Bacon and eggs, cheese sausages, and honey toast. I must be dead, and Rationalism has forgiven me--heaven does exist.

"You know, being able to stuff all sorts of bizarre things into your mouth and swallow them is not mutually exclusive with appreciating fine food." I polished off half-melted Camembert cheese paired with a raw egg yolk--oh, the rich, intoxicating aroma rushing over my tongue--and then scooped up a large spoonful of acai yogurt.

"Absolutely no criticism intended," Qana said, still watching me, taking a sip of milk from his mug. "I'm just worried you'll eat too much and have indigestion later."

The sword master's reminder made me recall the issue. I sheepishly lowered my ears and scraped the remaining yogurt from the wooden bowl.

The dining hall was filled with various aromas, some fresh and pleasant, others rich and hearty, creating a delightful atmosphere. The sizzling oil pans, whether frying or grilling, each had their distinct rhythm. It was a feast, a perfect symphony played by the orchestra of vibrant senses.

Is this the world as experienced by the wolves of Mottle?

I wish everyone could enjoy this happiness every day.

"Why not just use a food synthesizer?" A very mood-killing question suddenly popped into my mind, but I felt it was necessary to ask.

"There are too many psychics here," Qana chuckled, setting down his empty cup. "Do you think the weirdest meals a food synthesizer can make are the scariest things? Think again--use a little more creativity."

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I set the empty bowl aside and started drinking my oat bran soy milk to finish off my breakfast.

"So, in places far from the Colosseo, ingredients are printed and then brought in for cooking, right?" Qana nodded in confirmation to my question.

"Food synthesis technology is the foundation of not just the empire but the entire solar system's primary industry. The Asteroid Belt Alliance cultivates fungi, the Ares Federation grows algae, the Lunar breeds yeast, and the Canine Empire, blessed by Gaia, has various high-yield crops for starch, protein, and oil production." I glanced around the dining hall, watching the different wolves enjoying their meals, listening to the clinking of their utensils and their cheerful conversations. "If it weren't for... the serf class, would any of this be possible?"

Qana's deep blue eyes narrowed slightly, and he remained silent for a while, just watching me.

"Yes," the sword master said, slowly enunciating the words, occasionally baring his canines. "After all, there was a time when that was true."

"Then why..." Knowing that we weren't living off the exploitation of the lower classes was a relief, but it raised a bigger question. "If it's not necessary, why..."

"Often, things that seem nonsensical are the most practical demonstrations of 'sense.'" Qana sighed, rubbing his temples. "Remember when I talked to you about purpose and meaning?" I nodded. "Without these things, it's as if you don't exist. And non-existence is terrifying; it drives insecure people to do even more terrifying things just to prove their existence."

Qana's answer was almost as good as no answer at all. I tilted my head, folding my right ear down for further explanation. But the sword master shook his head gently and pointed to my mug.

"This isn't something that can be explained in a few words. We'll have a chance later," he said, scanning the dining hall quickly with his sharp eyes. "When there aren't so many 'red eyes' around." Qana grinned, baring his canines--an expression he usually wore before drawing his sword. Then he tapped my mirror circle with an almost imperceptible force to emphasize his point.

The ripple was so faint it disappeared immediately, causing only a very small disturbance.

I nodded slightly, lowering both ears in acceptance, and finished my drink.

I could guess "red eyes" referred to psychics, but I didn't understand why. Or why discussing these matters was an issue. As my knowledge grew, the fog shrouding the world only thickened, a phenomenon hard to grasp. Or perhaps this was the nature of truth?

I set my empty mug down, wiped my mouth with a napkin, and signaled to Qana. After he nodded back at me, he got up and led me out of the dining hall.