Pass the Monster Meat, Milady!

Mmm.

Hello, milady.

I must say, that looks delicious.

Forgive me, but I can't resist an unfamiliar dish.

Don't suppose you'd be willing to share?

Oh, certainly. There's plenty.

By all means, help yourself.

Well then, don't mind if I do.

This is amazing!

Salted perfectly, and the spices leave me craving the next bite.

I could eat this forever!

The umami of this meat is truly incredible.

Might I ask what kind it is?

Why yes, of course.

This is Backhorn meat.

When you say "Backhorn,"

you mean the m-monster?

Mm-hmm. Indeed.

I can't believe I ate something so dreadful!

Isn't she aware that those foul beasts

harbor powerful poison within them?

Why would a noble lady consume such a horror?

Is it possibly she? The one I’ve heard about?

He said just some wonderful things about the food.

How delightful.

With proper preparation,

even the foulest of monster meats

can be made delicious.

As of now,

no one else understands that.

But someday...

SKATZBITT

-How have you been? -I don't believe it!

So delicious!

His Majesty's banquet never ceases to amaze me.

The dishes served are refined and first class.

Everything tastes as good as it looks.

I wonder what dish I should try next.

- Milady. -

Oh, Mrs. Talbot.

You do remember why you're here to begin with, do you not?

Uh...

Indeed.

Held on this fine autumn day,

in celebration of a good harvest,

King Langhdeyas’s banquet is an opportunity

for nobles to sample the wares.

In other words, to meet potential partners.

As it happens, I, Melphiera, daughter of Count Marchalrayd,

as one such noble,

am here shopping to find my loving husband-to-be.

To be perfectly honest,

the only interesting thing here is the food.

But my stepmother had words.

Mark me. If you do not find a fiancé within the year,

I am sending you to a convent.

And then my father added...

There is not much time, Melphie.

Listen, at this point, even a knight will do.

I would accept anyone as long as they're a decent person.

So I attended this banquet

at their insistence, but...

I didn't expect her to show her face today.

-Is that the girl? -I could never approach her.

A lovely face as well.

It's a real shame.

I'm sorry, Father.

Forgive me.

The nobles,

none of them want anything to do with me.

I guess I'll try over here.

There seem to be more knights than nobles out this way.

Maybe if I'm really lucky,

I'll find someone who isn't aware of me.

- - Run away!

It's a monstrous beast!

- -

- Move it! -

Are you all right?

We're fine.

But his cane's broken,

and he isn't able to walk on his own.

Let me give you a hand, sir.

Thank you.

I can't believe you'd stop to help an old couple like us.

What a kind girl.

- -

Why is there a Mad Backhorn?

This place is inhabited!

We need to run.

- -But...

- -Come and get me.

That's right. Over here!

I'm such a disaster.

Someone's finally interested in me,

but it had to be him?!

I cannot die like this.

I can't!

He killed it in the blink of an eye.

Wait. I know him.

That’s the Blood-Mad Duke.

He slew that beast with a single blow.

Such terrifying power.

Are you the... Blood-Mad Duke?

Yes, I am.

Does that scare you?

Scare me?

I heard the stories about him,

slaughtering beasts to slake his thirst for blood.

He sounded more like a fiend than a duke.

But...

how can a fiend be so beautiful?

It is a pleasure, Duke Galbraith.

I'm so delighted to see that you are in good health.

This hardly seems the time for such pleasantries.

Injured?

No, I'm all right.

Uh...

Excuse me, Your Grace, but, um...

What is it?

If you don't mind, could you kindly rinse your mouth?

Why?

You see, these beasts are Backhorns,

and they have a marked tendency to go mad.

In which case, their blood may become corrupted

by magic toxins. It's serious business.

Swallowing blood tainted with magic toxins

can cause fever and intense stomach pain.

If it hadn't been mad,

its blood could have been used to make sausages.

With the right preparation, that is.

Otherwise, it's useless.

At any rate, you're currently covered in blood,

and it's just unsanitary.

Come to think of it, I don't know

that corrupted blood can't be absorbed through the skin.

But you'd better change it once just to be safe.

My.

You sure know a lot about monsters.

What?

Oh, no! I've said way too much already!

I'm sorry. It was never my intention

to take up so much of your time!

Purified water. Here.

Huh?

Magic toxins are troublesome, yes.

I doubt you ingested any, but take it just in case.

Well, thank you very much, Your Grace.

Hmm.

I can't allow myself to let you leave

covered in blood as you are.

Come along.

I'll fetch you clothes.

Oh. You don't need to do that.

I'm fairly certain a soak in water

will get the stains right out.

That's what you're concerned about?

Need I remind you it's beast blood?

You're fine with that?

Well, it doesn't bother me.

I was butchering a beast last week

and got blood on me then also.

It's just one of those little things.

You butchered a beast?

Uh...

Wait, what am I saying?

Hold on. What's your name?

I never introduced myself to you.

Forgive me. Count Marchalrayd is my father.

My name is Melphiera.

Thank you for rescuing me, Your Grace. I am in your debt.

- -Huh?

Please forgive my outburst.

I see it now.

It's no wonder you know so much about beasts.

Oh, I've heard about you.

You're the girl who eats monsters.

The Voracious Villainess.

In this world,

there are plants and magical beasts known as monsters,

which are in a completely different category

from everyday creatures.

Due to the magic power they contain,

consuming them may cause discomforting side effects

like vomiting, intense stomach pain, and high fever.

And for this reason,

they are typically disposed of when slain.