Given Lucifer’s devotion to the church of laziness, operating under the principle of “why do it yourself when you have toolmen around,” their meals for the past while had been entirely Manfred’s responsibility.
Leaving aside that trashy Vampire who had long since discarded his humanity, Ascalon’s culinary skills maxed out at simply getting meat fully cooked.
Logically and practically, Manfred was the prime candidate for designated househusband duty.
And he did, in fact, show a strange knack for it.
While he couldn’t compete with a three-star Michelin chef or whip up a grand imperial banquet, he could easily throw together everyday stir-fries.
If you put a white apron on Manfred and topped him with a chef’s hat, he would quite literally live up to the label of a “creamy” pretty boy.
Being treated as a cook every other day made Manfred seriously question whether he had been tricked by Theresa and Lucifer into becoming a full-time babysitter.
Fortunately, Lucifer wasn’t completely slacking off, and he soon shattered Manfred’s doubts with action.
“Too slow!
Mikiri Counter!”
“Ugh!”
Confronting Manfred’s low sweep attack, Lucifer took a step back, dodging the blade by a hair’s breadth.
He then stomped down hard on Manfred’s blade, pinning it firmly to the ground.
Taking advantage of the opening, Ascalon slipped behind Lucifer, aiming a strike directly at the back of his neck.
“Muda!”
Perhaps because her previous attempts had failed, Ascalon was growing impatient, focusing solely on how to win.
Clang!
Lucifer held his katana behind his back, perfectly blocking Ascalon’s sneak attack.
Before her recovery animation could even finish, Lucifer spun around and landed a heavy hook right to her kidney, sending her flying.
In the blink of an eye, the tip of Lucifer’s blade was resting right between Manfred’s eyebrows, bringing a swift end to the duel.
“We can’t win at all…”
“Wrong.
The problem is you’re wielding a pacifist blade, Manny.”
Lucifer sheathed his katana, immediately turning into a backseat gaming expert as he began lecturing Manfred.
“Subconsciously, you don’t want to hurt me.
That’s why you hesitate every time you strike.
If your mind is unsettled, your blade will be slow.”
Even though he knew that Lucifer, as a Blood Demon Prince, possessed immense vitality and regenerative abilities—to the point where even being cut in half wouldn’t necessarily kill him—Manfred still couldn’t get past the psychological barrier of “harming an ally is unacceptable.”
“…I’ll work on it.”
Meanwhile, Ascalon limped over, clutching her side.
Although Lucifer’s heavy hook hadn’t carried much force, it had still left her in quite a bit of pain.
But Ascalon had no complaints.
As long as she could gain experience and strength, any amount of pain was worth it.
Besides, even a broken bone was a minor injury for a Sarkaz; they’d be up and running again after resting for a couple of days.
“Ascalon, you’re just too impatient.
If you can’t one-shot them, you’ve gotta memorize the attack patterns.
Go play a couple of rounds of Sekiro or Dark Souls, and you’ll learn to behave.”
Ascalon didn’t understand the second half of his sentence, but she got the gist of what Lucifer meant.
Before, she didn’t have the luxury or the ability to wage wars of attrition against the beasts of the wasteland.
But things were different now.
“This will surely be put to use next time.”
“Alright, Retsu Kaioh.
Now…
let’s welcome our new guest.”
Lucifer turned toward a figure that had been leaning against a dead tree, silently watching them from afar.
“Warfarin, when did you get here?”
“Right around when you yelled ‘Mikiri Counter’.”
Crossing her arms, Warfarin observed Ascalon and Manfred with keen interest.
“So these are your two disciples?
They’re pretty lively.”
“How do you know about them too?”
Lucifer found it bizarre.
It felt like literally everyone knew he was babysitting.
“Don’t underestimate my information network.”
Warfarin put her hands on her hips, trying to look imposing.
But standing at barely 160 centimeters, she was probably the most harmless-looking person Lucifer knew.
Ascalon, her internal radar pinging, scrutinized Warfarin.
Although the scent of blood clung to the newcomer, it was nowhere near as intense or suffocating as Lucifer’s or the Sanguinarch’s.
Unless Warfarin was playing dumb, Ascalon felt she could probably hold her own in a fight against her.
So she spoke up.
“Are you close with Master?”
“Of course!
Other than the Sanguinarch, I’ve known this guy longer than anyone.”
Warfarin tossed her silver hair and leaned against Lucifer, speaking as if she had just declared some incredible achievement.
“…Then why are you so weak?”
“Humph?
You little brat, are you looking down on me?”
Warfarin’s hostile gaze locked onto Ascalon instantly.
Ascalon’s eyes also grew dangerously cold.
She was annoyed that someone as weak as Warfarin was acting so close to Lucifer.
Seeing that they were about to tear into each other’s hair, Lucifer tapped Ascalon’s shoulder with the hilt of his katana.
“Did you forget my teachings already?
Do you not respect your mentor at all?”
“…I’m sorry.”
Ascalon lowered her head, not daring to go against Lucifer’s words.
Hearing Ascalon’s quiet, submissive apology gave Lucifer a massive ego boost.
“But then again, as your master, I occasionally enjoy using cheat codes.
Go on, give her a slap to teach her a lesson.”
“Gwah!
Lucifer, have you moved on already?
I can’t believe you’d hurt me just for her…”
Seeing Warfarin looking so pitiful, holding back tears, Ascalon actually found herself unable to strike.
It wasn’t out of pity, but rather because she was afraid hitting Warfarin would dirty her hands.
“…”
Watching the farce play out, Manfred could only stare silently at the sky.
Did he really make the right choice coming here?
Meanwhile, Ermengarde was having a miserable time.
“Sigh…
Leithanien is never peaceful.
And Teacher only knows how to exploit his star pupil.
If I’d known, I would’ve stayed at Lucifer’s place a bit longer.”
Having just returned to Leithanien, Ermengarde was immediately buried in work.
From time to time, Fremont would hit her with a “one more thing,” keeping her completely immobilized for hours.
Walking down the quiet streets of Leithanien, Ermengarde let out a long sigh.
If only Lucifer had come back with her, at least she would have had some company.
With that thought in mind, Ermengarde suddenly spotted a lottery shop.
“…Let’s go take a look.”
As if hit by a sudden inspiration, Ermengarde walked in resolutely.
A moment later, an exclamation of shock echoed from inside the shop.
“I won?!”
Ermengarde’s eyes were filled with pure disbelief.
Although the winnings weren’t massive—only a few tens of thousands—a win was a win.
Lucifer’s face involuntarily popped into her mind.
Lucifer, you really are a Cyclops.