Chapter 30: An Offer You Cannot Refuse
Chapter 30: An Offer You Cannot Refuse
“Are there two of you? Shall I prepare a meal?”
When I nodded, the inn employee Pendrick smiled gently and led us to an empty table.
It was a corner slightly removed from the other guests, arranged with consideration for the typical elf tendency to avoid getting entangled with other races.
Thoughtful, as expected.
Such consideration was common in Pletika, the city of harmony and coexistence, but Rosalia currently had her ears covered and my appearance looked no different from a human.
Yet even before we said anything, he recognized that we were elves and treated us respectfully.
Crackle!
Perhaps that delicate consideration impressed someone.
Or perhaps it was simply our appearance.
The being who resides higher than anyone suddenly sent a violent surge of electricity.
When I concentrated to interpret it, it turned out that the filthy sovereign of the sky was making a fuss, saying my appearance fit the requirements for proper religious conduct as a cultist serving beneath the polluted heavens.
“Sue’je, do you perhaps have nothing better to do? It feels like you’ve been watching only me.”
Crackle!
An intense denial.
Which meant I had struck the truth.
“May I take your order!”
While suppressing the electric current Sue’je was sending through Black Brain Flower Bloom, Pendrick brought over a transparent water bottle and two cups.
《Clear water produced by a water spirit. It has a refreshing and clean taste incomparable to ordinary water. Elves particularly love it and drink it when they wish to feel pleasantly uplifted, almost like drinking alcohol.》
Even the water was tailored to the customer’s race.
Perhaps pleased, Rosalia’s eyes curved ever so slightly.
As the youngest present, I poured water for my elder, and Pendrick continued speaking.
“Our inn’s signature dish is lamb steak. The tender meat and sauce made from spices found only in labyrinths make it absolutely exceptional.”
“Is it really that delicious?”
“I may be saying this about my own establishment, but it’s honestly incredible. Especially if you pair it with beer brewed by dwarves from the Eastern Continent… ahh!”
He even mimed drinking and sighing in delight.
With service this friendly and descriptions so vivid, it was impossible not to be persuaded.
“My mouth is already watering. How much is it?”
“Twenty silver!”
“Then please bring two lamb steaks.”
“Understood. Please wait a moment!”
Pendrick went into the kitchen, and the quiet murmur of conversation from the few guests filled the dining hall.
“Lady Rosalia.”
After enjoying the cozy atmosphere for a moment, I spoke quietly.
“That employee earlier is the swordsman we came to recruit.”
“….”
The assassin lowered the cloth covering her lower face slightly and narrowed her eyes while sipping water.
Her expression made it easy to guess what she wanted to say.
“Please refrain from insulting my parents. Kar the cultist may have no parents, but he has a delicate heart.”
I turned slightly away as if sulking.
Rosalia placed her cup down.
“…Evidence.”
For a moment I almost failed to recognize the voice.
Three whole syllables.
That alone meant she had opened the door to her heart—at least the size of a fingernail.
Overwhelmed with emotion, I replied,
“Lidni delivered a revelation. He said the employee’s future shines so brightly it cannot be properly seen.”
As soon as I invoked the universal excuse, Rosalia fell silent in thought before slowly nodding.
《It is too troublesome to deny anymore. The command has been given to do as you please. Praise the grace of the Wise One!》
At last, I had obtained permission.
From now on, I could promote the Evil God much more boldly.
All of this was part of the grand plan to spread the faith of the Twisted Truth.
Someday, Lidni would surely understand my fervent devotion.
“Your lamb steaks have arrived!”
Pendrick returned from the kitchen carrying two steaming plates and placed one in front of each of us.
He then set down a fork and knife neatly and stepped back.
“Please enjoy your meal!”
The steak drizzled with reddish sauce looked extremely appetizing.
When I cut a piece and took a bite, a satisfied murmur escaped my lips.
“How is it?”
“I have now confirmed that your earlier description of the dish was not an exaggeration.”
“Haha! Of course it was true! If you need anything else, just call me!”
Recruitment could wait.
First, we had to eat.
I moved my hands quickly and devoured the steak.
“Whew, I can’t eat another bite.”
Rosalia, who had only lowered her mask briefly when putting food in her mouth, glanced at my plate.
I had eaten nearly three servings.
She then looked back at me.
“Isn’t that too much?”
“…….”
After finishing the meal to our satisfaction—
I gestured toward Pendrick, who was sitting near the entrance.
He hurried over.
“How may I help you? Will you be staying here?”
“We plan to stay about five days.”
“Guests who dine here receive a special discount—half price! Lodging is only fifty silver. Will you be sharing one room?”
I looked at the silent elf.
Her eyes were not filled with desire, so I could relax.
“If my older sister wishes it, I am always prepared to accept.”
“….”
Rosalia stared at me silently, her brow slightly furrowed.
I returned a bright, innocent gaze before turning toward the smiling employee.
“Pendrick.”
As I quietly called his name, his eyebrows rose.
“Huh? Did I introduce myself?”
“You can do it now. What does order matter?”
I extended my hand with the expression I learned while dealing with Section Chief Choi—the sort of expression that left a good impression on anyone.
“Nice to meet you. I am Kar, a cultist of the Twisted Truth.”
Cultist.
A class still avoided among explorers, even though the Church of Harmony’s management had prevented them from acting as they once did.
According to Arteine’s doctrine, those who met Evil-God worshippers would not openly discriminate but usually showed a trace of disdain.
Even Abel, who was polite and perceptive, had reacted that way at first.
“Oh, you’re a cultist?”
But Pendrick was different.
“Nice to meet you! I’m Pendrick!”
Whoosh, whoosh.
With genuine friendliness devoid of mockery or sarcasm, Pendrick grabbed my hand and shook it enthusiastically.
“I’m not very knowledgeable, but… which deity do you serve?”
[Borderless Sociability].
A trait reflecting his personality: getting along with everyone—people, explorers, and companions alike—without conflict.
“I serve Lidni, the Evil God of wicked knowledge and grotesque sorcery.”
“Ah, I’ve heard of him! The Evil God who devoured the World Tree of the Eastern Continent long ago, right?”
Pendrick hesitated slightly before asking carefully,
“I’ve always been curious… among the Evil Gods, who is the strongest?”
《The Wise One is listening.》
Crackle!
Both deities suddenly focused their attention.
It was an unexpected trap question.
But panicking here would mark me as an amateur.
There’s only one way.
Both of them were far too precious for me to disappoint either one.
So I confidently answered.
“The guide of apocalyptic upheaval. The Evil God of steadfast falsehood and purposeless transformation—Okaiel. He has over a thousand followers. The others have fewer than a hundred.”
《The Wise One looks gloomy. So do I. :<》
Crackle…
Faced with pure facts, both Evil Gods seemed to accept it reluctantly.
“Okaiel! He’s currently the chief among the Evil Gods, right?”
“That’s correct. Though even as a chief deity, the gap between him and Lady Arteine is embarrassingly large.”
“Still, he must be quite great. Perhaps someday the age of the Evil Gods will come!”
Pendrick clearly spoke without conviction.
He then turned his gaze toward Rosalia.
“Is the elf beside you also a cultist?”
“This is Lady Rosalia, an assassin-class explorer.”
“Wow, both of you have extraordinary looks! Honestly, when the door opened earlier I was shocked. I was dozing off because there were no customers, and suddenly bright light poured in! Are you both Wood Elves?”
The red-haired elf quietly averted her gaze, so I answered instead.
“I am a half-elf. Only Lady Rosalia is a Wood Elf.”
“I knew it! I could tell. When you entered, I smelled a faint floral scent. When I lived in the Eastern Continent I knew many Wood Elves, so I’m familiar with it. Do you know someone named Mirel? She’s a famous druid and my best friend!”
“….”
Rosalia’s eyes began to lose focus.
Despite that, the friendly employee kept talking energetically.
He looked like he would keep chatting forever if left alone, so I cut him off.
“Pendrick. As you can see, Lady Rosalia is quite shy, so please refrain from speaking to her too much.”
“Ah, I see. My apologies. I used to have many Wood Elf friends back home, so I unconsciously acted too familiar.”
Pendrick apologized sincerely and reduced his talking considerably, clearly trying to be considerate.
Perhaps Rosalia noticed the intention.
Her normally expressionless face softened slightly.
“….”
She looked at me and subtly pointed at Pendrick.
It seemed she was expressing that recruiting him might be acceptable.
I nodded before speaking again.
“The reason we came is that we would like to recruit you into our expedition team.”
“Huh?”
Pendrick scratched his head and smiled awkwardly.
“I’m honored, but why me? I’m still just an aspiring explorer without even earning a Bronze Badge.”
“Lidni delivered a revelation. He said the employee working at The Sheep’s Roar possesses the potential to one day stand at the head of the Twelve Heroes.”
“Ah, really? That’s an honor!”
My universal excuse—like oyster sauce—worked instantly.
But acceptance did not mean persuasion.
“Thank you very much for the offer. And for Lidni’s high evaluation of my potential.”
He was speaking politely, but the meaning was clearly a refusal.
“However, realistically I don’t think I can join your expedition. I already belong to a guild.”
If guilds were business affiliations, expedition teams were crews formed freely by people who got along well.
Because Odilon distrusted humans, contracts were strict—but most expedition teams didn’t even use written agreements.
Normally you could belong to both.
But sometimes you couldn’t.
“If I explore a labyrinth with someone outside my guild, it violates my contract. I’m sorry.”
The talented recruit had refused.
But that was fine.
The real persuasion had not even begun.
“…You’ve had many worries lately, haven’t you?”
Pendrick froze.
“Your grief must be great. The one you cherish is slowly approaching the waters of the River of Oblivion.”
“…….”
I smiled with the gloomy expression befitting a cultist and extended my hand again.
I had an offer he could not refuse.
“I will cure her. In exchange, leave your guild and join our expedition team.”