Era of Heroic Spirits: I Was Exposed by Alaya

Artoria smiled. "I was passing by and thought I'd visit. Mind if I stay for a meal?"

"Of course… not!"

Souma's emotions grew even more tangled.

For a moment, it felt like he had returned to those days.

Back then, she had been just as gentle and adorable, waiting every day for him to cook.

Roya glanced back and forth between the two.

In that instant, she suddenly felt inexplicably out of place!

Damn it, what exactly happened between these two before?

Artoria looked at the little girl beside them and smiled. "Is this your child?"

"Ahem, I'm only seventeen—how could I have a kid this old?" Souma coughed awkwardly.

"Then what exactly is your relationship?"

Roya stepped closer, wrapping an arm around Souma's shoulder as she glared at the other girl with hostility.

These two were definitely suspicious!

They absolutely had some shady history!

Souma patted her head. "It's not as complicated as you think. We just studied together and have known each other for a long time."

As he ruffled her hair, he barely resisted the urge to deliver a True Head-Pat of Doom.

You little troublemaker—you really did end up screwing me over!

"..."

Artoria's mood instantly soured.

Indeed, the other party was still angry with her!

This made her feel even more helpless—

I shouldn't have put on that crown back then!

"Come on, let's eat," Souma called out.

Luckily, fearing there wouldn't be enough food today, he had deliberately cooked extra.

"Mmm, I don't eat much. Just a little will do," Artoria replied with a shy smile.

Even though the other party didn't seem keen on seeing her, she had still come over on her own initiative, which made her feel slightly awkward.

But knowing the other's whereabouts and not visiting would have haunted her for life!

Qin Shi Huang frowned slightly as he observed her.

How could this person still have the audacity to show up here?

Had his earlier warnings and demonstrations been completely ineffective?

"Hello, Mr. Qin," Artoria greeted gently.

She had heard about him during her earlier conversation with Roya.

A Mr. Qin and a Mr. Gold.

The so-called Mr. Qin was none other than Qin Shi Huang.

As for Mr. Gold, it could only be the King of Heroes!

This realization made Artoria feel even worse.

I was the first one... yet I can't even compare to these two. How embarrassing!

The familiar aroma of food made her instinctively relax.

So fragrant!

It had been so, so long since she last tasted his cooking.

It was just as delicious as she remembered.

Artoria smiled shyly again. "May I have another bowl, please?"

"Sure..."

Souma deftly served another bowl of rice, deliberately heaping it high.

Yet, it still didn't last long.

The girl continued in her timid voice, "Could I... have one more bowl?"

"..."

Roya stared at her in shock.

At this moment, she finally understood why Souma had looked so strange upon seeing her.

Weren't you supposed to eat just one bowl?

Did you mean "just" one... hundred million bowls?

Good grief, this girl's appetite alone surpassed the other three people at the table combined. Who could possibly afford to keep her?

If she came over every day, she'd surely eat Souma into poverty!

"Thank you for the meal."

Artoria elegantly wiped her lips, appearing every bit the refined and courteous noble lady.

That is, if you ignored the sheer volume she had just consumed!

"You're welcome. If you like it, next time... feel free to come again." Roya nearly blurted out the opposite on reflex.

Judging by the other's lingering expression, she clearly hadn't eaten her fill yet!

How terrifying!

If she were allowed to eat to her heart's content, she could probably devour Roya's entire weekly ration in one sitting!

The real question was—how could someone eat so much without gaining weight... or even developing a proper bust?

Roya glanced at the other's flat chest and suddenly felt much better.

See? Even after eating so much, still no curves!

Clearly, it's not my problem—the world is just unfair!

Qin Shi Huang also frowned as he observed her.

He wondered if this was some kind of power play.

It seemed entirely possible!

He recalled hearing that chefs took great pleasure in seeing their guests devour their dishes with gusto.

It appeared he would need to eat more in the future—he couldn't let this woman outdo him!

Compared to the two unsettled observers, Souma remained perfectly calm.

The legendary "King's Stomach" capable of bankrupting Britain had only shown the tip of the iceberg today!

He was long accustomed to this.

He had no choice but to be.

Even Gawain's unsalted and unsweetened mashed potatoes could vanish in six servings—let alone his own properly seasoned delicacies!

Souma stood up, gathered the dishes, and headed to wash them first.

In the living room sat Qin Shi Huang and Artoria—no wonder he felt the weight of the world on his shoulders.

Sigh, I'm so foolish. I clearly knew that neither Alaya nor the brat wanted me to rest, so why did I still hope for a peaceful, ordinary day?

In the living room, the three of them fell into an eerie silence.

Roya glanced left and right, suddenly sensing that these two seemed off—almost as if they were hostile toward each other?

Had she eaten too much, displeasing Mr. Qin?

Just as the awkwardness hung in the air—

A notification suddenly popped up on her phone:

[The UP you follow has just updated! Come check it out!]

"Wow, a new video!"

Roya instantly perked up and hurriedly turned on the TV.

Watching Alaya's exposé videos was always the highlight of her day.

Because every time, Alaya would drop a mountain of juicy gossip—more than you could ever digest!

The new video had been teased earlier, and everyone speculated it would cover events following The Oldest King.

In other words—it was about the King of Heroes!

Qin Shi Huang smiled as he watched the video and spoke up, "Madam, care to make a wager with me?"

"Oh? What are we betting on?"

Artoria sat there, perfectly composed.

"Simple. If this video exposes the King of Heroes' dark past, you leave Fuyuki City. If not, you may stay."

Qin Shi Huang made no effort to hide his disdain.

You foreign Servants, daring to steal my Master away on my own turf—do you really think I have no temper?

"Very well. I, Artoria, accept!"

She nodded calmly.

Beside them, Roya stared blankly at the two.

Holy crap, what's going on here? Are these two enemies?

This is gonna be juicy!

Roya swallowed hard. "Should I... start playing it now?"

At their signal, she pressed play.

The new video was titled—

Absolute Demonic Front: Babylonia!

***

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