The homunculus catgirls are surprisingly good at cooking!

"Wooooaaah! This is amazing!!!" I exclaim, eyes practically sparkling as I tear into my fifth Filoan drumstick.

I don't know if it's because I burned through all my energy earlier, or because these maids are secretly five-star chefs, but everything tastes absolutely divine.

Each drumstick is the size of my arm, juicy and golden, with crispy skin and savory juices that run down my chin. And I don't even care. I'm in bliss.

There's even a big berry pie waiting on the table for dessert, untouched and still steaming. I'm not sure what kind of berries they used, but the scent is so sweet and rich, I can't just can't wait to get to them once I'm done with the main course.

And yeah, I know I've been eating Filoan birds every single day lately, kind of like how gym bros inhale plain chicken breast and whey, but somehow, I'm not even close to getting tired of it! There's just something magical and dangerously addictive about Filoan meat.

Maybe it's like how Asian people love rice, catgirls just… love Filoan bird legs?

And honestly? If those legs ever became a religion…

I'd happily become the first priest!

Long live the Filoan birds! As they are the holy grail of protein, fat, flavor, and happiness!

And thank you very much to the noble Filoan flocks for giving your lives so we can stuff our faces with your juicy, delicious thighs!

Now, my belly is round and full, puffed up like a balloon. I feel like I've gained at least ten kilos just from this one meal.

But even then… I keep eating!

I mean, we hauled back over 200 kilograms of meat from the Mistvale Market thinking it would last us a whole week. Minimum.

But now? After seeing how fast me and Eris are devouring everything like two ravenous tiger cubs?

Yeah. That meat haul might last us three days, tops.

And that's if we don't get any surprise visitors or midnight snack attacks.

Looks like we'll either need to make another trip to Mistvale soon… or switch to full survival mode and start hunting for our own food like wild catgirls in the forest.

Thankfully, Eris already told me not to worry. She's got it handled. For now, she plans to do the hunting herself, at least for the first few days, to scout out the land, observe the local wildlife, and get a sense of what's edible and what's not.

And after that, if the area proves safe and manageable, she'll start assigning the task to some of the homunculus maids.

Yeah. Apparently, they're multi-talented. Each catgirl maid is actually as strong as a full fledged C-rank adventurers! They can probably hunt animals in D-rank dungeons all by themselves.

Still… I want to join. I want to hunt too. Sneaking through the woods, tracking prey, leaping through trees like some jungle predator? Oh my, how cool would that be?

But… I need to get stronger first. Right now, I'd probably get winded just chasing a squirrel.

Anyway… more drumsticks, please!

Dipped in that special butter sauce with crushed herbs and garlic?

YES!

Nom nom nom nom nom.

I chew ravenously.

The roasted skin is golden brown and perfectly crispy, and the second I sink my teeth into it, warm juices flood into my mouth. It's savory, buttery, just the right amount of salty, and a little tangy from the glaze.

I hum in delight as I devour the whole thing down to the bone.

Meanwhile, Eris is enjoying hers too, except way more intensely.

"Mmmmh!" she purrs, her tail dancing and eyes half-lidded as she sinks her teeth into a drumstick the size of my forearm. Then, without missing a beat, she cracks the bone open like a savage warrior queen and slurps up the marrow inside, not wasting a drop.

I… still can't do that.

So I just hand her all my bones like a loyal little helper, and she happily finishes them off for me, licking her fingers afterward like it's the best part of the meal.

After all, nothing goes to waste in this household!

Not when the food is this good!

Anyway, while we're eating, the four catgirl maids stand silently in the corners of the room, perfectly still, waiting for any command. I still remember their names. I still remember their names: Meowrelia (in yellow), Purrlina (pink), Nyabelle (blue), and Mintchii (green). I even made little name tags for them, just in case I forget, and they're wearing them proudly on their uniforms.

Meanwhile, only Tangerinya, their leader, the catgirl maid with striking orange hair and tail, is standing behind us.

She holds a tray with a big water jug, clean napkins, and some fluffy towels, just in case we spill anything. Completely composed, calm and elegant… though her tail still sways now and then, and her ears give the occasional twitch like a radar.

If we ever need anything, like a water refill or extra napkins, we just have to give the word.

Ahhhh…

This is seriously amazing!

I feel like royalty, like some pampered high-ranking noble dining in a private estate.

And honestly? It's kind of hard to get used to this level of luxury!

Also, I feel a little guilty munching on all this delicious food while they just stand there watching. It's kind of weird. And a little funny, now that I think about it.

"Wait, so you guys seriously don't eat anything?" I turn and ask Tangerinya. "Not even drinking water?"

"No, Master Felicia. We have no need for food consumption. We sustain ourselves with mana stones." Tangerinya replies.

"Awwww, that's too bad!" I wail dramatically.

Imagine how fun it would be if the five of them could eat food just like us! We could throw little parties every day!

Filoan Party!

Fish Party!

Even an eating contest between the maids! And me and Eris can place bets!

But… well, it is what it is.

They're magical constructs, after all.