Your Majesty, Dinner Is Ready. - Chapter 83

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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 83 — You’re Being Far Too Generous
My words and actions often fail to be understood by others.
The reverse happens frequently as well, and it was happening now.
“Thank you so much, Kar!”
Near the walls of Artea Monastery, where we’d returned after roughly ten days when accounting for the time differential between the outside world and the interior of the Respite Purification Chamber.
The moment we emerged from the Dungeon, Valentin threw himself flat on the ground and began shouting at the top of his lungs.
“Saint Seraphina, who has earned the reputation of being the greatest Priest in all of history, is alive in this era! If we continue steady exchanges going forward, the Harmony Sect will surely achieve revolutionary progress in our doctrines, our methods of generating Secret Arts, and their applications!”
“…Very well. Please get up now.”
His booming voice carried so far that residents of the nearby Slum District and Harmony Faction Town began turning to stare and mutter among themselves.
“What’s going on?”
“Oh, it’s Valentin again.”
“What’s he on about this time?”
At first, all eyes fell on Valentin, the source of that thunderous voice, but gradually they shifted to me—the object of the reverent Priest’s admiration.
“But who’s that blond?”
“Isn’t that the Socialite that Valentin’s been praising so much lately?”
“Oh, it’s that rising star explorer who’s been making such a fearsome impression recently!”
Thanks to my diligent exploration efforts, more and more people were starting to recognize me.
Come to think of it, even that bald expedition leader I’d met in the Library of Transgression had identified me at a glance.
Drawing attention wasn’t inherently troublesome, but the sight of a massive Priest pressing his forehead to the ground before me was deeply awkward.
I glanced at the people watching us, then quietly placed a hand on Valentin’s shoulder.
“If you’re going to lavish praise on me, would you mind doing it while standing? Your posture is making me rather uncomfortable.”
– It’s not about standing and sitting, is it?
Astrímia, nestled in my arms with her sword sheathed, spoke quietly.
Lucius, the Priest beside me with his reddened face hidden, quickly chimed in.
“Brother, please stand up. If too much attention gathers, it could become problematic.”
“…Very well.”
Valentin rose reluctantly, his eyes still gleaming with fervor.
“Within Artea Monastery, there exists a rest area where one can enjoy spectacular scenery. Simply being there refreshes both body and spirit. Might I have the honor of showing you to it?”
《The mere mark of Artein makes me want to retch. If I venture inside the monastery, I’ll melt away from within your eye sockets themselves.》
Tch.
The devil’s agents, already exposed to Artein’s overwhelming aura, recoiled in horror, making it impossible for me to accept Valentin’s invitation.
Besides, since the spectacular scenery had been artificially crafted into a Secret Art, I found no genuine interest in it.
Even being half an Elf, artificial natural landscapes held no appeal for me.
“Let’s part ways here for today. I’m far too exhausted to detour through the monastery.”
“Ah, I see. That makes sense!”
Valentin accepted my words without hesitation.
His trust in me had grown far too deep….
At this point, even if I spoke of the absurd, entirely unrealistic possibility that Leria would one day govern the world again, he would believe it unwavering.
The Priest spoke again.
“What a shame! I would dearly love to show you the utmost hospitality! I’d very much like to spread your exploits—the deeds I witnessed you perform in the Respite Purification Chamber—so that all the Socialites in the 3rd District of the Harmony Sect might know of them!”
His voice grew louder again, prompting Lucius to hastily remonstrate.
But the residents of the Slum District and Harmony Faction Town had already lost interest and were dispersing.
Valentin was more famous for his booming voice and the recklessness that matched his massive frame than for any particular skill, so this level of commotion was almost routine.
“White Fang, wouldn’t that be practically impossible?” Bartimir, who’d draped his arm over my right shoulder with a lukewarm expression, suddenly asked.
“Pardon? What do you mean?”
“A Socialite receives the substantial attention of the One Who Guards the Myriad. I’ve heard there are sects that would take offense at such a fact.”
“…You speak the truth.”
The excitement and delight drained rapidly from Valentin’s previously animated face.
He knew well that the Archbishop overseeing the Plethica Diocese, which encompassed the 3rd District, pursued a form of “harmony” that was not particularly favorable to the Socialites.
“The senior-rank Mages at the Magic Tower talk about it constantly. The Harmony Sect, they say, frequently suffers conflicts among its three sects over doctrine and interpretation.”
“It’s an undeniable matter….”
Valentin’s broad shoulders sagged in disappointment, and a bitter smile crossed his lips.
“Even Artein cannot perfectly control all the faithful. Among them are those of extreme disposition who interpret the Will of the One Who Guards the Myriad in entirely misguided ways.”
Three sects born from different interpretations of the spirit of harmony and union.
Valentin and Lucius belonged to the same faction.
That’s why they’d participated in the expedition together.
The youngest Priest, who had been instilled with “order” and thus had no real will of his own, aside—I spoke to the two Harmony Sect members.
“It would be best to scale down what happened in the Respite Purification Chamber and spread only a diluted version.”
“…Yes, that seems wisest. It is a matter that could invite discord.”

Valentin’s face suddenly fell.
The sight of the big man hunching his shoulders triggered my protective instinct, and I found myself reluctant to let slip a glimpse of the future into the conversation.
……
“For now, you must wait. But it won’t always be this way. There is a proper time for all things, is there not?”
“You mean…?”
Meeting Valentin’s bewildered gaze, I continued quietly.
“I never said I would hide the truth forever. Soon enough, there will be cause to invite me and the expedition as honored guests.”
“…Did you perhaps glimpse the future using Ridni’s Mystery?”
“Of course.”
《You understand well that the foresight of the Wise One through Knowledge Mystery can only unveil futures that are unfortunate and mistaken…!》
“To be precise, it is a conclusion I reached by combining information obtained through the Knowledge Mystery with my own deduction.”
“I see!”
“All that happened during the exploration should be revealed at that time.”
Confessions belong in dramatic moments.
It was the kind of practical wisdom that, if kept in mind, could properly etch one’s existence into the mind of a future spouse.
I knew this well because I remembered the feelings of this priest when he received a heartfelt message from Chief Choi the moment he left home intending to travel on holiday.
“Please keep the secret until then.”
“Of course!”
Valentin called out cheerfully, then cast a pitiful glance toward his empty left side.
“While we wait, I would like to craft an artificial arm for you, if you would permit it?”
“I would gladly accept such an offer.”
In truth, I had been shyly waiting for him to volunteer to make one.
If I had brought it up first, wouldn’t it seem as though I was being oversensitive about a missing arm?
I quickly retrieved the Spark of Glory from my subspace, and Pendrick took it and passed it to Lucius.
“If possible, I would like an artificial arm customized using the Flame Mystery, based on that artifact’s properties.”
“An arm specialized in flame… understood.”
Lucius then fulfilled his duty as the Dungeon’s administrator priest.
“I will personally review the information we excavated regarding Artein’s arrangements and ensure adequate compensation. Would it be acceptable to provide the advance payment at that time as well?”
“Naturally.”
“Thank you. Until next time, then.”
“I pray we meet again soon, Kar!”
Valentin and the Harmony Sect members returned to the Artea Monastery.
I gazed for a moment at the brilliant white walls and the buildings visible beyond them, then turned away.
“Let us head back and rest.”
After our long ordeal, it was finally time to return to the comfort of home.
As we walked toward Odillon’s Residence, I withdrew the Piece That Binds All to make my report and infused it with intention, but strangely received no response.
Arriving at the residence in confusion, we encountered a somewhat shocking truth.
“Captain, it seems no one is inside.”
Where had everyone gone?
***
We first made our way to Kar’s Nest within the Harmony Faction Town.
Shortly after arriving at our cozy home, neither Merlin nor Abel was there to welcome me.
“Did they all go on an outing together?”
Bartimir, sprawled comfortably on the sofa as though it were his own home, murmured vacantly.
As I approached the refrigerator in the kitchen, Pendrick retrieved Abel’s special tea, the Flower Garden in the Lake, and pressed it into my right hand.
“Come to think of it, even the thieves from the Black Sword Guild weren’t at the residence. Perhaps they all entered the Dungeon together for the final evaluation?”
“Yes, that’s likely it.”
The final trial to become a Pale Shadow, an intelligence operative under Odillon.
By now, Merlin and the thieves from the Black Sword Guild were probably toiling away in some E-rank Dungeon in the 6th District.
And wasn’t Abel preparing food for them with his teacher Charlotte?
“But where is Young Master? Has he still not returned from the 3rd District?”
– Surely he didn’t collapse on the street and end up hospitalized?
“That possibility is not entirely without merit. His various ailments prevent him from going out much. He begins coughing blood at the slightest air pollution.”
– …Good heavens!
Astrímia literally bounced, transcending the limits of the sword’s form.
– Then going to the 3rd District this time must have taken tremendous courage…?
“Courage? I imagine it was more a matter of steeling his resolve.”
– It seems that since explorations are left entirely to you and he stays at the residence, he must be trying to preserve some face as the founder of the expedition by at least having this confrontation with the Grey Wolf Guild master?
“That’s not it.”
Our sickly Young Master does not concern himself with such matters of honor.
“I simply went to great lengths to find a contract that wouldn’t disadvantage me when I became a temporary guild member. If I ended up in difficulty, it would harm you as well, after all.”
– …So you’re dressing it up as simple camaraderie that you held warmly in your heart all along?
“That does sound better. Completely at odds with the truth, but I find I prefer it that way.”
After that, we spoke a little longer before I climbed the stairs to the second floor alone.
I needed to rest, even if only briefly.
Besides, there was much to think about.
‘I never expected him to make such a grand move.’
I pulled up my shirt and examined my chest again.
Two White Shields, settled comfortably side by side, their light subtly distinct from one another.
Secret Arts bestowed by Artein—the past and present versions manifested within the Dungeon.
And not merely a lower-rank Secret Art given to ordinary priests, but the highest grade reserved solely for Saints and Saintesses.
“Your magnanimity knows no bounds, Artein…”

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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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