Chapter 83
The warm, easygoing atmosphere of the garden was instantly drowned in silence.
It felt exactly like when a group of close coworkers are enjoying a relaxed team dinner… and suddenly the CEO shows up.
And not even their CEO, but a client company’s CEO.
Of course no one would be happy about that—but it wasn’t as if we could say, “Uh, no. Please don’t join us,” and chase him away.
“Ahaha, of course! This way, please.”
Always sociable, Leo promptly activated his innate people skills and guided Anzav to an empty seat.
“Oh, thank you. I heard quite the rumor around the palace—that the Goddess’s Hero personally cooks. How could I not come see it for myself?”
Anzav spoke with a brazen smile, acting as though he didn’t notice the cold wave of awkwardness he had just splashed onto the table.
Well… no wonder he heard I had borrowed the royal kitchen and caused a whole commotion.
But if he was here, then logically the fur-covered creature that clung to me like a magnet must have come along as a buy-one-get-one package deal.
So much for a peaceful dinner.
Sure enough—before I knew it, a large, shadowy-black mass had silently approached and plopped itself beside me.
Compared to the first day, when he pounced on me and smeared fur everywhere, his behavior now was practically angelic.
I slipped a piece of whelk meat into my mouth, expression flat.
The chewy texture paired with the fragrant scent of the sea filled my mouth.
I was just about to close my eyes and savor the flavor when—
“But to think you’d prepare so many rare seafood dishes. Thanks to you, I’m enjoying quite the luxurious dinner.”
Anzav commented in mild amazement.
Well, seafood would be rare in Aither, a landlocked kingdom with no sea.
It’s not like the modern world with refrigeration and freezing technology.
Magic could be used for preservation, but that would make transportation costs skyrocket.
Like how the wildly common cactus fruit here in the desert sells for a million vine on Midisle Island.
“We’re based on an island, after all. Seafood is common there.”
I replied casually and peeled a plump shrimp, popping it into my mouth.
The springy shrimp meat burst with flavor like a wave washing through my mouth.
Whoever steamed this did a fantastic job.
Which, well—was me. Hard not to praise myself for this.
Anzav let out a small puff of laughter at my expression, then began eating in earnest.
It was honestly amazing how he could eat so fast yet remain perfectly elegant.
Not that we’d run out; I’d prepared plenty.
I tore my gaze away from the rapidly disappearing seafood because I felt something tapping me from the side.
“Hm? What is it, Pengsoon?”
The tapping came from none other than Pengsoon—a baby emperor penguin… or rather a magical creature shaped like one.
She was flapping her tiny fin-like wings to get my attention.
“You want to eat this?”
Pengsoon pointed eagerly at the shrimp—clearly signaling for me to peel one for her.
Ever since I brought her here, I’d been sharing little bits of my meals with her.
She was awkward at first, but now she demanded food like she had a full legal claim to it.
Too cute.
I peeled a plump shrimp and offered it to her beak; despite the shrimp being huge compared to her mouth, she swallowed it in one gulp.
Her eyes sparkled, and she spun around the table, jumping and twirling midair like she was figure skating.
Was that… a triple toe loop?!
At each jump, snowflake crystals burst around her like tiny fireworks.
What’s with this artistic food review?
I couldn’t understand Pengsoon’s speech, but it was very clear she absolutely loved the shrimp.
“Yes, yes. Was it yummy~?”
I found myself baby-talking while patting her round head when—
A heavy, soft, jelly-like thump tapped my arm.
It was Nemir’s black, chocolate-jelly-like paw.
“…What, you want some too?”
Apparently, seeing me pamper Pengsoon made him jealous.
But unlike magical creatures who can eat basically anything, Nemir was a real black panther.
I couldn’t just feed him random human food without concern.
Luckily I didn’t use strong spices or heavy seasoning…
Thinking about it—store-bought cat food back home had shrimp and salmon in it.
So one shrimp should be fine… probably.
I glanced at Nemir’s “butler,” silently asking what to do.
“Oh, you can feed him.”
He replied casually, still elegantly shoveling seafood into his mouth at incredible speed.
Why am I feeding him?! He’s YOUR pet! I’m already busy feeding my penguin!
I swallowed my complaint—there was a wall of social hierarchy I couldn’t exactly climb over.
With a sigh, I chose the biggest, plumpest shrimp, peeled it perfectly, and popped it into Nemir’s giant mouth.
He purred in deep satisfaction—so loud it sounded like a helicopter taking off.
There, there. It’s not your fault. Must be rough having a selfish owner who acts like his mouth is a mouth but yours is just a muzzle.
I patted his fluffy head while thinking some very irreverent things.
Apparently, Lena—weak to anything cute and furry—had been watching, cheeks lightly flushed.
“…I want to try feeding him too.”
She held out a piece of shrimp to Nemir.
“Hmph.”
That sound wasn’t from a human—it was distinctly panther-like.
Nemir blew a dismissive snort and turned his head away with aristocratic disdain.
“W-Why won’t he eat it?”
Lena asked, sounding heartbroken.
Naturally, the black panther gave no reply.
“Hehe, Nemir will never accept food from anyone but me.”
Anzav said proudly.
And that annoyed me.
Then why am I the exception, you furry traitor?!
I stretched Nemir’s soft cheek.
He simply closed his eyes and purred blissfully.
The shrimp Lena held, rejected and homeless, ended up—
“Oh? You want it, Pengsoon?”
—inside Pengsoon’s beak as she showered Lena with glittering snowflakes in delight.
Truly, in life, the cute and polite ones always get the extra treats.
Dinner wrapped up soon after.
I’d prepared enough for twenty people at least.
Six humans and two animals ate everything.
Actually, Leo didn’t touch the seafood at all—so five people ate twenty portions.
Nemir tried to cling to me again, but his owner dragged him away mercilessly.
Daren, who seemed to have eaten about five servings by himself, patted his full stomach with a relaxed groan.
“Wow, that was amazing. Leo, you’re really missing out. Isn’t it a waste of life not being able to eat this?”
“Haha… I know, hyung. I want to eat it too, but I just can’t…”
Leo replied shyly, fiddling with his fingers.
Lena—who had been lounging like a very full cat—joined in with a huff.
“Don’t worry about it. No need to force yourself. Fewer competitors means more for us.”
Couldn’t tell if she was teasing her picky-eater brother or speaking pure truth.
Given she’d eaten three servings, probably the latter.
“Alright, everyone, let’s get some sleep. Tomorrow’s schedule is tight! We move before dawn!”
Just like when we entered the <Silvergrove Forest> dungeon, we’d be moving out at first light.
Actually, this time our schedule would be even more urgent.
Well, you only find the real dungeon after failing once first.
Based on my game knowledge, tomorrow would be absolute hell.
So everyone needed to be well-fed and well-rested.
I shoved my teammates toward the bedrooms despite their food comas, forming a somewhat devious plan.
At that moment—
“Um, Elaine. Could we talk for a moment?”
Adrian gently tugged at my sleeve.
“Y-Yes. O-Of course.”
After yesterday’s small argument and reconciliation, speaking with him was easier… but still a little awkward.
My voice wobbled despite myself.
“What did you want to talk about?”
“…About that succubus we met yesterday. Her name was Hypnossian, wasn’t it…?”
He paused, organizing his thoughts, then slowly continued.
“Yes. Why?”
Adrian remained silent for a long while, expression serious.
Whatever he was thinking, it seemed deep.
I didn’t rush him—just waited quietly.
Finally, after a good while, he spoke very cautiously.
“…If there were a way to end things without defeating her—what would you want to do?”
