"Mem~"
Mem was controlling a large hand made of ice crystals condensed from memories to clean the room. While cleaning, Mem was also listening to music, and her body was slowly swaying along with the music.
Caelus pushed the door open and walked in. He was quite familiar with this scene. He sat down to the side, took out his book, and began to record today's events.
After Mem finished cleaning and turned off the music, she leaned over to Caelus's side. Looking at what he had recorded, she asked with some confusion, "Partner, we are clearly able to provide help to that General named Jing Yuan, and he also knows that the dishes you make are of great benefit to him, so why is he so guarded?"
"I think it's because he knows his own physical condition. Up until now, he has been completely forcing himself to hold on. In this situation, he cannot allow his body to undergo too many changes."
"Moreover, my appearance is a bit too coincidental. Although I don't know if there are undercurrents within the Xianzhou, just judging by my main quest, some things have already started to show signs. As soon as the people from the Astral Express arrive, I reckon the hidden dangers will break out."
"Since some changes have already occurred within the Xianzhou Luofu, a coincidence like me popping up exactly at this time, capable of delaying being mara-struck, is very likely to be considered a spy who has used this method to sneak in and gather intelligence."
"It's also possible that I am deliberately using this method to approach the General and then poison his food. Although it's a bit plain and simple, it is a method that one has to guard against."
"And as the General of the Xianzhou Luofu, he naturally cannot easily entrust such trust to a stranger. Therefore, there must be investigations and probing. He might even suspect that my way of delaying being mara-struck is connected to the methods of Abundance, which is why he wanted to understand my method just now."
"In this situation, I would have to spend a lot of time proving my innocence. Since he cannot place his trust in me, it proves that there is no possibility of us becoming friends."
"Since we cannot be friends, I have no need to explain so much to him, nor do I need to rack my brains to gain his trust. I might as well turn and leave, it's quieter that way."
Mem nodded, looking as if she half understood, and then said, "In my Partner's eyes, trust is indeed a very important thing."
"Yes. Since he doesn't trust me, I have no need to entrust my own trust to him."
"Then, what about Nyarlathotep? Isn't she the Partner's enemy? Why does the Partner still go to such lengths to send her flowers?"
"Because she loves me."
"Eh!?"
Mem looked at Caelus with a surprised expression.
"Is this hard to understand? Within my body exist Nihility and Remembrance, symbolizing the erasure of existence and the recording of existence. Such a special me is a relatively novel existence, even for an Outer God. In a state of novelty, I gave her answers full of novelty, so she loves me. She believes I will be a very interesting guy, so she treats me as a novel toy. Before she gets tired of playing, she will probably love me."
"This... can this even be counted as love?"
"Mem, there are many kinds of love, and everyone has many ways of loving. You cannot deny that a child who likes to play with toys does not love those toys."
"I see, I've learned something!"
"I'm going to analyze the Third Method. I have a feeling that once I fully understand that incomplete Third Method, I should be able to try adjusting the form of the materials we dropped from defeating monsters in the Type-Moon World and craft them into Embers for strengthening."
"Good luck, Partner! Then today's cooking will be left to me!"
Mem patted her chest. In this regard, although Mem felt she could not compare to her Partner, who possessed special cooking skills, she had, after all, learned normal cooking techniques from her Partner's memories, so making some home-cooked dishes was no problem.
As for the issue of her claws not being flexible enough, using memories to condense them into tangible large hands could solve it.
Now, the hands of time were truly tangible.
Caelus sat in his room and picked up the purified Light Cone.
[Light Cone: Cleansed Holy Grail. Effect: Enhances personal energy. Evaluation: The internal Servant spirit origin and all the world's evils have been completely consumed. At this moment, the Holy Grail is essentially a massive magic crystal carrying the incomplete Third Method.]
"Since the interior of the Xianzhou Luofu has started to become turbulent, and I seem to be untrusted right now, I will reduce the frequency of going out and focus on researching this Third Method to improve my abilities before the crisis arrives.
Anyway, I've been to all the places on the Luofu that I could go to, and recorded everything I could. Although I haven't delved into many historical details of the Luofu's past, and haven't even been able to understand the taboo Imbibitor Lunae rebellion, which is a bit regrettable, continuing to explore at this stage might lead to me being labeled a dangerous element."
Caelus thought this to himself, then picked up his phone and made a call.
Inside the Seat of Divine Foresight...
[Recording: Grand Diviner, the General does not trust me, and may even believe I am harmful to the Xianzhou. In this situation, I feel it is better to avoid causing trouble or being labeled a dangerous element, so I apologize, but I am resigning from this chef job.
Of course, I have no intention of fleeing the Xianzhou. Qingque has always known my home address. If you are worried, you can send people to check at any time, or monitor the surroundings, I have no objections, and I have no plans to continue running the stall in the near future.
If you and the General both feel that my recipe is particularly important to the Xianzhou Alliance and want to forcibly requisition it, I am sorry, but this is truly something only I can make. I cannot explain the principle, nor will I disclose it. I know I would be no match for the Xianzhou, nor for a Lord Ravager of the Hunt, but I will not surrender without a fight.]
Fu Xuan calmly watched Jing Yuan, who was smiling obsequiously in front of her.
"General, what exactly did you say to him?"
"Minister Fu, I really only tested him slightly. I didn't do anything excessive!"
"I believe you truly didn't do anything excessive, General. But you are the General of the Luofu, a Lord Ravager of the Hunt. A common Pathstrider being targeted by an existence like you, while you are seemingly particularly interested in some exclusive method he possesses, if it were me, in such a situation, I would only feel immense pressure.
Especially since this outsider also knows that your physical and mental condition is not good, and there is a possibility of you becoming mara-struck. Wouldn't he suspect that you are using some forceful means to delay your lifespan as much as possible?
Why didn't you consider this point? Jing Yuan, has your condition really deteriorated to this extent?"
Jing Yuan remained silent and did not answer.
...
"Caelus! Open the door! Please, let me eat the food you make one more time!"
Caelus opened the door to his house and looked at Qingque, who was staring at him with a pitiful expression.
"It was just a bit tasty, there's no need to look so addicted."
"Who said delicious food can't be addictive? It's the same concept as a child liking snacks, if you can't eat it, you want it! For the sake of us being friends, please!"
"You think I'm your friend?"
"Although our relationship isn't deep, I consider us to be on good terms."
She wasn't lying.
"Please come in. You came at a good time, I was just preparing lunch."
"Can I order? I can pay extra!"
"Sure."
"I'll have the sweet and sour pork ribs, thanks! How much?"
"No charge."
"Why?"
"Because we are friends."
Qingque's hand, which was preparing to pay, paused, and then she replied with a smile.
"Alright, then I won't stand on ceremony!"
(To be continued.)
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◇ One bonus chapter will be released for every 200 Power Stones.
◇ You can read the ahead chapter on Pat if you're interested: p-atreon.c-om/Blownleaves (Just remove the hyphen to access normally.)