Your Majesty, Dinner Is Ready. - Chapter 29

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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 29: Nice to Meet You
There exists a special metric applied only to cultists under the Harmony Church’s management.
“Kar, going forward, actively accumulate the Ore of Trust on the Scale of Harmony.”
Valentine, deputy commander of Order’s Spear, continued with a bright smile that made one curious about the secret to his dental health.
“As long as the weight of the Stone of Evil Deeds on the opposite side doesn’t grow heavier, you’ll be able to receive not only external commissions but also increasingly robust Armor of Divine Protection.”
It was a tedious explanation full of jargon only he understood, but the gist was simple enough.
Cultists who managed their credit scores well would receive numerous benefits provided by the Harmony Church.
“Don’t be surprised. Among the special privileges we offer is a one-on-one audience with the Saint himself.”
I made sure to flinch visibly.
“Is that truly possible…?”
The way I asked as though I couldn’t believe it naturally made Valentine’s nostrils flare slightly.
Working under that demon director Choi, who dumped endless overtime on subordinates the moment they showed a lukewarm response to his words, then ordered them to start from scratch the next day after reviewing what they’d done—that kind of work environment develops the ability to match one’s conversation perfectly to the other person’s mood almost involuntarily.
If I asked one more follow-up question here, he’d definitely be delighted.
“The chance to meet the Saint himself! I have one more reason to live in harmony under Artein’s care. How can I accumulate the Ore of Trust?”
“Ahem! That’s quite simple.”
The healthy-teethed paladin was now showering me with such kindness he looked ready to lift me up and dance with me.
“You accumulate it each time you achieve something as an Explorer. Just as you did in the past three labyrinths—whether by discovering Artein’s arrangements, exploring an unconquered dungeon for the first time, or achieving feats noteworthy enough to make your name known throughout Pletica.”
In the end, it amounted to saying that as I continued my activities as an Explorer, I’d naturally receive all manner of benefits the Harmony Church provided.
I had no intention of doing ordinary dungeon exploration anyway.
“Thank you for the detailed explanation.”
“Is there anything else you’d like to know?”
“Artein’s touch has already reached my mind.”
“Then allow me to explain the external commissions in detail. Ilia, bring it out for him.”
The paladin standing rigidly upright behind Valentine’s right shoulder, eyes uncannily clear, turned her body toward me.
“Nice to meet you. Cultist of the Twisted Truth, Kar.”
《Ilia, a human paladin, age twenty-two, originally a vagabond from District 6 granted ‘Order’. Once a perpetrator of all manner of vicious crimes, she’s now a paladin whose mind is completely filled with justice, virtue, service, and sacrifice. Indeed, the disciples of that hypocritical goddess are terrifying….》
“It’s such pleasant weather with warm sunshine pouring down. Are you having an enjoyable day as well?”
Speech patterns fit for an elementary school ethics textbook.
The way she spoke was like an AI operating through learned algorithms.
In many respects, what actually happened and the results were quite similar.
“I’m glad to meet you too, Paladin.”
As District 6’s model righteous cultist, I couldn’t harbor prejudice against her merely for her vagrant origins, so I extended my hand smoothly.
The paladin grasped my hand, shook my arm at right angles, then produced a bundle of documents and held them out.
“This is the list of external commissions.”
As I skimmed through the documents lightly, Valentine added:
“Currently, the only work you’re able to undertake with your Ore of Trust is the recovery or disposal of corpses left in labyrinths.”
In other words, dungeon cleanup work.
The Harmony Church was connecting cultists with requests for handling dead explorers arriving from across all districts of Pletica.
A novice evil god worshipper might wonder what kind of ‘benefit’ this was, but it was actually quite thoughtful consideration.
“The corpses that need to be recovered shouldn’t be offered as tribute, but you’re free to use the ‘disposal’ targets however you wish.”
An opportunity to receive free corpses.
In a manner of speaking, it was like a large corporation opening up work to smaller companies—mutual cooperation and prosperity.
The reality was that many of my fellow cultists, unable to find corpses to mobilize for human sacrifice rituals, had their minds shattered by an angered evil god, or fallen into an indescribable life form subjected to monstrification.
From that perspective, the Harmony Church could be said to be little different from a devotional biologist struggling hard to prevent the extinction and preserve the survival of evil god worshippers.
“All of this is quite interesting.”
While every item was engaging enough that I wanted to take everything on, greed was dangerous.
After examining all the listings in detail, I found one commission that best fit the conditions I sought.
“I’ll take this one.”
[District 3 – Bloodtide Battlefield Corpse Recovery]
[Requester: Jewel Guild Master Tabireck]
Pendrick, a swordsman of overwhelming talent.
A perfect quest for recruiting a future colleague.
***
The Harmony Church, which worships Artein, the goddess of wisdom and protection, is Pletica’s largest and greatest religious organization.
Its doctrines are not exclusive toward other faiths.
It pursues harmony and unity for all people through solid spiritual practice.
And crucially, it provides considerable assistance in labyrinth exploration through its Mysteries.
It was almost strange that it hadn’t become Pletica’s dominant religion.
“You mentioned you’d carry out the commission today.”
The fact that faith in Artein was received positively across all districts meant that building rapport with high-ranking members of the Harmony Church would reduce the likelihood of receiving shabby treatment.
“Here is the Permit certifying Master Kar’s identity, as you requested yesterday.”
Valentine, diligent as ever, had arrived early in the morning and handed over a single sheet of paper.
It was a certificate stamped with the seal of the Owl with All-seeing Eyes—Artein’s holy animal symbol—emblazoned in the center.
《A permit approved by the Archbishop himself. You now have freedom of movement outside the compound. Even the hypocrite goddess’s holy knights prove useful sometimes.》
I’d asked Valentine to arrange a permit for my convenience as an Explorer, and he’d produced it in a single day, then delivered it personally.
So even with that brutal epithet—”Heretic Smasher”—a virtuous Cultist like myself had no reason to fear him on sight.
Of course, a reckless Cultist who’d sacrificed innocent people as living tribute would do well to flee the moment they crossed paths.
“Additionally, I’ve arranged access to other Labyrinths alongside your commission work.”
“I’m truly grateful.”
I felt anew how beneficial the spirit of harmony and unity truly was for the world.
Our Lidni, by contrast, only demanded that I use the Mystery I’d painstakingly learned to torment those around me—such a petty faith.
《Your expression suggests you harbor quite impious thoughts. The wise one doubts.》
Zzzt.
《I would prefer not to interpret that foul demon god’s will. It is surely nothing but groundless slander!》
I ignored the pointless bickering lightly, saw Valentine off as he concluded his business, and returned inside.
“You’re leaving now?”
Marlin, who’d woken early for training and looked somewhat worn from it, asked.
“That must be nice. I heard District 3 has lots of entertainment and incredibly diverse food!”
“This isn’t a pleasure trip, I’m telling you.”
The company for this recruitment mission numbered only two.
Myself and Rosalia.
While I was away, the children would be looked after by the steward Sergius and the maid Charlotte.
“While I’m gone, don’t fool around—train hard. Don’t neglect your Labyrinth studies either.”
I placed the wide-brimmed Hat I’d bought them previously on Marlin’s head, and she broke into a bright smile.
Abel, who’d been nodding off beside her until just now, finally shaking off sleep, looked up at me.
“When you return, you’ll be amazed at how much we’ve grown. At that time, I’ll prepare a meal for you.”
“I’m looking forward to it.”
After ruffling both siblings’ hair once.
I headed toward the western checkpoint bordering District 5.
Given the city’s structure—six districts surrounding the Central District—there was no direct route to District 3, my destination.
Rapid travel via Spatial Displacement Magic Circle was possible, but that required raising my credit score further.
I’d likely need to clear five more Labyrinths or so.
…….
Rosalia emerged naturally from the building’s shadow as we walked, joining our path.
Unlike usual, she’d pulled up a hood to conceal her pointed ears.
Crackle!
The unclean Sovereign of the Skies suddenly sent a will brimming with eager emotion.
Since that being showed favor indiscriminately to anyone handsome, regardless of gender, the content was utterly filthy.
Honestly, such an exhausting patron.
“Are you prepared for our outing?”
…….
Rosalia shook her head firmly, then tapped her temple deliberately.
“You’re reminding me to keep the purpose—recruiting talent—in mind? Come now, don’t be so rigid about it.”
I nudged the stern Elf’s arm gently with my elbow.
“If we have time, we can visit the night markets, see the museums, listen to the Wandering Bard ensemble perform—surely that’s all part of it?”
In response came a glare laden with quite vicious curses.
Sensing she’d strangle even a delicate Cultist’s throat with a mere look if I suggested anything more, I quietly kept to walking.
With such a taciturn companion, I found myself focusing solely on the pace, and we quickly passed through District 5 with its ecological parks and the gloomy atmosphere of District 4.
“Your identity has been verified. May you enjoy a peaceful journey blessed by Artein’s protection.”
Once we cleared the checkpoint of the Public Order Maintenance Corps—the royal guard stationed at district boundaries—I could finally take in District 3’s scenery.
“Indeed, District 3 is crowded.”
Buildings large and small stood densely packed in every direction, and the streets teemed with crowds of diverse races.
A bustling quarter where laughter and voices echoed without pause from early morning onward.
Unlike the perpetually quiet District 6, home to all the major guild headquarters, here one could observe the varied human tapestry.
Tap.
While I was taking in the street sights, Rosalia touched my forearm.
Her gaze fixed on the southern street.
“You mean we should head to the inn-filled southern district. I was naturally thinking the same.”
Given the schedule, I’d be staying in District 3 for several days, so I needed to secure good lodging before it got late.
“Let’s go.”
Following the road that ran along the outer city walls, I began to see buildings bearing Artein’s symbol—shields painted or embedded in actual metal—scattered throughout the districts ahead.
It was known as the Dreaming Wandering Path.
In District 3, it was where lodging houses and explorer training schools flourished most vibrantly.
Tap-tap.
The silent assassin drummed my arm once more, then turned her head.
Following her gaze, I spotted a high-class inn that looked, by appearance alone, exorbitantly expensive.
“You’re saying that staying at a cheap inn might attract riffraff, so it’s the rational choice for a high-earning explorer to lodge at a luxury establishment like this one?”
The elf, seeming somewhat pleased, gave a subtle nod, her expression shifting in a way that was hard to read.
Then she drew out a money pouch from the shadows, its interior brimming with gold coins.
About five hundred gold. Financial support from Odillon for recruiting talent.
“Ah, spending money from the young master. Let me take it from here, please. I’ll handle the tedious task of money management—after all, I’m the younger sibling.”
I extended my right hand respectfully, but the taciturn assassin merely fixed me with a silent gaze before pressing my hand firmly downward.
…….
“I understand, so please stop looking at me like that. It’s not even your own money, and here you are being so stingy.”
The miserly assassin, clutching the money pouch protectively while glaring at me, moved forward first.
Walking briskly ahead, she came to a halt before a large building constructed in an ethereal, mysterious architectural style.
The Inn of Brilliant Light. At two hundred gold per night, it was a luxury accommodation for high-earning explorers. There was no doubt the assassin had serious extravagant tendencies.
So she wasn’t Scrooge—she was Gatsby!
I hurriedly stepped in front of the elf, who was about to stride confidently into the inn.
“Wait, we don’t even know how many days we’ll be staying. How can you possibly check into such an expensive place?”
“……?”
Rosalia, looking as though she didn’t understand, withdrew the money pouch again and held it out to me.
As if to ask: why worry when there’s this much?
An assassin with poor financial sense, Rosalia—a Forest Elf, age twenty-nine. Just as you said, she really is a specialist who knows nothing but murder.
“Please, come with me. I’ve spotted an inn that would be better….”
I took hold of Rosalia’s arm as she kept glancing back longingly at the luxury inn, pulling her along while observing the buildings around us, each constructed in its own distinct style.
‘There it is.’
A wooden structure with a triangular roof that caught the eye.
A real shield hung from the upper part, and on its surface was painted a cute image of a lamb winking with one eye.
Scream of the Lambs
The name evokes a certain thriller film based on a novel, though I can assure you this isn’t run by a highly intelligent psychopathic serial killer.
“Here we are. Let’s go inside.”
I grasped the horn-shaped ring and turned it, pushing the door open as we entered.
The first floor, as in any inn, doubled as a dining area, but with few customers, most of the tables sat empty.
Barely any patrons, and the air thick with body odor. Setting the whole place ablaze and reducing it to ash—how does that sound?
While Eyes that Penetrate Truth suddenly suggested arson, an employee clearing away dishes left behind by a finished customer rushed over at once.
“Welcome!”
A dark-haired employee with violet eyes, wearing the uniform of the establishment—a hat adorned with lamb horns.
Though we’d just met, I felt warmly disposed toward them.
Pendrick, an aspiring explorer at twenty years old, a human working here as a staff member to earn living expenses. Could this be the talent you were seeking?
Pendrick.
My first meeting with the swordsman who received the creator’s particular favor.

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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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