Show Me Your Stats!-Chapter 125

While they bathed, the dining hall was set with a sumptuous meal.

The retainers of the manor sat in their seats, leaving the head seat empty in anticipation of their lord’s arrival. Thanks to Ayra having hired a few lower-tier staff recently, the dining table was significantly more occupied than when she had first taken over the estate.

Ayra took her seat at the head. Without hesitation, Janus slid into the seat immediately to her right. Hera, visibly wary, chose a spot two seats down, while Jinas boldly seated himself directly across from Janus. Two seats remained conspicuously empty, prompting Ayra to ask,

"Where are Lord Bloom and Lord Gretel?"

"Sir Bloom is on city patrol. Sir Gretel... wasn’t feeling well."

She immediately picked up on the subtext behind Jinas’s response. Bloom had undoubtedly been sent out intentionally—if he saw Janus again, he’d charge in without thinking. As for Gretel...

Ayra recalled the message from the Territory Window:

<Warning! The new administrator has tucked a resignation letter into their chest.>

He’d clearly been terrified and bolted. Still, the fact that he’d even come to check whether Ayra was awake probably warranted some praise. But of course, Ayra had no intention of letting Gretel simply walk away.

The smell of food hit her, and her stomach growled. She’d nearly forgotten how hungry she was. Before beginning the meal, Ayra made a formal introduction.

"This guest is very dear to this manor. Treat him with the same courtesy you would me."

"Yes, my ➤ NоvеⅠight ➤ (Read more on our source) lord."

The retainers exchanged looks, their curiosity about who this mysterious precious guest was barely concealed. Janus, who had experienced even more extravagant hospitality in Bolni, paid them no mind, instead turning his attention to the steaming venison before him.

"And to all of you—thank you. I know managing the evacuation must have been incredibly difficult. But rest assured, the beasts near the territory have been thoroughly dealt with. There’s no need to worry further."

Ayra offered her gratitude, especially to Jinas and Hera, with a meaningful look. She lifted her cup, and the retainers quickly followed suit. Glasses clinked. The sounds of utensils clattering and hearty eating filled the room.

There was no doubt more headaches awaited, so Ayra decided to eat her fill while she could. First on her plate: a steaming meat bun filled with savory broth. Ever since Hera joined, her merchant Ulfe had been supplying the manor with these buns, to the delight of everyone.

She slurped the broth, letting the heat settle in her stomach, then bit into the bun, spreading sweet apple jam on top. The sugary energy perked her right up. She moved next to roast chicken.

—

1. Eat the chicken. (Bad Ending)

2. Don’t eat the chicken. (Bad Ending)

Time limit: 15 seconds. 15... 14... 13...

[Janus Rehzedet has developed murderous intent toward the user!]

What now?!

Frozen mid-motion, fork hovering over the roast chicken, Ayra stared at Janus in disbelief. Just because she was eating chicken? Was that reason enough for a bad ending?

Janus held a knife, and Ayra stiffened. As she stared at him, both Jinas and Hera gave her puzzled looks. Janus spun the knife in his hand, and Hera, sensing something off, reached for the weapon at her waist.

Then—flash—Janus’s knife gleamed as it sliced into the venison.

Moments later, shrrk, shrrk, he had cut it into neat, bite-sized pieces. Then he calmly reached over and placed several slices onto Ayra’s plate.

"If you want something, don’t just stare at it. Say something."

"Uh... right... thanks..."

A beat of silence fell across the table. Everyone was now staring at Ayra’s plate. She glanced at Pebble on her hand, who randomly popped up with a completely unsolicited public opinion poll.

3. Eat the venison. (Satisfying Meal Ending)

[62% of the retainers believe the “precious guest” is the lord’s lover.]

Absolutely not!

Ayra shot Pebble a murderous glare. Pebble, flustered, quickly opened a new window.

[Spirit GM is always working hard for the user’s convenience!]

Janus raised his knife again. "Want more?"

"No, I’m good..."

As she stared down at the venison-covered plate in awkward silence, Janus’s knife crept toward her again. Tensing up, Ayra watched as he gently lifted a slice—revealing a single piece of roast chicken beneath it. He stabbed it and calmly took it back onto his own plate.

Hera let out a loud "Ha!" and suddenly focused all her attention on her meat bun like it was the most romantic gift she’d ever received.

[71% of the retainers believe the “precious guest” is the lord’s lover.]

Stop it! That’s not it! Ayra smacked her own hand in frustration. Pebble, now thoroughly flattened, began weeping pixel-sized tears at one-dot-per-second speed.

Still... Ayra did prefer venison to chicken.

After the meal, Ayra summoned Jinas and Hera to her study.

Janus, uninvited, followed along behind her. The closer he stayed, the more Ayra’s nerves frayed. Still, she smiled.

"I’m about to start a meeting, you know."

She meant it as a polite please go away. Janus, unsurprisingly, just stared at her.

"If you’re bored, should I have Botello bring you something to pass the time?"

"Being with you is the least boring thing."

If this were a romantic moment, it might have been touching. But Ayra had no illusions. In the end, she gave up. If Janus heard the meeting content, it probably wouldn’t be an issue anyway.

Inside the study, Hera leaned against the window frame, casual but concerned.

"Feeling better now?"

"As you can see. Thanks."

"Pretty solid shape for someone who took on a dragon."

Her voice was teasing but not unkind. Ayra, who’d once dated Janus, coughed awkwardly.

The source of this c𝓸ntent is frёeweɓηovel.coɱ.

"Let’s start with a report on the evacuation two nights ago. How did it go?"

"I was just about to explain that. Unfortunately, the citizens were... less than cooperative. Many stayed home or followed the temple’s instructions instead."

Jinas’s report didn’t surprise Ayra. She’d anticipated that outcome. It was now clear why the main quest required five loyal retainers and a 60% approval rating. You needed enough people to manage the territory—and enough trust for your commands to be followed.

"Let’s call this a trial run. Next time... things will go more smoothly."

She glanced at Janus, then turned to Hera. Hera straightened her posture before speaking.

"Stealing the Red Flame wasn’t hard, but of course, the temple suspects us. They’ve been spreading nasty rumors—saying we staged the evacuation to experiment on citizens in the quarry, that there were no monsters to begin with..."

Ayra sighed. She’d known it was a risky move, but it had been the best option at the time. Still, the resulting drop in approval stung a bit.

So I need five retainers, 60% approval... and ideally, the temple’s cooperation, too?

That last one felt nearly impossible under current circumstances.

They continued reporting until Ayra suddenly froze.

Janus, who had been sitting on the couch earlier, was now in front of her precious display cabinet—peeking behind the curtain, inspecting one glass vial after another.

"...Hrk."

Hera, curious, turned to look—and let out a choked noise at the sight of Ayra’s ahem, unique collection. She instinctively stepped back, putting a few paces of psychological distance between them. Jinas, having already guessed what it was, didn’t even look.

Ayra always felt wounded when others failed to understand her artistic taste. The only one who hadn’t been disturbed by the cabinet was... Janus. Apparently, only a dragon could appreciate her aesthetic.

"And what should we do about the upcoming festival?"

"Festival?"

As the actual lord of Solar, Ayra was ironically the least informed about Solar. Jinas explained without missing a beat.

"It’s a three-day event before winter sets in. The temple starts it off, and the manor opens its gates to serve food to the people. A good way to restore morale."

Before winter sets in? Ayra turned to the window. Snow was already falling once a day. A chill ran up her spine.

"And there’s dancing and drinking, too. Perfect for a date," Hera added.

Ayra, still concerned about the approval drop to 31%, nodded.

"Let’s put more effort into this year’s festival."

"Understood. I’ll coordinate with the steward and report back. Also, about Lord Gretel..."

Jinas trailed off, looking at her. An administrator was essential for organizing a festival.

"I’ll take care of him."

She’d planned to visit Gretel herself anyway—to keep his mouth shut, among other reasons. After finishing the rest of the reports, Jinas and Hera left the study.

Ayra casually picked up a heavy coat... then paused and looked at Janus.

He smiled as their eyes met.