Chapter 151 Going out for a Delicious Meal

Suzuka arched an eyebrow, her voice laced with a hint of surprise. 

"But won't having a monstrous creature accompanying me pose some risks? Walking around town with a goblin seems rather unsafe, doesn't it?"

Lisanna dismissed Suzuka's concerns with a casual wave of her hand, a mischievous glimmer in her eyes.

 "Oh, fret not, my dear. The townsfolk might even find it entertaining! Who knows, they might extend the courtesy of allowing you and your goblin to dine at their eatery."

Suzuka grasped the leash firmly, tugging it gently to lift Hermit back onto his feet.

 "Enough fooling around, Naked Scuttle. If you continue wriggling on the floor, you won't be granted even a morsel of food or a drop of drink. I will tie you up to the table leg and leave you here. The choice is yours."

Hermit's movements froze, his voice taking on a submissive and passive tone.

 "Yes, Master. I understand. I shall comply and follow. Food, please. Hermit obeys."

With a resolute nod, Suzuka tightened her grip on the leash, signaling their departure from the guild. 

"Then let's get moving. Scuttle along!"

Suzuka put on her raincoat and stepped outside dragging Hermit behind her. She stood pondering where to go. The medieval town was covered in a gloomy air as evening fell upon its cobblestone streets. The heavy rain fell in relentless torrents, falling from the heavens with unyielding force. The narrow alleyways glistened with a sheen of moisture, reflecting the flickering glow of crystal lamps that fought to pierce through the gloom.

Suzuka pondered her next goal, charmed by the gloomy beauty of the rain-soaked scenery. Hermit tugged at the leash seeking her attention.

 Startled, she looked down, only to be greeted by his outstretched teeny arms, a shy and passive demeanor painted across his face, almost as if begging for a morsel of affection, but the rain had drenched him, making him look like a pitiful, waterlogged creature. His once vibrant green skin was now a miserable shade of muddy gray, and his clothes hung on him like soggy rags, accentuating his sad appearance.

A pitiful whimper escaped from Hermit's trembling lips, like that of a lost puppy seeking comfort in a harsh storm. His eyes, large and tearful, pleaded for even the slightest bit of acknowledgment and warmth. His shivering form tugged at the leash, desperately seeking Suzuka's attention.

Hermit's eyes glistened with tears as he mustered all the courage he could find to make his plea. His voice quivered with heart-wrenching desperation as he begged, "M-Master, please... g-give Hermit a hug! K-kindly, carry Hermit in your arms. Hermit is weary and feeble. M-Master, I beg you, allow Hermit to rest within your warm embrace, sheltered from the relentless rain and cruel cold beneath your magnificent coat."

His small body trembled, and his shoulders slumped in defeat as if the weight of the world bore down upon him. He looked up at Suzuka with eyes that seemed to carry the weight of a thousand sorrows, seeking comfort and solace in her presence.

His voice was soft, almost a mere whisper, as he continued, "Hermit has never known such warmth and kindness before, Master. Your touch could b-bring some relief to this pitiful soul. Every day has been a struggle, but just for a moment, if you'd... just for a moment, embrace Hermit, it would mean... everything."

Suzuka, unmoved by Hermit's plea, firmly replied, "I will not allow you under my raincoat. It's simply not happening. Now let's go, I know a place nearby."

As she tugged the leash Hermit slouched behind her, his hand resting upon his collar. While walking Hermit shared his tale. His voice carried a sense of resignation mixed with the echoes of a painful past. 

"It's alright, Master. I understand... I just hoped for a hug. Hermit used to endure the rain. In the bleak days of my existence within the breeding farms, we lowly slaves were subjected to minimal care, with rain serving as our sole means of cleansing and the only chance of drinking clean water. Human-goblin hatchlings like myself were lined up outside our cages, forced to endure the downpour until it subsided. Hermit still recalls those stormy days and nights, standing amidst the relentless rain, his dirty skin being cleansed by nature's fury and mouth wide open, full of water. The flashes of lightning illuminated the terror and fear that had become ingrained in our very beings, while the deafening thunder served as a constant reminder of our fragile existence."

Suzuka, with a sarcastic tone, said, "Oh, how tragic. But even so, I won't grant you refuge beneath my coat. So you can stop with those sob stories."

Hermit scampered behind her while making a splashing sound like a duck walking on the wet stone pavement, his puny figure struggling to keep pace. Dressed only in a rag and vulnerable to the elements, he clutched the leash with all his might, his tiny hands wrapped tightly around the cold leather. 

Each step he took was an arduous battle against the rain-soaked ground, his fragile form barely able to withstand the onslaught. He sought comfort by huddling into himself, using his ears as makeshift coverings, leaving only his bulging puppy-like eyes exposed to the merciless rainfall. But even this feeble makeshift raincoat proved useless in shielding him from the onslaught of water. The rain, an unyielding assault from the heavens, pelted his hunched figure with relentless fury. It lashed at his weathered skin, each droplet a stinging whip that seemed intent on wearing him down.

As the rain battered his frail body, Hermit's wrinkled skin turned a sickly shade of paleness, like the flesh of a long-forgotten corpse. The unforgiving elements exposed every blemish, every crevice and hollow of his weathered exterior. His gnarled fingers trembled, reaching futilely for shelter.

With each wet laborious step, Hermit's scuttling pace diminished, his weakened body trembling and shivering uncontrollably from the chilling cold. His eyes, heavy as lead, fought valiantly to remain open, resisting the overwhelming urge to surrender to exhaustion. His eyelids drooped, threatening to seal shut forever, a testament to the toll the punishing cold was taking on his fragile being.

Gasping for air, Hermit struggled to scuttle after Suzuka, his little feet desperately clapping against the wet pavement. The casual walking speed seemed like a leisurely stroll to her, but for Hermit, it was an agonizing and torturous sprint. Empty of the strength required to keep up the pace, he found himself collapsing under the weight of his own frailty. Oblivious to Hermit's plight, Suzuka remained engrossed in the enchantment of the rainy weather, unaware of the toll it was taking on the goblin. The collar around his neck constricted, preventing him from uttering a plea for help as she was draging his lifeless body through the ground across the wet street.

After a few minutes, Suzuka's attention was distracted by a sound echoing from a nearby alley. Curiosity piqued, she turned her gaze, only to discover that she had been dragging Hermit's lifeless body behind her. 

Dirt coated his form, his ragged tunic barely clinging to him by a thread. Suzuka stopped and gently nudged his body with her boot, testing if any life remained within the goblin. Hermit moaned and gasped, struggling to open his eyes against the relentless assault of raindrops on his exposed orbs. Tears mingled with the downpour, washing away any semblance of dignity.

Lowering herself to a crouch, Suzuka unleashed her biting words upon the pitiful creature.

 "You look pathetic, Naked Scuttle. Merely walking behind me was too much for you to manage? Pathetic. Very well, I shall grant you a break, allowing you to rest in the puddle. But know this: your wretched state will not produce even an ounce of pity from me. I will wait, even if it takes hours, for you to regain your wimpy vigor."

Hermit, summoning every ounce of his remaining strength, rolled onto his side and gradually pushed himself into a sitting position. With unsteady legs trembling beneath him, he mustered the will to take faltering steps forward. Suzuka followed behind, observing his pitiable struggle. Each footfall sent a wet slap resonating through the air, the weight of the world bearing down upon his weary limbs. The sound reverberated in his ears, resembling the mournful beat of a distant drum. His heart throbbed weakly within his chest, his eyes half-closed and clouded with a mist of exhaustion. He continued onward, his movements guided by instinct, a state of semi-consciousness gripping his being.

They made their way to the nearest eatery, Suzuka leading the way with Hermit trailing behind, his hunger urging him forward. 

As they stepped inside, the enticing scent of freshly cooked food wafted through the air, captivating Hermit's senses and snapping him back to the realm of the living. His stomach growled with anticipation, eager for the nourishment it had long been deprived of.

 Suzuka gracefully shook off her raincoat and hung it on a nearby hanger, taking a moment to glance back at Hermit, who resembled a sloppy creature drenched in rainwater. With a mischievous grin, she seized him by his legs and proceeded to shake him in a comical attempt to rid him of the clinging droplets. The water splattered about, leaving Hermit in a drenched and slightly disoriented state. Once satisfied with her water-shaking endeavor, Suzuka slapped him down onto the floor like a wet rag.

Turning her attention to the waitress, Suzuka asked, "Hello there. Is it acceptable if I bring my pet inside?"

 The waitress's eyes widened in surprise as she glanced at the goblin before hesitantly saying, "Um, I'm not sure. While we do allow pets, that creature... it's a goblin, a monster, isn't it? We don't want any trouble... Wait! Is that the same goblin David was disgracing in front of the crowd the other day? He is still alive after...?" 

However, before she could finish speaking, Hermit let out a pitiful whimper and pleaded while begging on his knees, "Yes! It was me, Hermit. Please, kind lady. Please, food. Hermit has suffered without sustenance for months, and surviving on filth has depleted Hermit's strength. My little tummy hurts so much, ouchieee! I promise to behave and cause no trouble. Please, kind lady. Hermit will die from starvation."

The waitress was surprised by the unexpected sight and sound of a goblin speaking and appealing for food. After a moment of consideration, she relented, swayed by Suzuka's status as a regular customer and the sincerity of Hermit's plea.

 "Alright, Helen, but only because you're a regular customer," she approved cautiously.

 "I am not particularly harbor hate for these little creatures but please try not to take too long, and let's hope other guests don't overreact and cause any conflicts."

"Thanks a lot, I really appreciate it. You got nothing to worry about, this goblin can't protect himself yat alone attack someone else. Heck, I bet even a newborn cat could beat him up."

Suzuka thanked the waitress and led Hermit to a cozy corner table, where they would be somewhat shielded from prying eyes. The waitress, casting a wary gaze in their direction, guided them to their seats and handed them the menus. As they settled in, Hermit's eyes widened at the array of tantalizing dishes pictured on the menu, his mouth watering uncontrollably.

In an attempt to make him feel more comfortable, Suzuka leaned towards Hermit, patting his back reassuringly.

 "Fear not, Naked Scuttle. I shall feast upon the finest culinary delights this establishment has to offer. My hunger shall be quelled, and my strength restored," she assured him with a soothing tone.

Hermit's face contorted, the fear in his eyes mingling with a tinge of sadness as he mustered the courage to voice his concerns. 

"B-b-but Master," he stammered, his voice trembling, "how about Hermit? I'm starving, food please."

Suzuka leaned back in her chair and grinned mischievously.

 "Oh, you Naked Scuttle," she teased, "Don't worry, I will grant you the honorable privilege. Once my culinary masterpiece has been eaten, I will bestow upon you the honor of licking the plates clean, savoring every last tasty morsel." A flicker of hope danced in Hermit's eyes, but it quickly faded as he realized the absurdity of the situation.

"Master, please. Stop torturing Hermit. Master is so mean."  

His stout frame slumped in despair, Hermit sank deeper into the chair, his head drooping with heavy defeat. His once perky ears now hung limp, mirroring the weight of his dashed expectations. Suzuka, aware of the impact of her words, couldn't help but chuckle at the sight before her. Her amusement, however, quickly transformed into a moment of compassion.

Suzuka couldn't resist a playful laugh as she said, "Relax, I was just pulling your leg. I wouldn't subject you to something as disgusting as licking plates. Hang tight, I'll go place our order."

She approached the counter, her voice cheerful. 

"I would like to order Prime Angus Beef Tenderloin as a main dish then Molten Chocolate Lava Cake for a dessert and Berry-infused Iced Tea as a drink... Oh yes! Also, give this goblin something to fill its pitiful belly. But I expect nothing but the cheapest, most revolting scraps you can muster. No delicacies shall touch its unworthy mouth."

The waitress, taken aback by Suzuka's harshness, hesitated before nodding and preparing a meager plate of leftovers scraping from unwashed dishes. It consisted of half-eaten pieces of meat, withered and soggy veggies, rotten meats, slimy cheese, and wilted lettuce, all garnished with a generous helping of greenish-black mold and a handful of stale bread, a far cry from the culinary delights that Suzuka herself ordered.

She handed the meager offering to Hermit, who took it with trembling hands, grateful for the food. His eyes filled with tears of gratitude as he stared at the meager meal. 

 He muttered a weak, "Th-thank you, Master."