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: 「Well then, isn’t about time we heard about you?」
Liliyn’s eyes sparkled with intrigue as she stared at Hiiro. However, Silva, who had imperceptibly revived, lowered his head as he respectfully bowed.
Silva: 「In which case, please allow me.」
Liliyn: 「...-tch, you already revived, huh.」
As she literally clicked her tongue, she unleashed words full of disgust.
Silva: 「Nofofo(1), well then. The person before you is Hiiro Okamura-sama(2). He is the benefactor who saved my life at the entrance of the toxic 【Venom Mountain】.」
Liliyn: 「Fumu(3). I have heard this much from Shamoe. Hiiro or whatever, even if he is a pervert, he is my possession. I give you my thanks.」
Hiiro: 「More importantly, can I eat now? 」
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.
Hearing Hiiro’s bluntness, Liliyn could only stare blankly while blinking several times. Her gaze shifted towards Silva. He simply nodded while faintly smiling. It was as if he were saying that the person before them was an intriguing individual.
Liliyn: 「Ahahahaha! I see, I see! He looks like such an interesting boy!」
Although Hiiro would normally scowl at those words, as he was wrestling with hunger, he seemed to be in a half-crazed state.
Liliyn: 「Yosh(4), I guess we can continue as we eat. Silva, Shamoe.」
Silva|Shamoe: 「「Yes, as you command.」」
As expected, the two of them bowed. Following this, Shamoe approached Liliyn as she handed her a napkin. Silva, on the other hand, pulled out a chair immediately in front of Hiiro, as if trying to aid him. As Hiiro sat down, Liliyn began to speak.
Liliyn: 「Now, let’s eat.」
However, before she even spoke those words, Hiiro had begun to ceaselessly shove pieces of food down his mouth.
Liliyn: 「...w-well, I guess it’s fine. It’s good to be able to enjoy it fully.」
Although she was stunned, after seeing Hiiro stuffing his face, she faintly smiled. It seemed that the other two were overwhelmed as they observed Hiiro, however, Hiiro was absolutely oblivious to them.
Liliyn: (Kukuku(5), I get it.)
Liliyn gloated before she began to similarly bring food towards her mouth.
As Hiiro was smacking his lips, relishing in the buffet, he began to speak as he suddenly noticed something that concerned him.
Hiiro: 「Oi(6), aren't Jii-san(7) and the maid gonna eat?」
Lilliyn: 「Mu(8)? You alright with that? This was made with the intention of thanking you, you know?」
Hiiro: 「Like you can talk. You’re also eating, aren’t you?」
Liliyn: 「Isn't that obvious? What the mansion owns is mine.」
Hiiro: 「Fu~n(9). Well, not that I care, but there's a substantial amount of food. Even if they eat, shouldn't it be fine?」
Since Silva’s stomach was howling earlier, there was a slight reluctance to continue eating should it be only the two of them.
Liliyn: 「I see. Well, that’s how it is. You two, sit down.」
Shamoe: 「B-but I-!?」
Silva: 「Shamoe, the Master’s orders are?」
Silva posed a question to Shamoe.
Shamoe: 「A...absolute.」
She sat down while shrinking her body.
Silva: 「Well then~, Itadakimasu(10) zo~(11)」
Silva emitted these words joyfully. Shamoe’s expression also seemed to somewhat soften as she took some bread and began to eat it.
Liliyn: 「But you’re a pretty unusual fellow, aren't ya?」
Hiiro: 「Nn?(12)」
Liliyn: 「You know that normally, people wouldn't let servants sit on the same table and allow them to have a meal together, right?」
Hiiro: 「I could say the exact same back to you.」
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.
Liliyn: 「Fun(13), if everyone eats together, isn't it more efficient?」
Hiiro: 「Well, I guess there’s that. But don’t most people care about appearances?」
Liliyn: 「This is my mansion. I don’t take crap from no-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: (Putting that aside, this fish is really good.)
Hiiro stared at the fish fillet pierced by his fork.
Silva: 「Nofofo, that is a fish that exclusively inhabits this lake, the 《Hammock》. It’s white meat is full of protein. If left to simmer until the meat has darkened, the flavor becomes even richer.」
Hiiro: 「I see. It’s certainly not bad. *hamu*(14) *mogumogu*(15)...what’s this?」
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.
Silva: 「Oh yes, those are 《Grand Slime Spring Rolls》.」
Hiiro: 「Gohho! Gohogohogoho!(16) The hell’d you say!? 」
Hiiro felt that he noticed a word that he could not let pass by.
Silva: 「Indeed, those are 《Grand Slime Spring Rolls》.」
Hiiro: 「............」
It seemed that Hiiro was not mistaken. Upon inspection it was colored red and significantly resembled ham, even though it seemed slightly jelly-like. Also, according to Hiiro’s memory, Grand Slime’s should be colored green.
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.」
It suddenly came to Hiiro that he remembered the Grand Slime possessing a red part that acted as its nucleus. He also had the feeling that upon attacking it, it would burst into flames.
Silva: 「With that said, it is a fairly difficult recipe. Are you aware that 《Red Spheres》 will ignite upon reckless stimuli.」