“Rean…”

“Rean…”

“Miya…”

Snapping back to reality, Rean found himself seated at a wooden table in the restaurant. Across from him, Olga frowned, giving him a strange look. His lips were slightly parted—as if something had already slipped out.

“Rean, what’s with spacing out? I’ve called you several times!” Olga asked, worry flickering in her eyes as she watched his dazed expression.

*So it was her calling me…*

Rean inwardly scoffed at his own fragility. A random mention by someone else had dragged up old memories—proof that, even after all these years, he still couldn’t bury them deep enough.

Then it clicked. During his last visit to Yethania, he’d eaten here too. After the meal, he’d saved the shopkeeper’s daughter from being kidnapped. Now, studying the waitress closely… yeah, the little girl from back then and this young woman shared a striking resemblance.

“I’m fine,” Rean said, shaking his head. He turned to the worried-looking waitress, a faint, deliberately mysterious smile playing on his lips. “The adult world’s complicated. Some things aren’t so easily explained, you know?”

“I-I see… Then I won’t pry. Please go ahead and order…”

The waitress’s face paled slightly—clearly imagining something scandalous that’d wreck Rean’s reputation.

*Whatever. She’d never guess the man before her is the current Seventh Demon King—Rean Christin. Rumors wouldn’t matter anyway.*

“I’ll have roasted Faling rabbit, fried Galar shrimp, a mixed fruit juice, and peach pudding for dessert.”

Rean barely glanced at the open menu before ordering. As a returning guest, he knew the specialties: Faling rabbit and Galar shrimp were local delicacies. The previous owner’s cooking had been unforgettable.

*Has the taste stayed the same after all this time?*

“Noted…” The waitress scribbled the order and turned to Olga.

“Ugh…”

Sweat beaded on Olga’s forehead. Her hand trembled slightly around the menu.

*(I have no idea what to pick!)*

This was her first time in a human restaurant—her first time in the human realm, period. Every dish looked delicious, yet terrifying. What if she chose something bizarre?

She felt like a country bumpkin in the city—and she knew it. Humiliation burned her cheeks.

“The… the same as his.”

“Understood. Please wait a moment.”

The waitress noticed Olga’s fluster but said nothing, simply smiling as she collected the menu and left.

“Go ahead and laugh…”

“You’ve got good taste,” Rean said calmly, almost approving. “These are my favorites. Trust the flavor.”

…

*Crazy! Is he insane?!*

Olga stared, stunned. This gentle, smiling man bore zero resemblance to the sarcastic, sharp-tongued jerk from before. No disdain. No barbs. Just warmth—*directed at her?*

She stole a glance. He gazed out the window, spines retracted like a softened hedgehog. *If only he stayed like this…*

*Could this place mean something to him?*

She recalled the waitress mentioning “that older sister.”

*Miya.*

The name he’d murmured in his daze. A woman’s name. His past lover? If they were still together, Glena and Gabriel wouldn’t have arranged this political marriage…

*Why bring me here? Just to eat? Or to revisit memories? Does he still love her?*

A tiny, sharp prick pierced Olga’s heart. Baseless speculation, yet her excitement about the human realm cooled instantly.

*Why does this bother me?*

*Right!* she scolded herself. *If his heart’s taken, winning him over gets harder. How can I make him marry me willingly? The Celestial Realm’s future depends on me!*

Forcing a smile, she scanned the restaurant interior, determined to salvage her first dining experience.

Silence settled between them. Time ticked on. The waitress returned, placing dishes before them: crimson roasted rabbit, golden fried shrimp, garnished with radish-carved flowers. Savory meat aroma blended with fruity juice—mouthwatering.

“This is human food… Am I really allowed to eat it?” Olga’s eyes sparkled. She leaned forward, nearly nose-to-plate.

“Unless your constitution forbids it, yes,” Rean drawled. “And stop eyeing my plate. Need oil to wash your face?”

“Mmm… You’re only bearable when quiet.”

“Treating you doesn’t earn me silence?”

Rean sliced the rabbit. Golden oil seeped slowly across the cut. He chewed; rich juices flooded his tongue. Tender Faling rabbit, spiced to perfection—a haven for the taste buds.

“So delicious… Every race truly has its own unique strengths.”

Rean glanced up. Olga cradled her cheek, blissfully chewing. He almost smiled.

*Humans excel where others fall short. Good food heals. I wonder… what does Celestial cuisine taste like?*

“By the way—do you even have chefs…?”

Olga’s smile vanished.

“Chefs? What’s that?”

Rean froze.

“In our realm, trees grow from spiritual veins. We eat their fruits—they boost magic.”

*What the hell… So angels are basically fruit-eating monkeys? Even elves hunt meat now! How do Celestials get protein? How does Gabriel have battleship-level curves?!*

*…Actually, she’s not wrong. Kings have talents. Chefs have talents. No race is superior. But seriously, you silly angels—your diet’s the worst.*

“I’m starting to feel guilty about my verbal abuse,” Rean muttered, covering his eyes dramatically. “Fine. Since you poor thing’ve never tasted real food… eat up. Take mine if you’re still hungry.”

*How has the Celestial Realm fought the Demon Realm this long? Different physiology? Special fruits? …I kinda wanna try them.*

He sipped the juice. Sweet, fresh fruit filled his mouth.

*Time to plan.*

First: secure a base.

Second: get Olga working. Can’t cover all costs alone. Hit the Adventurers’ Guild—earn coin, gather Yethania intel. Land one big job, build reputation fast. When Mammon’s army invades again, they’ll *invite* us to help.

*Perfect. Simple. One move, three birds. Zero loss.*

—

“Ah!” *Crash!*

A sharp gust cut the air. Rean’s instincts snapped his gaze toward the source—followed by a man’s scream and shattering glass.

He focused. The white-clad woman who’d been drinking alone now stood. Her wine glass was gone. Outside the window, a man clutched his wrist, writhing on the ground. A patched pouch lay beside him.