Chapter 399: Lunch

Words : 1616 Updated : Oct 13th, 2025

Chapter 399: Lunch "I don’t see why it wouldn’t be possible if you think that your father would find any of this interesting?" said Luca, who was munching on an apple that had been cut into an apple bunny by his husband. To be fair, Luca had just said the first thing that came to mind. Because everyone had been staring at him and the apples he was eating like they were witnessing the demolition of a skyscraper. It was a little unsettling. Ada coughed twice, just loud enough to remind everyone that staring was rude and punishable by eye-gouging in some cultures. "I think His Majesty would definitely find something useful," she said, dragging attention back to the topic. "It’s just that we’d have to think of something that would be enough to allow Princess Kira to actually stay." That really was the problem. Making deals? Not hard. They could come up with plenty. But convincing a powerful, battle-hardened orc ruler to let his beloved daughter stay on a distant planet run by a bunch of humans and a mildly suspicious guild? Now that was difficult. And while Ada could tell that there were other ways to get in and out of the space to remove the issue of traveling, she also knew that it couldn’t easily apply to them. For one, that would be like opening a direct path that would be out of their control which would effectively reduce the orcs defenses against possible threats. Not ideal, not for both parties when the partnership hadn’t been established for that long. Especially when said dungeon was run by someone who, on paper, sounded like a wild card. They couldn’t exactly go out there and say, "Don’t worry, our Guild Leader is made of sparkles, fluff, and good intentions." That wasn’t going to cut it. So that was currently out of the question. Then what could they use as a bargaining chip? There were pills, manuals, and the ability to purify corruption... Sure. But the Orcs— BEEP! BEEP! BEEP! Kyle’s terminal flared to life with a sharp chime, cutting off Ada’s thoughts. He blinked, then stood up far too smoothly for someone definitely not trying to escape a strategy meeting because, in all fairness to him, he really wasn’t this time around. Everyone turned. Kyle cleared his throat. "I’m just going to deliver a meal." "Oh, is it time already?" Asked Jax who felt like time tracking could really be confusing. "Yeah, it’s time for him to eat," Kyle replied simply, mentally checking if he’s got everything he needed to bring as he activated the ring similar to his brother’s distortion device. Meanwhile, Xavier stared at his adjutant but didn’t say a word and only bothered to exchange knowing glances. It wasn’t like there was a need to. Because Kyle had practically volunteered for this post, even when others said they’d do it when he was busy. And even then, he really wouldn’t be able to say anything as his wife looked up, mid-bite of his hand-crafted apple bunnies to ask about the hyper-active blonde. "Is he doing okay over there?" Luca asked quietly, his hand fidgeting as he worried about Ollie, who hadn’t been back in a while. "I packed extra. I didn’t know if he got enough last time. If ever, please ask him if there’s something he needs or wants, maybe some fruits?" Or maybe he’d want a backup rice ball in case he drops the first one. Thought Luca, who had been feeling guilty since his brother decided to help with the actual construction. "...I’ll check on him," Kyle said, voice low but grateful. "Thanks, Luca. He’ll love all this." Because, of course, Ollie would. He’d love it even if he was just offered one extra grain, after all. But then again, at this rate, no one would really complain about him having more because he and the others couldn’t just return willy-nilly. For now, or until that facility was done under the surveillance of deliberately allowed watchful eyes. It was one thing they expected to happen once the Mylors shipped the materials to a duchy that had been silent until very recently, but at the same time, it was one that they were also looking forward to. Because this was the smokescreen that they had been waiting for. So now, they couldn’t just have the workers vanishing right? Also, the first time they returned after toiling, the workers themselves decided not to take breaks in the space because their bodies refused to leave for work. Therefore, they had people from the Dungeon-linked space delivering meals. And one such volunteer was Kyle, who had to go for the pitiful mechanic. The blonde wouldn’t even play it cool, he’d really sit there looking like an abandoned turnip with hopeful eyes and a rumbling stomach. And that was how the adjutant would usually find the mop after he had walked towards the construction site, which now had one externally completed dome that gleamed under the shields. Today, the heat was dry and the wind was sharp, and somewhere nearby, someone was shouting about a stabilizer anchor not aligning. And then— "You’re late!" A blur of blond and tool belts lunged at him. "Woah—!" Kyle stumbled half a step back as Ollie practically latched onto him with the force of a half-starved animal meeting its prey. "I almost died from hunger and heatstroke, and boredom!" Ollie declared dramatically. "Did you get mugged?! Did something malfunction?! Worse, did you forget me?!" Kyle could only sigh before raising a hand to pat his head. "Relax. Luca just said a few things before I left." That immediately shifted the atmosphere. "Oh! My brother?!" His ears twitched, eyes now alert as he waited for the news. "He wanted to check on how you’re doing," Kyle said, handing over the lunch box with smooth efficiency to the boy who was in partial disguise. "He said he packed more food this time. Just in case you’re not eating enough." Ollie froze mid-spoon. He stared at the spread before him, the warm wrapping, the lovingly packed layers. The smell of familiar seasoning hit him like a home he hadn’t stepped into in weeks (not). "...He packed extra?" Ollie asked, voice suddenly small. Kyle nodded. And just like that, the poor mechanic sat down and stuck the spoon in his mouth—half chewing, half crying, all heart. "Work is pain, PAIN!" Ollie mumbled around his food, "but also...we finished one whole dome today. Just the exterior, but still. One. Of. Four!" Kyle crouched nearby, setting down a sealed water canister. "That’s a big deal. You should be proud." "I am!" Ollie declared, eyes glinting. "And the others took photos and videos of me just in case my parents ask again!" Ah yeah, this one had been going around looking for more things to do after getting scared that his parents might pull the plug on him if he just sits around eating. Much like the other one, who has a parental problem. Oh. Right! He watched the mop inhale half a fried dumpling before asking, "Actually, before I left, we were discussing ideas. About Princess Kira." Ollie looked up, still mid-bite. "You got any suggestions?" Kyle asked. "Something that might work as a bargaining chip? Something that could convince a parent because the Princess wants to stay." Because while Ollie was occasionally scattered, there was no denying how he’d usually have great ideas. The mechanic chewed, swallowed, then looked around. The partially assembled dome, the support drones, the scaffolding, and the portable power lines snaking through the dirt. Then he shrugged. "Hm. What if we just build a facility there, for the Orcs?" Kyle raised an eyebrow. "In exchange for something of equal value, of course," Ollie clarified, now sitting cross-legged on the ground, still holding the metal box like a national treasure. "Isn’t the goal sustainability? They’re part of the Empire anyway, so once this becomes a thing, they’ll likely demand one in time." He gestured vaguely to the dome behind him. "So why not use it now as the chip?" Kyle blinked. It was... actually a really solid point. And Ollie wasn’t even finished. "We get them to approve the deal for development and expansion—maybe in exchange for access to the building materials that they have!" He shrugged before continuing. "Maybe we could get better discounts. Oh, but their facility must be paid for by them, alright!" He suddenly exclaimed after recalling how tedious this all was. "And then, as for Princess Kira, we all know that just building the dome isn’t enough. And someone needs to actually know how to use it. So, because we already trust her and she’s familiar, maybe she could stay, and her presence has a diplomatic function. Boom. Everyone wins!" He makes a show of swinging his spoon. Kyle momentarily stared at him, then he casually handed Ollie his dessert. "...Caramel pudding?" Ollie blinked. "Good job," Kyle said, ruffling his hair. Ollie squinted up at him. "Are you messing with me?" "Nope," Kyle grinned, unfairly shiny. "That was genuinely smart. Glad I asked." Ollie flushed, finding Kyle a bit weird again today. "W-Well, of course! I’m amazing," he said, puffing up a little. "You should ask me for advice more often! That’s why I’m telling you, you should really let me pick for the betterment of your future!" Kyle chuckled. "Well, what do you know, I just might." Which made Ollie suspicious. And flustered. And not entirely sure if he was being teased or appreciated. But either way, the pudding was sweet, and the compliment was real, so it was a win, right?!

Chapter 399: Lunch

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