Chapter 119

"Lilia, Lilia, I can smell it! The scent is coming from here, and it smells so good!"

"Rosalia, Rosalia, Lilia smelled it too, it's the smell of food, it's coming from there."

Two little girls with horns on their heads rushed into the restaurant. They leaned on the table, their eyes shining as they stared at the steaming pot. They had smelled the aroma as soon as they passed by and knew that Tesla couldn't possibly make something like this. So, it must have been made by Shen Gonglin. He's so amazing.

"Can we have some?"

Rosaliya looked at Shen Gonglin with wide, expectant eyes. But the sight of this pink-haired loli reminded Shen Gonglin of some painful memories she wanted to deliberately forget. It was a loli who stole her first kiss under the guise of eating cherries. If she could, Shen Gonglin really wanted to erase this memory, but unfortunately, she couldn't do it until now.

"... Eat, eat if you want..."

Shen Gonglin forced a smile, then sat down next to Tesla. Tesla looked at him with surprise. Both of these little girls were very outgoing, and since Shen Gonglin had agreed, they didn't stand on ceremony at all. Liliya ran over and brought out four sets of tableware. Unlike her silly older sister, she was very polite.

"Then I'll serve everyone... Rosaliya, don't take the biggest bowl, that's Liliya's..."

The blue-haired loli served everyone a bowl of thick soup. Since Shen Gonglin doesn't cook often, he couldn't quite control the amount. Luckily, the two twin lolis came over, otherwise he and Tesla probably wouldn't have been able to finish it. Wasting food is the most shameful thing.

"I'm starting!"

The aroma of food filled the air. Tesla and the Arin sisters couldn't wait to pick up their bowls and start eating after finishing their conversation. Shen Gonglin also smiled and prepared to dig in. He was very happy to see that others enjoyed his cooking so much. However, his good mood was completely burned up the moment the food entered his mouth...

What the hell is this thing?!

As soon as it entered her mouth, Shen Gonglin couldn't help but spit it out, while Tesla and the Arin sisters turned green from eating too much. Why, why is there such a thing? It looks and smells like top-notch cuisine, but the taste... Tesla felt like she was seeing a small river blooming with strange flowers.

"Shen Gonglin... you, what did you put there?"

With a few thuds, the three women collapsed to the ground. Tesla pointed a trembling finger at Shen Gonglin, who had also fallen beside him. He hadn't expected her to poison him, but if she was poisoning him, why would she eat it herself?

And so, the four people in the restaurant fell silent until the staff noticed and the alarm went off. Four stretchers carried the four poisoned individuals to the infirmary. Taking down three Anti-Entropy members at once, Shen Gonglin is quite impressive.

Chapter 470

In the ME Company's Anti-Entropy medical clinic, Shen Gonglin and Tesla lay weakly on the bed, receiving IV drips. They had eaten relatively little, so they only needed IV drips. The Arin sisters, who had eaten more, were currently having their stomachs pumped. The two looked pale and leaned against the headboard, listening to Rosaliya and Liliya vomiting violently inside. Shen Gonglin felt very strange. Why? Why did everyone become like this after eating the food she made?

He really didn't expect to trade one for one with the Anti-Entropy people... Oh, I forgot, this time it was one for three. He really lived up to his reputation, it was a great deal.

"It is necessary to ask who made that pot of poison and what they put in it. We need to know this so that we can treat the problem effectively."

The doctor stood by the bedside, asking them about the specifics of their poisoning. Four people poisoned together was already a major incident in Anti-Entropy's eyes. This time it was four people, but what if it happened again during a meal? Such a large-scale poisoning incident could not happen in such a large organization. The most urgent task now was to find out what the source of the poison was, so that they could receive the most appropriate treatment.

"What poison! I made a cream stew, it's delicious... As for why it's like this, it must be because the food your Anti-Entropy team usually provides is too bad, it's ruined their stomachs, so they become like this after eating it, it has nothing to do with me."

Even though he was so weak that he had no strength left, when he heard someone questioning his cooking Shen Gonglin still struggled to get out of bed. He would never admit that there was a problem with what he made; it must be because of the food itself, or that the way it was eaten was wrong.

"Gastrointestinal problems? The two sisters inside who are having their stomachs pumped have fused with the genes of Honkai Beast. Their constitutions can't be brought down by simple gastrointestinal issues. Still won't say what they ate? If you're not cooperating, I really can't prescribe the right medicine."

The doctor was also quite helpless. Her duty was to treat the sick and save lives, but this little guy captured from Schicksal was too uncooperative. Although Schicksal and Anti-Entropy were enemies, she had never heard of such an incident of poisoning each other. More importantly, why did he have to eat the poison himself? To be honest, Shen Gonglin's constitution was the worst among the four poisoned people. If it weren't for the fact that he ate less, he would probably be eating her food right now. What was wrong with this person? Did he still think that she was making food instead of poison?

The doctor glanced back at the pot on the other side. This thing had been brought along as evidence. Although it was cold now, it looked like it probably tasted delicious. That's what's most terrifying. If it were poison, something ugly and smelly could be guarded against, but this thing was colorful, fragrant, and delicious... Oh, I forgot, it probably didn't have a smell. That's what's most terrifying.

"You bastard, hurry up and cooperate. Tell me, what exactly did you put in there... tell me now."

Tesla clutched his stomach, glaring at Shen Gonglin with gritted teeth. Was this guy really trying to kill them? This wasn't just a matter of cooking skills; it was practically making poison. Seeing that he still wouldn't cooperate, Tesla couldn't help but kick Shen Gonglin. The two of them were lying on the same bed receiving IV drips, and Tesla's movement caused a sharp pain to flash across his face. Oh no, the beautiful girl needed to use the restroom too.

"I... I didn't add much. I just noticed the cream wouldn't turn white, so I added a little wall paint. Then I used a spray gun to add patterns to the vegetables. As for the flavor, I tried it out and found that various materials over there can be used to create a fragrance through chemical reactions. Finally, I used paint for the overall aesthetics... But don't worry, I fully reacted the paint with a medium, so there's absolutely no paint smell. You should have been able to taste it, right?"

Under Tesla's scrutinizing gaze, Shen Gonglin opened his mouth and could only reveal his exclusive culinary secret. He actually didn't want to say it; what if someone stole his recipe and learned his cooking techniques? These things are meant to be treated like family heirlooms. Shen Gonglin had his own unique insights into cooking. Although he knew how Mei made it, he always wanted to improve it. He couldn't help but feel this way. For example, if given the opportunity, Shen Gonglin wanted to continue trying.

Paint, spray gun, chemicals, fragrance, varnish... What are all these things? It's a miracle they're still alive. It seems that just hanging medicine bottles isn't enough; we need to increase the dosage for the two of them as well.

Hearing Shen Gonglin's confession, the doctor and Tesla felt a chill run down their spines. This guy really left no way out. None of these things had anything to do with cooking; they were all things that would kill people if eaten. They never expected Shen Gonglin to have such a talent. He could use these strange and unusual things to create a pot of something that looked good on the outside but was rotten inside... No wonder he's Schicksal S-rank. Only an S-rank could have such talent.

"... Okay, I understand. You guys should stay in the hospital for treatment for now. I'll take this pot of stuff with me. I really want to see how he makes something that looks and smells delicious but can kill you with one bite. Also... Dr. Tesla, for your safety, it's best not to let him into the kitchen anymore. If possible, it's best not to let him touch anything that goes into his mouth."

The doctor carried the pot away, and before leaving, she didn't forget to remind Tesla of this. She said that they were lucky to have survived this time, and if there was a next time, they would probably have to resort to a feast. This pot of stuff would be of great research value to any researcher. Although it was something that Shen Gonglin had just tinkered with, the fact that he could make this thing with so many strange ingredients showed that this young man from Schicksal had a high chemistry talent.

"I understand. I will never let him set foot in the kitchen again... I swear!"

Tesla struggled to sit up and nodded to the doctor. Lying on his side, he stared intently at Shen Gonglin with his red eyes. He must have lost his mind to let him into the kitchen. No wonder, this guy's style had nothing to do with the kitchen. How could he have thought he could cook? Tesla couldn't remember the last time he had been hospitalized, but today Shen Gonglin had managed to get him in. She was really something.

"Um... actually, it was an accident this time. Let's just say it was my fault. But I feel it might be because it wasn't fully dissolved and evaporated. Give me a chance, and I'll definitely make a more perfect dish next time. I'll definitely let you taste it then... What's with that look? Why does it feel a little hurtful?"

Shen Gonglin confidently assured Tesla that although she had made such a deadly dish, Shen Gonglin believed that this was just an accident and that as long as she was careful, there would be no problem. However, Tesla's somewhat complicated gaze made Shen Gonglin very concerned. Her eyes seemed to be looking at something beyond redemption.

"Shen Gonglin... Honestly, how do you think I've treated you?"

Lying on a bed, Tesla looked at Shen Gonglin with gentle eyes. No one could tell that she actually wanted to kill Shen Gonglin. This girl actually wanted to do it again. This time she almost saw the Sanzu River. If it happened again, she probably wouldn't live to see the day when humanity defeats the Honkai. Shen Gonglin must have something seriously wrong with her brain.

"Hmm... I think it's alright, what's wrong?"

Shen Gonglin actually thought about it seriously. Tesla was really quite nice to her and hadn't specifically targeted her. Overall, he was alright, so-so. Why was she asking this?

"If it's still okay, then why do you insist on making me die? How does my being alive affect you? Tell me, if it really affects you, I'll change, okay? I don't have the same good physique as those two inside. If it really happened again, I would really die."

Tesla said with utmost seriousness that after this incident, she really dared not let Shen Gonglin into the kitchen again. His cooking was truly deadly; if a silver needle were used, the poison would definitely be detected. Even Rosaliya and Liliya were currently undergoing stomach pumping. Tesla did not think she would be so lucky next time. In this life, one's life is more important; if it happened again, she would really die.

"Hey, I already said it was just an accident. Next time, next time I'll definitely be fine, Tesla, you have to believe me."

Shen Gonglin waved her hand. As the saying goes, failure is the mother of success. Practice makes perfect. She was sure she could make a perfect dish next time. After all, Shen Gonglin was genuinely interested in this. One day, Shen Gonglin firmly believed that she would be able to make a dish that would make others cry with delight.

It's so delicious it makes you cry, not the kind of crying you feel on your deathbed.

"You still want me dead! Shen Gonglin, what did I do to you? Are you really that unwilling to let me live? Fine, if that's the case, then I'll strike first and you die first!"

Why won't Shen Gonglin talk to him? Does he really think he has a talent for cooking? Please, he really doesn't have that skill. Can't he just be a cute little thing? He only needs to be cute to survive, so why does he insist on being self-reliant? In order to prevent him from poisoning the entire Anti-Entropy, Tesla has decided to send him away from this beautiful world now. Is Schicksal really sending Cocolia to bring him back because of this?

It's very likely that this wave of Schicksal is on the fifth level, and that foolish Vixen Cocolia has fallen into the trap!

Just as Shen Gonglin and Tesla were locked in combat, the door to the infirmary opened, and the two sisters Rosaliya and Liliya, were wheeled out, piled on top of each other. Their eyes rolled back as they had just had their stomachs pumped, which made Shen Gonglin think of something unpleasant. It did look rather tragic. Who told them to eat so much in one go? Shen Gonglin and Tesla only ate one bite before needing to be put on an IV drip, while these two... Sigh, it's good that they're alive, it's good that they're alive.

Speaking of which, is the economy really that tight in Anti-Entropy? Why are there two people sharing a hospital bed? Me and Tesla, Rosaliya and Liliya ... Oh well, that's not important. While dealing with Tesla, Shen Gonglin was thinking about other things. What could she do to find Mei, Bronya, and Wendy? Just waiting for rescue wasn't like Shen Gonglin.

But before that, let's get my body back in shape first. This dish was really potent; it's only been a short while and I already need to go to the bathroom again. Let's call Tesla to go with me.

"Tesla, want to go to the restroom together?"

"Why can you so easily talk to girls like you're going to the bathroom with a good buddy after class? Shen Gonglin, do you even consider me a girl?"

"Tsk, just tell me if you're going or not."

"...Go, help me up, I can't walk."

The two helped each other out of the room. They really had a good relationship; they were even able to go to the bathroom together now.

"The Third Herrscher has been taken into custody. Schicksal will not let this go easily after suffering such a great loss. Although it is impossible for a large-scale battle, it is very possible for a small force to infiltrate. Bronya, my daughter, the task of guarding the Third Herrscher is entrusted to you. As for the extraction of the Gem of Desire from the Fourth Herrscher, it can begin."

In another research lab, a blonde woman sat at a table issuing such orders. Her purple eyes were devoid of any emotion, and although her face was very beautiful, it was filled with coldness. Her standard military uniform made her look very powerful. In front of her, Bronya stood quietly in place, her red pupils proving that the girl was still under control. Cocolia didn't feel anything was wrong about this; after all, this made her more obedient.

"Yes, Mother Cocolia."

Bronya nodded and accepted the order. The blonde woman opposite her was Cocolia, whom Tesla called the Vixen. She didn't need to think; she just needed to faithfully carry out the orders. Just then, the screen in front of Cocolia lit up, and the person on the screen was the doctor who had treated Shen Gonglin and the others.

"Lady Cocolia, something has happened at the base that I feel I need to report to you... Dr. Tesla and the Arin sisters, they have been poisoned."

After some consideration, the doctor decided to tell Cocolia about it. After all, the two sisters always called her "Mom," so it was only natural for her to inform their parents.

"Poisoning? What happened? Who poisoned them? Have they been found?"

Although she can be cold at times, Cocolia also has a warm side. She's a contradictory person. When she heard that Rosaliya and Liliya were poisoned, she became worried. As for Tesla... she just happened to be there for him.

"Found him... He was also poisoned. It wasn't poisoning, it's just... sigh, the poisoner was Shen Gonglin, the newly promoted S-rank from Schicksal that you captured."

Upon hearing the name, a glimmer of light suddenly flashed in Bronya's eyes, who had been quietly standing nearby. She cared a lot about this name.

Chapter 471 The Valkyrie Wants a Vacation

"Well, Captain, please take care. If there's a problem... there definitely will be a problem. What if His Holiness the Bishop asks about it? Wouldn't that be considered disobeying orders? Captain, maybe we should just let it go. If it really comes down to it, we can ask His Holiness the Bishop for permission to act without authorization..."

At the Far East Branch Airport, Alvit, with a mournful face, tried to dissuade her captain. Durandal was preparing to board the ship. Since there was no Valkyrie launch equipment, she could only use an ordinary landing ship. The Immortal Blade's exclusive warship was not here, and this landing ship was the most convenient thing she could find. In any case, Durandal was determined to go to ME Company this time, and no one could change her mind.

"What do you mean by acting without permission? I'm just going on vacation. I've saved up enough vacation days over the years to travel the world. It's just a normal vacation, Alvit, don't be nervous."

Durandal placed her lance into the cabin and looked at Alvit with a serious expression. She was just going on vacation; why was she so nervous? It should be a normal thing. Why was Alvit making such a fuss? Couldn't she be a little more composed? What did her vacation have to do with the bishop?

"Do you believe me when I say that? Why bring weapons on vacation? Captain, I'm not going to be able to explain this to you. What if His Holiness the Bishop asks about it?"

Alvit was almost in tears. Why had the captain become like this? Where had the steady and reliable captain gone? Now she was going to storm the Anti-Entropy Headquarters alone. The headquarters had clearly assigned the rescue mission to the Far East Branch. What they were doing now was overstepping their authority. This would never have happened to Durandal before, but now that Shen Gonglin was involved, where did that calm captain go?

"Alvit, I ask you, who is the captain of the Immortal Blade?"

Alvit was really getting on my nerves. If I lingered here, I wouldn't even know what kind of torture Shen Gonglin was going through. She might be being severely tortured. So, the sooner I arrived, the less pain she would suffer. There was no time to waste. Had Alvit forgotten who the captain of the Immortal Blade was?

"... It's you."

Knowing that nothing she said would make a difference, Alvit could only let go of her hand. There was nothing she could do. Durandal was the captain of the Immortal Blade, and she could only obey whatever decision she made. Strictly speaking, the captain's orders took precedence over the bishop's orders, so this kind of thing was not something that an ordinary member of the Immortal Blade could control.

"Hmm, it seems you can still recognize things clearly. Tell Rita when you see her, I'll be right back."

Once aboard the transport ship, the engines roared to life, and the ship soared into the distance. Alvit's eyes lit up. "Right," she thought, "Isn't there the vice-captain?" The captain might not listen to her, but the vice-captain would certainly take her words into consideration. Alvit was insignificant, but Rita was different. The captain and vice-captain had such a good relationship; the captain would definitely consider her words. Alvit couldn't help but worry about the captain's impulsiveness.

Although she is the strongest Valkyrie in Schicksal, the place she is going to is not an amusement park but the Anti-Entropy Headquarters. If she sneaks in alone and something goes wrong, it will be Schicksal's biggest loss. She must tell the vice-captain; she must have a solution.

"Alright, I understand the details. Kiana, Himeko, and I will be in charge of this mission. Fu Hua, you'll stay at the academy for now. Is that alright?"

In the headmaster's office, Theresa leaned on her desk and gave orders. After Kiana and the others guided her, everyone rushed to her office. The Mei of Gem of Desire had been stolen, Mei, the Third Herrscher, had also been robbed, and Shen Gonglin had been taken along with it. Schicksal couldn't possibly suffer such a huge loss, so she immediately arranged a mission: they had to be taken back.

"Wait a minute, Headmaster, I also applied to join the mission, why am I excluded?"

Hearing Theresa's arrangement, Fu Hua frowned. Rescuing Shen Gonglin was her duty, but Theresa was excluding her, which Fu Hua couldn't understand. Although it wasn't said explicitly, Fu Hua considered herself Shen Gonglin's guardian. What did it mean to exclude the guardian from such a matter? She also wanted to rescue Shen Gonglin.

"Yes, Lady Theresa, Rita has also applied to join."

On the other side, Rita, dressed in sportswear, bent down and said the same thing. Rita was running when she heard the news and ran over without even changing out of her maid outfit. Shen Gonglin had been captured, and she hadn't even changed out of her maid outfit. You can imagine how anxious Rita was. But now they were on a mission and they didn't take her with them. How could this be?

"No, Schicksal is not prepared for a full-scale war with Anti-Entropy. Rita, you are an S-rank. If you show up, you will definitely be seen as provoking a war, so you can't go."

Theresa shook her head very seriously. Her usually cute loli face was now full of seriousness. Rita's identity was very sensitive. As an S-class, she could not be easily sent to the battlefield, so she could not go with them this time. They had to come by themselves.

"But Lady Theresa, you are also an S-rank."

Rita said somewhat unwillingly, she understood that Theresa was right. It was just that her S-class status was too conspicuous. Anti-Entropy must have its own information, and if she appeared at Anti-Entropy Headquarters, it might really have some negative impact.

"It's different. Besides being an S-rank, I'm also the headmistress of St. Freya Academy. Those who were captured were my students. I was just fulfilling my duty as an educator. Himeko is the same. There's nothing wrong with her going to save her students as a teacher. As for Fu Hua ... Himeko and I are going on a mission. If anything happens at the academy during that time, I'll leave it all to you."

Theresa shook her head. She might look like a little girl, but she was also the commander of the Far East Branch; she couldn't ignore these things. What she said made perfect sense, and Fu Hua and Rita didn't know what to say in rebuttal. But if the two of them didn't go...

"Besides being S-rank Valkyrie, I'm also Shen Gonglin's personal maid. It's only natural for a maid to go and rescue her master... Alvit? What happened?"

Rita was still trying to fight for it when the office door was suddenly pushed open, and Alvit rushed in, panting. The vice-captain was indeed here. The captain was unreliable, so now they could only rely on the vice-captain. She was the last hope for the Immortal Blade.

"Vice Captain... Captain has gone on vacation to the Anti-Entropy ME Company headquarters by herself. Please, please persuade her to come back. I really have no other way."

Like a fledgling returning to its nest, Alvit ran tearfully towards Rita. Everyone in the room stared blankly at Alvit as she ran in. What was she saying? Durandal went on vacation? And to the Anti-Entropy Headquarters? How could she be so carefree? What was going on? Why couldn't they understand a word she said?

"Wait a minute, Alvit, what are you talking about? What happened to the captain? Explain yourself clearly from beginning to end."

Rita reached out to stop Alvit from jumping into her arms, realizing she was a little confused. She knew Durandal was back, but why was she on vacation again? When did her mind start to fall behind Durandal's actions? Was it because she spent too much time with Shen Gonglin? The once straightforward and honest Durandal seemed to have undergone some unknown changes.

"She's the one who got me to find out the location of Anti-Entropy Headquarters, and then she said she was going on vacation or something. Vice Captain, you need to persuade her quickly! She's already set off. That's Anti-Entropy Headquarters. It's definitely dangerous for the Captain to go there alone. Besides, there's no order from His Holiness the Bishop. Saying she's going on vacation... who would believe that?"

For the sake of the Immortal Blade, Alvit felt she was going to her death. She was just an ordinary intelligence agent, but lately Alvit felt a lot of pressure. Was this the price of knowing too much? She longed to go back to the time when she knew nothing and could live carefree.

"Damn it, such a good reason, and someone beat me to it!"

However, Rita's reaction surprised Alvit. The maid gritted her teeth and squeezed out these words: "Unbelievable! The usually Durandal has actually come up with such a reason. She's really gone bad. This behavior is the same as running away! I'm still in St. Freya, but she's already on her way to rescue Shen Gonglin! Think about it, this 'beauty saves the hero' trope, though old-fashioned, is still very effective. If Shen Gonglin is blinded by Durandal's charms and actually falls for this trick..."

That couldn't get any worse.

Suddenly, a scene flashed through the maid's mind: Shen Gonglin and Durandal were enjoying their lovemaking in the room, while she was miserably rocking their baby in a crib in another room... No, how could she think of such a terrifying thing? It's too scary! It's more terrifying than all the horror movies she's ever seen combined. That kind of thing absolutely cannot happen!

"Vice Captain... what are you saying?"

Alvit instinctively thought she hadn't heard clearly. She had come to Rita hoping she could find a way to persuade Durandal, but she hadn't expected Rita to show such an envious, jealous, and hateful expression. It seemed that her estimation was slightly wrong. The vice-captain wasn't a reliable person either. Damn it, in the entire Immortal Blade, was she the only normal person left?

Everyone else is drunk, but I am the only one sober.

"It's nothing, I just realized that I haven't had a vacation in a while. Well then, everyone, Rita will be going now."

Without further delay, Rita bowed to everyone in the office and left. She quickly changed her clothes and went on vacation. Durandal could take a vacation, then it was only natural for her, as the vice-captain, to go on vacation as well, right?

"Wait, wait a minute... Vice Captain, may I ask you where you're planning to go on vacation?"

Alvit quickly chased after Rita and left the office. She had a bad feeling. What was happening now seemed familiar. Something similar seemed to have happened before. Could it be that the vice-captain was also trying to pull this stunt?

"Anti-Entropy Headquarters... no, Santiago, what do you think?"

Good heavens, they're not even trying to hide it anymore! Alvit was on the verge of tears. She'd been so stupid, so incredibly stupid. If she'd known it would turn out like this, she wouldn't have told the vice-captain. She'd been hoping the vice-captain would persuade the captain to come back, but now the vice-captain herself was planning to go. It was all over. The two S-rank members of Schicksal, plus Shen Gonglin who'd been captured before, and it seemed like Lady Theresa was also planning to go. All of Schicksal's top combat power had gathered at Anti-Entropy Headquarters —this was practically a declaration of war! And the reason all of this was...

It looks like myself?