End Times, Surviving with My Beastly Army novel Chapter 21

End Times, Surviving with My Beastly Army

Chapter 21 Winning Hearts with Food

If you wanted people to trust you, you had to show some sincerity.

The best way? Start with food.

16

Finished

Ella swallowed hard. She was about to refuse, even though it would be difficult. But then she noticed something. Across from Robin, another set of utensils sat neatly on the table.

If no one else lived in this villa, then it must have been prepared for her.

Sure enough, Robin spoke the next second. “I already set the table for you,” she said. “If I’m asking you to work for me, I can’t exactly tell you to eat and then have you refuse.”

“I…”

Robin’s voice turned colder. “I don’t repeat myself.”

Ella immediately shut her mouth. Her mind was full of shock, curiosity, and confusion. Still, she walked over stiffly and sat down across from Robin.

“Go ahead,” Robin said calmly. “I heard you all haven’t eaten in a while.”

The moment she said it, Ella’s stomach betrayed her. It let out a long, loud growl.

Ella quickly covered her stomach with both hands, her face turning bright red.

Before she came through the gate, Ella had been full of determination. She had wanted to see what kind of squatter had taken over Henry’s property. Who was this woman who acted so unreasonably and even demanded that she become her servant?

But now that she was sitting in front of this domineering woman, Ella found herself unable to say a single word.

She had the strength of Hercules. Yet standing in front of Robin, she felt strangely weaker, as if someone was pressing down on her.

It wasn’t about physical strength. It was the overwhelming pressure of presence and confidence. A quiet dominance that made fear rise from deep inside her heart.

Ella didn’t know the reason. Yes, she was much stronger than an ordinary person. But she was still a rookie ability user who had only stepped into the apocalypse a few days ago.

The young woman sitting in front of her had survived ten years of brutal fighting in the apocalypse.

1A

16

Chapter 21 Winning Hearts with Food

Finished

Even the calm way Robin moved and spoke made others feel small without her even trying.

Robin stared at her for two seconds. Hesitantly, Ella picked up her fork. “Mr. Henry, he—” “He would live,” Robin said with a faint smile. “If you keep talking, you don’t eat.”

Ella quickly grabbed her fork.

Eat? Of course I would eat!

I hadn’t had a real meal in three days.

Especially with the fondue pot sitting right in front of her. The thick cheese bubbled slowly in the pot, giving off a rich, creamy smell that filled the room.

Ella’s eyes almost popped out of her head.

Carefully, she speared a cube of bread with the long fondue fork and dipped it into the melted cheese. Robin didn’t react. Encouraged, she tried again–this time dipping a slice of mushroom. Then a small boiled potato.

At first, she only dared to eat vegetables. But soon she started dipping pieces of steak and shrimp into the melted cheese, popping them into her mouth as quickly as she cooked them. Before long, she was eating so fast it looked like a storm had swept across the table.

Robin wasn’t very hungry. She had been eating well these past few days. After a few bites, she leaned back in her chair and watched Ella with an amused smile.

Before this, Robin had never understood those ASMR eating shows. She couldn’t figure out what was interesting about watching someone else eat. But now, she was starting to get it.

Ella was devouring the food like a whirlwind. She hardly paused to breathe. One plate disappeared, then another, and another. Robin placed a glass of orange juice in front of her, and she finally slowed down. She glanced to the side and froze. A tall stack of empty plates had piled up beside her left hand.

Her stomach felt so full it might burst. Ella gawked at Robin, and a sudden wave of panic washed over her.

Oh no!

How much food did I just eat?

“Uh… sorry,” she muttered awkwardly.

“Full already?” Robin asked with a light smile. “If not, there’s plenty more. Assuming your stomach can handle it.”

2/4

13:27 Thu, May 21

Chapter 21 Winning Hearts with Food

16

Finished

“Oh… I…”

Ella quickly wiped her mouth and shook her head. “No, I’m done.”

“Alright.” Robin stood up. “If you’re finished eating, then it’s time to get to work.

“Clear the dishes. There’s a dishwasher in the kitchen, so you don’t need to wash them by hand. And toss those clothes into the washer.” She paused, then added, “Oh, and later you’ll need to give Princess Ruby a bath.”

“Huh?”

Ella stared blankly. She understood everything Robin said, except for that last part.

VERIFYCAPTCHA_LABELVerify