Side Story: The Banquet and Niku

After Kehma was honey trapped by the Imperial Capital's bigwigs, Ichika nonchalantly joined the honey trap side before heading back toward the table laden with delicacies with a spring in her step. After all, she had to obediently eat thanks to Goshujin-sama's order. Not that she minded—this was super fun.

"Oh, Niku-senpai."

"Nom."

She called out to Niku, who was chomping away at some meat.

Gulp—Niku swallowed the meat she'd bitten into. Then she wiped the sauce around her mouth with the handkerchief she'd received from Goshujin-sama and turned to face Ichika.

"What is it, Ichika? Is there something particularly delicious?"

"Mm, more like, Goshujin-sama was super popular over there."

"Goshujin-sama was popular?"

Fufun — Niku puffed out her nonexistent chest proudly. It was about Kehma, but a master's honor is a slave's honor.

"Well, he turned 'em all down though."

"I see. That's Goshujin-sama for you."

"Aren't ya gonna go, Niku-senpai? Goshujin-sama might get stolen by someone else～?"

That said, since Niku was being used as a hug pillow and Ichika herself had never been touched by him even once, she wasn't worried at all. It wasn't like it threatened the role Ichika had been given.

But Niku showed no signs of panic either.

"I am Goshujin-sama's hug pillow, so I'll just let him do as he likes. If the time comes when Goshujin-sama doesn't need me, I'll just do my best to become needed again."

"Wow, so this is what a born-and-bred slave is like."

But I kinda get why she adores Goshujin-sama so much — Ichika thought.

After all, Kehma was the ideal master. He gave them meals, the meals were delicious, he didn't get violent, the curry bread was the best, he didn't make unreasonable demands, and really, that curry bread. The curry bread was just too powerful. The world's best.

"I wouldn't mind bein' Goshujin-sama's hug pillow too. Don't ya nibble on Goshujin-sama when yer with him?"

"… Play-biting is fine, and he doesn't get mad about it. Of course, waking him up while he's sleeping is no good."

"Hoh, is that so. Huh～"

Ichika grabbed some food and ate it… Delicious! Even if she'd just casually grabbed something, these were dishes made for the empire's top brass (Haku's) banquet by first-rate chefs using the finest ingredients. There was no way they could be bad. The only issue was that with this much food, there'd be leftovers. Sure, it'd probably become the servants' meal, but the real shame was that she couldn't eat it herself.

"You can just put it in [Storage] like normal."

"I don't know [Storage] though! Put it in yours, Niku-senpai!"

"I can't use my [Storage] without permission from Goshujin-sama or Rokuko-sama."

"No way… What should I do then!?"

Niku was a little exasperated at how seriously distraught Ichika looked.

"Good grief, can't be helped then, Ichika… I'll teach you right now."

"Ah, now's the time for my talent in spatial magic to awaken…! Teach me, Niku-senpai!"

"The incantation for [Storage] goes like this—"

However, even after Niku taught her the incantation for [Storage], there was no way she could conveniently use something she'd never been able to use before.

"If you can't do it, there's no helping it. Just eat what you can."

"I see… I have my stomach, that spatial magic of mine…!"

"Oh, Ichika. If you want to bring the leftover food home, I can put it in my [Storage] for you?"

Rokuko, who had been worrying about Kehma until just now, suddenly cut into the conversation.

"What, if it isn't a goddess. I'll follow you for life!"

"Oh, you'd treat me like a goddess just for that? I didn't think this would be enough to earn that."

"Food grudges last a lifetime, but food debts last just as long, ya know～?"

"Is that how it works? Well, if you're happy with that, then fine."

For now, Rokuko put one of the large platters in front of her directly into her [Storage].

Ichika wondered if it was okay to just take the plate and all, but figured it'd be fine since it was Rokuko and decided not to think too hard about it.

"… Huh? By the way, where's Goshujin-sama?"

"Oh right. Kehma got drunk from Haku-neesama's drinks and fell asleep. Niku, can you carry him to his room? You remember where it is, right?"

"Yes, certainly."

When she looked where Rokuko pointed, Kehma was lying on the floor with a red face, sleeping soundly.

There was a fluffy carpet, but if left like that, he might catch a cold.

"Then I'll take Goshujin-sama to bed."

"Yeah, I'm counting on you."

Thanks to the Golem Assist, Niku easily hoisted Kehma up and left the banquet hall.

"… Huh? Doesn't this end up bein' a total win for Niku-senpai? It's a bit late to say this, but Rokuko-sama, are ya okay with lettin' Niku-senpai do that?"

"Hm? Niku is a hug pillow, so it's fine… So, aren't you going to eat?"

"Oh—I'm eatin', I'm eatin'. That dessert over there looks good too, wanna go have some together?"

What kind of standards does she have — Ichika tilted her head in confusion.

But for now, she decided to focus on eating the food in front of her.