“Nom nom~”
The sound of a silver spoon scraping the bottom of the bowl echoed through the dining hall.
With the last mouthful of butter-braised tomato beef stew and potatoes finally eaten, Viel let out a small, satisfied burp.
“Burp!”
Ah, so comfortable~
This feeling is just too good…
This sense of being physically replenished—it could move even a goddess to tears!!
Looking at the now empty silver plate, and feeling the satisfaction spreading from her body, Viel let out a long sigh.
Even though she had only been a beggar for three months, and had only known hunger for three months, the feeling of an empty stomach was something she truly never wanted to remember.
It was simply the most painful thing in the world.
“Meow~ purr purr…”
Turning her head, she looked at the little black cat lying on the ground with its eyes narrowed, belly plump.
Suddenly, Viel thought—maybe this current life…or being that person’s so-called pet…wasn’t so bad?
Wait!
Why was she thinking something like that?!
She was a dignified goddess!
How could she be corrupted by such…such worldly things?!
No, absolutely not!
I…
I would never become someone’s pet!
Thinking this, the satisfied smile on Viel’s face instantly stiffened.
“Meow~”
But…just then, the little black cat, full and content, suddenly jumped onto Viel’s lap, stretched out its tiny belly, and began to purr and rub against her, even showing off its belly and soft pink paw pads.
Ugh…the stern expression on Viel’s face immediately melted at the cuteness of the little creature before her.
If…if that pervert really kicked her out, would Little Black (the cat) also be driven away?
This goddess of death, who had spent almost an eternity simply sitting upon her divine throne, for the first time felt a concern for another living being.
In the end…it was indeed her own misjudgment that had caused that person to fall into this situation…
Maybe…she ought to do something for her in return?
“Miss Viel? Would you like anything else?”
Just as she was deep in thought, Yumina beside her spoke softly with a smile.
She was a bit surprised that someone with such a small body could eat so much in one sitting, but when not beside her own young lady, this twin-tailed maid always maintained a very professional demeanor.
“Ah? I can have more?”
The goddess blinked, looking at Yumina with surprise and a hint of being flattered.
“Hehe~of course. For dessert, I’d recommend the raspberry milk pudding~”
“Eh! Sure~bring me one!”
At the mention of it, Viel’s dark eyes instantly sparkled.
As for other matters…
Well~she could think about them later~
But this decision to leave it to her future self would soon…make her pay the price.
For example…right now.
Stuffed and content, Viel was immediately brought before the young lady.
However, this goddess’s head was empty.
Instead of thinking about how to deal with the current situation, her mind was still filled with thoughts of the sweet taste and soft texture of raspberry pudding.
“Speak~ what’s your decision? Stay and become my pet, or… leave now?”
Ilea was already seated in the room’s high-backed chair with gold trim.
Behind her, the previously ruined bed sheets and blankets had been replaced with fresh new ones at some unknown point.
“I…”
Viel opened her mouth.
As a goddess, her dignity absolutely wouldn’t allow her to be someone’s pet!
Though, she herself didn’t quite understand what exactly “the dignity of a goddess” was, or…whether it could be eaten.
But still.
“I won’t be your pet! But I can…do some other things.”
The goddess of death spoke, turning her head away awkwardly.
Heh…
Seeing this reaction, Ilea’s face remained expressionless, but inside she was smiling.
The first compromise was always the hardest, but it was also the sign of gradual taming.
It would only become easier from here.
If the other party were smart, she might try to test the situation further.
Unfortunately…this goddess didn’t seem to have anything to do with being smart.
“Oh?”
Ilea tilted her head slightly, watching Viel with interest.
“Besides the information you already gave me, what other reason do you have for me to let you stay?”
What reason…what reason…
Think!
What use are you!
Viel’s mind began spinning rapidly.
It seemed dessert really could stimulate brain activity, because she suddenly slapped her forehead and said exactly what Ilea had been waiting for from the start.
“I…I can teach you necromancy!”
That’s right!
You can!
And I want to learn it too~
Plan complete!
“Oh? And what’s that? Is it useful…then why don’t you use it yourself?”
Of course, while Ilea was inwardly overjoyed at how easily she had tricked this little fool, her expression didn’t change at all, even sneering at the so-called “necromancy.”
“O-of course it’s useful! It’s the art of commanding the dead! Once you master necromancy, you can transcend the boundary between life and death and become the supreme eternal king!”
When it came to her own specialty, Viel didn’t hold back at all, boasting with hands on her hips, completely confident.
“If it’s so amazing, then why did you end up a homeless bum?”
Just as she was being proud, the innocent-sounding voice of the twin-tailed maid stabbed her brutally.
“I… I…”
Faced with Yumina’s question, Viel couldn’t answer for a long time.
At that moment, seeing the struggle in her eyes, Ilea seized the opportunity.
“So it was a lie after all, huh? Heh…then…”
“Ugh! I’m not lying! I…I swear on my own name! I absolutely can teach you necromancy!”
As Viel said this, for some reason…her little face was gradually turning red.
Swearing on her own name.
To Yumina, this might not sound very sincere.
But to Ilea, it was perfectly acceptable.
After all, as a goddess now, this was all the poor girl had left—her last shred of dignity.
And the moment she said those words, Ilea, who was “holding the dog leash,” knew it was time to teach her what the command “sit” meant.
“Yumina, go stand guard at the door. Without my order, no one is to come in.”
“Yes, milady.”
Though a bit curious, the twin-tailed maid nodded decisively and turned to close the door.
Click.
With the door shut, the room once again fell into silence.
Ilea didn’t rush to speak.
She simply watched Viel.
Because at this moment, the other girl seemed deeply conflicted, her face flushing red one moment, going pale the next, as if stricken by some serious illness.
“If I’m not mistaken, you’ve already lost your power as a goddess, haven’t you?”
Finally, it was Ilea who spoke first.
“To be precise…this world rejects my power.”
Hearing Ilea’s voice, Viel seemed to deflate a little and then spoke weakly: “M-my power…it’s all sealed inside this current body. I can’t access it myself.”