Your Majesty, Dinner Is Ready. - Chapter 161

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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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Episode 161: The Half-Elf Ready to Receive Affection
During the game era, Pendrick had been a Tier 1 colleague.
Whenever he gripped a sword, all Sword Arts Secret Art ranks rose by two stages—an absurdly overpowered trait called Master of Swords.
Astrímia, reduced to an ordinary beautiful sword by a curse, still boasted overwhelming power.
And there were still five more Tier 1 adventurers like Pendrick remaining.
“Allow me to outline our schedule going forward.”
Moon Exploration Party Rest Area.
All members summoned by Commander Kar had gathered in one place.
Odillon had also been invited in his capacity as the expedition’s founder and financial patron.
“First, I intend to recruit a new member.”
I gestured subtly toward Pendrick.
“An adventurer of equal talent to Pendrick here.”
“Mom, I have a question.”
“Please, go ahead.”
“How amazing must they be if they’re on par with Pendrick?”
“I won’t tell you that now. We may not be able to recruit them as a member.”
Anticipation is a dangerous emotion—too much of it risks curdling into disappointment later.
I learned this painfully when, after floating on air for a week over news that Choi might be transferring, I discovered it was merely a rumor.
“For now, I’ll share only brief information.”
I wrote letters in the air using Illusion.
[Brightfeather / The Butcher]
“Brightfeather. That’s the name of the adventurer we’re looking to recruit. Class: Butcher. Primary weapon: bow.”
Odillon raised his hand slightly.
“Socialite Kar. If you say this person is a remarkable adventurer, then they must be quite promising. From now on, I won’t doubt information you provide.”
“Is that so?”
A sign that some trust had begun to accumulate.
Delighted, I hurried over and attempted a high five.
“….”
“Aw.”
“No.”
“Then please do it with me instead, sister.”
In the end, I exchanged a high five with Rosalia, who slowly raised her palm.
“…So where is that person right now?”
“In the 5th District. They belong to the Inter-Species Association.”
“Then it would be difficult to make contact by sending the butler first.”
The term “non-human species” embedded in the Inter-Species Association’s name refers to all races except humans.
The association’s core ideology was freedom, equality, and universal love.
Freedom from humans, equality among all races except humans, and affection for everyone except humans.
“…Honestly, I don’t want to go to the 5th District again.”
Pendrick scratched his head, looking reluctant.
“Didn’t I go to learn martial arts Secret Arts from Hyustis last time? Following your instructions, I pretended to be a Half-Elf, but there were quite a few who seemed suspicious. Humans apparently lack the natural scent that flows through Half-Elf bodies….”
– It was so hard because I was being watched so closely!
Astrímia cut off Pendrick’s words at just the right moment before they could drag on.
“Of course, I understand your feelings well, so please don’t worry.”
I scratched my head and continued.
“I and Bartimir will visit the 5th District, which the Inter-Species Association manages, together to meet Brightfeather.”
“I like it!”
“…Wait.”
Odillon hurriedly raised his hand.
“Why must it be you two?”
“Commander and Vice-Commander.”
“…When did Black Mage Bartimir become Vice-Commander?”
“I just appointed her.”
“Young Master, is there really no one else who could take the Vice-Commander role besides me?”
Odillon examined each member’s face carefully, then nodded slowly.
“Merlin would be suitable, but she’s too young. Very well, you take the position….”
And thus Bartimir officially became Vice-Commander.
As I kneaded the shoulders of the demon-type girl who stood proudly with her arms folded, Odillon already opened his mouth with a slightly weary voice.
“Take one more person with you. If only you two go, they’ll think the expedition consists entirely of oddballs.”
“Then please recommend one more person.”
“…Another dilemma, then.”
Odillon’s careful selection process had begun.
Pendrick and Luxerion were human—disqualified.
Rosalia was too taciturn—eliminated.
Merlin was occupied with her training in the Frozen Glare and building rapport with Kar.
“Young as he is, I suppose Cook Abel is the only option.”
“I’m also busy growing familiar with the martial-type Secret Art I learned from Charlotte.”
“I see….”
We were short on hands.
It was a moment that laid bare the limits of a small, elite expedition—not a proper Guild.
…….
I considered carefully before speaking.
“There is one more colleague we could bring into the expedition.”
“You mean Pierre the caretaker? Absolutely not.”
“I’m aware that my friend Pierre would be unsuitable as an expedition member.”
There was one person.
Not human, not excessively quiet, and not particularly busy.
“Might we recruit the Demon King into our expedition?”
***
Ding.
We entered the library, World Tree’s Leaf, to the cheerful chime of the doorbell.
Pendrick, the embodiment of affability whom I’d brought to scout for recruits, swept the interior with a casual gaze and spoke up.
“The name doesn’t quite match the impression—it’s rather austere, isn’t it?”
“A true person of Charm must possess qualities that contradict their name. Take me, for instance.”
—Kar, you’re the problem precisely because you don’t match your name at all.
“Your name is splendid, yet you’re so endearingly lovely—that’s the real issue, isn’t it?”
—You think so….
I led Pendrick upstairs.
I could sense my liege’s presence from above, connected by the Soul Bond.
“Nnngh….”
Fifth floor of the library.
Standing before the Librarian’s Office door, I heard a cry from within.
“…Is someone in pain in there?”
—Shouldn’t we help them?
“That won’t be necessary.”
I knocked three times and opened the door.
A modest room where a bed larger than the work desk took up most of the space.
In the center of the empty area, Kiji the librarian—a Demon-type Being in workout clothes—was groaning through a set of push-ups.
“I can’t… can’t do any more….”
“No! You can do this!”
The Demon King stood beside the librarian, his fist clenched tight.
“I have already grasped your physical capacity perfectly. If you could but wash away the sloth and idleness that clings to both body and spirit, you could easily complete two hundred!”
“Nngh….”
“Come now, muster your strength and try again. Only twenty remain!”
Trembling.
Though Kiji shook as if about to collapse at any moment, the librarian pushed through all two hundred repetitions before collapsing to the floor.
“You see? I knew you could do it.”
The Unnamed Demon King patted the fallen librarian’s back, then turned his gaze toward me.
“You have returned, Grand Duke.”
“I have returned, my liege. During my absence, I was so anxious and afraid that you might struggle to adjust to this unfamiliar city that I could scarcely focus on the expedition…!”
—Is that what really happened?
Astrímia asked, as if hearing this for the first time.
I chose a strategic refusal to answer and knelt on one knee before the Demon King.
“Grand Duke Kar, your eloquence is as commendable as ever!”
The Demon King, manifesting an armchair of Magical Energy, seated himself with dignity and crossed his legs.
“Our meeting in this city was fate itself. As promised, allow me to shower you with affection!”
Tap-tap.
The Demon King tapped his knee.
The gesture’s meaning was unmistakable, so I promptly obeyed the summons.
“Is this satisfactory?”
I settled myself demurely on the Unnamed Demon King’s sturdy knee.
What one might call the “cute favor” position.
Crackle-crackle-crack!
《I do wish there were some Secret Art that could block Sue’s filthy and obscene revelations for a while!》
The Demon King stroked my back gently and began to speak.
“Grand Duke, I must first extend my gratitude. Thanks to you, since my release from the seal, I have binged on Positive Concepts for the first time.”
“Did the flavor not offend your palate, Your Majesty?”
“The taste was somewhat distinctive, I must say. Quite unfamiliar indeed.”
– Of course it would be….
Astrímia murmured softly.
“That is precisely why it pleased me! Henceforth, continue to provide such Positive Concepts in the same manner!”
The Demon King smiled broadly and clenched one fist with determination.
“If one is to eat, one must seek new flavors rather than cling to the familiar! That is how the feast becomes truly enjoyable!”
“Oh, so our thoughts align perfectly?”
Pendrick, sensing his opportunity, slipped into the conversation.
The Demon King turned his gaze toward the prodigy swordsman with evident interest.
“Hmm… how radiant you are. Possessed of an almost absurd brightness of potential.”
“Thank you for the praise!”
“Are you a companion of the Grand Duke?”
“That’s right! I’m the swordsman Pendrick! And this is my beloved—Astrímia.”
Pendrick lifted Astrímia aloft.
A swordsman’s characteristic boldness, the kind that never loses its inherent positivity, no matter where he goes.
“Your beloved?”
Librarian Kiji’s eyes narrowed slightly, then after a moment, he nodded.
The Unnamed Demon King showed not the slightest sign of disapproval.
“A sword is quite suitable, I’d say….”
“Indeed it is.”
“In their prime, our kind were often so enamored with Negative Concepts that they took lovers such as the Plague of Death, Hellish Thorns, and Claws Drenched in Blood….”
“Love transcending the very bounds of existence! Truly, it was an age brimming with romance.”
The Demon King gazed at Pendrick and drew up the corners of his mouth.
“May you continue to nurture such beautiful love!”
“Yes, thank you!”
– Thank you!
The atmosphere had grown considerably warmer.
This was precisely why I had brought Pendrick along.
When the tendencies of demons in their prime combined with the Demon King’s nature, he would surely smile upon the prodigy swordsman and the beautiful sword’s love.
Now that common ground had been established, it was time to broach our objective—carefully, of course.
“Since Pendrick and I became part of the same Exploration Expedition, we have cleared many Dungeons together.”
I spoke gently, taking care not to reveal my true purpose too obviously.
“In the Dungeon we explored this time, he played a particularly decisive role. Had Pendrick not been there, our Expedition might still be buried in that snowstorm.”
“There is, in fact, another companion who did something more important than I did, but I won’t deny the observation.”
The prodigy swordsman laughed modestly.
“You two possess such heartwarming friendship and camaraderie.”
The emotions just mentioned belong to the category of Positive Concepts.
Likely the finest delicacies one could serve to such a palate.
The Demon King, who had been observing us with keen attention, suddenly stroked my chin.
“Grand Duke. Is ‘exploration’ so very entertaining? Even in my time, Dungeons existed, but I found little amusement in entering them.”
“Not all Dungeons are brimming with enjoyment, naturally.”
Some Dungeons offer nothing but tedium in their conquest.
Others are merely cumbersome, lacking in excitement.
“But if you venture forth with me, every Dungeon exploration becomes pure joy. For the harder and more arduous the struggle, the more rewarding and fulfilling the conclusion that awaits.”
The precious fruit seized after enduring trials and adversity.
This ideal I pursue corresponds to the Positive Concepts that the Mutant Demon—the Demon King—consumes.
“What say you, Your Majesty?”
I met my sovereign’s gaze from close beside him.
“Would you not join our Expedition and enjoy such explorations with us?”
…….
The Unnamed Demon King pondered for a moment before answering.
“I shall experience it first. The Dungeon exploration you offer.”
It was the answer I had hoped for.
“Then, shall we enjoy a Dungeon date together right now, just the two of us?”
A Dungeon omakase experience had been prepared for the Demon King.

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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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