Lord of Disease (JP-GL) 113

113: The Welcoming Banquet

Normally, meat requires an aging period.

So, unfortunately, we couldn’t have a celebratory feast with today’s catch.

And so, with the familiar phrase from cooking shows, “Here’s one I prepared earlier,” we were served the catch from a previous hunt.

It was a universal truth that a fresh catch provided a welcome surplus to the inventory.

I speared a piece of meat with a surprisingly sharp knife and fork and brought it to my mouth.

“Mmm…”

It was a rather wild dish, somewhere between a steak and a simple piece of grilled meat on a warm ceramic plate. As I chewed, I was at a loss for words.

The meat was, of course, Liverit sheep.

While the elegant sauce and refined spices of the restaurant had been wonderful, the simplicity of salt and pepper, enjoyed in a log cabin with thick, smoke-stained beams, surrounded by the cheerful chatter of a feast, was also wonderful.

Liverit sheep meat was a luxury item, and the domesticated animals were managed by the state, but there was a certain degree of freedom when it came to hunted game.

In Liverit Village, the meat was eaten in small portions on special occasions, such as coming-of-age ceremonies, weddings, and to celebrate a successful hunt.

So, the arrival of the Lord of Disease, the commander of the Sixth Army, had been received quite favorably.

It was the perfect opportunity to eat the precious meat.

I was in a large hall with long tables, a sort of assembly hall and dining room.

Amidst the lively atmosphere, I was eating at a table with Liz and Rebecca.

Liz had allowed me a small glass of alcohol, which I was slowly savoring. It was a strong brandy, perhaps to preserve it or to efficiently warm the body in this cold climate.

I wasn’t a light drinker, but a single glass was just right for enjoying the taste.

Samarkand and Harken, the MVPs of today’s hunt, were surrounded by the village hunters, who were all eager to talk to them. A few of the soldiers stationed in Liverit Village had also joined them. This kind of relaxed atmosphere was one of the good things about Listrea.

It wasn’t good for soldiers to be seen as idle during peacetime, and a good relationship with the local community was always a plus.

Hunting, for the samurai of pre-modern Japan and the nobles of Europe, had long been a form of training for times of war.

And in this world, where the prey was a magical beast, the word ‘training’ carried a completely different weight from the hunts on Earth, which had eventually become a nobleman’s pastime.

“Are you enjoying yourselves?”

After the main course, as the feast was turning into a drinking party, the village chief came to greet us.

“Yes. Thank you for the precious meat. It was delicious. Please tell the kitchen staff.”

“The cooks will be pleased to hear that.”

I smiled.

“Now, what is it you wish to ask of me?”

“…How did you know?”

“In my homeland, there is a saying, ‘There’s no such thing as a free lunch.’ I was on a simple inspection tour, but I’ve been welcomed more warmly than I expected. I thought it might be because of Rebecca—”

I glanced at Rebecca.

“—but that’s not all, is it?”

First, the welcome. Then, the request. While this kind of approach might be difficult in modern Japan, I didn’t dislike its simplicity.

“…Well, well. But our welcome was sincere.”

“Yes, I don’t doubt that.”

If there was a problem, and they could get help from an outsider with the ability to solve it, a warm welcome was a small price to pay.

“—Samarkand, Harken. There’s something important to discuss. Join us.”

I called them over. The feast had already turned into a drinking party. Samarkand didn’t drink much, and Harken couldn’t, and the others were starting to slur their words, so it was a good time.

I drained the last of the brandy from my glass, the liquid burning my throat. I set the glass down and stood up.

Then, I spread my arms, gesturing to the four beside me.

“Now, let’s hear your request. The first through fifth in command of the Sixth Army are all here. If you understand the meaning of that, then we will gladly hear your request.”