Dungeon of Pride, Laplace



It appeared that the reason why Oswell bought all those races was because of her.

Now that Simon carefully looked at them, he realised all of them were either the spirit race, a part of it or were a Halfling just like her.

"Don't worry about it, I can easily earn all those DP back. Compared to that, I would say that I profited greatly this time by purchasing them" Oswell told Aisha not to pay any attention to that and placed his attention on the group behind her.

The three Sylph children that were all nervous and afraid when they were brought up in the auction were now relaxed and tightly clinging to Aisha like a baby hen.

The two gorgons who had the body of a female and snakes for hair were also the same. Being a part of the spirit race, they felt comfortable around her.

As for the last Tiefling, they were human with part demon ancestry. It was unknown what kind of demonic race this Tiefling descended from. However, he appeared extremely strong and skilled in combat.

All that said, all six of them were an extremely rare and mythical race that one cannot see in Althaea. As for their ranks, all of them were [A] ranks.

"I see that you guys have calmed down now. I shall discuss about your circumstances after we go back. For now, why don't you all join me and eat something? You all must be hungry" Oswell put on a friendly face and gestured at the table he was sitting.

The Tiefling did not stand on ceremony, he immediately grabbed a sit and started voraciously devouring the food. The sylphs and gorgons looked a little hesitant. However, when Aisha beckoned them to go ahead, they too joined in albeit very nervously.

Simon who observed the entire proceeding was inwardly a little impressed. This glutton might act all unique and self-centered but when the time came, he easily acted the part as if he was a natural in it.

Simon was simply observing from the side yet he could feel the charisma and the aura of a leader, from him. He even learned a thing or two from the latter. As this was not a matter for him to butt in, Simon was silent. Though it didn't mean that everyone around him was the same.

"Hey you, your body looks so ripped. What kind of food do you eat?" At some unknown point in time, Theodore stepped out from his seat and had joined the Tiefling.

"Huh?!" The Teifling grunted and simply focused on his food. But Theodore did not mind it, on the contrary, he was even more proactive in starting the conversation.

"Hehe, you see my goal is also to have a body like that when I grow up".

Seeing his subordinate behave all casual and friendly, Simon didn't know what to say anymore.

Oswell also didn't seem to mind and allowed everyone to have fun as they wanted. The silent table soon became boisterous.

"Ah that's right Simon. Why don't you take the Lumynar you bought from the auction out? That guy must be hungry too" Oswell remarked chewing down on his trademark drumstick.

"So you knew huh" Simon smiled and poked at his right chest pocket. A tiny humanoid with translucent body and pulsating patterns of light jumped out of his pocket and landed on the table.

"Hmph, brat you intend to feed me this? Is this what you all call food? This is all Yuck"

Prime made a repulsed face. He called the various delicacies on the table that would otherwise make a normal person salivate from the smell, yuck.

'This guy, he really did not know how to act as per the situation. To think that he would use his haughty tone even in here' Simon wondered if he should keep the fellow back inside his pocket when...

"Hoho, you don't like the food? Then tell me what kind of food do you prefer. All my chefs are top class, there isn't any dish that they cannot prepare"

Oswell did not mind the Lumynar's attitude, on the contrary, he seemed to even want to entertain the other.

"Heh, brat you speak such big words. Alright, I'll take you up on that offer. Let's see if you can prepare it. The food that we the race of Lumynars eat, are liquidised minerals from the ores" Prime declared.

Oswell looked at Aisha who tacitly nodded her replying "No problems, I'll tell the chefs to prepare it"…

"That's how it is. Haha, is there anyone who wants to eat anything else? You need not be shy when it comes to food"…

"Oh!! Me, I want a King Chocolate Cream"..

"I want the same as brother".

On Oswell's proclamation, the twins also joined in. They weren't the only ones, after sensing the mood, even the previously reserved Sylphs and Gorgons also opened up. They all told him the food they want to eat.

"Sorry about that" Simon apologised. Prime was one thing, he didn't expect the twins to jump in too on the bandwagon.

"You don't have to apologise, I really meant what I said. I think that the food is one of the things that can connect and brings all of us closer. In fact, I believe that through food we will all come to understand each other one day".

"It might not be impossible to even unify the world. We might have our own differences and tastes but there is not a single being in this world that hates food. That is my maxim" Oswell spoke, there was a surprising seriousness on his face.

"You too, don't be so reserved and order any food of your liking" He patted Simon's shoulder.

'This demon was really peculiar' Simon thought in his heart. He couldn't tell if they were sincere or just fooling around. Unifying the world and understanding each other through food? This was the first time Simon heard something as foolish and ludicrous as that.

On the other side... "My deepest apologies but we do not know what a King Chocolate Ice cream is" Aisha bowed her head. This ice cream was something that she was hearing for the first time.

"How can that be.. it's that thing that is cold sweet and really really delicious" Theodore tried to explain but the ice cream was a foreign concept to the world of Althaea.

"Leave it at that Theodore, Maybell. I shall prepare the King Chocolate Ice Cream that you want" Simon interjected between the enthusiastic twins and the troubled Aisha.

"Yay… master is the best"…

"Master is number one"

Hearing that he will be taking out the king chocolate ice cream, Theodore and Maybell started throwing praises towards him.

"Simon, what is this ice cream they speak of?" Of course, with the twins making such a fuss about it, there was no way Oswell wouldn't be interested in it.

Simon opened the [Shop] and purchased a ton of ice cream for the whole group. Since the other party was going so far as to even prepare food of their liking, he ought to contribute something.

The last time, he made Oswell try the coke which he became a huge fan of. This time, he will let him try another masterpiece from his world, the ice cream.

Simon took out a large box filled with small containers in the shape of a rectangle inside and handed one to everyone.

"Here everyone… try this". All of them looked at the container in their hand with puzzled eyes. The thing was releasing frosty air like a block of ice.

Is this what they called an Ice cream? Are they supposed to eat this, the rectangular box made of an unknown material? While Oswell and his entourage were confused, the twins opened their containers and started eating the contents within.

It was only after seeing the demonstration, did they understand that they needed to open the container to eat the contents within.

Sniff… Sniff… "This…" Like a connoisseur of food, Oswell first sniffed the ice cream, before quickly digging in.

"W-What is this rich, smooth and refreshing taste? How can there be something so good? Simon give me one more" The glutton finished his share of ice cream in a few mouthfuls before demanding more.

He kept on emptying one container after another. When it came to food, this guy really did not hold back. He expected Oswell to react like that; however, what he didn't expect was for Aisha to also not lack behind her master.

Although her manner of eating was elegant, to be able to eat ten containers was an incredible feat on its own.

"Slow down, it's not like the ice cream is going anywhere" Simon smiled helplessly and took out another box full of ice cream.

This time, even the Sylphs, Gorgons, the Teifling and the twins joined in as they asked for their third serving. The dining table quickly became a party where everyone opened up and conversed merrily.

Perhaps the words that Oswell said earlier about the food being able to bring people closer, might not entirely be false.

"Lord Simon, if it's not too much to ask, can I take a few containers for the Chefs to try? I haven't seen Master compliment something so much. It got me thinking if we could replicate it, he can enjoy it after we go back to our home too".

Aisha approached Simon and made a courteous request. Seeing the solemnity on her face and her wholehearted desire to serve her master, Simon couldn't reject her.

He nodded his head and allowed the latter to take a couple of ice creams for research. In any case, he could always buy these ice creams from his [Shop] option. However, others didn't have this choice of option.

After the party was over and everyone had their fill, Simon and Oswell started discussing some serious stuff.