CHAPTER 1164: CHAPTER 1163: LET’S HAVE A GOOD TALK

"Wow, as expected from big brother, the food is delicious... This fried egg is just right!"

"Wait, Little Hei, that’s mine!"

"What does it matter, quick hands win over slow ones, who told you to be clumsy!"

"What did you say?!"

"Ah, Little Sakura, come and taste this..."

"Delicious, Shisei, you try too... ah..."

"Then I’ll graciously accept..."

For Fang Zheng, the dining table was as lively as usual, but for Fate, it felt a bit overwhelming.

Ever since she could remember, she had always eaten alone. This lively dining table was a scene Fate had never witnessed before.

"Here, try this, Fate."

At this moment, Nanoha beside Fate also reached out her chopsticks, placing a piece of braised meat in Fate’s bowl.

"The teacher’s cooking is very tasty, right? It would be a waste not to eat it."

"Ah, thank you..."

Seeing Nanoha by her side, Fate nervously thanked and then took that piece of braised meat into her mouth, instantly widening her eyes.

"How is it? Tasty, right?"

"Mm!"

This time, Fate nodded vigorously.

"It’s very tasty!"

"If it’s delicious, eat more, there’s plenty."

Fang Zheng reached out to separate Illya and Little Hei who were fighting over food, while smiling at Fate.

"Today is a holiday, no one’s going to class, so we can relax a bit, no need to rush... I’m telling you two, keep fighting and neither of you will get to eat!"

Indeed, because today was Sunday, there were no classes. So Nanoha and Shisei came to Fang’s house early in the morning to grab a meal, partly out of curiosity, partly to fill their stomachs. Considering Fang Zheng was quite the Chinese food enthusiast, whereas typically, Japanese breakfasts are usually Japanese or Western-style, either rice and miso soup or bread and milk.

But for Fang Zheng, a bowl of congee with steamed buns, fried dough, and braised meat was the best breakfast option. So occasionally, the other little ones would take the opportunity to come to Fang’s house for breakfast.

Soon, amidst the lively and joyful atmosphere, a group of little girls finished breakfast. Then Little Sakura and Nanoha helped Fang Zheng wash the dishes, and afterward, everyone sat in the living room. Shortly after, Little Hei looked at Fate, smilingly patting her shoulder.

"Alright, let’s start."

"Start, start?"

Hearing Little Hei’s words, Fate was taken aback, and Little Hei nodded.

"That’s right, Nanoha already told you her reasons for collecting the Seed of Holy Stone, now it’s your turn to tell us your reasons."

"My reason for collecting the Seed of Holy Stone..."

Upon hearing this, Fate finally reacted a bit, uneasily glancing at the curious crowd watching her, then lowered her head.

"Well... my reason for collecting the Seed of Holy Stone is..."

"The reason is?"

"It’s... it’s because Mother asked me to..."

"Mhm mhm mhm, and then?"

"...That’s it."

"Eh? That’s it?"

Upon hearing Fate’s answer, Little Hei did not hide her disappointment.

"Shouldn’t you reveal some kind of secret or hidden conspiracy or something?"

"Sister Little Hei, that’s just movie and game plots..."

Hearing this, Shisei also said with a helpless smile, and Fate even more embarrassedly lowered her head. She felt a bit apologetic too, since everyone cared so much about her, yet all she could say was this... Despite her efforts to say more, the information she could provide was honestly just that.

"Then why does your mother want to collect the Seed of Holy Stone?"

"This... I don’t know."

Fate apologized again, shaking her head.

"Ugh..."

Hearing Fate’s answer, Little Hei furrowed her brows, pondered for a while, and then looked at Fang Zheng.

"Big brother, what should we do now?"

"Mm..."

Facing Little Hei’s inquiry, Fang Zheng thought for a while, and just as he was about to say something, suddenly, the big dog spoke.

"Wait, I have a request!"

"What request?"

Fang Zheng turned his head, looking at the red big dog.

"You said you are from the Heavenly Dao Palace... Is that Heavenly Dao Palace a very powerful force?"

"Of course!"

This time, without waiting for Fang Zheng to answer, Little Hei replied with a smile.

"Our Heavenly Dao Palace is formidable, having saved several worlds and civilizations from destruction!"

"Then, can you take Fate in?"

"Eh? Arf?"

Hearing this, Fate was shocked, looking at her familiar spirit. And the red big dog raised its head to look at Fate too.

"Isn’t this great? Fate, stay here, don’t go back to that woman! She’s never treated you as her daughter; to her, you’re just a useful tool! Stay here, start a new life, isn’t that wonderful? Even if you help her fulfill her wish, will she treat you kindly? You’re now a wanted fugitive by the Space-Time Bureau!"

"........."

Listening to Arf’s words, Fate was silent for a moment before she stood up.

"I’m very sorry... Arf, but no matter what, she is my mother..."

"Damn it...!"

Hearing Fate’s answer, Arf angrily pounded the ground with her paw, rendering everyone speechless. At this moment, Fang Zheng reached out, picking up a cup and drinking tea.

"Alright, don’t be so agitated or pessimistic, everything can be discussed. Although it’s said that even a fair official finds it hard to resolve family matters, as Nanoha mentioned, everything must begin with dialogue, understanding, and then decision-making."

As he spoke, Fang Zheng stood up.

"Alright, let’s get ready, we’re setting off soon."

"Setting off?"

Facing Fang Zheng’s words, Nanoha curiously asked.

"Teacher, where are we going?"

"Isn’t it obvious?"

Fang Zheng glanced at Nanoha, smiling slightly.

"Fate doesn’t know why her mother is collecting the Seed of Holy Stone, so why not ask her mother directly?"

"Are you asking us to take you to the Space-Time Courtyard?"

Arf stared at Fang Zheng, but Fang Zheng shook his head.

"No need for that."

As he spoke, Fang Zheng snapped his fingers.

In the next moment, everyone saw the living room around them suddenly vanish, replaced by a large unfamiliar hall.

"Is this... Space-Time Courtyard?"

Looking at the scene before them, Arf and Fate were shocked, staring at Fang Zheng in disbelief.

"How did you do this?"

Looking at the man before her, Arf couldn’t comprehend how, given the woman’s efforts to hide the Space-Time Courtyard in a very secretive place from the Space-Time Bureau’s search. Even she and Fate couldn’t reach it without following specified coordinates for teleportation.

Yet, this man didn’t need to open a teleportation channel, even ignoring the barriers of Space-Time Courtyard, and just appeared in the main hall like that?!

At this time, a mature female voice quickly echoed.

"Fate? Arf? Who are these people? What’s going on?"

Upon hearing this voice, everyone turned and saw a woman dressed in a black robe, styled like an evil Black Magic Master, sitting on a chair, coldly staring at them.

"Hello, Ms. Precia Testarossa."

At this moment, Fang Zheng stepped forward, smiling politely as he greeted the woman.

"My name is Fang Zheng, ruler of the Heavenly Dao Palace, and frankly, I’ve come to have a good talk with you."