"Oi, don’t worry, kids." Hazuki waved one hand casually.
"There’s plenty of it."
Cheers erupted from the children, who imdiately began surrounding the counter like it was a treasure chest.
But then.
Footsteps from outside.
Hazuki turned his head slightly toward the door.
Kisha stepped in, brushing off her skirt, a little out of breath from walking back up the trail.
Hazuki raised a hand.
"Oh. The lady."
She blinked.
"Y-yes?"
Hazuki pointed at the large bundle of drake at still resting on the counter.
"Cook this at for the kids."
"Eh...?"
"I’m taking this portion—" he pulled a thick cut from the sack, wrapping it in a cloth and slinging it over his shoulder, "—and I’m grilling it out back. By the stream."
Before Kisha could respond, Hazuki was already walking off.
Behind him, Elvia silently stepped forward.
She didn’t say a word.
She just walked.
Her hands clutched together in front of her. Eyes locked on his back. Following.
"Miss Kisha!!!" the kids all cheered as they ran up to her, beaming.
Chasia, wide-eyed, peeked past the others and glanced out the doorway—watching Elvia silently trail behind Hazuki toward the back of the house.
Chasia blinked, then quietly began to follow, her small steps light and curious.
"Miss Kisha!!" one of the boys tugged on her sleeve.
"Are we really eating drake at tonight!?"
"D-Drake at...?" Kisha blinked in shock.
"Yes!! Uncle said it’s for dinner!" another chid in.
"He said there’s plenty for us!"
Kisha turned her gaze toward the kitchen counter.
Her breath caught.
A huge portion of thick, rich, red at.cleanly cut, lightly marbled, and still fresh with a faint magical sheen.
Drake at.
at nobles fought wars over.
He really did bring this here?
She placed a hand on her chest, trying to steady her breath.
If I cook all of this now... it’s too much.
She nodded to herself.
"Alright, kids." she smiled softly, rolling up her sleeves.
"I’ll cook so now—and start smoking the rest, so we can eat it again later."
"Yay!!!"
The kids danced in place.
Outside, the soft sll of wood smoke began to rise—as Hazuki prepared his own part of the feast, just a short distance away.
Chasia sat quietly beside Elvia, her hands folded in her lap.
She glanced sideways, noticing that Elvia’s gaze hadn’t moved.
Her eyes were still gently fixed on Hazuki, who was crouched down by the stream’s edge, gathering wood and stones to prepare the fire.
"Umm... Elvia?"
"Hmm?" Elvia smiled faintly—still not looking at her.
Chasia tilted her head, but didn’t ask further.
She simply sat there, quietly, watching the mont unfold.
Hazuki struck the flint a few tis—sparks flying, a fla finally catching on the dried kindling.
He stretched his back with a loud grunt, then rolled his shoulders.
Elvia stood.
"Mister Hazuki."
"Hmm?" he looked up.
"Do you need help cutting the at?"
Hazuki glanced at the cloth-wrapped cuts next to him.
"Oh, sure. Be careful though—the knife’s sharp."
"Okay~" Elvia answered softly.
Chasia followed behind her, staying quiet. She knelt down beside Elvia, watching closely, then started helping without a word.
Hazuki glanced at them both.
"Oi! Don’t cut it too small." he barked, half-distracted as he adjusted the grill rack over the fire.
"Okay~" they both said in unison.
Hazuki set the small table beside the fire pit.
He placed down three bottles of liquor, the glass clinking softly.
Then reached into his bag and pulled out a small pouch of salt.
"You... human kid."
"Umm... yes?" Chasia blinked.
Hazuki glanced at her.
"Your na’s Chasia, right?"
She nodded quickly.
"Yes."
He jerked a thumb toward the orphanage.
"Go get a plate. And one glass."
"Okay!" she said, smiling as she quickly got up and ran toward the house.
Elvia continued slicing the at gently, her movents practiced and quiet. Her gaze drifted briefly toward Hazuki.
The fire crackled softly, flas licking the bottom of the grill rack as Hazuki carefully laid down the first thick cut of drake at.
It sizzled instantly—a rich aroma rising into the air, thick with mana and flavor.
Hazuki crouched by the fire, one hand steady on the handle of his tongs, eyes focused like a chef in a tournant.
Behind him.
Chasia returned, slightly panting from her run.
"Umm... Uncle... here."
"Ah. Put it on the table." Hazuki said without looking.
Chasia stepped forward and gently placed the items down beside the three liquor bottles.
Then her eyes wandered—curious.
She looked at the nearest bottle. Reached out. Popped the cork.
Sniff.
She flinched.
"Bwah!? It slls... sharp." she covered her nose.
"Is this really a drink?"
Hazuki let out a short grunt.
"It’s liquor. Grown-ups only. Burns your throat."
"Y-You still drink it...?"
"I’m a man. This is fuel."
Chasia peeked at Hazuki.
He was focused on the grill, crouched low, eyes on the sizzling drake at like a knight guarding treasure.
Elvia now stood beside him, her hands folded, quietly watching the at with soft eyes.
Hazuki didn’t notice anything else.
Now’s my chance, Chasia thought.
She slowly lifted the liquor bottle again—carefully—and tilted it over the glass she had placed earlier.
Drip... drip...
A generous splash of the clear, amber liquid pooled in the cup.
She set the bottle down.
Sniffed the glass again.
Still sharp... but... kinda nice?
She brought it to her lips.
Paused.
Then drank.
Just a sip.
But it was enough.
Her eyes instantly shot wide open.
BURNS!!
"G-G-HUHEHH!!" she coughed quietly, puffing her cheeks, trying not to scream.
Her face flushed red, her tongue out.
"H-hot...hot...!!" she whispered in a panic, waving her hand toward her mouth like it would fan the burn away.
anwhile—
Hazuki still hadn’t turned.
"Oi, don’t crowd the grill. This at needs space. Gotta flip at the right mont."
Elvia just nodded.
Chasia stumbled backward, wobbling slightly, her little legs shaking as she sat down hard on the grass behind them.
After a few shaky breaths, Chasia sat upright again.
Her cheeks were still red.
Her head felt... floaty.
"Eheheh~ this feels kinda good..." she giggled softly, wobbling just a little where she sat.
She looked at the grill, blinking slowly.
"Wonder what’s with the grill... maybe it tastes better after drinking that stuff...?"
Her eyes shifted.
One of the drake at slices—already cooked to golden perfection—had been placed on the edge of the plate by Hazuki without her noticing.
Still distracted, he crouched beside the fire, arguing with Ridan over grill temperature.
Elvia was watching the flas, seemingly unaware.
Chasia leaned forward.
Nibble.
Bite.
"...Oh."
She chewed slowly.
Her eyes sparkled.
"This is... good..." she whispered, nearly in awe.
The smoky flavor. The natural mana. The juicy tenderness that lted on her tongue.
"S-so soft..." she giggled again.
Elvia glanced to the side, just as she reached for another piece of at to hand Hazuki.
Her eyes landed on Chasia, who was now swaying slightly while sitting at the edge of the table.
And... she had a glass in front of her.
Elvia’s gaze narrowed.
"Umm... Chasia?"
"Ehehehe~" Chasia grinned, her cheeks puffed red and eyes half-lidded.
"The at... tastes so good~ Like magic steak~"
Elvia leaned in a little.
"Did you... drink sothing just now?"
"Maaaaaybe~" Chasia held up the glass with both hands, almost proudly.
"Uncle said grown-ups drink this~ so I tried it!"
"Ah..." Elvia gently took the glass from her.
Sniffed it.
Eyes widened slightly.
"That’s liquor..."
Hazuki finally turned.
"Hah? What liquor? I didn’t open any—"
Then he saw the bottle.
Open.
Saw the glass.
Then saw Chasia, smiling like she was having the best day of her life.
"Oi..." Hazuki pointed.
"You... drank it?"
Chasia blinked at him.
"Only a liiittle~! Uncle said it’s grown-up juice! So I wanted to grow up!"
Hazuki stared.
Then pointed at Ridan.
"This is your fault."
"HOW!?" Ridan shouted, floating in protest.
"I didn’t even say anything this ti!!"
( End Of Chapter )
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