In Terra, a Hunter and a Bad Woman

Croissant spoke casually, but her body honestly handed the last pill to Exusiai.

"Where's the juice? This medicine is so bitter. I don't dare drink it without juice..."

Dazed and dizzy, Exusiai swayed pitifully around the room, her steps extremely unsteady.

And at that moment, a glass of water was slowly held out before her.

"Drink..."

"Thank you, Texas. You're the best to me~"

The fiery-haired Sankta girl thanked Texas, who wore an indifferent expression.

Yet, contrary to usual, the other girl nodded in response to Exusiai's gratitude.

That gave Exusiai a jolt.

The drunken haze in her body instantly faded by more than half.

Staring blankly at Texas as she turned and left, she immediately took the water and pill over to Croissant, who was squatting nearby with her head in her hands and swaying, and asked in a low voice.

"Croissant, what's wrong with Texas?"

"Hm? What's wrong with Texas?"

Croissant was still confused.

She narrowed her eyes and turned to look.

Texas, who usually only sat quietly on the sofa, had become unusually diligent today.

She was cleaning while handling food in the kitchen... It looked like she was making breakfast.

Her standard work uniform had also gained an apron, giving her the appearance of a virtuous wife and mother.

Her eyes immediately widened.

"Is today some special day?"

"Doesn't seem like it..."

"Then that's strange... None of us are in the habit of eating breakfast, right?"

Croissant muttered as well.

While the two girls quietly discussed their companion, Maria gently turned another page of her book.

The crisp sound of the page turning quickly drew their attention.

"Who... was that again?"

"Seems like she's a new companion... Let me think... Oh, Emperor seemed to say at yesterday's banquet that she'd be joining Penguin Logistics and teaming up with us for a while."

"Is it her?"

"Who else could it be?"

The two exchanged glances and came to the same conclusion.

Clearly, with today not being a special day and no other reason for it, the only person who could have caused such a change in Texas was this newcomer.

But...

"Where did this newcomer come from?"

"Croissant doesn't know."

The two had no clue about Maria's background.

Maria, however, ignored their discussion of her. After quickly scanning the book before her, she turned another page.

Terra Encyclopedia (Selected Edition)

With the system's translation function, Maria could understand at least some of this world's writing.

And through that, she gradually came to understand how this world was structured.

"So... dog-like people are Lupo, those with halos above their heads are Sankta, and cow-like people are Forte..."

"Catastrophes bring Originium... Originium brings Originium Arts, as well as... Oripathy?"

"Oripathy can't be cured, and it's extremely dangerous, so many people are discriminated against because of it?"

"So the so-called Infected I heard about before are those people?"

Maria thought as she read.

Before her, Texas, dressed like a little attendant, slowly and quietly placed a cup of brewed black tea in front of Maria, then looked at her nervously...

"Please enjoy."

"...Thank you."

Maria said nothing more. After offering a brief thanks, she picked it up and took a sip.

"The flavor is very gentle. It's quite good."

"!"

Though it was only a simple evaluation, the Lupo girl before her seemed as though she had received some great honor, her expression brightening considerably.

She did not seem very good at expressing her feelings, though. Even when happy, she only widened her eyes slightly.

Her tail behind her, however, began wagging uncontrollably.

She was in a very good mood.

Maria was not particularly surprised by this. She simply nodded and watched the other girl turn and return to the kitchen.

She closed her book, uncrossed her legs, and turned toward the two girls who were still muttering nearby.

"Ladies, breakfast is ready..."

"Ah, coming right up."

Reminded by Maria, Exusiai and Croissant could no longer keep whispering.

They were still somewhat puzzled, but obediently sat down side by side in their seats.

They looked at Maria.

After Maria gave them a slight nod, she quietly picked up her knife and fork and began eating slowly.

Her elegant movements stood in stark contrast to the two of them gnawing on slices of bread with their bare hands.

Exusiai wanted to imitate her, but unfortunately, after trying a few times, she still felt that using her hands suited her better.

While eating, her eyes darted about as she constantly communicated with Croissant beside her.

Soon, Texas finished serving her own final portion and hesitated as she stood nearby.

"What's wrong, Texas?"

Exusiai found it strange that Texas still refused to sit down.

Texas lowered her head as if she had something difficult to say.

Seeing this, Maria silently set down her knife and fork and looked at her.

"Is something wrong?"

"...Nothing."

"This is a lavish breakfast, Miss Texas. As the person who prepared it, I believe it is necessary for you to taste it yourself... You deserve that."

"Yes."

As though she had received permission, Texas only took her seat after Maria spoke, quietly eating her own portion.

That attitude made Exusiai and Croissant exchange glances, then nod at the same time.

That was it.

Texas was doing all these strange things because of this newcomer!

These two definitely had some unspeakable relationship!

You go ask?

Exusiai signaled to Croissant with her eyes.

But Croissant only shook her head firmly.

No way... Those two already look like they have an unusual relationship. If I ask something, Croissant will be the awkward one.

But aren't you curious about their relationship?

Curious! But I don't want to turn into a croissant!

What croissant? Aren't you already one?!

I'm not!

The two continuously rolled their eyes around to exchange information.

They were so fast that one could not help wondering what kind of structure their eyeballs had.

After seeing this, Maria hesitated for quite some time.

At last, she slowly put down her knife and fork.

"Miss Exusiai, Miss Croissant."

"Yes!"

"Croissant present!"

The moment Maria spoke, the two girls gave a start and instinctively responded as though reporting in.

"If there is anything you wish to ask, you may say it directly. Though this is only a temporary team-up, I believe excessive concealment and suspicion can place the team in uncontrollable danger..."

Maria spoke calmly as she slowly removed her tricorne hat.

Her cool and beautiful face was revealed before everyone.

Unlike the energetic girls, Maria clearly looked more mature and composed.

If the girls still retained much of a young person's childishness, then Maria was without question an elegant beauty who belonged in an oil painting.

That appearance left both girls stunned.

They had seen Maria's face yesterday, but they had been drunk at the time and could not remember it very clearly. Seeing her again now, they finally understood the irresistible, almost bewitching charm of the person before them.

What an elegant older sister!

Their eyes immediately lit up, but they did not forget the important matter at hand.

After Maria said they could ask anything, Exusiai did not hold back.

"If that's the case, then... Miss Maria, I'd like to ask."

"What is your relationship with Texas?"

My God, This Is Me!

Inside the specially modified armored vehicle, everyone sat in silence.

Texas was driving in the front, with Maria seated beside her.

In the backseat were Croissant, dozing with her large shield held up, and Exusiai, boredly propping her head up with one hand as she looked out the window.

Nearly an hour had passed since breakfast.

As for Exusiai's question, Maria's answer had been simple.

They had no relationship.

After all, she and Texas had only met a few times. They had barely even spoken to each other, let alone formed any kind of relationship.

So that was the only answer she could give.

Exusiai was clearly not very satisfied with that answer.

But after looking at Texas beside her, she did not continue questioning them. She simply sat back down quietly.

After eating and resting for a while, the group began Maria's first job after joining the team.