Before long, a rich, almost tangible aroma filled the entire room.
It was the scent of collagen stewed to a soft, tender perfection, mixed with the refreshing fragrance of medicinal herbs. Just one whiff was enough to make one's whole body feel incredibly comfortable.
"Here it comes! Braised bear paw!"
Lynch brought the clay pot to the table.
As soon as the lid was lifted, billowing steam rose into the air.
The bear paw had been stewed until it was a bright, glossy red and perfectly tender. It quivered slightly, looking so appetizing that it made one's mouth water.
"Try it." Lynch picked out the best part and placed it in Felsy's bowl. "Careful, it's hot."
Felsy picked up the piece and put it in her mouth.
It melted instantly.
The rich flavor bloomed on the tip of her tongue, followed by a warm energy that slid down her throat into her stomach, then rapidly spread throughout her entire body.
Her meridians, which had been aching faintly due to old injuries, were miraculously soothed under the comfort of this warm current.
Felsy looked up at Lynch in surprise.
This wasn't just about high-quality ingredients.
The effect of this medicinal diet, which could precisely repair magic circuits...
Did he know?
Did he know where her injuries were?
Felsy's feelings grew complicated.
Right at that moment, the overly dramatic system popped up in Lynch's mind again.
[Ding!]
[Congratulations to the host for completing the hidden achievement: Raising Witches!]
[You have used the flesh and blood of a top-tier magical beast overlord to carefully cook a dark... oh wait, a nourishing feast!]
[You have successfully fed the World-Destroying Witch and the Demon Realm General!]
[Watching them eat the food you made with your own hands, do you feel a sense of dominance, as if you are keeping the world's strongest combatants captive at your dining table? This is simply perverted... ah no, a supreme glory!]
[Reward: Free Attribute Point +0.5]
[Reward: Life Skill - God-Level Massage Technique (Just a little press, and the witch will be unable to resist you... I mean, it relieves fatigue.)]
Lynch ignored the system's terrible writing and only noticed the blush on Felsy's face, brought out by the steaming heat.
"Is it good?" he asked with a smile.
"Yes." Felsy lowered her head, hiding the ripples in her eyes. "It's delicious."
...
The time after dinner was always lazy and cozy.
The wind howled outside the window, seemingly heralding the arrival of a cold late-autumn night, but inside the house, it was warm and peaceful.
Lynch finished clearing the dishes, wiped his hands, and looked at Kuma, who was sprawled on the table picking her teeth with a look of utter satisfaction (while covering her mouth with her hand, of course). Then he looked at Felsy, who was sitting quietly by the fireplace reading a book.
This scene, full of the warmth of everyday life, made him, a transmigrator who had been lonely for eighteen years, feel incredibly grounded.
At this moment, his gaze swept over the system panel.
The newly acquired reward, [Life Skill: God-Level Massage Technique], was emitting an enticing golden glow.
[Skill Description: This is not just a massage; it is a soothing of the soul. By stimulating acupoints through special techniques, it can greatly relieve fatigue, clear the meridians, and even make the recipient feel the euphoria of walking on clouds. Note: When this skill is used on the opposite sex, the affection bonus effect is doubled.]
"Clear the meridians... perfect timing."
Lynch looked at Felsy's somewhat frail back. Although she had been nursing her health well over the past few months, her hands and feet were always prone to getting cold, and sometimes, after sitting for a long time, she would subconsciously rub her shoulders.
"No time like the present. I'll test out this craft tonight," Lynch calculated inwardly.
But before that, there was a small problem to solve.
"Say, Kuma."
Lynch walked over to the table and looked at the beast-eared loli. "It's getting late. Where do you... live?"
Kuma, still immersed in the lingering aftertaste of the bear paw, paused for a moment.
Live where?
As an emotionless agent and the Thirteenth Pillar of the Scorched Earth Guard, the sky was her blanket and the earth her bed. She could sleep anywhere, whether in a tree branch or a freshly dug hole. During undercover missions, she had even lain in a stinking ditch for three days and three nights.
However, her current identity was a "poor but strong beast-kin postman."
"Uh..." Kuma rolled her big eyes, and her ears drooped guiltily. "Probably... squeeze into the haystack at the village entrance? Or under the bridge? As long as it doesn't rain, it's actually fine, hehe..."
Lynch frowned.
"That won't do."
He glanced at the pitch-black night outside the window. "Winter is coming soon, and the winters in Buena Village can freeze people to death. A little girl like you will get sick sleeping in places like that."
Lynch thought for a moment and pointed to a side room on the west side of the yard.
"That room was originally used as a storage room, but it can be lived in if we tidy it up. There's a bed inside, and it isn't drafty. I originally thought it could be used if there were more people in the household later, or if we hired a helper... Since you have nowhere to go, why don't you stay there for now?"
As soon as he finished speaking.
Felsy, who had been sitting by the fireplace reading, slightly paused the finger she was using to turn the page.
The ambient temperature seemed to drop a few degrees in that instant.
Felsy slowly closed her book and looked up. Her pale purple eyes first glanced at Lynch, and then landed lightly on Kuma.
Her gaze was calm, but it harbored hidden murderous intent.
Superfluous.
This was the truest reflection of Felsy's inner thoughts at this moment.
She had finally managed to escape the chaotic world, and finally established a peaceful fortress belonging to just the two of them in this remote village.
Although she wouldn't admit it out loud, deep down, she actually really enjoyed the time she spent alone with Lynch every evening. Even if it was just sitting quietly and listening to him nag about tomorrow's vegetable prices, it was a rare form of relaxation.
Now, a naturally noisy beast-kin was being forcibly stuffed into this beautiful two-person world?
And her own subordinate, no less?
The feeling was like having a fly suddenly buzz in while enjoying an exquisite afternoon tea. It didn't bite, but the buzzing was extremely annoying.
"Hubby," Felsy spoke, her voice cold and clear. "Wouldn't it be... inconvenient for the household?"
She deliberately emphasized the word "inconvenient."
The subtext was: Agent Kuma, you should know better and get the hell out of here yourself.
Receiving the death stare from the Witch, Kuma shivered all over, the fur on her tail standing on end.
She was too familiar with this look! This was the prelude to murder!
Reason told her that she should immediately and smoothly roll right out of there, disappearing into the night.
But...
Kuma sneaked a peek at Lynch, then sneaked a peek at Felsy.
Intuition! A woman's intuition (even though she was only twelve) told her that there was definitely something fishy going on between these two!
Why would the Witch show such a territorial expression toward a human man against her own loyal subordinate? Was this emotion, known as "despising the third wheel," really something that the cold-blooded World-Destroying Witch would have?
There's juicy gossip! Absolutely massive gossip!
If she didn't stay, wouldn't she miss the chance to witness history?
To satisfy her curiosity... uh, no, for the intelligence work of the Scorched Earth Guard, she had to risk it all!
Thus, Kuma took a deep breath, instantly channeling her inner award-winning actress.
"Wooo..."
Her originally perky ears instantly drooped flat against her head. Her large brown eyes quickly filled with tears, her lips trembling as her hands helplessly twisted the hem of her clothes.
"Sister Felsy... do you dislike Kuma for eating too much..."
"Kuma... Kuma can eat less! I can work really hard! I can chop wood, fetch water, and sweep the floor! Please don't chase me away... sob... it's so dark outside, and there are wolves..."