Chapter 2
"Is that all? Easy. Just some ordinary chocolate from a bakery would do, right?"
Sanla and Tate's research lab was still cluttered like a warehouse, and except for Tate's empty seat, there was no trace of a human presence. Sanla raised her head from between several layers of stacked documents, then sighed after hearing Gilgamesh's predicament. On top of a heater that had been tripped over several times in the messy pathway was a mug printed with the phrase "Water your Fxxxxd."
"Not at all. They are the one and only friend of the King of Heroes. How could you think such a trivial thing would suffice?"
"So in the end, it's about your own satisfaction..."
"Huh, is that a problem?"
The young Magecraft Engineering researcher scratched her head with an already tired face, looking troubled.
Anyone would find an sponsor who suddenly shows up at any time and demands that their personal matters be resolved unwelcome, but she had to endure it each time for the sake of the scale of that sponsorship.
"So, you don't know how to refrain from luxury."
"Isn't that a natural accompaniment to living as a king?"
"And not knowing what to give as a gift on Valentine's Day is also a problem."
"Are you going to suggest chocolate? Of course I know that. The problem is that I only know of the highest grade products."
"What kind of answer do you want?! Alright, I'll tell you what to do from now on~
First. Go out to the street. Second. Go to a very reasonable store that sells chocolate. Third. Buy. Fourth, give it to Enkidu. End! Simple, right? Start now. I'm busy, you know. If our publication gets rejected again, We'll really be in a situation with no answers."
After shooting back her response, Sanla turned her gaze back to the screen, and Gilgamesh frowned, somewhat displeased. However, after clearing his throat, he added in a composed tone:
"What do you plan to give to Tate Silver?"
Sanla's fingers froze above the keyboard. She slowly turned her head toward Gilgamesh in disbelief.
"What did you just say?"
"I'm merely inquiring about what worthless trinkets mongrels exchange during your quaint little customs."
He replied with deliberate casualness that only heightened the malicious gleam in his eyes.
"'Why', the 'hell' do you think I would give something to Tate?!?!?!"
With a voice raised by an octave, seeing Sanla's agitated response and the flush that spread to the tips of her ears, Gilgamesh finally laughed heartily, as if the situation was going as he intended.
"I've heard there's also something called friendship chocolate... But it seems my former Master had something else in mind?"
"There's no friendship or anything, so please stop saying disgusting things!"
"Oh, then you wouldn't need this either."
Gilgamesh tossed something to Sanla, and she reflexively caught it. A luxurious chocolate box decorated with gold leaf. Anyone could see it was an item that exceeded Enkidu's standards.
"Um... what's this?"
"Well, it's what you'd call an obligatory chocolate. Even if a mongrel tried hard to give someone something, they'd only choose some unsuitable junk food. But shouldn't there be at least this much of a bonus for assisting the king?"
While Sanla looked down at the box, sweating profusely, Gilgamesh raised the corner of his mouth with a grin, his eyes showing interest as if watching something fascinating.
"I really don't have anyone to give it to. Tate isn't..."
her voice suddenly small as she attempted to regain her composure.
"Then eat it yourself?" Gilgamesh suggested with mock innocence. "Food is food, regardless of whose mouth it enters. Now then, so..."
He moved with fluid grace, navigating through the precarious towers of documents and boxes to stand directly beside Sanla. Looming over her with his imposing height, he extended one elegant finger and pressed it firmly against her forehead—a gesture somehow both playful and threatening.
"Now that you've received your advance payment, isn't it time to assisted the king? Try rolling around whatever's inside that pea-sized head of yours."
"...No room for refusal, I see..."
"Find a gift that's not ostentatious yet befitting the status of the King of Heroes and his companion."
"...Always forcing things. Well then... is truly any suggestion acceptable?"
"I'll judge after hearing it."