MOTEGI'S HOUSE, REMANTIA
As soon as we step through the portal, Brunhild's eyes sweep across the polished granite floor and the empty display shelves.
"Is this truly... your home?"
"Yes. Wanna check upstairs?"
"Lead the way..."
And the house tour starts with the same routine. First stop is always the living room, then the dining room and kitchen, and Pinna's explanations of the vacuum cleaner, refrigerator, and microwave. And Brunhild always responds with the same words.
"These devices surpass even the sacred relics of Turivel. I had not imagined such innovation in the lower world."
After that, we lead her into the bedroom and the wardrobe room next door. And just like I thought, she freezes and her cheeks turn red the moment she sees the massive bed dominating the bedroom, and the wardrobe is filled with lace and fabric in every cabinet and rack.
"I... I am uncertain how to respond to this..."
Honestly, it's kind of cute seeing her flustered like this. But I guess it makes sense since she's an angel after all. Stuff like sleeping together in the same bed or wearing lacy, seductive underwear probably falls somewhere between indecent and unthinkable in her mind.
We move to the bathroom next and lead her to the full bathroom. I motion to the low stools and narrow tub.
"This one's for washing first. You get clean here before soaking."
Then I point to the large bath in the center.
"And that one's for relaxing afterward."
And Brunhild nods slowly.
"I understand."
But suddenly, Salacia drags her into a room in the corridor.
"Come, Brunhild~!"
Then, she opens the door, stepping inside and spinning in place.
"This is my potion lab! Darling made it just for me~..."
Brunhild follows her in, and her eyes slowly scan the room, taking in the lined shelves filled with sea plants sealed in jars, the worktable, the cauldron, and everything inside.
"I was aware that krakens possess extraordinary regeneration, but to learn those gifts are applied in service of others is truly remarkable."
"Thank you, Brunhild! But it's all because of Darling~... right, darling~?"
Salacia winks in my direction, and I smile back at her.
"You're right."
After that, Kimberly walks to the door directly across from Salacia's potion lab and opens it.
"This is... my library. Also made... by Motegi-sama…"
Brunhild follows her in, and her eyes slowly scan the simple interior with only bookshelves and a desk beside the window.
"A humble space… and yet, I can feel your wisdom etched into every corner, Kimberly."
"Thank you… Brunhild…"
Next one, Chantal bounds over to the next door.
"Alright, my turn now, Brunhild!"
She opens the door, turning and spreading her arms wide with a grin.
"Welcome to my training room! Motegi-kun made this too!"
Brunhild follows her in, and her eyes slowly scan the room that's packed with wooden practice dummies. She eyes the setup, amused.
"You spar in this hall each day, I believe?"
"You bet I do! Gotta keep my edge sharp for the labyrinth."
Then, Pinna heads to the door across the training room and opens the door.
"This is my workshop. It is where I constructed the vacuum unit, refrigerator, microwave, and washing machine."
Brunhild's eyes widen.
"This is where those devices were created…?"
"Affirmative. With Master's preliminary sketches as reference, I engineered the devices using modular fabrication techniques. This workshop, generously granted by Master, serves as my optimal development environment."
Brunhild slowly walks the perimeter, her gaze moving from the wide U-shaped desks to the swivel chair to the wall-mounted tools and carefully categorized bins of parts and materials. Then, she turns to me and Pinna with amusement.
"This space brims with curious energy. And your works truly defy belief."
The next one to guide Brunhild is Manas, taking the valkyrie's wrist and opening the room beside Pinna's workshop.
"Now behold mine glory, Brunhild!"
Once the door is opened, coins, chalices, ornate rings, tiaras, and crowns all pile into a glimmering mountain at the center of the room. Manas strides in confidently, unloading the golden artifacts she'd claimed from Turivel and adding them to the top of the heap. Planting her hands on her hips, she lets out a deep, booming laugh.
"This be mine treasure vault! A hoard most fitting for a dragon of stature! And my king did craft it with his own hands. How dost thou find it?"
Brunhild takes a slow step inside, her eyes scanning the glinting mound before settling on Manas again.
"It's… expected. A dragon and treasure are inseparable. There's no shame in embracing that."
And Manas is shocked, her voice rising in disbelief.
"That is thy only remark? Art thou not awed in the slightest?!"
And finally, Lilith leans closer to Brunhild, but the valkyrie doesn't flinch and narrows her eyes instead.
"My, my... would our virtuous guest like to see my room next~?"
"I believe yours might be the foulest of them all, Lilith."
And Lilith pouts immediately.
"That's mean, Brunhild~. You won't know until you see it~."
Then, she opens the door beside Manas's vault, revealing a simple room with only a chair, a table, and a neatly mounted mirror on the wall.
Brunhild furrows her brow.
"What… is this supposed to be?"
Lilith giggles, stepping lightly inside and turning back to us.
"This is where I remove my glasses~. Honey made it just for me. He's so obsessed with my glasses that he doesn't even want to see me without them. Isn't that just cute?"
And Brunhild slowly turns toward me.
"Is that true?"
"Y-Yeah… that's pretty much true."
She lets out a small sigh, then mutters.
"You spoil a succubus too much."
"Ahaha... sorry…"
Then, I clear my throat and ask her.
"Well, let me show you the coolest part of the house. Let's go."
And with that, we walk down the hallway, guiding Brunhild toward the terrace garden. The moment we step outside, her eyes sweep across the open space, the sleek sunloungers, and rows of blooming flowers and fruiting plants.
"This is... astonishing. Even in Turivel, I have never seen a garden like this."
Then, we walk to the garden area. Arriving there, I gesture toward all the plants there.
"Yomogi and I planted all of these."
She steps forward slowly, examining the flower rows like she's walking through a sacred place rather than just our garden.
"The colors are remarkably vibrant. Each one seems to radiate warmth, as though they were nurtured by affection rather than sunlight alone."
As usual, I call out to Yomogi... and Kimberly.
"Yomogi, Kimberly."
"Yes, Motegi-chan!"
"As you wish, Motegi-sama..."
Yomogi and Kimberly nod and turn without a word, heading back inside and knowing what to bring. I shift my eyes toward Lilith and Manas, and they also nod and understand what I mean. They walk over to a bush as Lilith plucks a small red fruit with dots, and Manas picks a smooth, round fruit, and then they hand those over to Brunhild.
"Try them, Brunhild."
Brunhild takes the one on Lilith's hand and bites into it, and her eyes immediately widen.
"This flavor… remarkable. What is this red fruit?"
And Lilith sultrily explains.
"That's called a strawberry~. So juicy and sweet, right~?"
"Yes, it is wonderfully refreshing. This is unlike anything I have ever tasted."
Then, she tries the one on Manas's hand next and takes a bite.
"This one tastes different… softer, yet still pleasant. The sweetness is more subtle."
And Manas beams proudly, delivering our inside joke.
"Ha! That be a tomato, the most beguiling of fruits! For it doth masquerade as both fruit and vegetable… a paradox most wondrous!"
"It possesses two identities? How can a single plant be classified as both? That seems… contradictory."
Manas lifts her chin proudly and puffs her cheeks smugly because right now, she has successfully claimed a victim from our tomato joke after Lilith didn't fall for it at all back then.
Soon after, Yomogi returns from inside, carrying a small wrapped bundle, and places it in my hand.
"Here you go, Motegi-chan."
"Thanks, Yomogi."
And I unwrap the bundle, revealing a dark, glossy bar as I turn to Brunhild once more.
"Here. Try this too."
She takes it and bites into the bar, her eyes wide again.
"This taste… it is extraordinary. There is a pleasant sweetness, yet a faint bitterness beneath it…"
Then, I gesture toward a leafy tree bearing reddish pods.
"That's chocolate. It comes from that. It's called cacao."
"So the bar comes out when this fruit is opened…? This is quite a strange one..."
"Umm... y-yeah, you can say it like that."
Although that's not as simple as she thinks, let's talk about it another day.
Kimberly returns from inside next, carrying a foil-wrapped good freshly reheated from the microwave, and places it in my hand.
"It is... still warm, Motegi-sama..."
"Great. Thanks, Kimberly."
And I unwrap the foil, then peel off the pale skin to reveal the steaming, roasted inside, before I turn to Brunhild once more.
"Try this too. Be careful, it's still hot."
She picks it and carefully bites into the soft, orange flesh.
"Ah… it is incredibly soft. And so sweet, like honey, but deeper. Though I must admit... it is a little hot."
Then, I gesture toward a short, leafy vine with thick green stems.
"That's sweet potato. It comes from that plant."
"Your garden truly holds so many wonders. I find myself astonished again and again."
With that, we let Brunhild admire our terrace garden a little more before we return inside.
MOMENTS LATER
As I walk together down the corridor with Brunhild, I can't help but apologize to her over something.
"Hey, Brunhild."
"Yes?"
"I'm sorry, but… all these spare rooms here are already taken. So as an apology, if there's anything you want to have in this house… tell me, I can make it happen."
She offers me a polite smile.
"Please do not concern yourself. Everything inside your home is already more than enough, and I am content with it."
But I don't drop it.
"Come on. It has to be something, right? Even if it's small. You don't have to be so rigid all the time. Just be honest with me."
Brunhild hesitates. Her eyes lower slightly, and her voice is quieter, unsure.
"R-Really?"
"Of course. Let me hear it."
Her lips part, then close again before she speaks in barely a whisper.
"I… um…"
"Huh? Louder, please."
Then, she lifts her chin just enough to meet my eyes.
"A statue… of the goddess Acrusse."
"A goddess statue, huh?"
"Y-Yes..."
"Okay, I can make one for you."
Then, I scan the living room and find a small spot right beside the stairs. I walk there and reach into my dimensional inventory, pulling out a smooth block of alabaster and setting it on the floor. Finally, I close my eyes and silently activate [Lapidary].
But the truth is, I don't know what the goddess Acrusse actually looks like. So the only thing I can do is imagine a random divine figure from Earth.
Once I open my eyes, the stone has transformed into a statue of a woman with flowing robes and arms slightly outstretched.
As I turn to Brunhild...
"What do you think? Do you like it?"
She suddenly steps forward, then kneels before the statue. Her hands rise to her chest, fingers interlaced, and eyes close as she speaks.
"To be able to gaze upon you… even in stone form… is an honor beyond measure for a humble angel like myself..."
After she finishes her silent prayer, she lifts one knee and turns slightly toward me without fully standing.
"Thank you. For crafting such a beautiful likeness of our goddess. I am truly grateful."
"You're welcome."
Then, she continues.
"There is… one more thing I would like to request."
"Oh? Great. Tell me, what is it?"
Brunhild pauses, then speaks with quiet certainty.
"I would like to call you… my Lord."
"Huh?"
"I have been entrusted with learning from you. If I am to observe your ways and walk among your people, then it is only right that I regard you as my superior."
Even though I'm surprised, I only let out a sigh.
"Well… if that's how you see it, then… I guess you're allowed to call me that."
"Thank you, my Lord. I will do my best. Please, allow me to rely on your guidance from here on."
"Alright..."
Yeah, it's fine.
It's not weird.
I already have a kraken girl who calls me "darling," a dragoness who says "mine king," and a succubus who purrs "honey" at me.
So, yeah... it's totally normal.
DINNER TIME
After that, we gather around the table for a welcome dinner for Brunhild. Yomogi prepared a stuffed calamari, using the giant squid Salacia caught earlier and filling it with the squid's tentacles, rice, and diced tomatoes, and cooked it in tomato sauce. Meanwhile, Kimberly served a banana bread and an uncorked bottle of Heiligeichen's red wine.
As we take our first bite, Chantal talks with her mouth half full.
"Ooh... this is the best squid dish ever! Really do!"
Kimberly and Salacia murmur with equally pleased hums.
"There's… so much... filling inside. It's truly… satisfying…"
"Mmm~... I just can't get enough of eating my own kin. I feel so proud I caught that big one earlier~!"
Manas declares proudly as Puck chirps cheerfully and nibbles at its own little plate.
"Verily, this be the finest blessing from the sea. A bounty most splendid, prepared with loving hands!"
"Kyuu!"
Pinna swallows, then delivers her analysis as usual. And Lilith follows with her delightful moans.
"The squid body offers a firm yet supple texture. The filling's composition achieves ideal density and nutrient distribution. Combined with tomato sauce, the flavor profile becomes balanced. Conclusion: this stuffed calamari is a satisfactory culinary experience."
"Mmh~… I can taste everything in my mouth. This is divine~…"
I finally take my bite, and the taste just hits different. The squid is soft but chewy, and the stuffing is rich, slightly creamy, and savory.
"This is incredible, Yomogi."
"Thank you, Motegi-chan! It is a special dinner, after all."
Then, she turns to Brunhild, smiling gently.
"Brunhild… do you like it?"
Brunhild takes a small, composed bite. She chews quietly, then gives a soft, wordless nod.
With her eyes lit up, she takes her own bite and hums.
"Fufufu~... stuffed squid is really the best, isn't it?"
Once the plates are cleared, Kimberly quietly slices the banana bread and passes a piece to each of us. One by one, we take a bite, and the sound of delight comes out again.
The first ones to comment are Yomogi, Chantal, and Salacia.
"It's so moist and soft..."
"It's like bread and cake had a baby!"
"Mmm~... so sweet and yummy~..."
Manas says through a happy sigh.
"This might be the simplest, softest cake I hath ever consumed."
Lilith licks her lip and moans contentedly.
"Mmh~... bananas are amazing…"
Pinna takes a bite, chews, and gives her verdict again as Puck chirps on its plate.
"Texture is soft, yet uniform. Flavor balances natural sweetness with faint earthiness. Banana content provides potassium, fiber, and energy. This banana bread is an ideal dessert."
"Kyuu!"
I take a forkful, enjoying the warmth and soft sweetness in my mouth.
"This one's incredible too, Kimberly."
"Thank you… Motegi-sama. It's always… so warm… to have everyone… enjoying food together…"
With her eyes aglow, she takes her own bite with a smile.
"Such a... comforting dessert…"
Brunhild quietly takes a bite of her slice and chews in silence. But just as Kimberly is about to ask, tears suddenly spill down Brunhild's cheeks.
And I jerk forward.
"B-Brunhild?! Why are you crying?!"
Brunhild quickly shakes her head, wiping her cheeks with the back of her hand.
"I-I am fine… I promise. I am just… overwhelmed. This is the first time I have eaten such good food… while being surrounded by so many people… sharing one table together. I… I apologize for crying."
And all the girls reach out to her.
"It's really fine, Brunhild."
"Yeah, it's okay, Brunhild!"
"This is… the joy... of good food… shared with others…"
"Sitting together for meals is a daily routine in this household. Emotional variance is expected. You are adapting."
"I'm just happy to have you with us, Brunhild~..."
"As am I. Thou art now part of our fold."
"Aw~ don't make me cry too, Brunhild…"
Even Puck chirps like it's trying to cheer her up too.
"Kyuu!"
Brunhild looks at each of us as I smile at her.
"Thank you, all of you. I wish to keep experiencing moments like this every day."
"Absolutely, Brunhild."
When everyone's plates are cleared, we raise our glasses of wine as I make a speech to officially welcome Brunhild to our household.
"To Brunhild, and our growing home. Cheers!"
"Cheers!"
We clink our glasses together and take a sip of our wine. Brunhild watches us, then follows, and her cheeks flush pink immediately.
"S-So this is… alcohol? It is much stronger than the ambrosia served in Turivel…"
Laughter erupts around the table, and even Brunhild starts to smile brightly as she officially becomes part of our family.