Kidnapped the Saintess of the Hero Party

24 – A Winter Day, Falling Like First Snow

The Black Rabbit seemed proud to offer high-end restaurant food. From the perspective of the two young men from the countryside, it was probably the most luxurious meal they had ever received.

Howl was the proof. Having starved for a while, he was now savoring his appetite in Sia’s embrace.

The Black Rabbit showed a smile of a winner.

“I can offer it occasionally.”

Seems like they assume I don’t have any money.

Well, I guess so. We booked an inn for our stay, not a hotel.

We don’t carry fancy clothes or even those common cube-shaped storage boxes around. So, it seemed like they were trying to tempt us with money.

There’s no reason to refuse, though.

I chuckled and cut the steak, feeding it to Howl.

“King!”

“Hmm?”

The Black Rabbit raised an eyebrow.

It’s a bit unexpected, I must say.

“Now it begins. What should I do?”

Sia had no choice but to let go of Harold from her arms. It was because his tail was wagging too much. Harold wanted to climb onto the table, but she prevented him from doing so.

I grabbed Harold’s hindquarters and sat him down next to me. Then I fed him a piece of meat, right into his mouth.

The black rabbit looked at me with a puzzled expression.

Well, it’s steak, you know?

Where can you find someone who doesn’t eat it themselves and gives it to Harold?

It was to show that it was not something to eat, but the black rabbit’s reaction was quite amusing.

Of course, this is not the end.

I kept it a secret from Tritan, but I secretly collected fruits. I processed them and made them into spices.

I took out a small jar from my arms. Then I opened the lid and sprinkled the spice on the steak I was going to eat. It was a spice that gave a spicy taste.

“What’s that?”

The black rabbit opened its eyes wide. It closed its eyes tightly, as if to confirm whether what was in front of its eyes was real, and then opened them again. It wanted to know what the spice sprinkled on the steak was.

Well, a black rabbit like you wouldn’t know.

Do you know how precious this spice is?

It’s none other than Tritan’s fruit.

Tritan, the tree monster that resides deep in the heart of the giant forest.

Finding Tritan is difficult enough, but picking its fruit is even more challenging.

That’s why I casually sprinkle this valuable spice without a care.

I love being over the top.

While subtly pushing the jar that was still in my hand, I observed the expression of the black rabbit. It seems that my hidden thought of “Should I sprinkle it on your steak too?” was well conveyed.

“I… I’m fine.”

In reality, I know I’m not. My lips are pouting.

Watching the rabbit in the uncomfortable seat continuously shifting positions, it seemed to be quite stimulated by the spices.

“After all, that black rabbit is a fiery food fanatic.”

The leader of the Black Claw, the Black Rabbit, had the sole hobby of seeking and eating spicy food. Whether it’s dealing with enemies or defecating the next day, the mouth must be burning first. In a past life, I had actually seen flames spewing from its mouth.

The gloved hands of the rabbit cutting the steak trembled.

Clatter, clatter.

Are you really okay?

Sia seems to have noticed something unusual.

He stared at the Black Rabbit with suspicion.

I brought a plate in front of Sia and cut the steak. Should I sprinkle some spices? I sent a meaningful look. Lucia just nodded slightly.

I shook the spice container to season the dish.

Since Lucia can’t handle too much spiciness, just a little.

“By my standards, it’s a bit lacking.”

But even with this, I can guarantee a fantastic taste. Panaquia Celaria is originally a place even the management officials of Panaquia Earth use for the VVIP treatment.

I thought about adding a bit more, maybe even dragon oil. However, considering the sincerity of the Black Rabbit’s hospitality, I decided to hold back.

“Actually, sprinkling spices is not a pleasant sight either.”

It was just used as a tool to show that I’m not impressed by this kind of treatment.

Even if I just sell this, it would be enough for a decent living.

The sound of feet leaving the ground is heard. Under the table, not clearly visible, the Black Rabbit seems unable to stay still, rolling its feet.

Should I ignore it?

After confirming that Sia had started eating, I took a bite of the meat as well. It might be an animal-like habit for Sia to take care of me first, but when you live in the wild, you naturally start taking care of each other like this.

And I can go without eating for a month. I can eat something more delicious when I want. So, I let Sia take care of it first.

“Well, it’s delicious after all.”

I forcefully suppressed the rising corners of my mouth. This is a moment of exploration for both of us, a historic moment where the leader of the Black Thorn and I have our first meal together.

I don’t know how our relationship will change afterwards. The Black Rabbit will become someone I have to take care of for a while.

I just had to avoid being caught off guard.

Luckily, it seemed like I had taken the initiative.

The girl magician with black rabbit ears, cutting the steak with a grumpy expression and a nervous attitude. She glanced at the spice jar lying on the table from time to time.

Seeing that her black rabbit ears were completely drooping, it seemed like she was disappointed that she couldn’t taste the spiciness. So, I purposely handed the spice jar to Howl.

And I gestured with my eyes.

Zoom. Zoom.

Howl is quick-witted and clever.

In response to my signal, he nodded his head up and down.

He understood, right?

This is what I said.

– Kyle. Pay for the meal.

– Go and pour it, then come back.

And this was Howl’s reaction.

“Yes, Your Highness!”

“Your Majesty!”

The words “Your Majesty! (Yes!)” and “Your Majesty! (Understood, Master!)” echoed in response to Harold’s nod, not just because I had developed a strong rapport with him. It was simply the voice of my heart, wishing things could remain that way.

Kyle, who had been tasked with a mission, took a sip from a spice bottle and suddenly coughed loudly, “Puh-heck!” It wasn’t an unusual situation, considering the spiciness of the flavor.

Harold casually tossed the bottle, which had been in Kyle’s mouth, as if throwing away garbage.

To be precise, he threw it above the head of the black rabbit.

Reflexively, I stood up and reached out my hand, hoping to catch the bottle.

“Oh. I apologize. This guy has a habit of…”

Thunk.

Tudok.

Tododododok!

The spice spilled down.

The bottle was turned upside down.

Like the first snowfall on a winter’s day in a girl’s heart, a mixture of green and brown spicy spice fell onto the steak.

“Uh…”

The gloomy expression on the rabbit’s face suddenly brightened, as if seeing something for the first time.

Like a young child visiting an amusement park for the first time.

Like a child receiving a gift from Santa.

In an instant, his face transformed into a radiant one.

Indeed, that rabbit is too adorable to be the infamous leader of a ruthless guild. He is too delicate to be pitied.

Still, when stern, it’s quite stern.

“What to do? Should I ask for it again…?”

Snap!

The rabbit stabbed the steak with a fork. It seemed to be a move to divert my words.

“Don’t care.”

Oh.

Quite tough indeed.

It must be because spices are important.

“Are you okay? This is a bit spicy. And a lot has fallen.”

“It’s fine. Besides, it’s all spices.”

“You seem to know.”

“Yeah. I don’t care enough to worry about things like that when it comes to eating.”

They’re already smiling, even the eyes.

With nostrils flaring, I nodded coolly.

To like it this much…

Should I have given a bit more?

I quietly took my seat.

Since there are many eyes watching, I’ve decided to handle it a bit more gentlemanly from now on. The Chieftain Blackfang has his dignity too, right? Gotta defend the future chieftain’s honor a bit.

“It’d be nice if it suits your taste. Still, it’s decent spice.”

The black rabbit chuckled lightly.

To smoke.

My inner thoughts were cheering. And, in front of food, it seemed impossible to lie.

“Don’t worry. Cough. It’s just… Cough. All we have to do is fill our stomachs. Hmph. I brought you here for that, not because I wanted to.”

The statement that he didn’t come here for his own pleasure was one hundred percent sincere. Blackclaw didn’t have that much capital.

Anyway, it seemed like the walls of his heart had somewhat crumbled. Nice Howard.

I reached out and grabbed Howard’s backside with an affectionate touch.

Once the mission was over, he had to find his own place.

“You! Don’t cause any trouble! Just sit here for a moment.”

A long stretched-out chair. I sat Howard on my left side. Sia was sitting on the right side, and if I put him there, it would disturb our meal.

Cats and other animals are usually placed under the table, but Howard is not treated like an ordinary pet. Thanks to the fact that priests often carry him around, he was considered a sacred being by ordinary people.

“We’ll continue the conversation during the meal.”

#

There wasn’t much conversation during the meal.

For a while, all I could hear were the sounds of cutting with a knife, forks clinking, and chewing.

Lucia also seemed to be distrustful of Blackrabbit, probably because of the spicy taste.

And I was busy listening to the stories of Blackclaw’s subordinates nearby.

– He looks like a noble prince who grew up beautifully.

– Well, I bet on that blond prince to win.

– What? Are you challenging me?

– Then, what should I ask?

Useless stories and speculations mostly.

However, through their stories, I could somewhat grasp the reason why they came to us.

– Not exactly an experienced priest. Too difficult.

– Saying that even after seeing Harold.

– Maybe it’s an inherited Harold.

– Well, that could be true, but…

There is a mission that requires someone capable of wielding sacred power.

“It would be best to have a skilled priest.”

Normally, I wouldn’t worry if it was just a regular party, but this time Lucion was a little concerned. Although I don’t know what task he will be assigned, if I recall my past life, there were quite a few dangerous tasks for beginners to undertake.

When moving in a party, an inattentive priest is the first factor that hinders the party. For that reason, even in his past life, Lucion had taken on the burden of Black Scythe alone.

Lucia was originally in the convent, but she indirectly joined at the request of support.

【Black Scythe】dealt with many secret missions involving people, no matter what.

When an assassin was needed, there was a need, but there was hardly ever a need for a priest.

Yet, they needed a priest.

In this life, I could directly hear the reason why.

– Even the priest who barely stayed left because he wouldn’t wear black clothes.

– Can’t be helped.

– Wouldn’t the young lady be the same?

The symbol of Black Scythe.

Black scythe clothing.

The priest never wore black clothes.

It was related to the longevity of the Black Thorn Guild.