Your Majesty, Dinner Is Ready. - Chapter 30

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

Episode 30: An Offer That Cannot Be Refused
“Two of you? Shall I prepare something to eat?”
I nodded, and the innkeeper Pendrick, his smile warm and gentle, led us to an empty table.
It was tucked away in a corner, somewhat removed from the other guests—a seating arrangement that considered the typical elven preference for keeping distance from other races.
‘Thoughtful, as expected.’
In Pletica, a city of harmony and accord, such attentiveness was common enough, but Rosalia had her ears covered, and my appearance was no different from a human’s.
Yet he had perceived that we were elves before we said anything, and he was showing us respect.
Zzzt!
Perhaps it was his meticulous care that left an impression.
Or perhaps it was simply because of appearances.
Someone dwelling on high above all others suddenly sent a fierce current coursing through me.
Concentrating to interpret it, I realized they were musing absurdly about how my appearance met the requirements of faithful practice that a filthy apostate in the skies must observe.
“Master, might you have nothing else to occupy you? It seems you keep watching only me.”
Zzzt!
A vigorous denial.
That meant I’d struck the mark.
“Let me help you order!”
I was suppressing the current that Master was sending with the Black Thunder Blossom when Pendrick returned with a transparent water bottle and two cups.
《Water of Spiritual Origin. It boasts a refreshing and pristine taste that surpasses ordinary water by dimensions. Elves especially adore it, and they drink it as though savoring wine when in good spirits.》
Water served to suit the guest’s race.
Rosalia’s eye corners curved ever so slightly, as if pleased.
As the youngest, I was pouring water for my elder when Pendrick continued speaking.
“Our inn’s signature menu is the Lamb Steak. It’s a dish renowned for its tender, succulent meat and the exquisite flavor of the sauce made with spices available only in the Labyrinth.”
“Is it truly that delicious?”
“For our own establishment, it’s honestly exceptional. Especially when paired with ale brewed by dwarves from the Eastern Continent… Mmm!”
He even made a gesture of tasting and marveling at the drink.
With such gracious service and vivid description, there was no way to resist.
“My mouth is already watering. How much does it cost?”
“Twenty silver!”
“Then we’ll have two servings of the Lamb Steak.”
“Understood. Please wait just a moment!”
As Pendrick disappeared into the kitchen, the few guests scattered throughout the dining area filled it with the murmur of quiet conversation.
“Miss Rosalia.”
After savoring the cozy atmosphere for a moment, I spoke softly.
“That server who was just here—he’s the swordsman we came to recruit.”
“…….”
The assassin, who had been sipping water with her mouth veil pulled slightly down, narrowed her eyes.
It was an expression change whose meaning was easy to discern.
“Please refrain from cursing others’ parents. I, Kar, may have no parents, but my heart is tender—the heart of an apostate.”
I turned my back slightly and sat sulking, letting my wounded feelings show a little, when Rosalia set down her cup.
“…Evidence.”
For a moment I nearly failed to understand the words.
She had spoken in just three words…
It was surely proof that she had opened the door to her heart toward me, at least by the width of a fingernail.
I answered, awash in overwhelming emotion.
“Master Lidn has given a Revelation. That server’s future is so radiant that it cannot be properly perceived.”
Having deployed my universal excuse, Rosalia pondered for a moment, then slowly nodded her head.
《Now I’m too weary to deny it. An order has come to let you do as you wish. Praise the grace of the wise one!》
At last, I had won her permission.
From now on, I would be able to carry out more serious divine schemes.
Since all of this was part of a grand design to spread faith in the distorted truth, surely Master would one day understand my burning devotion.
“Here is the Lamb Steak you ordered!”
Pendrick emerged from the kitchen carrying two steaming dishes in both hands, setting one before each of us.
He then arranged the forks and knives elegantly and stepped back.
“Please, enjoy!”
The steak drizzled with a scarlet-tinged sauce sparked the appetite.
I cut a small piece and took a bite, and an exclamation of appreciation escaped me naturally.
“How is the taste?”
“I have now confirmed with certainty that your earlier description of the food was no exaggeration.”
“Haha, of course it was true! If you need anything else, please call anytime!”
We need to recruit people, but first things first—let’s fill our bellies.
I worked my hands busily, attacking the steak with single-minded focus.
“Phew, I couldn’t eat another bite.”
The elf, who’d been lifting her veil only when chewing and nibbling cautiously, had somehow managed to devour a full third of my portion. She glanced at my plate, then lifted her gaze back to meet mine.
“Isn’t the lamb rather excessive?”
…….
After finishing the meal to my satisfaction.
I gestured toward Pendrick, who was sitting in a chair near the entrance, and he hurried over at once.
“How may I help you? Will you be staying the night?”
“I’m planning to stay about five days.”
“For guests who’ve eaten here, we offer a special rate at half price! That’s just 50 silver for lodging. Will you two be sharing one room?”
I met the eyes of the taciturn elf.
Her gaze held no lustful intent, which put me at ease.
“If you wish it, sister, I’m prepared to accept at any time.”
…….
Rosalia furrowed her brow slightly and began staring at me in silence.
I responded with a look of innocent confusion, then turned my head toward the employee, who was grinning from ear to ear.
“Pendrick.”
I called his name softly, and his eyebrows shot upward.
“Oh? Did I introduce myself?”
“You can do that now. Does the order really matter?”
I donned the expression I’d learned from dealing with the demon Chief Choi—the kind that leaves a good impression on anyone—and extended my hand.
“It’s a pleasure to meet you. I’m an Apostate of Twisted Truth, Kar.”
Apostate.
A class still regarded with wariness among adventurers, despite the Religion of Harmony’s ongoing management preventing the excesses of old—the underprivileged labeled as heretics.
It was normal for someone who’d encountered a demon-worshipper to show contempt, even if they didn’t openly discriminate according to Artain’s doctrine.
Even Abel, courteous and quick-witted as he was, hadn’t been different at first.
“Oh, an Apostate?”
But Pendrick was different.
“Nice to meet you. I’m Pendrick!”
Buzz-buzz.
Without a trace of affectation or mockery, Pendrick seized my hand and shook it warmly.
“I’m not well-informed, but by any chance, which deity do you serve?”
Boundless Sociability.
A trait reflecting his nature—getting along with everyone he meets, adventurers and comrades alike, without the slightest friction or conflict.
“I serve the demon-god of arcane knowledge and profane sorcery, Lidn.”
“Oh, I’ve heard of him! The demon-god who once swallowed the World Tree of the Eastern Continent in the distant past, right?”
Pendrick then opened his mouth carefully, as if even speaking were something to fear.
“I’ve been curious about this for a while—which of the demon-gods is the strongest?”
《A wise one listens.》
Zing!
The attention of two deities converged upon me.
Suddenly caught in a tight spot, but panicking was for amateurs.
‘There’s only one way.’
Both were too precious to disappoint either one.
I answered with confidence.
“The Guide of Catastrophic Genesis. Okail, the demon-god of unwavering falsehood and purposeless revolution. His followers number over a thousand. The others don’t even have a hundred believers.”
《A wise one grows sullen. So do I. :<》
Chirp-chirp-chirp….
Facing facts head-on, both demon-gods seemed to accept it sadly.
“Okail! He’s the chief deity among the demon-gods now, isn’t he?”
“He is. Though even as chief deity, the gap between him and Artain is embarrassingly wide.”
“Still, I think he’s sufficiently great. Perhaps the age of the demon-gods will come someday!”
Pendrick, having clearly uttered words without conviction, now turned his gaze toward Rosalia.
“By chance, is the elf beside you also an Apostate?”
“This one is Rosalia, an Assassin class.”
“But both of you have such striking beauty! Honestly, I was startled when the door opened earlier. I’d been dozing since we had no guests, and suddenly this bright light came flooding in. Are you perhaps both Wood Elves?”
The red-haired elf averted her gaze, so I answered in her stead.
“I’m a Half-Elf, and only Rosalia is a Wood Elf.”
“Of course! I suspected as much. I caught a faint floral scent when you came in. I spent time on the Eastern Continent and knew quite a few Wood Elves, so it’s familiar to me. Do you happen to know someone named Mirel? A famous druid—she’s my best friend!”
“…….”
Rosalia’s eyes, which stood at odds with idle chatter, began to grow distant.
Yet the eager server paid no mind and continued speaking with fervent animation.
Sensing he would ramble on indefinitely if left unchecked, I cut him short before he could elaborate further.
“Pendrick. As you can see, Rosalia is quite shy by nature, so I’d appreciate it if you’d refrain from speaking to her unnecessarily.”
“Ah, I see. My apologies for the intrusion. I have so many wood elf friends back home that I suppose I was trying to act overly familiar without thinking. I’m sorry.”
Pendrick offered his apology with unmistakable sincerity, and from that moment he spoke far less, as though being mindful of Rosalia’s comfort.
Had she noticed his intention?
The assassin’s expression, which had remained unmoved as always, softened ever so slightly.
“…….”
Shortly after, she looked at me and gestured toward Pendrick—a rather positive indication that recruiting him would be acceptable.
I nodded in acknowledgment before broaching the matter.
“We’ve come all this way because we wish to recruit you for our expedition team.”
“Pardon?”
Pendrick scratched his head, laughing awkwardly.
“I’m grateful for the offer, but why me in particular? I’m still just an aspiring explorer without even a Bronze Rank to my name.”
“Lidn has granted us a Revelation. An oracle stating that the worker at the ‘Sheep’s Cry’ is a swordsman with the potential to one day rise to the left hand of the Twelve Heroes.”
“Ah, is that so? What an honor!”
With an all-purpose excuse deployed like a failsafe, Pendrick was at once convinced.
Yet acceptance did not necessarily mean persuasion had succeeded.
“I’m truly grateful for the offer. And for the high evaluation of my potential from Lidn as well.”
His words carried unmistakable refusal, though he delivered them with meticulous courtesy, as though unwilling to wound my feelings.
“However, I’m afraid joining your expedition would be impractical. I’m already registered with the Guild.”
If the Guild was a company bound by business relationships, an expedition team was a crew of individuals gathered freely by shared interest.
Without Odillon’s pronounced distrust of other humans, typical expedition teams wouldn’t even draw up contracts.
Most people managed to belong to both simultaneously, though not always.
“Exploring a Labyrinth with an explorer who isn’t a Guild member would constitute a breach of contract. I apologize.”
The promising talent had declined the proposal.
Of course, that was fine.
The real ‘persuasion’ hadn’t even begun yet.
“…You’ve been carrying so many worries lately, haven’t you?”
Pendrick, who had been bowing repeatedly, faltered.
“Your distress is understandable, given that your precious beloved is gradually drifting toward the river of oblivion.”
“…….”
I offered a smile dark and priestly in its craft, extending one hand once more.
There are proposals one simply cannot refuse.
“I shall heal her for you. In exchange, leave the Guild you currently belong to and join our expedition team.”

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