Usually, when dealing with others, Merem would use his familiar—the Rat King—to assist him. But when facing the princess, he naturally couldn't let the Rat King do the explaining...
"Raku already promised to take me to eat something delicious, and you're still like this," Arcueid said, clearly displeased.
This time, it was Ryougi Raku's turn to be embarrassed. Was the reason this Princess was so protective of him because he had promised to take her to eat something delicious? For a moment, the scene fell into an awkward silence.
However, Arcueid naturally wouldn't bother reading people's expressions or noticing changes in the atmosphere. She waved her hand and said to herself, "Merem, you can go now. I'll let Raku take me to play! As for returning to the Millennium Castle... I'll go back by myself later..."
She started off cheerfully, but as she spoke, her tone gradually lowered, and even her usual optimistic smile faded. Her Highness the Princess looked very sad.
Merem naturally wouldn't seek further displeasure. He was helpless about the Princess's sorrow and could only bow slightly as a polite farewell, while glaring fiercely at Ryougi Raku, as if warning him of something!
Ryougi Raku, of course, paid no attention to the glare from his defeated opponent. He merely showed a victorious smile, silently looking down on Merem.
Merem's expression twisted instantly, but due to the Princess's presence, he couldn't act out. He could only swallow his displeasure, vowing to tear Ryougi Raku apart the next time they met!
Overall, this battle was a draw. Although Ryougi Raku seemed slightly disadvantaged, neither side had used their full strength. Ryougi Raku also knew that if it truly came to a protracted fight with all cards on the table, Merem would still be the one to lose! Therefore, even if he was at a disadvantage during the battle, Ryougi Raku didn't mind much. His potential for growth was vast, while Merem had already reached a bottleneck!
Moreover, judging by the final outcome and Her Highness the Princess's attitude, Ryougi Raku was the true victor, and Merem was the complete loser. Wasn't that enough?
Chapter 0009: Kohaku
This inexplicable battle ended just as inexplicably. But Ryougi Raku was very satisfied. The gains from this battle exceeded his expectations. Indeed, only by facing powerful opponents could one become stronger.
Those he had encountered before were simply too weak. Perhaps the complete form of a Heroic Spirit was what Ryougi Raku hoped for, but a mere Servant was still not enough for him.
"Raku, hurry up and take me!" Arcueid's earlier sadness vanished instantly as she shook Ryougi Raku's arm.
"Alright, alright! Let me think about what to eat!" Ryougi Raku was quite helpless against the Princess's childishness and gave a wry smile.
"Mm-hmm! Okay, okay. Take your time, no rush!" Arcueid nodded vigorously.
'Aren't you the one who's rushing?' Ryougi Raku complained inwardly, but he still seriously considered what to eat.
After some thought, he had an idea.
"Let's go, let's go! I've already decided what to eat!" Ryougi Raku shook his head and smiled.
"Yay!" Arcueid cheered happily.
Ryougi Raku smiled casually, took Arcueid's hand, and left. The things he wanted to prepare still needed some time to arrange...
"Is the battle over?" A few people from the Church observed from afar. Seeing that the battlefield had quieted down, the leader asked.
The middle-aged man beside him hesitated for a moment, then said uncertainly, "Probably... yes!"
The leader waited a little longer, then decisively said, "Let's go, let's go take a look!" He then led the way, and the others followed without hesitation.
The group arrived at the ruined small town and, seeing the bodies everywhere, each offered a prayer. The town was utterly destroyed; the prosperity and tranquility that had taken who knows how long to build had vanished in such a short time.
They arrived at the most severely damaged part of the town, where Arcueid and Roa had fought. The place was unrecognizable, with charred rubble and unidentifiable corpses everywhere.
"Huh? There's a survivor here!" A surprised cry suddenly rang out.
Everyone who heard it was astonished. Could an ordinary person have survived in the most intense part of this battle?
Quickly walking over, the leader looked down at the unconscious Alicia and frowned.
"This feeling... it should be Roa's current incarnation," he murmured to himself.
"But Roa is dead, and she's still alive?" His tone was indescribably strange, yet there was also a hint of joy.
He knew this must be a significant discovery!
"Someone, take her back and send her to the Church's research facility!" The leader waved his hand and ordered.
Immediately, someone came forward and carried out his order.
"Thoroughly search the surroundings. See if any Dead Apostles slipped through the net. If so, eliminate them on the spot. Also, search for any items of significant value. If there's nothing, then retreat!" After analyzing the situation, the leader laid out the next course of action.
But he knew that something of great value had already been found. This discovery would surely contribute to his merits. Thinking of this, he couldn't help but smile...
"Raku! What exactly are you taking me to eat? Isn't it ready yet?" Arcueid rolled around on the bed, hugging a blanket, and complained plaintively.
"Soon, soon! Don't rush!" Ryougi Raku comforted her from the side.
This was a luxurious hotel in Paris, France. After leaving the remote small town, Ryougi Raku and Arcueid took a plane to this romantic city.
At the same time, he also notified the Ryougi family, asking them to prepare some items—a hot pot for shabu-shabu and various seasonings.
After much thought, Ryougi Raku decided on this dish that he had loved in his previous life and was relatively easy to prepare.
As for taking Arcueid out to eat, he felt that food he made himself would be better.
No sooner had he spoken than the doorbell rang.
Ryougi Raku quickly went to the door and opened it. Outside stood several young people holding a large package, looking very respectful.
"My things?" Ryougi Raku took the package from them and asked.
"Yes, Young Master!" The two bowed respectfully and replied.
"Very good, you've worked hard. Go back and tell my parents that I'm doing well!" Ryougi Raku nodded and praised them.
"It's our honor!" The two bowed again, then respectfully departed.
Ryougi Raku watched them leave, then closed the door.
The vegetables and meat were already prepared, but he had ordered the copper pot and sauces to be purchased and brought over from China. For the Ryougi family, these were trivial expenses.
He quickly arranged charcoal in the copper pot, then added the soup base, handling everything with great familiarity. Ryougi Raku preferred this kind of copper pot; it made the food taste much better.
Arcueid rested her chin on the edge of the bed, watching Ryougi Raku set things up with great interest.
He had Arcueid use her Reality Marble ability, and in an instant, the waiting time that would have been necessary was skipped, making Ryougi Raku marvel at the convenience of this ability.
"Alright, let's eat!" He prepared the dipping sauces, then put some meat and vegetables into the pot. Then he handed a bowl over. Arcueid eagerly took it, but looked at the chopsticks in her hand with a troubled expression.
"What's wrong? Never used them before?" Ryougi Raku gently picked up a piece of meat, dipped it in the sauce, and ate it with satisfaction.
"Mm-hmm! Although I know how to use them in my head, I've never actually tried," Arcueid said with a pout, clumsily trying to handle the chopsticks.
However, Arcueid quickly became proficient with them. After all, using chopsticks simply requires good hand control, and as a True Ancestor, this was not difficult for her.
"Wow!! This is really delicious!" Arcueid exclaimed happily. Then she began to devour the food without any regard for her image.
Ryougi Raku timely offered some drinks. This time, to cater to Arcueid, he had specially prepared many different beverages.