Chapter 250: Do You Want to Start a War with Me?

By the time they finished touring Professor Duncan's laboratory, the sky had already darkened.

As the four of them walked out of the academy gates, the last sliver of sunset was fading from the horizon, leaving the dusk in a tranquil deep blue. The streetlights lit up one after another, casting a warm glow.

Ansu looked at the four overlapping shadows under the streetlights and felt a slight sense of relief. Fortunately, he had taken everyone to visit the professor's laboratory; the time had flown by during their discussions...

This "family outing" was finally going to end peacefully.

"Brother, you guys are finally done talking..."

Vera rubbed her little stomach and grumbled in a low voice. The adults had been talking about work just now, and she hadn't dared to interrupt.

"I'm hungry..."

Ansu looked at those beside him and asked casually, "What do you want to eat tonight?"

But the moment the words left his mouth, he regretted it.

Because Celia and Freya spoke almost simultaneously—

"A new restaurant opened in the East City; the environment is very elegant and quiet..."

"There's one on this street to the west, I think..."

One east, one west. Their fingers pointed in two completely opposite directions.

Then, they fell silent at the same time, their gazes quietly falling back onto Ansu's face, waiting for his choice.

Wait...

Ansu looked toward the East City and then toward the West City, a bitter smile in his heart.

I shouldn't have asked that; I should have just made the decision myself.

Although Vera had accepted the mission to act as her brother's "family mediator" for the entire day, seeing this scene and catching a glimpse of her brother's embarrassed and helpless expression, she still couldn't help but burst out laughing.

It seemed her brother couldn't escape this multiple-choice question.

Celia glanced expressionlessly at the snickering Vera, who immediately shut her mouth.

"The one I recommended has a better environment. It's a high-end restaurant with chains in the Royal Capital and Benalu City." Celia looked at Ansu and explained, "I think the cuisine there is more suitable for a... family outing like ours."

Freya paused for a moment. Her voice was soft, yet she stood her ground: "But Vera is hungry, and the one to the west is closer."

Celia turned back to Vera, asking in a gentle voice, "Vera, are you very hungry?"

Vera had never seen such an expression on this woman's face before and immediately shivered from the discomfort.

"I... actually, I'm not that hungry."

"Very well." Celia looked at Ansu with a smile. "Let's go."

"Why do you always argue with me?" Even Freya, who usually had a very good temper, finally couldn't help but speak up. She frowned, her gaze sweeping over Celia's hand linked with Ansu's, feeling a strange irritability in her heart.

"Oh?" Celia sneered. "Our kind Holy Maiden always puts on such a gentle appearance in front of others. How could she say something so abrupt? Are you... not planning to keep up the act today?"

Freya pursed her lips, watching her in silence.

After a long while, she took a deep breath. "I simply made the choice that was best for Lord Ansu. Celia, you're the one being willful. You're always forcing Lord Ansu."

A shadow flickered in Celia's eyes. Instead of getting angry, she laughed. "Who are you to him? In what capacity are you accusing me?"

Freya was slightly taken-at-ease.

"I am..."

Ansu shook his head, his fingers tightening slightly as he squeezed Celia's wrist. "It's just choosing a restaurant. Don't fight over such a small thing. Let's..."

The smile on Celia's face gradually faded as she stared quietly at Freya. "Do you want to start a war with me?"

"Hmm?" Freya frowned. "What?"

Celia thought of Freya's calm yet firm words by the stream at the foot of the mountain.

To live freely for once?

Hehehe...

Those words often echoed in her mind. Even during the meeting in the laboratory, she found it difficult to completely suppress them...

Because she knew Freya was serious.

"It seems... you really aren't afraid of death, are you?"

Celia tilted her head, her voice as light as a whisper, yet it carried a chilling edge.

"I'm afraid of death, I'm afraid of death..." Ansu thought back to the scene in the simulation where they blew each other up, and his scalp felt numb. He quickly spoke up.

"The weather is so good, and this is such a rare family outing. Let's let the ending be just a bit more perfect, shall we... you two?"

"Fine." Celia nodded, finally turning her gaze back to Ansu. "So where are we eating? It's fine; I won't be angry no matter which one you choose. It's just a meal after all~"

Freya looked away slightly, no longer watching the two of them, because she knew Ansu would choose Celia's suggestion.

Ansu looked to the east, then to the west.

He pondered for a moment.

Hmm... I have a plan!

Although he couldn't satisfy both of them, he could make both of them unsatisfied!

"How about this?" Ansu cleared his throat and pointed in a different direction. "Let's just go eat at the Mutual Aid Tavern. After all, that place will be our territory from now on, and I am the new president of the Northern Magic Mutual Aid Association."

Both Celia and Freya were stunned.

Ansu looked at Vera.

Vera immediately understood and nodded vigorously. "Yeah! Didn't Brother just become the president? It's only natural to support the business of the Northern Magic Mutual Aid Association and get more familiar with the internal affairs of the association!"

Bringing everything back to work was indeed a good idea.

Vera had subtly noticed that as long as these three entered "business mode," the sharp atmosphere would ease quite a bit.

They were all working hard for a very grand and difficult common goal.

She just didn't know what they would become once that goal was achieved... Their relationship was already this bad; when that day actually came, her brother might end up with a bloody ending...

Sigh... Honestly, I'm still the only one who's best to my brother.

"I suppose that works." Celia crossed her arms and snorted. "That chaotic place is really quite boring, but if you like it, then so be it..."

Freya also smiled slightly, her expression returning to its usual softness. "I have no objection."

Ansu breathed a sigh of relief.

The dusk deepened.

The night in Norvigel was shrouded in a tranquil deep blue, and the distant clamor of the taverns drifted over faintly, blending into the slightly intoxicating air.

After a chaotic day, this "family outing" finally came to a peaceful close in the summer night.