Chapter 490 The Hero Party’s Night Banquet
Edited by: Kanaa-senpai
(Gargantua’s POV)
”Then… let’s toast to our reunion.”
At Shinji’s words, everyone raised their glasses.
Then they took a sip.
”…Delicious…”
The rich aroma of grapes spread in my mouth.
It’s sweet, yet very refined in flavor.
It’s the kind of wine I like.
”This taste is nice. It’s a wine that women tend to prefer.”
Next to Shinji, Milia rested her hand on her cheek and smiled happily.
”I heard that this is a welcome party for ‘everyone’s friend’ who came from afar, so I prepared a wine that women would like.”
The woman said this while pouring more wine into Milia’s glass, which she drained in one gulp.
I think her name was Della or something.
She’s the woman we rescued from Bolt Sontag last night.
(Apparently, she’s the owner of the ‘Chick Gathering Inn,’ the only privately-run brōtḥel in Raetia. Also──)
Shinji’s lover.
I couldn’t help but chuckle at how Milia and Della were cuddling up to Shinji from both sides.
”What’s up…?”
”No… I just realized you really are Hiroya’s father.”
Upon hearing my response, Shinji made an indescribable expression.
”Gargantua… could it be that you too…!?”
Elberhardt, who was reaching for the meal prepared by the maid Stella, stopped moving and looked over here.
”Me…? What do you mean?”
”Van thinks that you ‘were eaten by Hiroya,’ you know.”
Bone Schnabel, sitting next to me, answered my question with a weary tone.
”Me…? Eaten by Hiroya…? Hahaha!”
I couldn’t help but laugh out loud.
”I’m the typical ‘Oni-kin woman.’ There ain’t no man who’d be turned on by me.”
”──That’s not quite true, Gargantua…”
Elberhardt seemed to mutter something while bringing the food to his mouth, but it didn’t reach my ears.
”So, Hiroya is a playboy?”
I leaned forward, curious about Raincrist Preonhart, a member of the Royal Capital’s summoned party whom I was meeting for the first time.
He was one of the summoned heroes who had been called back to the Royal Capital before facing us, the ‘Four Dark Heavens.’
He was supposed to be the prince of the Romuna Kingdom.
He was the one we ‘Four Dark Heavens’ were most wary of.
”Yeah, he’s even worse than my old man. They say almost all the women in ‘Famière’ are Hiroya’s lovers.”
Bone smirked and took a sip of wine from his glass.
”On top of that, even the man-hating members of ‘Rose Hip’ seem to have fallen for Hiroya. It’s just… too good to be true.”
”Hiroya isn’t like that! He’s a good boy who truly cares about girls!”
Milia seemed to be getting worked up, defending Hiroya.
”Why are you so worked up, Milia?”
”Hiroya is Megumi’s son. He’s like a son to me!”
Milia mentioned the name ‘Megumi,’ and the atmosphere suddenly became somber.
”It’s best to leave it to Hiroya and the others… I know that, but…”
”I know, it’s frustrating.”
Elberhardt’s mutter earned a nod of agreement from Raincrist.
”It’s times like these that make me wonder what being a ‘hero’ is all about…”
Elberhardt’s words surprised me.
He was so different from the ‘hero’ Elberhardt I knew.
(So, Megumi is a very important woman to them.)
I nodded in understanding and took a sip of my wine.
* * *
”By the way, I heard Gargantua registered as an adventurer here.”
Shinji asked me as I enjoyed the delicious meal, which was almost as good as Ms. Hanna’s cooking.
”Oh, so you’re decided to settle down here?”
Bone, who was enjoying the meat, teased me.
”Well, I’m also the chieftain of the Oni-kin in Balthoga. I can’t settle down, but… I want to take some time here to find my own path.”
Even as I say that, it’s clear from what the contact person youma conveyed during the day that time is not on my side.
”Hmm. Well, I guess you can take it easy for a while.”
”Yeah, this place is comfortable, and it’s just right for recharging.”
Even though Shinji and Milia say that, I’m not planning to just relax, so I wave my hand in denial.
”No, I’m thinking of diving into the ‘Great labyrinth Raetia’ with my attendant.”
”Eh!?”
”Is that so?”
””That sounds awesome!””
Milia and Shinji look up in surprise, while Elberhardt and Raincrist express envy with their voices.
”Exploring the Great labyrinth is the true essence of being an adventurer. If it weren’t for all these complications, I’d want to register as an adventurer here.”
Raincrist grumbles, having finished his meal early.
”On that note, I, without any complications, am enjoying the exploration of the Great labyrinth.”
”Bro Bone is being unfair… since he also has the same claim to the throne.”
Raincrist glares at Bone, who looks triumphant.
”Shinji and I plan to dive in once the curse of Azradelius is lifted…”
”Well, by that time, Hiroya and the others will likely have conquered it.”
Elberhardt and Milia laugh joyfully together.
”At that time… how about we go together?”
Shinji gazes at me.
”Yeah… let’s go together.”
I smile back and bring the wine to my lips.
* * *
(After all… I can’t betray them…)
They call me ‘friend’ despite having been their enemy.
This meal, their light-hearted banter, everything is so enjoyable it makes my heart dance.
(After all… while saving my comrades in Balthoga, I can’t betray Shinji and the others…)
I ponder the ‘one path’ that had crossed my mind before this meal.
(This must be it… no, perhaps I came to this Raetia for this very reason.)
It might also be for the sake of my ‘friends’ here.
And since the moment I arrived at this ‘one path’… I find myself yearning for that conclusion.
(This is… the ‘one and only repayment’ I can offer.)
To those who accepted me as a ‘friend.’
Shinji, Milia, Elberhardt, Bone, Raincrist, chatting away with smiles.
Just watching them brings a smile to my face.
”Lady Gargantua, it’s wonderful to see you enjoying yourself.”
Della, who said this, poured wine into my glass with a smile.
”Ah… I was just realizing how fortunate I am to have such rare friends.”
”Lady Gargantua, please take care of the ‘Famière’ folks.”
Della said this while bowing her head.
”Though they are strong, they are still quite young. Please, guide them.”
”…I intend to do my utmost. I owe them, and they are important to me.”
Della’s expression relaxed at my reply.
I raised my glass to her and downed the wine in one go.
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Edited by Kanaa-senpai.
Thanks for reading.
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