Chapter 143 - Expedition Practice Session
The exclusive purveyor of the Monster Subjugation Force, and an advisory magical toolmaker.
On the day of the presentation, Grato made the request, and she accepted.
As a company, they would supply goods to the unit, inquire about additional needs, and discuss magic tools—that was how Dahlia understood it.
Upon returning to the Merchant Guild to report, the usually reserved guildmaster, Leone, burst into laughter, his white beard shaking.
Before she could even ask why, she was urged to report to Fort instead, so she headed to the Tailors Guild with Ivano.
When she explained the situation to Fort, his first words were: “Congratulations. Please allow Lucia and me to make your dress for the conferral of your title.”
Dahlia stood there dumbfounded, unable to comprehend, until Ivano bombarded him with questions and pieced everything together for her.
Being the Monster Subjugation Force’s exclusive purveyor meant exactly that—priority in supplying goods. Along with that came a degree of protection. Any interference or unfair trade practices would be protested and handled by the unit on their behalf.
As an advisor, she would be treated with respect in the royal castle and, by default, become a candidate for nobility. If anyone caused trouble for Dahlia, the unit would step in as well.
She finally understood what Grato meant by “claiming” her—it meant the Monster Subjugation Force would protect her.
But honestly, she couldn’t shake the unease of whether this was really okay.
Normally, baron titles took a little over a year from recommendation to evaluation before being granted.
After the explanation, Fort smiled and said, “By next year, you’ll be Baroness Rossetti, won’t you?”—and her knees nearly gave out.
It was true that she had always wished for a title someday, so that standing beside Volf wouldn’t seem out of place.
But she never expected things to move this fast, without even giving her time to mentally prepare.
Meanwhile, Lucia, completely oblivious to the situation, was overjoyed at the prospect of making a long dress for Dahlia.
Later, as she dragged herself back to the tower, feeling like her soul might leave her body, an oddly extravagant carriage arrived with gifts.
A lovely bouquet of white and pink flowers, long-lasting sugar confections, and high-quality tea leaves—thinking it was from Volf, she checked the letter, only to find it was from Gild.
The short apology and the words “I eagerly await the day we meet again” made her slump over her desk.
When night fell, Volf showed up with eastern liquor.
As a provisional celebration, they grilled dried barracuda, stir-fried spicy okra, brought out some prepared dishes, and drank together.
She ended up venting to Volf—about how nervous she was during the presentation, how she completely fumbled the captain’s offer—and he comforted her thoroughly.
As Volf was leaving, he said, “You’re still you, right, Dahlia?”—and she finally decided to just accept things as they were.
And now, today, she was already participating in the expedition practice session as the Monster Subjugation Force’s advisory magical toolmaker.
Grato had requested her to conduct a workshop on expedition stoves since the expedition practice session was being held outside the royal capital, so she accompanied the unit along with Ivano.
The testing site was a riverside clearing in the western forest—closer to the capital than the river where she had shared a meal with Volf.
After arriving by carriage, they laid out waterproof sheets, arranged the slightly increased number of expedition stoves alongside compact magic stoves, and divided into groups of four or five to try them out.
Under the dazzling sunlight, the river breeze felt refreshing.
After Dahlia’s brief explanation and warnings, the unit’s members began operating the stoves on the waterproof sheets. At a glance, no one seemed confused about how to use them.
“Um... everyone already seems familiar with them?”
She asked Volf, who was sitting on the same sheet, and he responded with a strangely narrowed golden-eyed grin.
“We’ve been doing expedition drills in shifts at the training grounds these past few days. Even the Mage Division members joined in.”
“Then... was this even necessary?”
“Well, not everyone could participate. We changed locations each time, but the wind just happened to blow toward the finance and administrative buildings. By the third round, both departments begged us to stop, so we called it off.”
Was this some new form of harassment?
Sure, she had clashed with the finance minister recently, but did the Monster Subjugation Force have some grudge against the finance and administration departments?
“Why there, of all places?”
“Coincidence. The training grounds happened to be open. We did feel bad, though, so the vice-captain and I went to apologize—with compact magic stoves, smoked bacon, and dried fish. Figured they’d come in handy during late-night work, especially during the period before they file the financial reports.”
“Wait... earlier, Ivano was overjoyed about a bulk order for compact magic stoves... was that...?”
“Congratulations, Dahlia.”
The smile on his face was unmistakably deliberate.
At this point, shouldn’t the company officially recruit Volf for sales?
Wouldn’t it be better to have him by her side as a company employee rather than a Monster Subjugation Force Scarlet Armor?—She shook off the absurd thought with all her might.
“...Thank you.”
Her voice of gratitude to Volf was just a little quieter.
The ingredients for the expedition practice session were surprisingly plentiful.
Cheese fondue with black bread, smoked bacon, ham, eggs, various dried fish. A hearty soup made with dried vegetables and meat, pre-mixed with salt and spices—just add water and boil.
And then, as if anticipating hunting game or monsters, there was also a mountain of fresh meat. By the looks of it, this was undeniably meant for barbecue.
“Excuse me, Chairwoman Rossetti?”
“Yes, what is it?”
Dahlia and Ivano made their rounds, answering questions from each group.
“Our dried fish keeps turning out dry and tough. It’s not fluffy like the one we had earlier.”
“Try high heat and remove it from the stove quickly. That’ll keep it tender.”
There was a trick to grilling dried fish.
Too much caution over burning led to low heat and over-drying, making it tough.
“This meat’s hard to cook through without charring.”
“For thicker cuts, sear one side, flip it, then cover to steam-cook. That should keep it from getting too tough.”
“Ah, that makes sense. It won’t dry out that way.”
The unit members experimented with their cooking, but all of them wore bright smiles.
Additional wine in leather flasks was being passed around everywhere.
“This marinade is fantastic. Could we get the recipe later?”
“There are three sauce recipes at the end of the manual. Oh, this one’s the first.”
“I see. I’ll try this at home. My son would love this flavor.”
Seeing the usually stern-faced knight light up at the thought of his son, Dahlia couldn’t help but chuckle. Ivano smiled beside her.
After making the rounds, they finally returned to where they started.
On a nearby tarp, Dorino and others were grilling salted kraken meat, heating vegetable soup, and enjoying cheese fondue.
Having occasionally dined with Volf, both Dorino and Randolph were quite accustomed to this.
“Are we really gonna get to eat like this on future expeditions?”
“Yeah.”
“Just dipping black bread in this melted cheese makes it insanely good.”
“This salted kraken is delicious too... Doesn’t feel like expedition practice at all...”
At their squadmates’ heartfelt comments, Randolph nodded deeply.
Beside him, Dorino clasped his hands together solemnly and knelt on one knee.
“Let’s be honest—this is just a fun riverside banquet. Truly, thank you.”
“Dorino, I feel like praying to the gods myself. This is a real blessing.”
“What are you on about? The thanks should go to Dahlia-san, no question.”
Dorino’s remark sent the group into roaring laughter.
Meanwhile, Dahlia was on another tarp with Volf, Ivano, and Vice Captain Grizelda, discussing Monster Subjugation Force matters.
Three empty wine skins already lay scattered around them.
“There’s something I’ve been wondering. Why do other knight orders look down on the Monster Subjugation Force?”
“Most high-ranking noble heirs join the First or Second Knight Orders. This has a large influence.”
“Our unit rarely participates in knight tournaments, and even when we do, fighting humans is different from monsters. People inevitably say we’re weak against human opponents.”
Grizelda and Volf answered Ivano’s question with slightly resigned expressions.
“But monsters are way scarier, right? Anyone calling the Monster Subjugation Force weak should try joining an expedition.”
The words slipped out before Dahlia could stop herself.
Having seen Volf’s movements with the Sköll Fang Bracelet, she felt this even more strongly.
“I doubt they’d actually come. Everyone knows how brutal expeditions are.”
“Why not butter them up first, then pretend to seek advice? Say something like, ‘We’d truly appreciate your assistance.’ Joining you on an expedition just once might make them reconsider their thoughts.”
“Now that’s an approach I hadn’t considered.”
As Ivano spoke, the vice captain stroked his chin thoughtfully.
“Ivano, what if something happens to whoever tags along? That’d be trouble.”
“Huh? Why? If they’re willing, confident, and requested to accompany you themselves, they can take responsibility for themselves. They’re knights—personal accountability comes with the title. Besides, if we get their commitment publicly, in front of superiors or crowds, minor incidents shouldn’t be an issue.”
Perhaps emboldened by successful negotiations and one too many drinks, Ivano grew unusually talkative.
“I see. For the attention-seekers, we humble ourselves and request their wisdom—that’s one tactic. Mercadante, was it? Care to step aside for some ‘personal consultation’?”
With a smile, the vice captain clamped a massive hand on Ivano’s shoulder.
Trapped like a butterfly in a collector’s grip, Ivano managed a response despite being unable to move.
“Y-yes, of course. Dahlia-san, I’ll be right back.”
“Oh... alright...”
Though Grizelda wore his usual smile, Dahlia felt an inexplicable chill, as if she should keep her distance.
She silently watched the two depart.
“It looks like the vice captain has taken a liking to Ivano. This might take a while... Oh, we’re short on forks—I’ll grab some.”
Volf briskly headed toward the cutlery wagon, leaving Dahlia alone to flip thick meat slabs in the pot.
The red bear meat, or at least that’s what it looked like, seemed rather expensive—but then again, expeditions might involve hunting monsters for food. She checked the cooking progress while musing.
“Um... Chairwoman Rossetti!”
Turning, she found four unfamiliar knights—all younger than Volf’s group, their pristine light armor marking them as rookies.
“Yes? How can I help you?”
“Forgive the impertinence, but... are you and Volfred-san involved with each other?”
“We maintain a friendly relationship.”
Dahlia gave a diplomatic answer to the oddly phrased question.
“Um... have you been busy lately?”
“Yes. We’ve received some very gratifying work.”
As she fielded their awkward queries with a professional smile, an older knight interrupted with a question about magic stone replacement.
Dahlia produced a sample stone and launched into detailed explanations.
The rookies, thus thwarted, returned to their tarp.
They fired up expedition stoves and compact magic stoves, beginning to warm soup and grill meat.
“I wish we could’ve talked to Rossetti-san longer...”
“She’s a skilled magical toolmaker, has a great figure, and soon to be nobility. A bit older than us, but she’s definitely a catch.”
“And she stays completely natural around Scalfarotto-senpai. She must have a great personality...”
“Do you think she cares about looks? I hope not...”
“If she’s friends with Senpai, there’s gotta be a chance. It’s worth giving it a shot, right?”
“Which means we should get closer first... start with being friends...”
Their hushed conversation was interrupted when a long black shadow suddenly loomed over them.
“My, what an interesting conversation you’re having.”
“S-Scalfarotto-senpai…”
The black-haired man stood within arm’s reach, having appeared without a sound.
Though his facial muscles formed a smile, his golden eyes remained decidedly frosty.
An icy, crushing pressure slammed into them head-on.
The rookies gasped like fishes out of water, unable to breathe.
“Let me clarify. The Rossetti Company’s guarantors include Viscount Leone Jedda of the Merchant Guild, and myself. As the Monster Subjugation Force’s advisor and a critically important magical toolmaker, any disrespect will be met with... thorough consequences. Understood?”
The pressure vanished as suddenly as it came.
“W-we’re so sorry, sir!”
“W-we’ll be careful!”
They bowed in perfect unison.
Volf nodded cheerfully and sauntered back to Dahlia’s side.
“...That was Senpai’s ‘Intimidation,’ right?”
“No doubt. I nearly pissed myself. That was worse than any monster. The ‘Reaper Demon King’ lives up to his name...”
Wiping sweat from their brows, they finally found their voices—though some couldn’t stop their knees from trembling.
Volf’s intimidation had chilled them to the marrow.
They were rookies, yes, but they’d completed both basic and field training. They’d fought monsters often enough to hold their own. Yet under that pressure, they couldn’t even twitch a finger.
“Wait... is Chairwoman Rossetti keeping Scalfarotto-senpai as a side piece?”
“Don’t be stupid—he’s from House Scalfarotto. He has plenty of options.”
“Then, the opposite?”
“Hold up, isn’t Senpai dating the former duchess?”
“Could be both. Different types of women.”
“But with his status, he could have anyone. Why settle for just ‘above average’ in terms of looks just for business connections—”
This time they whispered even quieter, the sizzling meat nearly drowning them out.
“Hey kids! Tough training starts tomorrow.”
“You reap what you sow. Your words, your consequences.”
“Pardon?”
Senior knights delivering meat platters interrupted them, and they all froze in place.
The blue-haired man continued with undisguised amusement.
“Just so you know—Volf’s got sharp ears. Probably heard everything.”
“WHAT?!”
All eyes shot toward Volf’s back by Dahlia’s side.
Perfectly timed, he turned and flashed a brilliant smile, thumping his chest twice.
“Lucky you. My door’s open if you need someone to cry to, you’re welcome to come.”
“I’m sure it will be worthwhile training.”
“NO WAY?!”
Their shrieks echoed across the riverbank.
The next day, a two-day “voluntary training” session began for certain unit members.
Though the grounds were left thoroughly gouged, none who participated ever spoke of what transpired.
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• Voluntary Training = Tag (Where the designated “Demon King” chases his prey with particular relish)
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