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Chapter 70 – Snow Games 7 (Florence)

70 – Snow Games 7 (Florence)

Last but not least, Florence.

「No matter the event or festivities, I shall be the one to produce the best results so long as I am involved!」

Florence spreads her fan and her surroundings begin to sparkle. Her golden locks shine even brighter than usual when the lights hit them. It looks like she can use Light Elemental magic.

「Everyone, I thank you all for your hard work as my opening act. I, the leading role in this plan, shall promise the utmost hospitality for Sir Rain and the extras! Oooohohoho!」 After a moment of laughing, Florence snapped her fingers. 「Now, Sebastian!」

「It’s Celine, milady.」

Celine, who was nearby, prepared a kamado. [TL Note 1: A kamado is a traditional Japanese wood/coal cooking stove] Looks like the fire’s already lit, cos there’s smoke. A grill mesh was placed over it and there was an outrageously large hunk of meat placed on the table nearby. Celine carefully carves the meat and places it on the grill mesh.

As soon as the sizzling sound was heard, the air was filled with an appetizing aroma. The kids’ stomachs began to rumble. Mine too, actually.

「Please, enjoy the taste of White mammoth meat.」

「Using the most luxurious ingredients money can buy to win over a gentleman through his stomach… How very you, my lady.」

「You, shut it!」After telling Celine off, Florence’s expression turned serious.

「Now children, this land belongs to me, so I do not mind, but be sure to gain permission before holding an outdoor party on someone else’s land. Even if you hold one by mistake, do your very best to not cause a fuss to those in your surroundings.」

The children diligently nod to her lesson.

「My lady is…being so respectable…」 Celine sounded like she was moved to tears. Although, it sounds like it was forced.

「I am always respectable!」

「What about vegetables?」 Cutting into their conversation, the rabbit-eared Carro pipes up.

「Oh my, I believe you are Carro, yes?」

Carro looked just as hungry as the other kids. She looked up at Florence while drooling. 「Are there any vegetables? This is a very important question.」

Carro’s eyes were intense. Intense enough to put pressure on Florence. Carro is very fond of vegetables.

「Wh-why of course. Only the freshest picked vegetables have been prepared.」

Carro smiled. A youthful, sparkling smile, like the intenseness from before, didn’t exist.

「Thanks, Aunt Flo!」

「Wha-… Just who are you calling Aunt Flo?! Please do not give me such strange nicknames! 」

「My lady, who does not have anyone close enough to give her a nickname, is secretly overjoyed internally.」

「Sebastian! Please refrain from monologuing!」

「It’s Celine, milady…right?」

「Why are you asking me that…? H-have I called you Sebastian so many times that you have forgotten your true name…?」

Florence looked at her with genuine concern…to which Celine started giggling. Are you sure those two aren’t sisters? Cos they’re just as close as sisters. Anyway, we had lots of fun in the snow, and now, we enjoy a meal while surrounded by snow.

「Rain, this is really good.」 The fox-eared Ur split her own meat to share it with me. Even though I have the exact same meat on my plate, I graciously accepted her kindness.

「It really is good.」 The second I put it in my mouth, its juices fill my mouth, and it’s so delicious that I feel like I could chew this forever.

「Mister Hero, you won’t grow big and strong if you don’t eat your vegetables.」 said Carro as she shared some of her grilled vegetables. The vegetable was grilled masterfully, bringing out the sweetness of the vegetable itself without sacrificing the texture.

「You’re right. Gotta have a balanced diet.」

Seeing what Ur and Carro did, other kids started coming over. Among each other, they fed those they were close with.

The shaved ice was great, but nothing beats eating something warm when you’re cold. It just…hits differently. There’s this feeling of satisfaction like you’re regaining your body heat that was robbed by the cold.

Or perhaps that heat is from eating together with everyone.

「…My lady? Are you not going to present the master with the rarest cut of the mammoth, from which only a small portion may be carved, with the smuggest look on your face? It will get cold, you know?」

「Hmph. It would be far too rude to interrupt such a happy bunch.」

「…As expected of you, my lady.」

「Hey! Even now, you would be sarcastic with m…hmm? Was that…was that praise?」

「I cannot serve those whom I cannot respect.」

「Mm…hmm… If you were always this obedient, I’d give you a raise, you know?」

「sigh…」

「Sighing? At your employer? Hmph! I was going to give this meat to you, but I suppose you don’t need it!」

In the corner of my eye, I could see the master-servant combo having their delightful chat.

And with that, all plans are finished. Since this was a competition, I had to rank which was better or worse…

「Hmm… They were all fun, so it’s hard to decide…」 I said, and the kids agreed. There were no complaints from The Seven.

「Uhm… Sir Rain? Since everyone won, essentially… Does…that give us the right to ask for a reward?」 asked Eleanor.

『There was no talk about a prize.』 said Mika, sharply.

「Hey, it’s fine. Instead of a reward, think of it as thanks for all the good times.」I said.

『…I’m okay with it if you are.』

At that moment, the faces of every single one of The Seven lit up with joy.