Kays Translations

Chapter 172

The Guest Manor—a facility built to host and accommodate state guests of honor. Naturally, everyone working there was among the most highly trained individuals in the country.
From servers to chambermaids, each was as skilled as the staff of the royal palace itself. Every ingredient used in the evening’s banquet, every bottle of wine to be served—all were of the finest quality that Lendia could offer.
And tonight, I was invited to that very Guest Manor—to meet none other than the great noble who oversaw it, Marquis Veil.
“This is quite an establishment. It must be nearly half the size of the royal palace.”
“Indeed. This island was originally developed as a resort for entertaining foreign nobility. But as the dungeons grew more active and larger in scale, the number of explorers increased, and a town gradually formed around the manor. That’s how this island developed.”
“I see… That explains why there aren’t any ordinary city facilities nearby, and why those trees act as a screen around it. It’s an isolated compound—there’s probably even a private port, isn’t there?”
“Exactly. The concept is to separate it from the mundane world. The narrow path we took from the city is the only road leading here, and its gate is heavily guarded. The port on the far side of the island is off-limits to the public as well.”
The lively, somewhat chaotic atmosphere of Yasha Island—its tropical, almost Caribbean energy—was replaced by a quiet, refined luxury surrounding the Guest Manor. The contrast was so stark, it was hard to believe they were part of the same island.
The carriage rolled through the gates, swallowed by the grandeur of the estate.
And at the same time, my nerves began to tighten.
Lord Veil—Shuris’s father—had already arrived. Our meeting was imminent.
“All right… Same, you’ll wait in a separate room for now. I’ll speak to my father first, and when the time is right, I’ll say there’s someone I’d like him to meet. Wait until someone comes to fetch you.”
“Understood. I can’t deny I’m nervous… It’s not every day a total stranger like me gets to meet a man of his stature.”
“Oh, he probably knows a fair bit about you already. The ‘Eye of the Deep Sea’ auction, the New Year’s dungeon core announcement—he would have heard about the vice-captain who cleared that floor. It wouldn’t take long for him to connect that person to me and to the man who bought a royal-managed estate and provided that core.”
“…As expected of a true high noble. The father of Shuris and Cres indeed.”
“Fufu, I’ll take that as a compliment. Well then, I’ll go on ahead.”
Shuris stepped through the doors first.
As the sun dipped below the horizon, the light faded and warm lamps flickered to life, illuminating the marble halls.
Soon after, the great doors opened again, and I was quietly led into a side room—almost as if I were being hidden away.
The interior of the Guest Manor was breathtaking, every piece of furniture a masterpiece of craftsmanship and art. Just walking through its corridors made me straighten my posture.
The carpet beneath my feet was so thick it swallowed all sound. And in the reception room I was shown to—
“…! So, you already knew I was here.”
A man was waiting for me—middle-aged, with short, pale blond hair.
Even without remembering his face, I could feel it.
This was Lord Veil himself.
“Hm. You didn’t let your expression or bearing falter. Impressive composure.”
“You flatter me. Inside, I feel like a rookie soldier who just got ambushed from behind.”
“Ha! A rookie, is it? Yet you still choose your words carefully. I like that. I once served in the Holy Principality’s knight order myself. I won’t deny I have mixed feelings about adventurers, but that was a good comparison.”
“I see. Well… I do feel a little sorry for Shuris. She was pretty much tricked into bringing me here.”
“That will be a good lesson for her. Shuris tends to underestimate others. She needs to learn that not everything goes according to her calculations. Wouldn’t you agree, Same?”
“You’re not wrong. Her confidence and composure can sometimes make enemies. You’re worried about that, aren’t you? Personally, I find that part of her admirable.”
“Oh? You seem to observe my daughter quite closely. Perhaps this ‘pretend relationship’ isn’t entirely false after all?”
“Heh, I simply pay attention to my friends.”
It seemed he had already investigated me far more deeply than I’d imagined.
Every exchange felt like walking a tightrope—no room for a single careless word.
“To be honest, my first impression of Shuris—and of the Glory Knights as a whole—wasn’t very good.”
“Oh? That’s unexpected. Tell me, how did you two meet, and how did things come to be as they are now?”
“I don’t mind. It’s a bit of a long story, though. Perhaps we should have something to drink while we talk?”
“Hah. You’re rather composed for someone in your position. Very well, I’ll have something arranged.”
All right… this was going to take a while.
I couldn’t do this as me—not as an ordinary high schooler.
I’d have to rely on Same’s experience:
the knowledge and instincts of a noble thief who’d dealt with everyone from criminals to aristocrats.
“Then, why don’t I start from when I entered this country while secretly carrying a dungeon core?”
“Oh? Now that sounds intriguing. Heh… yes, I think I will need a drink for this story.”
The night was still young.
Let’s talk, Lord Veil—slowly and thoroughly.
“—So, in my school of martial arts, we have a technique that combines verbal inspiration and intimidation toward the opponent with self-enhancement magic.”
“Ha-ha-ha, that sounds rather dangerous. But it might actually work well against Cres. Ever since childhood, she’s been terribly afraid of being scolded in a loud voice. Heh… I see, so even after becoming the captain of the knights, some of those old habits still remain. No matter how old they get, our children are always adorable, aren’t they?”
“That might be true. I also live with a child who’s become part of my family now, and watching her grow while still seeing traces of her childishness… it’s a feeling I can’t quite describe.”
“Ah, you mean that white-fox girl, right? I don’t know the full story behind her, but… you’ve properly explained this situation to her, haven’t you?”
“Of course I have. But still, I suppose she’s anxious about it. This morning she even warned me, ‘No staying out all night.’”
“Ku-ku-ku… I see. I may need to have a little talk with my own daughter as well.”
After about an hour, with both our glasses emptied several times and the sound of ice echoing softly through the room, Lord Veil and I had completely relaxed into easy conversation.
“…I understand what kind of person you are now. You were probably trying to gauge our intentions and predict our thoughts to some degree, weren’t you? And that’s fine — in fact, you’re mostly right. It seems you’ve had some involvement in the Allheus family affair, and you appear to understand our current position quite well.”
“Yes… I suppose so. As the only marquis family in this country, you probably have to maintain appearances. And I imagine there are many houses here with ties to foreign nobility too.”
“Exactly. Those foreign powers are likely slipping their ambitions — their demands to ‘bring Shuris into society’ — among the complaints and pressures of the lower nobles. Such demands could easily lead to a weakening of our national power.”
“Then, regarding Lady Shuris’s current plan — ‘warding off suitors by giving the impression that she already has a man’ — is it safe to assume there won’t be any restrictions from your side?”
“Of course. We were thinking along the same lines ourselves. But we couldn’t find a man suitable for the task. You showing up was most convenient. Now that I’ve gotten to know you, I’d even like to speak again as drinking companions, not just as my daughter’s acquaintance.”
“I’m honored. In that case… perhaps someday we could disguise ourselves and take a stroll through the city together. I just arrived today, but it looked quite lively.”
“Ha-ha, that might be a fine idea. And then suddenly bursting into the Glory Knights’ hangout to scare Shuris a little… that sounds fun too.”
Lord Veil, now slightly tipsy, chuckled at his own mischievous suggestion.
Good. I think that means I’ve successfully cleared the first hurdle… at least for now.
“Well then, I shouldn’t keep you any longer, or your lady companion will start to worry. I’ll be talking with my daughter for a while longer, so allow me to arrange your carriage.”
“Thank you for your thoughtfulness, Lord Veil. I’m glad we had the chance to speak tonight. I hope we can do so again sometime.”
“Ah, we shall. Let’s say after the banquet. Farewell, Same.”
Lord Veil stood to see me off as I left the room. It seemed he’d at least accepted me for the time being.
I wonder if Shuris is getting restless right about now—
I waited for my carriage in front of the guest hall. The sun had completely set, and the lamps scattered throughout the garden illuminated the neatly trimmed hedges in soft, beautiful light.
When I looked up, I was greeted by an endless sky full of stars — perhaps a gift of being on this island.
“…The shopping district in Lindblum was pretty bright too.”
As I was thinking about why the night sky looked so beautiful, the door behind me opened, and Shuris slipped gracefully through the gap.
Wearing her dress and looking just a bit flustered, she seemed different from her usual composed self — and for a moment, my heart skipped a beat.
“Same! I’m sorry, Father got the better of me…! How did the conversation go? He didn’t say anything rude, did he?”
“No, don’t worry. He’s a wise and admirable man — deeply devoted to both his daughter and his country. We ended up chatting for a while and even shared a few drinks.”
“I-I see… well, I’m glad things didn’t get complicated. You’re heading back now, right? I have a meeting with Father next, so I’m sorry I can’t see you off properly…”
“No need to apologize. In any case, he’s approved my attendance as your companion for the banquet. I’ll be counting on you that day.”
“Good. I’m glad. Then… I’ll be counting on you too, Seim.”
Shuris smiled shyly, a faint blush on her cheeks.
…Yeah. Honestly, this is probably just a temporary fix.
Even with a man by her side, there’ll definitely still be people trying to approach her.
As I looked at her — more radiant than ever in that dress and smiling beautifully — I was absolutely certain of it.

“Melt, I’m home—…?”
“S-Same!? T-this isn’t what it looks like…! I didn’t expect you to come back so soon…!”
“Melt… you’re the one who told me not to stay out all night, remember?”
When I returned to the hotel room, there she was — Melt, sprawled out on the bed in a completely disheveled state.
It honestly looked like a battlefield after something had been devoured.
“…Don’t tell me… you ordered room service!?”
“B-but! They said they’d bring the food right to the room! I could just lie on this amazing bed, relax, and eat delicious dishes and fruit! I—I couldn’t resist…!”
So yeah… when I walked in, Melt was lying on her back on the bed, munching happily on skewered fruit.
The plates and sticks were just left scattered on the floor. Totally sloppy.
Melt—like with the whole bath incident before, if I leave you alone for five minutes, you turn into a lazy grade school boy!
Who was it that said she was growing up, huh!? Just look at her now!
“Melt, sit up properly when you eat. And clean up your dishes when you’re done.”
“Okaaay… ugh, I just got too comfortable and let my guard down… I’m sorry.”
“As long as you understand. Alright then, let’s share the rest of the fruit together.”
Good girl, she actually apologized properly!
So the two of us sat and ate the skewered mangoes and banana-like fruits together, satisfied with how they tasted—
and I started thinking it might be nice to make smoothies with them sometime.
…By the way, isn’t room service kind of expensive?

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