We're going to find out where the holy sword is and we're going to head there--

You will be taken to a banquet without.

You are sent to attend a banquet to thank me for helping the daughter of Anaheim.

Lunamaría is reluctant to obtain the holy sword as soon as possible.
As a maiden, she is not fond of pomp and circumstance.

I'm interested in the merchant's banquet, so I persuade her to join us.

"The holy sword won't escape, and if I'm really a brave man, only I can pull it off, can't I?　There's no point in panicking now.

"...it is true, but

But in the end, she didn't wear the beautiful dress that the Anaheim family had prepared for her.

"For a miko, this unadorned costume is the bridal gown and the garment of death.

And go to the banquet in the usual simple clothes.

Since I don't wear nobleman's clothes, I'll wear traveler's clothes too.

Dressed up, Karen grumbles, but says, "I'm still happy to dine with Master Will.


The Anaheim family's banquet is held in a fine dining room.

It is held in a simple setting where the Anaheim family usually eats.

It's a small feast.

It was magnificent enough from the point of view of the common people," said the head of the family, Viktor. Even though I grew up in the mountains.

The dining room of Anaheim's house was so big.

I wonder if my whole house would fit inside. It's an exaggeration but it's that big.

The place is crammed with delicacies from the mountains and seas of various countries.

As you are snacking on food made with ingredients you've never seen or heard of before, Karen speaks to you.

"I'm so happy to be eating with you. I'd like to marry you.

The father says to the daughter with a stain on her cheeks.

"That's not so bad. I want to see my grandchildren soon.

Seeing her father's eagerness, Karen says as if she had a brilliant idea.

Well, I'd like you to take me with you on your journey to find the Holy Sword. It will be a good training ground for a bride.

Karen is happy to say it, but the proposal is surprisingly rejected.

"You can't do that. We can't put you in harm's way.

"Master Will is a unsurpassed hero. There is no danger.

Still not good enough.

Rejecting Viktor. He doesn't seem to have an unprincipled soft spot for his daughter.

"The Gard merchants will still come after you. Going out now is like jumping into the tiger's mouth.

At the mention of the name of the Garde Chamber of Commerce, even Karen has to snap at the mention of the name.

The other day's attack seems to have been traumatic enough for Karen.

Watching this exchange, Lunamaria asks a question.

It seems that the Garde Trading Company is behind Karen's kidnapping.

"You'll have to ask them," jokes Viktor, "but they'll give you all the details.

It's just a matter of economics. The Anaheim family has been the sole owner of the city's timber for many years, and the new Garde business is trying to steal its interest.

They have been hostile since, says Viktor.
He becomes sullen when I mention the name Garde Trading Company.

I can't do without a drink, and orders the maid to bring me some wine.

I casually watch the scene, but the maid's face seems to be a little stiff.

I whisper to Karen and ask her about it. She replies happily.

'...What is it?　Are you looking for an opportunity to take me out to the same degree of elopement?

She looks really happy when I answer, "It depends," she replies.

"But first, I'd like to ask you something.

Whatever.

"What girl is the maid who just went to get the wine?

Well, what do you want to do in front of an elopement?

He mimics puffing up his cheeks, but I guess he doesn't think I'm going to pick on him for no reason, he tells me.

"I'm a recently hired maid. She's very good at what she does, and she comes in handy.

...I see, these days.

and she brings the wine in a tabletop bottle (decanter).

I'm in the middle of pouring it silently to the Lord when I ask a question.

"You're like the daughter of a beast,

She paused for a moment when I asked, "Is that right? And smiled.

"You have a thousand foxes in your ears.

The Thousand Foxes were a tribe that lived in the woods east of Table Mountain. They had white tips at the tips of their ears.

"Your left, Your Grace. You know your way around.

"We had a little exchange when we were in the mountains. They were good friends with my father Vandal. They traded materials for elixir and stuff like that.

I see, my family has a good nose for collecting materials.

I guess.

And she bowed her head with a pecking order and returned to the pouring motion again.



Everyone resumes eating their own food without concern, but I stand up abruptly and announce to Viktor, "Viktor, you had better not drink that wine.

Mr. Victor, you shouldn't drink that wine.

The maid shudders when she hears those words and Viktor looks at her dubiously.

He asks for an explanation, so I'll give him one.

The reason is simple. It's because the wine contains poison.

Everyone except me and the maid are astonished, but in a way, that's the answer.

Viktor sees through the maid's suspiciousness and asks the daughter of the thousand foxes what's going on, she breaks down in tears.

I'm sorry. My mother is ill and I needed the money for her treatment.

She confesses to him and tells him why she became a pawn of the Gald Chamber of Commerce, but a crime is a crime, and Viktor tries to capture her.

But it must be stopped.

Wait. Wait." "Yes, she has done a bad thing, but the real evil is the Gald Chamber of Commerce".

My desperate persuasion is acceptable.

I myself saved the lives of Anaheim's father and son, but Viktor himself is probably a benevolent person.

As expected, the maid was dismissed.

But when I wrote to Father Vandal to have her mother's medicine blended, Viktor seemed to be inspired and gave her a severance package.

That's very charitable of you.

When I complimented him, he replied, "Not as much as you".

"....I can't believe you're doing this for me.

A maid in tears at our act.
Master Will is merciful and Lunamaria is touched by it too.

Thus, Viktor's assassination was averted, but the next day, Lunamaria asks, "Will you also receive the oracle? And asked.

I laughed and lowered my head.

It was insight that saw through the poison.

The maid was obviously suspicious, and the wine was a bit odd in color.

"Is the color?

Yeah, it was like milk mixed with milk. Then I remembered that my father used to get the milky white opiate from the Thousand Foxes.

"How dare you go from such minuscule information to such a . That's very impressive, Mr. Will.

Lunamaría enthusiastically praised my reasoning skills.