Gazef felt a leaden exhaustion weighing down his entire body—
both physical and mental.
A sigh escaped him.
His wish was simple: to live as the sword that served his king.
Yet the moment he stepped into the royal palace, that pure desire grew muddy.
He was forced to watch the shallow exchanges between nobles,
and when spoken to, he had to return polite, empty smiles.
All he wanted was to stand by his king.
Nothing more.
For a man who could only live straightforwardly,
maneuvering through the palace's social currents was nothing but torment.
When he looked up, the sky was burning red with sunset.
His home was coming into view.
A loud growl rumbled from his stomach, and his brow furrowed.
He was starving—yet even if he returned home, his elderly servant would only prepare bland, saltless, monk-like dishes.
He had told her again and again that a warrior who labored physically needed strong flavors and hearty seasoning, but she refused to understand.
Today would undoubtedly be another evening of insipid food.
With that resigned thought, Gazef stepped over the boundary into his yard.
"Ah, welcome home."
"I'm back. Has dinner already been prepared?"
His servant was just carrying out a large bag of trash to the back.
Her wrinkled face scrunched even further as she broke into a small trot toward him.
She looked—oddly cheerful.
"Stronoff-sama, you have a guest."
"…A guest? For me?"
"Yes. Ufufu. I'll be taking my leave now.
Ah—and dinner is already prepared, you know."
"Ah—ah, thank you…?"
"Well then, excuse me… please… enjoy yourselves."
After dumping the trash into the bin,
the servant hurriedly left Gazef's residence—
almost as if fleeing.
"…What was that about?"
He said the words aloud.
He had never seen her behave in such a way.
(A guest…? At this hour? That's unusual.
But… is it normal for a servant to leave a guest alone and go home first?)
Gazef had no understanding of such customs.
But leaving a guest unattended was clearly improper.
He hurried indoors.
Through the entryway—
into the living room—
"A—welcome home, Warrior Captain."
A voice greeted him.
Standing there, arranging dishes on the table while wearing an apron—
was Albedo—Momon—Momonga.
"… … …what."
Gazef froze.
Absolutely froze.
He stood like a perfect statue, breath halted.
Silence pressed between them.
His brain could not keep up.
Everything in his mind went blank—
like a cosmic screensaver wiping away conscious thought.
Only one concept echoed:
(…Why.)
Why was Albedo here?
Why was she wearing an apron?
Why was her long black hair tied neatly behind her?
She looked—
like a newlywed wife preparing dinner.
Gazef's rational mind slammed a hammer onto that thought.
This woman had once saved his life—
he had no right to view her through such a lens.
"S–Warrior Captain…?"
Her confused, velvety voice shook him out of his trance.
Gazef shook his head sharply, as if scraping frost off frozen thoughts.
"A-Albedo-dono… w-why are you here…?"
"Um… didn't you tell me to stop by your home whenever I came to the capital…?"
…He had said that.
He remembered clearly now.
But actually having her show up so suddenly…
was something entirely different.
"Ah… yes, that's true.
I suppose suddenly arriving would be… troublesome…"
"N-no, no! It's not that!
You've done nothing wrong!
I was just… shocked, that's all!"
Seeing Albedo wilt like a withering flower,
Gazef panicked.
He was overjoyed she had come—
there was absolutely no inconvenience.
When she realized that, she exhaled in relief.
"T-then… Albedo-dono, that outfit… and this food…?"
"The servant made me wear the apron… and, um… she had me help with the cooking.
It's my first time ever making food, so I'm not sure if it will suit your taste…"
"A-Albedo-dono… cooked…?"
Her cooking.
His heart fluttered traitorously,
and he wanted to punch himself for such unchaste thoughts.
More than that, he was angry at his meddlesome servant;
he could practically imagine her grinning like some gossiping old crow.
The food was far more luxurious than usual.
Meat, fish, spices—
the servant had pulled out all the stops.
She had often pestered him:
"Stronoff-sama, isn't it about time you got married?"
This was clearly her scheme.
Even a wine bottle had been opened.
"Um… I'm really sorry for intruding.
I did try to refuse, but the servant insisted on preparing enough food for two people…
so… would it be alright if I also had some?"
Two plates.
Two glasses.
A feast.
Of course Gazef had no reason—none at all—to refuse.
"Ah—ahh. Of course.
If anything, I'm the one who should be grateful for such a delicious-looking meal."
Though he was in his own home, the moment felt surreal.
Just having Albedo seated across from him made the place feel transformed.
(Cooking… surprisingly doable.)
Albedo—Momon—Momonga tasted the food and smiled faintly.
She had never learned cooking.
Neither had Albedo.
She assumed she would fail.
But when the servant handed her an apron and asked,
"If you would, could you help me just a little?"
she reluctantly agreed.
And everything worked perfectly.
Vegetables cut cleanly.
Heat adjusted flawlessly.
Seasoning balanced without effort.
(…This must be because of Albedo's settings.)
"A multifaceted housekeeper talented in all domestic skills."
It had been flavor text—
but in this world, flavor text became reality.
Just like sewing.
She mentally cursed herself for not reading Tabula's entire lore document.
Still, she pushed the thought aside and enjoyed the meal.
"Still… to think that the adventurer Momon was actually you, Albedo-dono…"
"Were you surprised?"
"To be honest… I suspected it.
There is no other woman capable of defeating such monsters—and so beautiful.
But I didn't know your horns and wings could be hidden…"
"For that, I truly have magic to thank."
"I truly must broaden my understanding of magic…"
Their conversation drifted to Momonga's journey.
Carne Village.
E-Rantel.
Her adventures.
Her battles.
When she spoke of Zaitl Q'ae,
Gazef listened with sweaty palms and sparkling eyes—
like a child hearing an epic.
As she spoke, she realized again how much she had lived since arriving here.
Meanwhile, something burned in Gazef's chest.
(…Am I okay with this…?)
She accomplished so much.
He… trained, did paperwork, dealt with nobles.
He felt a quiet envy.
(…Will I ever reach the strength she acknowledges…?)
Still, he did not let despair take root.
He simply resolved to train harder tomorrow.
"—Come to think of it, I should give you proper compensation, Albedo-dono.
That's why I invited you."
"About that—I'm fine."
"Eh?"
"I'm an adamantite-ranked adventurer now.
Unlike in Carne Village, my wallet is warm these days."
"B-but still—"
"If I take your money now, it feels wasteful.
If you insist, donate it to an orphanage instead."
She said it lightly.
Gazef looked moved.
(She truly doesn't boast…)
Of course Momonga didn't want money—
unless it involved a rare magic item.
"I only came to see how you were doing.
I never intended to demand a reward."
She finished her wine with goddesslike poise.
Gazef realized he could never win against her sheer presence.
Departure
"Thank you for the meal."
"No—you made the food. I should thank you."
"No, no, I only helped a little.
And we used ingredients you already bought."
"…You're very earnest."
"Well then, Warrior Capt—"
"Gazef is fine."
"…Eh?"
"Call me Gazef."
"…Ga—Gazef… san…"
Her shy tone made her even more adorable.
"Thank you, Albedo-dono.
Shall I walk you home?"
"That won't be necessary.
Or do I look like a fragile woman who'd be unsafe at night?"
He had no answer.
"I'm far stronger than you, Gazef-san."
"Frustratingly… that's true."
"Well then, take care."
"Yes. And Gazef-san—take care of your health.
Until next time."
"Ah."
They exchanged smiles.
Momonga walked away—
small and slender in her black armor—
her figure fading into the night.
More free than anything.
More beautiful than anything.
"…Albedo-dono—"
He called out without thinking.
The plan Renner proposed—the strike against Eight Fingers—
came to mind.
If Albedo helped,
it would be easy.
He wanted to ask.
He bit the words down.
(…No. I can't.)
This was the kingdom's disgrace.
He wouldn't drag her into it.
Raising his hand, he called out instead:
"Please come again.
I will always welcome you, Albedo-dono."
"Of course.
Next time, please take me to another delicious restaurant."
"…Ah. I promise."
They waved goodbye.
Night had fully settled over the city.