Chapter 59
Fifty-Ninth Episode~ Dinner Party
“Oi, oi, did you bring a slave?”
“Even if you participated in the subjugation, bringing as slave to a place like this…”
“Lower than beasts, shitty slaves…”
“-Untouchables, this is why I have adventurers . ”
“Really . To give a seat to a slave . ”
The female magic user slave master ignores the conversation of the distant nobles . Her long brown hair flutters behind her as she walks around the circle . She appears dignified .
Her face has an air of propriety . Her etiquette isn’t bad, I eat while walking around the crowd .
The magic user woman’s eyes have black makeup around them . Her eyes are chestnut brown .
Her cheeks are tinged red, bringing out the pink tones of her skin .
She resembles a famous Japanese model . Her clothing is a brown magician’s robe .
While I watch her, behind her is a pair of short people .
The children who unleashed the showy ice magic during the subjugation .
The S rank twins 【Ice Mausoleum of Blue Waters】 .
They look like children…
Both of them have thin white hair resembling a Buddhist monk .
There is a spiral design stretching from their necks to their heads and appears to extend to their scalps .
They look like sand art, each of the small lines contains mana .
Strange . Notably, their green eyes seem devoid of humanity .
Following the mysterious twins, Cecily and an ikemen from the griffon unit show up .
Their green uniforms have stiff collars .
They also have shoulder straps and aiguillettes .
As expected, they are picturesque .
“It’s the heroine!”
“The hero of the Griffon corps . ”
“That’s the hero of the Dragon subjugation…”
“Cecily-sama . ”
“Kya, Cecily-sama!”
A group of people appears, surrounding Cecily .
Seeing this, an unpleasant expression is apparent on her face .
“I…that’s not…”
Cecily tries to say something, but the ball is already rolling .
Oh my, Cecily-sama . No need to be modest . ”
Due to the rumor of the “dragon subjugation” spreading, it can no longer be helped .
I felt sorry for her upon seeing this, but give priority to the delicious meal .
And then, Marquess Chardonnay finally appears .
Unlike Chardonnay’s hair style from before the subjugation, her hair is now in a vertical roll with pink ribbons to highlight the blond color .
Her clothing is clearly distinct from the other nobles . Her dress is made from sheer snowy silk and accented with pink embroidery .
Now that Chardonnay has entered, everyone’s attention is on her .
Behind on the side of Chardonnay are the always macho white-haired old soldier and the maid-like beastwoman .
Chardonnay’s servants accompany her to Cecily .
My curiosity is peaked, do I approach the spectators .
“As expected of Cecily Fadasso of the Griffon Corps . Called the ‘Hero of the Dragon Subjugation,” are you jealous of the popularity?”
Everyone pays attention as the Marquess talks to Cecily with a smile .
The nobles surrounding Cecily bow to the Marquess and take a distance from Cecily .
“Marquess, your Excellence…to what do I owe this honor?”
“Please don’t get angry, Cecily . Can it not be helped? Haven’t you only reported one since you returned? Besides, all the adventurers you wanted to invite are here, you were eager to meet that D rank adventurer, right? Ah, they should have been promoted to C rank now . ”
N? Isn’t that me?
“I see . Excuse, but thank for taking care of my personal request . ”
“Fufu, it’s fine . Considering our past relationship, let’s dispense with the pleasantries today and talk like we did in the past . ”
The Marquess says with a beautiful smile .
“Ha, however, this an an official celebratory dinner and awarding ceremony . ”
“It’s fine . It really is fine after the success of the Dragon subjugation . You’re safe too . But, you not receiving a reward is troubling me…”
In response to the Marquess’ words, Cecily has an unpleasant expression .
“You Excellence . I…”
“Fufu, Cecily, raise your head . Let’s forget about the ‘obedience’ for now and enjoy ourselves . ”
“Yes, thank you . Ah…”
N?
Then, I make eye contact with the smiling Cecily .
“-Chardonnay-sama, we’ll talk again . Then-”
Cecily abandons the Marquess and runs towards me .
Ooooi, it that okay?
Tsukkomiing in my heart, I swallow the meat in my mouth .
-I wanted to meet you . You name is Shuya Kagari? Now, I can finally apologize…”
I’ll be darned, she’s apologizing all of a sudden .
“Eh, yeah . I’m Shuya . No, no, don’t worry about it . I got my reward from the guild . ”
“Is, is that so . Still…”
She seems to be depressed by the fame .
She is prideful and straightforward …
Even if you accept it, I don’t mind .
Ma, ‘I killed the Evil Dragon King . Hahaha . ’ in an ostentatious way .
Since she didn’t say it like that, I have a good impression of her .
Besides .
No matter what I say, this “beautiful woman” won’t accept any of the evil dragon king’s materials are a reward .
This soldier-san is way too cool .
I also don’t think it’s any of your business…
I feel like lightening the burden on her heart .
“…It’s fine . I will understand it if it is the strong, beautiful griffon commander who is adored by the people . And I said earlier, I got enough rewards, I can eat delicious food today too, so please don’t mind it . ”
I tried to paraphrase to the person in front of me, but it can’t be helped if an unrefined adventurer does it .
Ma, I expressed myself as politely a possible, but will it be okay?
“…I see . You saying so helps me . But, saying I’m beautiful…”
Cecily seems unused to being praised, causing her cheeks to redden .
“-Some nerve, making advances on Captain?”
Nuo?
The ikemen suddenly interrupts, complaining .
“Sheridan, stop . ”
Cecily tries to stop him, but ikemen-san still steps in .
This ikemen, he is the one who duel wielded and severed Daedalus’ neck . He resembles the actor from fight club .
“…I was only frank about my impression of her?”
With a flat face I return to speaking informally . However I am more concerned about the gaze of Chardonnay who is behind the young man from the griffon corps .
The Marquess is staring at me .
Moreover, as soon as we make eye contact, Chardonnay’s eyes widen, and her mouth opens .
A shocked expression is evident .
Chardonnay speaks to the white haired old man waiting behind her, then to the beastwoman maid, she turns to whisper to her .
Judging by this reaction, it would be that she has recognized me?
Leaving out the matter of 【Fadyke】, was I just called an ordinary adventurer…
The old soldier listens to Chardonnay, he lowers his head, the swishes his mantle as he moves to follow and protect her .
Plus, the old soldier’s eyes are sharp . He is openly glaring at me .
The Marquess’ beastwoman maid-servant is glaring at me too, her arms are held up in a fighting pose .
I pay no attention to the ikemen going on about his pet theory .
It’s unfortunate for him, but I chimed in properly and answered
For a while now, I haven’t looked away from the Marquess .
With the two people following her, Chardonnay walks to the center of the room .
“-Chardonnay-sama . ”
There, the master of ceremony and the uniformed servants greet Chardonnay .
In a few words, the conversation is repeated to the servants .
After the servant leaves with a message, Chardonnay pulls herself together, relaxes her guard towards me, and turns to the surroundings with a smile .
Taking a step forward .
Then, cymbals sound and everyone’s attention is focused on Chardonnay .
Chardonnay begins to talk .
“-Everyone Thank you all for gathering for today’s dinner party . This time we a celebrating the success of the Evil Dragon King subjugation . The Blue Iron Knight, all of the Griffon corps and adventurers, you all worked hard-”
Chardonnay lowers her head lightly .
The violin begins to play .
“As a token of appreciation, also as an apology for the reward, this is a reward for the adventurer clans attending here . As proof of your contributions in the Evil Dragon King subjugation, I would like to present a ring made with the material of the Evil Dragon King and a single white gold coin . And then, because a special reward was prepared for our hero of the Griffon corps, Cecily, don’t miss it later…fufu . Then, after this, don’t restrain yourself and enjoy your meal . ”
Finished with her short speech, Chardonnay attendants in various places lower their heads, and music begins to play when she claps her hands .
Those attending the party give a standing ovation .
The ikemen who has been speaking harshly respond to the Marquess’ words as well and begin to clap .
Music flowing with a profound and quiet elegance starts to play, signaling the start of the real party
Chardonnay is observing the conduct of the surrounding nobles .
And, she looks at me again .
Our eyes meet .
The corners of Chardonnay’s lips lift, and she laughs, and covering her mouth with a white fan she says something to the old soldier .
The old soldier nods and lowers his head, making eye contact with Marquess Chardonnay, he nods once more .
The old soldier separates from the Marques and approaches me .
On the other hand, Marquess Chardonnay’s beastwoman maid-servant disappears into a back room .
For a moment, I become anxious…
That moment the ikemen of the Griffon Corps steps in front of me .
“-Oi, did you hear me?”
“Ah, aah, be done with it . I didn’t hear you . ”
“Oh, really?”
The Griffon Corps youth becomes angry and drops the glass in his hands, breaking it .
However- I ignore him .
I’m not that worried about this man, my focus is entirely on Chardonnay now .
“Kora, Sheridan . You’re troubling Shuya . ”
Cecily calls the man by his name and scolds him .
She makes him pick up the broken glass on the floor .
Without minding such a thing, I continue enjoying the food on my plate .
After Chardonnay’s old soldier sees the conflict is settled, he approaches .
The old soldier in white armor stands out .
The soldier jii-san is honest, he speaks after bowing to me .
“You are Shuya Kagari, the adventurer who just advanced to C rank? That Spearman?”
The way he says that has an implication .
Everything has already been discovered, so I admit it .
I speak after swallowing the last of the meat .
“That’s right . ”
“Her Excellency is calling . Please follow me . ”
After all, I’ve been requested .
With this development, it must be about Fadyke…
Damn it .
“…Another room?”
“Hai . ”
Is it a trap? I should be cautious .
“I understand . ”
I’m worried, but I get over it .
I don’t know what the Marquess is planning .
I am led by the old soldier from the hall into another room .
I am guided to a big square room .
There is something like a big circular fireplace in the center .
Instead of coals, there are bluish-purple rectangular crystals .
Pale violet flames dance in the furnace, illuminating the room .
The shade has a strange sense of modesty .
And, the pervasive scent of flowers and honey makes me feel refreshed .
My nose is filled with the smell .
While I’m enjoying the smell, Chardonnay appears with the self-possessed atmosphere of a Marquess .
However, next to her in the Marquess’ beastwoman maid, glaring at me…
The white haired old soldier moves to take up his place to the rear of Chardonnay .
Then, Chardonnay begins to speak .
“You are the Spearman and the black cat who was at that place then, correct?”
I- then, remember my first encounter with Chardonnay .
Chardonnay’s expression now is beautiful and modest, when she looked at me before…her eyes were as if she were staring down at someone who was total garbage .
-I will not forget the expression of contempt this person gave me .
“…Now that, that time?”
I speak, forgetting about etiquette .
Impudent, I expose my feelings, feigning ignorance .
My heart is surprisingly delicate .
The insult from so long ago has caused me to bear a grudge .
Also, this is a private room .
Even if I take a firm stand, there is no else here aside from the Marquess .
Seeing how I speak to the Marquess, the beastwoman maid’s face twitches .
She can’t seem to stand my rude manner .
The beastwoman maid gathers mana in her feet .
-Hee, you’re going to attack?
On the ends of both her hands, the maid has claw-like weapons attached .
Actually, with a *kakin* sound the steel claws seemed to jump out from the cover on the back of her hands . (Basically, she’s Wolverine . )
-The beastwoman turns her claws to me kicks off the ground with a shout .
“Haidara . ”
Raises a strange shout, she extends each hand to deliver a punch with the claws extending from her knuckles, aiming for my chest .
The claw jab .
-I retreat backward .
I sway slightly back and forth, continuously dodging .
‘Kiki, stop . ”
Because of her subordinate’s action, Chardonnay shouts sternly .
“-Ha, however, this smell, this is definitely the right man . And, the way he treats ojo-sama is unacceptable . ”
The beastwoman maid is unwilling .
The claws are withdrawn, and she retreats .
The beastwoman retreats, and immediately the old soldier who guided me here moves .
Cautious of me, he advances .
He begins to speak after stretching out an arm in front of Marquess Chardonnay to protect her .
“-Kiki is correct . He is too impudent . What he said to your Excellency . Shuya, please answer seriously . ”
The old soldier throws reproachful words at me .
Being cautious, even though the one who was attacked despite being unarmed was me…
Ma, how should I answer? After all, it’s probably time .
“…You mean the ruins of the mansion outside 【Fadyke】?”
“As expected . ”
The beastwoman reacts quickly . She keeps glaring at me .
“-Kiki said something about ‘smell . ’ I’ve also understood ever since I saw him…is the report from your subordinate, Seme, not finished?”
Chardonnay turns to the beast woman and communicates with her eyes to not move .
After all, they remember me .
“Ha, excuse me, your Excellency . After the Evil Dragon King subjugation, I’ve been busy in 【Hector】…”
“Hun, Seme is the captain of the 【Counter Espionage】unit…it looks like we’re going to have to have a ‘talk’ again . ”
Chardonnay waves a thin arm, and the slender white feather fan whacks the old soldier’s guarding arm .
The captain of the 【Counter Espionage】 organization is called Seme? (TL: Seme means shark . )
“Ha, however…”
The white haired old soldier looks at me with an embarrassed expression unbefitting his appearance .
It must be the Marquess’ classified information .
“Good . Tell Shuya-san too . ”
They’re going to tell me?