'Mr. Cry, ......, what are you going to do with that?'

'You've always wanted to follow me everywhere, haven't you?

'! I don't think that's the problem, and I don't think that's the point.

Even if that's the case, it can't be helped that he followed me. I didn't tell her to come with me, and she's not a child, so she can take care of herself. The only thing I can do is ...... give her a helping hand if I see her.

It's a good idea to check for other members of the team to make sure they're not coming, but there's no sign of any of the others except for Citrie. Anthem is huge and conspicuous, and while there are ways to make her smaller, she's still easily recognizable, so she's not likely to come to the party. Lucia doesn't seem to be coming either. Even I wouldn't misjudge my sister's face.

Oh, there's Mr. Gark! You still don't look good in a suit. .......

Eva seemed uncomfortable, but my nervousness was fading somewhat.

The Emperor seems to be very popular. He's surrounded by nobles and hunters and doesn't seem to be looking at me.

Most of the people were probably there to socialize, and most of them hadn't touched the food, but the tables were crammed with fine looking dishes. Time seems to fly by when you're just eating and drinking.

Perhaps noticing that I was looking at the emperor, Eva asked me in a whisper.

'When do you want to go to greet His Majesty?

'What? I'm not planning to go.

'! No, you can't! What are you thinking?

Well, I'm thinking that I don't want to go to ....... I don't want you to remember my face or my name, and I'm sure you've heard the bad name that Luke and Liz have spread over the last five years. If I have to greet them in turn, I will, but if I don't have to, I'd rather sneak off. And it looks like I can get away with it if I just keep my mouth shut.

'Listen carefully, Eva. Look at all the gorgeous food and desserts on the table.'

'? Huh, ...... are lined up.''

Thanks to the fact that I had to deal with a lot of old men coming up to me, I hadn't been able to get my hands on any of the food or dessert, even though I had been drinking.

'I'm going to try to conquer all the food and drinks.

' Why is that?'

'Well, because I want to ....... I'm nervous and not very hungry, but I'm curious, aren't you?

'............ You're definitely not nervous, are you?

I am. Not many people would come up to someone who was eating food.

I waved my hand lightly as I met Sitri's gaze. Citry was puzzled for a moment, but he immediately smiled and waved back. Next to him is a handsome old man.

'You're the head of the Primus Academy of Magical Sciences. It's Mr. Sitri's old home.

It's one of the best research institutes in Zebrudia. As its head, he must be a member of the nobility. If you look closely, you can see a hint of dignity in the face of the old man with the long beard.
As expected of an alchemist with a broad face,......, I had not heard of him participating in the gathering until now, but perhaps he was paying attention to me?

I picked up some food, drank some drinks, and wandered around trying to find a place where no one was around. Of course, I tried to be inconspicuous.
I'm behaving quite naturally and suspiciously, and Eva is following me.

'You can go away, Eva. Why don't you make some connections? It's not safe for you to be with me.

'I've already made enough of them, thanks to someone else. ............ What do you mean by dangerous?'

'No, I'm just prone to getting tangled up.

'Say hello to the Emperor for me.

'You, too, must go!

'All right, all right. I'll come back later.

The Emperor is still surrounded by everyone. I can see Ark chatting with a cheerful smile on his face. If I stand there I'll look like a pariah.
After all, a man with confidence in himself is different. His appearance is truly worthy of a hero. I wish I could emulate him.

I tasted each of the expensive drinks in turn, ignoring Eva's complaints.

The moment I received one glass, my eyes widened.

I don't know the brand, but it was a glass of red wine. I looked around and approached a nearby table. It's a great way to make sure you're getting the most out of your time with your family and friends.

I wonder how ...... Liz is getting around.

'Is something wrong, sir?'

'No, ...... there was something mixed up.'

'......What?'

'Maybe they're testing the hunter's strength. It's a common story.'

'Ha, ha. ......'

That's a problem. I don't know what was mixed in there, but it must be something really bad.

Resistance to poisons is an essential skill for hunters who traverse magical lands. Illusions and demons will use it, and it can be found in the air.
This ability is especially essential in high-level treasure halls, and for this reason hunters sometimes slurp up poisons themselves. The mana material is a good way to create resistance to poisons.

I don't have any resistance to poisons, but I have a treasure instead. The ring on my right index finger - the Silver Breath - is a treasure that detects drugs that affect the wearer. It is one of my lifelines, as the Warding Finger does not nullify poisons mixed in with food and drink.
The silver ring that shines on my right index finger turns black and emits heat when the wearer gets close to the poison. I can't stand it when I think it's just a party and they try to surprise me. I knew I couldn't be too careful.

'Shouldn't we report this nonsense to ......?

'No, no, think calmly, Eva. There's no way that poison could easily get mixed into the food and drink at a party attended by the Emperor.

'That's ...... well, yes, it is.'

Ava was puzzled. Maybe she's never had food or drink laced with poison before.


I've been mixed up in Citri's cooking before.

'There are many high-level hunters here. It would be a foolish thing to do, and a foolish thing for the organizers to be so cautious as not to notice. There is no way such a thing could happen at a prestigious meeting. Well, I'm kind of a pro at this kind of thing, so leave it to me. ............ Oh, that doesn't work either. I've always had bad luck.

As you approach the table, your arm reaches out again. I let her hold the wine glass. Liz is immune to most poisons, so she's fine.

It's probably tradition too. Oh, it's just like a hunter to be able to handle a poisonous mixture. In any case, the other party must be thinking that they are dealing with a high-level treasure hunter, so anything could happen.

I looked around, but the others didn't seem to be eating or drinking with caution. Either I'm just too cautious to notice, or everyone except us is resistant to the poison, or the organizers are careful to spread the poison only to the hunters.

In any case, making a fuss here would only be conspicuous and tactless. I lightly touched the glass Eva was holding, but it didn't seem to contain any poison.
But at this rate, if there is poison in it, Liz will be able to drink enough today.

Fortunately, it didn't seem to be mixed in with the food. While occasionally pouring the poisoned liquor over Liz, she indulges her taste buds with dishes whose names she can't quite place.
The dessert chocolates were especially delicious. I would have liked to take some as a souvenir.

As I finished tasting the food and handed the poisoned liquor to Liz under the table in a good mood, a knight on guard suddenly approached me with a stern expression.

'What are you ...... doing ...... for a while now?

This is not good. This is not good. You'll be able to find a lot more than just a few of them.

'............ I've always wondered, can't knights use honorifics? I'm a guest, after all.

I was so flustered that I said something rude. The knight's expression, which had been stern even in the past, became distorted like a demon.



'...... Shut up! I'm not sure what you're talking about.



Ava is turning pale.
Before you can run away, the tablecloth is rolled up, revealing Liz in the dress she proudly showed you the other day, with countless eyes on her.
The slightly pale Liz glared at the knight in front of her and threw an empty wine glass at him.


Shouts and screams flew around. I feel as if my heart has been gripped tightly. I feel like I'm going to throw up all kinds of stuff.


I'm okay. Worst case scenario, I can just get away from Zebuldia. We can start over if we save our lives.

The knights and the invited hunters are gathering. Lise stands up, staggered, with a sword in her hand.
Can you forgive me if I get down on my knees? No?


Mr. Gark, wearing an ill-fitting suit, peels his eyes open and stares at me with a fierce look. My heart is thumping hard.
Am I going to get caught? Is he going to tie me up?



'Lies! Hey, Cry. What's this ...... all about?'

'............'



I fell to my knees in silence and got down on my knees, sincerely and wholeheartedly.