Watching the two women look so thoroughly satisfied left many viewers astonished.
Was Valerius really some kind of master chef? Otherwise, how could people as worldly as Kafka and Himeko show such genuine contentment?
And it wasn't just them.
Similar scenes were unfolding in the other rooms as well—everyone was talking about Valerius's cooking.
[Paimon]: I'm curious what it tastes like… slurp… so curious…
[Seele]: Valerius can cook? That's unexpected.
[Ruan Mei]: I'd like to try those pastries.
[Bronya]: Mr. Valerius, did you really make all that yourself?
Bronya knew very well that Valerius possessed something called the Gourmet Tablecloth, so she couldn't help feeling suspicious. After all, the dishes ordered were from wildly different cuisines—could he truly cook all of that?
[Valerius]: Mm. It's just cooking. Not that difficult.
[Seele]: Impressive.
[Lumine]: We should exchange notes sometime.
[Zhongli]: If you have the time, young friend, you're welcome to visit Liyue.
[Valerius]: If I get the chance, I'll be sure to trouble you.
Heh. As if I don't know what you're thinking—free food, right?
[Xiangling]: Valerius! Teach me, please!
[Valerius]: Sure. Ten points next game, and I'll teach you everything I know.
[Xiangling]: That's robbery!
[Ruan Mei]: Those pastries seem to be made with flower petals. Could you explain?
Ruan Mei had always liked sweets. Earlier, Kamisato Ayato had ordered pastries, and she was genuinely curious about the flavor.
[Valerius]: Oh, those are rose pastries—made from rose petals using a special method.
[Bronya]: Flower petals can be made into pastries?!
[Xiangling]: Writing that down—writing that down!
[Yun Jin]: Mr. Valerius is truly knowledgeable.
Bathed in praise, Valerius couldn't help feeling a little smug.
Then—
On-screen, Ayato calmly handed a pastry to Lyney.
"Try it. This sakura mochi is quite refreshing."
[March 7th]: ...…
[Pela]: Pfft—!
[Zhongli]: Sigh…
[Keqing]: Rose pastry… pfft—no, I can't—
Everyone instantly understood.
Cooking? My ass.
He was putting on airs this whole time.
Valerius shot Ayato a resentful glare through the screen.
I was in the middle of enjoying the praise—did you have to expose me right then?!
[Ruan Mei]: Then… where did those pastries come from?
[Paimon]: I know! It's Valerius's Gourmet Tablecloth—he can summon any food he wants!
[Ruan Mei]: Summon…?
Ruan Mei was visibly shocked. Such an item existed? Completely ignoring conservation of energy?
[Herta]: Valerius, come to my space station sometime. I want to talk.
[Valerius]: I'm not running the Simulated Universe. Thanks.
[Herta]: Not about that. I want to examine the tablecloth.
[Valerius]: Sure. Ten million Credits. I'll lend it to you for a few days.
Valerius wasn't worried in the slightest. The thing was completely unscientific—what could she possibly figure out? Besides, living in the Star Rail universe with zero money was rough. If Herta wanted it, he might as well squeeze some Credits out of her.
[Herta]: I'm just looking, and you want money?
[Valerius]: Then don't look.
Plenty of other ways to make money anyway.
[Valerius]: @Silver Wolf, interested in something big?
[Silver Wolf]: What is it? You can trust me—I've got a whole professional team.
[Valerius]: I turn you in to the IPC, claim the bounty, then break you out. We split the profits fifty-fifty.
[Silver Wolf]: Great idea. Bring Kafka too—her bounty's over ten billion.
[Valerius]: Good point. What about Sam and Blade?
[Aventurine]: ...…
[Topaz]: Bandits really don't even hide it anymore, huh?
[Jade]: If Mr. Valerius includes himself short on funds, the Company can provide sponsorship.
[Valerius]: Ah… right. Forgot the Company people were still here. Never mind…
A bit awkward. He'd gotten carried away and completely forgotten that IPC employees were present.
[Ningguang]: You're welcome to come to Liyue, Mr. Valerius. I'll cover all Mora.
[Sampo]: Whoa—rich lady! Hungry… food…
[Stelle]: Have some shame. Miss Ningguang, what about me?
[March 7th]: Sigh…
[Topaz]: Speaking of money… Belobog still owes our Company, you know.
[Bronya]: !!!!!!
[Seele]: What do you mean? We didn't even know you before—how do we owe you anything?!
[Topaz]: Seven hundred years ago, your world borrowed from the Company. Contract says 280 years for repayment. It's been far longer than that now. Care to guess how much interest piled up?
Topaz promptly posted a screenshot.
A contract—terms and figures laid out clearly.
[Bronya]: That was seven hundred years ago! You expect us to repay that now?!
[Topaz]: Did you ever change the debtor entity? No? Then the debt is still yours.
[Bronya]: But…
Bronya, who had been happily watching the game moments ago, felt her blood run cold.
The number on the contract was astronomical.
Even selling the entire planet wouldn't be enough to pay it back.
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