Chapter 191: It’s Easy to Be Sarcastic Towards Longdagger 2
“Good morning.”
I was taken to the Margrave’s mansion in an incredibly fancy carriage, and in the room where a tall Butler told me to wait, Shara was already there.
This woman, clad in the white Sister uniform of the Monster Subjugation Faction—whose goal is to subjugate Monsters and save the weak—is, astonishingly, a Saint-sama.
Even though she’s gobbling up the pastries laid out on the table like there’s no tomorrow, she’s a Saint-sama.
According to the Church, she apparently hears the voice of God.
Is the Church okay? This is Shara, you know? Are you really okay?
“As expected of the Margrave-sama’s mansion. The pastries are delicious.”
Especially this salty one, Shara said, waving a flat baked good towards me energetically. Hey, Church, are you really, really okay?
I came to the Margrave-dono’s mansion full of determination, but to have my Guts drained so quickly, and by a party member no less…
Suppressing a sigh, I sat down on the sofa opposite Shara.
The Margrave-dono had requested, for some reason, that Shara come along as well, so I had no issue with her being here.
“You’ll get thirsty, you know?”
Erica said that, sitting down beside me with elegant movements.
It’s a bit late to mention this, but no matter how you look at it, Erica is far more noble-like than I am. If we were considering the Margrave-dono’s prestige, wouldn’t it have been much better served by having Erica, a former Marquise, wear a dress, rather than dressing up someone like me, the second son of an Impoverished Viscount Household, in these clothes?
“Damn it.”
I muttered unintentionally.
Questioning gazes (Magicka) flew from Erica and Shara.
“I missed the chance to see Erica in a dress.”
Instantly, that salty pastry Shara mentioned came flying from her direction.
“What do you think you’re doing?”
I protested while crunching down loudly on the pastry I’d caught in my mouth.
“Sorry, it was just a reflex.”
You throw pastries at people’s faces reflexively?
“Please don’t do that in front of the Margrave-sama, okay?”
For some reason, I was the one being cautioned by the Sister who had just thrown a pastry at my face. What is wrong with you?
“No, I just think the Margrave-dono would also be happier seeing a beautiful Erica.”
I pinched the frills at my neck, indicating with my posture that she was preferable to me in this outfit.
“Indeed.”
“Is that a challenge to a duel?”
I asked Shara, who had agreed instantly, if she was proposing a duel.
“Eh? Do I have to wear frills too?”
What kind of duel are you imagining? Though it’s true that noble duels are conducted in formal attire.
Instead of replying, I flicked a salty pastry towards Shara’s face. Shara caught it easily in her mouth and gave me a smug look.
“Not bad…”
Before I could finish saying ‘Not bad’, Shara’s counterattacking salty pastry came flying. I caught it in my mouth and retaliated without a moment’s delay.
The fact that she caught it with ease told me she had read my move.
A moment—silence.
Catching Shara’s counterattack, I hastily crunched down the pastry while retaliating again; the loser is the one with pastry still left in their mouth.
After the offense and defense went back and forth four times, just as I was starting to want a drink, Erica spoke up.
“Shin.”
Hearing her serious voice, I thought I was going to be scolded. Well, naturally, I’d be scolded. Playing with food is a cardinal sin. Shara and I instantly straightened our backs.
“What color dress would be suitable?”
“Deep purple.”
For some reason, I was asked about a dress color, but I could answer without hesitation. Luxurious red would be nice too, I think, but a calm, deep purple that hints at the intensity hidden within her would also suit her, I believe.
“Understood. I shall remember that.”
Erica said that and smiled.
“Two against one is unfair!”
Shara yelled.
I don’t know why, but it seems I won.