It took the group quite while, mostly due to the sheer number of beasts in this place, but they eventually found themselves a safe cave mad if rocks to make camp.

It was the safest spot they could find since they would only expect attacks from a single direction, as the other end of it was completely sealed.

The cave was relatively big, enough to comfortably fit them all and even allow for them to put up tents.

Even a fire had been set up, a bit farther from their camp, one which Inanis was more than happy to light on Noctis’s command.

Grumble.

Darius seemed a bit embarrassed after his stomach let out a sound, but that much was to be expected, after all, they hadn’t had the chance to eat since they arrived at the Western Frontier.

Even Renelle seemed a bit hungry, but given the fact that they had handed all their food supplies, save for sweets to the mages back at the frontier, they were left with no option but to hunt.

Though, because it was darker now, it would be a lot more dangerous since they had no idea about the number of beasts were out there.

"..." Cassian looked at the three silently before speaking up and dug into his bag, "I managed to save a couple of supplies, unfortunately, it’ll only be enough for two people and I’d very gladly share it with Lady Renelle, the rest of you however —"

"No need," Adrian answered before standing up, "I’ll be handling my lady’s meal."

Cassian looked at him for a while before chuckling and asking, "and how do you intend to do that?"

He turned to the opening that led into the cave, noticing that the sky outside was getting darker. 𝕗𝐫𝐞𝕖𝕨𝐞𝗯𝚗𝕠𝘃𝐞𝚕.𝐜𝗼𝚖

"If you intend to go out and hunt," he continued, turning back to Adrian, "then be my guest."

This was good news anyway, after all, no matter how strong this damn butler was, this was still an unexplored zone and there were bound to be beasts that were a lot stronger.

And he won’t have to get his hands dirty after all.

But instead of a reply, Adrian simply crouched, retrieved a metal flask from his shadow, walked a bit closer to the flames before taking his gloves off.

He then proceeded to wash both hands and the next second, to everyone’s surprise, he took out cooking pots?

Renelle silently looked at him for a second before chuckling and asking, [were you planning to cook from the start?]

[Hmm,] Adrian nodded with a smile before adding, [besides, this might be the only chance I get to show off my cooking, so I wasn’t going to let it pass.]

[I see,] she also nodded.

Renelle didn’t doubt that he could cook, after all his memories she had seen were proof enough of that fact.

Though l, most of the strange ingredients she had seen him use were ones he couldn’t find in this world, so she was curious about how he was going to adapt.

Cassian, on the other hand, was a bit surprised that the butler had chosen to bring pots, still, without ingredients, what was he going to cook?

Darius cared about none of that, after all, he was just hungry.

After bringing out every bit of pot, and pans he might need, Adrian then dug into a different section of his [Shadow Vault] and to Cassian’s surprise, he pulled out the still fresh meat of the ram he had killed back in the North.

With that, he folded his sleeves and started work, mincing the meat as much as required for what he needed.

Next came seasoning, and since this was meant to impress his lady, he had prepared more than enough of everything he might need.

Fortunately, there were similar tasting alternatives for the ones he was used to using back on Earth, so he had no trouble choosing.

Though, most would find it strange that he was using them on meat since they were mostly used either in bread or broths.

This was because meat was expensive and most cooks were scared to alter its taste and ruining it.

Hence, why both Cassian and Darius saw his actions as strange.

Adrian paid them no mind though, as he put a pot over the flames, melting a bit of the ram’s fat within.

He would’ve very much preferred cooking oil, but that was out of stock and he’d have to wait a few days before merchants from the West returned with some.

So he could only work with what he had.

An irresistible aroma suddenly rose from the meat, the moment he placed the minced meat in the melted fat.

Turning to Ignanis, laying on Darius’s head, he asked, "can I borrow your flames for a second?"

Beside the first campfire, he setup another and the dragon, without hesitation, flew towards him, lighting it up.

"Thanks," he muttered before putting another put over it, this one filled with water and potatoes.

Yes, potatoes.

***

Renelle paid attention to his movements for a long while, the aroma already getting her curious enough about the taste.

It took a while, but Adrian soon finished his cooking and he presented crisp potatoes wrapped around the minced meat.

They were meat Cutlets, though it wasn’t as crispy since he hadn’t dipped it in bread.

Still though, they looked appealing enough.

Standing up, he calmly walked towards Renelle with a plate in hand, and then crouched down when he was close enough.

"Would my lady like to have a taste?" He asked as he presented the meat Cutlets to her.

Renelle quickly caught herself before she could let out a drool due to the scent, now that it was closer.

Darius though, wasn’t so refined, as all he wanted right now was to have a bite of those.

Renelle calmly picked up one and bit into it without hesitation and the next second, an explosion of taste happened in her mouth.

She froze for a few seconds, before taking another bit and another, until the Cutlet was gone.

"They’re good," she finally muttered as she noticed at the look of expectation on her butler’s face.

Renelle had a suspicion that he would throw it all away if she didn’t like it, fortunately though, it truly was a spectacular meal.

"I’m glad," Adrian answered with a smile.

Honestly, although he was quite confident in his cooking, he was still a bit nervous and worried that she wouldn’t like it.

But it seems his worry wasn’t necessary, and him cooking was definitely worth it, since he got to see satisfaction on her face.

One that he could watch forever.

She then took the plate from him, and ordered him to go get his , since he truly did intend on looking at her face until she was done eating.

Adrian calmly followed her order, played a few cutlets and let Darius have at the rest, before he sent everything back to his [Shadow Vault].

Cassian looked at all this with a frown on his face, the butler being able to cook was definitely unexpected.

But a small part of him was curious about the taste of such a strange food.

As if sensing his thoughts, Adrian turned towards him and muttered, "I apologize, but I only made enough for three people, but you should be fine right? Since you still have your supplies."

His words didn’t sound the least bit apologetic, hell it sounded as if the damn Butler was mocking him.

Still, he couldn’t be provoked easily in front of Lady Renelle.

"Of course," he replied, sounding almost amused. "I wouldn’t expect a servant to account for his betters."

Darius nearly choked on his food.

"Betters?" he repeated between bites, "you mean the guy eating dry rations while we’re having actual food?"

Cassian’s eye twitched.

Adrian, however, didn’t even bother responding.

He simply took a seat beside Renelle, calmly eating his portion as if the conversation didn’t concern him in the slightest.

That indifference only made it worse.

"Hmph."

Cassian finally turned away, retrieving a small wrapped ration from his bag. It was neatly packed, likely something expensive from the capital.

But the moment he opened it and the scent hit him, he realized one thing,

It didn’t even come close.

His gaze move, almost unconsciously, toward Renelle... who was already reaching for another cutlet.

"...."

Without a word, he bit into his ration.

It tasted extremely bland.