Your Majesty, Dinner Is Ready. - Chapter 121

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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Chapter 121: Curses Are Living Things Too
The sun beat down mercilessly at noon.
I was sunbathing on the rooftop of Odillon’s mansion.
It was a kind of tribute to Solmiran, though I couldn’t quite follow through on the vow I’d made on the Battlefield of Sun and Moon—I’d removed my shirt, but kept my undergarments on.
A Half-Elf’s delicate skin suffered terribly under prolonged sunlight: sunburn, heat damage, all manner of solar side effects.
“The weather really is magnificent, isn’t it?”
Pendrick, sprawled in the chair beside me, smiled warmly.
He’d followed me up to the rooftop for sunbathing, and he seemed to be enjoying himself even more than I was, despite being a Sun Elf by birth.
“You seem delighted, sir.”
“On the Eastern Continent, faith in Solmiran is woven into daily life, so humans and elves often indulge in sunbathing. The bestial races, being weak to heat, didn’t care much for it.”
Pendrick, dressed only in swimming trunks that reached his thighs, kicked his feet idly while humming a tune.
His good mood proved contagious, and I let myself relax completely.
Crack-crack! Sizzle-sizzle!
Perhaps the sight of two bare-chested men lying side by side had pleased someone exalted.
The dignified one had been sending desire-laden demands through the lightning tattoo near my collarbone in rapid succession.
The lightning was too conspicuous, so I had to suppress it with Dark Brain Blooming.
— Something’s noisy, isn’t it?
Astrímia, who had emerged from her artifact scabbard to bask in the sun, let out a stifled laugh.
Zing-zing-zing!
“That won’t do. Please be satisfied with the upper half.”
I luxuriated in the sun’s favor while observing the Manure Sprout that had grown on my chest.
It had been sprouting vigorously all this time, and by now a small shoot had already poked its head out.
“It’s grown quite a bit, hasn’t it?”
Pendrick, who had been stroking Astrímia’s blade spirit, turned his body toward me.
“Is it alright to leave it like that indefinitely?”
“There are no additional side effects even if it continues to grow.”
— Just looking at it puts me in a bad mood. How about plucking the sprout? The curse won’t disappear, but at least you’d feel better about it.
“Good heavens.”
I covered my mouth.
“How could you suggest such cruelty to this innocent thing? You’re truly merciless.”
— …But it’s a curse, isn’t it?
“Cancer cells are alive too, and curses are living things.”
“Since the Manure Sprout is a type of plant, that’s certainly true!”
The perpetually optimistic inspector nodded his head vigorously.
— …Sigh.
Astrímia let out a sigh of exasperation—by now, a familiar one.
— Speaking of which, why does Meterd hate Half-Elves so much? Isn’t it rather excessive, honestly?
“There’s been a misunderstanding.”
I shook my head slowly.
“What Meterd dislikes are only elves who serve the evil god. I know you won’t believe me, but in truth, Meterd actually pities Half-Elves.”
— I find that hard to believe. If you pity us, why curse us?
“Since the Ever-Green One would surely not wish it, I simply keep my mouth shut.”
A mere intelligent being cannot cross the will of a great divine force or speak carelessly.
So I decided not to make any effort to rehabilitate Meterd’s honor.
“Grow into a beautiful flower, if you will.”
It was just as I was carefully touching the Manure Sprout’s delicate leaf.
Flap-flap-flap!
A flying golem shaped like a pigeon arrived, the sound of rough wingbeats accompanying it.
《A delivery golem made by the Greedy Magic Tower. Inexplicably fashioned to be identical to a pigeon, its wing-to-body joint is structurally weak.》
— The Greedy Magic Tower is always with you, citizens of Pletika! Are you Kar, the Socialite of Twisted Truth?
“That’s correct.”
— Here’s your delivery!
The golem extended a long package box.
On the surface was a drawing of a wine glass containing jewels.
The work I’d entrusted to Tavireck, the Jewel Lord Guild Master, seemed to be finished.
— Is this your item?
“Yes.”
Pendrick accepted the package on my behalf, since I had only my right arm.
— Then, please pay the 5 Silver delivery fee!
“Collect on delivery…?”
– Yes!
“Understood.”
I gave a soft nod and withdrew five silver coins from the Subspace, handing them over.
This unplanned, sudden expense added a small pleasure to what could have become a tedious routine—a precious experience in its own right.
I’d need to do business with Tavireck frequently from now on.
‘Now I can’t even be bothered to complain.’
– Have a good day!
After the flying golem departed, Pendrick set the box upon his lap.
“Shall we open it?”
“Please do.”
“Thank you for entrusting me with the most interesting part.”
Pendrick slowly opened the locked box.
Inside lay two items.
A Prosthetic Arm and manacles.
“Would you connect the Prosthetic Arm first?”
“Of course. Please extend your arm.”
The Prosthetic Arm, slightly larger than before, was affixed to the rounded stump of my left shoulder.
Click.
As before, a prickling sensation shot through me, and my left arm’s Perception expanded.
The fit and mobility felt much the same as my previous one.
“There’s a letter here along with instructions. Shall I read it aloud?”
“If you would, Astrímia, read it with all your charm.”
– Why not. Pendrick, unfold it so we can see clearly.
Astrímia cleared her throat briefly before beginning to recite the contents of the small note.
– First, I must sing my own praises. The work is already finished. Whenever I take on a commission from you, inspiration flows brilliantly, and the job wraps itself up in no time.
True to his Eastern Continent dwarf nature, Tavireck hadn’t cluttered the letter with trivial remarks.
What followed was the instruction manual.
– By will alone, you can shift between two forms. The first form works as before, wielding the flames of the Flame of Glory. The method is identical to what you already know.
“And the second?”
– The second form opens the palm in the same way. When it does, you can absorb Qi, amplify it, and return it in kind.
A broken-game effect transplanted directly from a Centaur-type Elite Golem’s function.
From the detailed specifications in the manual, though the capacity was regrettably modest, the mere fact that I could now perform prismatic reflection was more than satisfying enough.
Click-click!
The moment I willed the transformation, elegant lines rippled across what had been a smooth arm.
– So you went and made me like this!
From the hollow of the now-open palm, a voice with a cheerful tone poured forth.
– But it’s so comfortable—I really love it!
“I’m glad.”
– Sometimes let me go outside, all right!
“I’ll do my best.”
The tone was still regrettable, but it felt as though consciousness had taken root in the Prosthetic Arm itself, which was gratifying.
The particularly delightful aspect was that it might occasionally surprise me with unplanned actions.
As I returned the Prosthetic Arm to its normal state, Pendrick picked up the other object from the box—the manacles.
‘Rare-grade – Demon Race Suppressor’
‘When worn, it absorbs a fixed amount of Qi each time the body fills with Qi. The chain section extends considerably and has become resistant to breaking.’
“But what will you use these manacles for?”
I held out both hands toward Pendrick, who was examining the Demon Race Suppressor from every angle.
“Fasten them for now.”
Click.
Short cylindrical manacles encircled both my wrists.
The iron chain linking the center had stretched to more than five times its original length, providing considerable slack.
“Now all that’s left is to get hit by enemy attacks while wearing them.”
“…Is that so?”
Pendrick fell silent, staring at the manacles, until Astrímia spoke up.
– Doesn’t this look… a bit strange?
“Strange? Half-Elves bound in manacles and thoroughly beaten by enemies are countless throughout history. Given the abundance of precedent, there’s nothing strange about it whatsoever. Wouldn’t you agree?”
– …Yes. Really, truly, you’re absolutely right!!
With wise Astrímia’s acknowledgment, there was no problem at all.
‘But the bearded craftsman’s skill has improved dramatically since before. It’s clear the Sun God watches you with the same damp gaze as he fixes on Ruria!’
That wasn’t something to be surprised or flustered by—rather, it was cause for celebration.
That nagging feeling that someone might be watching me in secret—it’s hardly an uncommon sensation, is it?
“Pendrick, would you mind unlocking these again? The key was in there with them.”
“Of course. Just a moment.”
I stowed the shackles away in the Subspace and rose from my seat.
Sunbathing time was over.
“Solmiran, from now on I shall make a habit of basking in sunlight at regular intervals. Rather fitting, wouldn’t you say?”
Not forgetting to offer my respects to the deity of the sun, I fastened the Sky Invader around my body.
At a sloth-like, leisurely pace.
Zzzzt, crackle-pop!
Sue’s will flared explosively before ebbing away.
A thoroughly gratifying morning of Socialite duties for the Unclean Merchant.
《Do pay attention to acts of faith for Ridni as well. :I》
“I was planning to stop by the library after the next expedition anyway.”
In truth, acts of faith for the wise one who desired intellectual amusement were sufficiently fulfilled through excavating Hidden Pieces alone, but the greed of the malevolent deity knew no bounds.
“Pendrick.”
I addressed Pendrick, now dressed in ordinary clothes.
“I was thinking of visiting the young master. Would you care to join me?”
“I’d be delighted!”
And so we made our way down to Odillon’s room.
…….
I opened the door without knocking and stepped inside, whereupon Rosalia, who had materialized from the shadows, blocked my path.
Then she gestured subtly toward an exceedingly luxurious bed, where the sleepy young master was dozing soundly despite the hour of day.
“He’s not to be woken?”
A nod.
“But surely it’s time he rose, isn’t it?”
“…chronic illness.”
“Of course—being sickly, he may sleep late. But imposing such strict constraints on your sister, forbidding her even to consume poison as she pleases, while you yourself indulge in sleeping in—frankly, that’s hardly exemplary.”
…….
Rosalia glanced at the young master and fell into grave deliberation.
《Odillon hasn’t actually done anything wrong…》
In the end, Rosalia shook the young master awake.
“…What?”
Odillon, his long hair tousled, spoke with eyes only half-open.
His gaze was still dim, as though he hadn’t yet grasped the situation.
“Did you sleep well, young master?”
“Good morning!”
Odillon’s eyes darted between Pendrick and me before his face contorted in displeasure.
“Of all people, the two I dislike most have come at once….”
“There you go again, young master!”
Pendrick settled onto the edge of the bed.
“Every time you see me, you tell me to stop talking or keep quiet, but I know the truth. Deep down, you consider me an indispensable member of the Moon Expedition Party, don’t you? Isn’t that right?”
…….
Odillon covered his face with his hand, so I too sat beside Pendrick and opened my mouth.
“You bashful thing. Now, do open the doors of your heart. We shall enter quietly, causing no disturbance.”
“Ah, captain. You’re being too direct. In these matters, one must approach with the utmost delicacy.”
“Is that so? I confess I lack talent in such areas.”
“Then leave it to me—I have a gift for it!”
As the two of us turned our bright, eager gazes upon him, Odillon finally squeezed his eyes shut.
“…Rosalia.”
Rosalia seized me and Pendrick by the waist and hoisted us effortlessly, setting us down on a sofa several paces away.
“So, what brings you here?”
“We come bearing good news, in fact.”
“Do tell.”
I spoke, meeting Odillon’s still half-lidded gaze.
“Tomorrow morning, we enter the Dungeon. At that time, a friend of mine shall arrive leading a band of Lawbreakers to ambush us.”
…….
Odillon regarded me in silence.
Then, suddenly, a faint laugh escaped his lips.
“You madman.”
***
A deep breath.
Odillon, standing by the window, inhaled the smoke from the Comforter deeply, then exhaled.
The frail young master managed to part his lips only by borrowing the power of the healing Artifact.
“Socialite Kar.”
“Yes, you called for me?”
“You’re an exploration fanatic, but you’re not the sort to recklessly throw your companions into danger without reason.”
“An accurate assessment.”
I would not expose my team members to peril unless I had confidence. Not then, not now.
Even after we’ve become far more formidable explorers.
“But it’s not because it would be inefficient—it’s because it mustn’t be done. However did you come to possess such an inhuman heart?”
“…I didn’t want to hear that from you.”
Odillon lowered the hand holding the Comforter and met my gaze.
“If you speak of a ‘friend’ who leads Lawbreakers, you must mean the one I mentioned before—someone who’s become a cooperative partner against the Silent Alliance.”
“Precisely. A person affiliated with a guild of the Silent Alliance who despises certain fellow Lawbreakers, and so has agreed with me to eliminate them.”
Pierre benefits from being able to dispose of so-called ‘trash Lawbreakers’.
And I gain a considerable supply of free sacrifices. A mutually profitable arrangement.
Our alliance served both our interests well.
“…Displeasing.”
The young master gestured to Rosalia, who brought wine and a glass.
“Socialite Kar, explain yourself. What possible benefit comes from this needless meddling with the Silent Alliance?”
“There are many profits to be reaped, but for you, young master, I need mention only this.”
I walked toward Odillon as he sipped the wine and spoke close to his ear.
“We can strike a blow against your older brother and sister.”
…….
Odillon stared into my eyes for a long moment, then a corner of his mouth gradually curved upward.
“Proceed.”

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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