The next day.
Bright morning sunlight streamed through the large glass windows of the Acting Grand Master's office, casting golden beams of light onto the neatly arranged oak desk.
After a beautiful, intimate night that had officially made her one of the women in Eiji's arms, Jean stood behind her desk.
She wasn't alone. Eiji, Lumine, Paimon, and Xianyun were also there, seated in the guest chairs. A few moments ago, when the last three arrived, they caught a glimpse of Eiji and Jean embracing behind the desk.
The scene was awkward.
But Eiji said without a hint of embarrassment, "You're finally here. We've been waiting quite a while."
"Ahem! Lumine, Paimon, Lady Xianyun... Good morning." Jean hurriedly nudged Eiji and greeted the three of them.
There was a hint of embarrassment on her face.
Lumine and Paimon were surprised. Not just because of what had happened, but also because of something else that someone who hadn't arrived yet was about to mention.
Xianyun snorted.
"Good morning, Jean. It looks like your relationship with Eiji has reached a new level. Congratulations to you."
"Eh, that…!"
Jean didn't know what to say.
She also wondered how Xianyun could have guessed the status of her relationship with Eiji so quickly?
Maybe because she's one of the Adeptus from Liyue?
Jean didn't know that the woman could also hear Eiji's inner thoughts. By the way, she had joined the group chat and knew how many women were in Eiji's harem.
But among them, she didn't see Xianyun's name.
"Xianyun, you guessed right. But don't worry, you and Lumine still have a chance." Eiji said with a smile on his face.
Xianyun glared at the man a little. "This woman doesn't understand what you're saying."
"Eiji, you have no shame." Lumine said with a blank expression.
[Host, please show a little shame.]
'Miss System, you know that's impossible.'
Miss System: Impossible!?
Eiji took a sip of the cup of tea Jean had made for him a little while ago. He was in a great mood this morning; he'd even completely forgotten that Aether had made preparations to attack Mondstadt today.
It's Jean's fault—she'd been spoiling him so much just a few hours ago.
Hehehe.
Leme: Ehehe.
Miss System: "...."
At some point, Paimon had flown over to Jean's table. "Wow!"
She exclaimed because there, she saw a pen moving on its own and heading toward the documents on the desk after Jean let go of it.
"This pen can move on its own!? Jean, where did you buy it?"
Eiji rubbed his nose.
"?" Lumine and Xianyun wondered if the pen had anything to do with the only man in the room.
"Ah, I didn't buy it." Jean glanced gently at her boyfriend and said, "Eiji made it for me. The pen has the ability to write automatically, analyze documents, and make decisions based on its owner's thoughts."
"A sort of assistant in the form of a pen?"
"Lumine, you're right!" Eiji combed his hair back, just as Aizen often did.
It was a posture that showed just how proud he was—so much so that it silenced everyone in the room.
Did you really need to make a gesture like that?
"How did you make it? Wait, never mind what I asked." Xianyun took back her question.
Because the answer was obvious, right?
Eiji could even create a Teleportation Gate with just a snap of his fingers. To create a sophisticated object like Jean's pen, he could clearly do it even more easily.
However, Eiji still answered. "That's a good question, Xianyun!"
[I've been waiting for you to ask that.]
"...." Xianyun.
Didn't I already take back my question? Don't pretend you didn't hear it, Eiji!
"As a mechanic, I can make something like that, too. It's a bit of a hassle to explain the mechanics behind it, but I'm sure plenty of people out there can do it as long as they're at the same level as me."
I don't know if this guy is being humble or just showing off...
Lumine and Xianyun thought so.
However, Jean was convinced it was the latter. Eiji was showing off; she thought he was funny when he did that.
Still, her asshole just happened to be throbbing at that moment. Jean frowned and looked away from everyone.
She complained and also thought Eiji was a beast. Last night, he pounded her asshole hard and for longer than he did with her vagina.
Her anus still hadn't fully recovered.
She hurriedly sat down to ease the uncomfortable sensation in her butt.
[Host, your smile is too wide.]
Cough! Cough!
Eiji quickly controlled his expression. His god-level acting skills had kicked in!
Even so, Lumine had caught a glimpse of his lecherous smile and continued to stare at him blankly.
As they all sat down, Jean started making small talk with them to change the subject.
*Click*
The office door opened, and Lisa stepped into the room. However, her steps immediately halted as her eyes swept across the room.
"Good morning, everyone," Lisa greeted everyone with a sweet smile and a melodious voice. "I hope you all slept comfortably at the inn last night, Cutie. Paimon, Lady Xianyun, it's great to see you both looking so refreshed this morning."
She called Lumine by a nickname that made her lips twitch.
Lisa's gaze then shifted, settling entirely on the man holding a porcelain cup on the sofa. Her pace slowed, and the smile on her lips turned much more playful and alluring.
"And good morning to you too, my dear..."
She wasn't just flirting with the protagonist, Lumine, but was doing the same to the villain, Eiji.
"Good morning to you too, Lisa. Sorry about last night—I didn't stop by your place. I was busy with other things."
Eiji sighed as if he were truly sorry.
Lisa fell silent.
Given what Eiji had said in his inner voice last night, how could she not know what he meant by "other things"?
She glanced at her best friend and became even more certain that her guess was right.
This morning, Jean looked completely different. Her skin looked exceptionally clear and smooth, radiating a radiant aura of natural beauty. The chronic fatigue and stress that usually lingered at her temples due to piles of overtime paperwork had now vanished without a trace, as if they'd simply evaporated.
Jean was also sitting with her back straight, radiating a vitality that was incredibly fit, energetic, and full of overflowing enthusiasm.
She had clearly lost her virginity and become a true woman!
"Oh, Jean…" Lisa said in a voice she'd deliberately softened but that still sounded seductive. "What's with you this morning, hmm? You look incredibly fresh, full of energy, and… absolutely stunning—even far beyond your usual standards. Tell your best friend here—did you sleep very soundly and get some amazing 'warmth' last night?"
[Just as you'd expect from a beautiful librarian, Lisa. She's so knowledgeable.]
[That's right, her guess earlier wasn't quite right. Last night, Jean barely slept at all. Even so, it's true that she got warmth and love from me.]
Eiji, you'd better shut up!
I mean, your inner voice.
Jean groaned inwardly.
Lisa's question didn't help either—it was embarrassing. She tried to stay calm as she replied, "Yeah… I was just getting some rest after getting exhausted from work yesterday, Lisa."
She was lying.
Lisa knew it and resisted the urge to roll her eyes. She finally sat down, glancing at Eiji from time to time.
Feeling the sexy witch's gaze, Eiji wondered if his Aizen-style hairstyle made him look even more handsome than usual?
Should he seduce that woman aggressively today? After all, he'd already conquered her best friend, Jean. In Mondstadt, only Lisa, Barbara, and a few other women remained for him to conquer.
Jean quickly cleared her throat and picked up a scroll containing an official report from her desk. She composed herself, resuming the professional demeanor of an Acting Grand Master before saying, "Eiji, aside from our personal matters, there is a very important formal report I'd like to share with you, as well as with Lumine and Lady Xianyun."
Her voice now sounded steady and filled with deep gratitude. "This concerns the Teleportation Gate you created last night at the end of the city bridge."
Eiji casually set down his teacup and glanced at his future wife. "How did the citizens react?"
He wasn't actually curious, but he still asked to please his woman.
Personally, he didn't even like most of Mondstadt's residents because they had caused Jean trouble for a long time.
Jean smiled broadly, her eyes sparkling brightly as she unrolled the report. "Very positive. After the test run we did with Barbara yesterday, rumors spread throughout the city as fast as the wind. This morning, a long line of residents eager to see and try out the gate had already formed, but everything was proceeding in an orderly manner."
Jean outlined the details of the report with overflowing enthusiasm. "Several major merchants from the Goth Grand Hotel faction and the Mondstadt Logistics Association have even tried sending a few crates of sample goods directly to Liyue Port. They returned within minutes, their faces brimming with tears of joy. The route through the Stone Gate—which usually takes weeks and is fraught with danger—can now be traversed in the blink of an eye!"
"That's right, that's right!" Paimon suddenly interrupted, her eyes widening instantly at the mention of merchants. "Paimon peeked out the inn window before coming here. There were young people holding traditional Liyue toys, and the chefs at the Good Hunter Inn are already planning to buy fresh Jueyun Chili spices directly from the Liyue market today! This is incredible!"
Lumine smiled warmly and looked at Eiji with admiration. Even if he was a total pervert, she had to admit that despite his flaws, he had many more good qualities. "You didn't just bring two countries together, Eiji. You've just brought the cultures of two nations together in a single day and helped boost the livelihoods of so many people."
Eiji wanted to rub his nose again, but he refrained from doing so. He said nothing and humbly accepted the women's praise.
That's what a protagonist is supposed to do in this situation, right?
[In other words, a villain—I mean, you're just pretending, right, host?]
'Miss System, don't say that.'
Xianyun nodded slowly with the dignity of an Adeptus, her fingers adjusting the position of her red glasses. "Teleportation Gates are a technology that's incredibly useful for everyone living in Teyvat. Back in the days when Khaenri'ah still existed, those people hadn't even invented social technologies like Teleportation Gates yet. Eiji, you have every reason to be proud of yourself."
[Xianyun, does that mean you also agree to be my woman?]
What are you thinking!?
Xianyun adjusted her red glasses again and sighed. Why does a man as great as Eiji have a mind full of dirty thoughts?
Miss System: I'm curious too.
Jean closed her report scroll again, then looked at Eiji with a gaze filled with profound gratitude—and in her eyes, there was also love and loyalty as one of his women. "The people of Mondstadt now regard you as a great hero, Eiji. You've broken down the barriers that have restricted our freedom of trade for thousands of years."
Yare-yare, thought Eiji.
"I'm glad to hear all that. I've also received a fair payment for it."
He glanced at Jean with an ambiguous look.
Jean's cheeks flushed slightly.
Lumine, Lisa, and Xianyun widened their eyes. They knew the two of them had had sex last night, but they didn't know that Jean had paid Eiji with her body!
Or maybe her heart, too?
"Payment? Eiji, how many mora did you get?" Paimon asked with an innocent expression.
Jean tensed up; she shot her lover a pleading glance, begging him not to be too honest!
Eiji calmly replied, "Jean gave me all the 'mora' she had, Paimon."
"Huh!? Doesn't that mean Jean is now broke? Eiji, you're so cruel. You should've given her a big discount."
Paimon scolded Eiji.
Lumine and Lisa giggled. In that room, Paimon was the only one who truly believed what Eiji said.
That little fairy was too innocent.
"My fault—I'll return some of Jean's mora later. I gave him a 50% discount." Eiji sighed and agreed readily.
"Mhm! That's good." Paimon nodded silly.
Jean was relieved; at least Eiji had refrained from mentioning how she'd paid for it last night.
...
Before they could change the subject—
*BANG!*
The office door was kicked open so hard it slammed against the hallway wall. A young woman in the red-and-white uniform characteristic of the Outrider Knights of Favonius stood panting in the doorway. Her hat, adorned with a bunny ribbon, was askew, and her beautiful face was deathly pale and covered in cold sweat.
It was Amber, who had spied on Eiji and Jean's intimate activities the night before. However, she didn't have time right now to let on that she knew what those two had been up to.
There was something else more important than that.
"Jean-senpai! This is bad! Something terrible is happening!" Amber shouted, her voice trembling with panic.
Even so, she couldn't help but glance at Eiji.
Eiji smiled at her, making her feel a little embarrassed. Was it just her imagination, or did he seem to recognize her?
No way!
He didn't see her last night, did he?
Amber grew even more panicked.
Jean immediately stood up from her chair and said, "Amber, calm down. Take a deep breath. As a Favonius knight, you must stay calm. Now, tell me clearly—what's going on?"
Amber swallowed hard, her wide eyes staring at Jean with deep panic. "Stormterror… Dvalin is on a rampage again! But this time it's different! A thick, pitch-black wind carrying a dense cloud of darkness from the direction of Stormterror's Lair is currently moving rapidly toward Mondstadt! The sky outside the city has suddenly turned pitch-black, just like nighttime!"
Hearing this, not only Jean, but Lumine and the others glanced out the window. From a distance, they could see the sky gradually growing dark.
The piercing cold from the Abyss also made them feel uneasy. Xianyun, in particular, wore a cold expression.
Only Eiji remained seated casually on the sofa, slowly sipping the last of his warm tea without changing his calm expression in the slightest.
"Dvalin... is he on a rampage again?!" Lumine stepped forward, her eyes wide with disbelief at what she had just heard.
"Uwaaaa! How is that even possible?!" Paimon immediately started flying around in circles with a look of utter confusion and panic on her face. "Wasn't it just a few months ago that, thanks to Lumine's help, we managed to purify his poisonous tears?! We even destroyed the tainted blood crystal on Dvalin's back and completely freed him from the Abyss Order's evil influence! How could that dragon have gone mad again in such a short time?!"
Jean gritted her teeth; the cheerful expression she'd had that morning suddenly turned very serious and tense. "Paimon is right... Dvalin should have been free of that curse by now. The Anemo energy we've been sensing from him lately has been very stable. If he's moving again to destroy the city with the aura of darkness… that means the Abyss Order has done something far more cruel and deadly within its lair."
"What you're saying makes sense, Jean. The Abyss Order must be on the move again." Lisa also took on a serious expression.
Their gazes then turned to Eiji. Even Amber did the same as the others.
They wondered if he knew something.
"Well, that must be the work of my brother-in-law—correction, I mean Aether." Eiji glanced at the female protagonist as he said that.
"!?" Lumine was shocked, of course. "This is my brother's doing!?"
"Yes, it seems to be because of the technological advancements I've made in Liyue and even Mondstadt not long ago. He felt his grand plan would be disrupted, so he decided to attack this city again by brainwashing Dvalin."
Eiji wasn't just guessing; he was stating a fact based on information he'd obtained from Rasiel.
"But before that, he'll try to take you with him, Lumine. By now, he must already be inside the city."
"!!!" Everyone.
Especially Lumine—she furrowed her brow and looked at everyone with a guilty expression. After all, Aether was her brother, whom she had been searching for for a long time.
Now, he'd caused a problem that made her, as his sister, lose face.
She didn't doubt what Eiji had said and replied, "Everyone, I'm sorry. I'll ask Aether to stop whatever plans he has for Mondstadt, even if I have to force him."
Lumine narrowed her eyes; she was serious about beating up her brother.
"Lumine… You don't need to apologize. We all already know what your brother's situation is. As the leader of the Abyss Order, the things he does are separate from you. If you feel guilty, we'll face this together."
Jean and even the others didn't blame Lumine.
Lumine gave a wry smile; she was also moved and clenched her fists. That made her even more determined to stop Aether once and for all.
The corners of Eiji's mouth curled up even higher.
This is a great opportunity!
The female protagonist and his future brother-in-law were about to get into a fight.
How could he possibly pass up an opportunity that would allow him to win her over—and even give someone a green hat?
[Sometimes I'm a little amazed by your thought process, host.]
'Miss System, this isn't the time to be rude to your host.'
By the way, Eiji was also thinking of giving orders to Signora, Merraid, and the other women inside the Astral Express.
He wanted them to do a small thing for him.