16 - Is the Dinner Party a Penalty Game?
After finishing his training at the knights' training grounds, Ray returned to his room to find the maid, Cecil, waiting for him. Seeing her, Ray frowned, feeling a vague sense of foreboding.
"Did I do something rude?"
Noticing Ray's reaction, Cecil spoke up. Her tone was polite, but her voice sounded dissatisfied.
"No, I just had a bad feeling. Do you need something?"
"Yes. I have come to inform you of the dinner arrangements."
"My bad feeling is only getting stronger."
Normally, he would eat in his own room. The fact that she had come specifically to inform him of the schedule meant he would be eating elsewhere. Naturally, he wouldn't be alone.
"...The Hero-sama has expressed a strong desire to join you for dinner tonight."
"Please turn him down."
Ray's intuition was spot on. Fumiya had moved faster than expected. To Ray, this kind of efficiency was nothing but a nuisance.
"I am afraid that is not possible."
"Is being a Hero really that important?"
"It is not so much about importance... but the Hero-sama is an existence that transcends social status."
He held no government office. He had no peerage. In reality, he wasn't "important" at all. They were simply inflating his status to make use of his power.
"It would be better not to spoil him too much. If he thinks everything will go his way, it won't be for the Hero's own good."
"Telling me that doesn't help."
"True. In that case, please tell Julius-sama. Come to think of it, if I tell Julius-sama, there is a possibility he might decline the invitation on my behalf, right?"
"I do not believe that will happen this time."
"Why?"
"I am told that Princess Ekaterina will also be attending. Since royalty is involved, I believe it would be impossible to decline the invitation."
"...That's impossible, right? I don't know the first thing about etiquette for royalty."
"I believe you need not worry too much about that. Princess Ekaterina is a generous person. Besides, the Hero-sama himself is not particularly..."
"Yeah, I bet. But in the Hero's case, he has the personality... or rather, the position to be forgiven for that."
"Why do you reject it so strongly? For someone like me, I would consider it an honor."
"Then, Cecil-san, would you want to eat with royalty?"
"Someone like me..."
"You'd definitely be so nervous that the food wouldn't taste good. You have to be more relaxed when you eat."
"Relaxed?"
"...Uh, well, in the language of the Vampio race, it means to be at ease."
"You know the language of the demons?"
"Only a few words. They occasionally use words I don't understand, so I learned a few."
"I see. But regardless, you cannot decline."
"Sigh, I guess it can't be helped. But please let them know about the menu. I won't be eating anything heavy."
"Yes. I will inform the staff."
"Will you come to get me?"
"Yes. I will come to escort you when it is time."
"Understood. Then I'll just relax until then."
"Yes. Please excuse me."
Even after the maid left, Ray's melancholy did not fade. The Hero alone was enough of a pain, but now the Princess too. In the first place, he didn't understand why the Princess was attending. Did she have some plan, or was this just a normal occurrence?
(Is it that common 'falling in love with the Hero at first sight' pattern?)
It was a common trope in other-world transfer stories. The princess who summoned the Hero falls in love with him and becomes the first member of the Hero's harem.
(If that's the case, what's the dynamic between the two of them? Wait, does this mean I might get to see some drama?)
The two girls summoned along with Fumiya. Hinata and Akemi both liked Fumiya. The three of them were in a love triangle in their original world. With the Princess added, it became a love quadrangle.
(The harem is probably already complete.)
Ray started to look forward to dinner a little. On the other hand, he was appalled at himself for feeling that way. He was appalled that he now felt nothing toward the catalyst of his own death.
In his original world, Ray had been part of a distorted quadrangle with the three of them. Though it was just Ray who had been completely delusional. One could even say he was tricked by Akemi. Akemi was the first one to speak to Ray. Having been hated by women and never having received affection, Ray had been swept off his feet by that alone. Akemi spoke to Ray at every opportunity. Though Ray had initially been wary, wondering if she had some ulterior motive, he gradually opened up and eventually developed romantic feelings for her. It was only natural for Ray to feel that way. Akemi was one of the most beautiful girls in school, and her attitude toward Ray was very friendly. In fact, they had gone on many dates alone together. However, the situation changed drastically once Ray became convinced Akemi was his girlfriend and introduced her to his best friend, Fumiya. Akemi rapidly grew closer to Fumiya. Eventually, Ray learned the truth. Akemi had approached him only as a means to create a connection with Fumiya. The one who told Ray this was Hinata. Hinata comforted and encouraged the shocked Ray, and their distance grew closer. Ray didn't immediately develop romantic feelings for Hinata, but he placed his trust in her since she always looked out for him. From there, a strange relationship between the four began. Ray, unable to tell Fumiya about Akemi. Akemi, clearly showing her affection for Fumiya. Fumiya, who seemed not to mind it. Ray couldn't say anything, feeling as though he would be interfering with the two of them. The dense Fumiya naturally didn't notice Ray's conflict, and the three of them began going out together more often. Then, Hinata, who cared for Ray in that situation, joined in, and eventually, the four of them always acted as a group. For Ray, watching Akemi aggressively approach Fumiya was unbearable, but Hinata's kindness saved him. Until he realized that Fumiya's feelings were not for Akemi, but actually for Hinata.
—After school on a rainy day. As usual, the four of them had agreed to meet at the main entrance to go home, but Fumiya and Hinata didn't appear no matter how much time passed. Akemi seemed irritated by this. Unable to stand being alone with Akemi, Ray went to the classroom to fetch the two of them. He remembered that, strangely, there were no shadows in the hallway. Walking through the empty corridor, he peeked into the classroom and saw two overlapping shadows. In that instant, Ray's heart shattered. His mind went blank. The only thing that surfaced was the fact that he had loved Hinata. He cannot remember what happened after that, even now. Before he knew it, he was standing on the roof of a building he visited whenever he wanted to be alone.
(Looking back now, it's ridiculous. Why did I think of dying over something like that? Wait... how did I die? I can't remember that part.)
All that remained in Ray's memory was the sensation of sinking deeply and violently. Because of that, he had thought he jumped from the building, but he didn't remember how he actually jumped.
(Do I remember?)
(I don't. My sensation is the same. It felt like suddenly falling into a deep hole.)
(Could it be that I didn't commit suicide?)
(If so, was that a summoning? Then, by whom?)
(...It's impossible. I can't remember at all. It's been wiped completely clean.)
Ray was surprised by this unexpected fact. Though, he didn't even know if this was actually the truth.
(Well, whatever. To the current me, things about the original world and why I came to this world don't matter.)
(Agreed.)
(There is only one thing to do. That is my purpose for living in this world.)
And with that, Ray erased every single connection to his original world from his mind. Fumiya, Hinata, and Akemi were no longer acquaintances from his old world, but the people who created the catalyst that caused Kamiira and Kara to die. They became the people who created the catalyst that made Rui suffer, and who continue to make her suffer even now.
◇◇◇
"Hmph, hmph, hmph"
Ray continued to swing his practice sword with single-minded devotion. The maid, Cecil, watched him with a complex expression, as if both appalled and impressed.
"Um, Kamui-sama?"
"...Ah, is it time already?"
"Yes. You are quite diligent."
"Diligent? I'm inferior to others, so if I don't work hard, I won't catch up. That's all there is to it, isn't it?"
"Is that not what 'diligent' means?"
"Is that so? Well, whatever. Is there time to change?"
"Ah, yes. That is fine. As for the change of clothes..."
"I know."
Opening the drawer of the shelf where his clothes were kept, Ray took out a change of clothes. It was a loose, robe-like garment. He took off his sweat-soaked clothes and began to change. Seeing this, Cecil's eyes widened. She wasn't surprised that he had started stripping. It was because she saw Ray's gaunt body and the large scars remaining on his arms and chest.
"Is looking at naked men your hobby?"
"I am accustomed to seeing naked men. That is the nature of a maid."
"I don't understand what that means."
"It means that no one pays attention to the existence of a maid. Something that exists even if it does not exist. That is a maid."
"...How tedious. Doesn't it tire you? That's basically killing your heart, isn't it?"
"It is not that extreme. It is simply a matter of habit."
"I see. Is that how it is. Right, I'm ready. Please lead the way."
"...Yes."
Led by Cecil, Ray headed toward the dinner venue. Naturally, he didn't forget to pay attention to his surroundings.
(One, two, three, right here.)
(North, west, then turns to the south and east.)
The number of doors, the directions—he committed various pieces of information to memory. Eventually, Cecil's steps stopped in front of a large set of double doors.
"We have arrived. Kamui-sama has arrived."
Cecil announced Ray's arrival to the soldiers standing on either side of the door. In response, the soldiers opened the doors.
"Please, come inside."
It seemed that when an invitation to dinner with the Princess was involved, the soldiers' language became more polite. Prompted by the soldiers, Ray stood before the door. The room was quite spacious. A large table that could seat twenty people was placed in the center. Fumiya and the others were already seated.
"Ah, he's here, he's here!"
Seeing Ray, Fumiya spoke up happily.
"I have come as requested."
"No need for formalities. Hurry up and take a seat."
"I heard that Princess Ekaterina would also be attending?"
"I am Ekaterina."
In response to Ray's question, the woman sitting opposite Fumiya stood up and introduced herself. She was a stunningly beautiful girl with the classic blonde hair and blue eyes. Ray bowed deeply to the smiling Princess.
"Such greetings are unnecessary. Now, please take your seat without hesitation."
"I appreciate your kind words, but I hold no rank or office, nor am I even a citizen of this country. To sit with royalty is unthinkable. I have merely come to express my gratitude for the invitation."
"What do you mean by that?"
"I would like to take my leave now."
"I will not allow that."
She still had a smile on her face, but her tone was clearly an order.
"Even if you say so, I will be the one reprimanded later."
"That will not happen. You hold no rank and are not a citizen. That is precisely why it is permitted."
"Why is that?"
"Your status is that of a guest. Moreover, it is recognized by my father, the King. A guest of the King is an existence that transcends domestic status. Depending on the case, you might even be entitled to sit in a higher seat than I."
"...I see. So such a position exists."
Ray understood that his attempt had failed. In reality, he thought it was quite a stretch, but he was slightly impressed by the Princess for coming up with it on the spot.
"Do you understand? Now, please take your seat."
"Understood."
Even so, as a final struggle, Ray chose the lowest seat closest to the door, slightly removed from the others.
"We cannot have a conversation if you sit there."
"But..."
"Shall I turn this into an order?"
"Understood. Then where should I sit?"
"Let's see. Let's have you sit next to me."
"...That's a bit..."
"Do you dislike sitting next to me?"
"No, then I shall accept your kindness."
As he stood up, Ray let out a small sigh. He recognized that the Princess was, depending on the situation, a person even more troublesome than the Hero.
"Now, shall we begin?"
Once Ray sat beside her, the Princess declared the start of dinner. This meant all attendees were present.
"Ah, excuse me. I'll have water."
Ray hurriedly stopped the server who was about to pour what looked like alcohol into his glass.
"...As you wish."
"Do you not drink alcohol?"
"I cannot drink it."
"Then let us prepare some fruit drink for you."
"Please don't trouble yourself. I like water."
"...I see."
Just as the server delivered the glass of water to Ray, the Princess picked up her glass.
"Now, let us toast."
"""Cheers!"""
(This is awkward.)
Whether the cheer was a custom of this world, he couldn't be sure as long as Fumiya and the others were here. He had thought this would be an opportunity to learn customs that couldn't be found in books, but the possibility that customs from another world were being imported instead made Ray feel depressed. While he was thinking this, Princess Ekaterina said something troublesome again.
"Wait, Kamui-dono's meal is insufficient."
Princess Ekaterina complained to the server, who looked troubled. The server had simply followed instructions.
(I wish she had explained it to her.)
While slightly resenting Cecil, Kamui spoke up to explain.
"I requested this."
"Why? This is not nearly enough. Moreover, there is no main dish at all."
"This amount is sufficient. I used to live on much smaller meals."
"If that is the case, then all the more reason. You have finally returned to a normal life. You must eat proper meals."
"I am very sorry to disregard your kindness repeatedly, but this is best."
"I do not understand the reason."
"Then, allow me to explain. First, the current life is not a normal life for me. I am a commoner. Normally, I could not live like this."
"That is true. But this is a rare opportunity."
"In the not-too-distant future, I will leave the castle and live a normal life as a commoner—no, a life far poorer than that. The more I get used to luxury, the more painful it will be at that time."
"...I suppose that is true."
Princess Ekaterina began to look convinced by Ray's explanation.
"Therefore, this is sufficient. In fact, for me, this is quite a luxurious meal."
"Were you given such meager meals?"
From these words, Ray realized that even royalty had not been told the details about him. He had spoken about the food during the interrogation.
"It is not that they were not given, but that they could not be given."
"What is the difference?"
"Are you familiar with the forest?"
"The forest covered in miasma, a dangerous place."
"Yes. Because of that miasma, nothing that humans can eat can be gathered at all."
"Nothing at all? Then what did Kamui-dono eat?"
"Things that normally cannot be eaten."
"For example?"
"Poison fruits."
"What are those?"
"Fruits that would normally kill you with poison if you ate them."
"That is strange. Then they cannot be eaten."
"If you start by eating a very small amount, the body gradually becomes accustomed to the poison. If you get the amount wrong, you die, so it is luck that I am alive."
While explaining politely, Ray was exhausted in his heart. It was exactly the same as what he had said during the interrogation.
"...I am glad you survived."
It seemed she hadn't expected it to be so harrowing; her smile vanished, and the Princess's face stiffened.
"This is not a very pleasant story. Shall we stop talking about food here?"
"Yes. That would be best."
Finally, Ray was able to put food in his mouth. He put some salad in and chewed slowly.
(It's the same as what I ate in my room. At least the treatment regarding food was on the better side.)
He was surprised that he was served the same food as the Princess and the Hero. This was a misunderstanding on Ray's part regarding his treatment. It was primarily Julius's intention to make Ray loyal to the kingdom. For that reason, Ray was receiving the best treatment possible.
"You eat with such gusto."
"As I mentioned earlier, this is a luxurious meal for me."
"Yes, that is true."
Just as he brought the soup to his mouth, the Princess spoke to him again.
"What kind of life did you lead in the forest?"
"Um... no, never mind. Well..."
"What is it? You were about to say something, weren't you?"
"No, please don't worry about it."
"I am worried. Could you tell me?"
"Will you not get angry?"
"...It is fine."
"Why do you only speak to me? Why not talk with the others?"
While the conversation was tedious, he was more disappointed that the drama he had expected hadn't arrived at all.
"Do you dislike talking to me?"
"No, it is not that. It is just that I have almost no memory of enjoying conversation during meals."
"Well, you were dealing with demons."
"No, it is because once you eat poison, all that's left is to suffer. You are not in a state to have a conversation."
"...I suppose that is true."
"Thanks to that, I've been troubled since a while ago, not knowing when it's okay to put food in my mouth during a conversation."
"Oh, I didn't notice that. It is fine anytime, as long as it is not when I am speaking."
Thinking his response was a bit too cold, Ray gave a joking answer, and it seemed to work, as a smile returned to Princess Ekaterina's face.
"Does that mean it is fine as long as food is not visible in my mouth when you speak?"
"Exactly. That is about the only etiquette you need to follow."
"Thank you. I have learned one piece of etiquette."
"No, you are very welcome."
And just as he tried to return to his salad, a voice called out from across the table.
"Hey, so, how was your life with the demons?"
It was Akemi. However, Ray didn't answer the question immediately and turned his gaze toward Princess Ekaterina.
"I believe it would be better not to speak about life in the forest to the Hero's party."
"Why is that?"
"I do not know what kind of answer is expected of me."
"Can't you just answer normally?"
"The demons I know are not ferocious demons that attack people, but demons who avoid conflict and live peacefully with their families. The Hero's party is in the position of going to slay demons. Would it not be better not to know about the lives of demons, which are no different from those of humans?"
"That's..."
"See, it's just as I said. Even demons are no different from humans."
Fumiya suddenly jumped in at Ray's words.
(Tch.)
Ray clicked his tongue in his mind because the conversation had gone in a different direction than he intended. It had been an excuse to avoid talking about life in the forest, but it seemed he had chosen the wrong excuse.
"What are you talking about? Demons are demons. It's a fact that they attack humans."
Akemi was the one to immediately state a negative opinion. Ray thought that rather than the demons themselves, she probably just didn't like Fumiya siding with a demon woman.
"But he wasn't attacked. On the contrary, his life was saved."
"Do you call being fed poison and living in chains 'being saved'?"
Akemi had wanted Ray to say this. Her intended development was to make Fumiya realize the atrocities of the demons, but Ray's response had ruined it.
"But he is alive."
"That's just because he was lucky."
"Akemi, why are you so negative toward demons? Prejudice is not a good thing."
"It's stranger not to have prejudice. Demons are existences that threaten the peace of this world."
"Even so, that doesn't mean you should just destroy everything."
In a sense, was this also "drama"? But it was quite different from what Ray had expected. Hinata didn't speak a word. The Princess, too, just watched the exchange between the two with a bitter expression.
(Is the harem not finished yet?)
Leaving the two to their exchange, Ray returned to his meal.
"Hey, what kind of things did you talk about with that girl?"
(The conversation just jumped, didn't it? Why are you suddenly throwing it to me?)
"Wait. Listen to me!"
(Exactly.)
"I can talk to Akemi anytime. I want to hear his story. Hey, can you tell me?"
"...Stories? There was nothing special. We had no common topics of conversation."
"But it's not as if you didn't talk at all, right?"
"That is true, but..."
"What kind of personality does she have?"
"What meaning is there in knowing that?"
Even Ray, who had intended to respond calmly, was starting to get angry. Rui was still spending anxious time alone in a dungeon. Fumiya's airheaded questions about Rui became unbearable to Ray.
"No, I just thought I'd like to talk to her."
"And what would you do by talking to her?"
"I wondered if we could get along."
"With someone who will eventually be killed?"
"I won't let that happen."
"But you kill other demons, don't you? You save her, but kill other demons. What is the difference?"
"T-That's..."
"Could it be because she is a cute girl? Do you decide whether to kill or not based on looks? Is that what a Hero is? I thought a Hero was someone who fights for what they believe in, even if they have to kill their own emotions."
"............"
When pushed this far, even Fumiya was left speechless. Partly because he couldn't think of an answer.
"I have spoken rudely. Princess, any further will only worsen the atmosphere. This time, I truly wish to take my leave."
"...Yes. I permit your departure."
As soon as he received the Princess's permission, Ray stood up and left the room. Cecil was waiting outside the door.
"...I've done it now."
"No, I believe Kamui-sama's words were correct."
Cecil had been listening to the conversation inside the room from the door. Her answer showed this.
"Is that so. Hearing you say that makes me feel a bit better."
"However..."
"What is it?"
"Where did Kamui-sama learn such etiquette? As far as I can tell, your way of speaking was not that of a commoner at all."
"Who knows? Maybe I'm from a good family?"
Ray was panicking internally, realizing his mistake, but he played dumb without letting it show. It wasn't a complete lie. He was mimicking the way of speaking used toward his aunt, who had been a high-status person in his original world.
"That is something I..."
"I don't know either. I'm going back to my room. Could you lead the way?"
"...Yes."