[Nina's affection for you has reached two-fourths of Absolute Devotion. You have obtained five Common Lucky Draws.]
Skills, equipment, and potions were divided into six ranks: Ordinary, Common, Uncommon, Rare, Epic, and Legendary.
'Since the draws respond to my situation, it is wiser to wait. If I use them at the right moment, the rewards will be far more useful.' Judas gave a small, inward nod at his own conclusion.
Nina watched the pot with sparkling eyes as the water began to boil over the small clay stove.
The fire crackled weakly, licking the bottom of the pot. Judas crouched beside her, tearing open a colorful packet of noodles.
Steam rose in soft clouds, filling the room with a warm scent none of them had ever experienced.
Nina leaned closer and sniffed. "It smells so good."
Her stomach growled at full volume.
Judas laughed. "Relax, Puppy. It will be ready soon."
Nina's ears drooped in embarrassment. "I did not mean to. It just smells very nice."
Ezra stepped forward, her arms folded. "The scent is strange. I have never smelled anything like this."
'He is full of secrets. Perhaps marrying him is not a bad thing.'
Affection: 8 -> 15
"It smells strange. We will not die after eating this, right?" Luna muttered, trying to sound calm.
'I want to taste it already!'
"Of course you will die," Judas said, smirking at their changing expressions. "You will die in bliss."
Luna looked away with a soft hmph, but her eyes never left the bubbling pot.
Having reached fifty affection, Nina had grown comfortable around him without even realizing it. She did not pull away when Judas inched closer.
The rising steam made her hair brush against his cheek. A gentle scent of wild berries drifted under his nose.
'So embarrassing. They are looking. This husband~' Nina whimpered in her mind, though a quiet anticipation curled within her.
Judas leaned into her and rested his head against the side of her neck.
"Puppy, you smell good. So sweet."
Affection: 50 -> 65
His breath slid along her ear, his mouth deliberately brushing one of her soft wolf ears. "I wonder how you taste," he whispered, just loud enough for the other two to hear.
Affection: 65 -> 70
'Hooligan.' Luna's inner voice quivered.
'Poor girl. She already bit the bait.' Ezra shook her head.
'Wait a few days. You both will act the same. Perhaps even wilder,' Judas thought smugly.
Nina pointed at the pot with bright eyes. "Husband, it is turning soft. Look! Look!" Her tail wagged like a small broom brushing the floor.
Judas smiled warmly. "That is the point, Puppy."
Ezra knelt on the opposite side. "If the scent is this strong, the taste must be interesting."
Luna drifted closer too, pretending she came only to inspect the texture. Judas watched her pretend not to be excited.
Minutes later, he lifted the pot carefully and poured the steaming noodles into four bowls. The broth shimmered golden, the aroma rich and comforting.
Nina inhaled deeply, her eyes half-closed as if the scent alone carried her away.
"It smells like heaven," she whispered.
Judas set the bowls on the table. "This is only the beginning. I will feed you better in the future. I want chubby wives."
Affection: 70 -> 72
Affection: 10 -> 20
Affection: 15 -> 20
Ezra took the first bite, slow and thoughtful. Her eyes widened ever so slightly. "It is good."
'Better than the food made by an apprentice cook.'
Judas studied her quietly. Those awakened with lifestyle professions were rare. Back in his previous world, such people worked under powerful figures. He suspected it was similar here.
Ezra's contact with such a cook meant her background was not simple. If only he could read her stats.
[After she becomes absolutely devoted to you, she can share her stats with you, Host.]
'Or if I get an Appraiser skill.'
Luna snatched a bite next. Judas watched the shift in her expression. Her eyes trembled. Her fingers tightened around the bowl.
He laughed softly.
She glared at him. "Not bad."
She tried to keep her cold face, but the flavor sliced through her pride like a hot knife through butter.
'How embarrassing. Has he never seen someone eat before?'
Judas grinned. "Your ears are red, Luna."
"It is because the food is hot."
"Just like you."
'Hooligan.' Luna lowered her head with a tiny hum, her ears burning scarlet.
Nina lifted a spoonful of noodles toward him. "Husband, take a bite."
Judas blinked, stunned for a moment.
'What is wrong? Does Husband not like it…?'
Slurp.
He leaned in and took the bite from the spoon.
"Wonderful. As wonderful as you, Puppy."
Affection: 72 -> 73
'The speed of her affection is slowing already? It seems I have to be more proactive.'
He scooped up a spoonful in return and gently guided it to her lips. Nina slurped it with pure bliss, tail flicking behind her.
"Husband, this is amazing. If this is peasant alchemy, then you are a great sage."
Judas puffed his chest. "I will accept that title."
The four of them sat around the small table, the warmth of the noodles filling the cold cracks of their broken home. Outside, the sky darkened into deep violet and blue, but inside, the air felt warm and fragrant.
For the first time since arriving in this world, Judas felt something close to genuine peace.
A roof overhead. Three wives beside him. Food on the table.
And a future that did not involve being eaten alive.
He watched their faces as they ate. Nina glowed like a child discovering her favorite meal. Ezra kept her calm expression but finished her bowl more quickly than he expected.
Luna tried to appear dignified, yet she kept sneaking extra bites as if afraid someone might steal them.
Judas leaned back with a satisfied sigh.
"Good. This is only the beginning."
After dinner, he pulled out the small pouch of glowing blue seeds and placed it on the table.
"These will be our real miracle."
Ezra leaned in. "Seeds?"
Nina's eyes widened. "They are glowing."
"Magical?" Luna asked, lifting a brow.
"Better," Judas said. "These are called Speed Growth Seeds. Plant them today, and in a month we will have fully grown crops."
The three women exchanged quick glances.
Ezra spoke first. "That alone fixes the quota problem."
Nina gasped. "Then Husband will not be taken away."
"Your pathetic life is safer for another month," Luna muttered, though her voice carried a hint of relief.
Judas frowned slightly. "Why are none of you surprised? I thought you would question it more."
'Because Husband is mighty,' Nina beamed inside.
'You look ordinary and a little dumb, but you do not seem like someone who lies,' Luna thought quietly.
'Intuition,' Ezra concluded.
Judas nodded proudly. "Yes. Your husband is reliable." He gave them a playful wink.
Ezra picked up a seed and examined it closely. "This is no ordinary item. Where did you get it?"
"If you give me a kiss, I will tell you."
'B-brave.' Ezra's calm mask cracked for a heartbeat.
"We can plant them in my fields later. For now, let me show you the last item." Judas pulled all three women into his arms again and guided them toward the sewing machine.
Luna and Ezra gently pushed his hands away when they wandered toward inappropriate places, but Nina clung to him, face red yet content.
"Ta-da," he announced proudly as he revealed the sewing machine.
"What is that?" Nina asked, fascinated.
"It is a sewing machine. A device that can stitch clothes quickly."
Ezra's eyes widened a fraction.
Luna tapped the metal frame with cautious fingers. "This craftsmanship is unlike anything I have seen. Humans cannot create such machinery."
'Where did he get this?'
Nina touched his arm, eyes shining. "Husband is so amazing."