In a secluded mountain valley, a simple Magic Barrier concealed the light. The burning campfire brought a little warmth and brightness. Artoria sat crouched on a rock, watching the dry branches crackle in the flames as she warmed her fingers, looking somewhat dazed as if she had remembered something.
"Artoria, dinner's ready!"
As that spell-like whisper echoed by her ear and half a roasted rabbit, crisp outside and tender inside, was handed over to her, the girl instantly perked up. She hurriedly accepted the food and dug in with a blissful expression.
Her cherry lips moved rapidly as she devoured most of the rabbit in no time. Beside her, Samael curled his lips into a teasing smile and handed her a second portion of freshly roasted meat.
Resting his chin on one hand, he watched the girl eat with great interest and smiled as he asked,
"Is it good?"
"Mm! I could never get tired of anything Teacher makes!"
Artoria nodded without hesitation, praising him from the bottom of her heart.
But after being watched for so long, the Child of Prophecy gradually regained some of her usual sharpness from her daze and could not help feeling uneasy. She slightly shrank back.
"Teacher, why are you staring at me like that?"
"Because you're pretty."
Samael blinked with a smile, casually teasing her as he raised his hand and gently wiped a streak of sauce from the corner of Artoria's mouth.
The touch against her skin brought an inexplicable burning sensation. A flush spread across the girl's lovely face, and she instinctively straightened her back, making her eating posture seem a little more proper.
Still, her speed did not slow in the slightest.
Samael watched his adorably innocent disciple, and the smile on his face grew wider.
Once Artoria was more