After a while, the maid had slightly calmed down, allowing Hiiro to elicit her name. Shamoe Arneil. That was her name. If she were to remain silent, she would undoubtedly be a pretty girl, despite the freckles on her cheeks. However, as she stutters throughout her speech and often trips over nothing, she was practically the definition of a clumsy girl.
Liliyn’s eyes sparkled with intrigue as she stared at Hiiro. However, Silva, who had imperceptibly revived, lowered his head as he respectfully bowed.
As she literally clicked her tongue, she unleashed words full of disgust.
No matter where he was, Hiiro was unwaveringly honest to his desires. As he had been forced to wait while a scrumptious meal had been prepared before him, Hiiro was at his limit. The only thing reflected in Hiiro’s eyes was the enticing cuisine laid about the tables.
Liliyn: 「Ahahahaha! I see, I see! He looks like such an interesting boy!」
Liliyn: 「Yosh(4), I guess we can continue as we eat. Silva, Shamoe.」
Silva Shamoe: 「「Yes, as you command.」」
Liliyn: 「Now, let’s eat.」
Liliyn: 「...w-well, I guess it’s fine. It’s good to be able to enjoy it fully.」
Liliyn: (Kukuku(5), I get it.)
As Hiiro was smacking his lips, relishing in the buffet, he began to speak as he suddenly noticed something that concerned him.
Since Silva’s stomach was howling earlier, there was a slight reluctance to continue eating should it be only the two of them.
Silva posed a question to Shamoe.
She sat down while shrinking her body.
Silva emitted these words joyfully. Shamoe’s expression also seemed to somewhat soften as she took some bread and began to eat it.
Ultimately, Liliyn was the master of the mansion. Even so, she allowed her employees to share the same dining table with her with little resistance, something that was most uncommon. Therefore, it could be observed that rather than the guest, it was Liliyn who was the peculiar one.
Apparently, the individual known as Liliyn prioritized her freedom, as opposed to those close-minded aristocrats that are stubbornly fixated on social status. Hiiro felt that such an attitude was appealing as he continued to fill his mouth with food.
Hiiro stared at the fish fillet pierced by his fork.
Following this, he began to eat something resembling ham that was wrapped up with many layers, forming into a cylinder. Curious, he inquired its identity.
Hiiro: 「Gohho! Gohogohogoho!(16) The hell’d you say!? 」
Silva: 「Indeed, those are 《Grand Slime Spring Rolls》.」
Hiiro: 「............」
Silva: 「Although most of the Grand Slime is inedible, a part that resides in its center, referred to as the 《Red Sphere》, is said to be a palatable delicacy.」
Silva: 「With that said, it is a fairly difficult recipe. Are you aware that 《Red Spheres》 will ignite upon reckless stimuli.」
Hiiro: 「Aa(17), as I fought some on my way here I know all too well.」
Silva: 「Is that so? To cook the 《Red Sphere》, it is necessary to braise it in boiling water for several hours. Once preparations are complete, you must apply a knife in a way that will not ignite the sphere. After which, the taste-」
Silva: 「Nofofofofo! The flavor is so strong it would melt one’s palate!」
Hiiro: (This is pretty good. It’s so crunchy that I can’t believe it came from that over-sized slime. It’s as if I was eating cartilage(18). The more I chew, the more the rich flavor spreads.)
Hiiro: (From what I've observed, the Chibi-Usagi(19) seemed to be an exception but...are all little girls in this world alcoholics?)
However, as Liliyn was drinking out of a wine glass, it was a mystery as to why the scene seemed strangely picturesque. It seemed that she was quite accustomed to drinking.
Perhaps noticing Hiiro’s gaze, Liliyn spoke as she locked eyes with him.
Wondering what the hell she was trying to say, Hiiro scowled.
Hiiro involuntarily strained his face. Apparently, Liliyn had doubts about Hiiro’s identity. With that said, the conversation they just had was not necessarily true. As such, Hiiro could not afford to break his poker face.
Liliyn: 「Aa. By the way, when I say despised, I’m not talking about simple preferences. When consumed, their bodies would reject it so much that it could be fatal...this is the level of loathing that I’m talking about.」
Hiiro: (Actually, why wasn't any of this mentioned in the book?! That fucking author!)
Liliyn: 「Yet, you nonchalantly popped that 《Red Sphere》 into your mouth. Actually, it is even weirder for you not to have known its existence. Even if you had some sort of resistance against it, to not know your race’s number one weakness is truly strange.」
Liliyn: 「Aa. And another thing, those 《Hammock》 are the 『Imp Race’s』 natural enemy.」
Hiiro: (This brat...)
Liliyn: 「Kukuku, don’t misunderstand me. I don’t really care whether or not you are a part of the 『Imp Race』.」
Hiiro: 「...?」
Liliyn: 「You just simply piqued my interest. Why are you walking around in such an appearance...you’re not a part of the 『Imp Race』, right? Eeh(21)? Unusual Visitor?」
Hiiro: 「Do I have any reason to tell you?」
Liliyn: 「Fumu. Certainly not. However, this is essentially the center of my stronghold(22). I don’t mind if I have to resort to...extreme measures?」
Silva: 「Please excuse my rudeness, Hiiro-sama.」
Hiiro: 「...」
Silva: 「However, I must also ask of you to engage in my Master’s discussion. I also wish to know the truth about you, the one who saved my life.」
Hiiro: 「Jii-san...」
Silva: 「In actuality, the 『Imp Race』 is a race that is extremely vulnerable to poison. Yet, as Hiiro headed towards that toxic mountain, you were undeniably calm. This is something that has bothered me quite a bit.」
Silva: 「I had also wondered whether or not you were truly of the 『Imp Race』. It was most likely that my master had some misgivings about you due to your successful journey through the toxic mountain. Thus, she had prepared this elaborate investigation.」
Silva: 「However, please be at ease. As these dishes were prepared by professional hands, even if a member of the 『Imp Race』 were to consume them, their bodies would be in a condition capable of running as the severe pain coursing throughout their bodies would be slightly suppressed.」
Hiiro: 「Wait, you said slightly but-」
Silva: 「However, it is as I thought. Hiiro-sama certainly doesn't seem to be a person of the 『Imp Race』.」
Hiiro:「Aa, that's right. I'm not a part of the 『Imp Race』.」