Chapter 142: The Barbeque

“Grilled shellfish with butter really never disappoints!”

Lily exclaimed in delight, lifting another perfectly browned clam from the grate. The butter hissed and shimmered across its surface, releasing a rich, mouthwatering aroma that blended with the scent of smoke and sea salt drifting in from the nearby shore.

“If you drizzle this Hinomaru seasoning called soy sauce over it, it tastes even better.”

“Then I’ll gladly take you up on that— …whoa⁉ That’s amazing! Whoever came up with this is an absolute genius. Seriously, though, how do you even have something this rare?”

“That’s a trade secret. Kingdom knights aren’t to be trusted.”

“Ehhh? Stingy!”

Just then, her subordinate tapped Lily lightly on the shoulder, and the two began whispering off to the side.

“Capta—… Lily. Aren’t you getting a little too comfortable?”

“It’s fine, it’s fine! BBQs have to be like this~. And you can call me what you usually do, Subordinate-chan.”

“That’s a bit…”

“It’s fine, I said it’s fine~.”

“Is there some reason for this?”

“My instincts!”

“…Right. Very well.”

“What are you two whispering about over there?”

“She was just lecturing me about lacking a sense of caution…”

“Well, your subordinate’s right. Go home immediately.”

“Ahahaha! That’s harsh!”

Laughing loudly, Lily plopped right back down in her seat as if she hadn’t heard him at all.

“No, seriously, go home…”

“Nope! BBQ eaten during working hours tastes the best!”

“I apologize. Our captain is always like this…”

“Looks like you’ve got it rough.”

“Yes… I’m dragged around every single day…”

(Huh. So she’s a captain. I figured she had to be important. I mean, if someone this strong were just a foot soldier, that would be strange in its own way.)

Ignoring her subordinate’s lament, Lily competed with Esther, stuffing her cheeks with chunks of roasted fish-type monster, devouring it with fierce determination.

“Hoh… you’re quite formidable…”

“I usually try to act cool and pretend I don’t eat much… so this is the only time I can really indulge…”

“A pure maiden’s dilemma indeed. Have you no lover?”

“I’ve been single for exactly as many years as I’ve been alive. Got a problem with that?”

“Kakakaka! How tragic~.”

“Ugh… the fish tastes salty from my tears…”

The once-massive roasted fish was reduced, thanks to Lily’s relentless efforts, to nothing but a clean, gleaming skeleton.

“Thanks for the meal! It was delicious~!”

“Thank you for allowing us to join your private BBQ.”

“Yeah. You two work hard on your investigation.”

“I am satisfied as well! We shall do this again!”

“Gyau.”
(I can’t eat another bite…)

The gathering naturally began to break up, but—

“Captain. Let’s return to our mission.”

“Urp… I’m too full to move.”

“Captain… you truly are…”

Her subordinate clutched her head in exasperation.

Lily shifted her gaze to Ryu, who was briskly and efficiently cleaning up the equipment.

“By the way, it’s a bit late to ask, but could you tell me your names?”

“Can’t do that.”

“Then how about where you’re from?”

“That’s a secret too.”

“You’re so stingy~. We shared a BBQ together; you could tell me a little something. …Then where were you before coming here?”

“The Gran Federation.”

“The Gran Federation! The neutral nation called the Heart of the Continent! …The Kingdom’s Hero Party has been making a big splash there, right? Have you seen them?”

“I haven’t seen them personally, but they were definitely a hot topic.”

“So they’re really that famous… how embarrassing…”

“Embarrassing? Don’t tell me you’re anti-hero even though you’re a Kingdom knight?”

“Yeah. After all, the recent war was caused by the Kingdom’s summoning of the Hero. The Hero himself isn’t at fault—I’m even grateful—but the fact that the Kingdom’s Hero, who became the root cause of so many sacrifices, is now boldly training in a neutral nation without the slightest sign of remorse… honestly, it’s too embarrassing to watch.”

When the Kingdom broke the thousand-year taboo and performed the Hero Summoning, other great powers followed suit to keep up.

As a result, the nation of Cell Marquisate vanished from the map. Skirmishes between major powers intensified. And to make matters worse, The Principality’s Hero was dispatched to Hinomaru—pushing it to the brink of overthrow.

“…I wonder how many people have died in such a short time.”

“I heard the Cell Marquisate is gone, and several major domains in Hinomaru were crushed. I don’t know the exact numbers, but it must be considerable.”

“You’re well-informed.”

“I make it a point to stay updated on global affairs, even if I have to pay for information. We’re travelers, after all.”

“I see… Information really is important…”

“Hey, Ryu. Seems there are decent people in the Kingdom after all.”

“Surprising, isn’t it? Especially a capable unit captain who isn’t swayed by public opinion and can view the world objectively. Maybe the Kingdom isn’t entirely hopeless.”

“Captain… that’s enough. You never know who might be listening.”

“It’s fine, it’s fine~. I’m just saying I love the Kingdom but hate the foolish higher-ups.”

“That’s exactly the problem…”

“Ah, so that was bad? Ahahaha!”

“She’s not reflecting on this at all…”

“Subordinate, you’ve had it rough.”

“Yes… not a moment’s rest every day…”

“By the way, do you have a lover?”

Adjusting her glasses with a small push, the subordinate replied coolly,

“Unlike the captain, I’ve had a boyfriend for three years. Unlike the captain.”

“Subordinate-chan, the first and last parts weren’t necessary, right…?”

Ryu placed the final BBQ tools into his item bag.

“Alright. Let’s head back.”

“Since we’re already moving, shall we search the main street for a sweets shop?”

“Wouldn’t that defeat the purpose of exercise?”

“Sweets eaten during a journey are zero calories.”

“What kind of nonsense logic is that?”

“Gyau.”
(I want pancakes! With lots of honey!)

“W-Wait a second!”

“What now… We’re not dealing with you anymore. See you.”

“Farewell!”

“Gyau!”

Ryu and the others strode briskly toward town.

Lily could only stare blankly at their retreating figures, watching them grow smaller in the distance.

Her subordinate gently placed a hand on her shoulder.

“Captain. Let’s quietly return to our mission as well. It was already exceptional that they allowed us to join their BBQ.”

“Yeah, I know, but…”

Lily’s expression suddenly turned serious.

“If we let this chance slip by, I feel like we’ll never see them again.”

“Captain… then this time, let’s truly follow them.”

“Mm. I’m glad I have such an honest subordinate.”

◇◇◇

Ryu and his companions made their way along the narrow path between rocky outcrops and forest, eventually returning to the fishing harbor.

“…The fishing boat that brought us here is gone. Did they already head out for their second catch?”

“Fishermen truly have a demanding profession.”

“Gyau.”
(Come to think of it, I sank a few Principality fishing boats…)

“Were the fish from the ships you sank tasty?”

“Gyau.”
(Yes! They were exquisite!)

“Then it’s fine.”

Just then—

“Heeey! You guys!”

The captain and her subordinate came running up from behind.

“I told you not to come. You really are stalkers.”

“No, no! This time we want to make a formal request for cooperation!”

““A formal request for cooperation???””

“You see—are you interested in the Demonfolk?”