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Ex-Hero, Now Freeloader – Chapter 27

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Translator: Kobracon

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27 – The Job of a Skilled Intelligence Officer? 2

Favorite dish.

It could be a favorite food or drink.

「While under your harsh environment, the idea that food is simply sustenance has been driven into you, has it not, Hero Rain? However, ever since arriving in this Demon King Castle, your eating habits should have changed!」

「Ah, yeah.」

Certainly, in the past, I lived life not thinking about whether a meal was delicious or bad.

But now, I have been enjoying delicious meals every day.

「So then perhaps it is about time that you have your own favorite food or even a favorite dish. It is normal to have one or two, after all.」

「I see…」

Normal isn’t just acquired by your own choice, but something that comes naturally, huh?

『So why do you need to gather the Seven?』

The intelligence officer looked away.

「…Deploying cooks for our own personal investigation is…well, an abuse of authority or something…」

『It’s a little too late for that… Just say what you really want, go ahead.』

「Hmph, I am not lying. It’s not as if someone mentioned that they wished to serve a homemade dish and the four of us whose schedules aligned all gathered.」

『I think you should quit your job as an intelligence officer. You’re leaking info more than you’re gathering.』

Don’t say that. She’s definitely like Eleanor.

I’m sure when she’s in the middle of a job, she’s excellent.

「Now then, are you prepared, Hero Rain? You have already reunited with the other three, now that makes four including me, Vivi, the chief intelligence officer. We shall know in detail about your favorite dish…!」

It seems that the intelligence officer’s name is Vivi.

『This isn’t the first time I’ve thought this but…is the Demon King Army alright?』

「I’m ready anytime.」

『And then my Hero has a soft spot for food…』

「Hmph, I like your resolve. When this is all over…we will have grasped what your favorite food is.」

Saying that, Vivi turns around skillfully and disappears behind the back door.

And so, an unknown battle was about to begin…

Someone came in.

A twenty-year-old male Majin I’ve never seen before.

He pushed in a rattling tray on wheels.

The kind that carries in food. The food is covered by a silver dome cover that hides anything underneath it.

『And you are?』

「…I am Mistress Vivi’s subordinate.」

『This seems like a blatant abuse of power.』

「O-oh no…! I volunteered myself for this role…!!!」

『Well, aren’t you loyal… Looks like she trained her subordinates well.』

「Forget about that, food!」

「Yes, sir…!」

I sat on the chair and waited for the food to be lined up in front of me.

「This was made by Lady Louto.」

He raised the dome cover and what lay beneath it was…

「Th-this is…the meat and vegetable stir-fry thing from the school cafeteria…!」

As I eat it immediately, I remember making up with the twin-tailed Jural, eating while having friendly chats with Fripp who is my first male friend, and Louto and Mika sitting next to me, getting along.

No doubt this tastes great, but it’s the memories of that day that just make me smile.

「S-so fast…! The plate is already empty… So this is the power of a Hero…」

『Please don’t attribute something so stupid to him being a Hero. Hurry up, next.』

「Yes, ma’am…! Right away!」

The next dish was prepared by the black-haired maid Lejie.

「Th-this is…the sandwich I ate that time we explored the tower…!」

This is about the tower in the park that I erected, the one that allowed Fripp and me to become friends.

Originally something that his sister Myuri wished for, everyone aimed to reach the top of the tower.

The kids got tired so I carried them with Wind Magic. They were happier that way.

Fripp carried Myuri on his back. She was in a good mood.

Soon after we reached the top, the red-haired maid Azla flew up carrying this.

At that time, I heard Myuri’s escort Lejie yell “That’s not fair…!” in frustration.

『…Next.』

The next dish was made by Eleanor.

「Th-this is…p-pa-pancakes…!」

Circular dough that is dripping with honey, almost giving off a golden glow. The thing reflecting the light is the beautifully arranged ice cream. Adorned with the freshest of fruit, this is the very pinnacle of the desserts I admired.

『As expected of Eleanor… She’s just doing what Rain regularly asks for…』

Of course, I savored it.

The last one is done by Vivi.

Everyone else used their past experience in their cooking, but what did Vivi make?

When it was revealed, I was stunned.

What she prepared was…a candied apple.

『…This… I see. Looks like she’s showing off her skills as the chief intelligence officer…』

Yeah, there’s no way she would have known.

What fearsome intelligence gathering skill.

This isn’t something I ate after coming to the Demon King Castle.

It was when I was still working with the Six Saviors.

A town we stopped by at was having a festival.

But we had no time to play around.

Due to the time of day, we stayed at the inn.

Even at night, it was noisy outside and the people walking through the streets looked like they were having fun.

In order to protect this, the Saviors must fight.

『Tell me what ya wanna eat, but just one.』

Said the Swordmaster, who was in the same room as me, but I couldn’t think of anything.

The Swordmaster looked at me, scratched the back of his head, and left the room.

When he came back, he bought some alcohol for himself and a candied apple for me.

『This is our little secret.』

The next day, the Swordmaster was found out, as usual, and got yelled at.

He was especially scolded by the Saint, who made the “No sweets” rule.

She checked my mouth and cast a healing spell to make sure I didn’t get any cavities.

Now that I think about it, my desire for sweet things probably grew stronger after that.

Because I knew how good it was, however slightly.

「That is everything.」

Vivi’s subordinate withdrew, and the four women entered.

「Fufu, what do you say, Hero Rain? Have you found your favorite dish?」

「…Yeah.」

「If…if you don’t mind me asking, would you be open to rewarding the one who successfully guesses your favorite food? I believe such a thing would make us happy.」

「If it’s something I can do, sure.」

The four of them straightened up excitedly.

「Sir Rain, d-do you mind announcing the results…?」

Said Eleanor nervously.

I look at each and every one of them.

「I like them all. I wanna say they’re all my favorite food but…I can’t, right?」

And then…they all fell over.

Huh?

「…F-Ferris.」

In times like these, I call upon the reliable maid.

「Yes, Master Hero.」

Ferris entered the room, gave a quick bow, saw the pile of four fallen women, and sighed slightly.

「I knew this would happen…」

It seems like she knew that it would turn out like this.

『It can’t be helped, Ferris… This guy scratched his face all embarrassed and smiled while tilting his head at a perfect angle. We should be happy they aren’t dead.』

Why would they die just from my smile?

「No, wait… Lady Eleanor…isn’t breathing.」

「Why…?! Shouldn’t we get some help?」

「There is no need. …Oh my, this appears to be a picture of Master Hero accidentally wearing his clothes inside out-」

All four of them instantly stood up and reached for Ferris.

『…Your plan was to come to the Demon King Army and have a ridiculous group of women under your command, huh?』

「No, no, no, not at all…」

I didn’t plan anything like that.

Oh well.

That morning, I discovered at least four of my favorite food.

「Kuh… Should’ve known taking on four opponents would be…」

In any case, I should help out Ferris who seems to be struggling.

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