Chapter 25: Eating is not always about hunger
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[You brought Artorius to the tavern.]
[He asked a question cautiously.]
"How much can I eat?"
[This is the first time you have heard such a question, but out of politeness, you still answer that he can eat as much as he wants.]
[Then you saw Artorius eating up all the food served to him with great care.]
[It was a miracle comparable to magic.]
"Can I have another plate?" Artorius asked seriously, holding the empty plate.
"It's okay," Ian replied, glancing at the mountain of plates piled on the table next to him. "But, can you really still eat more?"
"This plate... should still be fine!"
"But that's what you said when you ate your last plate."
"Oh, really?" Artorius's eyes suddenly narrowed, looking quite embarrassed.
"Forget it." Ian took the empty plate from Artorius and put it aside. "You can't go back on your word. If you say you can eat as much as you want, then you can eat as much as you want."
Artorius's eyes sparkled with gratitude. "Thank you so much! Once I'm done with the apples, I'll pay you back all the gold coins I spent!"
"That's not necessary."
"No! This is necessary." Artorius shook his head. "As you just said, one should not go back on one's word!"
[You are somewhat touched by Artorius's determination.]
[But this doesn't seem to reduce his appetite.]
[It is hard to imagine how such a petite body can eat so much.]
You even doubt whether Artorius can weigh as much as he eats.
[You may doubt it, but you haven't forgotten your intention to kill Artorius.]
[You don't allow anyone to destroy the beautiful status quo that belongs to Morgan.]
[Just before that, you feel you need to ask more clearly.]
"Artorius."
"Um?" When he heard Ian calling his name, Artorius stopped politely even though he couldn't let go of the delicious food in front of him.
"Excuse me, what is it, Mr. Ian?"
Well, even the way they address each other has changed to honorifics.
Ian quite appreciated this.
"Where are you from?" he asked.
"A small village," Artorius answered quickly, "some distance from here."
"I see." Ian nodded. "No wonder I felt you were a little strange."
[You and Artorius started chatting.]
[Out of gratitude for the meal, he answered every one of your questions very seriously.]
[You learned about his family background and knew that he was not the only son in the family. There was a young man named Kai above him.]
[In addition, you also learned that he made a promise to return within three days.]
[You realize that his situation is completely different from those knights, and you can't kill him now.]
[After all, if Artorius didn't go back as agreed, the situation would be even more complicated.]
[You start to think about a more appropriate approach.]
"Well, Mr. Ian," Artorius's throat moved slightly, "can I continue to enjoy these things?"
"Oh..." Ian came back to his senses and nodded. "Of course, no problem."
With Ian's permission, Artorius once again devoured the meal with great enthusiasm.
This made Ian unable to help but ask: "Artorius, I always feel that you look very hungry."
"Not exactly hunger."
"It is necessary to store more in the body." Artorius cleared the plate. "The output of the land is getting less and less. If we don't keep prepared like this, when the enemy comes one day, we may not have the strength to take up arms to resist."
This answer surprised Ian.
He didn't expect that Artorius, who looked so young, would actually think about such a question.
"So you want to become a knight?"
"Not necessarily a knight." Artorius responded to Ian, "But at least I hope to be able to do something for Britain like you, Mr. Ian."
"…"
Ian felt something touching his heart.
He smiled and reached out to touch Artorius's head.
As expected, his golden hair was even smoother than expected, like the finest wool rug.
The only flaw is perhaps that aloof hair that can't be pressed down no matter how hard you try.
"Then eat your fill."
"Over there, give me a few more plates."
[Finally, Artorius stopped only when another small mountain of plates appeared on the table.]
[Looking at him so contented, you don't know if you did the right thing.]
[But you can at least confirm one thing.]
[That means Artorius trusts you very much now.]
[You realize this might help kill him.]
[You threw down two heavy bags of gold coins and left the tavern with him.]
[You bought all his apples and arranged for him to stay in the best hotel in the capital.]
[Of course, you don't do this out of kindness.]
[You Tell the innkeeper to keep a close eye on Artorius at all times and report to you immediately if there is any disturbance.]
[Although you vaguely feel that this might not be of any use.]
"Mr. Ian."
Artorius's voice came.
Ian turned back.
Artorius tidied his clothes and washed off the dust he had accumulated during the journey with clean water.
That handsome face made it hard for Ian to think he was a boy.
That absurd illusion bloomed before his eyes again.
But since he had verified it with his own hands, even if he didn't believe it, he had to admit this fact.
"Artorius, what's wrong?"
"I want to express my gratitude to you." Artorius bowed deeply to Ian. "Thank you for your generosity. I am grateful beyond words."
"Artorius, you're too polite." Ian disguised himself with a smile. "You need to sell apples and I need apples, so we just skip some of the processes."
"From this perspective, I should be grateful to you."
"But the blessings of good food and shelter are still bestowed by you."
Artorius clasped his hands together in front of him. With his petite figure, he actually looked a bit like a girl at this moment.
"If possible--"
"Mr. Ian, can I invite you back tomorrow?"
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