Your Majesty, Dinner Is Ready. Chapter 87 - What's the Problem?

Chapter 87: What’s the Problem?

 

District 6 Slums.

As always, a canine beastman explorer walked through the shabby streets overflowing with lethargy and foul odors.

A hand axe emitting black energy hung carelessly from his waist.

His clothes were stained with blood from top to bottom.

At a glance, he gave off an unmistakably dangerous aura, so the sharp-eyed slum residents hurriedly cleared the way before he even approached.

“Who the hell is that guy?”

“A cultist?”

“Hey, don’t stare. You’ll end up as a living sacrifice if you attract his attention.”

While the slum dwellers whispered among themselves and kept their distance, the explorer continued surveying the run-down neighborhood.

Eventually, he approached a group sprawled drunkenly in an alley.

“I have a question. How long has it been since the Black Sword Guild disappeared?”

“The Black Sword?”

One of the nearby drunks grinned lazily.

“It’s been a while since they all croaked! Honestly, good riddance!”

“Yeah. They were always throwing their weight around while extorting tribute money. Aside from a few members, they were all trash.”

“Especially that Guild Master Maken bastard! Life’s gotten so much more comfortable since he disappeared.”

Even in the slums, the Black Sword Guild’s reputation wasn’t very good.

Stealing money or valuables from fellow slum dwellers wasn’t unusual enough to bother anyone.

But their constant arrogance and abuse had made them widely hated.

The explorer casually produced a bottle of liquor from his coat and held it out.

Then he asked another question.

“I heard a rumor that a half-elf cultist of Twisted Truth dragged away all the Black Sword Guild members and offered them as living sacrifices.”

“What do you think?”

“The half-elf cultist… You mean that up-and-coming guy named Karr?”

“I don’t buy it!”

The second drunk accepted the bottle with a crooked grin and wagged his finger.

“If he’d carried out an unauthorized large-scale sacrificial ritual, there’s no way the Harmony Church would’ve come to trust him!”

“Damn, you’ve got sharp instincts!”

“That’s just how I am!”

The smell of alcohol was overwhelming.

Still…

The information was useful enough.

The explorer politely bowed to the two drunks.

“Did you learn anything?”

After emerging from the alley, a large cat beastman with one eye covered by an eyepatch strode over.

The explorer absentmindedly rubbed the handle of his hand axe as he answered.

“Judging from the circumstances, the half-elf Karr doesn’t appear to be the one who directly eliminated the Black Sword Guild. Not when he’s recently earned such tremendous trust from the Harmony Church.”

“Hmm. That’s what I figured too. However, we still can’t rule out the possibility that he was involved. The anonymous informant spoke with absolute certainty. This whole situation is so frustrating…”

Karsha, Guild Master of the Hyena Guild under the Silent Alliance, irritably scratched his head.

He’d been ordered to uncover the truth behind the Black Sword Guild’s downfall.

But after several days of investigation…

They’d made absolutely no progress.

“Please calm yourself, Guild Master.”

Pierre, the subordinate who had been continuously stroking the handle of his hand axe, smiled faintly.

“I’ll make contact with the half-elf Karr. In the proper way. As an explorer.”

 

***

 

“The air can actually taste good…!”

Marlin bounced excitedly on the balls of her feet.

Beside her, Abel wore a relaxed smile while holding down his wagging tail with both hands.

Both of them looked genuinely happy.

I wasn’t feeling too bad myself.

“Children, aren’t you glad we came?”

The siblings nodded one after the other.

“I’d heard District 5 was a wonderful place for beastmen and elves to live, but I never imagined it’d be this nice!”

We were currently in District 5, right next door.

A district managed by the Demi-Human Association, an organization devoted to protecting the rights of all intelligent races other than humans.

Its most famous feature was the enormous ecological park, where the untouched landscapes of the Eastern Continent had been preserved almost exactly as they were, free from the influence of technology and capital.

“Patron, you mentioned that most of District 5 consists of this ecological park.”

Unable to suppress his swishing tail any longer, Abel spoke up.

“Doesn’t that make the residential area rather small?”

“It’s fine. Inside the Association headquarters is a subspace where people can live alongside nature. Quite a few people even camp there permanently.”

“I suppose that would suit elves. I’ve read that in ancient times, they treated nature itself as their home and slept wherever they pleased. Apparently, Ancient Elvish even had hundreds of different words for ‘sleeping outdoors’ or ‘camping.'”

“So you’ve been diligently visiting the library.”

Unlike his older sister, who instinctively looked away after feeling oddly guilty…

Abel was genuinely scholarly.

I crooked Marlin’s wide-brimmed hat before speaking.

“The problem is that I’ve been cursed by Meterd. So magnificent natural scenery isn’t exactly comfortable for me.”

As soon as we entered the pristine environment with its fresh air…

The curse personally bestowed upon me by the Parent of Nature, the budding fertilizer sprout growing from my chest, began throbbing painfully.

“…Even so, you came all the way to District 5 for our sake?”

“No. I rather enjoy being uncomfortable. Do you know why?”

“I’d rather not know…”

“Why have you given up on me already? Please keep arguing.”

“No.”

Shaking her head, Marlin refused.

I placed a hand atop her head.

“Shall we take a leisurely walk while admiring the scenery?”

We strolled along at an easy pace beneath the refreshing breeze.

Without getting lost…

We soon reached our destination.

“Karr, that’s the place, right?”

A wide-open meadow where a brook gently babbled.

The lush green grass had been stained the color of melted chocolate.

[Entrance to Cherry Cherry Hill]

“Let’s wait here for a little while.”

We’d arranged to meet the others at the entrance to the labyrinth.

“I’ll spread out the picnic mat.”

Quietly following behind us, Lucius laid out a picnic blanket beneath the shade of a tree overlooking the lake.

The blanket was decorated with an adorable illustration of a Level 1 mascot monster, the All-Seeing Cub, whose entire body consisted of eyeballs, raising both little paws.

The siblings, who’d been about to thank the kind priest, suddenly stiffened.

“…Father. Do you happen to think the All-Seeing Cub is adorable? Or cool? Or maybe you’ve always wanted to raise one?”

“Hm?”

Apparently caught off guard, Lucius blinked blankly.

“Not at all. It was simply the last one left at the exploration supply store. I had no choice but to buy it. I’m sorry I couldn’t find a cuter design.”

“…”

After hearing the priest’s sincere apology, Marlin muttered quietly,

“That’s strange. Karr recruited him without the slightest hesitation.”

“What are you talking about?”

“The Father brought us such an adorable teddy bear picnic mat.”

“…Just sit down already!”

Grabbing my sleeve, Marlin forcefully pulled me down onto the blanket.

“I’m here!”

It happened while we were all sharing the snacks Marlin had taken out of her leather bag.

A demon guy with an innocent appearance, his entire upper body, including his face, wrapped in bandages, came trotting over.

He promptly laid his head on my bony thigh.

“Mom.”

“I got cursed!”

“Well done, my daughter.”

The siblings simultaneously lowered their heads.

“…Please don’t call him that where there are so many people. And please don’t casually say you’ve been cursed. Everyone’s starting to stare at us strangely…”

The people enjoying their outing really were whispering while looking our way.

I waved cheerfully at them.

They flinched…

Then immediately began whispering even more as they backed away.

What’s the problem?

“…”

As I tidied the sleeping demon guy’s hair, he’d already fallen asleep due to Sudden Nightmare…

A crimson assassin emerged silently from the shadow of a nearby tree.

“Good afternoon, Sister.”

Rosalia, who had accompanied Odilon to District 3 as his bodyguard before returning alone, quietly sat down beside the siblings.

She even greeted them with a nod.

“What is Young Master doing that he’s still in District 3?”

“…Work.”

“So he’s still negotiating matters related to the Guild War.”

He was probably locked in a battle of wills with Elvira, Targon’s secretary.

Since neither of them tolerated even the slightest disadvantage, it was bound to become a dead-even struggle.

“Do you know how much longer he’ll be there?”

Rosalia shook her head.

“Still, I suppose he no longer needs your protection. He’ll continue traveling with the strongest warrior in Pletica, after all.”

I spent the time gently patting Bartimir’s head while he squirmed comfortably.

Before long, Marlin finished nearly all the snacks and smiled contentedly.

“Now we just need Pendrick and Astrimia.”

“They won’t be coming.”

“Huh? Why not?”

“Lady Astrimia disliked the idea of an exploration vacation so much. So I decided to be considerate.”

There was a reason I’d gone out of my way to arrange a master for Pendrick just before the outing.

“…To be honest, Abel and I aren’t exactly thrilled about spending our vacation inside a labyrinth either.”

“Ah. There he is.”

Marlin quickly turned toward the direction I pointed.

Then she looked back at me with questioning eyes.

Someone was walking toward us from the direction of the Demi-Human Association headquarters.

It wasn’t the tall Pendrick. It was a short goblin.

“Brother!”

The goblin waved enthusiastically as he approached.

He was someone I knew.

[Mek Invincible, the meddlesome goblin (Goblin, 25). Just as ugly as the last time you saw him.]

“It’s good to see you again, Mr. Mek. Have you been well?”

“Of course not. Have you ever seen a goblin living peacefully?”

Chuckling, Mek pulled a cigar from his pocket.

After glancing at the young siblings… He quietly put it away again.

“So, what brings you here?”

“Huztis sent me. It’s about your swordsman.”

I handed him some cookies, which were relatively healthier than cigarettes.

The goblin snickered.

“Nothing serious happened. Huztis is just training that handsome guy to death.”

“I see.”

“You knew that would happen? He actually told Huztis, ‘I’m so frustrated by how weak I am.’ That’s basically the same as begging to be devoured!”

Crackle. Crackle.

Lord Sue’je passionately insisted that true charm didn’t come from aggressively seducing others.

Rather…

A gentle gaze and a naturally kind disposition that captivated people without even realizing it… that was what truly mattered.

I wholeheartedly agreed.

The only problem was that far too much lightning was shooting everywhere.

“…Lightning just sparked near your collarbone. Are you alright?”

“This happens all the time. So your errand was simply to inform us Sir Pendrick won’t be coming?”

“Yep. Huztis says he’ll teach him the Eastern Continent breathing technique. Something like… Ung… Un-gi…”

“It should be Ungi Josik.”

A breathing technique that, according to the lore, had developed only on the Eastern Continent, where natural mana was most abundant.

By breathing, one accumulates Inner Energy, a purified form of mana refined within the dantian.

That Inner Energy could then be used in battle.

Although it was a Martial Mystery best suited for martial artists…

It was also highly useful for other warrior classes.

“Yeah… that’s it. Anyway, he’s teaching him that. That pretty sword asked me to tell you your guy’s too busy learning to come.”

“I understand. Thank you for coming all the way here.”

“No problem. I’ve been cooped up indoors too much lately anyway.”

As Mek casually rolled his shoulders…

He suddenly leaned in close and whispered,

“I heard some cultist explorer discovered the hidden piece of the Sanctuary of Restful Purification, and now the Harmony Church’s gone absolutely crazy. That was you, wasn’t it?”

Had the rumor already spread all the way to District 5?

There was no reason to deny it.

So I nodded.

“…Turns out I’d become friends with someone incredible.”

Mek wiggled his eyebrows before lightly punching my arm.

“Brother… later on…”

“I understand.”

“…I haven’t even said anything yet.”

“Lord Lidni knows everything. Isn’t this because of Invincible Father?”

“…”

The goblin stared at me with wide eyes.

Then he rubbed the back of his neck.

“…Is it impossible to hide your true thoughts from a cultist of Twisted Truth?”

“Naturally. I already know the circumstances.”

[Whew. This time, even I knew. At least I’ve managed to preserve a little dignity. :D]

“If things start heading in an unpleasant direction, please come find me. Even if I’m in the middle of a bath, I’ll rush out naked.”

“…At least put some clothes on first. Anyway… thanks, brother!”

Looking considerably more relieved, Mek departed.

I watched his now noticeably lighter footsteps disappear into the distance before standing up.

“Since Sir Pendrick won’t be joining us, everyone who’s coming on this vacation is already here. Shall we get going?”

Marlin smacked my waist with her tail.

“This is a labyrinth exploration anyway. What’s the real objective besides ‘having fun’?”

“…Well. I hope our Moonlight Expedition Team will become a little closer.”

“Oh. So there’s a Mystery grimoire that somehow links the team members together?”

“If we have something that useful, our teamwork will definitely improve.”

“Everyone, you heard him, right? Let’s all do our best!”

Acting like the expedition leader, Marlin confidently raised her fist.

The taciturn assassin.

The catastrophe-collecting demon.

The dependable priest.

Each smiled faintly before responding in their own way.

“Let’s get moving.”

“Patron, let’s head into the labyrinth.”

“…Very well.”

As the siblings pushed me forward by the back…

I quietly muttered,

“…We’re really just going there to have fun.”