The Bloody Valkyrie
Chapter 1 — Herd of Predators
Part 1
“What kind of food is this!”
A hysterical, high-pitched cry, followed by the sound of cutlery clattering against the plates, rang throughout the surroundings.
Several people in the restaurant turned their gaze toward the girl that was throwing a tantrum.
The girl’s appearance was beautiful, to the point where the word ‘beautiful’ would be inadequate to describe her. Her beauty was even enough to rival the most beautiful in the kingdom, also known as the “Golden” princess. Even her anger only added to her charm.
Not only that, even though she was so noisy, her every movement was filled with grace and brimmed with elegance.
Surely, she must be the daughter of a noble from another country. Not only that, but both a highborn and wealthy noble. She impatiently lifted her long luscious hair and stared dissatisfied at the dishes in front of her.
The whole table was almost filled to the brink with plates full of food.
Inside the basket were steaming, heavenly soft, white breads fresh from the oven. On the plate, there were chunks of lightly grilled meat that was so juicy and tender it made one’s mouth water. The meats was complemented with aromatic, grilled, sweet buttered corn and creamy, scrumptious mashed potato as side dishes. The combination greatly excited one’s sense of hunger and appetite. There was also a tasty salad made with grilled marinated tenderloin on top of vegetables so fresh it was as they were right from the garden. The tantalizing and aromatic fragrance of tangerine could also be smelled from the salad dressing.
These were the best and most extravagant dishes made by the restaurant inside the most luxurious inn of the walled city Re-Lantier, the “Shining Golden Pavilion”… Their ingredients were guaranteed to be at their freshest through the use of the spell 「Preservation」. Naturally, all their cooks were first-class elite chefs.
These were cuisines only the nobles and the wealthy may savor. However, the girl was clearly not impressed by these artful and superb dishes.
“This doesn’t taste good at all!”
Not only were the people surprised hearing her complaints, but they also wondered what kind of heavenly food this beautiful girl must be having normally.
The inappropriate grumbling she muttered to herself caused everyone to show a stunned expression.
In the meantime, the old butler behind her had kept his posture and expression unchanged. Even after she turned around and stared harshly at him, he still kept firm. It was as if he had only one expression.
“I cannot continue to stay at this ramshackle town, prepare to leave immediately!”
“But ojou-sama, it is already dusk—“
“Shut up! Do as I say, is that clear!”
Faced with her childish tantrum, the butler finally changed his posture and lowered his head:
“Understood, ojou-sama. I shall make preparations for us to leave immediately.”
“Humph! If you get it then hurry and make haste, Sebas!”
The girl tossed her fork aside with a clang. Having nothing left to vent on, she stood up dissatisfied and stomped out of the restaurant.
After the commotion, a dignified voice broke through the dissipating tension in the restaurant:
“I give my sincerest apologies to everyone, for causing such a commotion.”
The butler took the chair which had nearly been knocked over when the girl stood up and returned it to its original position. Having apologized, he courteously bowed his head towards the patrons inside the restaurant. The guests graciously accepted the old butler’s perfect apology, and many even looked at him in sympathy.
“—Manager.”
“Yes.”
A man, who had been waiting nearby, quietly moved to the butler’s side.
“I sincerely apologise for the disturbance and even if it isn’t much of a compensation, allow me to cover the dinner expenses of everyone present.”
Quite a few patrons couldn’t refrain from showing a delighted expression after hearing his offer, since eating a meal in the restaurant of the city’s most luxurious inn was definitely not cheap. If the butler was willing to pay for their meals, it should be more than enough to forgive the commotion brought about by the behavior of his mistress.
On the other hand, the manager of the “Shining Golden Pavilion” kept his face firm and unfazed and courteously bowed in response to the butler’s suggestion. His unshaken expression showed that this wasn’t the first time a scene like this had happened.
Sebas directed his eyes toward a corner of the restaurant, settling his gaze onto a poor and deprived-looking man in the middle of wolfing down his food. Noticing the butler’s line of sight, the man hurriedly stood up and walked towards Sebas.
In comparison to the other guests, this man really stood out because his utter lack of ‘manners’ and ‘class’ made it impossible for him to blend into his surroundings without giving off the feeling of being totally out of place.
Though his clothes were just as good compared to the patrons here, his clothes gave the impression of wearing him and he was looking so much like a clown dressed in an elegant outfit, that he was a somewhat amusing sight.
“Master Sebas.”
“What is it, Zach-san?”
The other guests frowned when they heard the pretentious tone of the man called Zach. Hearing that kind of servile greeting coming out of his mouth, they wouldn’t have been surprised if he was rubbing his hands together.
However, Sebas’ expression did not change in the slightest.
“As a hired hand, I know I am hardly in a position to make any suggestions here, but is it possible for us to reconsider leaving immediately?”
“Are you implying you have difficulties in handling the carriage and horses at night?”
“…That’s part of the reason. And… I have some things to take care of in this city… I need a bit of time.”
Zach was constantly scratching his head. Even though his hair looked clean enough, the way he kept scratching his head made it look like dandruff would be flying around any second. Seeing this, some of the guests frowned even further but in the end it wasn’t clear whether Zach noticed or not since he just scratched his head even harder.
“Ojou-sama will probably not accept this suggestion. No, according to her temperament, she will not change her decision.”
Sebas determined with a firm and adamant expression before adding in a curt voice:
“So, we have no other choice.”
“But…”
Zach’s eyes darted around, as if trying to find an excuse, but he wasn’t able to come up with anything and a frown appeared on his face.
“Of course, we still have some time before we leave. I need some time to load all of ojou-sama’s luggage onto the carriage. You may do as you wish in the meantime and take care of whatever you need.”