After setting the Master Key loosely on the waterwheel, we waited for two hours. During that time, the Hero remained by my side the whole time, except for once.

"Louie, eat this. One of the village women brought it over."

That one time, he left briefly to fetch some grilled skewers.

"Ah, thank you."

"I took out the bell peppers."

"..."

Thud!

Well, since he made the effort to remove them, I suppose I’ll gratefully eat it. Thanks to him, I didn’t have to use my fingers to pick them out, coated in sauce.

"It’s delicious."

"Right? That special spicy …