MIGHT AS WELL BE OP

Chapter 491: Taking Credit
Reynold’s gaze drifted toward Kingsley, who sat quietly to the side, uninterested in joining their conversation.

“What do you think, Kingsley? After all, didn’t you call Anthony your ‘brother’ when you first met him? You even brought out your wine to celebrate the occasion. Doesn’t it bother you that you’re about to part ways with your ‘brother’?”

Reynold asked calmly.

Kingsley sat with his arms folded across his chest, eyes closed in calm detachment. For a long moment, he gave no sign of reaction.

Then, slowly, he opened his eyes and fixed Reynold with a steady gaze.

“It doesn’t bother me”

He said simply.

Dale turned toward him, puzzled.

“Why not? I thought you two were good friends”

“It doesn’t bother me, not because Anthony is changing teams. It’s because, no matter where he goes, I’ll be on that team with him”

Kingsley replied calmly, his voice steady and sure.

“Why are you so confident?”

Reynold pressed, his gaze sharp and unwavering as it locked onto Kingsley.

“I hope you’re not deluding yourself. You saw his feats during the war, no one could match him, not even you”

Kingsley remained unshaken.

“I saw those feats. I was there”

Dale leaned forward, curiosity evident in his voice.

“Then what is it that gives you such certainty?”

He needed to understand, maybe this was the very thing that could keep them united with Anthony this time around.

“We are both anomalies”

Kingsley said simply, closing his eyes as if the conversation no longer held his interest.

Dale and Reynold exchanged stunned glances. That wasn’t the answer they expected, but no words came to mind in response.

They knew better than to press further; Kingsley wasn’t one for explanations, especially not when it came to matters so personal.

Even Seraphim, who had been absorbed in her book, lifted her head, her gaze drifting toward Kingsley.

This was the second time she had heard him refer to himself and Anthony as ‘anomalies’. The first was back when Anthony first joined the team, and they had shared a drink together.

‘Is there more to this?’

Seraphim wondered silently. But just as quickly, she shook her head, pushing the thought aside. It wasn’t her concern.

She needed to focus on finishing these books before they reached the military base. Deep down, she wasn’t even sure she could leave with them.

Reynold and Dale continued their discussion, Kingsley remained motion as if mediating, Seraphim continued reading.

In the control room, Anthony had already slipped into the bathroom for a well-deserved, relaxing bath, an earned respite after everything.

About an hour later, he emerged from the bathtub. He didn’t bother changing his clothes; the military uniform was a constant, a reminder that duty never truly took a break.

The Grand Marshal’s gaze followed Anthony as he stepped out.

“It’s rare to see someone still bother with mundane things like bathing”

The Grand Marshal Dragon remarked calmly.

Unlike Anthony, the Grand Marshals relied on mana to cleanse themselves, bathing was unnecessary.

Besides, their military uniforms were equipped with auto-repair and self-cleaning functions, making such things obsolete.

“I’m not the only one bathing”

Anthony replied as he returned to his seat.

“Many soldiers on the aircraft are doing the same”

He glanced at the Grand Marshals. “Care for some food?” he asked, about to place an order through his system shop.

The Grand Marshal Titan raised an eyebrow then asked.

“Are those robots the ones doing the cooking?”

Anthony smiled, then replied.

“No, this is something I cooked myself”

“Hoo… Not only are you talented on the battlefield, but you’re also a chef. Colour me surprised”

The Grand Marshal Dragon said with a sly smile.

“Let’s see what food a genius like you can cook”

Though their words hinted at curiosity, it was clear they cared less about the meal itself and more about strengthening ties with Anthony.

Anthony nodded subtly, then with a graceful wave of his hand, a grand table materialized before them, laden with an array of exquisite delicacies.

Beings of their caliber didn’t settle for a single plate; a feast was expected.

The rich aroma wafted through the air, instantly capturing their attention and stirring curiosity.

With practiced ease, the Grand Marshals lifted their cutlery and took their first bites. Time seemed to pause as the flavors touched their tongues.

Disbelief flickered across their faces. At their level, they had sampled every delicacy imaginable, yet Anthony’s cooking transcended all expectations, it was nothing short of divine.

“Lieutenant Anthony, are you sure you cooked this?”

Grand Marshal Alaric asked in disbelief, savoring a tender piece of meat. His eyes shimmered as if on the verge of tears.

He wasn’t alone. The Grand Marshal Vampire, tasting the rich blood in her cup, felt her heartbeat quicken. A fierce craving ignited within her chest, her very blood seeming to boil with desire for more.

How could anything they had ever tasted compare to something crafted from the system, something so extraordinary?

“I’m a genius in every field I step into. Talent like mine simply can’t be contained”

Anthony said with a confident smirk, subtly taking credit for the system’s work.

The Grand Marshal Vampire’s smile deepened, her eyes glinting with interest.

“Where did you get this blood, Lieutenant Anthony? I’ll buy it from you, ten million military points per liter. What do you say?”

“I hate to burst your bubble, Grand Marshal, but I don’t have any more of that blood, it was a gift from a vampire during the Starborn Tournament”

Anthony said with a sad expression, as if mourning the loss of tens of millions military points.

In truth, military points held little to no meaning for him, his system could provide anything he needed.

“The Starborn Tournament again?”

One of the Grand Marshals muttered, though the comment didn’t slow the rhythm of food entering his mouth.

Anthony chuckled as he sliced into the beefsteak with practiced ease, then he replied.

“It turns out when you’re a genius, people just hand you gifts for no reason at all. Lucian Darkheart gave me this spacecraft, and another friend Aaaninja, gifted me a magic castle. Just friendly gestures”

“Tell us about the Starborn Tournament. We have ample time”

The Grand Marshal Dragon said, his voice deep and composed.

With little else to occupy his attention, Anthony began to speak, casting vivid illusions to accompany his words. Scenes from the Starborn Tournament unfolded in shimmering detail, dancing in the air around them.

Time slipped by unnoticed as their aircraft steadily approached Military Base Alpha-9.