NOVEL NEXT Ch46 - After the Feast★
Chapter 46: After the Feast★
The girls and their familiars bustled about in the spacious Stuart kitchen, preparing breakfast. “Please relax in the lobby until it’s ready,” Alice had politely told Lord Toilia and the head of the Anees Kingdom Commercial Guild. The two men sat on the plush sofa, smiling wryly. They had changed into casual clothes to relax and calm down after the excitement of Operation Surprise☆.
Alice, the shrewd young buyer, wanted to keep the busy men around a little longer to solidify their connections. The two men, accepting her transparent intentions with a “well, alright,” each took a sip of the tea served by Mothra, the butler. They, too, wanted to maintain a good relationship with Alice.
Louis, the head of the Commercial Guild, widened his eyes in surprise and murmured, “Magnificent…”
The tea-making technique was impeccable, but what truly stood out was the perfect harmony between the tea leaves, the water, and the ceramic teapot. The smooth water, the rich sweetness of the tea leaves, and the subtle aroma of lavender chips calmed the mind. The thin, delicate teacups, chosen to enhance the tea’s flavor, were also a perfect choice. The men seemed pleased, savoring the flavor as they slowly finished their tea. As they silently placed their cups on the saucers, Louis addressed the Lord.
“My, my… What a promising young lady.
I wonder how skilled a buyer she’ll become. I’d like to live long enough to witness her success.”
“Hmm. It’s rare to hear you praise someone so highly.
Indeed, she seems to be a fine merchant with no apparent flaws.
She has extensive commercial knowledge beyond the scope of her industry, excellent aesthetic sense, and is skilled in handling adults.
I would very much like her to make this city her permanent base of operations.”
“Hoho! In that case, shouldn’t we strengthen the security in this upscale residential area?”
“…I intend to do so with utmost urgency.”
A capable resident was a valuable asset to the small city of Toilia. Had Alice been killed in this incident, it would have been a devastating loss. The Lord rubbed his forehead as if to emphasize his headache, reminding himself that he had to prioritize profits over ethics. Louis chuckled.
The spacious lobby was right by the mansion’s entrance. Designed as a waiting area for guests, it was furnished with particularly expensive furniture.
As the two men enjoyed their pre-meal tea time, a communication device emitted a high-pitched ring. It was a message from the Kagemono.
“…I see.”
Unfortunately, the unpleasant monk had escaped. Louis thought he would have to reprimand and retrain the capture squad, rubbing his forehead in a manner similar to the Lord. It wouldn’t do for a taxpayer-funded special unit authorized to use force to simply say, “We couldn’t do it.” Those in positions of power were judged by results, not effort.
As Louis made mental notes while inquiring about the details of Morec’s escape, Mothra, the butler, appeared in the lobby.
“Loulou-sama has arrived. May I show her in?”
“「Certainly」”
“Thank you for your consideration.”
Although Mothra had only recently begun working as a butler, his movements were natural and elegant, and his manners were impeccable.
As the adults marveled, the front door opened quietly, and Loulou, the succubus, appeared, looking somewhat tired. Her vibrant pink hair was slightly disheveled.
“I’m back…”
“Welcome back. …I never thought anyone could escape your pursuit.
That rogue monk, Morec, must be quite troublesome.”
The Lord, with a serious expression, offered Loulou words of comfort.
“Yes, he is! He’s such a nasty guy!
…Will you listen to me vent?”
The Lord glanced at Louis. Receiving a wink in return, he assumed Louis could listen in on the communication device while also listening to Loulou directly. “Please do,” he said, turning to the succubus.
Loulou, accepting a fresh cup of tea from Mothra, thanked him and finally relaxed, sinking into the plush sofa as she began to vent her frustration.
“I had cornered the monk…
But, you know he’s a magic item collector, right?
He had something unbelievable.
The moment we captured him, he used a “Substitute Doll”.”
“What! He was that well-prepared…?
…Using a Substitute Doll to acquire a High Skeleton Brooch is hardly cost-effective.”
“He doesn’t care about the cost!”
Loulou pouted.
The “Substitute Doll” was a magic item even more expensive than the High Skeleton Brooch, traded only in the underworld. It was a creepy, mummified-looking doll, crafted by an extremely eccentric doll maker who dedicated his life to his craft. The doll was intentionally damaged to near breaking point, then enchanted by a sorcerer (a dark enchanter). When the user, who was linked to the doll by a contract mark, recited a spell, they would switch places with the doll. It was rumored to be so expensive that it could buy a minor noble’s mansion.
While losing Morec was a significant setback, forcing him to use the doll was undoubtedly a blow to him. It was unlikely he possessed many Substitute Dolls. Capturing him would be easier in the future.
“There’s no need to be so pessimistic… There was a silver lining.
We learned how he collects magic items, and we now know his face. I’ll have a wanted poster made immediately.”
“I suppose…
His method seems to be befriending newcomers to the underworld, having them buy expensive items, and then leading them to ruin. He then snatches the items just before they’re confiscated.
I don’t understand why he waits until the last minute.”
“He could just steal them after they’re purchased. It’s puzzling.”
“Is he doing it for fun?”
“………”
The Lord of Toilia muttered to himself, “If so, it’s a sentiment I can’t comprehend,” and glanced towards the kitchen.
Apparently, breakfast was ready. Mothra was just heading to the lobby to inform the guests. His crimson eyes met the Lord’s, and he bowed with a graceful smile.
If this individual would continue to serve as Alice Stuart’s bodyguard, they could rest assured for now. If the rogue monk Morec was merely a thrill-seeker, he would likely seek out new tragedies rather than fixating on Alice.
Thinking so, the Lord rose before the butler reached the lobby. Louis, having finished his communication, and Loulou, having finished her tea, looked up at the tall man.
“It seems breakfast is ready. Let’s partake.”
“! Yes! Lena made it, right?
It’s been a while since I’ve had her cooking, so I’m looking forward to it♡”
“Hoho, the food at the costume party was delicious. I’m quite hungry.”
At that perfect moment, Louis’s ample belly rumbled.
The three adults, who bore the weight of their positions, laughed cheerfully and headed towards the dining room together.
Breakfast consisted of thin slices of bread topped with fried eggs and crispy bacon, a fresh vegetable salad with oil dressing, and chilled pumpkin potage soup. Dessert was an all-you-can-eat buffet of Slime Flower Gummies.
Everyone sat together at a large table, enjoying their meal. Thanks to Loulou’s suggestion, Mothra, the butler, also joined them. All the dishes were arranged on the table, and with a young child present, table manners were relaxed, creating a lively atmosphere. Miraculously, every egg Lena cracked had a double yolk.
Delicious food brought happiness.
Gene and Goldaro, who had been exhausted and slept late, joined them midway, and everyone had a wonderful time.
The plan for tomorrow was to clean up the Stuart mansion together. After that, Lena and her group would likely take on requests at the Adventurer’s Guild and explore the area around Toilia.
Lena’s eyes, as she looked at her friends, held a hint of wistful sadness. She didn’t want to leave this comfortable place; she was already feeling nostalgic.
The beast tamer and her rare familiars, having received special gifts, inevitably stood out. They couldn’t permanently reside in this city, so close to the dangerous Garargele Kingdom.
Despite her rational thoughts, Lena smiled brightly when her friends praised her, “This potage is exquisite!”
…For now, she wanted to bask in this happiness.
Kind adults watching over her, friends she could talk to without reservation, and adorable familiars. This warm atmosphere, no different from her time on Earth, was incredibly comforting.
Looking at her smiling friends with teary eyes, Lena renewed her resolve, thinking, “I’ll start with what I can do. I’ll do my best cleaning tomorrow!”
＊＊＊
“Ouch…!
I didn’t expect even the succubus from the inn♡ to be on their side.
How did they manage to win over the owners of all the inns♡ on the Mire continent… or even the intelligence network of the Demon Kingdom…? I heard they rarely interfere in personal matters.
If I’ve been specifically targeted… that’s not good. It’ll make my work difficult.
Or did she receive orders from her homeland to cooperate with Anees Kingdom’s capture operations?
…Ugh, my scalp still stings… I really hope they all suffer…”
A man with messy light purple hair combed his hair with teary eyes in a room at a members-only luxury inn. It was Morec, the rogue monk, himself.
He had left his “Substitute Doll” at this inn, which he used as his base. The luxury inn, frequented by the wealthy of the underworld, had sturdy locks on each room and safes for valuables. Designed to accommodate those in the shadows, the inn didn’t question identities as long as guests paid, and it was so popular that it was difficult to secure a vacant room due to the number of long-term residents.
When he opened the safe, it was filled with magic items. As Loulou had surmised, they were luxury goods acquired by ensnaring newcomers to the underworld.
“Strong Acid Spray,” capable of melting even stone walls.
“Leon’s Mask,” which could create illusions to change one’s face.
“Iron Jail,” a small trap box that could confine people.
………
Among them, he picked up a “Regeneration Drink,” even more valuable than the others, and downed it in one gulp. The extremely bitter drink, made by boiling rare herbs, was difficult to swallow. He choked, but the effects quickly manifested.
The cuts from the poisoned arrows closed seamlessly, and the bald spot on his exposed scalp, where Loulou had ripped out his hair, was completely regrown. The newly grown hair reached his chest, making his overall hair length reach his thighs. Apparently finding it too long, he chopped off the hair below his waist with scissors. His slightly wrinkled skin regained its youthful firmness.
“Ooh. Not bad, eh?”
Morec, checking his rejuvenated face in the mirror, smiled with satisfaction. Already baby-faced and looking younger than his age, he now looked like he could pass for someone in his twenties. The Regeneration Drink, despite shortening one’s lifespan by a few years due to the strain on the body, had a rejuvenating effect.
Noblewomen still flocked to the dangerous underworld to acquire it. Most of them ended up being preyed upon by dark practitioners, losing their money and status, and in the worst cases, their lives.
Morec, braiding his long hair into a loose braid, smiled to himself.
“You shouldn’t misuse expensive valuables.
You can’t use magic items if you’re dead, that would be such a waste!
I’ll probably be officially put on the wanted list soon… so I have to take care of my health.
Hmph, I’m so amazing. Hahaha!
…The Substitute Doll was a bit painful, though.”
After his boisterous laughter, he feigned dejection. The Substitute Doll was a particularly rare item in his collection. He had no idea when he would find a replacement. Acquiring another one would be quite difficult.
…Well, if I hadn’t used it there, it would have been game over! He cheered himself up with a bright voice. Taking advantage of the soundproofed room, he shouted, “I hate you all!!”
Why did he hate others so much…?
His involvement in the Alice assassination plot, while serving his purpose of collecting magic items, was primarily for “entertainment.”
Alice, being killed for unreasonable reasons.
Graham and his brothers, destined to be pursued by underworld debt collectors even if they rebuilt their company.
The novice dark practitioners who would likely be exploited by their seniors.
Alice’s grieving young friends.
ーーHe simply wanted to “see” all of that.
That’s why he used the [Whisper of Evil] skill on Graham, enticing him to buy a brooch far too expensive for him. The [Whisper of Evil] skill amplified one’s desires. Incidentally, clerics could learn the opposing skill, [Smile of Goodwill].
Morec, having stored all the magic items from the safe in his magic bag, donned a new black robe. This one was just a luxury item with no special effects. “I’ll have to procure another magic robe,” he muttered, shivering from the cold. He was a man of many monologues.
Leaving the inn, his long-time base, the rogue monk walked through the back alleys as the morning sun began to peek through. Staying in this city any longer would be like asking to be caught. He had managed to escape this time, but the exceptionally skilled Kagemono would be relentlessly searching for him.
“It’s about time to flee the country.”
A sinister smirk spread across Morec’s lips.
Where should he go?
Where would he witness the next tragedy? He couldn’t wait to see the faces of people grieving in misfortune.
Toying with and then beating up the men who mistook him for an easy target, the wicked rogue monk grinned and vanished using the High Skeleton Brooch.
………….
▽Next! Awakening of the Dark Princess