Volume Four: Fading from the Human World, Chapter 332: On the Eve of the Storm (Part Three)

"It's done!"

When Xiao Wu placed the last dish in the center of the table, the onlookers seemed to hear a "thump thump thump!!!" sound effect and a strange special effect resembling radiation.

"Oh oh oh oh oh oh oh oh..."

Abundant. Magnificent.

High quality. Sufficient quantity.

The ingredients are all simple and readily available, yet every dish is incredibly appetizing. They master various cooking methods, including stir-frying, stewing, deep-frying, boiling, steaming, pan-frying, braising, stewing, and mixing, all resulting in dishes that are visually appealing, fragrant, and delicious, requiring no embellishment.

"Xiao Wu, did you do all of this by yourself...?"

"Well, it's a pity the kitchen utensils here aren't very handy and we were short on time, so many things weren't flavorful enough, otherwise it could have been better... I'd give it a 70 if I were to rate it myself."

Xiao Wu wiped her hands with her apron and shook her head helplessly. Her eyes showed genuine helplessness, not feigned. (Hmm, I'd give this one a perfect 10.)

"Miss, are you the head chef of a local restaurant there...?"

"I just often cook for a bunch of young girls."

Lala.

"What happened to the Sin Annihilation?"

"Can I... eat all of these?"

"Of course, it's for you. Eat as much as you can."

"... Thanks!"

Sin Annihilation immediately picked up a large bowl of boiled fish, which was full of red chili oil, tender fish meat, chewy tripe, translucent wide rice noodles, delicious duck blood, and so on, and was still steaming hot.

"Hey, wait a minute, don't eat it like that—"

But it was too late. Sin Annihilation brought the large bowl directly to her lips, and with a gentle lift, its contents transformed into a spicy torrent that flowed into her cherry-like mouth. Even though there were many large pieces of fish inside, much bigger than her mouth, she didn't spill a single drop, not even a drop of liquid drooled. Not only were the unsuspecting onlookers stunned, but even Xiao Wu was dumbfounded.

Seriously, does this girl not spit out the fish bones when she eats it...?

"Uh... is it good?" For some reason, Xiao Wu suddenly felt a little nervous. Would this expressionless girl like her cooking?

"Tasty."

It was approved without hesitation.

Sin Annihilation gently placed the bowl back on the table. The boiled fish that had filled the bowl had vanished completely, leaving not a single crumb.

How did she do that...?

"... Do you want more?"

Xiao Wu asked cautiously. Judging from the surface, a pot of boiled fish should have been enough to fill the girl up, but Sin Annihilation didn't show any sign of being full.

"I can eat as much as I want, I'll never have too much."

Even the Sin Annihilation British food can be digested into dust by the body, let alone a simple boiled fish.

"Then eat your fill!" Xiao Wu didn't suspect anything, because she was already certain that Sin Annihilation was also a Physical Enhancement System of ability user. People like that always had much bigger appetites than other ability users, so it was normal for her to eat a lot—although Xiao Wu usually ate very little.

"... real?"

"Real."

"Is it really true?"

"It really is true."

"Is it really true?"

"Really, really, really -- Ugh, you're so annoying! Eat quickly before the food gets cold!"

30 seconds later--

"I told you to 'eat quickly,' and you really did eat 'quickly'..."

Only empty plates remained on the table; all the food had vanished.

No one saw—not even Xiao Wu —how she ate it. They only saw her bring the plate to her lips, lick it clean with her tongue, and the contents vanished. When she put it back on the table, all that remained was a clean white plate, without a single crumb or sauce, only glistening with the girl's saliva.

"... Isn't your stomach full?"

"Don't worry, I didn't feel anything."

As soon as Sin Annihilation finished speaking, he blinked, seemingly realizing that what he had said was a bit inappropriate, and immediately added, "I meant I didn't feel full, bloated, or uncomfortable at all, not that I didn't like your food. I thought it was really, really delicious."

"Oh... that's good. Speaking of which, about the Sin Annihilation..."

"Hmm? Ah... I'm not just being polite."

"I know, I just feel... we've only known each other for a couple of days, and you seem... how should I put it, you've become a little more eloquent."

"Even better at talking???" Sin Annihilation tilted his head in confusion.

"Didn't you notice? The way you tilted your head when you were expressing your question just now... it felt like when we first met you you weren't so... a bit too personal."

"... Human feelings?"

"Forgive my limited vocabulary, at first I thought you were someone even less emotional—" Xiao Wu was about to continue, but suddenly realized that it wasn't quite right, so she quickly changed her words, "--someone who didn't show their emotions at all, and didn't have any particularly human-like actions. And you now... well... it's not that you've become more cheerful, but I feel closer to you, and it's easier to communicate with you."

"..."

The Sin Annihilation, and he remained silent.

Becoming more humane?

Is it because of her learning and adaptability? As a secret weapon, she can learn external knowledge and experience to improve herself in a very short time. However, what she learned before was all related to combat. Now she can even learn about interpersonal relationships? Yes, it must be that subconsciously she believes that learning certain interpersonal skills is necessary for future missions. That must be it! It's not that her essence has changed, but simply that she's making corresponding adjustments to better complete her missions!

"Sin Annihilation."

"Mmmmmmmmmmmmm!?"

It made a very cute, panicked sound, but Sin Annihilation himself was unaware of it.

"You smiled? That's the first time I've seen you smile."

"... ah?"

In the square outside Torres Cathedral, Xiao was running around arranging books on the ground in a specific way. There were thousands of books, like a large, colorful carpet.

Lacking exercise, she was already covered in sweat. To make it easier to move around, she even changed her usual purple and white long dress into a short skirt, something unimaginable for her normally, but she seemed to enjoy it.

"Hey, sister..."

"What's wrong, Little Ying?"

"This is the first time I've ever seen such a motivated older sister."

Little Ying helped carry stacks of books to her, and was a little surprised by Xiao's enthusiasm. In her memory, this older sister, who wasn't much older than her, was always quiet and introverted, with a low profile, always holding a thick book and seemingly lost in thought. She rarely expressed her thoughts clearly, never caused trouble or participated in any disputes, and lived a stable and dull life like a plant or a rock.

It's truly unexpected that someone like her could have such a passionate moment.

Do I look energetic?

"Yeah, you're usually more of a repressed pervert."

"Hey, hey, don't talk to your sister like that..."

"Then why?"

Even if you ask me why...

Xiao hesitated.

Yes, why is that?

I've always been like a seaweed, simply existing quietly, drifting with the ripples, unnoticed and unappreciated. But now—

"This is the first time I've been at the heart of such a major event, and a key figure in its success or failure... At first, I was really scared, afraid that my mistakes would lead to irreparable failure, but now I've gradually come to terms with it. And being needed by so many people all of a sudden... this feeling is truly wonderful."

This is actually only one of the reasons.

I've finally come in handy.

Finally, it's no longer a burden.

Finally, I was able to help them a little.

Finally, I'm able to catch up with Ye's pace a little.

"And Xiao Ye?"

"--(shock)!"

"Just as I thought..."

Compared to the caught-off-guard and panicked Si Nan Xiao, Si Nan Ying rarely showed a serious expression. She rested her head on a pile of books, squinted her eyes, and carefully examined her older sister.

"Little Ying, what are you saying? I don't have that kind of ambition!"

"Whether she has ambition or not isn't up to you to decide. Actually, I've noticed it for a while now. My sister seems to really enjoy making her presence known to Xiao Ye. It's like that little kid who's too shy to go straight for you, only able to beat around the bush. What's that called again... a ghost? Too shy to speak up, just wandering around the object of her affections..."

"Stop, stop, stop! My feelings for Ye are just... just..."

"A purely platonic friendship?"

"Right!"

So, you really hope your 'friendship' with her can go further and further?

"Uh, yes..."

"Finally, as a friend, I wish her a happy and fulfilling life with the Qipao Woman, or that white-haired delinquent, or whoever else."

"Well..."

"And then, during the baby's one-month celebration—"

"Stop, stop, stop! Waaah... Okay! I admit it! I really like Ye! I like her so much! I like her the most! I followed her all the way from the Central United Academy to the West Saint Continent because I wanted to be with her! Okay, I admit it! Are you satisfied now!"

"Um, sis, don't get agitated..."

Hearing Xiao's passionate confession, Little Ying blushed and quickly composed herself.

"Sister... we really are sisters."

Why are you suddenly bringing this up?

"They look very alike, have similar habits, and even... like the same person."

"Um... Hey hey hey what did you say!?"

Startled, Xiao dropped the books she was holding onto the floor, not even bothering to pick them up.

"I said, I like Xiao Ye too, and it was almost love at first sight. I was heartbroken when Xiao Ye, and when I left home to train, I thought that one day I would be able to stand on equal footing with Xiao Ye... So, sis,"

Little Ying looked at Xiao with a strange expression.

Xiao held her breath, as if she were being judged.

However, what Little Ying did next completely surprised her.

"How about we share Xiao Ye?"

"Sharing? Oh, sharing... wait, wait, sharing!?"

"Yes."

"But... if we both like Ye, then we should be rivals! What kind of rival proposes to share someone?"

"Because... I really like Xiao Ye, but I'm not confident enough to be the only one who can win her over. Besides, you're my older sister, so if possible... I really don't want to compete with my sister for a boyfriend."

"So, it's about two women sharing one husband?... That makes sense!"

Indeed, my sister, who isn't the brightest, sometimes comes up with good ideas! If the two of them team up, they might be able to outshine Xiao Wu and Kogetsu! Besides, I've heard that Ye is quite skilled in that area, and once he gets into it, he often goes overboard. If Little Ying and I are together, it can help share the burden.

Xiao, whose erotic fantasies were running wild, seemed to have her mind in disarray.

Now,

The chessboard has been set up.

The pieces are in place.

The Vatican and the Revolutionary Army

It remains to be seen who will emerge victorious.

"At least..."

A mature woman with an extravagantly glamorous hairstyle leans against the window, seemingly gazing casually at the scenery outside, humming softly.

"It doesn't matter who wins or not to the perfect me."

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I've been out all day, so it's getting late. Sorry.