Beet!

At the Moonlight Hotel, the receptionist wore a uniform and wore a polite smile on her distinctive face.

Serie and Laiern stepped forward one after the other, politely inquiring about the aroma wafting in the air and asking what dish it was, as they wanted to order it too.

The receptionist explained that the food was cooked by Dugu Qing, a guest at the hotel. Because of its enticing aroma, many guests had already inquired about it, but the hotel was unable to provide it and asked for their understanding.

"Dugu Qing! Frieren's teammate! Frieren... is truly blessed!"

Thinking about how Frieren went on adventures with Dugu Qing and could enjoy such fresh and delicious food anytime, Serie was actually a little envious of Frieren.

"Dugu Qing!! Cooking?! This is outrageous! He's a valiant hero, a superman destined to quell the apocalypse and defeat the ultimate villain! How could he...?"

Laiern clenched his fists, veins bulging, clearly extremely annoyed by Dugu Qing's neglect of his duties and waste of time.

"Don't rush! Pacifying the apocalypse and loving good food aren't mutually exclusive. By the way, if you really want to teach Dugu Qing a lesson, go now! And while you're at it, bring me back some of the leftover food from their meal."

Serie glanced at Laiern, crossed her arms, and her eyes were full of encouragement.

If the mission required Laiern to charge into the midst of a massive army and take the enemy's head, Laiern would charge without hesitation.

But, to send yourself into a young person's room to scam them out of their lunch.

Despite her formidable strength, Laiern couldn't bring herself to refuse and politely declined.

"No! Lady Serie, that's too embarrassing, I can't do it."

Serie sighed, smelling the sweet and salty, layered aroma in the air, her stomach rumbling loudly.

"Receptionist, do you recognize me? For my sake, Serie, could you help me upstairs and get something?"

"This... won't do."

Serie is powerful and renowned, as high and mighty as the moon.

However, compared to Dugu Qing's stunning beauty, she was still slightly inferior. After comparing the two, the receptionist made a decisive choice.

"Hey? Won't you reconsider?"

Rejected in a rare moment, Serie arched her eyebrows and looked pitifully at the receptionist.

"Ahem, Lady Serie, you are Mage of God! You must be dignified and have composure!"

Laiern protected Serie, stopping her from further acting cute and charming.

"But I really want to eat it! If I go directly to Dugu Qing, I'll run into Frieren. If I use magic to get it, I'll be discovered later, which is really frustrating!"

Serie plopped down on the sofa in frustration, her slender body sinking into the cushions, her face full of annoyance.

If Dugu Qing were alone, she would have rushed forward to chat with Dugu Qing about their shared elven heritage.

But with the addition of Frieren, everything becomes complicated.

At least for now, Serie isn't ready to meet Frieren...

Laiern looked at Serie, took two deep breaths, and spoke with a stiff neck.

"If Lady Serie really wants to eat, I can use the excuse of notifying them of the exam to go to Dugu Qing's room and take some delicacies with me."

Upon hearing Laiern's reply, Serie nodded in satisfaction. Her blush and shortness of breath vanished, and she gracefully sat down on the sofa, regaining her composure.

Laiern turned and walked forward, her steps heavy, each one as if weighed down by a thousand pounds, her chest heaving.

After walking down the long corridor, as if being led to the execution ground, he knocked with difficulty on Dugu Qing's door.

The door opened, Dugu Qing saw it was Laiern. She smiled gently and spoke words as warm as a spring breeze.

"It's you, sir! What perfect timing! We're having dinner right now, would you like some?"

Laiern had prepared for the company's demise before she arrived.

Dugu Qing's smile, like the sun, melted the snow in his heart, deeply moving him.

"Thank you. I'm just here to let you know that the exam will start at 10:00 AM in three days. Please be prepared and don't miss it."

Dugu Qing nodded, and Laiern Dugu Qing followed behind him and sat down in his seat.

Stark handed over the extra chopsticks. Laiern looked at the delicious-looking and fragrant dishes, took a bite of the braised pork with preserved mustard greens, and savored the fresh and fragrant pork slices soaked in the rich broth. The lingering aftertaste made her mouth water.

Laiern savored the meat, which melted in her mouth, nodding repeatedly and feeling that this trip had been absolutely worthwhile. She exclaimed in praise.

"It smells so good!"

Everyone enjoyed the delicious food with its vibrant colors and aromas, along with the sweet and refreshing red wine, and quickly filled their stomachs.

"I'm so full, I feel like I'm going to gain weight."

Fern patted her face, picked up the mirror, and carefully examined her figure.

Frieren raised her slender arm, a narcissistic smile on her face.

"I'm naturally thin, so I can eat meat without gaining weight."

Stark stood up, rubbing his slightly bloated belly. "I envy you, Frieren! You can maintain your figure without exercising."

Dugu Qing looked at his flat stomach and nodded slightly. He and Frieren had the same physique! They were both the type who couldn't gain weight no matter how much they ate.

Laiern listened to the laughter and chatter of the others, and looked at the remaining food on the table, her mouth moved slightly, but she couldn't utter a word.

Dugu Qing's invitation to dine with me was already an act of utmost kindness and noble character.

If I were to accept both food and gifts, wouldn't I be being ungrateful...?

The noble mage is caught in a dilemma, his heart filled with torment.

Time flies, and the opportunity to speak is fleeting.

After much hesitation, Laiern decided to risk everything for the sake of the respected Lady Serie.

"Um, this meat is so delicious, can I take some with me?"

Dugu Qing was busy cooking so that she could enjoy the food herself and relieve stress for Fern and Frieren, not so that it would benefit outsiders.

He frowned slightly, picked up a bag, and put a small amount on each of Laiern's dishes, just a token gesture.

"Too little, Dugu Qing is so stingy," Stark thought to himself, but said nothing more.

After all, these dishes belonged to Dugu Qing, and he had the right to distribute them however he wanted.

Laiern looked at the food; although it wasn't much, it was enough to make her complete her task.

He looked at Dugu Qing gratefully, bowed slightly, and quickly left the room.

Hotel, restaurant.

Laiern placed the delicious food, which she had obtained with great effort, on a plate.

Serie picked up a slice of meat with her chopsticks and gently put it into her mouth.

The tender, succulent slices of meat melted in her mouth, soothing her lonely and desolate heart and bringing her an indescribable joy.

Serie chewed slowly, closed her eyes in enjoyment, and quietly immersed herself in the rich and delicious flavor.

All her anxiety vanished at that moment. She picked up her chopsticks and put various different delicacies into her mouth, becoming curious about the host who had prepared them.

Dugu Qing, what kind of person is someone who can cook these dishes?

Beetroot! He must be a genius!

Only a genius of this extraordinary talent, one in a thousand years, could create such a magnificent dish, defeat the ultimate Demons, and quell the chaos of the world!

Hey! My collecting addiction is acting up; I'm thinking of investing.

"Hey, Laiern, how about we find a way to recruit Dugu Qing and make him your junior?"

Serie smiled playfully and casually uttered a startling statement.