{CHAPTER 37} Barbeque
"So, Helga, you came all the way here just to find me?"
After learning Helga's intentions, Anna was a little surprised.
This was something the simulator hadn't mentioned, though it was still within Anna's expectations.
The journey back was somewhat troublesome, and since it was already noon, with two fresh ingredients right next to them, Anna decided to pick some dry branches from the shrubs she'd chopped down along the way.
"Oh, oh! Are we having grilled meat for lunch here?" Helga instantly caught onto Anna's idea, her eyes practically lighting up. "It's been so long since I've had grilled meat with you, Anna! I can help start the fire!"
"This is the only thing you're good for," Louise suddenly added, a little sarcastically.
"Now's not the time to argue! Come and help!"
"Got it!"
With the help of Helga and Louise, a simple campfire was soon built, and a thin plume of smoke rose into the forest.
"It's really convenient having a mage around," Anna remarked as she skewered chunks of magic boar meat on a grill Louise had brought.
With a mage, there was no need to carefully pick firewood, just gather enough wood and let the mage ignite it.
"But the grill Louise brought was also a big help..." After praising Helga, Anna quickly noticed Louise's subtle pout and hurriedly added a compliment.
Honestly, it was pretty ridiculous for Louise to carry a grill while patrolling the forest. Sure, it was for "emergencies," but bringing an entire grill?
Not to mention she even brought a salt shaker.
"If I had more space, I'd probably bring even more seasonings," Louise said matter-of-factly.
"You're so immature. Instead of bringing essential items, you cram all sorts of nonsense into your storage ring," Helga retorted, clearly taking the chance to strike back at Louise for her earlier jab.
"What did you say?! If you're so capable, don't eat!"
"Alright, alright, why are you two arguing again..."
They're both adults, yet why does it feel like I'm dealing with children? Anna thought. When they're alone with me, they seem so mature...
Anna sighed, flipping the meat over with Louise's half-sword before sprinkling a bit of salt on it.
"Who gets the first piece?"
"You should have it, Senior!"
"Yeah, Anna, you eat it."
... In moments like this, they’re oddly in sync.
Seeing the identical sentiments in their words and the concern in their eyes, Anna sighed again.
After moving the grill aside to let the meat cool slightly, she prepared to use her gloves to grab the meat and eat it herself.
"Anna, your knight gloves are a bit too dirty right now," Helga suddenly pointed out, a victorious smile appearing on her face.
"Let me feed you instead."
"Huh?"
Anna looked puzzled, while Louise, upon realizing what Helga was up to, became instantly furious.
Helga snapped her fingers lightly, summoning a floating, magical hand beside Anna.
The spell Mage Hand, which could only be learned by certified mages, allowed for manipulation of objects within five meters, capable of performing any task a hand could do.
Like pushing an unsuspecting enemy off a cliff, unlocking doors, or activating mechanisms controlling gates.
Or, in this case, feeding someone.
Using the Mage Hand, Helga picked up the meat from the grill. Since the magical hand had no body temperature, it also helped cool the meat down.
"W-Wait a minute!" Louise, fully aware of Helga's intent, angrily tried to intervene. "Senior is already an adult; she doesn't need you feeding her..."
"Oh, really? But Anna’s gloves are covered in dirt, and the meat is still quite hot. Would you rather Anna eat dirt with her meat and burn her mouth in the process?"
"D-Damn it!"
At this moment, Louise wished she could travel back in time and bring along a spare pair of knight gloves.
"Here, Anna, say ahhh..."
Faced with Helga’s gesture of kindness, Anna saw no reason to refuse. Silently apologizing to Louise in her heart, Anna opened her mouth obediently.
The Mage Hand then gently delivered the meat into Anna's mouth.
"Grrrr..."
Though it was just the Mage Hand feeding Anna, Louise felt as if she'd seen Helga personally feeding Anna, and it made her want to bite something in frustration.
Seeing Louise's reddening eyes, Anna quietly wiped a bead of sweat from her forehead.
‘I’d better go comfort Louise later…’
Though who knows what it might cost me, Anna thought guiltily.
To make matters worse, Helga had no intention of letting things slide:
"Anna, does it taste good?"
"..."
How was she supposed to answer that?
Her instincts told her that if she admitted it was delicious, Louise might completely lose her mind.
After some careful thought, Anna finally replied, "My grilling skills have really declined. The heat control was totally off. I was planning to grill one for Louise next, but..."
Louise visibly calmed down after hearing this.
‘Louise, you’re getting more and more passive, you know?’
Being high offense and low defense was great in one-on-one situations, but when a third party got involved, it always led to being on the back foot.
How did Anna know? It was obvious, she’d read way too many novels back at the knight academy. Novels always described it like this!
"Senior, I don’t mind if you grill one for me," Louise said, smiling with anticipation. "I’m looking forward to your cooking."
"Eh, I want Anna to grill one for me too..."
"What are you talking about? The grill and the half-sword used for turning the meat are both mine, you know?" Louise's smile grew even more "friendly."
"Well, I guess there’s no helping it. Anna, you can grill hers first."
Watching her childhood friend act like she’d already won, Anna felt exhausted.
Seriously, this girl hasn’t changed one bit. She’s still the same when it comes to teasing people. The only question is whether her reactions when being teased have changed.
"Oh, by the way, Anna," Helga added, completely unbothered and fanning the flames further, "if you don’t want to use those dirty gloves to feed this Latimir lady, my Mage Hand could do the job for you!"
"Get lost!”