“You…
You, why did you suddenly say something like that?”
This sudden remark froze Sandrone in place, and she tried to say something to maintain the icy look on her face.
However, when she looked at the brilliant smile hanging on Columbina’s pale face, she swallowed back the words that were already on the tip of her tongue.
“Let’s go.
If we don’t leave now, the banquet will really be over.”
“Mm.”
The long corridor seemed to have no end.
Portraits of the Tsaritsa were hung everywhere on the walls on both sides.
Columbina glanced at them with curiosity; noble, elegant, mysterious yet majestic, it was hard for anyone to guess her inner thoughts from those deep eyes.
[Hmm, she’s an adult woman.]
This thought popped out from Columbina’s heart, which instead made her heave a sigh of relief.
[At least the person she would pledge allegiance to in the future wasn’t a 500-year-old maiden or loli.]
“Columbina.”
Columbina’s cluttered thoughts were interrupted by Sandrone.
“What’s wrong?” She looked at Sandrone, who had suddenly spoken.
“Your state is a bit off today,” Sandrone said in a calm tone.
“When Pierro was speaking, you kept dozing off, which doesn’t really look like you.”
[He spoke so many profound grand words, yet it was just about working hard, striving, and serving Her Majesty the Tsaritsa; it’s really hard for people to listen to.]
However, she didn’t say it out loud.
“Is that so?” Columbina explained guiltily.
“Maybe I’ve just been too tired lately.”
“If you have any needs, you can look for Arlecchino and me anytime,” Sandrone said.
“Let’s make it clear, this is out of basic concern for a colleague,” she said flatly.
“We cannot let you alone affect Her Majesty the Tsaritsa’s grand cause.”
“Got it,” Columbina smiled and said.
[Saying one thing and meaning another, you clearly care about me.]
As the two conversed, the aroma of food drifted over from afar, stimulating Columbina’s taste buds.
Continuing to walk forward.
A huge double door appeared before them.
And that scent became even richer.
[It’s meat.]
The two guards in front of the door noticed their arrival and bowed in salute simultaneously.
They wore the unified Fatui uniforms, with standard and elegant movements.
“Lady Damselette, Lady Marionette,” the guard on the left said, “The banquet has already begun, please enter.”
And the guard on the right was responsible for pushing the door open.
The light from inside the room shone outward.
Walking into the hall.
All the Fatui Harbingers had arrived, lined up on both sides of the long table.
The long table was covered with a snow-white tablecloth.
Exquisite silver plates and all kinds of food were placed on it.
Vision and smell simultaneously stimulated Columbina’s already hungry stomach.
“Gurgle.”
A loud cry of lament came from her, exceptionally clear in the silent hall.
“Pfft—”
The awkward atmosphere was broken by a chuckle.
Columbina looked resentfully toward the source of the sound.
But when she clearly saw the person who made that chuckle, her whole body froze like a statue.
[Lord Pierro is smiling?]
Yes, she hadn’t seen it wrong.
Beneath the mask that covered half of Pierro’s face, the curve of the corner of her mouth slightly rose, which actually made her originally solemn and majestic face appear approachable.
[How utterly embarrassing, being mocked by the Director taking the lead.]
[Detestable Pierro.]
[Bad uncle.]
Columbina lowered her head, a trace of blush creeping onto her face.
Her two hands tightly clutched Sandrone’s skirt hem.
Hiding behind her.
The anticipated mockery all over the sky did not come; instead, it ushered in Sandrone’s dissatisfaction.
“Hey!
Columbina, when do you plan to grab my clothes until?!”
Sandrone said coldly without turning around, her body trembling whether due to anger or shyness.
[Mh, it seems we are too close.]
Realizing it belatedly, Columbina discovered that she was pressed against Sandrone’s back.
She hurriedly distanced herself from Sandrone.
Looking at that group of Harbingers again, she found that their faces didn’t seem to care too much.
[It seems I was too sensitive.]
“Sandrone, Columbina, sit down,” Pierro, located in the main seat, said with her face returning to coldness.
Sandrone slightly nodded, leading Columbina toward the long table, where two seats happened to be vacant right next to Arlecchino.
Sandrone silently pulled out the chair for her.
When sitting down, Columbina was almost limp, the fatigue of her body reaching its peak at this moment.
But when she saw the tempting roast meat on the plate, she seemed to come back to life.
[Meeting in another world, enjoying delicious food to the fullest.]
Columbina carefully used a knife to cut a slice of meat and stuffed it into her tender little mouth.
(Chewing)
[Delicious.]
Columbina’s eyelashes trembled slightly, resembling a joyful butterfly.
[Hunger Value + 2] (Current Hunger Value: 23)
[Hmm, it really works.]
Columbina was so excited she almost cried out.
Disregarding the etiquette of a maiden, this time she sent the entire piece of roast meat into her mouth.
[Hunger Value + 20] (Current Hunger Value: 43)
“Mh, cough…
cough.” Before Columbina had time to rejoice, she was choked by the food.
“Columbina, don’t eat so fast.” Arlecchino, sitting beside her, reacted to Columbina’s rapid eating, gently stroking and patting her back.
She shot Sandrone a glance.
“Tsk.” Sandrone looked reluctant as she handed a bowl of soup in front of her, “Slow down, you starving ghost.”
Columbina picked up the spoon, blew on it, and after it completely cooled down, brought it to her mouth.
Only then did she calm down a bit.
She turned her head to look at Sandrone and retorted, “Yes, yes, yes, still better than someone who says with her mouth it’s only for Her Majesty the Tsaritsa, but secretly holds my hand.”
As soon as these words came out, Sandrone instantly bristled, making a gesture like a kitten yawning, “Who held your hand?
Clearly it was you who shamelessly demanded it, okay?”
Arlecchino listened to the two’s childish argument and simply dined quietly.
And the other Harbingers were long used to this scene.
The banquet continued.
At the other end of the long table.
The Captain [Capitano] was conversing with the Doctor [Dottore].
It seemed they were discussing matters concerning the Gnosis and Scaramouche.
Arlecchino also softly said to Sandrone, “Before long, I am going to Fontaine to execute a mission.”
No expression could be seen on Sandrone’s face; she just said flatly, “Then how about we hold another tea party in a few days?”
Arlecchino nodded.
Columbina ate the last piece of dessert on her plate; at this time, her hunger value had already reached 67.
[This Columbina’s appetite is probably going to catch up with Paimon; is this still not full yet?]
Seeing her looking unfulfilled, Sandrone at the side silently handed over the remaining roast meat in her own plate.
Columbina stared blankly at the roast meat in front of her, and then glanced sideways at the tsundere Sandrone.
She still spoke toughly in her mouth, “Here, for you, anyway I am a mechanical creation, I don’t need to eat too much.”
[As expected, Sandrone is my good sister, I’m so moved.]
Columbina felt warm in her heart, spared her face, and didn’t tease her anymore.
Instead, a rare trace of disappointment hung on Sandrone’s face.
After eating and drinking to her heart’s content, a problem arose.
Columbina found that when her hunger value rose to 80, no matter how much more she ate, it wouldn’t rise anymore.
[Strength is gradually returning.] Only at this time did Columbina discover how formidable her current strength was, truly worthy of being the Third of the Fatui Harbingers.
[Since 80 hunger value already has power comparable to a Archon, what about 100?] She didn’t continue speaking; after all, it was still too early, and she didn’t even know how to continue increasing her hunger value.
The banquet was nearing its end.
Pierro stood up from his seat, then glanced around the audience, “So, today’s banquet comes to an end here.
Thank you all for coming.
Her Majesty the Tsaritsa’s will shall eventually be realized.”
“For Her Majesty the Tsaritsa!” Everyone raised their cups simultaneously, and the sound echoed in the hall.
When the Harbingers left one after another, [Childe] Tartaglia passed by her and smiled at her, “Senior Columbina, you look like you’ve recovered quite well.
Next time there’s a chance, spar with me?”
Columbina nodded as she looked at his gaze full of fighting spirit.
“Definitely.”
[I wonder how many seconds it would take to defeat Tartaglia with the strength of this body now?]