Your Majesty, Dinner Is Ready. - Chapter 158

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

Episode 158: Practice Is Required
The guild master’s office at the Ash Gray Wolf Guild Headquarters.
Elvira, a Precious Elf secretary, bowed quietly at the waist.
“Guild Master. I have something to report.”
“What is it?”
Targon, the guild master, answered while keeping his eyes on the documents before him.
His hand, gripping a pen as large and long as his imposing frame, moved without pause.
“Did Yallen get on some explorer’s nerves again and end up as a victim of violence? Or is Brunelda pestering everyone day and night, asking for sparring matches with strong opponents?”
“Such matters are everyday occurrences, so I don’t bother reporting them.”
“Then what?”
Elvira answered with a subtle smile playing at her lips.
“The Eyebeam Bear Love Guild and the Moon Expedition Party, who had requested conquest of the Southern Continent Expedition, have returned safely.”
…….
Targon lifted his head at last.
“If it were a Hidden Conquest, you wouldn’t bother reporting it given your nature. So they’ve fulfilled the standard conditions?”
“Indeed. This is the first successful conquest. According to the information we purchased, the practical grade corresponding to the standard conditions appears to be B-grade. It’s been a long time since a B-grade Dungeon has been explored.”
“The freaks at the Dungeon Management Bureau will be thrilled out of their minds if they hear about this.”
“I expect so. They’ll probably want to embrace the explorer who led this conquest and shower them with kisses.”
The guild master and secretary both conjured the face of one explorer at the same moment.
Golden hair and golden eyes.
A Half-Elf, presumed to be of the rare Sun Elf lineage.
“It must be Kar. The decisive contributor to the conquest.”
“That proved to be the case indeed.”
One could not say the Eyebeam Bear Love Guild lacked capability.
They were overall competent explorers, and Beldo in particular was being considered as a candidate for the next Twelve Heroes.
And yet Targon, as if it were obvious, had assumed that Kar played the most critical role.
“Tell me how the conquest unfolded.”
“As you wish.”
When an Unexplored Dungeon is successfully conquered, detailed information about the exploration process is often traded as valuable data.
Elvira laid out the information she had purchased from the explorers who emerged after completing the conquest, speaking in an unhurried voice.
…….
Targon, who had listened in silence through the entire account, finally opened his mouth after his secretary finished.
“My judgment about maintaining an ongoing relationship with Kar wasn’t off the mark.”
“It truly wasn’t.”
The “Golden Raven” Kar is a major recruit who must be secured at all costs.
The fact that he’s a Socialite is a flaw, but Class limitations can be overcome through tools, so it couldn’t be considered a serious disqualification.
“Kar will become one of the Twelve Heroes in the future.”
“I believe he could easily reach as high as second place among the Twelve Heroes.”
“So you don’t think he’ll reach first?”
“The second daughter of the Glorien Family is simply too monstrous.”
“That’s true enough.”
Targon folded his arms and leaned back against the sturdy chair’s backrest.
“So many dazzling talents among the promising newcomers have emerged in recent years.”
The Golden Raven Kar.
Aladia Glorien, the Radiant One.
Wonderbick, the Miracle Archer.
Miruel, the Colossal Bear.
Mek Invincible, the Cunning Sage.
Beldo Ilres, the Minor Sorceress.
The future of Pletika’s exploration community shines brightly.
Which is precisely why he could not leave undisturbed the dark clouds that sought to devour these brilliant stars brimming with promise.
“…Elvira, you mentioned the Six Apostles.”
“Yes.”
After Kairas Selun, the “Schemer,” suddenly became a worshipper of the Evil Deity Leeria, he became remarkably cooperative.
So much so that he revealed secrets no one had asked about in one breathless cascade.
“Since they don’t even know each other’s identities, we can’t locate and eliminate them.”
“Which is why we need to make good use of the minimal clues we’ve been given.”
The corners of Targon’s mouth began to rise slowly.
An expression that surfaced only when his true nature could no longer be suppressed.
“Once we find them, we’ll deliver the fitting punishment. Creatures who would sell the world to a Magical Beast deserve nothing less.”
“…Of course.”
“From today on, gather as much information as you can.”
“Understood.”
Elvira bowed and left the Guild Master’s office, heading straight for Dilmo, the vice guild master.
No one was better suited for covert intelligence gathering than that gnome.
“…….”
As she walked, the testimony of the conspirator Kairas suddenly surfaced in her mind.
‘Tell the golden raven that I am willing to bring about an Eclipse.’
Eclipse.
Knowing their origins, she could guess what it meant well enough.
The conspirator was distasteful, but she still intended to relay the message.
‘I wonder what reaction he’ll have…!’
Elvira was an elf who enjoyed standing beside unpredictable people like Targon or Kar and supporting them.
***
– Yeah. Next time you’re in the 1st District, come visit our house.
Our house in Sociato Town.
I was sitting on the sofa, speaking through a communication device crafted by a mage tower master.
With none other than my ‘friend’ Beldo.
– Mother is quite strict, but she won’t treat guests too harshly, so you’ll be fine.
“Understood. If the opportunity arises, next time I’ll visit with a large ribbon in my hair.”
– …Why a ribbon.
“Because the adorable Kar is everyone’s treasure, of course.”
– …….
For a moment, only Beldo’s stifled laughter came through the book-shaped communication device.
– Please just come looking presentable.
“Understood. Then just a collar around my neck….”
– No way, no way, no way! Please, just wear neat clothes that suit your face and stop this nonsense!
After the last expedition ended, we had a gathering with the Eyebeam Bear Love Guild, where we had quite a lot of conversation.
And from that point on, Beldo’s attitude toward me somehow became remarkably bold.
– You only wear that Sacred Artifact or whatever, the Sky Invader! It looks great and tidy, so why do you keep dressing so strangely, you bastard…!!
A noblewoman living in the 1st District not only shouting at the top of her lungs but even using vulgar language.
That was something only the closest of friends could do.
Wouldn’t this prove that we were extremely close and good friends?
“Understood. Since you wish it so strongly, if I have occasion to visit the Ilres Family mansion, I shall present myself in proper attire.”
– Why are you using formal speech like ‘I shall present myself’ when this is good for you too!
“I’ll end the call now. Since we’re friends, please contact me often. I mean it.”
– …Yeah.
The call ended.
Rachel, my faint shadow and housemaid, immediately approached and swiftly took the communication device, handing me a fresh special blend tea from Abel—the Flower of the Wasteland.
Sip.
I sipped the tea, which had an intriguing flavor, and turned my gaze toward Syphe, who was turning the entire living room into the middle of a freezer.
“Here goes!”
Merlin activated Frost Glazing and trembled with effort in both hands.
Crack-crash!
An ice dagger formed in her right hand.
Similar in appearance to the First Breath.
But it crumbled away shortly and fell to the ground.
Rachel swept it up as if she’d been waiting for exactly this.
“…I’m sorry, Rachel.”
“No, it’s fine! This is my job!”
Though she’d only returned from the expedition yesterday, Merlin wasn’t resting—she was working hard to become familiar with how to use the Frost Glazing.
One couldn’t help but admire such effort.
“Don’t rush yourself so much.”
I pressed down gently on Merlin’s slightly drooping ears.
“Here’s a choice—do you want to hear words of hope’s encouragement or darkness’s reproach?”
“…The former.”
“You’re a talented explorer, but you’re no prodigy, so it’s normal that you can’t use it at first.”
“…….”
Merlin gave a subtle eye signal toward Aiquiril, the spirit beast perched on her shoulder.
– Chirp!
Aiquiril leaped over and struck my ribs before quickly landing back on Merlin’s shoulder.
Now attacking from a distance, no less.
“In any case, take your time with it. The Extreme Frost Sky Royal artifacts cannot be mastered in just a day or two.”
“That sounds much more encouraging, actually.”
Merlin grumbled even as relief settled across his features.
“Socialite, Abel says he’s finished all the preparations for the offering ritual!”
“Is that so?”
I left Merlin to his practice under Rachel’s guidance and made my way down to the basement.
“You’ve arrived.”
Abel spoke with measured politeness.
I’d been too exhausted yesterday to notice, but his eyes had grown noticeably sharper in my absence.
“It seems Charlotte taught you well.”
“Yes.”
Abel, who usually carried an age-inappropriate demeanor, broke into a genuinely innocent smile.
“I’ve successfully learned the martial Secret Art of Charlotte-style Blazing Cooking. Like my sister, I’m still at a stage that needs more practice before I can use it in actual combat.”
“There’s no need to rush. Just cultivate steadily, and always consult your master if something troubles you.”
“I will keep that in mind.”
Having fulfilled my duties as a patron adequately, it was time to tend to my obligations as a Socialite.
I walked toward the altar positioned at the front of the basement.
Soft groaning emanated from it.
On the altar lay a corpse with its life force preserved fresh through the Life-Preserving Flame.
A Butcher Class dog-man.
Today’s offering for Leedia.
“An ordinary dog-man, without any special distinguishing features, is actually ill-suited as an offering for someone of Wisdom. However, if the preparation process is exceptional, that very ordinariness becomes a strength.”
I placed a hand on Abel’s head as I continued.
“Just as an unremarkable ingredient can produce something extraordinary in the right hands—creating something familiar yet novel.”
“Like how simple ingredients can yield surprising flavors when prepared with skill?”
“Exactly like Abel.”
《The Wise One regards your quick-learning ward Abel with warm affection. :)》
“I’ve prepared all the materials you mentioned, patron.”
I nodded and playfully tousled his hair.
“Shall we begin?”
Using telekinesis—the Hand That Grasps the World—I seized the snow Abel had gathered near the altar.
Snow gathered from Snow Mountain during our last expedition.
A premium ingredient bearing the faint power of a blizzard that induces confusion.
Plop.
I let the snow fall carefully onto the corpse with my telekinesis.
I still need practice with this.
The Hand That Grasps the World ranks among the highest Secret Arts of Twisted Truth in utility, so I’ll become accustomed to wielding it through telekinesis from now on.
“That appears to be done.”
The snow piled high over the corpse like a miniature snow mountain.
“The fruit is in the cold storage unit.”
I drew the fruit from the upper compartment of the two-section cold storage device beside the altar, maintaining its coolness through telekinesis.
Golmuk Mango.
A fruit I’d acquired through hard bargaining at the Trial Tower’s market.
“Abel, the Golmuk Mango only resembles a mango in appearance—it’s an entirely different species. It lures creatures and beasts with its sweet scent, gets eaten, and then takes root inside the body.”
“It feeds on the body of the living creature and grows?”
“Precisely. It grows by absorbing flesh and muscle instead of sunlight and water.”
“Fascinating.”
“Indeed, fascinating in many ways.”
Its essence, texture, characteristics.
Everything about it is extraordinary.
Which is why it was the fruit Leedia would favor most.
“Can you cut this into neat squares for me?”
Abel carefully sliced the Golmuk Mango with the Devouring Teeth knife and arranged the pieces neatly atop the snow.
Only one ingredient remained.
The blood—something never omitted from an offering ritual for one of Wisdom.
“Pour this over it.”
I withdrew a small vial from the Subspace.
Inside, an uncanny blue blood shimmered.
“It’s quite blue, isn’t it? Whose blood is this?”
“I barely managed to get it by asking a favor from someone I met in the Dungeon we entered this time.”
The blood of Pingpi, of the Extreme Frost Sky Royal.
I obtained it only by displaying my secret technique, the Squirm Dance.
Splash.
Abel scattered the blood, infused with the power of the high-tier Extreme Frost Sky Royal, without hesitation.
It was complete.
“Done. Step back a bit.”
The recipe’s name.
Frost Snow Kar’s Golmuk Mango Shaved Ice.
Satisfied, I knelt with my hand upon the offering.
“I present this offering to the one who rules Magic and Knowledge. Surely, great one, you prefer the fresh smile of that adorable Kar to tedious prayers?”
I withdrew my hand slowly from the offering and spoke in hushed tones.
“Leedia, the meal is ready.”
—Caw-caw!
The blind raven shot out and eagerly devoured the refreshing offering.
—Caw… caw-caw…!
It seemed too cold; the raven paused midway, opening its beak and catching its breath.
Throughout, its table manners remained as deplorable as ever.
【My child!】
Soon after, Leedia spoke with unmistakable delight in her voice.
【Once again, a magnificent offering! You are truly the finest Apostle of Twisted Truth!】
For some reason, you seemed especially keen to emphasize my role as your apostle today.
“Leedia, could it be that you’re anxious I might come to serve another more faithfully?”
【How could such a thing come to pass!】
The wise one scolded loudly, then, after a moment’s pause, continued with her revelation.
【I merely wish for you to proceed smoothly along your path toward Twisted Truth!】
“Ah, I see! Forgive me for presuming to divine your intentions with my inadequate mind.”
【Indeed! See that you reflect on this!】
I bowed my head dutifully and spoke the reward for the ritual offering.
“I offer the Treasure That Transcends Space as sustenance for the journey; grant me an elevation in the Rank of the Eye That Pierces Truth.”
【That is no difficult matter!】
After the blind raven withdrew into its socket, a faint prickling sensation bloomed in my right eye.
Then a sharp, searing pain flitted across my left eye.
《My Eye That Pierces Truth has reached Rank 5!》
《As my Rank rises, my partner, the Whisper of Falsehood Eye, has likewise reached Rank 5! Let us praise the wise one’s grace!》
Now both eyes in the set had reached Rank 5.
With this, the Eye That Pierces Truth would have vastly expanded information-gathering range, and the illusions of the Whisper of Falsehood Eye would gain a stability far beyond what it possessed before.
“Is it finished?”
“Yes. Now let us move on to the next matter.”
Rising from my seat, I opened the lower compartment of the refrigerated cabinet with telekinesis.
Cool air wafted from within the tool.
A magical beast whose body was composed of snow and ice huddled inside.
“Greetings.”
A recreated form of me, modeled in Frost Snow.
At Frost Snow Kar’s cheerful greeting, Abel furrowed his brow.
After staring at me for a long moment, he gave a small shake of his head.
“…Honestly, I’m frightened to think what you’ll have me do this time, Master.”

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