Several months later.
A sneaky figure carefully edged along the wall toward the door.
Damn mapo tofu, go to hell! At last, I could escape and find something to eat!
As the front door silently opened, the serpent's vertical pupils watched the gap widen bit by bit, brimming with both bitterness and excitement as he roared in jubilation.
"Ah-choo!"
However, when a breeze drifted over from the kitchen and the pungent, spicy scent flooded his nostrils, Samael, standing before the door, felt his nose itch and sneezed loudly.
"Samael, so you were here! Quick, quick, quick, lunch is ready! Try the new recipe I experimented with!"
Claudia, who had been searching all over the courtyard for her target, immediately brightened. Spatula in hand, she eagerly jogged after her veteran taste tester, grabbed the hem of his clothes without explanation, and dragged him toward the living room.
Seeing that escape was hopeless, Samael stiffly turned around and forced out a smile even uglier than crying. He asked hoarsely while his hesitant gaze darted around in search of the best escape route.
"What are we having for lunch today?"
"Mapo Ramen!"
As Claudia dragged the demon lord along, she answered proudly and casually.
Ramen? You should've said so! Easy!
After all, I hadn't eaten all that mapo for nothing these past few months.
Hearing the answer, Samael could not help but relax. Full of confidence, his hunched back immediately straightened.
A moment later, the taste tester seated at the dining table froze, his face stiffening as he laboriously repeated his question.
"You said just now, we're having...?"
"Mapo Ramen."
Chef Claudia answered with a beaming smile while pushing the large serving bowl specially prepared for her lord a little closer, her eyes full of anticipation.
The ancient serpent lowered his head with