Sky Striker Princess, but the swan song of Valkyrie.

Despite what Zero said, Maria still felt a sense of unreality.

"I... never mind, I won't explain to you, Maria. Anyway, I'll manage the funds, you don't need to worry."

"Honestly, you too, and Naztashya too, if I didn't keep an eye on you, would you have squandered your money to the point of starvation and freezing cold?"

Faced with Maria's unyielding and clear-headed attitude, Lingyi was speechless and gave up on explaining or persuading her, only managing a powerless retort.

They would never understand how much money a world-class singer's popularity can generate, how much a performance with a famous artist can boost one's popularity, or how much resources a world-class singer would lose if she turned into a terrorist.

It's important to understand that when Zero saw Naztash's plan, what caused her blood pressure to spike the most wasn't the terrorist act of taking the audience hostage, but rather how someone could cut down their only cash cow when they were already strapped for cash.

"Anyway, let's go eat first, and then we can each do what we need to do."

Exhausted, Lingyi spoke to Maria, who didn't quite understand, and to Xiaoqiege and Tsukuyomi, who had been relegated to the background since earlier.

"Oh, oh, eating death."

Xiaoqiege, who didn't understand what was being said at all, became lively again after hearing that dinner was served.

Afterwards, the four of them stopped talking and went to the kitchen nearby to prepare dinner. However, although there were four people, only two of them actually cooked.

"Tiao, go and cook the rice first. I'll prepare the beef here."

"Leave it to me, Zero-chan."

Soon, Lingyi and Diao got into the swing of things as they entered the kitchen, skillfully working together to prepare the ingredients and cook the dishes.

"Beef stew rice roll~ Beef stew rice roll~ Death."

Sitting at the kitchen doorway, Xiaoqiege happily hummed a song as she waited for the two to finish cooking.

"Qiege, are they always this in sync, especially in this aspect?"

Watching the two working together so skillfully, Maria asked Xiaoqiege with some curiosity.

"Yes, because I've been really interested in cooking lately, I often cook Death with Zero-chan when I have free time."

Upon hearing Maria's question, Xiaoqiege replied with a smile and a happy expression.

"Really? I've been busy with performances these past few months and haven't paid much attention to this. I didn't expect something like this to happen."

Maria was somewhat surprised.

"Hehe, Maria will find out soon. The food that Zero made is super delicious. Maria, you will definitely love Death."

As the first taster of the two's finished products, Xiaoqiege confidently recommended it to Maria.

P.S. Goodnight.

Chapter Thirteen: Moving Towards the Next Moment (4k)

The aroma of beef blends with the flavor of vegetables, and after adding various seasonings and spices and going through several processing steps, it becomes an incredibly fragrant condiment.

Its rich aroma filled the entire kitchen, and as the two, who were already quite hungry, couldn't wait any longer, three bowls of beef stew rice were served one after another.

"Why are there only three bowls? Was the portion too small?"

Looking at the table in front of her, Maria was a little puzzled and turned to ask Tiao, who had already sat down and was about to start eating.

"No, no, it's always like this. After we finish cooking, Sister Lingyi always lets me and Qiejiang use it first, and then she uses her share after we've finished."

Tsukuyomi shook her head and explained the reason to Maria.

“Amu--that’s right. In the beginning, Zero cooked for us and let us eat first. It was because of this that I started to get interested in cooking.”

After swallowing the food in his mouth, Xiaoqiege added to the explanation of Tsukuyomi.

"What a strange thing to do. You cooked it yourself but you don't plan to eat it right away."

Hearing their explanations, Maria said with some surprise, not quite understanding the reason behind Lingyi's behavior.

However, this is probably just a personal matter, a matter for Lingyi herself. Let's focus on enjoying our dinner for now.

But soon, tempted by the food, Maria put her confusion aside and turned her attention to the dishes in front of her.

"Whoosh-----whoosh"

After carefully blowing on the food in the spoon to cool it down, Maria put the rice topped with the fragrant sauce into her mouth.

The perfectly stewed beef melts in your mouth, and the various ingredients are perfectly combined and fully integrated, creating an explosion of delicious flavor that gives your taste buds an ultimate experience.

Even Maria, who often enjoys fine dining due to her acting career, can admit the deliciousness of this rather simple, home-cooked dish.

"Burp, this is so delicious! Lingyi's cooking is as delicious as ever. Ah, I feel like the shadow of today's devilish training has been healed."

Xiaoqiege, who had devoured the food in the bowl at lightning speed, let out a small burp and said with a satisfied smile.

66r "It's probably because of the high-quality protein and various vitamins that the body's repair process is faster, cut sauce."

Setting down the nearly empty porcelain bowl in his hand, Tsukuyomi responded.

"Indeed, despite the limited space and relatively short cooking process, the dishes themselves achieved the highest possible standard in terms of color, aroma, and flavor."

Maria, who had also finished eating, excitedly offered this praise, her eyes seemingly becoming even brighter than before.

"In that case, Diao and I have taken care of the cooking. Maria and Qiege, which of you two is going to do the dishes?"

Lingyi, who had been resting on the side after coming out of the kitchen, saw the two very excited people and asked them a question at the right time.

"You're right, washing dishes. Then let's cut the song, this time..."

Hearing Lingyi's words, Maria hesitated for a moment before deciding to take the job.

"Ah, right, since Maria is here too, the dishwashing work has been split up... In that case, let's take on the challenge and decide who will be responsible for washing the pots and pans by playing rock-paper-scissors."

Before Maria could finish speaking, Xiaoqiege paused for a moment, then realized the truth of the matter and excitedly turned her gaze to Maria beside her.

Although I also admire and respect the gentle Maria, I will absolutely not back down on this matter. I must win and escape the cleaning duties that are always thrown my way.

With this in mind, Xiaoqiege adopted the starting stance for rock-paper-scissors.

"Well... okay, let's skip it."

Seeing the girl beside her so serious, Maria abandoned her previous plan and did the same.

"Rock, paper, scissors!"

Soon, the winner of the best-of-three series was decided.

Xiaoqiege looked at the scissors in her hand and Maria's clenched fist, and was deeply shocked.

"Why did this happen? I can't accept it. It was a perfect tactic. Usually, after winning a round, you would switch to Death."

Xiaoqiege said dejectedly, but she confidently stepped forward to take on the challenge and then used the scissors to hit the rock a second time.

"Well, since you're using a cutting type weapon, there's a higher chance you'll get scissors."

Maria briefly explained her reasons for doing so.

"But according to this theory, shouldn't Maria have used her cloak to fight Death?"

Xiaoqiege said, not quite accepting it.

"That was the original plan, but, well, because I thought about the battle between those three musicians, I came to my senses and my fist was already out.

Maria went on to add that she was truly impressed by the fighting style of the hero from the Moon Incident.

"It's okay, Chess, I'll help you with some of the work."

Tsukuyomi, who was next to Xiaoqiege, patted her back to comfort her.

"No, Tiao has already done enough work. Leave the dishwashing to me, Death."

Hearing her friend say this, Xiaoqiege quickly shook off her gloom and turned to walk towards the kitchen with great spirits, while Yuedu Diao followed her friend in.

"Phew... Lingyi, do you have anything else to do? Or shall we go back to the dorm together?"

Watching the two of them go in one after the other, Maria breathed a sigh of relief, turned around and looked at Lingyi, who seemed to be resting to the side, and asked her a question.

"No, there's one last task. Before going to bed, I need to check the power supply and backup power system for the cold storage compartment to make sure there are no problems."

Lingyi shook her head and explained her plans.

"A cryogenic chamber, indeed. We must confirm this carefully, otherwise Serena... huff."

Upon hearing Lingyi's words, Maria's previously cheerful expression dimmed slightly.

The cryogenic chamber that Zero was referring to was the cryogenic chamber that contained the body of her sister, Serena Cardenzavna Eve.

Previously, because of Nephilim's rampage, her gentle and kind sister chose to use her final song to quell Nephilim's rampage.

The operation was a complete success, but at the same time, Serena's body was subjected to excessive energy stress from doing such a thing, and it became fragmented.

If Lingyi hadn't taken emergency measures later, the rift between Maria and her sister would probably be more than just a semi-transparent warehouse wall; it would be a boundary between life and death.

"Although I've said it many times, thank you very much, Zero. Without you, Serena would probably be... I can't even imagine what that would have been like."

Thinking of this, Maria said gratefully to Zero.

"There's no need for thanks. I was just doing my job. I had a responsibility to protect the lives of those present, even though I had no idea those guys would leave me with such a mess."

When faced with Maria's gratitude, Lingyi simply declined, but then her face turned pale as she thought of terrible things.

At that time, she had just started working with Finney and, through Finney's introduction, entered the American Relics Research Center. Her job was to take care of Finney's recipients, and her reward was a relatively well-equipped environment where she could study relics in peace.

At the time, she felt that as an institution specializing in the research of sacred artifacts, they should at least possess professional competence in conducting experiments, regardless of other factors, so she didn't pay much attention to their internal research.

As a result, those guys quietly prepared a super huge surprise for her inside the research institute.

"Ah, in the end, shouldn't we take precautions before starting experiments involving dangerous materials? And even though we already know that the artifact contains a large amount of energy that current technology cannot analyze, we still want to directly use mechanical drive to activate the artifact."

"Those guys are really willing to risk their lives for results. They conducted such dangerous experiments when they were clearly not qualified enough. In the end, the experiment failed and they were blaming each other. Don't those technicians have any basic safety awareness?"

Thinking about that completely avoidable experimental accident, Lingyi couldn't help but want to complain about the incredibly wise actions of the decision-makers in the research institute at the time.

In order to secure a better future and obtain more research funding from higher authorities, they can disregard safety risks and activate the complete relic without any regard for safety. They are truly unafraid of any mishap that could blow up the entire research institute.

Because of this, Lingyi, who didn't want to worry about such things in the first place, had to set aside her precious time to think about how to obtain the relevant rights so that she wouldn't be blown up during her rest. Then she would use those rights to settle accounts with these insects one by one.

"Well, thinking about it carefully, Lingyi, your expression back then was really scary, but also very reassuring, even though you were such a young child compared to us."

Maria, who was also recalling the scene, softened her expression and spoke to the girl in front of her.

At that time, she was feeling desperate because of Serena's swan song and the indifference of those around her who only cared about the experiment, and she didn't know what to do.

As a result, Zero used heretical technology to break through the experimental wall, coldly surveyed the room, and then took Serena directly to the operating room.

Then, when he saw Qi Erba Serena again, it was in the cold warehouse, and next to the warehouse, Lingyi had an apologetic look on her face.

I'm sorry, I can only keep her alive for now. You're her older sister, right? Watch the power supply here for me. I have other things to do; I need to deal with some people who've been blinded by greed.

Lingyi said this, comforting herself who was so flustered and at a loss at the time, and then left the room.

"Alright, that's enough chit-chat. Like I said, I'm leaving now."

Interrupting Maria's thoughts, Zero said this, not wanting to waste any more time, and left in the direction of the equipment.

“I’ll go too, Zero. I also want to see Serena. Ah, speaking of which, if Serena were awake now, she would probably be very surprised, because of what I look like now.”

After a moment of reminiscence, Maria also felt the urge to visit Serena and followed Zero.

......

At Lydian Music Academy, after school in the evening, Hibiki Tachibana, who stayed up late preparing for the school festival, was walking slowly back to her dormitory with Mirai Kohinata.

"In the end, Master and the others still couldn't figure out what Zero-chan was doing there. She appeared suddenly and disappeared without a trace."

Hibiki Tachibana and Mirai Kohinata were discussing their previous actions, as Mirai was slightly curious about what had happened.

"Ugh, I don't understand. Why is it that Rei-chan is always unwilling to have a proper talk? If possible, we could help each other out."

After finishing her speech, Tachibana Hibiki expressed this disheartened sentiment.

"Don't even think about it. No matter how much you think about it, if Lingyi is determined to hide, there's no way to find her."

Kohinata Mirai comforted her disheartened best friend. Although she had similar thoughts, she would endure it, but she had more important things to consider right now.

"More importantly, is Hibiki's body really okay? Judging from Hibiki's account, Zero doesn't seem to recommend that you continue fighting."

Kohinata Mirai looked at her best friend with worry, knowing full well that a huge bomb was lurking inside her.

"Well... hahaha, speaking of which, it seems like Grandma's okonomiyaki skills have improved again today. Let's go eat it together again tomorrow, in the future."

Faced with her close friend's question, Tachibana Hibiki changed the subject with a flicker in her eyes.

"Hibiki, your attempt to change the subject is terrible. To be honest, Hibiki, you should care about yourself a little. The frequency of noise has decreased a lot now, so there's no need for you to continue fighting."

Kohinata Mirai described it this way: the worry was clearly visible in her eyes.