Elise froze for a moment. Then she realized what Silphiel meant. Ecstatic joy surged through her.

Sure, the Hero was a stranger. His character was unknown. But he couldn’t possibly be worse than Silphiel, right?

After all these years, Elise had had enough! Anything was better than staying near Silphiel!

She blurted out, “Holy Maiden, please let us serve the Hero! We’ll handle daily chores and housework perfectly!”

It wasn’t a lie. Imperfection meant Silphiel’s ‘whip’.

But as soon as the words left her mouth, Elise noticed Silphiel’s odd expression. She froze again. *Damn it!* Her excitement had made her too eager.

Rushing to leave the Holy Maiden clearly showed her resentment.

Silphiel let out a soft sigh. “I know what you three think. Serving the Hero isn’t simple. You lack loyalty to me, but you’re devoted to the Church. I see that.”

“As the Hero’s personal maids, guarding his safety and caring for his daily needs—I can trust you there. However—”

Silphiel’s tone shifted. Elise tensed again. Sophia remained cold-faced, unreadable, but her dark eyes sparkled faintly.

Silphiel’s lake-like gaze swept over them. Calmly, she said, “Remember who you truly serve. Whose hands hold your lives. When I command you later, don’t hesitate or question.”

Elise dared not anger her. She nodded frantically. “You’re our only master, Holy Maiden!”

Silphiel smiled, satisfied. “Good. We were comrades once. I’d hate to stain my hands with your blood.”

Elise felt sick. *Your hands are already soaked with comrades’ blood!*

Of course, she only thought it. Speaking it meant death.

“Alright, enough talk. Time to work! We’ll be late otherwise!”

Silphiel pointed to kitchen ingredients Stella bought last night.

Elise blinked. Was the Holy Maiden cooking herself?

She knew Silphiel’s skills well. As fellow Holy Maiden candidates, Silphiel had disarmed everyone with her divine cooking.

The result?

Some died. Others went mad. The rest, like Elise, survived by groveling.

“Hmm, I’ve never seen this method! What’s this called—shumai?”

“Try one.”

“…Surprisingly delicious! Wait, what’s this? Why so much water in the rice?”

“It’s congee. I’ll add century eggs later.”

“Eh?! Aren’t those eggs moldy? Are they edible?”

Elise was stunned. The Holy Maiden’s cooking methods were unheard of. Where did she learn them? The dishes were strange but tasty.

Was she a culinary genius?

Genius my ass. In her past life, living alone, Silphiel learned basics from videos. Compared to master chefs back then, her skills were nothing.

They were just amazed because this world’s cooking was primitive!

Silphiel wiped sweat from her brow, smiling at the finished breakfast.

Not knowing the Hero’s preferences, she’d made a bit of everything. The portions were huge now.

*Hehe. How will the Hero react to hometown flavors?*

*He’ll probably be overwhelmed with emotion!*

*Then he’ll adore me for making his comfort food. Soon, he’ll be completely mine.*

*My devoted lapdog!*

Silphiel packed everything into a multi-tiered bento box. After ordering the maids to guard the house, she hurried out.

In high spirits, her steps were light. She smiled warmly at passing knights, who felt like spring breeze. Seeing her bento box, they eyed it enviously.

*The Hero’s so lucky to have the Holy Maiden’s favor!*

Silphiel read their thoughts instantly.

*Sigh. Who can blame them? Men naturally adore, worship, and die for me. Only the Hero’s odd.*

*Hmph, Hero. You’ve caught my attention.*

She’d plan to turn cold once he was smitten, making him ache for her.

But not too much—lest he ran off with some stray cat, ruining everything.

Full of hope, Silphiel reached the Hero’s temporary room. Just as she raised her hand to knock, Rodrika’s coy voice drifted out: “Hero-sama, it’s too big… it’ll break~~~”

Silphiel’s face darkened. Such shameless words—were they…?

Without hesitation, she shoved the door open. The lock wailed in protest and clattered to the floor.

Inside, Rodrika stood in her Knighthood uniform, blushing coyly in the morning light. Gao Ying held her chainmail armor, trying to put it on.

But the male-sized armor wouldn’t fit her smaller frame.

As a knight, Rodrika cherished her armor. Worrying the Hero might ruin it made sense.

Silphiel stood awkwardly, glancing at the equally stunned pair. “Gao Ying… what are you doing?”

Gao Ying handed the armor back to Rodrika, scratching his head shyly. “…In my world, armor like this only exists in video games and comic cons. I got curious. Rodrika lent it to me for a try—”

“I see.”

Silphiel understood. Boys loved swords and armor. If he saw a magic automaton, he’d probably jump on it immediately!

Men were so predictable.

“But, Silphiel…” Gao Ying eyed her, then the broken lock. “What was that just now?”

Silphiel flushed. She couldn’t admit she’d imagined something indecent.

Forcing a laugh, she changed the subject. “Gao Ying, I made breakfast for you. Let’s eat together!”

She lifted the bento box.

Gao Ying’s eyes flickered. He called out, “Rodrika, join us for breakfast.”

Huh?!