Your Majesty, Dinner Is Ready. – Chapter 86 – The Thrill of Unboxing

Author: Cireng

Chapter 86: The Thrill of Unboxing

The vacation trip to a labyrinth in District 5 was scheduled for the day after my prosthetic arm was completed.

Until then, everyone would spend some personal time making up for their shortcomings as explorers.

“I’ll be heading to the Magic Tower for a bit! My Soul Rank went up, so I need to learn some new black magic.”

Bartimir temporarily returned to District 2.

One of the seven million reasons why mages were an overpowered class was that the Magic Tower supplied its affiliated mages with the standard grimoires for each level of Mystery.

“I’m Level 3 now, so I should finally be allowed into the Disaster Vault.”

The tower of the Black Magic school contained facilities for managing all kinds of dangerous poisons, diseases, curses, and living creatures.

To a demon like Bartimir, it was practically a treasure vault.

If she acquired the curse I’d designated there, she’d gain combat power surpassing that of warriors of the same level.

“Captain, what should I be doing?”

Pendrick, a super-genius swordsman with the Tier 0 trait [Master of the Sword], but still an inexperienced swordsman, sought my advice.

As the expedition leader, it wasn’t difficult to point him in the right direction.

“Sir Pendrick’s most pressing issue is that you barely possess any proper Mysteries.”

At present, Pendrick possessed only a single swordsmanship-related Mystery.

And even that was merely the First-Tier [Powerful Slash], whose only effect was letting him swing his sword a little harder.

Thus, it could be said that our super-genius swordsman still wasn’t able to properly demonstrate his true abilities.

“Lord Karr hasn’t brought you any swordsmanship grimoires all this time because he has a reason for it, right?”

“As expected. Lady Astrimia’s intellect is every bit as exceptional as her refined appearance would suggest.”

“Ahaha!”

Astrimia lightly shook her blade.

“That’s correct. I couldn’t possibly allow the future Great Swordmaster to learn the sort of commonplace, mediocre Mysteries that are found everywhere.”

I had Marlin learn the cheap Mysteries [Basic Daggersmanship] and [Basic Throwing Techniques].

Since the Thief class specialized in utility skills, it was better for them to know as many Mysteries as possible.

But warriors were different.

“Sir Pendrick is still an uncut gem. Wouldn’t it shine all the more beautifully if it were properly polished from the very foundation?”

“Hmm, that makes sense!”

“Please wait just a little longer. I’ll make it possible for you to learn Martial Mysteries.”

Martial Mysteries.

Mysteries that weren’t learned simply by reading a grimoire, but through repeated training.

Grimoires, which let one instantly master new powers simply by reading them, came with the limitation of inheriting their drawbacks as well.

In contrast, techniques passed down through generations, accumulating the souls and philosophies of countless predecessors, were complete in and of themselves.

The higher one’s proficiency became, the more obvious that difference grew.

“Sir Pendrick, rather than swordsmanship itself, what you need first is fundamental training as a warrior. Just as Marlin first learned the basics of being a thief rather than mere sleight of hand.”

“You’re right! I’ve been trying in my own way, but it’s getting difficult to improve on my own.”

“As it happens, in District 5, where we’re headed this time, there’s the martial artist Huztis, who’s practically become your sworn brother.”

The dog beastman who had abruptly visited after our exploration of Nightmare World was only to be swept away by Pendrick’s overwhelming sociability.

Huztis was a fairly renowned explorer in District 5.

“First, go find Sir Huztis at the headquarters of the Demi-Human Association. Then say something like, ‘I’m so frustrated by how weak I am that I can’t stand it.’ He’ll probably be eager to help you.”

“That does sound like a good idea…”

Astrimia thought for a moment before continuing.

“But won’t the Demi-Human Association discriminate against Pendrick because he’s human?”

“Just tell them he’s a half-elf.”

“Oh! Are you a genius or something?”

“…What’s genius about that?! If you’re exposed, you might get imprisoned!”

“As long as you don’t get caught.”

“You’re seriously a genius!”

“You idiottt!!”

There was a bit of commotion.

But in any case, the couple headed to District 5 first.

“Still, thank you for being considerate, Lord Karr!”

Already realizing my true intentions, Astrimia laughed cheerfully as she departed in Pendrick’s arms.

I had things of my own to do.

“Greetings!”

Rachel, the FaintShadow agent who had become the maid working at our house, bowed sharply with military precision.

“Just give me your orders! I’ll handle everything promptly!”

“In that case, could you clean the floors and wash the children’s clothes? Oh, and the dishes too.”

“Leave it to me!”

Up until now, Abel had handled all the housework.

But it was time for him to devote himself fully to life as an explorer.

Rachel bowed at a perfect ninety degrees once more before immediately beginning to sweep the floor.

I liked how briskly she worked.

As befitted a thief.

It would’ve been even better if she had casually pocketed something while working.

“Patron, we’re almost finished organizing everything.”

While I watched Rachel busily cleaning, Abel, who had been diligently writing in a notebook at the dining table, spoke.

Marlin, munching on the flat sugar cookies she’d bought with the allowance I’d given her, lightly poked my side.

“What are you doing?”

“Abel. Show her.”

Nodding, Abel lifted the notebook and showed us the title neatly written on its cover.

[Recipes for Offerings to the Evil Gods]

“…Ah, that?”

“That’s right. I asked him to document every step involved in preparing the offerings used in all the sacrificial rituals we’ve performed. Now that Abel has properly become an explorer with the Chef class, it’s time to organize everything in earnest.”

“I don’t know much, but… I’m pretty sure preparing offerings has absolutely nothing to do with being a chef…”

I stuffed another cookie into Marlin’s mouth.

“There. Finished.”

Abel handed me the notebook.

After briefly flipping through it…

I couldn’t help but be astonished.

“You really are talented at cooking. It never occurred to me that making a tiny hole in a mana core and inserting fire into it would roast the inside evenly.”

“It’s nothing special.”

“I keep telling you, offerings and cooking have absolutely no relation…”

I silenced the mouth that kept interrupting by inserting yet another cookie.

Then I placed my right hand on Abel’s shoulder.

“Would you work as my personal assistant from now on?”

“Of course, Patron.”

Abel became my ritual assistant.

Naturally, I still intended to handle the main portions myself.

The ritual had to be led by me for the offerings to reach the Evil Gods intact.

Still…

All the various minor tasks could safely be entrusted to him.

“Hm?”

Rachel, enthusiastically dusting the windowsill, suddenly stood at attention like a soldier.

“Mr. Cultist! Someone’s here!”

“I see. Let them in.”

“Yes, sir! May Lord Lidni’s boundless knowledge cover the world!”

The maid agent slipped in a perfectly tailored piece of flattery before immediately opening the door.

“Greetings.”

Lucius, priest of the Seeking Lantern faction.

The perpetually sleepy-looking priest stood outside.

His arms were loaded with all sorts of things.

“I’ve brought the various gifts our Harmony Church prepared for you, Lord Karr.”

“I’ll take those, Father!”

Rachel quickly relieved the frail priest of his burden and neatly arranged everything on the dining table.

There was… Quite a lot.

“For a moment, I thought you were a traveling peddler. Why did you bring so much?”

“Please take it as proof that our Harmony Church now considers Lord Karr a most valued, honored guest.”

Lucius smiled warmly, befitting a priest.

“Ever since the conquest of the Sanctuary of Restful Purification, Artea Monastery has remained in a festive mood. The brothers and sisters, overwhelmed with joy and excitement, have all entered the labyrinth together to pay their respects to Saintess Seraphina.”

“Huh? Shouldn’t they first spend five days nursing patients?”

“Exactly. They’re all diligently providing care as we speak.”

The nursing requirement was waived only for expeditions that had cleared the hidden route.

“That’s why someone like me, an ordinary priest, came instead of one of the higher-ranking Harmony Church members. The monastery is practically empty right now.”

“…Shouldn’t they have gone in shifts?”

“I was thinking the same thing…”

Lucius awkwardly shrugged.

“Still, I’ve made sure to bring all the gifts prepared for Lord Karr. So I hope you’ll look forward to them.”

“My heart’s pounding. Marlin, put your hand on my chest. Can’t you feel it beating wildly?”

“It’s completely calm.”

“My heart is unexpectedly level-headed. It had already calmed down before you even touched it. You’re too slow.”

“…Father, just hurry up and introduce the presents already!”

The corners of Lucius’s lips curled upward ever so slightly.

Then he immediately opened a box whose black-and-white color scheme reflected harmonious balance.

Inside rested a delicate prosthetic arm of nearly pure white.

“First, your prosthetic arm.”

[Masterpiece — Hand That Grasps the Ember]

[A prosthetic arm containing the Artifact [Ember of Glory]. It can now unleash flames of even greater firepower than before. Its sensory synchronization also appears to be of fairly high quality.]

[Wait… they made a Masterpiece-grade item in only three days…? A master craftsman must’ve devoted himself without sleeping!]

Honestly… Even I hadn’t expected them to provide something of Masterpiece quality.

Ordinary tools were better for rough use that involved breaking and replacing them.

But high-grade equipment had the unique advantage of making you reluctant to treat it carelessly.

“Our Harmony Church’s master artisan collaborated with an enchanter from the Magic Tower to create this prosthetic. Would you please hold out your left arm?”

I’d already shortened the sleeve of Sky Invader.

When I raised my empty left arm, Lucius carefully attached the prosthetic.

Thunk.

Along with a prickling sensation like being stabbed by countless thorns…

The sensations of my left arm, which until now had been filled only with phantom pain, began to spread outward.

It wasn’t merely that the prosthetic was connecting to my body.

Rather…

It felt as though my arm itself had rapidly grown back.

Twitch.

I lightly flexed my hand.

My fingers curled normally.

There was a slight delay.

But compared to my right hand, the difference was barely noticeable.

“This… This is incredible.”

“It feels like a real arm!”

While the siblings stared in amazement…

The snake tattoo that had reached my shoulder slowly slithered downward.

Rather than immediately entering the prosthetic, it curled itself up first.

It nervously observed the unfamiliar limb before cautiously crawling onto it.

Wriggle!

Suddenly raising its head high, the snake tattoo flicked its tongue before coiling itself atop the back of my hand.

“It seems to like it…”

“It would appear so.”

Then Lriria sent me his will.

“M-My familiar hasn’t been this delighted in thousands of years… Even I find myself quite pleased…”

“I’m glad.”

Politely replying, I flexed the prosthetic in various ways.

While I familiarized myself with its still somewhat unfamiliar sensation, Lucius continued explaining.

“The Ember of Glory has been embedded into the back of the hand where the snake tattoo rests. The flame projector activates when the palm opens. It functions exactly as before.”

Clack.

With a thought, a circular opening appeared in my palm.

“This is stylish.”

“For your information, it’s made from Snowfield Stone, a metal with extraordinarily high fire resistance. So you needn’t worry about it burning.”

The next gift was 1,000 gold as payment for the information.

An amount large enough to make Marlin, the teenager who loved money, raise her tail straight into the air.

Apparently, because the labyrinth held such historical significance for the Harmony Church, they’d taken special care with the reward.

“This is your identification badge certifying your status as Honorary Harmony Church members.”

We also received three explorer identification badges bearing the shield emblem.

Those were all items they’d already promised.

The final gift, however, was a complete surprise.

A dagger whose blade curved slightly like a crescent moon.

Unlike the lethal weapons thieves usually favored, this one served a different purpose.

“This is a ceremonial dagger.”

[Artifact — Full Moon Executioner]

[When used during sacrificial rituals, the probability that your offerings will satisfy the Great Divinities increases dramatically. It can also establish a temporary altar. That hypocritical goddess’s priest has brought you something truly remarkable!]

Full Moon Executioner.

Among ceremonial daggers, it ranked among the finest.

Considering that the quickest legitimate way to obtain it normally involved carrying out a terrorist attack on Arthea Monastery and massacring the slums…

It was undoubtedly the best possible gift.

Even I wasn’t eager to create a cleanup that troublesome.

“It once belonged to an infamous cultist. The Pope two generations ago, now passed away, instructed us to present it to any cultist who faithfully obeyed the Harmony Church.”

Lucius smiled gently.

“We firmly believe Lord Karr is the person who best fulfills those words.”

I quietly stared at the Full Moon Executioner before immediately bowing deeply.

“From this day onward, I shall serve the Harmony Church with the loyalty of a dog. I can even crawl around on all fours barking if you’d like to see.”

“…That won’t be necessary.”

Thus, the heart-pounding unboxing concluded in an atmosphere of warm cheer.

However…

There was still one final gift remaining.

“Lord Karr.”

Lucius bowed slightly and smiled.

“With your conquest of Sanctuary of Restful Purification, you’ve further increased the Ore of Trust upon the Scales of Harmony.”

In other words…

I’d already qualified for the next tier of cultist benefits.

“Lord Karr may now hire one of our Holy Knights or priests to join your expedition.”

A Harmony Church companion.

Once they became part of the team, they’d easily pull their own weight and often far more.