He and Riku had reached a competitive yet forced alliance, the kind both parties reluctantly accepted.
Naturally, Arthur couldn't remain in the human tribe, so he led everyone to the elf city that very day.
By noon the next day, in the outskirts of the elves' capital, at Think's mansion, Arthur was having his first formal meal in this world.
The piles of food on the table resembled small mountains, shrinking at a visible, alarming speed. Such a voracious appetite! Even the beastmen would have been ashamed if they saw it.
Yet, despite its efficiency, Arthur's eating style wasn't brutishly heroic—it was elegant, almost pleasing in its precision.
Meanwhile, the Flügel girl watched with a dull expression, trembling continuously for nearly two whole days.
Lord Flower Crown's mansion, utterly destroyed in the battle two days prior, had been rebuilt—faster, grander, and slightly tailored to Arthur's style. The elves' efficiency was remarkable. And Jibril? She'd maintained her trembling state for two days straight, barely pausing. Her perseverance was truly astounding.
Soon, Arthur had devoured the entire table, leaving only a single plate of cookies.
He looked at Jibril, smiling gently.
Since he was in Think's house, there was no need for pretenses. Relaxed, hood removed, he appeared almost serene—a living work of art.
Jibril's cheeks flushed red as realization dawned. She shook her head frantically, still glaring at him with wide, expressive eyes.
"Hmm? The little girl has quite some patience. Barely blinked for two whole days just staring at me. Fascinated by what you see?" Arthur teased softly.
"Who's a little girl?! It's just natural changes in my body from exhausting my spirit! My mind hasn't changed!" Jibril retorted, dead serious.
But… she didn't deny being fascinated.
Arthur smiled. "Honestly, if looks could kill, I'd have been assassinated by you already. But even shrunken, with that fierce expression, you're not intimidating. Cute, fierce—cute and fierce."
"Cute? Do you know who I am? How dare you humiliate me!" Jibril raised her fist but didn't strike.
"It's a compliment from the bottom of my heart. Just accept it."
"For me, it's humiliation!"
"Humiliation or praise, you have no choice but to accept it from your current position, Miss Flügel… Ms. Slave?"
"Damn it! One day I'll blow your head off with Skystrike!"
"It's a pity you can only talk," Arthur smiled, picking up a biscuit. "Want one? I brought it from home—it's delicious."
"Huh? Do you think I'm a monkey who can't live without food? Stop joking! I'm a Flügel, a god-killing weapon. Unlike you monkeys and long-eared bastards, I don't need to eat." Jibril puffed out her chest, proud. But the moment she spoke, her stomach made a protesting "groove~".
Her eyes widened. "Impossible! How is this possible?!"
Apparently, Flügel really didn't need to eat.
Arthur's mind immediately began racing.
No need to eat meant savings on food. If true for all races, that could save huge amounts yearly. No eating also meant no meal breaks. And as previously observed, Flügel didn't need sleep and had near-immortal lifespans.
Arthur's eyes gleamed.
Another group of 007 tools! This world was incredible.
"What did you do to me?" Jibril shrank back instinctively, a wave of shame and flustered embarrassment washing over her. Blushing, she tried to look fierce, though her expression betrayed her.
"It's nothing. You were collapsing, unable to replenish your energy. You're magical, essentially. Even I can't analyze you in a short time, so I asked Merlin for help."
"Merlin? The white-haired guy!" Jibril emitted a murderous aura, clearly having been teased by him before.
"You should be grateful. Without Merlin, you'd be dead."
"Gu~ Kill me."
"Don't be so violent," Arthur said cheerfully. "Merlin temporarily transformed your concept into the creature he's most familiar with. You can't naturally recover as a Flügel yet won't die either."
"The creature he's most familiar with?" Jibril's heart sank.
"Yes. He's an incubus but there's no such thing here. Essentially, it's humans—creatures he knows best."
Human beings. People.
"Gu, just kill me… I give up…" Jibril's eyes dulled. Turning her into a human, even temporarily, was worse than death.
"Don't worry. Your appearance and body functions remain unchanged. I cast enough magic to prevent irreversible consequences. You can't die—no need to thank me."
Who should thank you?! You're a demon!
Dizziness washed over Jibril.
"Honestly, I'm impressed. While retaining Flügel strength, your current body is human. After two days and nights without sleep or water, most couldn't even stand, let alone glare at me. Yet here you are."
Jibril: "…"
Another "gurgle" sounded from her belly.
"Take your time. The human body is different—instincts are stronger, desires more immediate, senses more acute. And oh, food." Arthur tossed the biscuits toward her.
"Come on, I'm not asking you to crawl like a puppy. Just walk over and eat. Your body instinctively knows what to do."
"Gee, I'll never—"
"How long can you resist~?"
"I am… a special instance of the Flügel," Jibril gritted her teeth.
"Come and eat."
"Gu~"
-End Chapter-
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