Chapter 478: Entrap
「We have these for today. 」
For today, I prepared oven-baked baby squids stuffed with veggies, beef croquettes, curry-flavored croquettes and minestrone with white beans, served with wine and bread.
I spent the whole day munching on snacks and ended up skipping lunch. Hauron and Chris had been eating and drinking nonstop too, so I went for simple finger foods.
The minestrone is added to the menu to offset the lack of proper nutrients, since I’ve been eating junk food all day long.
「And these too. 」
I handed the magic circles over.
「Magic circle? Is this an insect repellant ? 」
「That one proves effective even against flying insects, and has been most invaluable, I must say. 」
Dinosso and Butler.
Ah, right, I used some insect repellent for Ruta and distributed some to the others while at it. It’s not like they bite, but they’re such a pain, always landing on your face, or flying straight into your mouth or eyes.
「It’s just a one-time use thing. Chris and I already used ours. 」
Hauron grinned as he looked at the other two.
「Would the option of refraining from its use be considered? 」
Butler flatly replied, a genteel smile still plastered on his face.
「Hey, you’re up to something, aren’t you? 」
Dinosso told Hauron with a grimace with his brows furrowed and his eyes narrowed.
「Oh deary me, you don’t trust me one bit, huh. It’s just a magic circle that will allow you to temporarily See spirits ー but it’s in detail. 」
Hauron simply shrugged.
Haha, you’re not denying that you’re up to something!
「I have a bad feeling about this. 」
Retze gingerly took one of the magic circles.
「Oh, Retze, no, you don’t have to do this, okay? We don’t want to drag you into the affairs of the spirits, alright? 」
Hauron gently pressed down the magic circle that Retze was holding.
「So it’s related to the spirits, huh… Well, Retze’s always been saving our butts, so this time it should be up to us to handle this. 」
「Indeed, compared to Retze-sama, this is still within our purview. 」
And so, Dinosso and Butler took one each and, with firm resolve, activated them.
「Fufufu. 」
Hauron’s downturned lips had finally turned up in a smirk.
「Huh!? 」
Dinosso noticed it.
「Bwahahahaha! You’ve been tricked!! 」
Hauron cackled.
「Whatever your intentions may be, you must note that, had things gone awry, even Retze-sama might have been ensnared into this. Perhaps you are prepared to face the prospect of forfeiting any further assistance henceforth, I wonder? 」
Although Butler spoke in a level tone, there’s still that unmistakable undercurrent of veiled threat in his words.
Yeah, everyone really relies on Retze, huh.
「Nah, it’s fine, it’s not like I can use magic circles anyway. I was just trying to check it out, you know? Chris’s so jittery he looks like he got ants in his pants. Honestly, it feels less like a big deal and more like some totally pointless mess waiting to happen. 」
Yup, that’s also the reason why I gave Ivy-chan to be his spirit sword to Retze. She can take care of herself because she can suck mana on her own. Ah, but if there’s a mechanism that allows the magic circle to draw mana in, then Retze can probably use that. Hmm, in that case, maybe it’s more convenient to use a formula that makes the circle suck mana from a manastone.
「For me, it’s a marvelous experience, so I thought it’s fine even if we tell them about it. 」
Chris apologetically commented. When Retze went out to get Dinosso and Butler, Hauron had told him ーand me ー to keep mum about it.
His spirit caressed his chin.
「Bfft….!! 」
「…. 」
In the next second, Dinosso almost burst out laughing while all expression was wiped out off Butler’s face.
「What happened? 」
Retze looked at them suspiciously.
Butler averted his gaze and refused to say anything, while Dinosso desperately pushed his mouth as he hunched over.
「Aha, you’re all gathered here! 」
Dean returned.
「Oh, do you have some for me too? 」
He saw the dishes on the table.
「Yup. 」
「Yeah! Oopsie. I’ll wash my hands first! 」
He dumped his bag on the floor and was about to sit down, but he remembered, so he immediately went out to the garden.
「Ah, do you guys need more food?」
Hauron and Chris ate sluggishly with me earlier so the food is barely touched, but maybe I should add more for the other trio.
「Nah, this is already plenty for me. Can I have some finger foods for wine after eating? Seems like we’re gonna be in for a long haul. 」
Retze.
「Me too, this is more than enough. Ah, but Jean’s dishes are scrumptious, so you can’t help but eat more! 」
Chris also okay’d.
「I’m okay with these too. And these two here will liven things up, perfect for a drink! 」
Hauron was in high spirits.
「You guys…! 」
Dinosso glared at us.
「So this is your true intention all along… 」
Butler refused to meet our eyes.
「I just wanted to show you the world through my eyes. 」
I don’t have any ill intentions, only wanted to drag your guys into this.
Dean, hurry up and remove your boots!!!
NEXT CHAPTER
RELEASE RATE
I Got Transferred in the Middle of a Mountain
Speed up schedule by 10 hours
Current schedule: Every 80 hours
Thanks.