After four hours of intense cardio…

Wheeeeeze!

Wwwwhheeeeezeee…!

As expected, I'm wheezing like a dying walrus washed up on the shore of death.

"I… I give up!!!" I cry out dramatically, throwing my arms in the air.

And then—THUD!—I flop down flat on the cool grass, limbs splayed out like a squashed pancake.

"AaaaAAAHHH! I'm gonna diiiiiie!"

My legs are jelly, my back is killing me, my whole body feels like it's been run over by a stampede of rhinos. Even my tail is sore!

My hair is completely soaked with sweat, clinging to my neck and forehead. My lungs are burning like I swallowed a fireball, and my heart is pounding so fast it feels like it's knocking on death's door.

I groan and grab my water bottle, lifting it with trembling arms. I splash the cold water all over my face, letting it drip down my cheeks and neck, then gulp a mouthful with my mouth wide open like a fish gasping for air.

Aaaaah… sweet, life-saving hydration.

Meanwhile, Eris strolls over as if she just finished a relaxing walk in the park. Not even breathing hard. Not even a bead of sweat.

She sits down beside me and stretches casually, completely composed, while I look like a dying bug flipped on its back.

And as I glance at her—

Damn it. Still not sweating? Not even a glisten on her forehead?!

She reaches over and gently ruffles my damp hair, smiling softly like I'm a proud little puppy who just learned to sit.

"Hehe, you did great today," she says, her voice calm and warm like the breeze.

"So… wyvern legs?" I mumble, barely alive.

"Yup! Whenever you're ready," Eris replies, giving me a playful wink.

"Hoo… hooray…" I cheer weakly, throwing one hand into the air like a victory flag. Even my voice sounds like it's limping.

I have no energy left. Zero. None.

So we just stay like that for a while, lying and sitting in companionable silence, waiting for my soul to float back into my body.

Above us, the red moon glows gently, casting its eerie light across the mansion grounds.

The wind brushes past, cool and quiet.

And in the air, crimson petals float down from somewhere, everywhere.

_____________________________

Ten minutes later, my heartbeat and breathing finally settle down.

But my body is still useless.

My limbs are limp and noodly. I try to sit up, but fail. I flop back down like a soggy pancake.

"Eris… carry meee~!" I whine pitifully, lifting my arms toward her and tugging at her tunic like a needy kitten.

Eris turns her head, smiling softly with that amused sparkle in her eyes.

"As you wish, Your Highness."

Then—whoosh!—she stands up, brushes imaginary dust from her knees, and—hup!—scoops me effortlessly into her arms.

Princess carry style.

I let out a little happy noise as I instinctively wrap my arms around her neck, snuggling against her like a spoiled cat. Her chest is warm and steady beneath my cheek, and I can hear her heartbeat, a calm rhythm against my catgirl ear.

She then carries me back inside the mansion. I feel like a bundle of laundry, but she's holding me like I'm made of feathers.

We take a quick shower together, just enough to scrub off the sweat.

Then, just as I push open the bathroom door, stepping out with a towel wrapped around my head—

"Oooooooh!"

My eyes widen.

The rich, savory smell of roasted meat hits me like a truck! I'm isekaiinggg! Oh goddess of wyvern meat, take me!!!

The entire house is filled with the aroma, so thick, so smoky, and drool-worthy. It's a scent that wraps around my nose and yanks me by the soul. I can almost taste it already!

"Hmmm~ Looks like your wyvern leg is ready," Eris says casually, toweling off her damp hair behind me.

"YAAAY!! Let's eat!!"

My hair is still dripping. I'm still in slippers but I don't freaking care.

Screw drying off!

I'm starving.

My stomach growls in protest as I bolt out of the hallway toward the dining room, eyes sparkling with desperate hunger.

I need that wyvern leg. I need it immediately!

____________________________

Now… back in the dining room, the main event awaits us.

"HOLY SHIT! THIS IS HUGE!!"

I clutch my head with both hands, body practically vibrating with excitement as I stare at the monstrous wyvern leg laid across the long dining table.

It's not just big. It's absurdly big!

Even if Eris and I lay down side by side on the table, we still wouldn't match its full length! From the thick upper thigh all the way to the clawed tip, this thing looks like it came from a wyvern that could stomp a house flat!

And the girth… oh gods… it's so wide I could stretch my arms out and still not wrap around it!

How are we supposed to eat this in one sitting?!

And not to mention, at the end of the leg, there are claws!

Jet black, curved like sickles and gleaming like obsidian in the candlelight. Each claw is nearly as long as my entire forearm. If I wasn't so hungry, I'd probably be a little scared.

I just… stare.

Speechless.

And then, of course, my brain starts conjuring images.

Eris, swinging this massive leg around like a behemoth of a warhammer, knocking enemies left and right.

WHAM! BAM! SMACK!

Meat flying. Bad guys flying. Total chaos.

…She'd look so damn cool.

Totally ridiculous. But so cool!

"Hehe, don't worry," Eris laughs. "Just eat as much as you want! We can save the rest for later in the week."

"Nn!" I nod eagerly, practically drooling already.

This isn't just a meal. It's a feast worthy of queens!

Anyway, the wyvern leg isn't just big. It's perfect!

The skin is a rich, golden brown, glistening with juices and a light sheen of oil. Wisps of fragrant steam rise from the meat, curling into the air like invisible fingers pulling us closer.

The smell is divine. It's a rich blend of roasted meat, earthy wild herbs, garlic, crushed peppercorn, and something smoky and primal. It fills the whole house, seeping into my brain and completely short-circuiting all rational thought.

I want it.

I want it now.

"Come on, what are you waiting for?" Eris grins, eyes sparkling with mischief. "Let's sit down!"

"Yeah!"

Tangerinya, ever the elegant maid, steps forward and gently pulls out chairs for both of us.

As we settle in, she pours two glasses of deep red wine, the aroma rich and fruity.

I can't resist anymore—I grab my fork and knife eagerly.

"E-Eris, can I eat now?"

"Sure," she says, eyes narrowing in amusement. Her chin rests lazily on one palm, tail swaying behind her like a smug little cat.

"Eh? You're not eating?" I blink at her, confused.

I glance at the massive wyvern leg in front of us. This thing could feed a small village, let alone just two people. There's no way Eris would miss out on this, right?

"Nu, I'll eat," she says, lips curling into a sly smile. "But I want to see your reaction first."

"Hehhhh? Is that so…" I mutter, squinting at her with growing suspicion.

Something about her expression feels... off.

That smile. That exact little grin, it's the one she always makes when she's planning something!

Wait a second…

Did she put something weird in the wyvern meat?!

I narrow my eyes, slowly turning to the leg like it's some kind of ticking time bomb. I grip my fork and knife a little tighter now, the tips of my fingers twitching with hesitation.

This is feeling more and more like a trap…

And yet…

Arghhh! Alright! Screw it!

I'm way too hungry to play mind games right now! Whatever sneaky little prank Eris is plotting—whatever nonsense she's up to—I don't even care anymore. I'll fall for it gladly, as long as I get to eat this glorious, juicy, mouthwatering wyvern leg!

So, I begin.

I take the knife in hand, raise it confidently, and poke the blade into the roasted meat.

But then—

Ponk.

"…Eh?"

The knife just… bounces off?

Not even a scratch.

I blink in disbelief.

Wait… am I really that exhausted?

I mean, sure, I almost died from cardio. But come on! This shouldn't be hard!

Frowning, I grip the knife tighter and try again. This time, I press down harder, sawing at the surface with determination.

"Haaaaaaahhh! COME ONNNNN!!"

But the skin—that golden, glistening, crispy skin—doesn't even budge. It's like trying to cut a dragon's hide with a butter knife!

Meanwhile…

Snrk.

Eris is sitting there with her hand over her mouth, eyes squinting, shoulders shaking.

Aha!

I KNEW IT!

I snap, pointing the knife at her. "ERIS! You're totally messing with me, aren't you?!"

She doesn't even deny it.

She just bursts into full-on laughter, head tilting back, tail flicking wildly behind her.

"Pfffft! What's wrong?" she teases between giggles. "Can't even cut into your own dinner?"

WHAT?!

Oh-ho-ho, now she's done it!

I grit my teeth. The wyvern leg is testing my patience. She's testing my pride.

Fine. If brute force doesn't work, then I'll show her the power of demonic fury!

I stand up tall, adjusting my stance like a seasoned warrior preparing to duel a legendary beast. I take a deep inhale—hold it—and exhale slowly, focusing my energy.

"WATCH ME!" I roar, glaring at the leg like it just insulted my bloodline. "I'll cut it—and I'll eat it like a damn champion!"

With a sharp growl, I channel demonic energy into my arms. My fingers tingle as the power surges through me. The knife begins to vibrate, faintly glowing with a deep red light. The handle warms in my grip.

Eris stops laughing.

She straightens up in her chair, eyes narrowing, her expression now a mix of surprise and curiosity.

The air suddenly grows heavy with tension.

This is it.

My moment.

I grip the knife with both hands, raise it above my head like a sacred weapon, and lock eyes with my prey.

"HIIIIIIIIYAAAAAA!!!"

I bring it down with everything I've got.

But then—

CLAAANG!

The blade snaps in half.

…

"AAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHH!!!"

I scream, flailing dramatically. "MY STEAK KNIFE!!!"

"PFFFT—AHAHAHAHAHA!!"

Eris collapses sideways in her chair, laughing so hard she nearly falls off.

Damn it!

I did not expect wyvern skin to be this insanely tough.

Now what?! How the hell are we supposed to eat this thing?!