Chapter 7: Can we reconcile?

Flo carried his bag back to his “manor,” a small, shabby house. The newly bankrupt Flo set the bag on the sofa, feeling utterly dejected.

“Why was I so impulsive? Ten gold coins! How many missions will it take to earn that back?”

To be honest, his food stock was down to a week’s worth…

If he didn’t take on a mission this week, he might starve—becoming the first transmigrator to die of hunger, a disgrace to the transmigrator army.

Lost in thought, Flo heard a faint rustling. He didn’t know what it was, but it gave him a bad feeling…

Fiery clouds hung on the horizon, golden sunlight streaming through the window onto Flo’s face. Time flew, and dusk had arrived.

Flo prepared his gear, ready for tomorrow night’s mission.

After a busy day, Mr. Flo rubbed his growling stomach.

A familiar tune played in his mind. The Kangkela Empire favored bread, but Flo preferred the steamed buns and rice from his past life. Though bread and buns were both flour-based, they felt different.

Master Flo set up the pot, tossing in meat and beets, then adding spices. Fresh wood crackled under the stove, the pot simmering with a delightful aroma that lifted Flo’s spirits.

“Damn! Forgot to cook the rice!”

His house was tiny, so he quickly reached the rice and flour storage.

The rustling didn’t stop—it grew louder as he approached.

Flo’s heart tightened.

Had he been hit by a Jerry?

He crept toward the sound, which grew more brazen.

Was this a challenge?

Flo placed a hand on the rice sack. The rustling stopped.

But the noise shifted to a thumping sound.

Unable to identify it, Flo gripped his “weapon” in one hand and slowly opened the sack with the other.

To his surprise, the thumping intensified as he opened it, and what was with the red fur inside?

Even the well-versed Flo had never seen this. A bird? Maybe a grain-eating one, like a finch?

But Kangkela’s climate didn’t seem suitable for such birds.

The mystery unraveled.

Before Flo could strike the “thief,” a red mark appeared on his forehead.

A small, red-feathered bird shot out, one leg raised, delivering a swift kick to Flo before fleeing.

The little thing flapped high, out of Flo’s reach.

And then, it taunted him, wagging its rear as if saying, “Useless human! Come get me! Haha, you’re helpless!”

Furious, Flo hurled his wooden stick at it.

The nimble bird dodged effortlessly.

A melee assassin had no anti-air skills. Flo was now a caged Flo.

Lose to a bird? Never! Don’t underestimate humans!

Flo gripped his necklace, striking a dramatic pose, chanting cringeworthy words.

“Morning Glow Necklace, bearer of miraculous light energy, summon the radiant beauty Aphrosia! Aphrosia, combine!”

The red bird froze, then burst out laughing, speaking human words. “Hey, I just ate some rice! Did I make you lose it? Haha!”

It laughed too soon. Blinding golden light erupted from Flo, catching it off guard with a blast of “magic” damage.

The bird clutched its eyes, wailing, “Ah! My eyes! You filthy human!”

When it looked again, a staff was descending at lightning speed.

Done for! Birdie was toast!

Bang! Ah! Thud!

The first sound was the staff hitting the bird, the second its scream, and the third its tiny body hitting the floor…

“What the heck is this? Never seen it! It talks!” Aphrosia kicked the limp bird, puzzled.

And its accent wasn’t local. How did she know? Growing up, Edith had a pure Niate Empire accent, while his other parent mixed Kangkela’s accent with Elvish, like English-accented Chinese from his past life. The butler’s Kangkela accent was pure. Locals sounded like that.

Aphrosia wasn’t sure about other places, but she knew Kangkela’s accent after twelve years here.

She yanked the string tying the rice sack, grabbed the red bird, and tossed it onto the table. Then…

Bedroom, darkness, beast, captivity, SM, bondage, taming…

What the hell!

“Yo, a little lady bird.” She hadn’t noticed before, but now that it was still, the knowledgeable Miss Aphrosia studied its body…

Time to add tags for citrus, coercion, and violation…

Enough already!

She served the cooked dish. Dinner was needed, but without the main course…

Kangkela didn’t have chopsticks; people used knives and forks. But the mighty Silver Moon Chamber solved transmigrators’ woes…

Aphrosia elegantly lifted a piece of meat to her cherry lips, chewing slowly, thanks to her parents’ teachings. The goddess hadn’t gotten to this lesson yet…

Though graceful, she ate quickly, polishing off the plate in no time.

Half-satisfied, Aphrosia rubbed her stomach, eyeing the tied-up red bird.

“Still hungry. Maybe…”

“Don’t blame me, little pest. You came to me, ate my rice, so you owe me, right?” She poked the bird’s chest, speaking like a devil.

“Jerk! I ate a little rice, and you want to eat me!” the bird protested.

“Not pretending anymore?”

It had woken while she ate but played dead, hoping she’d forget.

Who knew this wicked woman wanted to eat it!

Though “unsatisfied” wasn’t quite the right term, the bird didn’t care.

It had planned to wait until she forgot, then escape. Now…

“Coo, can we negotiate?”