“He’s talking about you,” I reminded her. Sadeena really had a way of controlling the conversation.

“What about you, little Shildina?” Sadeena asked. Shildina said nothing, her stomach rumbling. All that leveling up had made her hungry.

“Shall we get some food?” I asked.

“Are you cooking, little Naofumi?” Sadeena asked.

“No, I don’t have time. Get some of L’Arc’s men to make it,” I told her.

“I think food little Naofumi makes would be more effective,” she said, displaying her cunning again.

“Eating nutritious food may be another good way to get stronger,” Ethnobalt proposed. This progression of events was definitely proceeding toward me having to do some cooking.

“I want Master’s food!” Filo chirped. Raph-chan and Chris spoke up too, all the small animals chattering for a feeding. Seriously . . . it was a pain, but just giving in would be easier than trying to resist it.

“Okay, okay. Take me to the castle kitchen. Just this once, understand?” I said.

“Oh, I want a drink too! Let’s try some booze from another world!” Shildina added.

“That’s a negative. You can’t give booze to a baby,” I replied.

“Oh my,” Shildina said.

“I’m going to drink! Booze from another world, bring it on!” Sadeena said.

“Oh?” That caught L’Arc’s interest. “Can you drink, my lady?”

“If Sadeena is drinking, I’m drinking too!” Shildina trilled.

“Killer whale sisters—quiet!” I shouted above the clamor. “L’Arc, these two women drink—if you’ll excuse the phrase—like fish. They have drowned countless men in booze. You will need serious commitment before you take them on.”

“Heh. You don’t know what I can do,” he bragged. Oh, I knew enough. I knew he wasn’t as hardened as he thought he was. I was amazed he was showing this much confidence; he couldn’t even beat Raphtalia.

“If you can win, Sadeena will surely take a liking to you. She likes men who can hold their liquor. Do your best!” I told him.

“Oh my. My heart already belongs to you, little Naofumi,” she quipped.

“Whatever,” I replied.

“Heh. Kiddo, you’re about to experience the terror of potentially losing a woman you love,” he crowed. I trusted Sadeena, that much was true, but I didn’t recall falling in love with her. The feelings L’Arc had toward Therese and the feelings I had for Sadeena were not the same thing, surely. I guess I’d support him in this.

“Good luck,” I said, although my delivery was pretty wooden. Maybe this experience of crossing worlds would turn Sadeena into a non-drinker . . . but the hope of that seemed slim.

“L’Arc, you like that woman now?” Therese asked, having taken her sweet time getting to the question, her head tilted to one side.