Ch.5959. The Grand Operation for the Empire’s Finest Meal That Summons a Storm

The fanatic’s main weapon is a sword. A greatsword, to be precise.

It’s a weapon that doesn’t match his build, but in a world full of inflation, how important could weight class be?

Though he didn’t seem to be carrying anything now, I was certain that his spatial pouch contained numerous types of greatswords.

He was a man obsessed with swords, though not quite to the extent of his obsession with the Holy Maiden.

Perhaps that’s why he would show hostility toward anyone carrying a sword, regardless of who they were.

And… such aggressive charging sword techniques often leave openings for parrying.

No matter how confident he might be in his skills, if I parried once or twice, he’d notice something was off and stop.

With that confidence, I drew my sword, but…

“…No. Let’s stop here.”

For some reason, he said that and began to back away.

What’s going on? I didn’t do anything special, so why did he suddenly become so docile?

I thought we’d at least cross swords once or twice, but the situation ended too anticlimactically.

Well, since he wanted to stop, I put my sword away, and he seemed somewhat relieved.

“I’ll accept your consideration. Please take good care of the Holy Maiden.”

Seriously, what’s going on?

Well, I guess it’s good that things worked out, even if it feels a bit unsatisfying.

“My skills are humble, but I swear to do my best.”

“Your modesty is unnecessary. By the way, I envy you. Being able to stay right by the Holy Maiden’s side.”

“We’re merely friends, that’s all.”

Right by her side? It sounds like I’m supposed to take care of Lilith for life.

“If the Holy Maiden called me her friend, I would probably kill myself from joy.”

“That’s something you should refrain from…”

“Of course, I’m joking. Unless the Holy Maiden orders me to die, I won’t take my own life.”

As he spoke, he pulled something out from his clothes.

It was a badge with a strange symbol engraved on it.

“This is a token I give only to comrades I acknowledge.”

Why is he suddenly acknowledging me? Is being Lilith’s friend that impressive to him?

But is this some kind of fanatic friendship badge? I don’t need something like that.

“What am I supposed to do with this?”

“It will have its uses. Please accept it.”

However, he seemed determined to give it to me.

It’s an item I’ve never seen in the game before, but since he says it might be useful, I guess I’ll keep it for now.

After I took the badge and put it in my pocket, he wore a satisfied expression and pulled his hood back over his head.

“I look forward to meeting you again when the opportunity arises.”

With those words, he left.

There was no need to watch him walk away.

I turned around and headed back to where I was before, only to find Celia and Lilith looking at me with ambiguous expressions.

Not understanding their expressions, I decided to project confidence as someone who had successfully completed a task.

“Did you see that?”

“Yes, I saw Ludion threatening and chasing away a small, fragile citizen with a sword.”

“So you were such a scary guy? I never told you to go that far? If there’s a problem, it’s all your responsibility?”

What the…

But thinking about it, they were right. From their distant perspective, it would have looked like we were talking and then I suddenly drew my sword.

Given the other person’s small build, the scene must have looked even more bizarre.

As I was racking my brain for an explanation, Celia burst into laughter.

“I’m just kidding. I heard everything, so don’t worry.”

“That’s a relief… Wait. You heard everything?”

“Yes, of course.”

I glanced at Lilith to check, but she shook her head.

I knew Celia had good hearing, but to this extent?

“What was it you said… ‘I will protect the Holy Maiden no matter what happens’?”

“Oh come on. Did you really say that?”

“Well, I mean… I did say it, but…”

“Wow… you’re truly disgusting. Flirting with another girl while your girlfriend is right there. That’s cheating.”

Lilith said this while glancing at Celia.

Even at a time like this, she really enjoys teasing Celia.

And this attack seemed quite effective, as Celia narrowed her eyes slightly and glared at her.

“…Miss Lilith.”

“Yes? Not yet, right? Princess Celia, the girlfriend-to-be.”

“I think that’s fine.”

“This much is okay…?”

“…Hey, enough. Let’s go eat. I’m hungry.”

The conversation seemed to be going off on a tangent, so I quickly changed the subject.

Since they weren’t being particularly serious either, they seemed willing to go along with my suggestion.

“But… if you didn’t threaten him with a sword to chase him away, what exactly happened? What were you talking about for so long?”

“Well, you know, things.”

“That’s right. Things.”

“Are you two really going to be like that?”

I playfully brushed off Lilith’s question as we headed back to the restaurant.

There was no need to tell the Holy Maiden herself that her stalker was a fanatic.

“Nothing special happened.”

“A person who did nothing special pulled out a sword? Are you crazy?”

“That’s not wrong.”

“You’re crazy.”

The Holy Maiden will soon be surrounded by devotees at the academy anyway, so for now, I decided to let myself be the crazy guy who threatened citizens with a sword.

After much deliberation, we ended up going back to the same restaurant we visited on the day we went to the Imperial Palace.

As befitting a place recommended by Alkine, the quality of the food was excellent, so I had no complaints about visiting again.

Of course, that was from our perspective as customers; the restaurant’s perspective might be different.

“They really came here…?”

“Shh. Pretend you don’t see us while you eat.”

The atmosphere inside became noticeably tense as soon as we entered.

Even though everyone pretended not to notice, it was clear they all recognized who had arrived, and their eating pace visibly slowed.

Shouldn’t everyone stand up and pay respects when the princess appears?

“I apologize to everyone. Please don’t mind us and continue with your meal.”

Well… that might be appropriate, but since she doesn’t want that, it’s right to let it go.

Anyway, if the customers feel this burdened, how must the staff feel?

“…Did one more person join them?”

“That person… seems to be the Holy Maiden.”

We had informed them to treat us as academy students without pressure, but it would be difficult for them to accept that.

Even during our last visit, there was quite a commotion with the “Operation: Serve a Delicious Meal to the Clumsy Princess,” but now with the Holy Maiden added, how much worse would it be?

“I’m counting on you.”

“Boss, I quit as of today.”

“I’ll triple your daily wage.”

“It was already tripled last time.”

“…Five times, then. And if you handle this successfully again, I’ll take you as my top disciple.”

“I’ll do my best.”

So it wasn’t surprising that the sequel, “Operation: The Empire’s Finest Meal That Brings the Storm,” was now unfolding.

The scene inside the restaurant was utter chaos beneath the calm exterior.

Lilith slowly looked around, taking in the scene… then turned to Celia.

“…Hey, Celia.”

“Yes?”

“You should stop going outside. You’re seriously a nuisance.”

She said it so bluntly.

But unable to refute her words, Celia could only avert her gaze.

///

In an outlying area slightly away from the bustling district.

It wasn’t far from the center, but the area quickly became deserted.

A man appeared there.

It was the fanatic who had fled earlier—Fanatic Zealot.

Cold sweat was running down his forehead.

Though his expression was a normal smile, it was just a pretense of composure; inside, he was extremely tense.

“…Hehe. I almost disappeared without a trace.”

What he recalled was the moment when Ludion drew his sword earlier.

Clearly, the sight of him drawing the sword from its scabbard was slow enough for him to see, but somehow, he couldn’t hear any sound.

The sound of gripping the sword handle, the sound of the sword being drawn from its scabbard, the sound of raising the drawn sword.

He couldn’t detect any of the sounds that should have been inevitable.

“What level of mastery allows one to do that…”

Fear naturally arises from what cannot be understood.

As someone who took pride in his knowledge of swords, this incomprehension might have affected him even more deeply.

Of course, it was an illusion, but he had no way of realizing that his thought was a foolish misconception, merely an effect of a useless skill.

“Well then. I must do what I can. Now that I know such a formidable person is my comrade, I should prepare for that plan I’ve only dreamed of.”

Therefore, he continues to move toward his goal.

Confident that someday he will meet the Holy Maiden again, and the man who will be by her side.