As many people suggested having a congratulatory party, I took out a bundle of food I had brought while wandering around the Duo[Dash]1 area from my spatial pocket.

‘After going out all this way, it wouldn’t be right if there’s no loot!’

Damon Duke had already been there, so I passed. The same went for the Kitten Duke, who was almost like my home.

The only places left to explore in the area were the mansion of the Viscount Hujak, whose name I couldn’t even remember, and a small village created for the mansion’s servants to reside in.

In comparison to the tightly packed mansions in the Duo[Dash]2 area, I keenly felt how spacious and luxurious the mansions in the Duo[Dash]1 area were occupying.

As soon as I spotted zombies, I shot them with magic bullets and entered the mansions to bring back preserved foods.

Alternatively, I picked up only preserved ingredients with long shelf lives, enchanted with preservation magic.

If vegetables or meat already seemed spoiled, I focused on fresh-looking perishables with a distinct smell.

However, when things seemed relatively intact and caused confusion, I always sought out Zero.

〈Zero, can I eat this? Is it not spoiled?〉

〈”Wait a moment. I’ll check it thoroughly in the search window.”〉

Like scanning the barcode of products on the checkout counter at a supermarket, when I asked, Zero meticulously checked the ingredients through the search window.

〈”Oh, this one is okay to eat.”〉

〈”Ugh, this one has mold all over the inside! If you eat it, you’ll get an upset stomach. Just throw it away!”〉

〈”Oh, this one is in an edible condition! I thought it was spoiled, but it turns out this is how this ingredient originally is. Quite fascinating.”〉

〈”Uwaaaah. I saw mosaic treatment inside… my eyes… my eyes…”〉

Thanks to Zero’s tearful sacrifice(?), we were able to bring back quite a few ingredients that the kitchen staff would appreciate.

Whether my fellow travelers thought the same or not, everyone came back with a decent amount of food like squirrels finding hidden acorns.

“Hey? When did you gather all this? I had no idea!”

Michael, Aston, Luth, and Benedict put the bundles of groceries they collected into the kitchen’s food storage.

‘Hmm, when I was looking, it seemed too little for a huge mansion!’

I should have known there were such circumstances.

To my surprised expression, Michael spoke.

“It seems everyone quietly gathered a lot while the Duke was diligently making ventilation holes in the zombies’ heads.”

“…So, even Michael?”

“Of course. It’s a handy tip someone taught me. If you don’t use it at times like this, when will you use it?”

Oh my goodness. I taught a Paladin how to steal food from vacant houses.

‘…I made the strongest Paladin into a thief.’

Oh, divine Lord Ardelia, who protects the Caldian Empire, please forgive me.

This Paladin has no sins, as it was an emergency measure for survival. If you wish to reprimand for thievery, please contact Zero for an audience to confess and repent.
‘This should be enough……’

Michael, who responded playfully, expressed a satisfied smile, assuring that there would be no worries about food in the future. The kitchen staff also responded with hearty laughter.

“From the Duke to our comrades who went out together, they seem like angels who came to help us escape from a crisis.”

‘Well, if they were angels, wouldn’t they refrain from raiding human establishments…?’

The vast and desolate mansion, having lost its owner, was thoroughly looted, leaving not a speck of dust, but if survivors could continue their lives by plundering that place, it had meaning.

So, I remained unapologetic and confident.

I didn’t really think I was like an angel.

“…Still, I’m not an angel. Even if you tried to call us angels, we’d object.”

One of the servants working in the kitchen responded with a sincere reply to my answer.

“What’s so special about angels? You, who remember and take care of people like us when it’s difficult and challenging, are the real angels.”

She added that anyone could become an angel if they had a heart to help without turning away, without needing wings or a beautiful appearance.

“…In that case, everyone staying in the Kitten Duchy must be angels.”

Suddenly, Aston, who popped out from behind, said that.

“People staying here all think of each other, sharing and taking care of food and drink together.”

“Well, that’s true.”

It seemed like Aston was praising me by bringing up angels, and the rugged-looking Aston, who interpreted it quite positively, couldn’t control the upward curve of his mouth.

Seeing the joyful reactions of the people, I smiled slyly.

“That’s right. Only angels live in the Kitten Duchy.”

“I guess I’m included as an angel? Well then, I’ll be the guardian angel!”

Zero, though not an angel, fluttered around like a butterfly, exaggerating a salute.

“Little and cute lord, of course, you’re the guardian angel who watches over us.”

“We consider it fortunate that such a valuable connection has formed with the Duke.”