Original subtitles

Hello, milady.

That food looks delicious.

I can't resist dishes I've never seen before.

May I have a bite?

Why, of course.

Have some.

Take whatever you'd like.

Then I'll have some of this.

How delicious.

It's salted perfectly, and the spices leave me wanting more.

I could eat this forever.

The umami of this meat is truly incredible.

What kind is it?

Oh, that's...

Backhorn meat.

Backhorn? As in the monster?

Yes.

I can't believe I ate something so dreadful...

Backhorns are beasts with powerful poison.

Why would a noble lady be eating something like that?

Wait... Is she the one I've heard about?

I'm delighted he enjoyed it so much.

With sufficient preparation, even the foulest monster meat can be made delicious.

As of now, no one else understands that.

But someday...

A JERKY IS A PROMISE SKATZBITT

PRAIVIN PARK

Delicious!

MELPHIERA MARCHALRAYD

His Majesty's banquet doesn't disappoint.

Every dish is refined and first-class in both appearance and flavor.

What shall I have next?

Milady.

Mrs. Talbot!

ATTENDANT MRS. TALBOT - Do you remember why it is that you're here?

Indeed, the purpose of this banquet held by King Langhdeyas on this fine autumn day

in celebration of a good harvest is for nobles to sample the wares.

In other words, it's an opportunity to meet potential partners.

And I, Melphiera, daughter of Count Marchalrayd, am one such noble.

I have come here to find a fiancé.

To be honest, none of my friends are here and I'm hardly interested,

but my stepmother said...

If you don't find a fiancé within the year, I'm sending you to a convent!

Even my father said...

COUNT GHISLAIN DUTOR MARCHALRAYD - Listen, Melphie.

COUNT GHISLAIN DUTOR MARCHALRAYD - At this point, even a knight will do.

As long as he's a decent person, I'll accept anyone.

So I attended upon their insistence, but...

That's her?

I couldn't approach her.

What a shame. She's got a lovely face.

I'm sorry, Father.

All the nobles are avoiding me.

There are more knights than nobles out this way.

Perhaps I'll look for a fiancé here.

Someone who doesn't know me...

A beast! A monstrous beast has appeared!

Move!

Are you all right?!

Yes. But his cane broke, and he can't walk.

Then let us flee together.

Oh, my. What a kind girl.

Thank you for—

A mad backhorn!

What's it doing in an inhabited area?

I should run!

But...

Over here! Come and get me!

I'm a failure.

I failed to find a fiancé, and now this...

Not here. Not like this!

It happened in the blink of an eye.

ARISTIDE ROGIER DU GALBRAITH

Hey, look.

It's the Blood-Mad Duke.

He slew that beast with a single blow?

How terrifying.

The Blood-Mad Duke?

What is it?

Do I scare you?

Scare me?

Slaughtering beasts to slake his thirst for blood,

the Blood-Mad Duke is said to be an eccentric fiend,

but...

He's so beautiful.

Duke Galbraith, I am glad to see you are in good health.

Are you oblivious to the situation?

Are you hurt?

No, I'm fine.

E-Excuse me, Your Grace!

What is it?

Would you kindly rinse your mouth?

What?

You see, backhorns have a marked tendency to go mad,

so their blood may be completely corrupted by magic toxins!

A live beast's blood is untainted,

but swallowing magic toxins can cause fevers or intense stomach pain!

If it hadn't been mad, its blood could've been used to make sausages.

Actually, with the right preparation...

More importantly, Your Grace, you're covered in blood.

I wonder if corrupted blood can be absorbed through the skin.

In which case, you must change right away!

You...

You know a lot about monsters.

What?

I said too much!

U-Um, I'm terribly sorry for taking up so much of your—

Drink this. It's purified water.

What?

Magic toxins are trouble, are they not?

I doubt you ingested any, but have some of this.

Th-Thank you.

You can't leave covered in blood as you are.

Follow me.

I'll fetch you clothes to borrow.

Wh-What? You don't need to do that!

The stains will come out if I soak them in water.

That's your concern?

It's beast blood.

That doesn't bother you?

Oh, that part is fine.

This is no worse than when I butchered a beast last week.

I don't pay it much mind.

You butcher beasts?

Uh... n-no, I...

What's your name?

F-Forgive my rudeness!

I am Melphiera, daughter of Count Marchalrayd.

Thank you for rescuing me.

Forgive my outburst.

I see. No wonder you know so much about beasts.

What?

I've heard about you.

You're the girl who eats monsters,

the Voracious Villainess.

In this world, there are magical beasts and unusual plants known as monsters,

which are different from standard creatures.

Due to the magic power they contain,

consuming them may cause vomiting, stomach pain, and fevers.

For this reason, they are typically disposed of once slain, but...

That's right. I am the one they call the Voracious Villainess.

It'd be silly to hide it now.

It's not monsters I'm interested in. It's food.

Food, you say?

You mean that beast looks edible to you?

Yes, of course.

I can't help but wonder how I could prepare it to make it delicious!

After all, if I'm going to eat it, I'd rather it be tasty!

I screwed up again!

For now...

I'll try smiling.

It backfired?!

Um, have I done something to offend you?

I made it worse?!

Did you get blood in your mouth? Have some water!

No, I'm quite fine. My apologies.

He took my hand again.

Is this man...

not afraid of me?

So...

Is it good?

What?

Beast meat, of course. Is it good?

You've had backhorn before, haven't you?

What? Well, uh...

Yes.

So, how did it taste?

I get this question sometimes.

It always ends with people finding me creepy.

Backhorn has a similar texture to beef and is very delicious.

Since it's wild game, I put extra effort into tenderizing it.

Then it can be roasted or stewed.

I see.

So it's similar to beef after all.

As long as the beast isn't mad, its magical flesh doesn't upset the stomach?

There's no way beast meat could be like beef.

Just imagining it makes me want to puke.

Are you sure you've eaten real meat before?

I've never gotten a reaction like this.

He's actually listening to what I have to say.

I'm so happy!

To make monster meat safe for consumption, the magic must first be removed.

How do you do that?

It's really quite simple to do when bleeding the beast.

It requires specialized tools and spells, but it's a proven method.

Melphiera.

Y-Yes?

H-He used my name!

Would you prepare some for me sometime?

Monster meat, I mean.

This man...

What?

I've never met anyone like him.

Um, pardon me, but do you have a strong digestive system, Your Grace?

There's nothing wrong with it. Why do you ask?

Mad beasts like that backhorn contain magic toxins,

so it doesn't go down easy.

And what if the beast wasn't mad?

Then like ordinary meat, it could be skewered and grilled,

made into sausages, or enjoyed any number of other ways.

I see.

I can't wait to try it all.

So he can smile like that too!

In fact...

he looks incredibly happy.

HOUSE GALBRAITH, PAVILION

Here we are.

What a marvelous pavilion.

It may not be the neatest, but make yourself comfortable.

Welcome back, Your Grace.

Oh, you've brought a guest.

CHAOS LAFORG - Oh, you've brought a guest.

This is Count Marchalrayd's daughter.

Nice to meet you. My name is Melphiera.

And I'm Chaos.

Chaos, bring her a change of clothes.

Yes, Your Grace. Right away.

In here.

You can wash your face and hands while you wait for your clothes.

Y-Your Grace, you don't have to go to such trouble.

Don't worry about it.

But I do!

I'm mostly unscathed. You should wash up first.

H-He's undressing?!

He's undressing.

I've seen knights and hunters wash outdoors before, but...

I'm not immune to it!

And yet, I can't look away...

What is it, Melphiera?

What?

Y-Your physique is just so remarkable, Your Grace.

What?

Oh, yes, I suppose. I do train.

You made such a clean cut with those arms.

When?

Oh, beheading the beast.

It was a magnificent display.

Don't mind me.

Um...

Do you think I could learn to behead creatures as well?

Once you get the hang of it, yes.

But you won't be swinging a blade with those slender arms.

Leave the fighting to me.

What? To you, Your Grace?

Yes.

A-After all, I'm used to slaying monsters!

I see! How very reassuring!

It is, is it?

Is there anything you'd like to try?

I'll hunt it down for you.

The great forest in your duchy is like the holy land of monsters!

It's home to many rare species not found in Marchalrayd's lands!

Oh, what a luxury!

Melphiera...

You still have blood on you.

Th-Thank you.

There. Got it.

Then allow me to help you as well.

Sure.

Excuse me, Your Grace.

How can you sit half-naked before a young lady?

I'm not completely exposed.

I only took off my shirt.

Whether you're completely exposed or not,

this is hardly an appropriate sight for the unmarried daughter of a count!

What a beautiful dress.

I borrowed it from the queen.

It looks good on you.

My, how unbelievably splendid!

If only I could hunt monsters like him!

MULLAN SERRO - What?

Normally, if you presented a monster's head to a lady...

In most cases, she'd faint.

Honestly...

Has spring finally arrived for His Grace?

I appreciate you escorting me back.

Your Grace, you have my sincerest gratitude for saving my life.

Allow me to thank you again.

This is goodbye.

We'll meet again.

And next time, I'll bring you a gift.

I'd be much obliged should the opportunity arise.

Do make sure to keep safe.

I will. You may look forward to it.

For you, I will slay a well-marbled royal moodle.

A royal moodle?!

No, Melphiera, you naughty girl!

You mustn't impose on His Grace like that!

B-But...

Um, the meat would taste best if the beast is captured alive.

Oh? Captured alive?

That certainly increases the difficulty, but I'm itching to try.

And they say the Blood-Mad Duke is a bloodthirsty fiend.

Rumors really are just talk after all.

He's actually a kind soul.

Pardon, Your Grace.

What's this?

Jerky made of skatzbitt, a beast from the Marchalrayd territory.

I was thorough in making it, so it won't upset your stomach.

I see.

Then I'd be happy to partake.

Your Grace!

You know very well that should go through a poison tester first!

Spit it out at once!

I-It's...

See? I told you so!

Now open your mouth—

Silence! Try some!

What sharp flavor...

The umami spreads throughout your mouth!

Right? It makes me crave a strong drink!

That was delicious.

This has raised my hopes for other beast dishes.

I've creeped people out before.

They've spread malicious rumors about me and shunned me.

But I'm not doing anything wrong, so it didn't bother me.

I knew I shouldn't let it bother me.

- Hey... Melphiera? - At least, that's what I thought.

But the duke...

His Grace is too kind!

What's wrong?

Nothing. I'm simply reluctant to say goodbye.

I see. I wish we could continue speaking as well, but...

Another time, Melphiera.

Yes, Your Grace.

It's a promise!

I'm glad we met.

I wasn't excited for the banquet, but he alone made it fun.

I'm sure he was just being polite.

Perhaps he was just curious to know

what the rumored beast-eating Voracious Villainess was like.

But maybe...

Just maybe I could get my hopes up a little.

Next time: "A Proposal from Above with a Gift."