Two people enter the room from what I presume are the kitchen doors. They carry more dishes than they have hands, which they quickly place in front of each person at the table. Then, they come and pour a glass of I don't know what in each person’s cup. I look at the other people at the table, not only to not be the first person to move and perform some kind of taboo, but also to spot which of the three spoons I should use.
The dish itself looks like a completely white slab of meat in some pale sauce. When I spot the others starting to eat, I do the same. Seems one can just split this meat with a spoon. The taste is that of a fish, something I haven't had in this world yet, I wonder if we are far from an ocean? Does normal fish exist, or is this some kind of monster? But it is truly delish. The fish itself has a light taste and texture, but the sauce provides an incredibly delicious sweet and savory kick to it. The liquid served tastes somewhat like a tart juice, and it leaves my mouth weirdly dry after each sip, but it somehow works with the dish and makes this meal probably the best I have ever had. And that is with me often missing the old world's food, as the regular quality of the meals here seems pretty low.
The dish is quickly gone, and not long pass before it is removed before me.
"First" the count starts. "allow this one to inquire about the taste of the dish"
"Ah, it... The taste of the dish was extremely pleasing to me, Lord Haiden" I fumbled a little bit.
"Very good to hear. The meat was something novel acquired from Dagon territory, which has proved quite the rage as of late. Now, will the young hunter please indulge us in the story of how one stands up to a dragon and gets out alive?"
I want to ask what Dagon is, but I don't want to appear rude.
"Before the story starts, this one begs the lord to understand that master Bosir painted the story a little too beautifully, in the shade of too much good drink."
And thus follows the pre-crafted story of my friend tripping, the dragon landing on top of him, me begging to dragon to move (which didn't happen), how the dragon sends me flying (didn't happen) and how I came to be eventually as unharmed, due to my gift.
Without anyone other than the lord and me talking, it feels a little eerie, what with mostly young girls and boys sitting around and listening without saying.
The main dish is then served. It resembles a steak covered in meat sauce and mashed potatoes. Again I look over the surrounding lunch attendees to spot the proper procedure. There is no fork, but it appears remarkably easy to cut the steak holding it in place with the spoon, which I imitate. The dish is incredibly savory and flavorful, accompanied by a light, sweet tasting drink. After this dish is done with, the lord inquires about the exact nature of my gift. I have already discerned that all Bosir told was that it was an unusually powerful self-healing ability, so I can reveal as much or as little information as I need to.
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"Once a day, in the morning, all of my- this one's wounds are healed without exception. The gift also dispels any exhaustion and the need for sleep" I omit the mana restoration, and obviously the part about me probably being immortal.
"Very interesting" The lord says, gently caressing his own chin. "And what does the young hunter know of the gift's capabilities? Has the young hunter ever received a wound unable to be restored in a single instance? Has the young hunter ever restored a lost body part?"
"This one has never received a wound unable to be restored in a single instance, nor lost any body parts" I mean, I am technically not lying.
After that a sweet fruit salad with some sort of sweet sauce is served, enjoyed with pure water and after the meal, I am invited into the lounge, which we are promptly escorted to with guards on both sides.
The lounge is filled with exquisite, soft-looking furniture. Sofa chairs and couches and what I believe is called a chaise longue fill the room. There is a fire place already roaring and shelves filled with all manner of small curiosities. Not all the guests from the previous lunch is led in here, merely the count, what I believe is one of his wives and two young kids, maybe between 7-10 years old.
"Ah, this one hopes the young hunter will participate in a small party trick."
"Of course, my lord" I answer, nodding gently. I have been directed a sofa chair that is extremely comfortable.
A waiter-looking guy enters the room with an ornate box, which he presents to the lord. He opens it and picks up a vial by its end. The vial is filled almost completely with yellow liquid and both ends are capped with beautiful decorations.
"This is a little party tool. One merely grasps the vial like this" He presents the vial to his son, which grabs it by the glass and not ends, "and it changes color to show the dominant aspect of your personality" The vial changes color to orange, then red.
"Haha, this one fears the red color represents rashness and an ill temper, but also often a sense of justice and passion" the lord then picks up the vial by one of its ends and shakes it, which promptly returns it to the yellow color. I have often wondered exactly what the alchemy described in this world is, but if this is true, it might be the most magical application I have seen yet. It could also just be some fortune-telling that is nebulous enough to always be truth-adjacent.
The vial with the once-again yellow fluid inside is placed inside the box and ferried over to me. I slowly lift it by its edges, then hold my hand over the glass. The color in the vials changes through orange and red before, but this time continues to change through purple and stops slightly before becoming a purely blue color.
"What does the bluish color say about this one?" I inquire
"Forgive this one for playing a little trick on the young hunter, or rather, dragon slayer." I freeze at the words leaving the count's mouth.