What happened to the Delta Force? It turned into Arknights!

Lamaren raised her right hand as instructed, palm up, fingers naturally outstretched, like a magnolia petal receiving moon dew, exuding a natural elegance.

She waited quietly, her gaze behind the veil filled with puzzled inquiry as it fell upon Han Fei.

At this moment, the majestic Queen of the Demon King's Court had her long-dormant curiosity awakened by the young man before her.

Han Fei slowly raised his left hand, palm facing upwards, fingers outstretched.

His movements were unhurried, carrying a peculiar sense of solemnity.

The bright moonlight flowed like mercury, enveloping the two hands that were suspended in the cool air.

A woman belonging to an ancient sorceress, her skin under the moonlight possessed a warm, jade-like luster, weathered by time; her fingers were slender, as if containing the power of endless mystical arts.

The other belonged to a young stranger, with long, strong fingers, distinct knuckles, and a palm that seemed to still retain the warmth and vitality of the day's battle, full of vibrant life.

Han Fei's gaze, gentle and focused, lingered between the two hands bathed in the same moonlight.

Then, he raised his eyes, as if trying to glimpse the true face beneath the thin black veil, or perhaps to see into the depths of Ramalen's soul. His voice was deep and clear, carrying a wondrous power that seemed to perceive the passage of time.

"Madam, you see, the years have not left any marks on us, so there should be no signs of aging on us."

Lamarle's fingers twitched almost imperceptibly, then slowly relaxed.

Moonlight flowed between their suspended palms, as if freezing time.

Lamaren remained silent.

She simply shifted her gaze from Han Fei's overly bright and honest eyes, and turned it back to the boundless darkness deep within the courtyard.

A night breeze swept by at just the right moment, bringing a touch of coolness and gently lifting the edge of Lamaren's flowing black veil. As the veil swayed, the smooth, jade-like jawline that Han Fei had once captured was faintly visible in the moonlight.

At that moment, something seemed to be sleeping deep within the pool, and this untimely, impulsive yet sincere warm current gently awakened a corner of it.

The silence of the valley seemed to have cracked open with a tiny fissure.

Along this crevice, a breeze carrying an unknown temperature and called "vitality" blew in, brought by a young man.

Lamaren simply gathered her sleeves, which were fluttering in the wind, and her voice returned to its usual ethereal and calm tone, yet it seemed even more elusive than moonlight:

"It's late, Mr. Han Fei. May the moonlight soothe your weariness from your journey."

Lamaren was the first to withdraw her hand. Her gaze lingered briefly on Han Fei's face before she turned away, her long black dress disappearing into the deeper shadows of the courtyard.

Volume One: Chapter 150 Dawn

The next day, Han Fei was awakened by a knock on the door.

When he opened the door with sleepy eyes, Texas was standing outside, looking energetic.

Texas was clearly taken aback by her boss's appearance so early in the morning, and instinctively said:

"Didn't you sleep last night? Why do you look so tired?"

"Don't mention it."

Han Fei yawned. "I figured this valley siren probably hadn't seen a man in a long time. She spied on me all night, and I was so tired in the middle of the night that I finally managed to get some sleep."

"..."

Texas remained silent for a moment before calmly retorting, "Boss, you're overthinking it."

“Actually, I also felt that sense of being watched,” she explained. “It wasn’t just me; they all felt that way too, but it seems like only you, boss, are feeling uneasy.”

Han Fei raised an eyebrow: "I'm afraid someone might covet my good looks, you know?"

When Han Fei said this, he didn't expect Texas to respond. It was just a joke, and there was no need to take it seriously.

To everyone's surprise, Texas hesitated briefly before nodding and saying, "You're right."

This surprised Han Fei, who thought to himself, "I was just joking."

But judging from Texas's expression, it seems she actually took it seriously.

Just then, Remian's voice came from not far away: "Hmm, what are you doing?"

Han Fei and Texas glanced sideways and saw Remian standing at the top of the stairs a little further away, looking at them gently and saying, "Aren't you ready yet? Ms. Lamaren has prepared breakfast for us. After we finish eating, we should set off."

"coming."

Han Fei responded.

There's not much to pack, since all the valuables are in my backpack. Just put on the backpack, grab your gear, and you're good to go.

Han Fei put on his gear and went to the restaurant with Texas and Remian.

At that time, Remuel and Lamarle were already in the restaurant.

The former is genuinely lively. Even when facing a majestic female demon queen like Lamaren, she shows no fear after getting to know her, chattering like a little lark.

Fortunately, Lamaren is a gentle person, after all, she is a wife.

Lamarle was a good listener, listening to Remuel share his mundane daily life in Laterano, and occasionally being amused by Remuel's humor, letting out a soft and pleasant laugh.

This peaceful scene was broken when Han Fei and his group returned.

Seeing the three of them approach, Remuel stood up and said energetically, "Oh, boss, sister, and Texas, you've finally arrived."

"Good morning, Xiao Le, and Ms. Lamaren." Han Fei nodded to each of them and walked leisurely to the dining table.

"Sit down and have breakfast." Ramalen's voice was still gentle, like morning mist. "These are all prepared by myself. I hope you like them."

"Ah, that's my honor."

Han Fei nimbly pulled out a chair and sat down opposite Lamarle, speaking sincerely, "I'm so glad to be able to enjoy breakfast prepared by Ms. Lamarle herself."

Hearing this perfectly chosen honorific, Ramalen's eyes flickered slightly beneath her veil. Last night's moonlight, the young man's burning, honest gaze, and that bold assertion about age and decay…

Various images silently swept across the lake of my heart, and the disturbed ripples did not truly subside.

—This young man…

A faint, almost imperceptible curve quietly spread across the corner of her lips, which were hidden by her veil.

His current respectful and submissive demeanor contrasts sharply with the scorching gaze he gave under the moonlight yesterday, which seemed to pierce through the veil, and his frankness in rejecting the notion of "decrepitness"...

They're like completely different people now.

If she truly cared about her status as the "Queen of the Demoness" and the "Queen of the Royal Court," how could she have acted in such a way that was almost "overstepping her bounds"? This superficial politeness was more like an interesting disguise.

Or rather, it was a proper expression of his innate, unrestrained confidence in a specific situation.

This difference in perception made Lamarle feel that this ordinary breakfast seemed to have an added special flavor.

Han Fei sat down as instructed, his gaze sweeping over the exquisite dishes on the table—warm porridge with the aroma of grains, several elegantly shaped and refreshingly colored side dishes, and a plate of pastries that looked soft and delicious.

The ruler of the royal court would not be as starving as an ordinary Sarkaz.

He picked up a spoon, scooped up a spoonful of porridge, and put it in his mouth.

The smooth texture instantly enveloped his taste buds, the natural aroma of the grains blending perfectly with the just-right cooking time, bringing a comforting sense of warmth. He took another bite of the side dish; it was crisp and refreshing, with a light yet flavorful seasoning that clearly showed careful attention to detail.

“Very delicious, madam.”

Han Fei put down his spoon, looked at Lamar, and said sincerely with a touch of admiration, "This warmth and thoughtfulness can really soothe a traveler's stomach and make people truly feel the care of the preparer. Especially in the early morning, this thoughtfulness is particularly precious."

His praise, though lacking in exaggerated language, precisely landed on words like "warm," "meticulous," "thoughtful," and "appropriate." It was not merely an affirmation of her culinary skills, but rather a capture of a certain quality in her—the quiet strength beneath which she could bring comfort and peace to others.

Lamarle's hand, holding the coffee cup, paused almost imperceptibly. The veil concealed her expression, but her slightly lowered eyelashes and the seemingly softened gaze through the veil betrayed the turmoil in her heart.

—He saw it.

It's not just about seeing food; it's about subtly touching upon a gentle essence that she never explicitly stated, perhaps even she herself never truly explored—a gentle essence that remained within her long silence and responsibilities, belonging to "Ramalen" rather than merely "the Queen of the Slugs."

The feeling of being so naturally and accurately "seen" and spoken by a stranger is somewhat unfamiliar, yet not repulsive.

"As long as it suits your taste."

Lamarle responded softly, her voice seemingly warmer than usual. Morning light streamed through the window, casting warm dappled patterns on her dark dress, as if softening her usual aloofness.

A simple breakfast ended in a quiet but not dull atmosphere. When Han Fei put down his cutlery, Lamaren also put down her coffee cup at the same time.

"So,"

Lamarette raised her eyes, her gaze falling on Han Fei again through her veil. The silent barrier that had been partially breached last night seemed to have disappeared beneath her elegant demeanor, but the subtle ripples seemed to blend into the morning light, making her presence even more vivid.

"Mr. Han Fei, regarding the letter, perhaps we can move to the study to discuss it in detail?"

Her suggestion was natural and appropriate, bringing an end to their brief time together that morning and quietly opening a new chapter of more substantial communication.

This time, however, as her gaze swept across the young man's bright, smiling face, a few more rays of real morning light from outside the window seemed to seep into the deep pool of her heart than yesterday.

"Okay, ma'am."

Han Fei wiped his mouth, got up, and followed Lamaren to the study.

After the two figures disappeared at the end of the stairs, Remuel subconsciously exclaimed, "The boss is really amazing. I always feel that someone like him will never lack friends, no matter where he is."

"indeed."

Remianne nodded slightly, and a different kind of gleam appeared in her eyes as she spoke.

With her keen observation skills, she is more likely to capture unique details.

For example, the sense of distance that Lamaren exudes.

This feeling never disappeared; it was the natural majesty of the ruler of the royal court, and also the natural defense of a widowed woman.

But it is clear that Han Fei is an exception.

Lamarle's sense of distance from him had not disappeared; she still maintained the proper decorum, but compared to yesterday, that sense of estrangement had faded slightly.

He was still a visitor, but slightly better than a visitor.

This is not easy. If the ruler of the royal court were so easy to approach, then Sarkaz would probably have fallen apart long ago.

“More than that, I’m curious about the current situation of that ‘Sarkaz,’” Texas said calmly. “Isn’t she coming down yet?”

"Give her some time to adjust, shall we?"

Remianne said softly, "After all, such a change is not something that can be easily adapted to."

Remy had a different opinion, saying, "But sis, I think it's better to call her that, since we're leaving soon, right?"

"Then I'll go."

Texas stood up.

"No need, I'm already here."

Ines's voice came from the corner of the stairs. She walked slowly to the dining table, her gaze sweeping over everyone. Her expression was calm as she said, "Good morning, everyone. Let me reintroduce myself. I am Ines, a former Sarkaz mercenary and intelligence officer. I am skilled in espionage and my Originium Arts is Shadow."

"It seems you're ready to embrace a new life."

Remy's gentle gaze fell on Ines's face, as if she wanted to see the deepest secret in her heart.

However, Remian failed.

Ines's expression was calm, as if she had already accepted everything, and she said softly, "Can I sit down, or should we go to a corner?"

"Of course you can sit down."

"We're not that wicked, Miss Ines," Remien said softly.

"Thank you."

Ines then pulled out a chair, sat down, and began to eat in a businesslike manner.

Texas remained expressionless, but a closer look would reveal that she was constantly staring at Ines.

This was her promise; she would watch over Ines, even though she was bound by that vow.

"What are the bosses talking about? I'm so curious."

Remuel wasn't very interested in Ines and asked, "Do you think we'll have to fight someone again after we go to the Tower of Babel?"

"The Demon Lord of Kazdel seems to be over there. I wonder what kind of person she is. I've only heard about her in stories. I wonder if I'll be able to meet her in person later. I'm so looking forward to it."

"If nothing unexpected happens, it shouldn't."

Texas calmly assessed, "The boss is acting as a messenger to find a suitable identity for us to enter the Tower of Babel."

"indeed."

Remian nodded slightly. "With this identity, the Demon King has no reason to attack us. After all, Ramalen is her ally."

"That's right."

Remy chimed in, full of energy, "The boss said there are a lot of good things in the Tower of Babel, and I can't wait to search it all out!"