Noon, at the uninhabited area base camp.
When the group returned to the camp on foot after the race, they were immediately met with a warm reception and plenty of teasing. Elysia, in particular, received no small amount of ribbing from Eden.
As for the matter of lunch, among those who had stayed behind, Mobius and Klein only knew how to make instant noodles, Eden was a superstar who couldn't cook, and Griseo was the group's beloved mascot.
Left with no other choice, lunch for the day had to be prepared by Aponia, who was skilled at taking care of children. Rin also helped by making some "Sakura balls," a recipe Sakura had taught her.
Ultimately, when the racers returned, they were treated to an exceptionally delicious meal.
"Mmm~ As expected of my dear Aponia, the curry you make is just delicious. I really want to whisk you away and take you home~♪"
After the table was cleared, Elysia clutched her slightly bulging stomach and offered her sincere praise.
"Hehe, I'm glad you like it, Ely."
Packing away the leftover plates and trash, Aponia looked at the satisfied group, her own heart filled with a different kind of contentment.
Anyone who cooks with care will always feel this way when they see others enjoying their food.
After lunch, the group was momentarily at a loss for what to do. They could only sit there, watching the cold wind blow through the forest, finding a sense of tranquility in the scene.
This peaceful moment didn't last long. Once everyone took the helicopter to the resort area, they all began to find things they wanted to do.
Having heard that the nearby King's Lake was teeming with delicious fish, Pardofelis, being a cat, naturally wouldn't let the opportunity pass. She dragged Fu Li and a few others along to rent fishing rods and go fishing.
Meanwhile, Aponia and the others gathered together mysteriously, discussing something unknown, leaving the task of looking after Rin and Griseo entirely to Sakura.
In the end, Fu Li, Hua, Elysia, and Seele all rented fishing rods they were satisfied with and sat by the slightly chilly lakeside, leisurely fishing.
Among the five of them, only Pardo, who wanted to eat fish, and the earnest Hua were fishing seriously. As for Fu Li and Elysia, they were slowly chatting amongst themselves.
Under the clear blue sky, Fu Li watched the fishing line bobbing on the water and asked, seemingly nonchalantly, "Ely, what are your thoughts on Herrschers?"
"Hmm~ Herrschers, you ask?" Elysia blinked, answering without a hint of concern. "The way I see it, there are good people and bad people, and it's the same for Herrschers."
"If they want to take the lives of others, I naturally won't show any mercy. But, if they're Herrschers like you, Pardo, and Seele, then I have no ill feelings at all. So..."
At this point, Elysia blinked playfully and said in a teasing tone:
"If you think I'll be worried about your identity and keep my distance from you, then I can tell you, that won't happen. I like beautiful people the most, you know."
You know perfectly well that's not what I wanted to ask.
Fu Li sighed, knowing he wouldn't get any more information out of her. He could only shake his head helplessly. "Beautiful? That's not exactly a compliment for a boy. Perhaps 'handsome' would suit me better."
Elysia puffed out her cheeks in dissatisfaction. "Mmm~ Perhaps you're right, but I wasn't talking about outer appearances, but the heart. Li, you don't think I'm just a woman who only cares about looks, do you~♪"
Fu Li shot back, "Aren't you?"
"Hmph. Li, if you keep this up, I might stop liking you."
"Yes, yes, my mistake. Lady Elysia is not shallow at all."
"Mhmm~ That's more like it. I'll graciously forgive you then~♪"
Just as the two were chatting, a sudden splash in the water beside them, accompanied by Pardo's exclamation, drew everyone's attention.
"Whoa! Li! Hua! Quick, get the net! I caught a huge fish!"
"Alright, I'm coming to help."
After nodding to Elysia, Fu Li immediately grabbed a fishing net and ran to help Pardo, lest their dinner escape.
After all, fishing relied on skill, not brute force. If the hook came loose, they wouldn't be able to just jump in and grab it.
Watching the playful group, a look of gratification flashed in Elysia's eyes. She propped her head up with her hand, her finger lightly tapping the fishing rod.
A knight who wants to save his princess through endless cycles. While it is a very romantic story and one that suits my tastes...
I wonder when the knight will realize that the princess's ending is something that no one can change.
Because that is, and always has been, the princess's mission.
[You caught more than twenty fresh, plump fish at King's Lake. Upon returning to the camp in the evening, you prepared them all as grilled fish.]
[After enjoying the grilled fish, the group was once again conquered by your culinary skills and the deliciousness of the fish.]
[In the evening, you also announced the prize for the ski race: the best and largest suite among all the reserved rooms at the hotel.]
[At the same time, you also prepared different consolation prizes for everyone, distributing them one by one.]
The bonfire died down, and night fell.
"Mmm~ What a comfortable day~♪" Sitting on a wooden stump, Elysia fiddled with her pink necklace, stretched lazily, and sighed contentedly.
This day had truly washed away much of their fatigue.
"Yes, it's true. Relaxing once in a while is beneficial for both body and mind," Hua agreed with a nod, but her gaze couldn't help but drift toward Fu Li.
Although she said that, in reality, many people knew the real reason she had specifically taken leave for this trip.
She had also recovered her memories, but due to warnings from Mobius and Eden, she could only maintain her distance as much as possible.
Moreover, she had keenly observed that Mobius and the others seemed to be planning something, but she had no idea where to even begin.
This feeling of being kept in the dark made her feel a little downhearted.
People began to leave one by one. Hua sat before the bonfire, looking at the consolation prize Fu Li had given her in her lap. She tightened her arms, hugging it close.
After Sakura gently tapped her on the shoulder and advised her to get some rest, the only things left in the area were her and the dying embers of the bonfire.
In this life, her father and her best friend Carole had also been secretly moved to safety by people Li had arranged. Because of this, they were still alive.
Li had never forgotten anyone he cared about.
But she also knew that as long as the cycles did not end, everything was nothing more than an illusory bubble.
Hugging the Azure Empyrea doll, Hua bit her lip gently. In the end, she did not let the tears fall.
If Mobius and the others are unwilling to include me in their plans, then I will have to do something myself.
---o---
Meanwhile, late at night.
Just as Pardo was drifting in a warm dream, her eyes suddenly snapped open, but their color had changed.
Her body was now being controlled by Black Pardo.
She went to her suitcase, took out a set of clothes, and after changing, a strange smile curled on her lips.
This kitty is about to really steal the base.
(Author's Note: Daily life chapters are so hard to write.)