Chapter 7: Feelings

Rian let out a long sigh. Finally, he was free from that embarrassing situation.

He sat down on the steps of the throne, letting the Staff of Avanheim float to his right. His gaze was vacant as he stared ahead, his mind replaying the recent events. "Ahh… so embarrassing. Damn it," he muttered, shaking his head from side to side.

"I don't get how characters in harem anime can handle situations like that so casually. Any normal person would be mortified, right, hearing things like that in front of a crowd?" Rian complained with a pout. "And why did Asuka have to join in? I can sort of understand if it was Emma, but Asuka? My relationship with Kazumi Fuchi wasn't that close."

He looked down, staring at the floor as he tried to dig through his memories. Why would Kazumi Fuchi create an NPC like that? But he couldn't find anything special.

"Damn it. I'll deal with this later." Rian grabbed the Staff of Avanheim and walked out of the Throne Room.

...

Rian looked out at the vast cafeteria on the Ninth Floor. Rows of brown wooden chairs and cream-colored tables were neatly arranged, creating a clean and orderly impression. On the other side was a large, modern food service area—without a single trace of medieval or Victorian design.

His attention was drawn to a digital sign displaying a scrolling text, similar to what he often saw in convenience stores. Of course, it wasn't just a decoration or an ordinary light; it was a highly advanced magical information screen, created by Julian.

Although its outward appearance was like an electronic display, Rian knew it was clearly not an industrial product. Avalon's industrial capabilities hadn't even reached the Information Age.

This entire cafeteria on the Ninth Floor had been personally designed by Julian. In the game, this place was just a seemingly useless decoration, its function nothing more than a hangout spot for the guild members. The view here was nice, and the design was very modern. Rian had even seen Julian and Kazumi Fuchi get into a huge fight over this design. According to Kazumi, a modern design like this insulted the very essence of the game Avalon. But Julian argued that this design could help weary guild members relax, as a familiar interior could have a calming psychological effect.

Rian looked out the glass wall. Beyond it stretched a beautiful recreation park with various sports facilities, like a golf course, badminton courts, and a soccer field. Occasionally, he saw maids in uniform cleaning the park and its facilities.

The atmosphere inside the cafeteria was actually quite lively, filled with various Avanheim NPCs and maids occasionally sweeping the floor.

GASP! His arrival instantly drew everyone's attention. Rian could see a mix of panic and happiness on their faces.

A graceful, mature woman in a maid's uniform walked toward him.

"Lord Arthur, welcome to the Ninth Floor cafeteria," the beautiful woman said, then bowed her head deeply as a sign of respect.

Rian nodded. "Raise your head. And you are…?" From her uniform, Rian could distinguish her from the other maids. The emblem of The Ninth Oath Maids was on her right breast—a sun with the Roman numeral IX in the center. But he didn't know the woman's name or her position.

"I am Octavia Zeta, the eldest sister of The Ninth Oath Maids." Octavia Zeta smiled warmly, introducing herself with the characteristic expression of a kind and loving older sister.

Wow, Julian must have based her on his wild fantasies about an older sister figure. Rian was reminded of the characters that often appeared in slice-of-life anime.

"I see…" Rian then turned his gaze back to the crowd, which was now beginning to approach.

"Hey… You all! Just continue with your meals! I'm here to eat too!" Rian quickly gave the order. Otherwise, he'd be swarmed by these people, and that would be a huge hassle.

"My Lord! If you wish to eat, why didn't you summon us, The Ninth Oath Maids?!" Octavia Zeta asked with an agitated and panicked expression. To her, this was a major failure. My Lord himself came directly to the cafeteria to get food? Where am I supposed to hide my face!

Seeing her over-the-top reaction, Rian panicked inwardly. Huh? What's going on? I just came here to eat. Why did Octavia get so panicked? And also… could you all please not look at me with such fanatical eyes? Rian glanced at the other NPCs, who were now staring at him in unison with looks of complete admiration.

Rian quickly put on his wise mask. "Calm down, Octavia. I deliberately came directly to the cafeteria to see the children of my friends in person." He softened his voice and smiled. "Besides, eating with others is better than eating alone, isn't it?"

After saying that, he walked toward the food service area.

Octavia could only stand there, stunned, before feeling an overwhelming happiness swell in her heart. Ahh, so that's how Lord Arthur sees us. I… I admire you even more, My Lord. Octavia's cheeks flushed, and she quickly followed Arthur from behind, her eyes fixed on his back with an unnatural gaze.

Rian looked at a catering server before him who also wore an expression full of respect.

"Lord Arthur, welcome to Catering Table Number One. May I help you?" The server bowed, then handed him a white plate with a sun emblem on the rim, along with a silver fork, knife, and spoon.

"Could you tell me what's on the menu today?" Rian asked curiously. He looked at the array of food that looked so delicious and luxurious, the kind of food he could never have tasted on Earth.

"Today, we are serving Lonian Wyvern meat, which is known to be very delicious and tender. Then, we also have seafood dishes like giant squid…"

The server continued to list various unfamiliar menu items. Just hearing the names of the animals was enough to make Rian feel nauseous.

"Um… could you get me some beef, the best tender steak you have? And a glass of iced tea?" Rian asked awkwardly.

"Uhh… but we didn't cook any beef today…." The server suddenly stopped talking, his face paling as he felt a terrifying glare from Octavia behind Rian. "Of course! For Lord Arthur, the Absolute Ruler of Felius Castle, we can prepare it immediately!"

The server rushed back to the kitchen.

What's with him? Why did he suddenly change like that? Rian was confused by the server's change in reaction, but he quickly forgot about it and walked to an empty table near the glass window.

…

Rian sat in a daze, his right hand propping up his chin as he stared at the sun-drenched park.

I sometimes wonder, is this what everyone wants? Is this what I truly wanted? I used to imagine things like this: a luxurious house, a golf course, delicious food….

And now, I have it. But for some reason, it doesn't feel as exciting as I thought. Sure, I was happy at first that the game I'd played for so long had become real. But the burden I'm carrying is also heavy.

Can I lead these ten thousand people? Can I, who has no leadership experience whatsoever in the real world, do this? Back in school, I never signed up to be class president or a student council member. In fact, I often avoided it so I wouldn't get picked.

From elementary school until I graduated from high school, I never once joined a school club like most people do.

In school, I was often by myself. The funny thing is, I wasn't even close to any of the girls in my own class! Isn't that pathetic? A social reject.

Come to think of it, my school life was pretty sad, wasn't it? I never experienced dating or even just being close to a girl, things that are common for people my age. Even after graduating, I had a hard time finding a job. And when I did, the pay wasn't worth it.

Is someone like me… capable of leading Avanheim now?

Then, Rian remembered the expressions on the faces of Emma, Lily, Merlin, Belial, Velusia, Monica, Felix, Natasha, Asuka, and even Octavia and everyone else in Avanheim.

They all looked at him with respect, trusting him completely.

THUMP! Rian clenched his fists tightly. This isn't about whether I'm capable or not anymore! They already trust me! All those looks… they believe that I can lead them and bring glory to their home, Avanheim.

Am I going to disappoint their hopes? Like I disappointed the hopes people had for me in the past?

No! Not again! I won't repeat the same mistakes!

So, I can only try! Whether I fail or succeed, let the end of the story decide. What I need to do now is the best that I can do!

"My… Lord Arthur, your food is ready." A melodious voice jolted Rian from his reverie.

He looked at the dish before him. A piece of steak that looked so tender and delicious, brownish in color with the aroma of spices infused into the meat.

Just as Rian was about to pick up the fork and knife beside him, he saw Octavia's white arm reach out first. Unconsciously, his eyes glanced at the large breasts hanging right in front of him.

"Allow me to cut it for you, My Lord." Octavia looked at her master with a flirtatious smile, her cheeks slightly flushed. In truth, she was a little embarrassed to be doing this.

With a graceful motion, Octavia cut the steak into pieces, then placed the knife and fork back beside Arthur's plate.

"Please enjoy your meal, Lord Arthur," Octavia whispered, then took a step back and returned to standing respectfully.

Meanwhile, the other maids eating in the cafeteria looked on with envy. That Octavia… she's so lucky.

Ahh, I want to cut steak for Lord Arthur too.

Rian put the first piece of steak into his mouth. The tender meat and perfectly infused spices made him feel it was the most delicious food he had ever eaten. He spread some sauce from a glass bottle onto the meat, then ate it again. He couldn't stop chewing. This is so good!

Rian swallowed, then reached for the glass of iced tea on the table and drank it.

Ahh, so refreshing… It felt like it had been a long time since he'd had a drink. The tea is good too. I've never had tea this delicious. Is this what they call high-class food? Rian thought.

Octavia, standing beside her master, observed the look of pure satisfaction on his face. Even when he's eating, Lord Arthur still looks so handsome and cool, she squealed internally.

"How is it, Lord Arthur?" Octavia dared to ask, her voice sounding a little hesitant.

Rian looked at Octavia beside him, then smiled. "It's incredible, absolutely delicious. I feel like this is the best food I've ever eaten in my life."

"Ahh, that's an exaggeration. Our food isn't that good, My Lord." Octavia quickly denied it, but in her heart, she was thrilled to hear the praise. It feels like all my hard work managing the food department hasn't been in vain.

Rian took a napkin to wipe a stain from his lips, then continued. "Don't deny it. This is well-deserved praise for you and the food department led by The Ninth Oath Maids."

"Thank you, Lord Arthur." Octavia bowed her head slightly, her voice calm but full of happiness. "I will be sure to pass on your words to the chefs and the catering staff, that their hard work has not been for nothing."

I never thought… the chef and catering NPCs that used to be just decorations could be so useful now.

Back when this was still a game, these NPCs were just created to make the place look more alive.

But…

Rian looked out the window at the beautiful green park. Maybe… being thrown into another world isn't so bad after all.