Zaydas taught them how to roast potatoes Japanese-style using dried leaves.
Soon, they each had a roasted potato and began eating.
"Delicious~~"
Several of them seemed to melt with delight as they ate.
Zaydas thought they were exaggerating. But when he took a bite of the potato he had roasted, his eyes sparkled slightly.
'How can it be this good?' Zaydas was amazed.
Then he thought: 'Is it because the All-Purpose Farming Tool has reached Rank A+?'
Out of curiosity, he opened his status and clicked on the skill.
All-Purpose Farming Tool (Rank A+): Transforms into various farming tools. Improves soil quality, accelerates plant growth by up to 50 times, and, with a prayer, makes crops sprout in minutes or even seconds. Converts enemies into fertilizer. Also transforms into a spear that pierces barriers and defeats dragons but completely drains the user's energy.
He also checked the description of Healthy Body.
Healthy Body (Rank A): A perfect body, immune to all diseases and poisons. Grants superhuman endurance, instant fatigue recovery, and extreme regeneration acceleration, allowing for nearly unlimited peak performance.
'This passive skill has become extraordinary.' Zaydas narrowed his eyes, satisfied.
Zaydas then looked down and asked, "Hey, Rimuru, you can't taste food, right?"
Rimuru looked in his direction and replied, "Yeah, unfortunately..."
"Why don't we try to find an monster that has a taste-related ability?" Zaydas suggested.
"Taste ability...?" Rimuru murmured, deep in thought.
The bat had given him echolocation, other monsters had granted him corresponding abilities, and he was even capable of producing poison or spider webs.
"Cows and pigs are known for their taste sensitivity, and from what I heard from the goblins, there are Orcs nearby. Maybe try hunting one of them, who knows?" Zaydas said.
"Orcs, huh..." Once again, Rimuru fell into thought.
Minutes later...
"Oh, right, Zaydas-kun."
"Huh? I don't have money." Zaydas made an "X" sign with his arms.
"Listen to me, listen to me." Rimuru jumped up and down.
"You want something, don't you?" Zaydas said. "You only call me Zaydas-kun when you want something, or when you don't believe what I said. But since it's not the second option, it must be the first."
"Hahaha, as sharp as always!" Rimuru snapped his fingers.
"Speak. I'll at least hear you out."
"Seriously, man, I didn't expect you to have such a useful survival skill," Rimuru began. "With a skill like that, you never have to worry about starving, right?"
Zaydas crossed his arms, narrowing his eyes. "You want me to start farming here, don't you?"
"Yes, exactly!"
"Well, I was already planning to do that, don't worry." Zaydas smiled. "But, Rimuru-san, there's something I want from you too—something only you can do for me."
"Tell me, what is it?" A question mark seemed to form above his head.
"Potions. I want a good variety of them. You can make several, right?" Zaydas responded.
"Oh, that's all? Of course, it'll be my pleasure~" Rimuru replied.
"Deal." Zaydas extended his hand, and Rimuru created an arm that stretched toward him.
The two of them smiled as they shook hands, which startled the goblins.
***
***
Three days passed in the blink of an eye.
During this time, Zaydas cultivated an orchard of 50 by 50 meters, growing apples, bananas, and other fruits, as well as a 5-acre plantation with potatoes, sweet potatoes, carrots, tomatoes, and more.
"Are you leaving?" Rimuru asked.
Just as Zaydas had suggested, Rimuru had tried to devour an Orc and, upon doing so, acquired the Taste ability. He was very grateful, whether for that or for what Zaydas had done to the village's land, which had expanded enormously in size, with a good portion being farmland.
"Yes, but I shouldn't take long to return," Zaydas said. "Take care, Rimuru-san. With your power, I don't need to worry, just remember not to act rashly."
"Yes, you can count on me!" Rimuru formed a hand and patted his gelatinous body.
"See you later." Saying that, Zaydas began to fly, creating distance from the village.
'Great Sage, mark my dimension, I'm coming back.'
[Done!]
***
***
Asia couldn't sleep well.
She would sleep and wake up, repeatedly having nightmares.
Most of the time, she felt confused about where she was until she remembered what had happened and that she had become a Devil.
At almost 7 a.m., she decided to get out of bed.
The room she had been assigned even had a bathroom attached to it.
She did her basic hygiene routine, such as brushing her teeth and taking a bath. After leaving the bathroom, she was wearing casual clothes—a one-piece blue dress in the style of a nun and pink slippers.
Downstairs, she was walking when she tripped over her own foot, falling to the ground.
"Ouch... Why do I always end up falling like this?" she murmured in her sweet voice.
"Are you okay?"
Noticing someone in front of her, extending a hand, Asia accepted the help, thanking, "Thank you."
The one who helped her was Grayfia in her maid uniform. She had a gentle smile while assisting Asia.
"You're welcome," Grayfia replied. Then, she asked, "You must be hungry. Come, breakfast will be served soon."
Mechanically, Asia followed her. She felt very nervous and shy at that moment.
In the living room, Asia noticed for the second time how luxurious it looked. "Wow..."
She had seen few things she would consider luxurious, and Zaydas's family home was at the top of her list.
"Wahh, so sleepy..." Entering the living room with her hair down, Ravel noticed Asia. Embarrassed for being caught saying that, she masked it with a laugh, "Hohoho, good morning, Asia-chan."
"Good morning, Ravel-san," Asia replied.
"Zaydas-sama hasn't come down yet?" Ravel asked the obvious.
"No." Asia asked, "Does he sleep in?"
"No, he usually wakes up quite early, but... Today is Saturday, so he might sleep in a bit longer."
Grayfia, who heard them, simply maintained her gentle expression.
She knew. Zaydas had just returned from wherever he had been. He would probably come down soon.
Just as she imagined, Zaydas arrived.
"Good morning," he said with a smile.
"Good morning, Zaydas-sama." In unison, the three responded.
"Didn't sleep well, Asia-chan?" Zaydas asked as he sat between Ravel and her.
"I..." She hesitated before answering, "I just feel a little restless. I'll get used to it!"
She didn't want to talk about the nightmares she had and worry him, nor mention that the room was so big it made her feel uneasy.
"I see, but if something is bothering you, just let me know." Zaydas smiled, making a red pattern appear, and soon after, he pulled something out of the magic circle.
Placing it in front of Asia, he said, "This relieves fatigue; it should help you."
Holding the potion against her chest, she smiled sweetly. "Thank you, Zaydas-sama!"
"It's all good and, Asia-chan... Can I just call you Asia?" Seeing her nod, he continued, "Asia, you can also just call me Zaydas. You don't need to use 'sama'."
"But Ravel-san calls you that too, doesn't she?" Asia felt uneasy again.
"About that," Ravel replied, "For me, using 'sama' is a way of being more intimate with Zaydas. But when you say it, it sounds stiff, right?"
"I had no idea..." Asia thought for a moment and realized it really did seem that way.
While Ravel said "Zaydas-sama" in a way that sounded close and affectionate, even Grayfia sounded respectful yet warm when addressing him. However, when she thought about how she had been saying it, she realized she sounded rigid.
"Awawa, I must look like a fool..." Asia murmured, embarrassed.
"Asia is not a fool." Zaydas smiled at her. "I didn't say this to pressure you, but rather the opposite. I want you to treat me like family, like a close friend, understand?"
"Can I think that way?" She asked for permission.
Had Ravel always been this emotional? Why did it look like she was turning her face to wipe away tears?
"Yes, you can." Zaydas replied in a soft and gentle tone.
Smiling beautifully, tilting her head slightly, she said with her eyes curved, nearly closing, "Hehe, thank you, Zaydas-san."
It was a small change, but for Asia, it was a big step—especially because she felt as if she had gained her first friend, even though he was supposed to be the one she now served.
*****
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