"In exchange for your loyalty, I'll give you anything you want to the best of my ability." Alfie offered.
The girl looked Alfie up and down before asking for some food and water. For most Lords items such as food and water carried with them great value in the first month.
When first arriving in the source world, Lords were only able to bring in as many supplies as they could carry on them.
Most lords brought backpacks stocked with supplies, and others who were richer could afford a decent spacial artifact.
Alfie on the other hand could bring out a whole grill and start barbecuing up some 3-star meats.
"If you had a grill why didn't you bring one out on the first day?" Ivory questioned.
"I wasn't allowed access to it. I only found it after I got to my first star." Alfie answered.
"Rich parents." Ivory sighed.
"Oh, the meat is just about done," Alfie commented.
Ivory looked over to the large futuristic capsule that Aflie had also brought out.
"Just how much stuff do you have in that spacial pocket of yours," Ivory asked.
"A lot actually. Summoning tickets, blueprints, potions, weapons, and some quality of life stuff."
"Other than that not much else," Alfie admitted.
"You're sure about recruiting her right? She might not have the talent you're looking for." Ivory asked.
"I've already come too far. Even if she's not who I'm thinking of, it's a matter of principle now." Alfie admitted.
Ivory took a large bite out of the barbecue Alfie plated for him before saying "Well, good luck then."
***
As the two bickered, inside the futurist capsule, Ambrosia took her time washing off the dirt she used to hide.
For a long time, she just stood still as the warm water ran down her body. For the past few weeks, she stayed hidden, not stepping a single foot outside of that little hut.
For the first few days, she lived off what little she brought with her. She rationed what little food and water she had to last as long as it could.
To save on the food she had left, she would eat any critters that were fortunate to cross her path.
Although she tried her best, she honestly wasn't sure that she'd be able to survive until the month ended.
That was at least until those two people came from the middle of nowhere. They walked through the forest without a care in the world.
She could barely sense spiritual power, but she could tell that their confidence didn't come from arrogance.
When she heard them seemingly talk to her from beyond the door, she knew that she wasn't the person they were looking for.
Despite that they were still her best chance at survival, she wasn't gonna simply let that go.
***
"She's been in there for an awful while now. The meats gonna get cold." Ivory commented.
"It's probably been a while since she's had a proper shower, let her enjoy it," Alfie assured.
The woosh of hot air seeping out from the shower capsule caught the attention of the two sitting around the grill.
As she approached, Alfie was finally able to get a good look at the girl without all the grim and mud that used to sully her looks.
Her short-cut black hair looked springy untethered by the grim it once held. Having little to give, Alfie handed her some black baggy sweatpants and a white T-shirt that she styled into a crop top.
Her honey-brown eyes gleamed with a hint of desire and desperation, and though it was clear she hadn't seen the sun in ages her complexion neared that of a light caramel.
Seeing as her desire for food still wasn't satiated, Alfie handed her a plate of barbecue that he had been keeping warm on the grill.
Whilst scarfing down her food she asked, "Did you use gas to cook this?"
"Yeah, something wrong with the barbeque?" Alfie asked.
Ambrosia paused for a moment before deciding not to speak on it. "No nothing."
Alfie looked through his memories to see if he was missing anything about her asking if he used gas to cook.
That's when he came across a clip he watched from the show Queen of the Hill. It was actually part of a section from the Channel Meal theory talking about gas vs charcoal grills.
It was a little amusing that such debates still racked the minds of people in this universe just like they had on Earth.
Either way, it seemed like a good topic for the two of them to start getting to know each other.
"Are you more of a fan of charcoal ugh…?" Alfie paused.
"Ambrosia. And yes, I am. It adds a depth of flavor that gas can't replicate."
"Also, you grilled some meat. This isn't barbeque." Ambrosia remarked.
"The meat was definitely a little tough, you might wanna put down the chef's hat." Ivory teased.
"Give me a little leeway, will you. I'm not much of a griller." Alfie retorted.
"Hey, kid I like you so I'm gonna give you some advice. Tell us the truth alright." Ivory advised.
"We could've given her more time to eat, you know." Alfie sighed.
"We all know it's coming. Why not just get it over with." Ivory shrugged.
"Alright Ambrosia. I have just one question, do you have a talent?" Alfie asked.
"I don't…" She admitted.
"I know I'm not the person you're looking for, but I'm willing to work for you."
"I know my way around a kitchen and I'll relinquish my archway so you can upgrade yours." Ambrosia offered.
"Told you she wasn't the person we were looking for," Ivory commented.
"Let me do the talking," Alfie said annoyed.
"More than just a chef I was wondering if you'd like to be my right-hand man." Alfie offered.
"I thought I was your right-hand man?" Ivory said looking hurt.
"You can't exactly come with me to the main universe can you now." Alfie retorted.
"Way to rub salt in my wounds." Ivory sighed.
"Why me though? You're rich enough that I'm sure you've got plenty of other subordinates ready for you." Ambrosia questioned.
"Because I think you're special. At the end of the day, that's the main reason why."
"I'm sure you've noticed that the concentration of monsters around here is much higher than most recorded beginner lord regions," Alfie claimed.
"My first subject died distracting them, how could I not?" Ambrosia gleaned.
"I'm sorry to hear that. You see I have a theory that because of your latent potential monsters have begun to gather around at such a great concentration." Alfie commented.
"Although I'm unsure whether or not my theory is true."
"What happens if I don't possess this hidden talent you think I have? What happens to me then?" Ambrosia asked.
"Then we'll get you into the position of a chef. We'll provide you with protection and enough money to live comfortably." Alfie offered.
"Will we sign a contract to ensure it?" she asked.
"Smart move." Ivory approved.
"I'll bring out a spiritual contract that we'll both sign, how about it?" Alfie suggested.
"Done deal." Ambrosia agreed.
After a few minutes of deliberation and discussion, the two settled on terms that stood agreeable for both of them.
"Since I've signed the contract. Can I ask you something?"
"Why'd you choose to help me out?" Ambrosia asked.
"You needed help, and I had the means to help. Do I need any other reason?" Alfie admitted.
"But why'd you recruit me? You could've just given me some supplies and then gone on your way." Ambrosia asked.
"It was a matter of principle. With how I was talking I must've given you the idea that I was looking for someone to recruit right?" Alfie asked.
"Yeah, but I'm not the person you wanted." She said.
"True you're not them but I was already thinking of finding people to help me. Finding you was just kinda fate." Alfie admitted.
Although he already answered a variety of questions, he could tell that she still wasn't satisfied with his answers.
"But in honesty, helping a person when they're at their lowest point makes them pretty loyal to you," Alfie stated.
"That's a pretty shit thing to do you know." She retorted.
"Yeah, but I'm being honest aren't I?" Alfie asked.