Chapter 220

Chapter 220: Women’s Gathering

Women’s Gathering
Chapter 220. Women’s Gathering

Thus, Ferda’s gaze descended once more toward something that looked like a fried egg.
— You have never cooked before, right?
— Of course not.
— And even so, she failed many times in the process.
— That’s right.
A smile blossomed naturally on Ferda’s lips.
— Ruri.
— Yes.
— I have never eaten a meal prepared by another person.
To be precise, the Ferda of the future who no longer exists was like that.
The food others gave him always contained malice, and that malice tried to kill Ferda time and time again.
Because of that, he was suspicious of any favor shown to him first, and was even gripped by the obsession that there might be poison.
— That is why this sensation is truly strange.
If he ate this, his internal organs would surely twist in agony.
That, without a doubt, would produce the same effect as something called poison.
Nevertheless, no discomfort or bad memory surfaced.
Ferda’s hand moved.
It wasn’t that he could only move after understanding.
Before he realized it, Ferda’s fork had moved first.
Ferda finally brought that fried egg (presumed) to his mouth.
— Ugh…
Ruri’s face paled reflexively.
She was surprised, as if she had never expected him to actually bring it to his mouth.
Yet the surprise did not end there.
Ferda not only brought it to his mouth, he was chewing it.
The crunchy sound meant that his tongue was fully accepting the taste that food possessed.
Even Ruri, observing him, could not bear the pity.
Ferda swallowed it all and then stood up abruptly from his seat.
His gaze turned toward Valdrova, who was peeking from outside the door, and he began walking toward her.
Heavy, loaded steps that did not release the tension.
Valdrova felt the urge to flee, but could not move.
In the end, Ferda took her by both frozen shoulders and uttered four syllables.
— Eleanor.
— Y-yes!
Only when he called her by her name did her body return to her.
Valdrova asked him, feigning composure.
— H-how was it?
— It was a flavor where inexperience seeped through.
— D-does that mean… it tasted bad?
— That is right.
She felt bewildered.
She thought it would taste bad, but hearing Ferda say it directly felt like a dagger driven into her heart.
— But it doesn’t matter. Right now, I am incredibly excited.
— E-excited?
— Because I know you will do even better from now on. At first you didn’t do well with writing, dancing, or anything, right?
Valdrova nodded in silence.
— But in the end you achieved it. You danced beautifully, and your writing became pretty too. Cooking is the same.
He recalled the taste Ferda had experienced.
The crystallization of disharmony where everything the palate could sense danced wildly on its own.
In that, Ferda saw one thing.
— Even if you are inexperienced now, since you have the will to do it, you will surely achieve it one day.
The heart that she would never give up and would definitely find a way.
And Ferda had to be the same.
Even if it is terrifying and scary, he must move forward.
— And upon meeting someone like you, I realize once again today that I am a lucky man…
— F-Ferda-ssi?!
Before he could finish speaking, Ferda fell into Valdrova’s embrace.
No, it was not an embrace; he simply lost consciousness and collapsed onto Valdrova.
Ferda suffered food poisoning and had to rest for two full days before barely recovering.
Valdrova was devastated over having almost killed someone with a fried egg, but Ruri evaded the problem by explaining it as sleep deprivation, so she never gave up on cooking.
However, learning the concept of tasting for seasoning was a story for the distant future.

Hestia Village, bustling with preparations for deployment.
Ferda was also checking means and methods while performing his personal maintenance in preparation for his deployment.
Just as the tension stretched to the maximum, an unexpected guest found him.
— Hello, Regent Ferda.
— Scribe Rize, or should I call you Adventurer now.
— Yes, that’s how it turned out.
He blushes slightly, embarrassed by the word ‘adventurer’.
High Elf, Rize.
A woman—no, a man—who possessed a beauty and dignity that surpassed most beauties.
— I heard you are going to a place called the Kingdom of Heinkel.
— Yes. Because the demons were up to their tricks.
— Do I really not need to participate?
Rize had expressed his intention to participate to Ferda several times.
It was Ferda who refused.
— There is no need. Please remain in Hestia and head East. That is the most important task for us, and only Adventurer Rize can do it.
— Hearing you say that, I don’t know what to do with myself.
Rize rubs his legs softly, expressing his embarrassment.
— Uhm…
— Speak.
— I heard that Her Highness Valdrova is organizing a Women’s Gathering.
Before the war tension increased, Valdrova had said she wanted to gather with friends.
The situation was not good, but precisely because of that, she pushed for it even more actively.
At least, he hoped Valdrova would not have to feel distress over a war like this.
— Lady Valdrova, Lady Ludmilla from Count Consillus’s territory, and the demon Penelope are participating, correct?
— That is right.
— And do you also know that I am among them…?
Ferda glances sideways at Rize.
He was making a very troubled face.
— I think that is fine, however.
— But you called it a Women’s Gathering, so isn’t there some mistake?
— There is no mistake.
— She even prepared a dress for me to wear…?!
Rize holds a fluttering dress.
Rize looks like he could cry at any moment, and Ferda responds calmly while observing him.
— It seems to suit you well.
— It’s not about whether it suits me well…!
— There is no need to feel burdened.
— No, I am not a woman…!
Rize continues shouting unfairly, and Ferda responds almost as if he were talking nonsense.
It could not be helped.
Ferda recalled the conversation he had with Ruri last night.
— Her Highness Valdrova plans to organize a Women’s Gathering.
— Is that so?
— The currently designated members are Penelope, Ludmilla, and Rize.
— I see.
— Yes.
— …Wait a moment.
Ferda realized that something strange had been mixed in and called Ruri.
— Something strange seems to be mixed in there.
— As expected, does Ferda-nim think so too? I will exclude Penelope.
— That would be good, but… that is not what I mean. Rize is not a woman, right?
— That is right.
— Then, why is he in a Women’s Gathering? Is it at Her Highness’s request?
— No. It seems we are lacking numbers, so I plan to include him.
— Lacking numbers, so you include him?
A man, on top of that?
Ruri spoke as if she had been waiting for that reaction.
— Allow me to say it once more. The members of the Women’s Gathering are as follows.
Ruri spoke in a firm tone, pronouncing every syllable.
— Penelope.
The daughter of Sitri, the Demon of Lust.
— Ludmilla.
A schemer who gets everything she desires.
— And Rize is scheduled to participate.
That was all Ruri said, and Ferda responded no further.
Just that was already more than enough to understand.
— Adventurer Rize.
Returning to the present, Ferda placed a hand on Rize’s shoulder and said.
— You are a woman.

Valdrova Castle, Garden.
Three people sat at a table arranged for the Women’s Gathering.
— So… I am Rize, who ended up participating in the Women’s Gathering. Since it is our first meeting today, perhaps you feel quite uncomfortable…
Rize trailed off mid-sentence.
Because the gazes directed toward him were filled with interest and seemed to be enjoying themselves.
Ludmilla spoke first.
— You said you are an Elf, right? The most noble High Elf among them. You are incredibly beautiful.
— Thank you for the compliment. Lady Ludmilla is also very beautiful. The subtle perfume suits your atmosphere well. Freesia, rose, and mint… would that be it?
— My, my. Is there someone who can guess that? Even with an interest in perfumery, it is difficult to notice. As expected of an Elf.
— As expected of an Elf…
Ludmilla’s eyes shone even brighter, and Valdrova also sent an admiring gaze.
Even while saying that, Rize let out the words awkwardly, as if he were embarrassed.
— A-anyway, I worry that I might make everyone uncomfortable in a gathering like this.
— What is uncomfortable about it?
— Given that I am a man, I am not sure if it is alright for me to be in a Women’s Gathering…
— Is that so? And you, Your Highness?
— I am fine.
— I am fine too.
Ludmilla blinked and sipped her tea.
Her attitude of not caring at all rather made Rize uncomfortable.
— I-isn’t this strange?
— Not at all. Your bearing, the dress, your expression… doesn’t everything suit you perfectly?
— Yes. It suits you well.
Rize felt like he was going crazy, unable to understand.
«In what way do I look like a woman?»
However, he had no strength to protest, so he finally decided to accept his situation.
Ruri checked the time and spoke to Valdrova.
— With this, the members of the Women’s Gathering are set. I will close the castle gate.
— But Penelope hasn’t arrived yet?
— There is no need to accept an impure seed who makes the Master wait. I will close it without exception.
— I’m here!
Just as she was about to close it, Penelope opened the door and entered.
Ruri clicked her tongue.
— A bit late?
— Ah, this humble one was insolent and arrived late! But there is a reason!
Penelope raised a bag.
— I wanted to bring something to give to my beloved Junha and her friends!
— My, what is it?
— The name is…!
Ruri prepared to attack her.
She planned to kick her through the air the moment she pulled out something vulgar.
However, what she showed was an unfamiliar object.
A texture like leather and rubber, with an irregular surface.
— It is a Ppokppoki.
— Ppokppoki?
— If you press the raised part here…
Ppok.
— It makes this sound.
— My, I see. And?
— Yes?
— Is that all?
— Is that all?
Penelope’s eyes asked what else they could possibly want.
Ludmilla blinked, erasing the bewilderment from her face.
As if expecting this reaction, Penelope distributed the objects.
— Try using them for now! The star toy of the Hestia Trading Company, the fidget spinner, also seems like a hit, but this is also a masterpiece?!
Penelope handed one to each person.
Ludmilla and Rize, thinking to humor her, took the object and tried to use it.
Once they began using it, their faces changed.
Ppok-ppok-ppok.
— My, a strange addiction.
Ppok-ppok-ppok.
— It is nice how it makes you think of nothing.
— Your Highness, try it too! Isn’t it more fun than you think?
— Uh, alright!
Valdrova also cautiously pressed the Ppokppoki, following their example.
Pang!
Not a light sound, but a harsh one.
The part her touch reached simply burst.
— As expected, ordinary objects cannot withstand Her Highness’s strength.
— Uh, uhm…
Valdrova’s complexion darkened with gloom.
As the atmosphere was ruined, Penelope made a fuss and shouted.
— Hehe, I thought this might happen, so I prepared something separately for Her Highness!
Penelope took out another hidden object and placed it before Valdrova.
— It is the ‘Ppokppoki for the Great Majesty’ made by mixing steel and ogre leather!
Ogre leather, the sturdiest material humans can obtain.
Dyed deeply in a luxurious color, she would not have noticed the material had they not revealed it to her.
Valdrova swallowed hard.
Will it make ‘pang’ again this time?
Carefully, she took the object and pressed the center.
Ppok!
Instead of bursting, a vigorous ‘ppok’ sound echoed and discharged the burden from her heart.
Valdrova’s face brightened instantly.
Taking advantage of the mood, Ludmilla proposed.
— Since Her Highness can also use the Ppokppoki, shall we pop them together?
— Mhm!
Ppok-ppok-ppok.
Ppok-ppok-ppok!
Ppok-ppok-ppok.
The ‘ppok-ppok’ sounds echoed like summer frogs.
Ludmilla, enjoying the leisure, looked at Penelope and said.
— As expected of the Product Planning Director of the Hestia Trading Company, this item also seems like a surefire hit.
— Nihihi, in fact, I am also doing this to raise starting capital.
— What starting capital?
— In fact… I am trying to make lingerie.
She pulled something from her cleavage.
It had the shape of a handkerchief, but no matter how one looked at it, it was too thin and transparent to function as such.
— I am planning a lingerie business using fabric made with this luxurious lace and pattern!
— My, my. If you make it with this, won’t it practically be the same as wearing nothing?
— Exactly.
At Penelope’s words, Ludmilla’s face grew serious.
At first glance, she looked angry, with no trace of laughter.
— If you don’t mind me asking.
— Yes.
— When a sample comes out later, may I be the first to try it on?
— Nihaha! Of course! But there is a give and take, right?
— What do you want? Money? If it is investment funds, naturally I will give them to you.
— What a demon wants is more souls.
Penelope whispered like a demon.
— There is nothing better than a woman’s word of mouth. Have even more beauties seek me out.
Ludmilla also narrowed her eyes and said.
— My, that is something I am good at too. If I turned the women bewitched by the words of my mouth into bricks, could I build a wall?
— Nihaha! Then the contract is established!
— Ohohoho! I will send you my size later.
— No need. I scanned it all the moment I saw you!
— The story moves fast, ohohoho!
— That’s what makes it good, nihaha!
Rize was dumbfounded.
He did not know what to say, intuitively witnessing a demon and a human colluding in a vulgar scheme.
Rize blushed and whispered to Valdrova.
— H-Her Highness Valdrova?
— Yes?
— Aren’t you uncomfortable with this kind of conversation?
— Why?
— Well, it’s just that…
He could not bring himself to say it.
Valdrova’s golden eyes shone with ignorance.
Ppok-ppok-ppok!
— It is nothing at all.
Rize also quietly popped the Ppokppoki along with them.