episode_0012

“I am pleased to see you again.”

“Ha ha. I am truly happy that you think so. Shall we all take a seat?”

As Lémiane sat on the golden throne, the male leads followed suit.

It was easy to guess why she greeted me and showed kindness only to me.

To give hope.

By showing the possibility of winning, she wanted to make us desire and obsess over it again.

It was a wise way to engage the dropouts, but sadly, she misjudged her opponent.

Deron approached me with a smile.

“Ha ha. Elden Gongja was once acquainted with the great Lady Lémiane. Perhaps a word of advice was in order.”

A reproachful tone.

And a whip-like tone.

I tried to respond to it, but Lémiane intercepted the answer.

“I was just curious about the reason for your withdrawal declaration, so I had a brief conversation. Please don’t be discouraged.”

“Ha ha. No, we are not discouraged. We were just surprised.”

Blundt interjected smoothly, delivering a flattering response to Lémiane.

The flattery that was directed at Deron now shifted to Lémiane.

It’s time for them to face each other without their ranks.

Of course, that’s just for them.

“Before we begin, there is one thing I want to convey. There will be no evaluation panel closely monitoring your every move during this final assessment.”

I know.

This was not due to my withdrawal declaration but rather the original flow of Lémiane’s desires.

By removing the shackles of the evaluation panel, they encourage free interaction among the candidates, hoping for self-destruction in those interactions.

What will happen now will be a fertile ground for the conflicts of villains.

“I don’t want to monitor or suppress you for evaluation. I want to see your natural selves, your ‘truth.’”

[Truth]

Lémiane emphasized the word truth.

Of course, it was meant for those who know the truth, and the trio of regretful characters exchanged glances, nodding in agreement.

It was a bitter pill for them to swallow.

Now, collusion and cohesion are possible.

For their mutual benefit.

“If that is the Lady’s wish, we will certainly comply. A true meeting starts from a true self.”

Kyle, who had been sparing with his words, nodded towards Lémiane and spoke.

Blundt and Deron also nodded in agreement.

In the midst of this harmonious atmosphere, the only one who didn’t fit in was me.

It was natural.

I am still a dropout.

Lémiane had no reason to accept my withdrawal.

There was no obligation for me to get involved in her strategy, no reason to agree, and I didn’t even know why I should be sitting here. Indifference was better than compliance for me.

I couldn’t become a pawn in Lémiane’s game for something I didn’t commit.

“……”

Even if Lémiane’s eyes showed a hint of frustration, there was nothing I could do about it.

‘…Her gaze is piercing.’

Zing.

**

“Ha ha. It is an honor just to have come this far, Lady.”

“I am truly grateful for choosing a humble person like me, Lady.”

“Just knowing you, Lady, is already a great fortune for me.”

“……”

The trio of regretful characters, who may have unknown faces behind their white fox masks and hidden scars under their pure white dresses, are putting in all their efforts to win.

Of course, there is no intention to criticize the efforts born out of ignorance.

It was a bit awkward to watch the hypocrisy of those who tormented a woman to death and rode on her academic fervor for free.

And.

There was someone who looked at me with that awkwardness.

“…Is Elder Elden always so quiet? It’s intriguing to see someone with such eloquence remaining silent.”

In response to Remyan’s question, Blund interjected sharply.

“Haha. It seems like Elder Elden is quite tired today. Even after meeting the Grand Lady, he still chooses to remain silent.”

“That’s true. Are you in need of some wine, or perhaps you’re feeling tense?”

“Haha. Or maybe he’s just feeling nervous.”

I am the enemy of the public.

The hyenas that rushed in response to Remyan’s challenge were swiftly dealt with, but unfortunately, the attacks resulted in zero damage.

And it seems like everyone has forgotten.

That Elden Raphellion is a ‘forfeit.’

Well, since three mouths answered in my place, I tried to maintain my silence…

The warm atmosphere suddenly turned cold.

“…Could everyone please keep their mouths shut? I was asking Elder Elden.”

Remyan’s voice, mixed with anger, caused a rift.

The once heartwarming air of the gathering turned chilly.

Remyan’s pupils narrowed with anger.

Seemingly frustrated by the situation not going as planned, there was nothing that could be done to change it.

It is I who feels wronged.

Suddenly finding myself in someone else’s body, how could I not feel wronged?

Even though I didn’t complain, there was no way I would be sliced by Remyan’s blade.

“I remained silent because I didn’t see an opportunity to interject. Please don’t be angry.”

Beyond Remyan’s mask, a faint sigh escaped.

“…I’m sorry. There’s something that’s been bothering me lately, making me more sensitive. Please understand.”

Knowing what that something was, I accepted the apology graciously.

“It’s okay.”

“By the way, it’s already time for dinner. I almost forgot to excuse myself while entertaining our esteemed guests.”

Up until now, it was just a taste.

In the original work, Remyan’s revenge begins from their first meeting.

The warm atmosphere was just a prelude to that, and once the meal started, the atmosphere would turn as desolate as a desert.

“I personally prepared this meal. It’s a custom dish tailored to each person’s taste.”

“Oh, Grand Lady, you personally prepared it?”

“Haha. This dish is so exquisite, it would be a shame to eat it.”

“My mouth is already watering.”

Snickering.

I knew Remyan was smiling behind that white fox mask.

From now on, the meal that was about to be served marked the beginning of the revenge that would return what she had suffered at the Royal Academy.

Completely, as it was.

“Hoho, you can all look forward to it.”

A while later, dishes were placed in front of each person.

Still covered with iron lids.

It was the beginning of the feast.

**

“I can’t wait to open the lid. Grand Lady.”

“I’m already looking forward to it, my mouth is watering.”

“Come on, please allow us to open it. I didn’t know you could be so teasing.”

The three of them, eager to know what was inside, couldn’t contain their excitement.

Remyan, seeming pleased, chuckled.

“I’ll introduce the dishes first, so let’s open them one by one. Shall we start with Master Deron?”

“Haha. It’s an honor.”

With a swift motion, Deron grabbed the handle of the lid.

All eyes were on him.

Even behind the mask, Remyan’s eyes were fixed on him.

“Let’s open it.”

As Deron lifted the lid with a cheerful smile, a look of extreme shock crossed his face.

“…!”

The dish on the plate.

Prepared by Remyan for Deron Kellid, who despises reptiles, it was ‘Roasted Front Leg of Kortboar.’

The dish that was cooked by grilling the front legs of the ‘monster’ Kote, a giant frog.

As mentioned earlier, monsters are low-grade ingredients.

Moreover, a dish that retains its original appearance without being minced was enough to evoke disgust, and enough to make Deron’s face turn sour.

“Hoho. I tried it before, and it was really delicious. Why? Doesn’t it suit your taste, Master Deron?”

“Ah… Ha, hahaha. That’s not possible. I was just admiring the effort of Lady Deognyeo who cooked this herself.”

“Hohoho. I’m glad you like it. Shall we now open the lid for Master Blund?”

“Ah, yes, yes.”

Blund, who was frozen by the shocking dish, hesitantly grabbed the lid handle and opened it.

Shortly after, Blund, who opened the lid, should have had a face similar to Deron’s.

He was disgusted by creepy bugs…

“What I have prepared for Master Blund is ‘Half Worm Stir-Fry.’ The texture that bursts when you bite into it is exceptional. It must be delicious, right?”

“Ah… It must be delicious…”

Half Worm, with red on top and black on the bottom. Moreover, it was a monster with a thickness of only a thumb, with a rainbow-like color that seemed inedible, and yet it was.

Blund, who was in contemplation, shivered as if he had goosebumps.

Then, when Kyle, who had ornithophobia, tasted the bat-like monster ‘Blackbat’ wings, despair filled his insides.

“Hoho. I grilled the wings of Blackbat. It must be delicious, right? Although there is not much meat, it is a dish that is fun to eat.”

Only Remyan’s voice broke the silence.

Ingredients of shocking aspects.

Dishes that could be called grotesque.

Deron, Blund, and Kyle’s faces turned pale, and Remyan, encompassing them, made a grand gesture.

“Will you all enjoy it? I really like a man who eats everything deliciously.”

To prevent them from escaping, she tightly gripped the thrown noose.

It was a command to eat everything without leaving anything behind if you wanted to be spared.

Her ominous gaze reached me.

“Finally… Would Elder Eldeen like to open the lid?”

With a sinister yet hopeful look in her eyes, she threw the noose at me.

Of course, the noose did not bind me, so I comfortably grabbed the lid handle.

I knew what was underneath.

And I knew that it would evoke extreme disgust in the character Eldeen Raphellion.

Without hesitation, I opened the lid.

“What do you think, Master Eldeen?”

“….”

On the plate was a roasted leg of a red long-legged monster from the pig family.

A whole roasted leg of a pig with hooves.

And it was a leg that had been carefully smoked.

Looking down at the thick and juicy red long-legged roast, memories of the days when I hesitated to order pig’s trotters due to their high price came flooding back.

The chewy texture and savory juices came to mind, and my mouth involuntarily salivated.

Gulp.

“It looks delicious.”

In Remyan’s dilated pupils, who had expected the astonishment of the villain Eldeen, a deep sense of bewilderment crept in.

“….What?”

And.

When he covered the food again with the iron lid he had heard, that sense of bewilderment began to intensify.

He politely declined her offer.

“However, it seems that my sincere declaration of abstaining from this dish may be misunderstood, so I regretfully must decline.”

“…Excuse me?”

“I will only graciously accept the Lady’s feelings.”

Despite the significant class difference between the Duke’s family and the Marquis’s family, he was neither harsh nor cruel enough to refuse.

As long as the reasoning was sound and the logic was clear, there was no problem.

Especially since I was the reluctant ‘abstainer’ forced into this position.

From the moment I declared my abstention, it was inevitable that Remyang would be the disappointed one.

“…Then, to avoid any misunderstandings, would you at least take a bite?”

Hmm.

If the heroine pleads so earnestly, it should be okay to take a bite.

I also managed to secure a promise not to misunderstand.

“Ugh.”

“Urp.”

“Blargh.”

The trio of regretful characters, forcing down the repulsive dish while trying to become Remyang’s husband, even though they were retching.

It wouldn’t hurt to go along with their flow for once.

Pork trotters.

No, I tore into a juicy red long-legged roast with gusto.

My forehead furrowed.

My breath caught.

My eyes narrowed, becoming moist.

The red long-legged creature that had been frolicking in the blue meadow under the clear sky seemed to stop and wink at me.

It was as if it raised one hoof and gave me a thumbs-up.

‘Am I going crazy… Why is this so delicious?’

The texture might be a bit tough, but the flavor of the meat was so savory that my mouth watered, and the rich juicy taste that spread as I chewed was exquisite without a hint of bitterness.

I wanted to devour it so eagerly that the unsightly bones would be exposed, but I reluctantly set the leg down to soothe my regret.

“What… is this? Elden Duke?”

These dishes were not made by the Duke’s family’s chef, but by her own hands.

In order to show appreciation and effort, I should have pretended to retch with the trio of regretful characters, but as mentioned earlier, Plan B was to show things as they were.

That’s why.

“It was a taste that melted gently in my mouth. You have skill, Lady Duke.”

I conveyed the [truth] she had emphasized.

The blue in Remyang’s eyes was not my concern.

I only did it because she asked to see the true me.

It was simply because it was delicious.

By the way, I didn’t know in the original, but it seemed that the heroine was quite skilled in cooking.

I know that it’s quite difficult to bring out the true taste of monster dishes.

“Ugh.”

“Urp.”

“Blargh.”

Hmm…

Whether it’s roasted front legs of Cotebo, half-worm stir-fry, or Blackbat wing roast, they all look delicious.

Is my taste… strange?

It was a mystery.

Gurgle.

I’m hungry.