Stargazer's Pie
"Theresa's place? What's he doing there?" Cecilia pondered, her brows furrowing in confusion. The thought of him being at Theresa's place was puzzling, to say the least.
Could it be possible that he was interested in Theresa? The idea seemed so far-fetched that Cecilia couldn't help but chuckle, dismissing the notion as nothing more than a whimsical flight of fancy.
After all, Theresa was a woman who had embraced solitude for over four decades. Throughout all these years, she had never shown any inclination towards forming a romantic attachment with any man. Her life was an open book to the small community they lived in, and romance was a chapter that seemed conspicuously absent.
Theresa was a woman of simple pleasures. She found joy in her own company, often indulging in solitary activities that reflected her playful and youthful spirit. Her childlike innocence and zest for life were endearing traits that made her quite adorable in the eyes of those who knew her.
"But he's next door at Theresa's?" Cecilia mused, her mind racing with curiosity. An idea sparked in her mind, "Perhaps we could pay a visit today and inquire about it!" With this thought, she felt a surge of excitement. The mystery added a dash of intrigue to her otherwise routine day.
As she cleared the table, Cecilia couldn't help but anticipate the visit to Theresa's place. The day had suddenly become a lot more interesting.
...
Within the grandeur of Theresa's villa, a peculiar scene unfolded. Theresa and Luo Mo found themselves staring, wide-eyed, at the dish that lay before them. It was an unusual culinary creation known as a stargazing pie.
The pie was adorned with a group of tiny fish, their lifeless eyes gazing upwards as if entranced by the celestial beauty of the starry sky above. An eerie light reflected in their glassy pupils, lending a chilling and somewhat unsettling aura to the dish.
Theresa, her face adorned with a warm smile, reached for a pair of chopsticks - an eating utensil customary to the people of Chinese. She handed them to Luo Mo, her hand gently brushing against his as she encouraged him to partake in the feast.
"Why, Luo Mo, eat it!" she urged, her voice filled with enthusiasm. "This is the work of our academy's newly hired chef. He was initially hesitant, but I managed to persuade him after some pleading!"
A bead of cold sweat trickled down Luo Mo's face at her words. He discreetly wiped it away, his gaze shifting uneasily between Theresa and the peculiar dish in front of him. He swallowed hard, his throat suddenly feeling dry.
"This is not necessary, I still prefer Chinese dishes…" he began to protest, but Theresa was having none of it.
"Eat! I must watch you eat it with my own eyes today," she insisted, her tone leaving no room for argument.
With a trembling hand, Luo Mo reached out with his chopsticks and gingerly picked up a small slice of the cake-like sandwich that lay next to the fish. He brought it to his lips, hesitating for a moment as he glanced at Theresa.
Assured that she had no intention of backing down from her demand, he closed his eyes and took a tentative bite. The taste that greeted him was unlike anything he had ever experienced before.
"Well, is it good?" Theresa asked, her eyes gleaming with anticipation as she watched Luo Mo. She was eager to know his thoughts on the unusual dish.
Luo Mo, aware of her expectant gaze, decided to respond in a manner that would hopefully meet her expectations. "Tasty, quite tasty," he declared, his voice filled with feigned enthusiasm. "It's fragrant and fresh, and it just melts in your mouth."
His face took on a thoughtful expression as he continued, "I didn't realize that beneath its dark exterior, this dish hides a unique culinary experience! Theresa, you should try it too!"
Theresa, however, seemed less than enthusiastic about the idea. "I-I've eaten already. You go ahead and enjoy," she said, sinking back into the plush cushions of the sofa with a somewhat crestfallen expression.
Undeterred by her lack of interest, Luo Mo continued to savor the 'Deadly Undying Fish' dish. Its fragrant aroma and unique flavor seemed to have won him over.
"Is it really that delicious?" Theresa found herself asking as she watched Luo Mo relish several mouthfuls of the dish. Intrigued by his apparent enjoyment, she decided to give it a try. "I'll try it too, just a small bite."
"Ahem, if you don't want to eat it, Lord Theresa, you don't have to," Luo Mo said, covering his mouth as he coughed twice.
Ignoring his words, Theresa reached for her fork and speared a small piece of the dish. She brought it to her lips, all the while watching Luo Mo continue to eat with gusto, seemingly oblivious to her actions.
With a sense of trepidation, Theresa steeled herself and took a small bite of the peculiar dish. The first sensation that hit her was the saltiness, followed by a distinct fishy aroma that wafted from her taste buds. The taste was unusual, to say the least.
Unable to stomach the strange flavor, Theresa spat it out with a gasp of surprise. "What, what is this! It tastes awful! And you told me it was good," she exclaimed, pointing an accusing finger at Luo Mo. Her expression was a mix of indignation and amusement. She couldn't believe that Luo Mo had managed to convince her to try the dish by pretending it was delicious.
At this point, Luo Mo had also stopped eating. He bent over, coughing and spluttering, but managed to say between fits of laughter, "Actually, it's still edible. It's not as delicious as I made it out to be, but it's not as hard to eat as I thought it would be."
"Damn you!" Theresa retorted, wiping her mouth before heading to the restroom to freshen up.
In her absence, Luo Mo decided against continuing with the bizarre cuisine. Instead, he rummaged through the sofa cushions and found some snacks to satiate his hunger.
When Theresa returned, she was greeted by the sight of Luo Mo lounging on her couch, munching on her private stash of snacks. She stood frozen in surprise at the audacious sight.
Luo Mo, lounging comfortably on the sofa, noticed Theresa's gaze fixed on the snack in his hand. Misinterpreting her stare as a desire to share the snack, he extended his hand towards her, offering her a piece.
Theresa, however, reacted with a stomp of her foot, her face flushed with exasperation. Did he really think she was such a glutton? The audacity of his assumption irked her to the point where she felt an urge to punch him.
Just as she was about to act on her impulse, a gentle knock echoed through the room. It was Cecilia, standing at the door with a somewhat melancholic expression on her face. "Theresa, I've come to find you!" she announced softly.
Realizing that the door was unlocked, Cecilia gently pushed it open and stepped inside. The sight that greeted her was unexpected - Luo Mo sprawled on the sofa, Theresa's cheeks flushed a deep red, and her fist poised mid-air as if ready to strike Luo Mo.
Rather than being taken aback by the scene, Cecilia seemed amused. She even reached for her cell phone, intending to capture this unusual moment in a photograph.
In that moment, Luo Mo gestured towards the back, subtly signaling Theresa to glance behind her. However, Theresa remained steadfast, refusing to fall for what she perceived as a trivial trick. She even gloated about her immunity to such childish ploys.
Suddenly, a flash of light caught her eye, causing her expression to freeze. With a stiff movement, she reluctantly turned her head to look behind her.
Cecilia, who had been observing the entire scene with an amused smile on her face, discreetly put away her cell phone. The device, which had been poised to capture the unfolding drama, was now tucked away without a trace.
Caught off guard by the unexpected turn of events, Theresa made a hasty retreat. She dashed away from the scene, disappearing into the sanctuary of her room on the second floor.
.....
"So, boss, are you suggesting that there's an upcoming narrative arc involving Sirin and myself?" Cecilia inquired, her voice laced with a hint of anticipation.
Luo Mo responded with a nod of affirmation, his silent gesture confirming her query.
"Then, in comparison to Kiana and the others who are portraying roles that bear a striking resemblance to their real-life experiences," Cecilia paused momentarily, her voice trailing off into silence as she gathered her thoughts, "what characters are Sirin and I expected to embody?"
"In your scenario," Luo Mo began, his tone steady and informative, "you're cast as Kiana's mother. However, the storyline involves your character passing away prematurely, leaving Siegfried with the responsibility of raising Kiana."
"I'm… I'm no longer alive in the narrative? And Siegfried is the one who survives?" Cecilia echoed, a sigh of relief escaping her lips. The thought of her daughter being cared for by someone else in her absence was somewhat comforting.
"And as for Sirin…"
"Sirin is assigned the role of the Second Herrscher - the Herrscher of Void!" Luo Mo revealed, his words landing with an air of finality.
"But wouldn't that mean Sirin…" Cecilia began, her voice trailing off as she grappled with the implications.
"Lord Cecilia, you've encountered the Third Herrscher and the Fourth Herrscher in the game. What are your thoughts, or rather, what were your impressions when you played the game?" Luo Mo posed the question, his tone suggesting he already knew the answer.
Cecilia's response was one of empathy and sorrow. The fate of the Herrschers was not one they had chosen. They never intended to inflict harm upon the world or its inhabitants. It was the circumstances and people around them that had pushed them into their unfortunate roles. They were young, in the prime of their lives, yet they were burdened with a level of pain and sorrow that even adults would struggle to bear.
The game had done an exceptional job of gradually revealing their stories, allowing countless players to empathize with their plight. It prompted players to put themselves in the shoes of these characters and ponder:
If they were faced with similar circumstances, would they have made different choices? Could they truly claim that they would have made better decisions than those made by the characters in the game?
Human nature is inherently selfish. When faced with personal hardships, it's all too easy to cast blame on others and the world at large.
The game, however, offers a different perspective. It lays bare the experiences and tragedies of the Herrschers, providing a glimpse into their tumultuous lives. As a result, when these characters choose to become Herrschers, players harbor no resentment. Instead, they let out a gentle sigh, lamenting the harsh realities of this unforgiving world.
It's unreasonable to expect more from these young girls. Stepping into their shoes only serves to highlight the magnitude of their struggles. Who are we to judge these valiant Valkyries, whose souls radiate with an unyielding light?
"Perhaps you're right," Cecilia conceded with a soft sigh, "but it's crucial to remember that Sirin is not like the others."
"Are you suggesting that Sirin harbors a genuine desire to annihilate the world?" Luo Mo queried.
Cecilia was taken aback by his question. "How did you come to know about that?" she asked, her surprise evident in her voice.
She had kept this information to herself, allowing everyone to believe that Sirin was optimistic about the future. However, Cecilia knew better. She was acutely aware that in her absence, Sirin could potentially revert back to being a Herrscher.
And now that she was in her body, she had lost the stigmata of the schariac family after the second Honkai, and after living next to Sirin for so long, she wasn't sure how much longer she could last.
Unlike the duo's situation in the game, Sirin was much more likely to trigger the Honkai.
"Isn't integrating Sirin into society and the human world what you've been striving for?" Luo Mo questioned.
"Do you believe a game can accomplish that? After the second Honkai, the Schicksal concealed Sirin's existence and news about her. She could have easily assimilated into the world," Cecilia retorted.
"But isn't she only by your side now?" Luo Mo countered. "She subconsciously continues to resist everyone but you!"
Cecilia fell silent, her mind grappling with Luo Mo's words. In the quietude, she found herself nodding in agreement. It wasn't so much that she believed Luo Mo's words, but rather she had faith in Schicksal Bishop Kallen choice.
"I have one request," she finally spoke up, "I must be present when Sirin is dubbed."
"Consider it my plea as well. I appreciate your approval, Lord Cecilia," Luo Mo responded with a nod of gratitude.