Chapter 143

“A dress!? A dress means that, right!? That fluttery thing a princess wears!? I’m the one who’s going to wear it!?”

“Mhm, that’s right. Melt-chan, you’ll be attending the castle’s banquet together with me. So you’ll need a party outfit, like a dress. Kokuri-san is bringing over several she’s not wearing right now, and from those, she’ll adjust whichever one you like to fit your body.”

“W-wow, she’s letting me have hers for my sake? I need to thank her properly, don’t I?”
“Mhm, indeed.”

When I told Melt-chan about the dress after we got home, as I expected, her eyes sparkled with joy.

Yes, yes… just seeing that happy face made the trip to the palace worthwhile.

This girl… not only cute, but truly beautiful as well. If she wears makeup and a dress for the banquet… the attending nobles might not stay quiet.

“…Perhaps I should ask Her Majesty the Queen and Kokuri-san to grant me some formal authority as well.”

Come to think of it, Shizuma had requested “certain privileges” as a condition for using the dungeon core in this country… If I recall, it was basically something like, “If I kill a noble I don’t like, it won’t count as a crime.”

…Honestly, I’d like that too.

『Hello. Is Lord Rue at home?』

About two hours later, there was a knock at the door.

By then, Melt-chan had fully recovered, eaten lunch, and regained her energy. When she heard Kokuri-san had arrived, her excitement grew even more and she dashed ahead of me to the front door.

“Hello! Welcome, Kokuri-chan!”

“My, my, it’s been a while, hasn’t it, Melt-san?”

Kokuri-san’s faint look of wariness disappeared a little at Melt-chan’s friendly greeting. Most likely, her tension was due to my presence.

“Come in, come in! You too, miss, please come inside!”

Following Kokuri-san was a woman who seemed to be a dressmaker, carrying a large costume case.

Mhm, just as I thought. If she’d brought a male tailor instead, I’d have kicked him out immediately.

“Well then, let’s get right to it. Could you pick out a dress you like from these?”

She opened the case, then hung the dresses one by one on a long rod, like a portable clothing rack, arranging them as if in an exhibition.

Seeing the colorful, varied designs and textures, Melt-chan let out a series of awe-filled, wordless sounds.

“Wow…! Ahh…! Ooooh…! Amazing, they’re amazing! That’s Fairy Silk… and this weave, what is it? I’ve never seen this before!”

“That’s a fabric called satin. It uses a special weaving method, you’re right.”

“Waaah… it’s so glossy and smooth to the touch… incredible!”

“I’m glad you like it. But I’m impressed too—how did you recognize Fairy Silk at a glance?”

“My grandma’s lab coat was made from Fairy Silk. Though it wasn’t nearly this shiny.”

“Oh? They use it for lab coats? I see… with its corrosion resistance and fire resistance, it makes sense. I would’ve liked to meet your grandmother someday.”

“Hmmm…? Maybe…”

I sensed a faint shadow of doubt from Melt-chan. Something in Kokuri-san’s words must have struck her as odd.

“Which one should I pick!? They’re all so beautiful… this one… or maybe this one…”

Melt-chan picked up a white dress and a pale blue one.

As I predicted, those were the colors she liked.

Both shimmering dresses resembled the color of her silvery hair.

“Hey hey, Uncle! Which one do you think would suit me better?”

“Hyoh!? You want me to decide!?”

Oh dear, this is a heavy responsibility… emergency council in my mind!

I instantly entered meditation and cast my awareness deep within.

And then—

“…And so, that’s the situation. You’ve all heard about it already, right?”

“Gah!? Don’t just pop up out of nowhere, Rue!”

“…Seriously, Rue? You were awake and you just barged in here like that…?”

I found myself standing at the round table in the void.

Though Shizuma and Silent raised their voices in surprise, I had no choice. This decision was too heavy for me alone.

“I recommend the white dress. The blue one has a rather deep neckline. Considering her mental immaturity, it would be risky.”

“Is that so? But since she’s already looking more like an adult, shouldn’t she start getting used to it? This is a royal event—she’ll be protected by the crown anyway.”

“I agree with Seira. Melt-san is still like a bud about to bloom. Don’t you think a secure environment, like this banquet with so many knights around, is exactly the place for her to show the signs of blossoming freely?”

Sheele and Seira’s opinions split, with Hash siding with Seira.

I, of course, was on Sheele’s side.

“Yeah, I agree with Sheele. She’s way too unaware of herself. Shizuma, what about you?”

“If anything happens to Melt, both I and Lue would kill the culprit—even at a banquet. So the safer choice is white, right?”

“Mhm, I agree with Shizuma completely. Anything that lowers the risk of Melt-chan being harassed is best. Still, I don’t want to deny her the chance to wear a dress and attend.”

“Hmm, true enough. We’d better avoid turning the banquet into a bloodbath.”

“Well… if you put it like that, I’ll concede. Hash, let’s drop it. With her doting grandpa tagging along, it’s hopeless anyway.”

“Hmm… yes, I suppose so. No helping it then.”

Ah, so they understand after all!

“I personally think the light blue would be better, don’t you? It brings out her hair and complexion more, doesn’t it? And besides… wouldn’t it be perfect for flushing out foolish nobles and purging them?”

“I agree with Still this time. After all, since Rue is going to be introduced as the leader of the dungeon core’s providers, it’s only natural that Melt-chan, being with him, will be assumed to be related. Any shallow noble dumb enough to mess with her at that point—wouldn’t it be fine to purge them? I know it sounds bad, but she’d basically serve as bait to lure out that kind of trash, don’t you think?”

Mmm… they had a point. Still, that was an unexpected pair to agree with each other. I wonder, are Still and Rent really not on bad terms after all?

『If you want to enjoy killing, then choose the light blue. At such an important event where the upper echelon of the nation gathers, turning it into slaughter and casting fear would actually stir my own interest. It would be convenient for ruling this country through fear.』

At that moment, the voice of the “Strongest” resounded through the round table.

…All the more reason I couldn’t go along with that proposal.

“How unexpected of you, Strongest. Then I’ve no choice but to reject it. Don’t think the title of ‘Strongest’ will remain yours forever.”

『Kuku… I see, so you’ve grown strong enough to get conceited, have you? Very well… the day we both leave this round table together—』

A voice from the darkness. My retort to it. But then—

“What’s this about leaving my body whenever you feel like it? I’ll just delete your character from the menu right now, you hear me? Don’t get cocky.”

Shizuma’s quiet but furious voice rang through the round table.

Right… Shizuma was in a position to erase us entirely if he wished.

…Yes, I had completely forgotten that.

『…I see, I offended you.』

“Yeah. It was very unpleasant. Watch yourself, ‘Schweigen.’ Do you think you’re my master or something?”

『…I apologize. But I remain the Strongest. That much I will not concede.』

“That’s true. Even Rue probably couldn’t beat you one-on-one. Well—if it were truly one-on-one, that might be different, but you’re not alone, are you?”

『Precisely. But as things stand, I have no interest in this world. I’ve no intention of helping you.』

I should reflect on this. It was I who provoked him.

And… even now, he declared that Shizuma couldn’t win against him. If he says so, then it must be true.

How frustrating. I still can’t reach him…

“Rue, white. Recommend the white dress to Melt.”

“Mhm, understood. Then I’ll take my leave for now.”

And with that, I pulled my consciousness back up from meditation.

“White it is! The white one suits you best by far!”

“Really!? I thought a white dress felt a bit like a wedding dress and was a little embarrassing! But wow, it suits me, huh?”

Guhhhhhh!!!!! Wedding… marriage… No no no! I don’t want it, I don’t want it! I don’t want Melt-chan to become someone’s bride! Blast it…! I never thought I’d take such emotional damage just from her wearing a white dress!

“I see, so this is the dress then? Seamstress, could you adjust it to fit her body?”

“Certainly. May I borrow the neighboring room?”

“Mhm, of course. Melt-chan, could you take the dress into the next room?”

“Got it! Waaah… my heart’s pounding…”

Ugh… seeing her in a white dress makes me imagine her as a future bride… my chest aches! Maybe I should have chosen the light blue after all…

“Well then… the detailed adjustments will likely be done back at the castle, but even so, doing the initial fittings here will take a little time. Shall we chat while we wait, Lord Rue?”

“Mhm, I don’t mind, Kokuri-san. I’ll go brew some tea.”

“No, allow me. I’d feel bad letting you do that.”

“Hmm, well, I’m not the homeowner here anyway. I’ll accept your kindness this time.”

“Please do. I’ve managed this house for quite a long while, you see. I know it fairly well.”

“Oh? Is that so? Then perhaps you could help investigate that strange passage soon…”

“Strange passage…?”

Hmm… she’s not lying. It seems she really doesn’t know anything about the underground passage of this house.

“Ahh, or rather it’s more of a waterway than a path, isn’t it? You know, at the edge of the garden where Melt-chan redirected the stream and made some kind of pond? I was thinking of checking if that’s causing any effects elsewhere.”

I quickly made up a false reason. In truth, it was about the underground passage, but Kokuri-san really didn’t seem to know of its existence.

“Ah, the brook behind the house? That’s just a tributary. I don’t think it’ll cause any problems even if she fiddles with it. Still… come spring, I’ll check it just in case.”

“Mhm, much obliged.”

Shizuma had warned me she was not someone to be underestimated.

Indeed, she possessed a kind of sly, seasoned sharpness that carried a quiet sense of danger.

But… I don’t think there’s a need to be overly cautious.

She seemed genuinely devoted to this country. Likely, her continued investigation of our brigade wasn’t suspicion as much as it was driven by patriotism.

“I brought some coffee. I hope that’s fine?”

“Of course, I like coffee as well.”

“Thanks to the rain, it feels a bit chilly today, even though the snow has melted.”

“True enough. It’d be better if the sun shone a little longer… Once February ends, perhaps the first signs of spring will begin to appear.”

“Yes… perhaps the dungeon core’s influence, but the snow seems to be melting a little earlier than usual. Still, the true sense of harvest won’t come until spring… it won’t be long now.”

She must have had many thoughts. After all, she had lived in this country for many years.

“Ah, Kokuri-san. There’s something I’d like to ask of you.”

“Oh? What is it? If it’s within my power, I’d like to grant your request.”

“It’s about the day of the banquet, you see. Well… Melt-chan is quite cute, isn’t she?”

“Fufu, yes, she certainly is.”

“Right? Which is exactly why I’d like you to instruct the guards to protect her properly. I’m certain some noble will attempt inappropriate contact with her.”

“Haha, that’s indeed quite possible. Very well, I understand. I’ll arrange for bodyguards to be stationed close by.”

“Mhm, I’m counting on you. Otherwise—I’ll have no choice but to make it rain blood in the banquet hall.”

I pressed the point, lacing my words with true intimidation.

“She’s precious to every single one of our brigade. If necessary, you can consider the entire brigade as enemies of this nation.”

“…Understood. I’ll make the security airtight. I promise to give the bodyguards sufficient authority as well.”

“Mhm, I’ll leave it to you then.”

Now, with this, I can face the banquet without worry!

Come now, Melt-chan—let’s enjoy a night full of fine food and pretty dresses to our hearts’ content.

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