Chapter 68: Ihoujin, Dungeon ni Moguru Chapte

「We’re done on our side. Are there any problems on your side?」

『Oh, I can talk using this. So interesting~. Yes yes~, this is Gormlaith~, there are no problems~』

It’s a cutesy voice.

If I only listen to her voice, she’s a really moe moe person. If people hear her voice first, and then see her appearance, I think that some of them will faint. It may be a little traumatic.

「We succeed in fooling them somehow. We’re holding a victory party now」

『By the way………what are you guys eating, I wonder?』

「It’s Katsu curry. I'll have Makina bring some to you later」

『There are still more types of curry?! Deep. Curry is deep』

「It’s just curry over deep-fried food, but let’s leave that for later. Umm, there’s something that I would like to ask you」

『I’ll answer to the extent that I can』

「Demon King-sama, from what I’ve heard, you’ve been sealed several times in the past?」

If that’s true, there is a risk that what we did this time will be exposed when they compared it with past instances.

『Oh, I merely pretended to be done in by them. I was satisfied after seeing the faces of my descendants after such a long time, so I simply accommodated them suitably』

Oh, okay.

「Are the descendants of Gastolfo aware that the Demon King is their blood relative?」

『They seemed to be aware of that in the past, but I think that the kids nowadays don’t know about it. That information must have been lost around the time when the lineage had once almost died out due to the effects of war』

「I see. In that case, I believe that it’s alright now」

So long as we don’t let the cat out of the bag.

『But hey, where did you get a monster like that?』

「It’s my wife’s cooking」

『Huh?』

「It’s from my wife's cooking」

『Oh………okay』

I feel bad saying it, but it’s Rana's cooking.

Rana’s ban on cooking has been lifted because “that” had been defeated, but I intend to watch over her with the maximum level of surveillance whenever she cooked. We may not be able to win next time.

「Demon King-sama, I was narrowly able to fool her this time, but that doesn’t mean that Frey will be the last Brave. I believe that a second or third Brave will surely appear. At that time……」

『I’ll shut myself in until I’m forgotten. It may be ruined, but our dungeon is extensive. It’s much too deep for people to pursue me. There is still more wisdom that’s unknown to me sleeping inside. Who knows, there may even be recipes for delicious curry』

Can that be considered wisdom?

『At any rate, Souya, I’m immensely indebted to you. In this way, you’ve protected the peace of the plain. The scars in the earth will be mended by my subordinates in secret by tonight or so. I'll have Makina deliver something as thanks at a later date. Do accept it』

「Yes, thank you very much」

『However, associating with the Demon King despite being a human is fraught with danger. For that reason, let's never meet personally ever again. Well then, goodbye』

「Huh? ………Goodbye」

『Oh, I'm sorry. One last thing, please send Lazarissa my regards. Bye~』

「Alright」

『Makina, how do I end the call?』

『It’s the blue button over there~』

The communication was cut.

My ties to the Demon King had been severed.

Certainly, if it comes out that I, whose reputation is bad enough as it is, have a connection with the Demon King, I’ll be exiled. Parting at this timing in a business-like manner may be the wisdom of the Demon King’s years. Well, it’s better than a weirdly sappy farewell. Besides, it seems that she will continue her relationship with Makina.

That said………………

The Demon King being acquainted with Lazarissa means that it really is a match-pump after all.

Tilting at windmills. I had been tilting at windmills again.

Oh foreigner, even if you don’t lift a finger, the world will be perfectly fine.

I had composed a weird poem.[1]

「Souya, who were you talking to?」

A cat had come and was rubbing itself against my leg.

It was a fluffy, gray, golden-eyed cat.

「It’s a friend from the plain that I met recently and parted ways with today. It’s someone called Gormlaith, but do you know that person?」

「I don't know a woman like that. More importantly, Ea is trying to make the curry spicier. Won’t you stop her?」

「Ea! If you want to make it spicier, do it for your own portion only!」

I hurried out of the tent to stop my sister, who was throwing red peppers into the pot of curry.

And then, we had lunch.

Bel, Shuna, the Brave, the maid, along with the elven sisters. As usual, Misuranika-sama was eating in the tent after I had left her share there.

Lanseal was at the royal castle because of the commotion in the morning.

I'm really sorry. I’ll make up for it later.

「You did really good work today, err, No………something-or-other-san」

「Ojou-sama, it’s Souya-sama」

「I know. I was just about to say it」

「Is that so?」

Frey, who was seated at the table, cleared her throat. The maid next to her had her usual unruffled look. Even though she was the Brave’s maid, she was acquainted with the Demon King. I shouldn’t stick my nose too deep. It would only lead to trouble.

Neither of them had touched their lunch, which was curry, yet.

They were prioritizing the ceremonial formalities.

By the way, about today's curry. To spite Shuna, it's a medium-spicy curry with steamed potatoes, boiled beans, and plenty of vegetables. Also, it’s poured over Tonkatsu(pork cutlet). Deep-fried pre-boiled pork that’s crispy on the outside and tender on the inside. I think that it's probably the most delicious dish that I’ve made ever since coming to the alternate world.

「In the name of Frey・Dis・Gastolfo, Souya, as well as his party members………………Is anyone listening?」

「Hey~, everyone」

Not one of my party members at the other table was paying her any attention.

「This, you know, munch munch, cutlet, doing something like pouring curry over it even though it’s crispy, I thought Onii-chan had gone crazy. But, munch munch, when soaked in the breading, the taste is something else. Moreover, the feeling of immorality that comes from purposely sullying that crispiness is also, munch munch」

「When covered in curry, the beans and potatoes became delicious. Impossible! What kind of magic is this?」

「You guys, eat quietly」

Because they were absorbed in their curry, they didn’t hear a single word.

「Ojou-sama, let’s eat too」

「What? But, you see, my last duty as the Brave is――」

Perhaps she was at her limit, but Lazarissa took a scoop of the curry with a spoon and ate it.

「Mmm, this is…… When the taste of spices, which have a taste similar to bitterness, passes by in an instant…… It has a complex richness and sweetness, no, this is the coming together of the gravy and the taste of vegetables………… Sorry, Lazarissa wants to focus on the taste so Lazarissa is going to stop talking」

She started eating enthusiastically.

「Wh, what's so good about an uncivilized dish that lacks beauty like this――」

With a reluctant look on her face, Frey also took a bite of the curry.

「Moreover, soaking the fried food is――」

She also took a bite of the cutlet.

「………………」

She stopped talking and continued eating.

I also started eating.

I'll omit my impressions on the curry as it’ll go on for a while.

My sister came and talked to me happily.

「Onii-chan. I might have thought of something fantastic. Curry and ramen, won’t it be the best if they’re combined?」

「To have noticed that, you must be a genius after all」

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「You can praise me more」

My sister had an extremely smug expression on her face.

「Souya」

It appeared that Shuna had also come up with something.

「Curry and pizza. Won’t it be amazing if they’re combined?」

「That’s so-so, I guess」

「You jerk, aren’t you just showing favoritism to your sister?」

「Then do you want to try and become my sister too?」

「That doesn’t make any sense」

Ah, oh no. I almost forgot.

I got up from my seat and filled another plate of Katsu curry. I brought it over to the small table a little distance away from the camp that Bel was seated at.

「Slow」

I had prepared a separate seat for only one person. There were many things that I had to ask this person.

Questioning her came first, so for now, I didn’t place the curry on her table.

「The person inside Bel, I want to know your name」

「I refuse」

「Is that so? Then it can’t be helped」

I placed a rectangular object on the table. I also dropped some supplements beside it.

「This is the portable ration of a normal adventurer. It’s made by kneading butter, wheat flour, and preservatives that I’m not familiar with together and baking it until it’s as hard as a rock. If you don't answer the question, all of your meals from now on will be this. Well, with these pills, there won’t be any problems with regards to nutrition」

「Sob, Onii-san, that’s too much―――――――Shut up」

Bel had returned for a moment.

「So what?」

The person inside had returned. She had an unconcerned look.

I fanned the curry with my hand.

I had a look that said that I would make her say『Urgh, kill me[2]』using the smell. It felt a little indecent.

「Well, try eating it as a test」

(The person inside)Bel unwrapped the oil paper of the portable ration and then took a bite of the yellow lump.

「………………Onii-san, it’s too much」

Bel had come back for a moment again. She was replaced by the person inside immediately, but she had become teary-eyed.

One more push.

「First of all, you, it’s inconvenient to not even know the name of someone that I’m going to risk my life with from now on. I’ll hesitate over what I should call the current you on the spur of the moment. It’s fine even if it’s not your real name, a nickname or something will suffice」

Bel suddenly grabbed my shoulder and embraced me.

She smelled sweet.

「—————————————It’s Lyridias, you boorish foreigner. You all should call me Lys」

The curry disappeared from my hand.

Lys sat back down at the table and started eating the curry silently.

「Hmpt, it’s so-so. I prefer it spicier. Don't get it wrong next time」

「Huh?」

Did she just say Lyridias?

You've got to be kidding me.

「Hey, could it be――」

「Shut up. I told you my name. I won’t answer anything else」

「What drink do you want?」

「Liquor. The sweet kind」

「What about side dishes?」

「Eggplant marinade. I absolutely don’t want the red vegetables」

「What about dessert?」

「The sweet, cold, white one that this girl ate before」

「Understood………」

For the time being, handling this person in this way will do, but is this really okay?

Oh god. What in the world is this? My head is about to explode. Oh, but after a while, I’m starting to think that it doesn’t matter. This isn’t okay at all, is it? What should I do? Help, my god, help.

「What are you doing in a place like this?」

My prayer had reached.

A gray cat got on my shoulders.

「Hmm~, well well, I was wondering who it is, but look who’s here」

Misuranika-sama’s voice sounded full of mixed emotions.

The weight on my shoulders changed. From one cat to one young girl’s weight.

When I tried to look at her face, I got head-locked.

Even though I’ve seen it once, she’s such a shy person.

「Souya, did this one give her name?」

「Huh, yes. She’s Lyridias-san, it seems」

「Pfff, of all the names, that’s the one you gave? Harlot」

「Wha, I, I’m, yo, you’re the last person I want to hear that from! You tart!」

Alright, girls shouldn’t throw such words at each other~.

「Don't think that you can beguile my follower with that flat chest」

「Urgh」

Misuranika-sama’s weight became even heavier. There was a soft and springy feeling on my shoulders and shoulder blades.

Right now, my faith is rising energetically. I’ll follow you for the rest of my life!

「Hmpt, how annoying. You Misuranika. I’m going home!」

Lys stood up, but there was still curry left, so she scarfed it into her mouth hurriedly, and then went home with her cheeks puffed out like a squirrel.

As I watched her back grow smaller, I asked Misuranika-sama.

「Umm, is she really the Lyridias of the St. Lyridias Order?」

「There’s no way that’s true. She’s an impostor. Don't worry about her. Besides, you can’t do anything anyway. You should take advantage and work her as hard as possible」

「O, okay」

It’s a little difficult to accept, but it’s god’s mandate. I guess I’ll try to use her skillfully.

「So, what’s her true identity?」

「That's a secret」

Nothing good comes out of poking one’s nose into women’s secrets. I’ll avoid getting deeply involved.

[1] Not an explanation really, but it’s supposed to be a haiku that got composed there, but no matter how I tried, I couldn’t fit it into the 5-7-5 format……

[2] Okay, I never thought the day would come when I’d be explaining stuff like this… The words used there originally is a short form of a certain phrase. Because the author used that short form, instead of the words in full:“Urgh, kill me”, it refers specifically to a commonly used line uttered in eroges by the female knight when she is captured and “humiliated” and chooses death. I usually find explanations for obscure references on forums, blogs and so on, but that specific short form is so famous, that explanation came from an online DICTIONARY…

“Katsu” is the shortened form of katsuretsu, which is the Japanese pronunciation of the English word “cutlet”. Also, as it sounds like the word “victory/win” in Japanese, it’s sometimes eaten before matches or exams as a type of superstition.

By the way, Lys refers to herself as “boku”, like Alma from TSCM, but from her conversation with Misuranika, she’s clearly a girl. Also, the two of them seem to know each other, huh? Also, Lys(リズ) sounds a lot like squirrel(リス), which I suppose is the joke when she left.

I debated long and hard over whether or not to point this out, as it won’t really make sense why it’s important till later. But in case I forget to do so later, I decided to point it out. First, even though Souya said nothing about Gormlaith being a woman, Misuranika-sama called her one…which only means that she’s lying and did know her…but why? Also, remember what Gormlaith said when Souya asked if she knew Misuranika? Finally, Gormlaith’s eyes are blue lights now that she’s a skeleton, but did you notice when it was mentioned what color her eyes were when she was alive, I wonder? I mentioned this before, but this arc is very important. So much is set-up here.

With that, one final chapter to wrap this arc up and we’ll be headed for volume 3 at last! Stay tuned!

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