I am, Flame-Chaser of Previous Era

Chapter 114 - Magnificent endeavor

No matter the time, place, or person, Elysia was always so full of warmth, giving Sakura the illusion that they'd known each other for a long time.

Ryan was used to it; he knew Elysia wasn't just enthusiastic but also mischievous, like the time she made Mobius suspicious with her poker face in Shanghai.

Knowing Elysia's visit wasn't just a simple social call, Ryan didn't rush to ask. He quietly busied himself in the kitchen, even more seriously than usual.

Pork tenderloin... sliced into cubes, then scored. Soaked in rice wine, then massaged with flour to remove the fishy odor.

He then deep-fried golf-ball-sized meat balls, minced pickled peppers, ginger, and garlic, and blanched winter bamboo shoots.

His movements were swift. He scooped out the meatballs and placed them in a bowl with greens at the bottom, added the minced ingredients to the hot oil, incorporated a light broth, reduced it, and finally spooned clear oil over the meatballs.

"It smells so good..." Elysia followed the scent and ran into the kitchen, watching Ryan work.

"Aren't you resting?" Ryan glanced at her, pouring generous oil into a pot, then saw Sakura returning with a teapot. "Sakura makes good tea. Go sit down."

"I can't sit still with such a delicious aroma. Ryan, do you need help?"

"No need, just watch." Ryan added zucchini to the pot, stir-frying it over high heat. After counting to ten seconds, he plated the dish.

The room filled with fragrance. Elysia blinked, surprised. "You really can cook! That wok flipping just now was really cool."

"Haha, I never bragged. Go sit down. Sakura, set the table."

"I'll help too." Elysia volunteered, opening the rice cooker and dishing out rice, piling her own bowl high. Sensing a peculiar gaze behind her, she turned, her mouth agape.

"With such a delicious aroma, of course I have to eat more! And don't spread rumors!"

You devoured half a pound of rice. What can I say?

Ryan shrugged, carried a bowl of rice for her. When they reached the dining room on the second floor, Sakura had already set the table.

It was dusk; the sea outside the window was bathed in gold. Several seagulls soared, a magnificent sight. Inside, the view was equally pleasing.

Two pink-haired girls sat close together, one aloof, the other enthusiastic. Despite their different personalities, they looked like sisters.

Sakura wore a T-shirt, her long hair tied in a ponytail, appearing sharp and mature. Elysia still wore her slightly flamboyant dress, propping her head, her eyes curved into crescent moons.

"Ryan, you're staring at us so intently; you must be thinking how pretty we are, right?"

Ryan's eye twitched. He hadn't expected to be seen through so directly. He sat down awkwardly, clearing his throat. "You learned quite a few idioms on your trip to Shenzhou, didn't you?"

Elysia stretched out her slender finger, counting. "Yes, I also learned about 'keeping a beautiful woman in a golden house,' 'heaven-sent match,' 'plucking flowers and crushing grass,' 'fickle,' 'seeing the grass is greener on the other side'..."

"Stop! What's all that nonsense at the end?"

"Hehe, guess what it means ♪."

Ryan glanced at the puzzled Sakura, his scalp tingling. Fortunately, the female assassin was a sister complex and didn't understand what Elysia was saying.

"Does Mobius know?"

"The headquarters is abuzz with rumors; they even dragged me into it. Seeing dear Mobius's expression when she heard was truly amusing. Pity I couldn't record it."

Damn those gossiping agents!

Ryan gritted his teeth, recalling his 'womanizing hero' alibi, his best protection, and forgetting Mobius's reaction.

Knowing explanations were useless with Elysia, he decisively picked up his chopsticks. "Let's eat, we can talk later."

He made braised meatballs, stir-fried zucchini, and considering Elysia's taste, added a dish of fish-flavored minced pork and vegetable soup.

As expected, the moment Ryan started talking about food, Elysia's attention shifted. She reached out her chopsticks, put a piece of zucchini in her mouth, her expression radiating satisfaction.

"Delicious! Ryan, you really weren't bragging."

The zucchini was tender and slippery, with a hint of pickled pepper fragrance, far better than what she'd eaten in Shenzhou.

"I told you I'm the most honest person. Hurry up and eat, I'll cook more."

"Okay, but Ryan, I finally know why you can 'pluck flowers and crush grass.'"

"Stop with those stupid idioms!"

Elysia stuck out her tongue, quickly burying herself in her food. Her movements weren't elegant, but certainly not violent. She was just fast; the mountain of rice in her bowl rapidly diminished.

Sakura ate slowly as usual, still pondering the relationship between Elysia and Ryan.

This Miss Ely was truly likeable, making Ryan warm towards her. Were they lovers? What about Dr. Mobius?

Also, why do I feel like I'm being dragged into this?

Lost in thought, she suddenly noticed Elysia's rapid eating speed. In the blink of an eye, her entire bowl of rice was gone. She took a satisfied deep breath, stood up, and went downstairs to get more rice.

"Hurry up and eat, or you'll only be able to lick the plate later." Ryan scooped some minced meat onto the girl's plate.

"Miss Elysia eats so much, yet she doesn't get fat?"

"Shh, don't let her hear that. She'll argue that she's just enjoying delicious food."

Sakura took a bite of rice, whispering, "Miss Elysia is truly likeable."

"That's a given. There's a saying, 'Those I love, love me; those who love me, love others.' Elysia simply takes that to the extreme."

Sakura was stunned. She had seen the dark side of the world and knew how difficult that saying was to live by. After a long pause, she picked up her bowl.

"That's remarkable."

"What are you two whispering about?" Elysia returned, her bowl of rice piled high again.

"Just praising you. I have some homemade pickled mustard greens here; want to try some?"

Like magic, Ryan produced a jar of pickled pepper beef. Elysia scooped out a spoonful, her mouth slightly open from the spice, quickly eating two more spoonfuls of rice.

"Looks like I'll need two more bowls."

"Eat as much as you want. There's plenty of rice."

"Hmph hmph, you're not as stingy as Mobius said, are you?"

"That's a given."

"Since you're treating me to dinner, I'll keep your secrets if you spill some gossip."

Elysia buried herself in her food again. Seeing her like that, Ryan felt full. The girl wasn't just gluttonous; she loved what she liked with all her heart.

Yes, definitely not gluttonous or greedy.

With her presence, the meal was lively. In the end, not even the soup was left. While Sakura washed the dishes, they went to the living room for tea.

Jasmine tea filled the air with its fragrant aroma. The tea table was laden with snacks and nuts. Ryan glanced at Elysia.

She was curled up comfortably on the sofa, her arms resting on her slightly distended stomach, looking utterly content.

"So full, so full. Just got back from Europe and Japan, and immediately returning to everyday life. It's truly wonderful."

"Europe and Japan? What were you doing?" Ryan raised his teacup, his gaze sweeping over Elysia.

She'd clearly eaten so much, yet her stomach wasn't bulging. Where did all that food go?

"Just hunting Honkai Beasts. One used ice, one was very fast, and they completely wore me out." Elysia lay on the sofa, propping her face, wiggling her fair calves. "Ryan, seeing you actually puts me at ease."

Her full breasts descended, a deep cleavage facing Ryan. The man shifted his gaze impassively.

"At ease about what?"

"Seeing you act like a married man." Elysia turned her head, seeing the pink-haired girl washing dishes, wearing an apron, her ponytail gently swaying. She turned back. "Although I don't care, you're too much of a playboy. Someone else might."

Pfft.

Ryan almost choked on his tea. He quickly put down the cup, meeting Elysia's mischievous gaze.

"Stop teasing me. You've already guessed the real reason."

"Creating an alibi?"

"Yes. I don't like people guessing wildly. Even if those geniuses find the truth, they'll only cause themselves trouble."

"See? You're still very gentle."

"I'm always considerate."

They exchanged glances for two seconds, then both smiled. Ryan was even slightly moved.

Elysia rushed over, with no intention of testing him. She'd merely guessed the truth, worried he'd thought too much about others. Seeing Ryan's composed state, she genuinely enjoyed the meal.

For a seasoned schemer, such simplicity was disarming.

"Relax, everything is under control. Even if the Herrscher targets me, that's perfectly normal." Ryan cracked a macadamia nut, putting it in his mouth and chewing slowly. "But aren't you curious why the Herrscher targeted me?"

"Will the reason help you reduce the pressure?" Elysia tilted her head slightly.

"Of course not. No one can help with that. But the essence is simple." Ryan leaned forward, enunciating each word clearly. "It's a fight to the death. Actually, because of this, I feel liberated."

Speculation turned into truth, the unknown into the known. This was a good thing for a Pathstrider.

"Then I won't ask. You have your secrets. As long as you're happy, that's what matters."

Ryan was taken aback. He'd prepared numerous excuses, none of which were needed. A knowing smile spread across his face. "Ely, you're the truly considerate one."

"Right? I've always thought so." Elysia blinked, rising to stroll around the living room. "The world is always full of surprises. We can only try our best to cope. And you've done so much, so quietly."

"As expected, nothing escapes you. You're right, Sakura is an important character; her combat strength is essential."

"Hehe, and there's Hua and Vill-V, oh, Mobius, Mei, and Kevin too. And of course, me. Is this some kind of superhero team you're assembling?"

"Something like that. Humanity needs heroes in the future. Frankly, if Honkai wasn't met with resistance, that would be truly bizarre." Ryan waved a hand; he'd long since come to terms with this. Then he saw the excitement on Elysia's face, and his heart skipped a beat.

Thump.

Ryan's vision blurred; Elysia had swiftly pounced, bracing herself on the armrest, her face rapidly closing in, her blue eyes sparkling.

The soul of a Chunibyo burned fiercely within her, impossible to hide. It instantly reminded Ryan whose masterpiece the 13 Flame-Chasers were. Without a touch of Chunibyo spirit, how could one create 'signets' and next-gen warriors?

"You..."

Before he finished speaking, his hand was tightly clasped, and Ryan felt a surge of warmth.

"This fascinating, no, this magnificent endeavor, please, please let me be a part of it!"