Chapter Sixteen: Dinner

For Eluca and Kurona, this was a day they would never forget. Having lost family and comrades, faced with an uncertain future, they once believed their fates were plunging into a bottomless darkness. Yet, fate had played a remarkable joke on them. Not only were they not “disposed of” as they had feared, but instead, a new commander had been assigned to them. This commander had not only saved their elder sister but had even let them take a hot bath!

A hot bath!

Standing beneath the showerhead, feeling the warm water cascade over her, Eluca was on the verge of tears. There was no girl who didn’t love cleanliness. Yet, for the sake of survival, they had forced themselves to live with unkempt hair and grimy faces. It was a form of self-protection—on the wasteland, there was no law enforcement, and for “Hounds” like them, being caught meant facing brutal punishment. As women, they were even more likely to attract unwanted attention. So, most of the time, they avoided washing or grooming, deliberately choosing the most worn and dirty clothes. This not only offered some protection in the wasteland but also diminished their “appeal,” helping them avoid unnecessary trouble. Out in the wilds, they would only sneak a cold wash when they could no longer bear the filth, all the while wary of mutated creatures lurking in rivers and ponds, or roaming bandits.

But now, in this clean and tidy bathroom, enveloped in the warmth of the water, it felt like paradise.

What thrilled them even more was that, after their bath, Delin led them to Ferren, where dinner had already been prepared. Most astonishing of all, their meal included meat!

Meat!

As they gazed at the braised beef on their plates, inhaling its tantalizing aroma, the sisters nearly drooled. On the wasteland, though there was no radiation and crops grew easily, animal husbandry had never recovered. Raising livestock was far harder than growing grain. Without radiation, grain production was steady, but cattle and sheep could only be properly raised through large-scale farming. After the Cataclysm, mysterious forces had caused many animals to mutate; some once-docile, edible creatures had become entirely different, some even poisonous. Only a handful—cattle, sheep, pigs—remained edible, but in meager supply. Pork was a little more accessible—mercenaries and hunters might manage a taste if they saved up, much like how an ordinary person before the Cataclysm might splurge on a luxury meal at a five-star hotel. With effort, it was possible.

But beef was unattainable even for the wealthy, reserved only for the highest echelons of District Nine. For these two sisters, beef was a myth—they’d never seen it, not even smelled it. Yet, the instant the aroma reached them, their mouths watered uncontrollably. They’d eaten mutated meat in the wild to survive, but it was foul and disgusting, its taste revolting even when roasted—nothing at all compared to this exquisitely prepared dish.

Fortunately, their minds remained clear despite the circumstances. Though seated at the table by Delin, they simply stared at the beef, salivating, unwilling to move until Ferren spoke.

“Eat. If you wait much longer, your meal will get cold.”

Smiling, Ferren encouraged them. Only then did the sisters breathe a sigh of relief. Yet even so, Eluca hesitated, glancing up at Ferren.

“Um… Commander, may I save half for my sister? I think she would love this too…”

“Delin is taking care of ‘Narcissus.’ You don’t need to worry.”

Ferren’s reply reassured the sisters at last, and they launched themselves at the food before them.

The tender, flavorful meat conquered their stomachs in an instant. In all their lives, they’d never tasted anything so delicious. Even though they tried to restrain themselves out of respect for their commander, their ravenous eating was still a sight to behold.

Luckily, this was no fine restaurant, and Ferren seemed unfazed. Instead, he sipped his wine and chatted with them, asking about their daily lives—what they did, ate, and where they spent their time. The questions were ordinary, and the sisters made no attempt to hide anything. After all, he was their commander, and with such a miraculous meal before them, these questions seemed insignificant.

Lost in their meal, the sisters failed to notice Delin standing nearby, notebook in hand, swiftly jotting down the details of their conversation with Ferren.

Time passed quickly, and only when not a drop of sauce remained on their plates did the sisters realize it. Embarrassed, they looked up at Ferren, who still wore his gentle smile.

“All right, since you’re finished, it’s about time to rest. But before that, there’s something I need you to do.”

As he spoke, Ferren stood.

“You may rest here for a bit. Then, I want you to come to my room. Delin will call your names—when you hear yours, come in. Is that clear?”

It was happening!

Eluca’s heart leapt. She’d suspected this might be coming even back in the bath. No, it was only natural. They were women—this was a fate they had to endure. Besides… Eluca’s gaze drifted to her empty plate, and she licked her lips.

No matter what, compared to those disgusting men whose eyes were full of nothing but desire, this commander was far better. He’d not only saved her sister, but had also let them experience such delicious food. Just this dinner alone was enough for her to sell her body to him. Not to mention, he was so handsome…

Thinking this, a flush crept across the twin-tailed girl’s cheeks. She shook her head, trying to cast aside her thoughts, but to no avail. She felt lightheaded, her mind blanking at the thought of what might happen next. She couldn’t remember how she got to the hall, nor when her name was called, nor entering Ferren’s room. Only when she sat again on the sofa, gazing at Ferren, did she finally regain her senses.

“No need to be nervous.”

Ferren smiled at Eluca’s flushed face, and at his words, her pounding heart gradually calmed.

He seemed like a gentle man…

Just as she thought this, Ferren’s voice reached her ears.

“Before we begin, I have a few questions I’d like you to answer honestly, all right?”

“Of course, Commander.”

Though a little puzzled, Eluca nodded, gathering her courage. She lifted her head to meet Ferren’s gaze, legs together, hands nervously twisting the hem of her clothes. Ferren offered no further explanation, simply glanced at the girl and began his questioning.

“So, Eluca, at what age did you awaken your abilities?”

“Eh?”

The question caught her off guard—it was nothing like what she’d expected. Still, though confused, she answered truthfully after a moment’s hesitation.

“Reporting to you, Commander… In fact, we awakened our abilities at birth…”

“Oh?”

A glint flashed in Ferren’s eyes as he exchanged a meaningful look with Delin, who stood quietly nearby. He turned his attention back to the girl.

“Are you sure? Was it the same for all of you?”

“Yes, Commander. In fact, from as early as we can remember, we could feel some kind of power inside us. We just didn’t know what it was until, well… sometimes we found something that suited us, and then we understood what our abilities were…”

“I see.”

Ferren narrowed his eyes, leaning back on the sofa with his hands folded on his knees, nodding with a faint smile.

“That’s fascinating… Sorry to ask such odd questions. Now then… please remove your clothes.”

So, it had come to this.

Eluca bit her lip, stealing a glance at Delin nearby, then stood and began to undress.