Oh no! Reluctant as she was inside, she could only give a tiny nod of her little head.

*Stupid mutt.* Why pick *her* of all people to provoke? Didn’t he know she was the absolute worst to cross?

Blackfang tilted his head, confused why Nefu was handing back the prize he’d just snatched to Ophelia.

“Not bad, not bad. Good job being proactive this time, little one,” Ophelia praised.

She nodded in satisfaction, glanced at the whip handle smeared with Blackfang’s drool, a flicker of disgust crossing her face before tossing it carelessly to the floor.

“Alright, my dear, keep practicing. Let’s see if you can aim a *bit* better this time?” Clapping her hands, Ophelia smiled sweetly.

“Yes…”

Though Blackfang had messed things up badly, doubt prickled in Nefu’s mind. He’d offended Ophelia twice—so why hadn’t she shown him her terrifying side?

Was she letting him run wild just to find an excuse to punish *her*?

Was Ophelia really that bored? Nefu’s expression twisted. …Actually, she probably *was*.

Still, with her vindictive nature? No way she’d just let Blackfang off the hook…

“Liiittle~ Neeefu~”

The demoness’s singsong whisper cut through Nefu’s thoughts.

“What’s got you so serious? Share it with me—I’ll help solve it, hmm?”

“N-no, Master! I’ll start right now!”

*This woman…* Nefu channeled magic again, aiming at the Troll King’s right side as instructed.

This time, the fireball smacked squarely onto the troll’s face, ending its suffering for good.

Ophelia stepped closer, studied Nefu carefully, and gave a slight nod. *So she wasn’t lying. Her magic really does drift left. How interesting.*

Smiling faintly, she raised a finger.

“Little Nefu, how about we name your flames ‘Nefu’s Innate Magic’?”

“Huh?”

“A leftward trajectory—so uniquely *you*~”

“Uh…”

Night fell over Anlina’s streets, yet adventurers still bustled about. Despite Lord Ajax’s repeated warnings to stay indoors after dark, no one listened.

After a long day, skipping a fine wheat beer and smoky cured meat at the tavern? That’d make the whole day feel wasted.

Heading straight home to sleep? Might as well get eaten by monsters.

The door of the “Sweet Home” tavern swung open. Two figures stepped inside.

The elderly shopkeeper glanced up, wrinkles softening into a warm smile.

“You’re here, child.”

“Yes, Granny Ying.”

Ophelia waved cheerfully, her smile genuinely sweet.

Nefu blinked in surprise—few ever earned *that* look from Ophelia.

*If I killed her… would Ophelia feel real pain?*

A cruel glint flashed in Nefu’s eyes—until Ophelia yanked her forward.

“Meet my personal maid, little Nefu! Adorable, right, Granny Ying? Go on, Nefu, say hello.”

Ophelia pinched and kneaded Nefu’s cheeks. Her face felt like plump, springy dough—*so* satisfying.

“Mmm… hello… I’m Laifu (Nefu)…”

Flustered by the rubbing, her words came out muffled.

“Now, Ophelia, stop teasing the child,” Granny Ying chided gently, ruffling Nefu’s hair.

Strange. Though she despised humans, those calloused hands felt… warm. Comforting. She almost let out a soft, contented hum.

But the warmth vanished quickly. Granny Ying pulled back, set a worn menu on the counter.

“What’ll it be today, child?”

“The usual. I’ve missed your cooking ever since you moved to Anlina.”

Seated across from Nefu, Ophelia cupped her chin, gazing at her like a priceless treasure.

Nefu squirmed under the stare, eyes darting everywhere but Ophelia’s.

“Feeling odd?” Ophelia murmured. “Peak hour for adventurers… yet so few customers here.”

Nefu glanced around. True—the tavern wasn’t remote. Why so empty?

Food arrived in moments. Nefu’s face fell. *No meat at all?*

Just two juice glasses and two bread baskets.

“The wine’s mediocre,” Ophelia mused, “but Granny Ying’s bread? Legendary.”

Nefu barely listened, lost in thought. *She comes here for the old human woman. Supporting her business…*

“Little Nefu? Zoned out again? Then taste it yourself~”

*So she really is Ophelia’s weak—Mmm?!*

Bread stuffed into her mouth cut off her thought.

She almost spat it out—but the rich wheat aroma flooded her senses. Her throat moved on its own. *Swallow.*

“Cough! Cough!”

Ophelia handed her juice just in time.

Once recovered, Nefu’s eyes widened.

*No meat… yet so delicious!* Tangy juice. Crispy-on-outside, soft-inside bread. Fragrant wheat flavor she couldn’t stop eating.

*Fine. I’ll spare the old human… for now.*

*Not because the bread’s good. Obviously.*

Back home after the meal, Nefu turned toward her room—

—when Ophelia snagged her collar from behind.

“Master…?”

“Post-meal exercise aids digestion. Come~ Let’s do some *bedroom exercises* together~”