Chapter 60: Breakfast is truly the most important meal of the day.

Good morning.

How are you? Good? Good.

Enjoying the anime season? Besto girl is Miku? Who?

Me? I'm glad you asked.

I'm great. Refreshed, even.

Why?

Well...yesterday when I was undressing, I caught a glance at myself in the mirror and found my waifu.

Ha! What a surprise, right?

Not only that, but she was also wearing this incredibly alluring black bra and a quite daring dental floss thong.

That was just...so good...I couldn't control myself.

One thing led to another and let's just say that I slept like a log after relieving my tension so much.

So much…

Have I said that I love this body? Yes? Too many times now? Sumanai...NOT!

I love this body.

A lot.

Heh.

Anyways...

I am currently having breakfast with everyone in the suite.

Mika was the one in charge of making it and boy did she deliver.

She made an omelet with various herbs, well-cooked sausages of an animal called beeftain, and a fruit salad with various isekai fruits, obviously.

Also, yes. Beeftain sounds like short for beef captain.

I made the same remark and Jules gave me the thumbs up.

It seems that that was the reasoning behind the name.

According to Jules, their steaks are juicy, soft and seem to melt in one's mouth...

I want to eat that!!!

If the sausages are already this delicious, then I can already imagine how the steaks are...

I feel like I'm drooling just thinking about it...

Once again, all thanks to Mika. When I just woke up, she asked me for permission to use a bit of money for buying some ingredients and she came up with this.

"This is truly delicious, Mika. You did an excellent job."

I say so with full honesty and smiling satisfied.

"Thank you, Master. I am glad that you liked it."

She looks proud but also happy.

Of course, Erevain is at my right and Gabrielle at my left.

"Excellent table manners, My Lord. Full marks."

Says Erevain with a satisfied expression on her face.

Also...YES! FINALLY!

She has been teaching me how to eat like a noble of the Kingdom since this trip started and you already know this, but she is quite strict!

She would grab my wrist every time I did not use the right utensils and then she would take the one I was using while giving me the correct one.

By the way, the utensils are just a bit different from Earth, but it does make me mess up more than I would like. Which is my fault, of course.

Then, there is the whole order in which one needs to eat things. In short, one goes from soft to hard. Fruits being regarded as either the appetizer or the dessert depending on which fruits are used and mixed...

Let me say this though.

I seriously don't understand isekai'd people whining about things being different in their isekai. It is another world, of course there will be different things!!

Why not be versatile?

That would show how much open you are to other cultures...

And what is the point of being in another world if you just want things to be like in your former world?

I mean, it's not like you were transported to an utterly alien world, there are quite a lot of similarities.

I just ate a freaking omelet with sausages for Nerinne's sake!!

Heck, there might even be a mysterious country that is literally your country but with a fantasy seasoning!

Ah...sorry, I ranted a bit...

It's just that every time that Erevain taught me about etiquette, my mind would remind me of many web and light novels I read. Especially the ones where the protagonist refused to even hear his companions out on these little things...

I don't know why someone would be like that, but...I, for one, found it quite interesting.

So, hearing her say that 'excellent' makes me want to jump out of my chair but...

"Hmph, as if I would be beaten by something like this."

...I must keep my edge alter cool in moments like this.

"Indeed, My Lord."

She smiles at my response.

Ah, what a nice smile she has.

"Next, is ball etiquette. That includes how to make an entrance, how to approach the other guests, and of course, the dance itself."

""""""...!"""""

Everyone’s eyes are on Erevain now that she mentioned the dance.

Hmm? Someone is holding my left hand…?

Gabrielle?!

"Dear Master, I will be honored to be your practice partner. And of course, I am also open to be your partner at the ball."

Wow…her turquoise eyes are staring directly into mine while she is smiling with great warmth and...affection.

She is serious about this...

I should respond to this in a non-idiot mc kind of way.

Ok! Here we...?

Hmmmmmmm…?! Someone is now holding my right hand?!

Erevain?!

And she is looking quite serious too!!

Her cheeks are also lightly red!!

Wait! Is this the fabled...?!

"There is no need for that, Gabrielle. I will be teaching My Lord to dance appropriately, so it is safe to assume that I will be her dancing partner. In both practice and the ball. Besides, I must always be at her side. Thus, it is but a logical conclusion."

IT IS!!! THE OH SO COMMON SCENE OF TWO HEROINES FIGHTING OVER WHO WILL BE THE MC'S DANCING PARTNER!!!

THEY ARE BOTH GRABBING MY HANDS SO SOFTLY YET STRONGLY!! THEIR FEELINGS! IT’S THEIR FEELINGS! THEY ARE SO INTENSE THAT I CAN ALMOST SEE THE SPARKS FLYING!!

THIS IS A CHECK!! ISEKAI TAB, CHECK!! COMPANION TAB TOO!!!

Ahh, it must look so good from the outside too, but being in the front seat is awesome!!

Meanwhile, everyone else is watching us without even blinking, only slightly moving their heads to follow whoever is talking.

"My goodness, you are painfully mistaken if you think that you are the only one capable of teaching my dear Master, Leader. Or have you forgotten that my grades where higher than yours in dancing class?"

So shoots Gabrielle with a confident smile.

"Oh, but I am indeed the only one. After all, my position as My Lord's right hand deems me as the most qualified to do so. And no, I have not forgotten. I do remember someone at the academy practicing day and night…but always alone. Which did not change that night at the graduation ball."

Daaaaaaaamn!!

"Tsss...smoked..."

Don't make it worse, Jules!! Even though you are right!

I'm kind of scared to see how Gabrielle looks now, but I have too!!

And she is...smiling?

"Oh dear, what a good joke coming from someone who was stood up that night because that someone…scared the poor girl off with just a look."

Co-co-co-combo breaker!!!

I-I mean...that must have hurt.

"Terrible...Leader's dark past was used as a weapon...if only I had been a woman at that time..."

Erica how nice of you...but I don't think that helps now...

"It seems someone is asking for a rematch after all this time...!"

"My, My, not just asking! And that muscle head is not here to butt in too...!"

T-this pressure...!

And yet…Luca and Allegra are just shaking their heads going all 'not again...'.

Jules is looking at them all excited while eating from Sophie's fruit salad like it is popcorn...

Sophie seems to be mocking them, but I can see that her hand is trembling from the pressure these two are emitting.

She also hasn't noticed Jules stealing her food.

Erica has resigned herself to watch intently...to the point that I want to tell her to just watch normally, lest her eyes fall off.

Mika seems mad and disappointed, like the good class president she is.

Lucy, on the other hand, is laughing.

Meanwhile, Bertia is torn between supporting her superior in healer duty, Gabrielle, or her overall superior, Erevain. So, she is cheering on both! Now that's dedication!

But I can't let this get out of hand…

After all, with the power these two now hold, it would be easy to destroy this inn.

So…!!

It is time!!

Time for the non-idiot mc action!!!

I shall use my own version of an old EX-rank spell from my former world.

Now!

“…”

I quickly grab hold of the hands that are touching mine and pull them towards me with a precise amount of strength.

"...!"

"...!"

Both women are obviously taken by surprise with such a sudden action, taking them out from the clash of pressures they were having.

Where am I pulling their hands, you ask?

Please, what else would a non-idiot mc do?

**kiss**

""...!!!!!""

What else but kiss the hands of the beautiful women that are fighting for her and then following that with a serious expression before unleashing the EX-rank spell. Ahem...! Now!

"I choose both."

Boom.

““…!!!!””

Their faces heat up immediately.

EX-rank spell, [why not both?] modified version!!

"The night of the ball I shall be accompanied by my more than capable right hand, whose beauty shines as a starry night."

"...!"

I turn to Erevain and look at her in the eyes as I say that.

Then, I turn to Gabrielle and…

"As well by my dependable and strong healer, whom not only can be on the way of becoming my left hand, but also whose beauty is as serene and warm like the sun in spring."

"...!"

…say that, locking eyes with her.

"Understood?"

I ask with my full edge alter tone.

Then I look at them once more and they are...red.

"…if that is what My Lord wishes, then as a capable right hand, I do not have any objections. It will be my greatest joy to dance with you, My Lord Auros."

Her smile...!! So…Princess-like!! Her voice is so full of endearment too! Ahhh…she’s just…my heart!!

"My, such a greedy Master I have, but...that is fine. As a dependable healer and someone who will become your left hand, I too, have no objections. Let us have an unforgettable night, My Dear Master Auros."

She is looking at me with those warm and affectionate eyes again...such intense feelings...and the ojou-sama tone!! My heart…again!!

I must calm down or I’ll be blushing in no time!

One Ilya plushie…two Ilya plushies…there…ahem…

I will respond to them when the time comes.

After all, I can't act dense after doing what I just did.

"Erevain, Gabrielle, it will be my pleasure."

I say so while giving a warm smile to them both.

_______________________________________________

After all those sugary things we managed to move on.

Although, we are all still in the dining hall since it's the only place where we can have a meeting with everyone seating.

"Hmph, so we have four days before the ball."

I say while raising my teacup as I’m about to take a sip from it.

"Yes, My Lord. We also have the invitation to the cathedral that Her Holiness Ludovica extended to us for the day before the ball."

As you can see, we are talking about what we are going to do now since part of our schedule has already been cleared. After all, we have successfully acquired enough information for the Church to denounce the King without a problem the moment we make our move.

Still…

"Haaa…of course. Then, we shall take care of everything else before that day."

Having to see that holy gal so soon is just...I'm already tired...

I need my fluff...but Lyra is probably doing her thing at the palace with Erevain's brother, or she already finished with that and is now sabotaging New Glory's information network.

“In that regard, Lorelei and the rest are working to subtly block and weaken New Glory's resources, which shall slow them down. However, judging by the information we have obtained, we can theorize that they are nearing the completion of their plan, My Lord. Even if Lorelei does not seem to be sure of it."

Says Erevain while holding the leather-bound notebook in which she has her notes.

And indeed, that is what we asked Lorelei, Sven, Greese and Locke to do.

They are not part of the King's inner circle, but they still have important positions. Positions that can make a one day's work into a two day's work or even longer, all by manipulating said resources and their flow, or more like a lack of them.

Heh.

Anyways...

"They will also try to hasten their plans after knowing of Alessandro's disappearance. For my instinct is telling me that your foolish father is also underestimating us."

All that right there is my instinct talking. Like, it became crystal clear the second we got the info.

That idiot.

He probably thinks that he is the hero of the story, quite the cliché justification for those easy to manipulate.

Violet Death couldn't have asked for a better toy...

"Haa…that can very well be the case, My Lord. Knowing him, as a warrior and a person, he will double down in thinking that arriving first to his goal will make us irrelevant."

As she shakes her head and sighs, she makes clear her disappointment and resignation towards her father.

"Then, before we can slap that foolish father of yours, I need all of you fully equipped with your new weapons. And for that, we shall obtain the last of the materials. Is that not right, Gabrielle?"

The reason behind those words is simple.

Yesterday, the shopping team came back at sunset with most of the materials on the list.

Yes, most but not all.

There was a problem.

"Right, my Dear Master. Sadly, we could not obtain moon tears, titanotite, chimeric leather nor manticore leather yesterday. Those working in the stores where we could obtain them told us politely that our Master must be the one to do the transaction."

Mika and Lucy nod as she says that, with one looking a bit irritated while the other lets out a wry laugh.

"My, it was quite clear that they desired to forge a connection with the person who is able to buy such materials, but they then made it very obvious with these."

Says Gabrielle as she gives me some luxurious looking scrolls, which I open and read immediately.

"Hmph. It is not a good first impression to inconvenience a potential client, even if they send these lavish apologies and personally penned invitations to their stores."

I say so while giving Gabrielle back the scrolls.

I wanted to burn them to add some edge alter flair, but we might need them to confirm my identity with these merchants. So, no burning today.

But I digress.

"With that, we have our first order of business. We shall be going to the merchant district to obtain the last materials Roxxy needs."

Everyone nods as I declare that, even if it is just pointing out the obvious.

"After that is done, Luca's group shall move on their own, looking for an alternative way to access either the ancient tunnels or the cave itself."

I say that and Allegra gives quite the reassuring look and smile, as if saying 'you can leave it to me'.

"Of course, there is also the task of obtaining as much information on the people invited to the ball as possible."

My gaze moves to Luca, Sophie, and Jules, as I continue.

"If they had a pet in their childhood, I want to know it. If they sneeze at the sun, I want to know it. If they are torn between investing in someone else's business or make one of their own, I want to know it. Understood?"

"Yes...Master…"

So whispers Luca while the others nod.

"Good. Anyone else want to add something? We do have time."

I say so completely serious...although I felt a sense of déjà vu with those last orders...

Also, I spent part of last night...obviously before doing 'that'...geez...

Again, I spent part of last night getting to know all the materials the shopping team did manage to get, which means that Roxxy now has an unlimited supply of them back at the castle.

Heh, I bet that she is already working on everything that needs those.

Ah, Allegra is raising her hand.

So, let's signal her to speak up. There.

"I would like Master and the rest to accompany me to a certain place before we separate to attend our task."

I raise an interested eyebrow at her suggestion.

"Of course, Allegra. Tell me where."

As I say that, her eyes widen a bit, and she smiles fully. Almost as if she thought that I was going to say no.

"Thank you, Master. It is...my laboratory."

Ooooh...interesting.

4 days before the ball...(cue illustration of Roxxy going crazy over the mountains of materials!)

60 chapters! Let's goo!! Thank you so very much for reading! I hope that you have enjoyed the story up to this point and I want to do something that I was supposed to do in chapter 50, but I forgot! So...time for a popularity poll! Vote for your favorite character (save for Auros and Nerinne) of the story up to this point! The winner will get...an all new short story at the end of the volume and will be sketched by LARH!

Edit: Poll has been closed now. For the winners, please check chapter 65!

In any case, here's glorious Erevain fanart by HeliumGasSong from our discord! I call it "The faces of Erevain"!

Once again, thank you for reading! If you want to support my work and me, please consider donating to my Ko-Fi, it will really help.

Special thanks from the bottom of my heart to: EmbraceTheSleeb, Lord-Hollow, YukisoraRin, LordInquisitorSteele, Anon and Anon2!

Please do not translate my work without permission. Favor de no traducir mi trabajo sin mi expreso permiso.

See you all tomorrow!