Kuuga Quiz

Upon returning to the room, Gadilas seized Kuuga’s face in his hands and stared straight into his eyes. At such close range, it was reminiscent of the ritual.

‘Gadi…?’

What was he trying to do? Staring into his eyes like that wouldn’t cause anything special to happen now.

Gadilas narrowed his eyes, as if searching for something.

“What do your eyes see?”

‘…What do you mean?’

Perplexed, Kuuga tipped his head, but Gadilas simply used his hands to return Kuuga’s face to the original angle.

“To me, all I see is desire and envy.”

‘I can see the truth, Gadi.’

Murmuring his answer, Kuuga realized the sentiment wouldn’t reach Gadilas. After a few moments, Gadilas sighed, as if giving up, and released Kuuga’s face.

‘I’ll see what you can’t, so use me, Gady.’

“That’s enough. Forgive me.”

Even as Kuuga tried to continue, desperate to explain, Gadilas shook his head lightly and roughly patted his head. Though he seemed to notice Kuuga’s ears droop, he said nothing more.

After that, the room fell silent, until after a while Uros arrived, bringing their meal to the bedroom.

Perhaps he’d delivered it himself out of concern for poison.

Kuuga watched as Uros arranged the dishes on the table, noticing Gadilas glance his way as if to ask if the food was all right. Kuuga nodded in reassurance.

“It was a simple inspection, but as we thought, it was indeed poison. It had been mixed into the sauce… The effects were delayed, so the taster died just a short while ago.”

“I see… It means the Divine Beast’s warning can’t be ignored.”

“It would seem that way. Also… an apprentice cook has been found murdered behind the castle.”

It was clear this apprentice cook was the poisoner, silenced by an unknown mastermind. Uros looked frustrated that the person behind the attempt on Gadilas’s life remained unidentified, while Gadilas seemed unsurprised, as if he’d expected it.

Since arriving in this world, death among men had suddenly become much more real. The realization left Kuuga feeling hollow and despondent.

“From now on, we should have the Divine Beast check all meals before eating.”

‘Of course.’

“He seems willing.”

Once he’d finished preparing Gadilas’s meal, Uros placed a (luxurious) bowl for dogs in front of Kuuga. Looking down to see what was inside, Kuuga’s eyes went half-lidded.

—A slab of raw meat.

‘…I had a feeling it would be this.’

Apparently, raw meat was the assumed standard for beasts. Unlike the meat served at the church, this was quite fresh, but just the thought of eating it raw was enough to kill Kuuga’s appetite.

He slowly pushed the bowl away with a paw and turned his face aside, pointedly refusing to eat.

Both Gadilas, starting on his own meal, and Uros, who was watching, noticed this and frowned.

“You don’t like meat?”

Kuuga considered and shook his head once. Uros, now enjoying the “Kuuga Quiz,” thoughtfully stroked his chin.

“You don’t dislike meat, but you don’t want that? …Do you dislike Redani meat?”

‘Redani? What’s that… What animal is this meat from…?’

Knowing it was from some unknown animal only worsened Kuuga’s aversion, and he shook his head twice.

“So it’s not the type of meat… Would you prefer it with seasoning?”

“…That’s not it… Should it be cut up for easier eating?”

Why does no one ever suggest cooking it?

Kuuga shook his head and turned his gaze to the meat on Gadilas’s plate. The two men followed his lead, and finally realized what he meant.

“Ah, you can’t eat it raw!”

“…I see. That was terribly inconsiderate of us. I’ll have it grilled immediately.”

“…You really are suspiciously human.”

‘I was a human, after all…’

Uros carried the meat out to be cooked. While waiting for his return, Kuuga set his sights on Gadilas’s dessert. This fragrance belonged to the same fruit Keiry had given him at the church.

It was deftly sliced for easy eating; Kuuga nimbly picked up a piece in his mouth. As Gadilas quietly watched him steal it, Kuuga thought he heard a soft laugh.

Chewing the fruit, Kuuga looked up and saw the faintest trace of a smile at Gadilas’s lips—something he had never seen before.

“So you eat Aghi fruit too? It’s called the sacred fruit, you know. Suits you well.”

‘Is that so.’

So that was part of the reason this fruit was provided, knowing Kuuga wouldn’t eat meat.

Gadilas, liking the sight of Kuuga enjoying the aghi fruit, told him to help himself, and Kuuga gratefully ate all the remaining slices.

As he finished, Uros returned with the meat, now grilled, and Kuuga finally had a decent meal in this world. Though he was still unsure just what animal he had eaten, it was surprisingly tasty.