Chapter 220: Girls' Gathering

Ferda's gaze once again fell upon the thing that could only be described as a fried egg... probably.

"So, this was your first time cooking, wasn't it?"

"Yes."

"And you failed many times along the way."

"That's correct."

A smile naturally spread across Ferda's lips.

"Luri."

"Yes."

"I've never eaten food someone else made for me."

More accurately, that was true of the Ferda from the future that no longer existed.

Every meal someone had given him had carried malicious intent, and that malice had tried to kill him again and again.

Because of that, whenever someone showed him kindness, suspicion always came first. He had even become obsessed with the possibility that food might be poisoned.

"So... this feeling is truly strange."

If he ate this, there was no doubt his insides would twist in agony.

It would undoubtedly have the same effect as poison.

Yet no disgust or painful memories surfaced.

Ferda's hand moved.

One didn't always need understanding before taking action.

Before he even realized it himself, his fork had already moved.

In the end, Ferda put the fried egg (probably) into his mouth.

"...Mm..."

Luri's face instantly turned pale.

She clearly hadn't expected him to actually eat it.

But her surprise didn't end there.

Ferda wasn't merely putting it into his mouth.

He was chewing it.

The crunching sound meant he was fully experiencing every bit of its flavor.

Even Luri, merely watching, couldn't help feeling sorry for him.

After swallowing every last bite, Ferda suddenly stood up.

His eyes turned toward Valdrova, who was secretly peeking through the doorway, and he began walking toward her.

His footsteps were stiff and heavy, never relaxing their tension.

Valdrova briefly considered running away but couldn't bring herself to move.

Finally, Ferda grabbed both of her shoulders and spoke four syllables.

"Eleanor."

"Y-Yes!"

Only after hearing him call her name did she feel her body return to her.

Pretending to remain composed, she asked,

"H-How was it?"

"It was the taste of inexperience."

"...So... it was bad?"

"Yes."

She was stunned.

She had expected it to taste awful, but hearing Ferda say it so directly felt like having a dagger driven into her heart.

"But that doesn't matter."

"...What?"

"I'm very excited right now."

"E-Excited?"

"Because I know you'll become much better from now on. Your failures are no different from how, at first, you couldn't dance beautifully or write elegantly."

Valdrova quietly nodded.

"But in the end, you mastered them. You danced beautifully, and your handwriting became elegant. Cooking is no different."

Ferda recalled the taste.

It was the embodiment of complete chaos, every possible flavor dancing wildly in utter disharmony.

Yet amidst all that...

He had found one thing.

"Even if you're inexperienced now, because you truly wish to improve, one day you'll succeed."

He could feel her unwavering determination.

She would never give up.

She would always find a way.

And Ferda had to do the same.

No matter how frightening or terrifying the future might be, he had to keep moving forward.

"And today, I've realized once again how fortunate I am to have met someone like you—"

"F-Ferda?!"

Before he could finish speaking, Ferda collapsed into Valdrova's arms.

No...

He hadn't embraced her.

He had simply lost consciousness and fallen against her.

Ferda spent two full days recovering from food poisoning.

Valdrova was devastated that she had nearly killed someone with a fried egg.

Luri gently explained it away as a result of sleep deprivation, preventing Valdrova from giving up on cooking altogether.

However, it would be many years before she learned the concept of tasting food while seasoning it.

***

Preparations for departure were in full swing in Hestia Village.

Ferda was also making his own preparations for the campaign, checking every piece of equipment and every possible method at his disposal.

As the tension reached its peak, an unexpected visitor arrived.

"Good afternoon, Regent Ferda."

"Secretary Rizera... or should I call you Adventurer Rizera now?"

"Y-Yes... that's right now."

The word adventurer embarrassed Rizera enough to make his face redden slightly.

Rizera.

A High Elf.

A person possessing beauty and elegance surpassing almost every beautiful woman.

Or rather...

A man.

"I heard you're heading to the Heinkel Kingdom."

"Yes. The Demon Race has made its move."

"Are you absolutely certain you don't need me to join the battle?"

Rizera had repeatedly volunteered to participate in the war.

Each time, Ferda had refused.

"That won't be necessary. Please remain in Hestia and proceed east. That is the most important task for us, and one that only Adventurer Rizera can accomplish."

"Thank you for saying that... I hardly know how to respond."

Rizera shyly rubbed his legs.

"Um..."

"Please, go ahead."

"I heard Lady Valdrova has organized a girls' gathering."

Before the tension of war had begun, Valdrova had mentioned wanting to spend time with friends.

Although the political situation was unstable, Ferda had encouraged it even more.

At the very least, he wanted to spare her from dwelling on the coming war.

"Lady Valdrova, Lady Lyudmila of Consilus County, and Lady Penelope the demon are attending, correct?"

"That's right."

"And... are you aware that I'm also one of the participants...?"

Ferda glanced at Rizera.

Rizera looked utterly troubled.

"I don't see any issue."

"But... it's called a girls' gathering. Isn't there some sort of mistake?"

"There isn't."

"They even prepared this dress for me to wear...!"

Rizera held up a flowing dress.

Looking as though he might burst into tears at any moment, he stared at Ferda.

Ferda calmly replied,

"It suits you well."

"T-That's not the point...!"

"You needn't feel burdened."

"But... I'm not a woman!"

Rizera continued protesting.

Ferda answered almost absentmindedly.

It couldn't be helped.

He recalled the conversation he'd had with Luri the previous night.

"Lady Valdrova plans to hold a girls' gathering."

"I see."

"The confirmed members are Penelope, Lyudmila... and Rizera."

"I see."

"Yes."

"...Wait."

Ferda suddenly realized something seemed off.

"Luri."

"Yes?"

"I think something strange slipped into that list."

"I thought you'd notice as well, Lord Ferda. I'll remove Penelope."

"I suppose that would help... but that's not what I meant. Isn't Rizera a man?"

"That's correct."

"Then why is he attending a girls' gathering? Was this Her Highness's request?"

"No."

Luri answered without hesitation.

"It seemed there weren't enough participants, so I intended to include him."

"...Because there weren't enough people?"

Include...

A man?

As though she had been waiting for exactly that reaction, Luri continued.

"Allow me to repeat the members."

She pronounced each name clearly.

"Penelope."

The child of Sitri.

A Demon of Lust.

"Lyudmila."

A schemer who always obtained whatever she desired.

"And Rizera."

That was all she said.

Ferda said nothing more.

Because that alone was enough.

Returning to the present, Ferda placed a hand on Rizera's shoulder.

"Adventurer Rizera."

"Y-Yes?"

"You are a woman."

***

Valdrova Castle.

Garden.

Three people sat around a beautifully prepared table for the girls' gathering.

"S-So... I'm Rizera. Since this is our first meeting, I'm worried I might make everyone uncomfortable..."

Rizera trailed off.

The looks directed toward him were filled with curiosity...

And amusement.

Lyudmila spoke first.

"You're an elf, correct? A High Elf—the noblest among them. You're incredibly beautiful."

"Thank you very much. Lady Lyudmila, you're also remarkably beautiful. Your perfume perfectly suits your atmosphere. Freesia... rose... and peppermint... perhaps?"

"My, my. You're the first person who's ever guessed correctly. Even people interested in perfumery usually can't identify it. Elves truly are extraordinary."

"As expected of an elf..."

Lyudmila's eyes sparkled even brighter.

Valdrova also looked at Rizera with admiration.

Embarrassed, Rizera awkwardly continued,

"A-Anyway... I'm worried I might make everyone uncomfortable."

"Why would you?"

"Because... I'm a man. I don't know whether I should even be at a girls' gathering..."

"What do you think, Your Highness?"

"I don't mind."

"I don't mind either."

Lyudmila casually sipped her tea.

Her completely unconcerned attitude only made Rizera feel more uncomfortable.

"I-Isn't this strange?!"

"Not at all. Your manners, your dress, your expressions—they all suit you perfectly."

"Mm. They really do."

Rizera felt like he was losing his mind.

What part of me looks feminine?

But lacking the energy to argue any further, he finally resigned himself to his fate.

After checking the time, Luri addressed Valdrova.

"Now that all the members have gathered, I'll lock the castle gates."

"But Penelope hasn't arrived yet."

"There's no need to admit an insolent creature who makes Master wait. I'll lock them without exception."

"I'm hereee!"

The instant Luri moved to close the gate, Penelope burst through it.

Luri clicked her tongue.

"You're a little late."

"My deepest apologies! But I had a good reason!"

Penelope proudly held up a bag.

"I brought gifts for my beloved Your Highness and all of her friends!"

"Oh? What are they?"

"They're called...!"

Luri quietly prepared to attack.

If Penelope pulled out something indecent, she intended to kick her immediately.

Instead...

Penelope revealed an unfamiliar object.

It looked as though it were made from leather and rubber, its surface covered in raised bubbles.

"Bubble Wrap."

"Bubble... wrap?"

"If you press one of these raised parts..."

Pop.

"It makes this sound."

"Oh my. I see. And?"

"...Huh?"

"Is that all?"

"...That's all."

Penelope looked completely confused.

What more could anyone want?

Lyudmila blinked in disbelief.

As though expecting this reaction, Penelope handed everyone a sheet.

"Just try it! The Hestia Trading Company's fidget spinner is already destined to become a huge hit, and this is another masterpiece!"

Each person received one.

Lyudmila and Rizera picked theirs up, humoring her.

But as soon as they began pressing the bubbles...

Their expressions changed.

Pop. Pop. Pop.

"My... it's strangely addictive."

Pop. Pop. Pop.

"It clears your mind completely."

"Your Highness, you should try it too! It's more fun than you'd expect!"

"O-Okay!"

Valdrova carefully pressed one.

BANG!

Instead of a light popping sound...

It exploded.

The bubble she'd touched had completely burst under her strength.

"As expected. Ordinary materials can't withstand Your Highness's strength."

"...Mm..."

Valdrova's expression immediately darkened.

As the mood began to sink, Penelope suddenly grinned.

"Hehe! I figured this might happen, so I prepared something special just for Your Highness!"

She produced another version.

"This is the Bubble Wrap for Our Glorious Your Highness! Made from steel combined with Ogre hide!"

Ogre hide.

The toughest material humans could realistically obtain.

It had been dyed such an elegant color that no one would have guessed what it was made of.

Valdrova swallowed nervously.

Would she destroy this one too?

Carefully, she pressed the center.

Pop!

Instead of bursting...

It produced a wonderfully satisfying pop.

At the same time, the burden weighing on her heart seemed to disappear.

Her face instantly brightened.

Taking advantage of the cheerful atmosphere, Lyudmila smiled.

"Now that Your Highness has one she can use, shall we all enjoy popping them together?"

"Mhm!"

Pop. Pop. Pop.

Pop! Pop! Pop!

Pop. Pop. Pop.

The sound echoed through the garden like frogs croaking in midsummer.

Relaxing as they played, Lyudmila looked at Penelope.

"As expected from the Head of Product Planning at the Hestia Trading Company, this one feels like another huge success."

"Hehe! Actually... products like these are just meant to build up some startup capital."

"For what?"

"To make lingerie."

She pulled something from her clothing.

It resembled a handkerchief...

Yet it was so thin and transparent that it could never actually serve as one.

"I'm planning a lingerie business using luxurious lace and patterned fabrics like this!"

"My, my... If it's made from something like that, it would be almost the same as wearing nothing at all."

"Exactly."

Lyudmila's expression immediately became serious.

"So... if you don't mind."

"Yes?"

"When you have a sample... may I be the first to try it on?"

"Hehehe! Of course! But as they say—give and take."

"And what would you like? Money? Investment? Naturally, I'd provide that."

"What a demon desires... is more souls."

Penelope whispered with a devilish smile.

"Nothing spreads better than the word of women. Make sure many more beautiful ladies come looking for me."

Lyudmila narrowed her eyes.

"Oh my... that's something I'm quite good at. If every woman enchanted by my words were turned into a brick, we could build an entire wall."

"Hehehe! Then we have ourselves a deal!"

"Ohohoho! I'll send you my measurements later."

"Won't be necessary. I scanned them the moment I saw you!"

"My, that certainly speeds things up."

"Isn't that a good thing?"

Rizera sat there completely dumbfounded.

Watching a demon and a human shamelessly plot together, he had absolutely no idea how he was supposed to react.

Blushing, he quietly whispered to Valdrova,

"Y-Your Highness?"

"Yes?"

"...Doesn't this sort of conversation make you uncomfortable?"

"Why would it?"

"W-Well..."

He couldn't bring himself to explain.

Valdrova's golden eyes shone with innocent ignorance.

Pop. Pop. Pop.

"...Never mind."

Rizera quietly joined the others, gently popping the bubble wrap along with them.