Witch Taming System

After that, Lancel remained at the Gretelle Mansion to recover.

While he couldn’t feel much at rest, the moment he tried to move, pain seared within his body. It was enough to remind him that he truly needed to stay still.

Heck, even something as simple as lifting a spoon proved to be difficult.

As for his reward, Fiore’s had been simple. A promise to nurse him back to health and tend to his every need without complaint.

"Are you sure about that?"

At first, Lancel was hesitant.

He had no idea how long his recovery would take. It could be a week, a month, or even several months. And yet, Fiore had offered to devote all her time to caring for him.

She was still an apprentice witch, still in the process of learning magic, which meant that staying by his side would take away from that time.

"It’s fine. You might not know this, but I was actually about to die that day, you know?"

"Really...?"

"Mhm. I wasn’t there during the treatment, but apparently, the Grand Witch, Cyrene, had to intervene. I later found out the drug was something no one had ever seen before. A substance that could penetrate a witch’s circuits, corrode them, and completely destroy them."

A witch’s circuits functioned as their second heart. If they were destroyed, death was inevitable. That meant not just Fiore, but Faust had been on the brink of death as well.

"That witch really was terrifying... Even now, they’re still trying to investigate that drug, but it’s proving to be difficult..."

After the incident, the Eruditions had finally found something they couldn’t ignore. And began pouring in time and resources into researching its composition and origin.

Of course, the existence of the drug itself had been deliberately covered up. If word spread that such a substance existed, one capable of destroying a witch’s very life, there was no telling what kind of external forces might try to take advantage of it.

On top of that, there was the looming possibility that a production source existed somewhere. There was even a chance that Heidi Ermengarde had been mass-producing and distributing the drug.

Because of that, the investigation had to go deeper.

Eruditions were now being dispatched across the continent, searching for even the slightest trace of its origin.

For now, ordinary people and even most witches remained unaware of the truth.

But it was only a matter of time.

For now, it was better to contain the spark before it turned into something that could ignite at any moment.

"But enough about that. Should I get you something to eat?"

Lancel was, in fact, hungry. And seeing the clear excitement in her eyes at the thought of finally being able to repay him, even in such a small way, he found himself unable to refuse.

"If it’s fine with you..."

"Wait here!"

Without another word, Fiore hurried out of the room as if she had been waiting for the chance to do this.

Left alone, the room fell quiet again.

Lancel leaned back slightly against the bed, exhaling as the faint ache in his body registered. Even now, just speaking and shifting his posture sent dull pulses of pain through him, reminding him that he wasn’t anywhere near fully recovered.

Still... food sounded good.

Amidst the quiet peace of the room, Lancel allowed himself to momentarily forget the fact that witches were now aware of his existence.

It might have been a foolish thought, but there was always the possibility that even the Grand Witch herself could barge through that door at any moment just for the simple chance of meeting him.

He wasn’t a genius, but Lancel understood enough.

He knew exactly what kind of situation he was in now and what it could lead to from this point forward.

More importantly, there was also the possibility that his status as "research asset," something he had been trying to avoid all this time, might finally be revoked.

After a couple of minutes, Fiore finally returned, and to Lancel’s surprise, she had brought a serving cart with her, arranged with covered dishes stacked in careful order.

She pushed it beside his bed with a small sense of pride before lifting the lids one by one.

Warm steam rose into the air.

Each dish was plated with delicate portions arranged with almost artistic care.

Lightly sautéed vegetables glazed to a sheen, arranged greens drizzled with dressing, white bread paired with creamy spreads, and a variety of refined dishes that looked more like something served in an elegant restaurant than a recovery meal.

Everything about it felt... expensive.

Lancel stared at it for a moment.

Then his expression slowly shifted.

"...Where’s the meat?"

His eyes moved from one dish to another, as if he had somehow missed it, but no matter how many times he looked, all he saw were vegetables, greens, and things that looked far too refined for his liking.

A slight grimace appeared on his face.

Fiore, however, seemed completely unaware, watching him expectantly as if she had just presented something incredible.

Fiore blinked, tilting her head as she followed his gaze.

"Meat...?"

"Yes. Meat."

She looked back at the dishes, then at him, clearly confused.

"...These are good for your recovery," she said. "Light meals are easier on the body, and these were specifically prepared to help with healing..."

"...."

Fiore hesitated, then slowly reached for one of the plates, picking it up as she stepped closer.

"Here," she said as she held it out to him. "You should at least try it first."

Lancel stared at the plate for a moment before reluctantly reaching out. Even that simple motion sent an ache through his arm.

"...."

The spoon felt heavier than it should have.

"Should I help you?"

"...Please do."

Fiore moved closer, setting the plate aside before gently taking the spoon from his hand.

"Say ahhh~"

Lancel gave her a look.

"...? Seriously?"

"...Just let me have this."