Your Majesty, Dinner Is Ready. - Chapter 48

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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 48: Only the First Step Now
— Goo!
Maku, having finished what needed to be done, tapped each of the three of us on the head with his elongated snout, then tore open the space and departed.
Only then did Pendrik, sprawled on the ground, break into a smile.
“…Is it over?”
“It is.”
“I’m exhausted.”
The mental pressure from the King of the Dead and the backlash from deploying Merach, the second star.
Having endured such tremendous shock to both body and mind, he could do nothing but collapse completely.
“You’ve done well. You too, sister.”
……
Rosalia, who had been leaning on my arm, steadied herself on her own feet and tapped my forearm three times.
I sat down beside Pendrik, but it was no use — I simply sprawled out next to him.
And so, staring blankly up at the pure white sky, I ventured a question.
“Pendrik, how was your first expedition as part of the Moon Realm Exploration Team?”
“It was truly wonderful….”
Pendrik replied at once, but fell silent for a moment before continuing.
“But it was so exhausting. Are you planning to undertake such grueling expeditions like this from now on?”
Was there really a need to answer?
It was far too obvious.
— I’m truly grateful to you, Kar.
Astrymia, who had been resting on Pendrik’s chest, turned her sword point toward me of her own accord.
— Thanks to you, I’ve been freed from the curse. I’m indebted to you in ways words cannot repay….
“Indebted? Among ourselves. Let’s just say we’ve helped each other appropriately. There’s no need to repay anything. I’m a half-elf whose heart soars at a single word of thanks.”
— Understood.
Astrymia, laughing lightly, spoke alongside Pendrik.
— Thank you sincerely for your help.
“Thanks, Captain!”
Satisfied, I turned my head while lying on my back and suddenly spoke.
“As I said, you didn’t do so badly trusting me in the end, did you? I didn’t betray you, after all.”
— Honestly, the fact that you didn’t betray us feels like a betrayal itself!
“Seeing your reaction, I think I should have betrayed you once after all.”
While Astrymia and I bantered, Rosalia brought me a treasure chest that had appeared with the gate.
Rewards for clearing the Nightmare World.
They contained things worth the effort we’d expended.
“Rosalia, would you open it for me?”
The red-haired elf nodded and promptly opened the chest’s lid.
Inside lay three rewards, arranged neatly.
A plant nutrient glowing with mysterious color.
A rather elegantly crafted scabbard.
A white, all-class shared Mystery Tome.
— Wait?
Astrymia, the quickest to notice, was the first among our members to grasp what was special about the rewards.
— These all seem to be items each expedition member wanted separately.
“Exactly. In dreams, one can do whatever one wishes, can’t they?”
Upon successfully clearing the Nightmare World, each explorer receives a customized reward based on what they are deemed to need.
However, it was limited to items normally appearing as rewards in C-Rank Dungeons or below, and there was a chance the explorer might not actually receive what they desired.
Fortunately, judging by our members’ expressions, no such misfortune had occurred.
“Astrymia, your wisdom shines as beautifully as your blade, it seems.”
— You’re saying something obvious again!
“Actually, Captain, your appearance is quite remarkable too?”
“You’re stating the obvious anew?”
We exchanged warm words of praise and each claimed our reward.
……
Rosalia’s share was the Mercy of Meterd, which resembled plant nutrient.
It was an elixir capable of raising the tier of the Fresh Companion, her innate growth-type Mystery as a Flora Elf.
“Astrymia, how is it?”
— Quite cozy!
For the lovers’ share was the Hall of Swords, an artifact scabbard capable of storing multiple blades simultaneously.
And.
My share was a Mystery Tome from a District 1 dungeon that most explorers couldn’t enter—difficult to obtain at this stage of the game.
《Third-Rank Mystery Tome – Fragment of the Colossal》
《Physical status ailments can no longer affect your vitality. However, mental damage is doubled instead. It has drawbacks, but it suits your repulsively primitive and clumsy fighting style.》
Pain remained the same, and mental damage grew worse, but at least health points would no longer be affected by physical harm—a genuine Mystery.
With this, I could fight even more recklessly going forward, and learn new Mysteries with greater boldness.
“Did everyone like them?”
Like before in the Blood Tide Labyrinth, I cast Embrace Me on Rosalia.
“Well then, shall we head back and get some proper rest?”
Rosalia shook her head while hoisting me up effortlessly, and Pendrik, watching the scene, broke into a grin.
“You two seem to get along well.”
…….
“Ha, Assassin. Don’t glare like that. Honestly, anyone can see you two are close. Isn’t that right, Astrymia?”
– Weren’t they best friends?
“That’s right. Miss Rosalia and I are bound by friendship and camaraderie like no other. We would even share our blood. Sister, you like me more than your master now, don’t you?”
“…Go die.”
“Ah, don’t pinch my side. I think some flesh tore off?”
– Honestly, he brought it on himself.
The three-member Moon Realm Exploration Team’s expedition wound down in this leisurely manner.
A C-Rank Dungeon.
[Nightmare World].
Cleared after days of hardship.
***
District 3 East’s vibrant promenade.
The largest tavern in the eastern district, brimming with facilities to delight the eyes and palate—the Wise Drink—was packed with every seat filled as always.
Buzz and chatter, murmur and din.
It was so chaotic that without straining your ears you couldn’t even hear your tablemate speak, yet it was undeniably a place worth visiting at least once, noise and all.
“Ahhh… the taste really is excellent.”
Pendrik, who had already drained a beer mug the size of an orc’s fist three times over, beamed with satisfaction.
“The tavern where I used to work, the Silence of Lambs, had decent beer too, but nothing compares to ale tended by dwarves from the eastern continent.”
“Dwarves are renowned for their craftsmanship. Besides, this establishment brews with grain grown by elves themselves, so its depth is beyond what other places can hope to match.”
I bit into a sausage, perfectly browned from the grill.
The beer was delicious, and the other dishes boasted equally superb flavor.
I only regretted that they didn’t have my preferred dish—whole raw onions slathered with generous amounts of wasabi.
“Assassin, how about you? Does the taste suit your palate?”
The elf, who had been sipping his drink with his mask pulled down slightly, raised his chin in response to Pendrik’s question, which came with a gentle smile.
“Hmm, is that a compliment?”
The prodigy swordsman, still not close enough to the overly taciturn assassin to read him, didn’t catch the meaning.
Of course, now fully acquainted with him, I understood immediately.
“The taste is passable, but a bit underwhelming. My palate is accustomed to far more refined drinks. That’s what he meant.”
– …All that was packed into such a tiny gesture?
Astrymia, seated on a chair back beside Pendrik, let out a bewildered sound.
– I don’t think I’ll be able to get close to that person.
…….
Rosalia had no apparent interest in bonding with the Ego Sword either, placing fresh salad onto her plate with an unbothered expression.
She then drew a small vial containing a violet liquid from the shadows—the poison Bleak Future, a prize she’d won at the casino last time.
Drip.
With a subtle smile playing at the corners of her eyes, Rosalia drizzled the toxin over the vegetables—a substance that would gradually dissolve the consumer’s organs over the course of a year.
A dressing so potent that even trend-obsessed influencers from the latest video platforms wouldn’t dare replicate it.
“Oh… quite the unique sauce.”
– Please try to talk her out of it, Kar!
“Sister, give me some too. When we tried it together last time, the sensation of my digestive system crumbling wasn’t unpleasant at all.”
– No! He’s the one who’s lost his mind!
Pendrik, forcing interest through sheer willpower, and Astrymia, trembling in shock.
“Mmm, yes….”
And Rosalia, releasing small sounds of satisfaction as she munched on the violet salad.
Watching the team members who’d cleared the Nightmare World together enjoy their food and drinks at ease, I felt an odd warmth bloom in my chest.
Was this what the expedition leader’s heart felt like?
“Everyone. Today, let’s simply enjoy ourselves.”
We’d suffered through several days of hardship clearing the dungeon, so today we’d indulge freely.
In truth, I’d planned for us to rest properly for two days, three, even four.
A nod.
Rosalia showed no objection to playing at a time like this either, tilting her head in permission.
“Captain, would it be alright to order just one more drink?”
“You can have ten more. If you wish, order the finest appetizers as well.”
“Ooh—Captain! Your generosity knows no bounds!”
“I have plenty of money. You might mistake me for a con artist, but I didn’t steal it—I earned it fair and square clearing dungeons.”
“Ah, then there’s no need to hold back, is there? Today is a good day after all!”
It was just as Pendrik called over a server and ordered the dwarf chef’s signature dish as an appetizer.
“Well, well. How do you do?”
A dog-man who brought to mind a border collie strode over to our table with a confident gait and folded his arms across his chest.
《Hustis the Stalwart Martial Artist (dog-man, 34 years old). His mouth runs a touch loose, but his nature is good, and he gets along well with all manner of races. An executive of the Interspecies Association, so it’s worth befriending him. However, his combative temperament means he might pick a fight without cause.》
Hustis.
A Level 6 warrior-martial artist, he was a fairly renowned dog-man explorer.
Beside him stood a smaller figure fidgeting nervously—a goblin I knew.
“…Hello there?”
Mek, a conscientious goblin who prized honor over wealth, shook his head with a grimace.
“I came in for a drink and spotted you lot by chance. I told this mutt about what happened in the last dungeon, and he suddenly went wild, saying we had to have a proper chat about it.”
The goblin rattled off his excuses and tried to grab his companion’s thigh, pulling him away.
“You’ve seen my face, so we’re done here, right? Let’s go already.”
“Wait just a moment.”
Hustis stood his ground stubbornly and looked directly down at me, then opened his mouth.
“You’re a half-elf, aren’t you?”
“That’s correct. It should have been obvious just from my charming appearance, surely?”
“You look frail. One punch to the head and I bet your skull would burst open.”
“That’s likely true enough.”
If I poked my forehead with my index finger, a rather neat hole would probably go right through it.
Next, the dog-man martial artist turned his gaze toward the elf contentedly eating violet salad.
“And you must be a wood elf. No matter how sneakily you move, there’s no way you’re dodging my fists.”
……
Perhaps because her meal was being interrupted.
Rosalia’s eyes turned ice-cold.
Hustis didn’t back down, meeting her gaze.
A Level 6 assassin and a martial artist.
The sudden staring contest between the two Silver Badge Explorers was cut short by a certain brilliant swordmaster brimming with natural charisma.
“I’m not entirely sure what brings you here, but since things have come to this, why not join us at our table? Beer tastes all the better when you drink it with plenty of good company, doesn’t it?”
Pendrik pulled out a chair and gestured toward it with both arms in an inviting motion.
Hustis, who had been staring blankly at the display for a moment, sat down as if entranced.
“We just ordered the chef’s special, you see? I heard there’s quite a bit of seafood in it, and the broth is supposed to be deep and rich.”
“…Is that so? My mouth’s watering for some reason.”
“Mine too! It’s bound to be delicious. And apparently it’s made with ingredients that every race can eat—I wonder what it tastes like?”
“My, such a mysterious dish exists!”
Hustis, who moments ago had radiated a menacing air ready to throw a punch, was completely swept up in Pendrik’s words and had transformed into a simpering fool.
……
Rosalia, who had been glaring at the dog-man, finally resumed eating her toxin-laden vegetables, and only then did Mek let out a relieved sigh.
“I thought they were going to fight…”
“Mek, this is fate too—won’t you join us? It’s my treat to celebrate clearing the dungeon.”
“I won’t refuse.”
Though it was an abrupt joining of tables, thanks to Pendrik’s ability to get along well with all sentient beings, the atmosphere remained surprisingly warm for quite some time.
“Ughh…”
The intoxicated Mek, having gulped down the beer I offered him, slurred his words as he spoke to me.
“You know how shocked I was? I was loitering near the exit, right? And then suddenly, right beside the main entrance of the Phantom Inn that connects to the City of Delights, another door appeared!”
“You must have been quite startled!”
“Don’t even mention it. Since it was the first time something like that happened, everyone nearby, including me, instinctively understood it—ah, those guys have unearthed a Hidden Piece!”
At that time, numerous other explorers who had been waiting to clear different dungeons witnessed us emerging boldly from the Nightmare World.
By tomorrow, all of District 3 East would know that our exploration team had discovered a Hidden Piece.
It was too great a feat to go unnoticed.
But it was far too early to be content with mere joy.
‘At last, our name will be known.’
Just the first step.
The Moon Realm Exploration Team’s activities had only just begun.

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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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