Anime Crossover: The Small Workshop System's Aggressive Feeding

Page 162

The air in the restaurant seemed to freeze into ice.

Rias was speechless. She knew about Akeno's past, a pain that would forever remain in her heart. She had never imagined that her well-intentioned act would so deeply wound her most important "Empress."

Nami put down her knife and fork. The shrewd woman sensed real trouble. This was no longer a matter of interests, but an irreconcilable conflict of beliefs and blood feuds.

Saeko Busujima gripped the hilt of her sword, not as a sign of impending battle, but as a sign of readiness.

Jill frowned. Although she believed in God, that was in the past. Now that she had joined Zhou Ye's camp, she had to give up and abandon everything from the past. Aisha was too naive.

Zhou Ye remained seated, picking up his juice again, as if the impending internal strife was merely a drama unrelated to him. He watched, he waited. Waiting for Rias.

How will Gremory, the future head of the family, handle the first rift within her household?

Rias's chest heaved violently. She looked at Aisa, who was crying in anguish, and then at Akeno, who radiated an aura of rejection. She couldn't lose Akeno, and she also wanted to save Aisa.

“Zhu Nai,”

Lia-S's voice was no longer a plea, but carried the decisiveness of the family head.

“I understand your pain. But Elsa is different. I see her kindness. Her artifact is a healing power, not a judgment.”

She walked to Aisha's side, helped the trembling nun up, and faced Zhu Nai's cold gaze.

“I have made my decision. Aisha will become my [Bishop]. This is my command.”

“If one day she betrays us because of her faith, I will personally clean house. Until then, she is our companion.”

Rias's words were resounding.

Himejima Akeno gazed intently at her for a long time. The darkness and hatred in those purple eyes slowly faded, replaced by that gentle mask once more.

She stood up and bowed slightly to Rias.

"Yes, my master."

Aisha's words trembled, yet were incredibly resolute. She knelt on the ground, her hands clenched into fists against her chest, her emerald eyes filled not only with tears but also with a desperate, all-or-nothing resolve.

Sister Zhu Nai, although I pray to the Lord, I am definitely not the kind of ungrateful person.

Her voice choked with emotion, yet every word was clear.

I swear an oath and offer my soul as proof. You can watch me at any time to see if I will betray you.

These words caused another subtle shift in the atmosphere of the restaurant.

Nami frowned:

Give up your soul? Has this girl gone mad? That's something more important than life itself.

Kasumigaoka Utaha pushed up her non-existent glasses, a thoughtful glint flashing in her wine-red pupils:

Interesting. For her to say something like that, she must either be truly driven to desperation, or her acting skills are so good they could win an Oscar.

Looking at Aisha kneeling on the ground, Miko Yotsuya felt a surge of sympathy. As someone also manipulated by fate, she could understand that kind of despair when there was nowhere else to turn.

But the most crucial factor is Himejima Akeno's reaction.

Zhu Nai gazed silently at Aisha, the gentle facade on her face cracking once more. Her lips were pressed tightly together, and the emotions in her purple pupils were unfathomable.

Soul contract?

Zhu Nai spoke slowly, her voice tinged with sarcasm, "What do you think this proves? Didn't those people swear a poisonous oath to their faith, to the gods of Japan, before they killed my mother?"

Aisha's body trembled violently, but she did not back down.

Then... what do you want me to do?

She looked up, her vision blurred by tears.

I have nothing left. Expelled from the church, hunted by fallen angels, I would have died long ago if my boss hadn't saved me.

Her voice grew louder and louder, filled with a hysterical despair.

I know you hate me, hate my faith, hate the holy aura I possess. But I truly have no other way to go! Becoming a member of Minister Rias's family is my only hope for survival!

enough.

A calm voice cut off this outpouring of emotion.

Zhou Ye put down his cup and finally spoke. His voice wasn't loud, but it carried an undeniable authority.

Zhu Nai, I understand your past, but hatred can cloud judgment.

He stood up and walked between the two.

Aisha, true loyalty is not proven by tears and vows, but by actions.

His gaze swept between the two men.

Want to resolve this conflict? It's very simple.

Zhou Ye extended his right hand, and a ball of blackish-red light appeared in his palm. It was an aura that sent chills down one's spine.

This is a new magic I learned, the [Soul Contract], which can establish a true soul bond. Once formed, if Aisha has any thoughts of betrayal, Akeno will sense it immediately. As a price, Akeno must also bear the corresponding risks.

His words changed everyone's expression.

As demons of the underworld, which one of them doesn't know about the [Soul Contract]?

Rias rushed forward:

Ye, this is too dangerous! What if...

What if?

Zhou Ye countered with a question,

What if they really can't coexist? Then let's part ways now to avoid stabbing each other in the back on the battlefield in the future.

His words were cold and realistic, yet they hit the nail on the head.

Zhu Nai remained silent for a long time before finally nodding slowly.

I accept.

Her voice was soft, yet it carried a resolute determination, as if she had nothing to lose.

If she's truly trustworthy, I'm willing to take the risk. If she dares to betray me…

She paused, and a gentle smile reappeared, but it carried a chilling undertone.

I will show her what real hell is like.

Without hesitation, Aisha firmly extended her hand.

I agree.

Two hands slowly clasped together within that ball of black light.

Instantly, a blinding beam of light shot into the sky. The light spread like a tide, dyeing the entire restaurant black and red. Within that light, two phantom figures could be vaguely seen—a pair of twin demons entwined together.

As the light faded, Aisha and Juno collapsed to the ground, gasping for breath. On their foreheads, a tiny rune appeared, shimmering faintly.

The contract is completed.

Zhou Ye withdrew his hand, his expression indifferent.

From this moment forward, your fates are intertwined. The betrayer dies, the faithful live.

Rias quickly helped the two of them up, her face showing both worry and a sense of relief.

Junai, Aisha, you are both important members of my family. I don't want you to hurt each other.

Zhu Nai stood up again and straightened her slightly disheveled clothes. She looked at Aisha, the hostility on her face fading considerably, replaced by a complex emotion.

Now, we are... true companions. Aisha Argento

She held out her hand.

Let's get to know Himejima Akeno again, the queen of Minister Rias.

Elsa was flattered and quickly took the hand.

I am Elsa Argento, nice to meet you.

Zhou Ye sat back down and picked up the book he had been reading but had to stop.

Alright, now that the internal conflict is resolved, it's time to get down to business. He turned to a page; today's training would be a bit more interesting than yesterday's.

Upon hearing the words "even more interesting," everyone present who had experienced yesterday's hellish training couldn't help but shudder.

Nami asked in a trembling voice: "Boss, what you said is interesting, it's not going to be that kind of thing again..."

"That kind of...?" Zhou Ye looked at her with a half-smile. "Yesterday, what you faced were just the most basic humanoid-level mechanical Honkai Beasts. Today, I'm going to show you... Zha..."

He paused, a mischievous smile playing on his lips.

Knight-level is incredibly powerful.

Shortcomings of Chapter 130

The air in the restaurant seemed frozen, and even the lights seemed to exude a chill.

"Knight level?"

Nami was the first to break the deathly silence, her voice trembling uncontrollably. The agonizing memory of yesterday's shattering pain was still etched deep within her soul.

Zhou Ye smiled mysteriously.

"You'll see when you get there." He looked up from the book and swept his gaze across every face at the table, his eyes like he was assessing a batch of defective goods. "Through yesterday's training, and if we add today's training, I've discovered that it's not just Miko, Utaha, Gil, Nanrika, and Shizuka who are new to the mystical side, but even you all have a lot of problems."

Sona adjusted her glasses, and for the first time, a clear seriousness appeared in her rational blue eyes behind the lenses. Compared to Rias, a player with unlimited potential and a promising future, she relied more on precise calculations and her existing power system. Any undiscovered potential crisis could be fatal to her.

"What's the big problem?"

"I don't have the stamina."

Zhou Ye raised his first finger.

"Your stamina is so poor that you can't even last an hour in high-intensity combat before your movements become distorted."

"Too slow."

The second finger is raised.

"Your reaction speed and movement speed are no different from being stationary in the eyes of a true strongman. The enemy can easily take your lives while you are chanting incantations or preparing to attack."