"Did you come up with that move yourself?"
Rudeus gently pulled Eris into his arms, looked down at her, and asked.
"Um!"
Eris nodded vigorously, her eyes sparkling with excitement.
"It's all because of Rudeus that I was able to do it."
His boastful look was like that of a lion cub that had finally learned to hunt, eager for praise.
Rudeus couldn't help but smile.
"It seems you've grown into a Magic Sword King capable of standing alone."
"Really?!"
Eris's eyes suddenly lit up.
"Yay--!"
She cheered and snuggled even closer into my arms.
Her soft body pressed tightly against him.
The girl's unique fragrance lingered around my nose, causing a slight flutter in my heart.
Rudeus coughed lightly, suppressing the agitation in his heart.
So how are you going to thank me?
He deliberately grinned wickedly, staring unabashedly at the girl in front of him.
Normally, Eris would have already blushed and thrown a punch.
But now.
The usually proud, willful, and hot-tempered young lady nestled quietly in Rudeus's arms like a docile kitten.
This sense of contrast is so intense it's almost overwhelming.
I doubt any man could resist it.
Rudeus involuntarily tilted his face forward.
The girl's warm breath landed on her cheek first.
It's itchy...
Crispy and crumbly...
It seemed to possess some kind of intoxicating magic.
They got closer and closer, so close that they could see each other's eyelashes clearly.
Their noses were about to touch.
The air seemed to thicken.
All that could be heard was the sound of their increasingly rapid breathing.
Reason was gradually eroded.
My mind gradually went blank.
Eris's fair face was already flushed red.
The blush spread down her cheeks to her ears.
Her moist, dreamy eyes trembled slightly.
But he never looked away.
" Eris..."
Rudeus called softly.
"Um..."
Her voice was barely audible.
Just as the atmosphere was about to cross a certain critical point.
"Cough..."
"Cough cough--"
Two extremely deliberate coughs suddenly rang out.
The pink bubbles in the air instantly burst and disappeared completely.
Rudeus froze.
Then it suddenly occurred to me.
There was also a Rujierd next to him.
"..."
"..."
Eris and Rudeus both froze.
They then distanced themselves as if they'd been electrocuted.
Rudeus scratched his face awkwardly.
Reluctantly, he released his arms from around Eris's slender waist.
I couldn't help but mutter to myself.
(That old Rujierd wheel, if it weren't for him, Eris and I would be partying every night.)
"Let's all take a rest."
Rujierd, seemingly oblivious to everything, said expressionlessly:
"It's not safe here; we must leave as soon as we finish eating."
After saying that, he began to gather up the scattered pieces of the Black Wyvern's corpse.
Keep what you can eat, discard the rest.
Some of the meat is roasted on-site, while some is prepared to be made into jerky as reserve food.
Not long after.
The aroma of roasted meat gradually filled the air.
However, it smells fragrant.
But what you actually eat is a completely different story.
Rudeus chewed the piece of meat in his mouth with difficulty, his expression gradually contorting.
"The meat in the Demon Continent... why does it seem like there aren't many tasty ones?"
He said with a pained expression.
"You're right, aren't you, Eris?"
"Hmm..."
Eris looked down at the roasted meat in her hand.
His expression was as if he were facing some kind of monstrous flood.
I hesitated to take a bite.
They clearly share the same feelings as me.
He couldn't help but sigh.
(Ultimately, this was also a spoil of war that Eris fought with all her might.)
(It would be such a waste to just throw it away.)
I was just thinking about it.
Suddenly, a brilliant idea flashed into my mind.
"Hey--I've got an idea!"
Rudeus slapped his thigh hard.
Eris immediately looked up.
" Rudeus! What idea have you come up with?"
"Is there anything else delicious?"
Her eyes instantly filled with anticipation.
Rudeus smiled mysteriously.
There was no other food.
"But I know a magic trick that can make food taste better."
"Real?!"
Eris stood up excitedly.
"Teach me quickly!"
"This meat is absolutely awful!"
I want to make it taste delicious!
"Of course, no problem." Rudeus smiled slightly.
Then consciousness sank into the system inventory--
He began to peruse the [ The Grimoire Accompanying the Deity ].
Soon, a striking magic spell came into view.
[ Delicious Magic ]
This is it!
"Come, I'll teach you the incantation."
He walked over to Eris.
He deliberately leaned close to her ear, preparing to whisper the spell to her.
However, just as my breath brushed against my earlobe...
Eris's body trembled violently.
The little ears turned crimson at a visible speed.
Even her neck turned pink.
(hehe.)
( Eris is really sensitive.)
I forced a laugh.
I solemnly recited the complete incantation to her.
After hearing this, Eris was completely devastated.
Her face was as red as a burnt apple, and it seemed as if steam was about to rise from the top of her head.
"Rudy... Rudeus..."
"Is it really meant to be read that way?"
"You're not lying to me, are you?"
She looked at me with a face full of suspicion.
Why don't you try and see?
Rudeus shrugged.
Eris narrowed her eyes.
"If that doesn't work..."
"Then you're dead."
It was clearly a threat, but paired with that bright red little face...
But it only makes people think it's cute.
"You can't bear to part with it~" Rudeus chuckled.
"Snort--!"
Eris immediately turned her head away, letting out a haughty snort.
"Hurry up!"
"I'm still waiting to taste the fruits of my labor."
"Don't rush me!"
Eris took a deep breath.
He solemnly picked up the roasted meat with both hands.
His expression was as if he were about to face death.
A moment later... she finally mustered her courage.
He whispered:
"Gently... purely..."
"A miracle... a heartbeat..."
" The God of Deliciousness..."
The sound grew fainter and fainter.
Until the very last sentence.
He practically shouted it out with his eyes closed.
"Make it taste better--!!!"
Buzz--!
A pale pink magic suddenly surged from his palm.
It enveloped the entire piece of roasted meat like flowing water.
The next moment.
The meat chunks, which were originally unappetizing, now emitted an enticing aroma.
The rich aroma of meat wafts through the air.
This instantly lifted Rudeus's spirits.
"Success!"
Eris's eyes widened in surprise.
He then presented the roasted meat to Rudeus as if it were a treasure.
"Try it!"
Rudeus grabbed her wrist directly.
Lower your head and take a bite--
The rich meat juices burst in my mouth, and the taste was surprisingly good.
"How about it?"
Eris stared nervously at Rudeus.
"Is it tasty?"
Looking at her expectant expression.
I immediately gave it a thumbs up.
Five ants!!
"Really?!"
Eris cheered immediately.
He immediately grabbed another piece of roasted meat.
After hesitating for a moment, he shamefully repeated the incantation he had just recited.
As the light flashed, the enticing aroma spread once more.
Eris finally smiled with satisfaction and began to enjoy her spoils.
Rudeus watched this scene, then suddenly grinned mischievously and said:
Actually...
This spell can be activated without chanting.
As he spoke, he casually picked up a piece of roasted meat.
Magic flows, the next moment--
The aroma filled the air once more.
"..."
Eris froze instantly.
"Ha--?!"
She slowly turned her head, the smile on her face gradually fading.
"Then why didn't you tell me sooner?!"
"I had to read it twice!"
"Because--"
Rudeus deliberately dragged out his words, then said with a smile:
Eris is so cute.
"Huh?!"
Eris's face instantly turned bright red.
"Stupid... idiot Rudeus!!"
She glared at him, embarrassed and annoyed.
He then buried his head in the grilled meat and began to eat.
Ignore Rudeus.
Looking at her chubby cheeks.
For a moment, Rudeus couldn't tell whether it was filled with roasted meat or resentment towards him.
The more I watch, the more interesting it becomes, so I need to stop myself from doing anything reckless.
He decisively shifted his gaze to Rujierd in the distance.
At this moment, he was sitting alone by the campfire.
He quietly chewed on the roasted meat, but his gaze remained fixed on the distance.
It's as if gazing at a past that can never be returned to.
The firelight illuminated his profile, making him appear exceptionally weathered...
Clan members.
Family.
wife.
child.
Everything I once possessed.
They've all disappeared.
And the source of all this tragedy—
It was that demon:
Laplace, the Demon God.
Thinking of this, Rudeus's gaze gradually darkened.
Laplace remains sealed away, if memory serves.
In a few decades, barring any unforeseen circumstances... he might be resurrected ahead of schedule.
So let's start now.
We must prevent all future variables as much as possible.
To achieve all this, both strength and reputation are indispensable.
Only by continuously expanding influence can we acquire more Emotion Points.
Only then can you grow at the fastest speed.
Therefore, the most urgent task is to go to a town with an Adventurers' Guild.
Level up quickly and become an S-rank adventurer as soon as possible.
With that thought in mind, he swallowed the last bite of roast meat.
He slowly stood up.
Not far away, Eris and Rujierd had already prepared their equipment.
They were clearly ready to depart.
He couldn't help but chuckle.
"You're definitely more anxious than me."
A gentle breeze swept across the wilderness.
The setting sun cast long shadows of the three people.
Rudeus put his baggage into his Magic Pocket and looked ahead at the road that stretched into the distance.
A slow smile crept onto his lips.
"So--"
Let's go!