Chapter 220 - A Ladies' Gathering

Ferda's gaze fell once more to the thing presumed to be a fried egg.

“This must have been her first time cooking, right?”

“Of course.”

“And she failed quite a few times along the way.”

“She did.”

A smile rose unbidden to Ferda's lips.

“Luri.”

“Yes?”

“I never used to eat meals other people made for me.”

To be precise, that had been true of the Ferda in a future that no longer existed. Food others gave him had always contained malice, and that malice had tried to kill him time and again. As a result, any act of kindness had first aroused his suspicion. At times, he had been gripped by the obsessive fear that his food might be poisoned.

“So this is a very strange feeling.”

Eating this would undoubtedly leave him in gut-twisting agony. It would have precisely the same effect as poison. Yet neither revulsion nor unpleasant memories welled up in him.

Ferda's hand moved. Understanding was not always a prerequisite for action. Before he even realized that, his fork had already moved. At last, he put the fried egg (presumably) into his mouth.

“Urgh...”

Luri's face instinctively went pale. She looked astonished, as though she had never imagined he would actually put that in his mouth. But the surprises did not end there. He was not merely holding it in his mouth—he was chewing. The crunching meant his tongue was taking in the food's full flavor. Even Luri, watching, could not help feeling sorry for him.

After swallowing it all, Ferda sprang to his feet. He looked toward Valdrova, who was peeking in from outside the door, and began walking toward her. His steps were stiff and heavy with unrelenting tension. She felt an urge to flee, yet dared not move.

At last, he gripped her frozen shoulders with both hands and uttered her name, all four syllables.

“Eleanor.”

“Y-Yes!”

Only when he called her name did she regain control of her body. Feigning composure, she asked him,

“H-How was it?”

“It tasted of inexperience.”

“That means... it tasted bad?”

“Yes.”

She was taken aback. She had expected it to taste bad, but hearing him say it so directly felt like a dagger driven into her heart.

“But that doesn't matter. Right now, I'm filled with excitement.”

“E-Excitement?”

“Because I know you'll get better. Your failures... Writing, dancing—weren't all of those things difficult for you at first?”

Valdrova nodded quietly.

“But you succeeded in the end. You danced beautifully, and your handwriting was lovely. Cooking will be no different.”

Ferda recalled that taste: the very embodiment of discord, every flavor the tongue could perceive dancing wildly out of step. Within it, he had glimpsed one thing.

“You may be inexperienced now, but you have the desire to try. Someday, you will succeed.”

The determination never to despair, to find a way no matter what. And Ferda had to do the same. Even if he was afraid, even if he was terrified, he had to move forward.

“And once again today, I realize how fortunate I am to have met someone like you—”

“F-Ferda!?”

Before he could finish, Ferda fell into Valdrova's arms. No, he had not embraced her. He had simply lost consciousness and collapsed against her.

It took two full days of rest for him to recover from the food poisoning. Valdrova was disheartened to learn that she had nearly killed someone with a fried egg, but Luri tactfully attributed it to sleep deprivation, so she did not give up cooking. It would be a long time, however, before she grasped the concept of tasting food to check the seasoning.

* * *

Preparations for the expedition were in full swing in Hestia village. Ferda was also preparing himself for war, taking stock of the means and methods at his disposal. As tensions mounted, an unexpected visitor came to see him.

“Hello, Regent Ferda.”

“Scribe Rize. No, I should call you an adventurer now.”

“Yes, that's how things have turned out.”

The word “adventurer” made Rize blush faintly with embarrassment. Rize, a High Elf. A woman whose beauty and grace surpassed those of most beauties. No, a man.

“I heard you're going to a place called the Heinkel Kingdom.”

“Yes. The Demons have been up to their tricks.”

“Are you sure you don't need me to join the war?”

Rize had offered to join the campaign time and again. Ferda had been the one to refuse.

“There's no need. Please stay in Hestia and continue pushing east. That's what matters most to us, and it's something only you can do, Adventurer Rize.”

“You're too kind. I hardly know what to say.”

Rize rubbed his legs bashfully.

“Um...”

“Please, go ahead.”

“I heard Lady Valdrova has arranged a ladies' gathering.”

Before the tension of war had settled over them, Valdrova had said she wanted to see her friends. These were troubled times, but that had only made Ferda pursue the idea more eagerly. He wanted at least to spare her the heartache of this war.

“Lady Valdrova, Lady Lyudmila from Count Concillus's domain, and a devil named Penelope are attending, correct?”

“That's right.”

“And are you aware that I'm on that list too...?”

Ferda glanced at Rize. He looked deeply troubled.

“I see no problem with that.”

“But they specifically called it a ladies' gathering. Surely there must have been some mistake?”

“There's no mistake.”

“They've even prepared a dress for me to wear...!?”

Rize held up a flowing dress. He looked ready to cry at any moment, but Ferda answered with perfect composure.

“I think it suits you.”

“Whether it suits me isn't the point...!”

“There's no need to feel pressured.”

“But I'm not a woman...!?”

Rize kept protesting indignantly, while Ferda's replies bordered on nonsense. He had no choice. He recalled his conversation with Luri the previous night.

[“Lady Valdrova intends to hold a ladies' gathering.”]

[“Does she?”]

[“The current members are Penelope, Lyudmila, and Rize.”]

[“I see.”]

[“Yes.”]

[“... Wait.”]

Realizing that something was amiss in that list, Ferda called Luri back.

[“One of those doesn't seem to belong.”]

[“You think so too, Master Ferda? I'll remove Penelope.”]

[“It would be nice if you could... but that's not what I meant. Rize isn't a woman, is he?”]

[“He is not.”]

[“Then why is he included in a ladies' gathering? Did Her Highness request him?”]

[“No. There seemed to be too few people, so I intend to add him.”]

[“You're adding him because there aren't enough people?”]

A man, of all people? Luri spoke as though she had been waiting for that reaction.

[“Allow me to repeat myself. The members of the ladies' gathering are as follows.”]

She spoke crisply, enunciating each syllable.

[“Penelope.”]

A child of Sitri, a devil of lust.

[“Lyudmila.”]

A schemer who always got her hands on whatever she wanted.

[“And Rize will be attending.”]

That was all Luri said, and Ferda made no further reply. It was more than enough for him to understand.

“Adventurer Rize.”

Returning to the present, Ferda placed a hand on Rize's shoulder and said,

“You are a woman.”

* * *

The garden of Valdrova Castle.

Three people sat at the table set for the ladies' gathering.

“And so... my name is Rize, and I'll be joining your ladies' gathering. Since this is our first meeting, I imagine you may feel rather uncomfortable...”

He trailed off. The eyes fixed on him were full of interest and delight. Lyudmila spoke first.

“You said you were an elf, didn't you? A High Elf, the noblest of them all. You're so beautiful.”

“Thank you. You're very beautiful yourself, Lady Lyudmila. Your subtle perfume suits your air perfectly. Freesia, rose, and peppermint... would that be right?”

“Oh my, oh my. Someone who can actually identify it! Even those interested in perfumery have trouble recognizing the blend. Just what I'd expect from an elf.”

“Just what you'd expect from an elf...”

Lyudmila's eyes sparkled even brighter, and Valdrova joined her in gazing at him with admiration. Despite what he had just said, Rize ventured another remark, looking embarrassed.

“A-Anyway, I'm worried my presence at a gathering like this might make you uncomfortable.”

“Why would it?”

“Since I'm a man, I'm not sure I should be at a ladies' gathering...”

“Is that so? What do you think, Your Highness?”

“I don't mind.”

“Neither do I.”

Lyudmila blinked and sipped her tea. Her utter unconcern only made Rize more uncomfortable.

“I-Isn't it strange??”

“Not at all. Your bearing, your dress, your expression—it all suits you perfectly.”

“Yes. It suits you.”

Rize could make no sense of it. He felt ready to jump up and down in frustration.

'What about me looks remotely womanly?'

But he no longer had the energy to protest and ultimately decided to accept his situation. Luri checked the time, then addressed Valdrova.

“I'll consider the guest list final and lock the castle gates.”

“But Penelope isn't here yet.”

“There's no need to admit an insolent wretch who keeps my mistress waiting. I'll lock them without exception.”

“Here I am!”

No sooner had Luri been about to lock up than Penelope opened the door and came in. Luri clicked her tongue.

“You're a little late.”

“Oh dear, how presumptuous of your humble servant to arrive late! But I have a reason.”

Penelope held up a bag.

“I was fetching gifts for our dear Highness, my pride and joy whom I adore so deeply, and her friends!”

“Oh my, what are they?”

“I present...!”

Luri prepared to attack. If Penelope pulled out anything obscene, she intended to launch herself into a kick at once. But the item Penelope revealed was unfamiliar. Its surface was bumpy, with a texture suggesting leather or rubber.

“A bubble popper.”

“A bubble popper?”

“If you press one of these raised bits...”

POP.

“It makes a sound like this.”

“Oh, I see. And then?”

“Pardon?”

“Is that all?”

“That's all, yep!”

Penelope's eyes seemed to ask what more she expected. Lyudmila blinked away the bewilderment threatening to show on her face. As though she had anticipated this response, Penelope began handing out the items.

“Just give them a try! The fidget spinner, Hestia trading company's flagship toy, is shaping up to be a huge hit, and this is another of my ambitious creations!”

She gave one to each of them. Lyudmila and Rize picked theirs up and tried them, deciding to humor her. Once they actually started using them, their expressions changed.

POP, POP, POP.

“Oh my, it's strangely addictive.”

POP, POP, POP.

“I like how it empties your mind.”

“You should try it too, Your Highness! It's more fun than you'd think.”

“O-Okay!”

Following their example, Valdrova carefully pressed her bubble popper.

BANG!

A harsh report, rather than a gentle pop. The spot her finger had touched had burst outright.

“As expected, ordinary objects can't withstand your strength, Your Highness.”

“Y-Yes...”

Valdrova's face clouded with gloom. As the mood began to sour, Penelope cried out with extravagant enthusiasm.

“Hehe, I had a feeling this might happen, so I've prepared something special for Your Highness!”

She brought out another item she had kept hidden and set it in front of Valdrova.

“Made from a combination of steel and ogre hide, I give you the ‘Bubble Popper for Her Magnificent Highness’!”

Ogre hide was the toughest material humans could obtain. Dyed a rich, luxurious color, it would certainly have gone unrecognized if Penelope had not identified the material.

Valdrova swallowed hard. Would this one burst with a bang too? She carefully picked it up and pressed the middle.

POP!

Instead of bursting, it gave a hearty pop that lifted a weight from her heart. Her face lit up at once. Riding the improving mood, Lyudmila made a suggestion.

“Now that Your Highness can use a bubble popper too, shall we all pop them together?”

“Yes!”

POP, POP, POP.

POP, POP, POP!

POP, POP, POP.

The popping sounds resonated like a chorus of frogs in midsummer. Savoring the leisurely moment, Lyudmila looked at Penelope and spoke.

“Just what I'd expect from Hestia trading company's Head of Product Planning. This product looks certain to be another hit.”

“Nihihi, the truth is, I'm making things like this to raise seed money.”

“Seed money for what?”

“Well, you see, I'm planning to make lingerie.”

She drew something from inside her clothes. It was shaped like a handkerchief, but far too thin and transparent to serve as one.

“I'm planning a business making lingerie from fabric with luxurious lace and patterns like these!”

“Oh my, oh my. Made from something like that, it would be almost the same as wearing nothing at all.”

“That's exactly the point.”

At Penelope's reply, Lyudmila's expression turned serious. Every trace of amusement vanished, so thoroughly that at first glance she might have seemed angry.

“If you wouldn't mind...”

“Yes?”

“When you have samples ready, could I be the first to try them on?”

“Nihaha! Of course! But there has to be a little give-and-take, wouldn't you agree?”

“What would you like? Money? If it's an investment, of course I'll provide it.”

“What a devil desires is more souls.”

Penelope whispered like a devil.

“Nothing beats word of mouth among women. Make sure more beautiful women come looking for me.”

Lyudmila narrowed her eyes in kind.

“Oh my, that's something I excel at. If every woman I've enchanted with words out of this mouth of mine were a brick, you could build a rampart with them.”

“Nihaha! Then we have a deal!”

“Ohoho! I'll send you my measurements later.”

“No need. I scanned every inch of you the moment I saw you!”

“My, you do move things along quickly. Ohoho!”

“And isn't that a good thing? Nihaha!”

Rize was dumbfounded. Watching a devil and a human hatch this sordid scheme right before his eyes, he had no idea what to say. Blushing, he quietly addressed Valdrova.

“Y-Your Highness Valdrova?”

“Yes?”

“Doesn't this sort of conversation make you uncomfortable?”

“Why?”

“Well, because...”

He could not bring himself to say it. Those golden eyes of hers shone with innocent ignorance.

POP, POP, POP!

“It's nothing.”

Rize quietly went back to popping his bubbles alongside her.