Hacking the Game Didn't Go as Intended [Part One]

CHAPTER 183: The Test of Loyalty

Lyndoria stared, her mind reeling. Did he just... pull that platter from a magic bag? Her eyes flicked between the steaming monstron and Daisuke, a wave of disbelief washing over her. But the meat is still so fresh! What tier of magic bag would allow for this kind of utility? And how could a lowly adventurer be in possession of such an expensive commodity?

Daisuke's lips curled into a sly smile. "This is a cut of Venomscale steak, marinated in exotic seasonings and slow-grilled over hickory oak wood, which, mind you, can only be acquired in the Mammothgrove Forest."

Lumielle's eyes flickered in alarm. When did he even manage to do that?

"V-Venomscale?" one of the maids squeaked, her voice filled with awe.

"I-Isn't that incredibly rare?" another chimed in, hearts sparkling in her eyes.

"Is this a dream?" a third wondered aloud.

A female chef took a hesitant step forward. "I-I've worked with rare ingredients for years and managed to try all of them, but this..." she trailed off, eyes lingering on the steak. "This is beyond anything I thought I would ever have the privilege of trying—it's extraordinary!"

"Kyaaaa!"

The girls erupted in delighted shrieks, rushing out the door with their newfound treasure. Arabelle detached from the chaotic swarm, offering a polite smile and bow before gracefully exiting the room.

Daisuke watched as they left, a slight smirk tugging at the corner of his lips. At the very least, that should boost their morale and strengthen their resolve should anyone try to manipulate them. Still, according to Lumielle, the tower is divided into three sections, each overseen by one of the siblings.

He sighed, his thoughts darkening. I don't want to be overly pessimistic, but it's not out of the realm of possibility that a servant from either side could infiltrate and carry out sabotage. Poisoning a food source, perhaps, and then trying to pin the blame on someone else.

Daisuke swept his gaze across the tableware. To be safe, I should probably go ahead and appraise the food on the table, just in case.

"...Sophia?" Lumielle called expectantly.

"Yes, do you mind explaining what that was all about?" Lyndoria added, her curiosity piqued.

Daisuke gave a calm nod. "I have a special ability that allows me to discern truth from lies. And I've also just confirmed that the food hasn't been tampered with."

"R-Really?" Lumielle exclaimed in a hushed tone.

"Absolutely. No toxins—harmless or otherwise."

Lyndoria narrowed her eyes, still not fully convinced.

"You don't believe me?"

"Was it that obvious?" she scoffed.

Without a word, Daisuke moved toward Lumielle and reached for her knife and fork. The princess flushed at the sudden closeness, the warmth of his bare shoulder grazing hers causing a flutter in her chest. Her gaze followed him, wide-eyed and tense, as he calmly sliced a bite from each item in her plate, her breath hitching in surprise as he popped them into his mouth without hesitation, chewing as though it were the most natural thing in the world.

At the sight of that, Lumielle froze in stunned silence—not because she feared her guest had just eaten his last meal, but because he had taken her very own utensil and placed it in his unbelievably attractive mouth.

...A-An indirect kiss? She thought unconsciously with an adorable gasp, her face exploding into a luminous shade of pink.

"P-Princess?!" Lyndoria rushed over, desperately shaking the girl who had fallen into a sudden stupor. "What's wrong? Did you already consume some of the food? Is it the poison?"

A moment later, Lumielle cleared her throat softly, her voice weak as she started to recover, her body temperature cooling. "Sophia... wasn't that a bit... reckless? What if the food was actually poisoned?"

"It's not," he assured her confidently. "And, besides, I'm immune to poison anyway."

""What?!"" Lumielle and Lyndoria exclaimed in unison.

"Along with screening the servants as I just did, I'll be your personal food tester from now on—every single day."

Everyday. Everyday. Everyday. Daisuke's velvety voice resounded in Lumielle's mind like an enticing echo. She gasped, almost amorously, as an arrow pierced her chest with delicious precision, her treacherous mind illustrating his soft, warm lips wrapping around her fork.

A-An indirect kiss... every single everyday? The princess meekly lowered her gaze with a blush and squirmed, her thighs rubbing together. "I-I'm still feeling a bit fatigued from earlier. Would you mind... f-feeding me?"

"Huh?" Daisuke cringed at the sudden request.

CRACKLE. CRACKLE. CRACKLE.

Instinctively, he shielded his face from a sudden surge of scorching heat. Beside him, Lyndoria seethed, enveloped in a blazing aura that pulsed with raw power. She appeared on the verge of a breakthrough—ascending beyond her already ascended state to achieve Super Saiyan 3. Her eyes burned with murderous intent, daring him to follow through with the princess's request.