Chapter 40

The tasting party ended successfully.

The dissolution has already been announced, but the fever does not cool down easily.

Participants stayed there and continued to talk about their impressions of the food.

The content that can be heard is good-no, it’s pretty good.

There was a strong man who tried to eat monsters for the first time this time, and he was surprised at the rich richness brought by Leviathan’s eggs and the salty aftertaste with gestures.

Even if it closes, the tasting party is unlikely to end.

I couldn’t get into the atmosphere of a lot of people like this, and I was playing with Rir at the end of the tasting party.

She seems to enjoy the taste, and she sleeps comfortably.

On the other hand, Olivia and the Guild Master look for the aristocrats and open for the next request. Even with Pamela, there was only the owner of the inn, and she was able to communicate without fear.

Apparently I’m the only one who doesn’t get used to it.

“You were at this edge. Are you not good at parties, Zelet-sama?”

Rafina came here.

She looks a little tired.

I’ve been trying hard to make the tasting party a success, so she can’t help it. Even after that, it seems that she was sought after by the aristocrats.

“Well … but it was good. It was a great success.”

“Yes, I hope this eliminates the prejudice against monster food.”

“Rafina. Why are you trying to get rid of the prejudice against monster food until you have a big party?”

“It’s easy. It’s because I don’t hesitate to eat monsters. If I’m eating the souffle at a restaurant and the side says,” It’s a monster, it’s tainted. ” “

“I see. Is it to create an environment for eating monsters?”

“That’s right”

So that’s it.

As it looks, Rafina is strong.

“It looks like it’s exciting, Rafina. Can I get involved in the story?”

It was Onin, who wore a formal dress with beautiful silver thread.

Gray hair stroked on the back. With a modestly stretched mustache and soft curved eyebrows, you can get a glimpse of a gentle person.

The smile that floated left an impression like a boy somewhere.

“Daddy …!”

“Kora Kora. In such a place, how many times do I ask you to call me the Duke, Rafina?”

“I’m sorry, His Excellency, Duke.”

Rafina hurriedly bows.

I was also stunned for a moment.

Is he Rafina’s Dad?

She said it was your Excellency.

In other words, right now in front of us is the head of the Duke of Astowari, who has strong ties with the royal family.

I lowered my knees and bowed my head.

“Excuse me, Your Excellency, Duke”

“You’re Zelet Winter that Rafina talks about. You can take it easier. I’m not good at being stiff.”

“No. That’s not true …”

The other party is the head of the duke family.

Aside from tomboys like Rafina, even though I’m an S-class hunter, I’m a commoner, and he’s not the one I can talk to.

I was asked to make it easier, and I couldn’t help but be polite.

“Well, I’m in trouble …. Let’s do this.”

When I bent over, he lowered his knee like I did.

My thoughts pause for actions for which I don’t know the reason or purpose.

Apparently, this head. Same as Rafina-no, it’s more like a duke’s head with more habits.

“Is it an occupational disease? If you are a duke, you have the opportunity to meet various people. That’s why, when you look at a person head-on like this, you can somehow see who you are.”

“Excuse me, but could you tell me your impression?”

“That’s right … You seem to be more stubborn than your daughter.”

“Stubbornness is sometimes inflexible, but it’s okay because it follows the rules in you. People will recognize it as your charm, and you’re very intelligent and yourself. And a reliable person. “

“I see. Yes-you asked Rafina.”

To put it bluntly, my face broke.

“Fufufu … That’s right. Rafina talks happily, so I wanted to see you once before.”

“Pa — Your Excellency!”

Rafina protests with a bright red face.

“But it’s true that when you look at a person head-on, you somehow know who they are. Perhaps I would have said the same word without hearing anything from Rafina. That’s your stubbornness. It’s outstanding and attractive, Zelet-kun. “

Is there this parent for this child?

Parents and children are just like trying to show people without hiding their hands.

“But it’s not the place to show that stubbornness right now.”

His Excellency stands up first and reaches out to me.

It would be rude to keep his knees stuck so far.

I’m getting tired of this position.

I take the Duke’s hand and finally stand up.

“Yeah. Honest is number one, Zelet-kun.”

He taps my upper arm.

When he put his hand on his waist and took a relaxed posture, the owner started to introduce himself again.

“It’s Niclas Zard Astowari. Nick is fine.”

“I’m Zelet Winter. I’m honored to meet you, Your Excellency Niclas.”

“It’s still stiff, but it’s okay. You want to shoot S-rank monsters.”

“Yes”

“Then you should sell your face. You may be annoyed by your connections, but for some reason, I think it’s not something you can buy for money, it’s like a miracle of encounters. I’m thinking. Even if you meet the person only once in your life, that one can create a decisive encounter in your life …. It’s okay to sell your face. “

His Excellency Niclas hits my back this time.

When I turned to the aristocrats who were gathering, I introduced myself.

“Originally, S-class hunter Zelet Winter. He also provided the Leviathan eggs.”

The aristocrats responded to Niclas’ story all at once.

“S-class hunter?”

“Did you get the Leviathan eggs?”

“So young …”

“Can you tell us a story?”

Immediately a circle of people is created.

I was confused and answered each and every question.

The aristocrats are listening to my story of the commoner.

When it came to the ecology of monsters, some people even shined their eyes and asked questions.

“Well, are you only interested in S-rank monsters?”

“Rather, the others are small fish.”

“Eh? Coarse fishing other than S rank. Great!”

“This time, I will not accept my request.”

“If it’s S rank”

“Is it an S-rank monster? What should I do?”

“No, it would be difficult if you didn’t collect sightings before that.”

“Can you kill S-rank monsters in the first place?”

“Isn’t it a problem if it’s for food?”

The discussion became lively by itself.

It’s the first time I’ve received so much attention. No, it was the first time that people had gathered so much.

In the first place, hunters are rather behind the scenes. Exterminating monsters does not mean that they are praised like historical heroes. If anything, it would be a shadow profession.

Even if we defeat the monsters, only the request fee was given to us.

Even if there are people like Henderone who swear, few praise them.

That’s why I was confused about defeating monsters and gathering people so far to praise them.

“Fuhahaha! It’s getting interesting. I’m waiting for good news, Zelet-kun.”

His Excellency Niclas leaves the place to me.

I interrupted the story of the aristocrats and stopped the Duke.

“Thank you, His Excellency Niclas”

“Hey, I’m telling you. Call me Nick. It feels like you have a lot of strength on your shoulders. When you meet next time, let’s loosen it.”

His Excellency Niclas did not look back, but waved and left.

I was wondering, but soon he walked back and came back with his face facing forward. Gigi, he turned around and put his hands on my shoulders.

“I’ll give you one piece of advice.”

“Huh … what is it?”

“Don’t even dream of touching Rafina”

What does it mean by don’t touch Rafina?

No, however, His Excellency Niclas’s face was the most powerful so far.

His face is laughing, but if he peels it off, he might look like a devil. I mean, my legs are shaking for the first time in a while …

It seems better to nod for the time being.

“got it”

“Um. That’s fine — Then!”

When he returned to the former Excellency Niclas, he raised his hand and left the place.

Huh ……. Did the anger subside?

What the hell was that now …

A completely strange aristocrat.

Until now, the only aristocrats I knew were naive like Henderone.

Like Rafina, His Excellency Niclas also seems to be different from Henderone.

I will greet 11 aristocratic families and receive offers from 3 of them as individual sponsors.

From that day on, my life will change completely, but it wasn’t long before I started to think so.