"It's not ...... like that, you know?　............ I'm a beast, and when I concentrate on fighting, some things come out that I didn't intend. ...... That's all.

Yeah, I know.

You're short, you're a demon, you're younger than me,...... and you're not my kind of person,...... so don't get me wrong.　It's ...... annoying.

"...... Yeah, I know.

　I'm not sure what to make of that.
　After the training, I and Cyrene were invited to Mianne's house and were seated at the table as she led us.

　Normally I eat quietly with Inez, but when I told her that Mianne had invited us to her house today, Inez said she was going to eat somewhere else and went out.

　Mariebert wanted to come with her, but ...... she had to work at night again, so she ran off crying.

"......Mr. Marybelle, you look like you're in a lot of pain. ...... I wish I could have taken your place.

I wish I could have taken over for her, but she's just so stubborn. It's my job. I can't help it.
　I don't know what to say, but you're the one who's invited today.
　What's the point if you're replaced by someone else?

...... Is that right, ......?

──── Yes, Rollo.
　My husband told me to bring you.
　And Sirene. Stop spreading false information.
　Just because you're a beastman doesn't mean you're in fighting shape.
　It's your lack of training.

"...... Pia.

　I'm sure you're not the only one who has a problem with this.

You should be ashamed of yourself. Also, the food is ready.

　A large plate was placed on the table.
　It was filled with a variety of colorful dishes, some of which I had never seen before.

　I couldn't help but let out a gasp.
　...... looks so delicious.

I'm not sure if this is really ...... okay to eat.

"...... What are you talking about.
　If you don't eat it, I'll kick you out of the house.
　Eat it before it gets cold.
　My husband's cooking is excellent, and I won't understand if you leave ...... any leftovers.

　She nodded with tears in her eyes as she grabbed her ear.
　...... Will she eat it like that?

I'm sure you're not the only one.
　You're being rude to our guests.

　As I was wondering, a low voice came from the back kitchen.

"All right, darling.



"............ der ...... ling ......... ...?

　I'm sure you'll be able to understand why I've been so impressed with your work. 　
　The man carried a plate of food in his hands and greeted us with a smile.

Welcome. You must be Rollo and Sirene.
　I'm the owner of this house and Mianne's husband, Lias.
　Thank you for accepting my invitation on such short notice.
　I thought I'd treat you to some food and apologize for the trouble I've caused. I've asked Mianne to invite you to my house.

"...... did I bother you?

　I could only stare at Mianne and Sirene alternately, not understanding the meaning of the words, but the man continued to talk while neatly arranging the dishes on the table.

I don't know if she told you this, but it's true.
　She may not have told you this, but she did.
　Actually, it was my fault.
　I got a call from an acquaintance that some good ingredients were suddenly available, and I really wanted to go get them myself.
　That's why I was selfish enough to let her take care of the kids. ...... That's supposed to be my job, and I knew you guys didn't have much time, so I felt bad about it.

I don't think you're bothering me at all.
　I'm much more comfortable when Commander Mianne is not around,......," he said.

　I'm not going to say that I don't like it, but I do like it.

"Haha, you're honest, Cyrene.
　I can see why my wife likes you.
　Well, to be honest with you, my apology for letting Mianne leave was just a pretext, I really wanted you to have a taste of my signature dish. Especially for you, Rollo.

"...... for me?

Yeah.
　So don't be shy.
　Eat as much as you want.
　There are plenty of refills.

　It's a great way to get to know the people around you.



　I'm not sure what to say.



　I'm not sure what to make of it.
　It's a great way to make sure you're getting the most out of your vacation.

It was ............ delicious ...... and it was ......... ...!

　...... I don't know if it's right to call it simply delicious.
　But I don't know how else to describe it, so I can't help it.
　On the way, I thought I heard someone say something to me, but I was so engrossed that I didn't hear anything.

I'm glad to hear that you're satisfied.
　I run a restaurant and this is also my store.
　I take care of the kids for breakfast and lunch, and run the restaurant at night.
　That's what I do every day.
　Well, the restaurant is almost like a hobby.


　As you can see, it's a small place with very few seats and only a few customers. You wouldn't even know it was a store unless you were told.

　It's true that it's hard to tell that this is a restaurant unless you're told.
　There is only one table and four chairs in the room.

...... Sure, it's a little small. ......?

...... You really don't know anything about ......?
　Commander Mianne's husband is one of the best chefs in King's Landing.
　It is a very famous restaurant, and people travel all the way from other countries to visit it.
　You have to wait half a year for a reservation, and the cost of one meal is equivalent to a year's earnings for an ordinary person.
　If the Commander is the living legend of the hunters, then the Master is the legend of the foodie world.

　I'm not sure what to make of that.

It's an honor to hear you say that, but ...... it's not true.
　My cooking is an extension of my hobby, so I basically tell people that I charge by the book. ...... Sometimes, people give me a surprisingly large amount of money.
　I think the rumor got around.
　I'm just happy that you came to eat my food, and if you don't have money, I'd be happy to give it to you for free.

　Sirène's ears twitched at the word "free".
　I'm not sure if you've heard of it, but I'm sure you've heard of it.

...... Oh, I don't think I'm going to eat without paying.
"Well. I hope so. You're making a lot of money, so if you're going to come eat with us, you should contribute to our family's income.
No, no, if it's about money, the Commander's earning is several times more ...... than yours!
That's not what I'm talking about.
No, no, no, no. ......?
Hey, Mianne. Stop it.
............ Okay, okay.

　After Riaz stopped her, she withdrew her hand and started to ...... touch her ear again.

I'm not sure what to do, but I'm going to try.　Can you let go of my ear ......?
This is not the same thing as before. It's surprisingly comfortable to the touch. Let me stay like this for a while longer.
No, no, no. ......?

　Mr. Lias chuckles as he watches them.

...... I'm sorry, Rollo.
　My wife seems to have had a little too much to drink.
　She left the kids with her parents so that she could have dinner with you guys, so I guess she got a little carried away. I'm sure he's just a little rambunctious, but please, cut him some slack.

"...... Yeah.

　Of course, I don't care about anything,......, but it seems that Sirene is sacrificing herself,......?



Well, it's probably just skinship for them, so it's okay. ...... Probably.
　Oh, yeah, I asked you to come here today because ...... of course I wanted you to try my food first, but there's actually another thing. I wanted to talk to you.

With me?

Yes, ──── with you, the demon.
　...... Now, what do you think of them?

What do you ...... think?

　I'm not sure what to make of that.

"...... They are, as you can see, 'beastmen'. Their blood is not as pure as that, though. Those with beastman blood are treated almost the same as humans here in the Kingdom of Crais, but not in many countries.
　In those areas, even just walking around out in the open is not looked upon well, and I've seen a lot of worse things done to people. I've seen many people killed for no good reason, just because they were born with beast blood in their veins. It is because of these experiences (・・・・・・) that Mianne usually wears a hat that covers her ears.
　We've traveled around a lot before we ended up here.
　We've seen and experienced a lot of that stuff.

Experience, you mean ......?

I've got some animal blood in me, though it's faded a lot.
　My sense of taste and smell is sharper than most people's, which makes me a good cook. ...... Well, people are proud of it, people are not proud of it, people are not proud of it.
　I'm sure you're accepting of us beastmen, but what do you think of your own ──── blood, the blood of demons?
　I was wondering if you could tell me.

　──── Demon's Blood.
　The fact that I am a demon.
　I don't know if there's ever been a day that I haven't thought about it. 　

...... Honestly, ......, I don't know.
"...... Don't know?

"...... Yeah. I always thought it was disgusting, but now I ...... don't know.

　I've always thought it was a bad thing that I was born a demon.
　I've always thought that I was born to be hated by others.
　I thought that I deserved to be beaten and kicked.
　I thought it was predetermined from the moment I was born.

　I thought that I would be better off dead than alive.
　I've cursed myself for a long time, along with the people around me.

　Because that's the blood that runs in me.
　Because that's what the demon tribe is.
　I've always thought that.

　But ────　
　I don't think it's good or bad now.

　There's someone who told me that even if I'm a demon, I can be useful to someone.
　And because Mr. Oken told me about the time when demons were not demons (・・・・・・・).



"──── is, well, you never know. That's good.

"............?

No, I don't think that's something you should jump to conclusions about.
　Actually, I think in a similar way.
　If you don't understand something, it's okay to say you don't understand it.
　It's much better than pretending to understand something.

　Mr. Lias said, smiling happily.

"Mr. Rollo ......, I understand you're going to Mithra.
　I'm sure you've heard of it, but they're very harsh on demons there.
　Beastmen are also harsh, but ...... demons are no match for them.
　I'm not sure what to make of it, but I'm sure it's a good idea. ...... I'm relieved to hear your answer.

"............ relieved?

I don't think you look like you're throwing your life away, the way you just ate.
　Well, it's not normal at all, and I think it's a little reckless.
　But you're not afraid of that recklessness, you know what Mithra is like, and you still want to go and come back, right?
　And you're willing to put in the effort to do so.
　You're not giving up on anything, and you're not going to take revenge on anyone.
　You're much more rational than I thought. I'm relieved to know that.

"Is ...... right, ......?

Yes, I do. 　...... By the way, is there anyone you like right now?

...... What ......?　......Do you like ......?

　I'm sure you'll be able to understand why.
　I'm not sure what to make of it, but I'm sure it's a good idea.

No ......, no ............, no, I think so. I don't know what the other side thinks, but I think ...... I like it.

　I don't know what he thinks, but I think he likes me. ──── I like him.

　I don't think there has ever been a person around me that I could picture their face when they said that.
　But ...... somehow, there are a lot of people like that now.
　Strangely enough, there are people here who are kind to me.
　I think I like those people.

　I like Noll, Leanne, and I like Ines. 　
　And of course, Mianne and the people of the Six Saints.
　I also like Sirene and Mariebert, who accompanied me on my training.
　They know that I'm a demon, but they treat me with kindness.
　So I really like them. ...... She is now looking at me with great eyes as Mianne strokes her ears and tail.

　...... I'll clear up any misunderstandings later.

I'm not sure if that's a good thing or not.



............ Yeah.

'Well, that's very good to know.'

　Mr. Lias nodded broadly with a smile.

"By the way, I love Mianne.
　I love her more than anything in the world.
　Well, I don't know which I love more, the kids or ...... but that's another story.
　I love my wife more than any other woman in the world.
　I'm bored and changeable, but that's the one thing that will never change.

"......, what are you talking about, all of a sudden?

　I'm sure you'll be able to understand that I'm not the only one.

The fact that there is someone you love is a wonderful thing.
　Even if you don't realize it, it makes you naturally stronger. Of course, it doesn't mean you'll be strong in a fight. ............ You'll be resilient in life. I would never die for someone I care about, and I would work as hard as I could for someone I love. That means you're the same (・・・・), right?

　──── I wouldn't die for the people I love. 　
　I'm not going to die for the one I love. ──── I'm going to work hard for the one I love.

　I've never thought of it that way, but ...... that's probably all it is, if you ask me.

I've never thought of it that way, but ............ maybe that's all you're saying. ............ Yeah. I think that's probably true.

　Yes, maybe ──── those people are keeping me alive (・・・・・).
　I'm not alone anymore.
　I am supported by many people.

　──── I have to (・・・・・・) live (・・・・).

Haha, then I guess I don't need to worry about it anymore.
　You seem to have a lot more in you than I thought.
　I thought you were in a very difficult situation. ...... I was very wrong about that.
　You're already blessed with a lot of things.

"............ Yeah. I think so too.

Then you'd better ──── make sure you come back alive.
　I like you for saying that my food is delicious, and I like you even more after talking to you.
　I now want you to have a much better meal than the one at ...... today.
　Don't forget to make that reservation before you head to Mithra.
　I want to serve you the best food I can.