Staying Up Late to Meet a Deadline (Continued)

"The Exorcist General's Set Meal?"

Maria glanced at the unique menu that took up one side of the room and turned her head slightly.

The waiters beside her were not the thugs she had seen before, but rather professionally dressed individuals.

He was momentarily taken aback when he saw the faces of Maria and the others, but he quickly regained his composure, squinting and smiling slightly.

"This is one of the most popular set meals in recent years, mainly featuring mountain delicacies, which are the items that Exorcist General most often ordered when he came to our restaurant back then... Our restaurant is a thousand-year-old establishment... Although there have been some changes in the past, the menu is entirely the same as it was back then!"

The waiter spoke, his tone professional yet gentle, "I guarantee you'll get exactly the same food as the one Exorcist General back then!"

"... A single-person meal?"

Maria blinked, her tone calm.

She didn't really care about what the other person said; she just wanted to order some food.

As for the so-called history...

They dare say even Maria wouldn't dare admit it.

The reason she always orders the same food is simply because it's always on the first page.

"Um... we have singles and duos... but I don't think we have any for three people."

The waiter paused for a moment. Exorcist General's reputation in the Great Yan was beyond doubt. Basically, no one would refuse to mention him whenever he did.

But I never expected...

Why won't Maria and the others listen?

"Then let's have two people..."

The Doll spoke up, wanting to order food.

But Maria spoke up decisively.

"Let's go with this one... Is there three people in this one?"

"Yes... the family reunion set meal does include a three-person option."

The waiter glanced at it.

After confirming that Maria was the one in charge, he nodded slightly.

After confirming it a few more times, he nodded and left.

The Doll beside it looked somewhat puzzled.

"I don't need to eat, Hunter... Why don't you eat with Ceobe?"

"... I've learned a lot over the years, about Doll."

Maria blinked, looked up, and gazed at the figure in front of her that was almost identical to herself.

Although the Doll had been with Maria for many years, Maria's gaze at this moment still stirred Maria's heart.

She always felt... at this moment, Maria...

It's not quite the same anymore...

She became more gentle...

"Perhaps you don't need to eat, perhaps you don't need a normal life... but in my eyes, you are unique, Doll."

Maria spoke calmly, her fingers gently teasing the girl's ear beside her, which made Ceobe giggle and twitch her own erect ears.

"You and I are no different... In fact, when I first met you, I considered you my sister, my brother..."

We have lived through countless years.

"Perhaps I will undergo even more changes in the future, becoming more and more people, even strangers to myself."

"But I believe that even then, you will still be by my side, supporting me..."

"I don't know how to repay your support, Doll. All I can do is treat you as one of me..."

Maria softly finished speaking her heartfelt words and tilted her head slightly upward.

This was one of the rare times she spoke her mind to the Doll.

She had assumed the Doll would remain as it always had, sitting quietly and smiling at her.

But the reality was completely different from what she had imagined.

At this moment, the Doll immediately turned her head away and covered her cheek with her hand, seemingly worried that Maria would see her face.

But Maria could still see that the other person's cheeks were not flushed...

"Doll?"

Maria was somewhat puzzled.

The Doll, as if belatedly realizing what was happening, trembled slightly.

After several breaths, she finally managed to turn her head and look at Maria.

"A wicked Hunter..."

She mumbled something, her tone a little spoiled.

Although there was no flush on her face, any normal person should be able to sense the complex emotions she was experiencing.

Unfortunately, although Maria said she had changed a lot, she was clearly still confused about human emotions.

"Um?"

"Nothing."

Although Maria's words had shaken the Doll's composure, she quickly regained her initial calm, her eyes slightly lowered, revealing no flaws.

It must be said that for someone like Maria, genuine emotions are often the most damaging.

At least, the Doll couldn't imagine under what circumstances she could refuse Maria's words.

She felt like she was about to explode from the slightest pressure.

We can't hold on any longer!

We simply can't hold on!

It was only the etiquette she adhered to from beginning to end that kept her distance; otherwise, based on what she had just said, she would have been unable to resist embracing Maria directly.

She simply couldn't refuse...

"Um?"

Maria didn't quite understand the Doll's reaction. She remained silent for a few moments before turning her head away without saying a word.

Soon, the food was served on the table.

Maria and the Doll didn't eat much; they only tasted it symbolically.

On the contrary Ceobe, the most favored little girl, lived up to her name, finishing a three-person meal by herself, and still didn't look full...

This made Maria want to order some more.

But just then, a vendor's cry suddenly came from the doorway.

The sound wasn't particularly loud.

But the surrounding diners turned their heads in surprise upon hearing this.

"Besides?"

"Really?"

"Didn't the special-supply rice and flour for the Great Wilderness arrive a while ago? Is there another batch today?"

"Good grief, I didn't manage to snag one last time, and my family teased me for it. I'll have to put in some effort this time."

In an instant, the already bustling restaurant became even noisier.

The Doll beside them also seemed somewhat curious.

"This is..."

"Special offer from Great Wilderness City."

Maria blinked.

"As a vital grain center for the entire Yan, Great Wilderness City receives a batch of high-quality grain every year for additional sales to various regions, typically at three to five times the price of normal grain."

As someone who had lived in Yan for at least a decade, Maria was aware of this information.

The Doll beside her blinked and then looked at Maria again.

Do you like these?

"... I wouldn't say I like them. As for Doll, I don't really need food."

Maria shook her head, but the Doll beside her already understood.

What is unnecessary?

I don't need it, I just like it!

Don't you understand Maria?

A woman who says one thing but means another!

If that's the case...

"Then I'll go prepare some for you..."

The Doll slowly stood up and bowed slightly to Maria.

"You can go and explore with Ceobe for a while first, and then we can meet up at the cabin."

As he spoke, the Doll's eyes twitched slightly.

Clearly, her actions were not merely to prepare food for the family, but also to temporarily avoid Maria.

The echoes of Maria's words were still lingering; she could still feel her body slightly burning.

"That's acceptable."

After Maria nodded, which was her way of giving her permission.

It's just buying something, what else can you do?

Soon, Maria took Ceobe on another excursion.

The Doll exhaled, then looked at Maria's retreating figure and shook its head slightly.

They then headed towards the location indicated by the person who had shouted.

Before long, she noticed the familiar tower-shaped logo and the Rhodes Island crew helping with the sales.

As well as...

A woman she didn't particularly like...

"Um?"

When the Doll looked at her, the woman slowly raised her head as well.

The scarlet eyes and white hair made the two look remarkably alike.

But her appearance...

On Maria's side.

After being temporarily separated from the Doll, Maria didn't know where she should go.

Most importantly, she didn't really have anywhere she wanted to go, so she just followed Ceobe around.

As they walked, Maria bought various foods for Ceobe.

Ceobe was aware of Maria's care and indulgence towards her. Although she had no way to repay her, she would always wait until Maria had finished her first bite before accepting Maria's feeding.

This left Maria somewhat helpless.

It seems like Ceobe... is treating her like the alpha wolf.

And it was during their casual stroll that they found themselves on the road.