A Gentle Noble's Vacation Recommendation

“It’s an honor to meet you, Earl.”

“Rejected. You should understand why I don’t want to be called that here.”

“What should I call you, then?”

“…Shadow. Call me that.”

The lord of the Commerce Nation (Malcaid) who gave that name looked at Lizel and Gill with a piercing gaze.

They had been brought to a dimly lit restaurant. Built almost like a cave, it was not the sort of upper‑class establishment an earl would normally frequent.

Dressed in ordinary merchant clothes, Shadow blended into the place without the slightest sense of incongruity.

Sitting before the food that had been served, sipping wine, he looked like a high‑class merchant, with no intention at all of asserting that he was a lord.

He was probably about Rei’s age. In stark contrast to Rei, he had darkness‑colored hair that seemed to absorb the light, and beneath his sharp red eyes, heavy dark circles were firmly entrenched.

You couldn’t call his features friendly by any stretch, but his looks were so beautiful they surpassed even that.

If Rei’s bright, lively good looks gave a favorable impression to men and women alike, then Shadow’s cold beauty would surely rivet the eyes of women of all ages.

Do handsome types naturally gather around other handsome types? As he recalled his former student, Lizel thought that quietly to himself.

“So you’re ‘One‑Blade’ Gill.”

Without losing that sharp gaze, Shadow turned it to Gill, who sat beside Lizel.

Gill only narrowed his eyes in response and took a sip of wine as well.

His thuggish face looked all the more terrifying for it, but Shadow didn’t flinch in the slightest.

“I heard you formed a party, but it seems your personality hasn’t softened.”

“As expected, your information is quick.”

“Rejected. I don’t need compliments.”

He’s a rather difficult person, Lizel thought with a wry smile, reaching his fork toward the dish before him.

The beautifully plated pasta made it clear that this place was no mere restaurant.

When he twirled it around his fork and put it in his mouth, the herbs that rose through his nose and the pleasantly spicy sauce left a strong impression.

It was the kind of restaurant that was a bit pricey but served excellent food.

He had heard Shadow personally granted permission for store locations, so Lizel had expected as much, but it seemed Shadow truly had a grasp not just of Malcaid’s geography, but of its commercial layout as well.

Evidence of that was how, after Lizel had pestered him, Shadow had come straight here without any hesitation.

Among all the places where someone dressed like Shadow or Lizel and Gill wouldn’t stand out, this was the highest‑ranked. For all his sullen expression, he did seem to have a genuine sense of apology.

“Gill, this meunière is delicious. Please make it for me sometime.”

“As if I could. Hey, bring another bottle of that.”

If that’s how it is, there’s no need to hold back, Lizel decided, and dug into the food that had been set out.

Sensing that, Gill devoted himself wholeheartedly to ordering more alcohol. No matter how much money you have, being treated to a meal by someone else is always pleasant.

Even if the nobleman across the table was glaring at them with murderous intent, the two of them paid it no mind.

“…Get to the point. What’s your business?”

“This could be the main purpose too, you know.”

“Rejected.”

Lizel laughed at the way Shadow’s face contorted, then produced a single letter.

Shadow didn’t reach out to take it. He stared at the envelope as if to say “And what is this?” then looked at Lizel.

Meeting that gaze with a slow smile, Lizel flipped the letter over to show the back.

When he saw the red wax seal closing the envelope, Shadow’s brows drew together, but he finally took it in hand.

“How did you win him over?”

“I accepted the delivery request for some dungeon items he’d put up, and when I delivered them all perfectly wrapped, it seems they pleased him.”

“He really is an idiot…”