Your Majesty, Dinner Is Ready. - Chapter 85

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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 85: The Explorer Madman
The dining hall of Odillon’s Mansion.
“Everyone, please take a glass!”
The maid Charlotte poured beer for everyone seated around the dining hall.
A drinking party to celebrate the conquest of the Sanctuary of Rest’s Hidden Piece and the completion of Shadow Agents training.
The young master, who distrusted human relationships altogether, had sent word that his schedule in the 3rd District would run longer, so everyone was taking this time to deepen their bonds.
“The Shadow Agents, please take a glass too!”
Even the thieves from the Black Sword Guild drank freely and confidently in their new roles as agents.
“Training is finally over!”
The grimmest-looking Shadow Agent let out a hearty laugh, his face flushed red.
《Andre, a former vice-guildmaster of the Black Sword Guild thief—human, 33 years old. His abilities have improved considerably since I last saw him. Despite his appearance, he seems to have trained quite earnestly.》
Charlotte eagerly devoured the hot appetizers she’d just prepared and gulped down beer with obvious satisfaction.
The other thieves, newly reborn as agents, savored their long-awaited freedom.
“Merlin, Abel. Here are cake and juice.”
Everyone except the underage siblings, who were given premium snacks in place of alcohol, drank merrily.
Everyone but me.
“Steward, why am I not allowed to drink?”
“Rosalia gave strict orders.”
Sergius, who had been carrying the dishes Charlotte made, stopped and answered.
“She said under no circumstances should you be given alcohol. I’ve never seen her insist on anything so firmly.”
What on earth could have happened last time to make her act that way?
My memory had been substantially wiped out from the blackout, so I had no idea why.
《The girl of few words has taken the right precaution!》
Even Astrímia agreed with her judgment.
Perhaps I’d gotten so drunk that I’d simply neglected the alcohol and shamefully stuffed myself with appetizers instead.
That level of pathetic conduct, at least, I could understand.
“Kar, is it not inconvenient for you to have lost one arm?”
Sergius set a glass of Spirit Water before me and glanced at my missing left arm as he asked.
He was calm now, but at first he’d been quite shocked.
“The balance is off, which makes things difficult. I’ve actually been thinking of cutting the right one too. While I’m at it, both legs as well. Eventually, I plan to replace everything with prosthetics.”
“…Please, do not make such jokes.”
“Uh… it’s not a joke.”
If I replaced all my intact limbs with cybernetic parts like some kind of cyberpunk protagonist, wouldn’t my combat power increase dramatically?
That’s not recklessly throwing myself into battle and losing limbs, so the siblings would approve it.
“…Kar, do you want to die?”
Apparently not.
Merlin jabbed my ribs again from the left side, making it clear he disapproved.
“Please listen while you eat and drink freely.”
I sipped the Spirit Water and opened my mouth to address everyone.
“I will soon be competing in the Guild War as a member of the Grey Wolf Guild.”
“Ah, so the Guild War is coming up soon?”
Pendrick speared a sausage with his fork and smiled.
“Will we just be watching?”
“Watching is fine, but please continue training in your spare time. Our expedition still lacks strength.”
– After all, there’s no way you’d just let us sit idle!
Captains who work their members hard are usually unpopular.
But I had something to say too.
“Haven’t I already told you? We will continue running toward our goals without end.”
Due to the demon of the Nightmare Dungeon, the world had five years left before destruction.
Lounging at home and then scrambling at the last moment when time ran short also feels oppressive, pressed down by temporal urgency, but I had no intention of being idle.
Since the fate of the world hung in the balance, I had to carry that tension in the corner of my chest as I moved forward.
“Steward, when will the field deployment of the Shadow Agents begin?”
Shadow Agents.
The primary mission of the intelligence operatives of the Brithes Family was to live disguised as ordinary citizens and gather all the information accessible from their position.
“It will be soon. The Shadow Agents will gradually expand their influence, starting from the darkness.”
Comprehensive information gathering with no blind spots or sanctuaries.
It could be called the signature skill that made the Brithes Family what it was today.
“But Kar, are you perhaps thinking of entrusting information gathering directly to agents under your command?”
“Roughly speaking, yes.”
“I thought as much, so I’ve already prepared one.”
Truly, you’re experienced indeed.
“I’ll be counting on you, Socialite-!!”
One of the agents, who had been quietly sipping her drink, suddenly sprang to her feet and bowed at a perfect right angle.
《Agent Rachel from the Black Sword Guild (human, 34 years old). A thief who treats larceny as an art form. Intensely loyal to those in power, she’ll follow your every word without question.》
“Starting tomorrow, I’ll be working as a housekeeper at your residence! Thank you so much for having me-!”
“Yes, thank you for your service.”
“Yes! May vast knowledge flow into Ridnee-!”
She’s making inroads not just with me, but with the Wise One as well?
This agent is no ordinary operative.
《The Wise One appears quite pleased 🙂 It’s unclear how long it will last, but finally we’ve gained another believer!》
I watched Rachel exchange warm greetings with Merlin before taking a sip of Spirit Water and broaching the subject anew.
“After the Guild War, the Moon Expedition Party will become especially busy. Before that happens, I was hoping the team members could take a vacation and enjoy themselves for at least a day. What do you think?”
“A vacation?”
Bartimeur, who had been struggling to swallow his food in silence until now, suddenly opened his eyes wide.
“Where would we go?”
“The 5th District.”
“I’m in favor.”
I never expected our innocent-faced demon daughter to object anyway.
“That sounds wonderful to me. It’ll be fun.”
– For once, you’re making a sensible proposal, Kar. I’m all for it!
My companion had given her approval, and the siblings had already decided to go, so it was decided unanimously.
“Very well. As of now, our next expedition is officially scheduled: a D-rank Dungeon exploration in the 5th District.”
– …Kar, no-ooo!
Astrímia let out a cry, but there was no one present to stand with the beautiful Ego Sword in spirit.
“I knew it! We’re really exploring! Hehe, to be honest, I saw this coming!”
Pendrick, the embodiment of optimism and charisma, rarely voiced a negative opinion.
“D-rank? A bit disappointing, but I’m game.”
Bartimeur, a Dungeon enthusiast, would never have opposed an exploration to begin with.
“Kar, you’ve done it again….”
“Still, this gives us a chance to show off our improved abilities….”
The already-persuaded siblings nodded reluctantly, while the butler and maid—not official members—feigned indifference as though it were none of their concern.
Left alone, Astrímia squirmed in her partner’s embrace.
– Why do I have to be the only one against it! Everyone’s been bewitched by that “exploration madman”!
“Exploration madman, you say. I’m much obliged. What a marvelous epithet.”
It was a nickname I rather liked.
***
Artea Monastery.
The workshop of a master craftsman affiliated with the Harmony Sect.
“…It’s finished.”
Master artisan Class, his features worn thin from labor, opened the lid of the box with trembling hands.
Inside lay a Prosthetic Arm, modest in size.
“Remarkable!”
Valentin, who had been intently examining the prosthetic, soon burst into hearty chuckles and clapped the master craftsman on the shoulder.
The muscular frame, now utterly spent, fluttered like a flag beneath the warrior-priest’s rough grip.
“You’re truly extraordinary!”
“…No matter how much you butter me up, I won’t be taking on requests like this again. Do you have any idea how much trouble it was coordinating with that Enchantment Magic specialist sent from the Tower?”
“Ha! Sorry about that, really sorry!”
The master heard the apology, yet his heart did not lighten.
This loud-voiced warrior-priest was precisely the sort who would shamelessly make another unreasonable request the next time with the same brazen confidence.
“But still, to produce work of this caliber in just four days—when did your skill improve so much?”
“…Good question.”
The master craftsman of the Harmony Sect scratched his head.
“Solmiran bestowed upon me inspiration as scorching as molten lava. I’ve never finished a project this smoothly before.”
“You’re the best there is!”
“…That’s enough. Get going now. I’m headed to bed.”
“Thanks for the hard work!”
As Valentin departed the workshop with the box cradled in his arms, Lucius, who had been waiting outside, approached.
“Brother, how is the quality?”
“Absolutely superb!”
“Honestly, I didn’t think it would work out….”
“Ha ha, naturally talented practitioners like yourselves can produce something of this caliber in no time at all if you simply sacrifice a little sleep!”
The Holy Knight spoke these words—the sort that would have made their subject blush and bristle—without the slightest hesitation, only to suddenly fix his gaze upon the Abbot’s Residence where the Archbishop dwelt.
The entire monastery had fallen into a festive atmosphere at the news that an exchange with the Saint Seraphina could now begin, yet that particular building alone remained conspicuously silent.
“At the very least, we’ve successfully issued the Identification Badge as an honorary member of the Harmony Sect by uncovering Artedin’s arrangements hidden within the Sanctuary of Rest, but the real problem lies in what comes next.”
Lucius narrowed his eyes.
“Should the Archbishop learn that Kar has forged an exceptionally close bond with Saint Seraphina, the situation would become rather precarious indeed.”
“…Yes, it would. Until Kar provides a justification, we must treat the entire affair as nothing more than a fortunate accomplishment achieved by a chance expedition.”
Fortunately, both men belonged to the same order and were not the type to carelessly divulge secrets.
Had they pursued different interpretations of doctrine, the Artea Monastery would by now be locked in endless debate rather than celebration.
“Then, please guard this secret well.”
Just as the two men were about to part ways and return to their respective quarters—
“Brothers.”
A soft voice emerged from the shadows cast by a towering tree nearby.
Valentin’s face stiffened as he immediately grasped his sword hilt and spun around.
‘…I hadn’t sensed a thing.’
Had he not spoken, Valentin would still be unaware of this faint presence.
Yet now that his mind was focused, he could perceive it—however dimly.
A fierce, merciless aura that could only be forged through long years of training and real combat.
The skill of someone capable of dropping both Valentin and Lucius to the ground by the neck without moving an inch.
“Please, be at ease.”
The uninvited guest emerged slightly from the shadow, his hands raised and open.
“Human intellect, ideal harmony, our resplendent Goddess of Beauty.”
“……!”
Lucius exchanged a rapid glance with Valentin before speaking.
“…Was it the Saint who sent you?”
His expression remained composed, but his voice trembled.
Saint Peris.
The modern proxy chosen by Artedin was currently not in Plethica, but in the Grand Temple of the Harmony Sect in the northern lands of the Western Continent.
It was the very place where the Sanctuary of Rest had once stood.
“Yes, he did.”
The Holy Knight emerged slightly from the shadow.
His appearance was so striking that admiration rose even in the hearts of other men.
This was clear proof that he was indeed the Saint’s closest confidant.
“There is no time, so I shall speak plainly. Several weeks ago, the One who guards all mankind spoke to the Saint thus: Watch over Kar, the Socialite of Twisted Truth. He must not be overlooked.”
“…Ah!”
Valentin let out a soft exclamation.
So Artedin had been watching over him all along!
“However, at that time it remained unclear whether he should be viewed with favor or treated as an enemy. Artedin valued the intellectual capacities of his humble servants too highly to speak with clarity. Yet this time, he has granted the Saint a new Divine Prophecy.”
The Saint’s guardian Holy Knight lowered his voice as far as it would go, lest anyone eavesdrop.
“He said that should the Socialite Kar perish before he can be protected to the end, the world shall face its ruin.”

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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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