’d only met once.

Yet he was sincerely trying to help me.

I nodded energetically…

And answered using only the movement of my lips.

‘Thank you. I’ll definitely go inside.’

A truly horrifying labyrinth, he said.

It was a wonderfully romantic confession… The kind that made my heart flutter as though it were floating among the clouds.