Chapter 18

“Master, would you care to have some food?”

Gina offered, stepping forward.

Now that she mentioned it, given the time, it wouldn’t be strange for it to be around lunch.

Since we had grown stronger, we had finally gained the leeway to enjoy a midday meal.
I decided to savor that sense of accomplishment.

“Please come this way.”

Just as I was about to lean my back against the cave wall, Gina invited me over and we moved to an open space at the side of the path.

Gina took out a black mat from her “Asset” and spread it out on the ground.

“Master, please have a seat.”

Following her recommendation, I sat down.

Then, Gina produced a white pot filled with drinks, a white glass, a white plate, and some portable rations.

The situation felt a bit like a light picnic, creating an intensely out-of-place vibe, but I decided to ignore it and let it slide.

There was bread, biscuits, and fried potato slices (the term French fries wasn’t used in the original work).

Even though they were called portable rations, this batch could be said to prioritize sheer convenience of transport.

Since the Asset possessed refrigerator and freezer functions, it was remarkably convenient.

Naturally, they weren’t piping hot, but I could still enjoy a taste that seemed as though they hadn’t been made all that long ago.

The fried potatoes were cut into thin strips for easy eating, and aside from lacking salt, they could easily pass for french fries.

They were a bit underwhelming, but they were still delicious.

“Did you make all of this yourself, Gina?”

“Yes.”

Gina gave a small nod and peeked at my expression.

“It’s good.”

The potatoes, the biscuits, and the hardtack alike.

It was a bit lacking in flavor compared to my past life, but considering my current situation, I could safely say it was a full-fledged feast.

“I am beyond glad it is to your liking.”

Gina broke into a relieved smile.

“The bread is delicious. The biscuits are delicious, too. I might just have a wonderful retainer.”

When I strung together those words of praise, she wore a deeply moved expression with tears welling up in her eyes.

“I am deeply honored.”

She then gently wiped them away with her finger.

Her loyalty is way too high… I couldn’t help thinking that, but it was certainly one of her admirable traits.

After that, Gina quietly poured tea into my cup.

Tea in the empire basically meant black tea, so it really did feel like we were out on a picnic.

It was undeniably good for a change of pace, though.

After our meal, I had her pour me another cup of tea and lazily looked up at the sky.

The sky was brilliantly clear, with a sun emitting a blue light floating within it.

It was one of the reasons that made it strikingly different from Japan, or so I assumed.

The blue sun was governed by Ceruliadel, the eldest son of the God King, and could be seen in the empire and kingdoms from spring through summer.