Camellya's soft body immediately struggled as she exclaimed in embarrassment, "You…!"
Lucian feigned confusion. "What's wrong? You bit my neck earlier—isn't it only fair that I bite back?"
Camellya choked on her words. "Well, that may be true, but…"
Beep beep beep…
Lucian's terminal rang, forcing him to reluctantly release Camellya.
Seizing the opportunity to move freely again, Camellya quickly snatched back her Red Spring sword and sheathed it.
"Lucian, do you know where you are now?" Rover's voice came through the terminal.
Hearing the voice, Camellya froze for a moment before mischief once again stirred in her heart.
Before Lucian could respond, Camellya spoke in a deliberately sweet, coquettish tone: "Mr. Lucian has already fallen asleep…"
Rover on the other end paused, then immediately flared up. "Who are you?! That voice—!"
Seeing Camellya's smug grin, Lucian felt no panic—only amusement. He said softly, "When Rover gets here, let's see whether she kills you or me first."
Camellya: "..."
Lucian then explained, "I'm at Black Shores right now…"
Rover sighed in relief. "Good. I thought you'd been kidnapped by Phrolova again."
Lucian: "?"
Rover continued, "In that case, I'll head to Black Shores right away."
Remembering that he had been brought here by Shorekeeper, Lucian glanced at her questioningly.
Understanding his meaning, Shorekeeper said, "When the time is right, I will bring her over."
Lucian gave a slight nod, while Rover on the other end sounded suspicious. "Lucian, are you really at Black Shores? Why are there so many women around you?"
Lucian: "..."
He forced an awkward laugh. "Rover, I wouldn't dare lie to you…"
Rover nodded in approval. "I'd like to see you try. Just wait there obediently for me. If I find out you've been fooling around again—"
Lucian: "Heaven and earth bear witness! I swear on the name of the Fractsidus—if I've been fooling around, may the Fractsidus vanish from existence!"
Rover was speechless. "Wow, you're really going all out, huh?"
"Yangyang just said she might know a way to Black Shores. I'll go with her first to check it out."
Lucian nodded slightly. "Be careful on the way."
The call ended.
Camellya waved her Red Spring sword. "Your relationship is… surprisingly close."
Lucian looked puzzled. "Why are you always so determined to ruin things between us?"
Camellya huffed. "I'm not telling."
Lucian shrugged. If she didn't want to say, he wouldn't press. After all, his bond with Rover wasn't something a mere Camellya could interfere with.
He then dialed another call—this time to Youhu, who had previously arranged to meet him at Port City of Guixu to search for clues about Black Shores and her "big treasure." But since he was already at Black Shores, he couldn't keep that appointment.
"Hey, hey, hey!" Youhu's youthful voice rang out.
Lucian apologized. "Sorry, Youhu. I can't make it to Port City of Guixu like we agreed. The whole Black Shores thing isn't happening anymore."
Youhu sounded confused. "Why not?"
Lucian chuckled. "Because I'm already at Black Shores."
Youhu: "???"
Youhu was stunned. "When did you go there?! Why didn't you take me with you?!"
Lucian scratched his head. "It's a long story, but that's how things are."
"Rover and the others haven't arrived at Black Shores yet. Why don't you meet up with them and see if you can find any clues about your treasure?"
Youhu sighed. "Fine. In that case, I'll go ask Rover about it."
"Wait, can't you just fish me out of the water like you did last time at Mt. Firmament?"
Lucian: "..."
Lucian was speechless. "That was pure luck. I can't guarantee it'll work again, but I can try later."
Youhu perked up. "Great! Then I'll go find Rover first, and you try fishing me over later!"
She hung up in a hurry, grabbing her "big treasure" before rushing off to find Rover.
Lucian turned to Camellya, who was sulking, and smiled. "Camellya, how long have you been at Black Shores?"
Seeing his expression, Camellya immediately sensed trouble. "A long time. What do you want?"
Lucian clasped his hands behind his back, gazing out the glass window at the Tacetite scattered across the sea's surface. The endless ocean made Black Shores seem like an isolated boat adrift in the vast waters.
"This is my first time at Black Shores. Why don't you give me a tour?"
Camellya scoffed. "No way!"
But Shorekeeper interjected, "Take him around. Let him familiarize himself with the place."
Camellya: "..."
Lucian burst out laughing, grabbing Camellya's slender wrist. "Come on, show me around."
Camellya tried to shake him off, but Lucian held tight. "Who said you could hold my hand? Let go!"
Lucian grinned. "We've already kissed—what's wrong with holding hands?"
Camellya flushed. "That wasn't a kiss! That was just you getting back at me!"
Lucian smirked. "Then should we kiss first before holding hands?"
Camellya: "???"
...
Outside the greenhouse, KU-Money called out to him.
Lucian walked over, looking around in confusion. "Where's Aalto?"
KU-Money sighed. "What, you still expecting him to pay the remaining balance?"
Lucian chuckled awkwardly. "Of course not. Didn't he say he wanted to collaborate? Maybe he could fork over a few million more Shell Credits…"
KU-Money: "?"
KU-Money sighed again. "Aalto is on a mission. You won't be seeing him for a while."
The rectangular robot swayed slightly. "See the bag on my head?"
"I just found out—you're a newly appointed guest consultant of Black Shores."
"This bag has some activity funds inside. Take it."
Lucian's eyes lit up. "There's such a good thing?"
He quickly grabbed the bag and peeked inside, confirming that it was indeed filled with Shell Credits.
KU-Money sighed yet again. "You keep sending your bills to Black Shores. Shorekeeper should just deduct them directly from your funds."
Lucian straightened up solemnly. "Who said that? I also sent bills to the Fractsidus!"
Camellya, still being dragged along by Lucian, asked curiously, "You actually sent bills to the Fractsidus? And they didn't come after you?"
Lucian smirked. "What can they do? They can't beat me."
Camellya gave him a strange look. "They can't beat you? That doesn't sound right…"
Lucian eyed her suspiciously. "You know a lot about the Fractsidus. Are you… a spy for them?"
Camellya: "?"