Tonight’s dinner was barbecue.

I’ve always stuck to simple, “manly” cooking. Since I was never taught properly and don’t care much about food, my meals are usually hastily thrown together.

This secluded villa has an outdoor hearth and grill, perfect for casual outdoor dining. The natural surroundings give a sense of freedom, and since the smells don’t linger indoors, we often prefer eating outside.

"Ivy, could you help me out?"

"Meep!"

Ivy shot a small fireball into the pile of firewood, instantly igniting it into a lively blaze. The griffon, Sanshita, sat beside me, growling softly as he stared into the flames.

His round, glistening eyes reflected the flickering firelight, making him look adorably like a small woodland creature.

"Hurry up and cook the meat already!"

That thought of his instantly ruined the warm, fuzzy feeling I had. Yep, still the same old Sanshita.

"Alright, let’s get started."

Once the fire was just right, I placed the grill rack over it and began laying out the vegetables I’d bought earlier.

Sanshita, visibly displeased at the veggie display, stared pointedly until I set aside a section of the grill for meat—raw and still dripping with blood, just the way he liked it.

With a satisfied growl, Sanshita used wind magic to lift the meat in front of him. He barely seared the surface before sinking his teeth into it with delight.

Being a griffon, eating raw meat doesn’t harm him, but lately, he’s been imitating Ivy and me, asking to try our seasoned and prepared dishes.

Still, his "ideal doneness" is basically raw, with just a faint grill mark. Close enough to uncooked, but he seems happy, so I let it slide.

"Meep!"

"Oops, sorry, this one got a little burnt."

"Meep…"

As I turned back to check on the veggies, smoke rose from the grill. Ivy sighed, then floated over to inspect the slightly charred vegetables. She carried a piece to her mouth without hesitation.

Both she and Sanshita don’t need utensils and can eat things fresh off the fire without burning themselves. Meanwhile, I, not as resilient, burned my tongue after biting into something straight from the grill.

"Hot! Ouch..."

Ivy, shaking her head in mock disapproval, cast a small healing spell on me, easing the pain instantly.

Her healing abilities, I remembered, had astonished the nobleman from the Endlord Marquis. He had called her power "legendary" during their visit, though we hadn’t heard from them since.

Maybe it was time for us to drop by the marquess’s estate. Ivy and Sanshita could use a change of scenery, and the marquess’s daughter, Katya, had been eager to see them again.

"Meep!"

Ivy enthusiastically nodded, floating in agreement. Yes, perhaps tomorrow—

"Meep…"

Ivy suddenly let out an uncharacteristically low sound, her face serious.

She abandoned her food, floating onto my shoulder and staring intently at a rustling bush nearby.

There shouldn’t be monsters around here...

Before I could finish my thought, a figure emerged—a woman, her body draped in leaves.

She was clad in high-quality armor, her determined eyes sparkling. The gem-encrusted scabbard at her hip hinted at her status as a skilled adventurer.

What’s someone like her doing all the way out here?

Grrrrrrr...

"I… I’m sorry, but could you spare some food…?"

"Uh… sure?"

Her stomach growled so loudly it practically shook the air. She must not have eaten in days.

Whatever her story is, it can wait. For now…
"Would you like to join us for dinner?"