Half an hour later.
Lin Qiye looked at the mountain of skewers piled in front of Jialan and fell silent.
"Miss, want any more?"
Merlin looked at Jialan with a smile. He reached into the Magic Array, and several more plates of lamb appeared on the table. Dressed in a chef's uniform, he stood there with a tall, imposing figure. In Jialan's eyes, he no longer seemed like the great God of Magic, but the god of food who governed all the world's delicacies.
"I really can't eat anymore." Jialan sat on the ground in satisfaction, rubbed her round belly, and let out a long breath.
Merlin looked up at the Red Moon, waved away the grill and his chef's uniform, then draped himself once more in that dark blue magic robe. He said to the two of them:
"It's getting late. Stay here and rest tonight."
Lin Qiye was taken aback by those words.
He looked up at the murky sky, where there was no distinction between day and night, and asked in confusion, "Lord Merlin, we don't need to rest..."
Only six or seven hours had passed since they entered Takama-ga-hara. Before that, they had rested long enough in Bake-kujira's belly, and after arriving here, they had spent the whole time riding in a carriage. They were not tired at all.
"No, you need to rest." Merlin spoke in a tone that brooked no argument. "When you wake up, it will be time for you to receive the gift I have prepared... You must bring your Mental Power to its peak."
Lin Qiye seemed thoughtful, but his curiosity only grew stronger. "Lord Merlin, what exactly is the gift you prepared for me?"
"You'll find out tomorrow."
Merlin raised the magic staff in his hand and lightly tapped the