The Death Mage that doesn't want a fourth time

118 Objectives are about 70% complete

March. It was still cold, but a spring-like warmth could be felt in the sun's rays as Vandalieu served cooked Sauron rice onto a plate.

The moment he inhaled the aroma contained in the steam rising from the white, glossy rice, emotion swept over his entire body.

"Oh..." Vandalieu let out a noise of wonder.

His body trembled spontaneously at this smell, which stimulated his hunger more than any other spice possibly could right now.

Vandalieu had never trembled other than in anger, even during battles to the death against Pure-breed Vampires. Seeing him react like this now, those watching him were shaken.

"... Privel, wasn't it? That substance, it's just food, isn't it?" asked Eleanora, who had remained in Talosheim while Vandalieu went to the former Sauron Duchy.

"That should be the case, but... I've started to lose the confidence to say that," Privel muttered.

"Incidentally, is this some kind of ritual, perhaps?" Nuaza the Lich, clergyman of the Church of Vida in Talosheim, was watching Vandalieu in confusion. "The Holy Son has created and reproduced countless food items in the past. But I do not believe he has ever shown such happiness."

"Indeed," said Zadiris in agreement. "He was happy when he made miso, soy sauce and curry, but never to this extent."

But these words had a different impact on Privel and the other Scylla.

"... That's Vandalieu-kun being happy? Orbia-san, were you able to tell?" Privel asked.

"No~ not at all," said Orbia. "Just because I've become a Ghost doesn't mean I can see auras or... spiritual things?"

"He's a surprisingly easy-going child, but it's hard to tell what he's thinking when he's quiet, isn't it?" said Periveil.

As Periveil said, one would become able to read Vandalieu's emotions quickly after getting to know him to a certain extent. His expressionlessness never changed, but he wasn't a quiet person and often expressed his emotions through gestures.

However, it became impossible to read his inner thoughts once he stopped doing that.

"You still have a long way to go, don't you?" Tarea remarked.

"You don't understand Van's habits," said Basdia.

"You won't be able to serve as Vandalieu-sama's servants at this rate," said Eleanora.

The three of them, who could still read Vandalieu's inner thoughts in this situation, were wearing proud expressions.

Privel let out a noise of frustration.

"No, I'm not a servant," said Periveil, and then she turned to her daughter. "Privel, don't just stay quiet and feel bitter about it!"

"But I can't forgive them for having bigger chests than me!" Privel complained.

"Eh? That's what we were talking about?!" Orbia exclaimed in surprise.

"No, we didn't mean that it's a matter of having a bigger chest," said Basdia.

"I won't lose when it comes to the number of legs!" Privel shouted, not listening.

"There's no way we can win against Scylla who have eight legs, is there?!" Eleanora exclaimed.

"Could you please not wrap these around me?!" said Tarea, who had become entangled in the tentacles that Privel had been flailing around unconsciously.