Chapter 242
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Chapter 242: Oh No, Defeated
After dressing, Weak Sound lingered at a distance behind the white-haired maiden, trailing her down the stairs.
Yet her demeanor remained visibly downcast.
I’ve ruined everything… ruined everything…
When Mother held me so tightly – her breathing, her warmth, her fragrance… all these longed-for sensations I pushed away myself…
Whimper…
If only I possessed Sister Lvzi’s courage.
…
Ah… She appears somewhat displeased?
Have I truly overstepped?
Lin Yu walking ahead kept peripheral awareness of the tentative follower behind. Soon they reached the castle’s ground-floor dining hall, where daughters bustled about ingredient preparation.
Red Pupil and Lvzi scrubbed vegetables, fruits, and heaps of raw meat while Army Lady meticulously carved the flesh into uniform cubes. Engaged in tasks, Lvzi refrained from her habitual clinging to Army Lady and Red Pupil. Other daughters absent from kitchen duties hadn’t yet assumed human race forms.
"Mom!"
"Mom’s here!"
"Where are Little Liquor and Stealth One?"
"In the back kitchen," Red Pupil responded.
"I… I’ll check on them," Lin Yu averted her gaze, memories of prior events surfacing at Red Pupil’s sight. Approaching the kitchen doorway, savory aromas already wafted through the air.
How fragrant…
Rhythmic clatters echoed within.
Is Little Liquor cooking?
Indeed, she’d observed previous meal preparations – must have retained some culinary techniques.
But could this be executed properly…?
Lin Yu nudged the door open. Two figures hovered over the stove, the rich aroma emanating from a large pot atop the flames. Within simmered what appeared to be red-braised pork.
And it seemed to have turned out quite well.
"Ah, Mom! Come quick—I followed your old method and actually managed to cook something!"
Lin Yu drew closer.
Indeed, it was braised pork simmering in the pot.
The meat appeared to be from a yellow-haired pig, known to be of higher quality than regular wild boars or other porcine monsters.
"Try it, Mom!"
Since the braised pork was clearly Little Liquor’s creation, Stealth One must’ve been assisting her as a sous-chef.
"Hmm…"
Lin Yu accepted the chopsticks offered by Little Liquor.
She hesitated momentarily while reaching for the meat, her eyes flickering toward Stealth One.
"Little Liquor’s culinary skills are remarkable. I believe Mother will appreciate it."
"Hmm."
How astonishingly perceptive of Stealth One!
Without any prompting, he’d voiced exactly what she’d been hesitant to express.
With his endorsement, she could sample the dish without apprehension.
Not that she doubted Little Liquor’s capabilities… well, perhaps just slightly! After all, even Mother herself had created culinary disasters during her initial attempts.
She lifted a glistening, fragrant piece of meat to her lips.
Chew. Chew.
Hm?
Another bite.
What?!
This was… exquisite!
Impossible—how could it rival her own seasoned expertise?
"Well? What do you think?"
Little Liquor bounced with barely contained excitement.
"Does it taste good, Mom?"
"Exceptionally so."
Though loath to admit it, this round undeniably belonged to the novice.
Outrageous—to be bested by a first attempt! This humiliation would be avenged.
…Just one more piece.
…
…
Since Little Liquor’s cooking is so delicious, she should handle the banquet preparations tonight. If her first attempts turned out this tasty, imagine how wonderful her dishes will become with more practice! Not that I’m trying to be lazy or anything.
Just as I delegated the cooking duties to Little Liquor and attempted to slip away, Weak Sound approached in an uncharacteristic manner. "Mom…" She plucked at the hem of Lin Yu’s white dress.
"What is it?"
"Well…" The moment Lin Yu turned, Weak Sound withdrew her hand timidly and gestured toward the corridor beyond the dining hall with her pinkie. Following the indicated direction revealed Darkling Stalker’s silhouette.
"I forgot to mention earlier… Darkling Stalker discovered something in the Goblin Reincarnator’s cave."
"Something? What exactly?"
"Mmm… It was Darkling Stalker’s find…" The dark-haired girl retreated behind the dining room door as she spoke, only her blushing face visible as she peered around the frame at Lin Yu.
…Does she not want credit because Darkling Stalker made the discovery? Does this mean I must approach her directly? My nerves are getting the better of me.
If Weak Sound is our most approachable daughter, Darkling Stalker might be the most challenging. Lvzi at least has a couple of close sisters, but Darkling Stalker… she seems to be on slightly better terms with Magic Rainbow, if anything. Though even that relationship feels tenuous, given how Magic Rainbow bonds easily with all the daughters. Could it be Darkling Stalker has no true companions? Is this… my failing as a mother?
Later.
Though standing face-to-face with Darkling Stalker, Lin Yu found herself tongue-tied. Their interactions had been scarce – less like mother and daughter, more like distant classmates who occasionally share the same classroom corner. Before Lin Yu could speak, Darkling Stalker glanced at her and moved wordlessly toward the stairwell. After a moment’s hesitation, Lin Yu hurried after.
They arrived at a second-floor chamber in the castle. The room showed its age through crumbling walls and a cracked ceiling. A single narrow window filtered weak light through thick ivy, casting autumnal shadows that deepened the space’s inherent gloom. The straw-covered floor crunched underfoot.
An involuntary shiver traveled Lin Yu’s spine. Why bring me here? Is this… her bedroom? Has she been resting in this derelict space after hunts? Surely better quarters exist… Right? Comparing it to her own well-appointed chambers filled Lin Yu with quiet guilt. We must renovate this castle someday!
As Lin Yu surveyed the room, Darkling Stalker’s forelimb snapped the door shut with finality. The dimness intensified. The white-haired woman’s pulse quickened.
"W-Weak Sound mentioned… you have something to show me?" Lin Yu turned toward the shadowy figure, swallowing hard.
"Mhm." The reply came emotionless as Darkling Stalker nodded. From her Magic Backpack emerged a peculiar plant – its roots shifting from cobalt blue to emerald green at the leaf tips.
"This is…"
"Mom will understand once she eats it."
Wait! At least explai-
Dark tendrils erupted from the room’s shadowed corners before she could finish the thought.
