Chapter 93

The next day, the woman in question arrived.

From the window of the office in Ivalice, I confirmed the figure of Alistair Rottenmaier.

She was as beautiful as ever.

Her golden hair contrasted beautifully with her white armor.

She was accompanied by two guards, both of whom were also clad in armor of the same design.

These two were also beautiful women with golden hair.

"Is it only blonde women who can become officers in the White Rose Knights?"

As I muttered this, Lilith shot back with a sarcastic remark.

"You must like blonde women, don't you, Ike-sama?"

Lilith puffed out her cheeks.

"Well, I don't dislike them."

I replied with a joke, and Lilith turned on her heel.

"Where are you going?"

"To dye my hair."

"……"

Since I would be in trouble if she really dyed it, I explained my true intentions.

"It's not that I was admiring Alistair. I was just checking to see if she had a crest on her shoulder."

"Crest? What for?"

Lilith looked puzzled.

"If Alistair has the White Rose Knights' crest on her shoulder, it confirms that she has officially rejoined the knights. If not, it suggests she came without the king's permission."

"I see, oh, the crest is there."

Lilith leaned in to look at Alistair.

"Furthermore, if the White Rose crest is made of gold, it indicates she has rejoined as the commander. What about that?"

Since I, a human, can't confirm that, I asked Lilith, but it seems Alistair has officially rejoined as the commander. Lilith said, "The crest looks expensive."

"I see," I said, and continued.

"Then, we must treat her as an official envoy of the Rosaria Kingdom."

Of course, it's Satie.

Regardless of her status, she will treat her with the utmost luxury.

Satie has been busy preparing for the banquet since yesterday and is still running around the mansion.

Usually, I am taken care of by Satie alone, but when there is a meeting on a military scale, I hire temporary maids and have Satie command them. However, perhaps because she is a hard worker by nature, Satie not only gives orders but also ends up doing the work of others.

Sometimes we pass each other in the hallway, but she is so busy that there is no time to talk.

Observing such a maid, a pleasant aroma tickles my nose.

It must be the gravy sauce for the roast beef, which is one of Satie's specialties.

Alistair Rottenmaier, a daughter of a noble family, will surely be satisfied with Satie's cooking, even with her refined palate.

I don't know what purpose Alistair has for this meeting, but I am certain of one thing.

Satie's cooking is that delicious.

When Alistair visited my mansion, I first greeted her informally and suggested she rest in a guest room to recover from the long journey.

She pressed, saying she had urgent business, but I insisted, "If it's important, it's better to rest first and then discuss it."

In fact, including her attendants, they all looked exhausted.

The distance from the capital of Rosaria to the World Tree Forest is considerable, and from there, they came to Ivalice in a forced march. It's impossible that they weren't tired.

Alistair still wanted to get to the point, but her attendants stopped her, and she decided to rest in the room.

I told her the time for dinner, and she nodded and went upstairs.

Satie politely guided her to her room and then headed to the kitchen.

There was no time to tell her, "Don't overdo it."

At this rate, she will prepare the best meal by evening.

During this time, I just had to pass the time.

There was nothing particular to do.

I could eavesdrop on Alistair's room, but they would surely be cautious about that.

Besides, she will tell me the purpose of her visit in a few hours, and eavesdropping on a woman's room is not something a gentleman would do.

As someone who prides himself on being a gentleman, I have no intention of eavesdropping on a woman's room.

Back in my room, I reached for the book I was reading.

It was a silly adventure novel, but it was just right for passing the time until evening.

In fact, by the time I finished the book, the sun was setting, and dinner was ready.

I checked my Undead Robe in the large mirror to make sure it was in order and headed to the dining room.

When I entered the dining room, there was a beautiful lady.

She was wearing a pure white dress, intricately designed, and I could guess that it was expensive enough to sustain a commoner for half a year just by looking at it.

Of course, the one wearing it was the guest, Alistair.

She was not the type to attend a dinner party in armor.

Her hair was neatly styled by her attendants, and there was no trace of the roughness of a warrior.

However, even in armor, this woman did not look like a warrior...

Alistair Rottenmaier, upon seeing me, said with a slightly frightened expression, "Thank you very much for preparing such a wonderful dinner for me."

I wondered why she was frightened, but there were several reasons that came to mind.

After all, I am a demon. No human can see my monstrous form without being frightened.

Moreover, I once beat her severely on the battlefield, and when she was confined in the tower, I startled her a bit during our "meeting."

It might be too much to ask her not to be frightened.

However, it would be difficult to negotiate if she was intimidated, and it would also be problematic if she underestimated me.

I made an effort to sound gentle and said,

"Lady Alistair, please relax. Demons may have a monstrous appearance, but we have more human-like qualities than you might think. I, in particular, am a prime example."

I couldn't reveal that I am human inside, but I encouraged her to sit at the table and try the food prepared by Satie.

Alistair tentatively took a bite of the food.

Her face showed that she was wary of the ingredients prepared by a demon, but after one bite, her expression changed.

"It's very delicious."

"This is one of my maid's specialties."

As I said this, her speed of using the knife and fork gradually increased.

While this didn't mean she had opened up, it would make the conversation a bit easier.

After she finished her meal, I decided to get to the point.

Why did Alistair, who had been relieved of her position as the commander of the White Rose Knights, come to see me?

I was curious about what she had to say.

As Satie brought the post-dinner drinks and left, I asked,

"Very well, Lady Alistair, what brings you to me this time?"

As I said this, Alistair became tense again and began to speak.

"Actually, I came to ask a favor of you, Ike-sama."

She then began to explain her purpose.