"Mmm~ This tastes amazing! Boss, what flavor is this?"
Paimon took a bite of the fried potato balls she was holding and her eyes immediately lit up. She quickly turned to the stall owner.
"Oh, that one? That's the red bean cream flavor."
"Red bean cream flavor? Got it! Paimon will remember!"
Holding the snack tightly, Paimon carefully memorized the name. She really liked this flavor and decided she would come back often to eat it.
Cao Ye couldn't help but chuckle beside her.
He hadn't expected Paimon to like red bean cream flavored potato balls so much.
"Red bean cream is the best flavor of fried potato balls."
A voice suddenly spoke from nearby.
A girl had appeared beside them without anyone noticing.
Her gaze was fixed on Paimon—
No, more accurately, on the red bean cream potato balls in Paimon's hands.
"Ais, welcome."
The stall owner greeted her warmly.
Clearly, he knew her well.
"Lord Takemikazuchi."
Ais politely bowed to the stall owner.
Cao Ye was slightly surprised.
So this stall owner was actually a god.
In Orario, there were many gods living among mortals.
Just like people, some gods lived comfortably, while others struggled.
Takemikazuchi was one of the latter.
His Familia wasn't very strong, so even as a god he had to work for a living, selling fried potato balls.
But despite his divine power being sealed, Takemikazuchi still possessed incredible physical ability.
Even with a mortal body, he could rival a Level 3 adventurer.
"Lord Takemikazuchi."
Now that Cao Ye realized who he was, he immediately greeted him properly.
"Ah, don't call me that," Takemikazuchi laughed.
"Right now I'm just a fried potato ball vendor."
He showed no arrogance at all despite being a god.
"Wait… you're a god?"
Paimon stared at him curiously.
"That's right, little one. Which Familia do you belong to?"
"Familia?"
Paimon tilted her head.
"I don't have one. I'm the Traveler's partner."
"But the Traveler belongs to Freya Familia."
"No Familia?" Takemikazuchi said with interest.
"Then how about joining mine?"
He clearly liked the adorable floating mascot.
After all, who could resist such a cute creature that could fly and talk?
It wasn't just Takemikazuchi.
Even Ais was staring at Paimon with sparkling eyes.
She clearly liked her too.
Cao Ye wasn't surprised.
Cute things were naturally loved by everyone.
"Lord Takemikazuchi," Cao Ye said calmly,
"Paimon is my companion, so naturally she belongs to Freya Familia with me."
In truth, Paimon wasn't a real lifeform.
She was just a cursed corpse, so she couldn't receive a Falna anyway.
If cursed corpses could receive blessings, the world would become absolute chaos.
"What a shame."
Takemikazuchi looked disappointed.
Meanwhile Paimon continued happily stuffing potato balls into her mouth.
"Fried potato balls…"
Ais stared at the food in Paimon's hands.
Her expression clearly said:
I want some too.
"Hmm? These are Paimon's potato balls!"
Noticing Ais staring, Paimon immediately hid the food behind her back and flew behind Cao Ye protectively.
When it came to protecting food, Paimon was extremely serious.
No one could stop Paimon from eating.
Not even a beautiful girl.
"Sorry."
Ais misunderstood the reaction and thought she had scared Paimon.
She quickly apologized.
Cao Ye found the situation amusing.
Although Ais was incredibly strong and known as the Sword Princess, deep down she was still just a young girl.
Her obsession with strength had made her surprisingly innocent in many ways.
"Lord Takemikazuchi, I'd like three portions of fried potato balls too."
"Red bean cream flavor."
"Right away, Ais."
Takemikazuchi happily prepared the order.
Fried potato balls were cheap food, so profits weren't high.
Getting two customers at once was great for business.
"Mmm~"
As soon as she got her food, Ais took a bite.
Her face instantly filled with pure happiness.
Clearly she loved fried potato balls just as much as Paimon.
"Want some?"
To everyone's surprise, Ais suddenly offered a portion to Paimon.
She even handed one to Cao Ye.
"Really?!"
Paimon's eyes sparkled.
She had already finished her own portion and still wanted more.
Seeing Ais share her food caused Paimon's affection level to skyrocket instantly.
Ais nodded quietly.
Sharing things you like was a good thing.
That was what Riveria had taught her.
"Paimon likes you!"
"What's your name?"
Paimon grabbed the food immediately and happily took a bite.
"Ais."
"Ais Wallenstein."
"Okay! Paimon remembers!"
"From now on we're friends!"
"I'm Paimon, the Traveler's partner and guide!"
"If you need help, you can find me or the Traveler!"
"Friends…"
Ais repeated the word softly.
She felt a small surge of happiness.
Besides her Familia members, Paimon had become one of the few people she could call a friend.
"Paimon," Cao Ye said helplessly,
"You sold yourself for a plate of potato balls… and dragged me into it too?"
"Hehe, Traveler~"
Paimon grinned, trying to get away with it using cuteness.
Cao Ye didn't really mind.
Becoming friends with Ais wasn't a bad thing.
After all, she had no ill intentions whatsoever.
"Alright," Cao Ye said.
"Are you finally full?"
"Mmm~ About 80% full!"
"Eighty percent?!"
Cao Ye stared at her tiny belly.
She had been eating nonstop all morning.
And she was only 80% full?
"Traveler, Paimon wants to eat Sweet Madame now."
Cao Ye rolled his eyes.
He wanted it too.
But this wasn't Teyvat.
This was Orario.
"There's no such thing here."
Paimon immediately looked disappointed.
Her memories were filled with countless delicious foods.
But none of them existed in this world.
Which made her extremely sad.
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