'The fact that I, Old Li, was defiled by a bad woman is going to be known by the whole world? No, it can't end like this!'
Li-baby was super panicked!
And as if to add fuel to the fire, a clear and elegant voice, crystalline as jade, drifted in from outside the Rossweisse manor:
"It seems the celebration banquet is over?"
'Crap! It's Mei-Mei!!!'
Little Fuli was shocked. He hurriedly hid behind Argenti while unable to resist peeking out with half his head to size up the new outfit the girl had changed into.
A loose, cropped athletic hoodie perfectly showcased Mei's slender yet powerful waist. The off-shoulder design exposed a shoulder that one could imagine feeling cool and silky just by looking at it. Denim shorts wrapped around her shapely, full hips, while parts of her calves and jade-like feet were hidden within short boots.
Simply put, in one word: Eye-candy!
Her beautiful eyes accurately locked onto Little Fuli, who was hiding his butt but not his head within the crowd. Mei stepped onto the lawn and walked up to the boy.
She then turned around and nodded to everyone present. "Thank you all for taking care of my Yuan."
The aura of the Head Wife came rushing forth!
Fuli scratched his head awkwardly, taking the opportunity to pull his collar up without leaving a trace. "I thought you'd be surprised."
When he texted her, he had deliberately omitted his physical condition, wanting to give the usually unflappable girl a surprise.
The reason Mei was late was that she wanted to observe the collision and fusion of the World Bubble with the Proper World with her own eyes.
As the saying goes, seeing is believing. Her own ship had just separated a Superstring Space, so observing a similar structure would be beneficial for future development.
If it were anyone else, the lords of the House of Lords definitely wouldn't have allowed onlookers.
But considering she was Raiden Ryoma's daughter, and that they would need to rely on Anti-Entropy's Selene to convert various energies inside the World Bubble later, they very pragmatically gave her the green light.
This observation took most of the day.
Declining dinner invitations from various second-generation officials and rich kids, and leaving Little Kallen behind to record the rest, Miss Mei finally caught the last bus, following the location Fuli sent.
Kallen: Ay caramba!
"Surprised? Who do you think has been doing your physical exams all this time?"
Mei leaned over and pinched Little Fuli's cheek. "I had long anticipated the successful construction of the Meta-Morph organ. The only surprise is that someone looks even cuter as a child than I deduced."
She smiled playfully. "Mmm, ten times cuter."
"S-Shut up!"
The boy was made super embarrassed by her words, flailing his hands to swat away the girl's misbehaving hand.
However, the corners of his mouth were harder to suppress than the recoil of an AK. No wonder the Cult of Praise was so popular!
After teasing her little boyfriend, Mei raised her eyes to look at the maid standing gracefully nearby.
"Rita Rossweisse. I often hear your name from Durandal."
This was their first formal meeting, and there wasn't any hostility yet.
At least, that was what Mei thought.
"What a coincidence, Miss Raiden Mei."
Rita curtsied with a beaming smile. "Rita has also learned of your deeds from Lord Durandal."
Even though she tried her best to suppress it, her tone still precipitated a hint of a victor's smugness.
An unruly charm flooded her brows, as if saying, 'You will never know just how much fun your man had with me last night.'
Oh wait, the current Raiden Mei wasn't even Lord Fuli's girlfriend yet.
The title "your man" couldn't possibly apply to her; it fit Lord Durandal much better.
The maid thought, her smile becoming even more meaningful.
Playing with Lord Durandal's fiancé was far more thrilling than playing with the boyfriend of a nobody (Mei).
"It seems Durandal has spoken ill of me quite a bit in front of you."
Mei pursed her pale lips, feeling somewhat displeased.
She couldn't understand where Rita's inexplicable sense of superiority came from, and her electromagnetic induction couldn't read the surface thoughts of an S-rank Valkyrie, so she could only attribute it to a third-party influence.
Fortunately, as the daughter of an Anti-Entropy Executor, Mei didn't have much affection for Schicksal personnel outside the Far East Branch anyway. It was just a chance meeting during the Fog City incident; presumably, their paths wouldn't cross much in the future.
She took Little Fuli's hand. "Since the celebration banquet is over, we will take our leave."
The boy's breath suddenly hitched, and visible panic floated into his eyes.
Oh god! If we go back straight away, Mei is bound to discover the hickeys all over my body!
He didn't even dare to think about what would happen after that. The best-case scenario was being knocked out by a baseball bat, locked in a dark little room, and done for twelve whole hours!
That was the good part, but what about the bad part?
Pfft, pfft, pfft!
Vigorously shaking the terrible images out of his head, Fuli hugged Mei's arm in return and whined in a sugary, spoiled voice, "Mei-jiejie~ I just promised Brother Argenti and the others that we'd go to the hot springs! As the boss of the Hyperion, I can't be a person who goes back on their word!"
Crash.
It sounded like something shattering all over the ground.
It was Old Li's non-existent moral integrity.
Hearing this, Argenti froze.
Did we promise?
I don't think so?
Just as the honest and loyal Knight of Beauty intended to speak up to clarify the facts...
Bam!
A powerful elbow struck him in the side of his silver armor, which had just been restored.
The knight turned his head and saw his good brother Boothill winking at him furiously.
I see!
Argenti realized.
Brother Fuli must not want to embarrass us, who issued the invitation, so he's using this method to persuade Lady Mei!
In that case, we must ensure they feel at home!
He quickly took out his phone and contacted his attendant, Villette, asking him to arrange matters at the spa center immediately.
Seeing this, Boothill withdrew his elbow with gratification.
This tin can, his brain actually works sometimes!
It would be so boring to cancel such a fun romantic showdown!
Older people just loved watching drama.
Clarification: Young people loved it too.
Mei was obviously unable to resist her boyfriend acting spoiled.
She couldn't resist the adult version, and she certainly couldn't resist the child version.
"Fine, fine."
She bent her willow-like waist and poked the boy's nose dotingly with her slender finger. "In exchange, I'm going too."
My Yuan-baby is so cute. What if some bad woman hijacks him halfway and does something indescribable?
To defend the glory of the Hyperion, Mei was duty-bound!
"Count me in as well."
The bad woman, Rita, who had defiled the glory of the Hyperion, thoughtfully suggested, "With only Miss Mei as a female, she will surely be lonely in the hot springs."
Hot springs were separated into men's and women's baths. Mei was unfamiliar with the place; if someone tried to rip her off, Rita could at least look out for her—or arrange the funeral for the unlucky fool who tried.
Bath, located over a hundred miles from London, is the only city in the UK designated as a UNESCO World Heritage site in its entirety. Its history with hot springs dates back to the Roman period.
After the Romans discovered the natural hot springs here, they built magnificent baths and regarded the springs as sacred, using them for healing and socializing.
The spa center arranged by the attendant Villette for Fuli and the others was located here. Originally, they wanted to experience the legendary ancient Roman style, but since the well-preserved Roman Baths Museum was no longer open for bathing, Argenti led the group to the equally famous Thermae Bath Spa next door.
This place had become a spa retreat for British high society as early as the mid-18th century. It not only featured Georgian-style Royal Crescent architecture but also offered a rooftop open-air thermal pool overlooking Bath Abbey and the city panorama.
At this moment, in the rooftop open-air thermal pool, three senior guards were soaking comfortably in the naturally heated spring water, enjoying the nourishment of 43 minerals.
The two days and one night of city-wide martial law had worn them out. Finally, on their rotation day, they agreed to come for a spa treatment to soothe their bodies.
Logically speaking, at 10:15 PM, it was long past the normal closing time, but big shots always had some privileges.
Sulfurous steam surged up from the bottom of the pool, filtering the moonlight into a hazy silver veil. The night wind kneaded the suburbs visible to the eye, creating a rustling sound that mixed with the gurgling of the hidden springs, like the earth humming an ancient lullaby.
Just as the guards, enjoying their bliss, were about to drift off to sleep, the door to the private suite was suddenly pushed open from the outside.
"Ahem!"
Sir Erwin, who had previously assisted Fuli and Argenti in investigating the case, strode in. Seeing him shirtless with a towel wrapped around his waist, he was obviously here to soak as well.
The enjoying guards initially wanted to scold the intruder, but upon seeing that it was their aristocratic superior—a true blue-blood of Old London—their chaotic brains instantly woke up.
"Captain!"
"Captain!"
The last one was even more proactive, immediately vacating the spot near the water inlet where the hidden spring surged.
"Mmm."
Sir Erwin walked into the hot spring with a scarred face and sat in the spot vacated by his subordinate as if it were his right.
He crossed his hairy legs and slowly exhaled a breath of hot air.
Soon, only the sound of Erwin's even breathing remained in the open-air bath. The remaining three didn't even dare to breathe loudly, their eyes darting around cautiously.
The awkward atmosphere was quickly broken when the closed door was opened from the outside again.
This time, the person entering was the Speaker of the House of Lords, McFall, also wrapped only in a bath towel.
Seeing this super boss who held the power of life and death over them, the three unlucky guards immediately stood up, saluted, and fled through the open door.
Erwin, the only one remaining, kept his face tight but shifted his body to yield the best spot.
Hmph, at least he knows his place.
McFall nodded slightly and walked over to sit down with a grand posture.
Unexpectedly, before the old man could relax and experience a rare moment of tranquility, accompanied by the clanking of steel, Boothill, who was over 95% modified, strode in.
Seeing that the newcomer was this Galaxy Ranger who feared no death, the hair on the Speaker and the Captain of the Guard stood on end.
They shifted their butts discreetly, slowly moving towards the geometric corners of the hot spring, terrified that this killer star would target them.
Unfortunately, fear attracts exactly what is feared.
Boothill didn't sit in the vacant spots; instead, he actively leaned in next to McFall.
He patted his shoulder and flashed his signature shark-toothed grin.
"Hey brother, the spot under your butt seems pretty nice."
Afraid that this lunatic would make a scene, McFall quickly stood up and moved to the opposite side. Unexpectedly, Boothill followed closely behind.
"The spot over here looks pretty good too."
As he spoke, he lifted the bath towel covering his lower body towards the Lord Speaker.
"!!!"
Seeing the black muzzle of the revolver down there, McFall's face changed color.
Without a word, he stood up, grabbed the equally hindering Erwin, and fled in panic.
"Haha!"
Boothill whistled, chewing on a bullet as he leaned happily against the pool wall.
Wicked people need wicked grinding.
You chased those three poor guys away, so I used the same method to make you scurry!
When Argenti stepped into the open-air hot spring, he saw that Boothill had taken over the entire bath.
"No, buddy, who wears a full suit of armor to a hot spring?"
The Ranger shouted loudly, "Even a scrap heap like me knows to strip naked when bathing. Is that silver armor grown onto your body or something?"
"My soul warns me that a special battle will occur next."
Argenti spoke solemnly, "Since it is a battle, I must treat it with seriousness!"
"Fine, fine."
Boothill waved his hand, then looked at Little Fuli, who was wrapped up like a mummy in bath towels, with several hand towels wrapped around his neck.
"Everyone has their own kinks, get it? Aren't you, a big metal lump, also full of enthusiasm for the hot spring?"
Fuli dashed into the water, submerging everything but his head.
This was the method he had come up with. Bathing itself couldn't directly remove hickeys, but warm water could help promote local blood circulation, thereby indirectly helping to accelerate the metabolism of the bruising.
As long as he soaked for long enough, the strawberries planted all over his body by that perverted woman Rita would quickly disappear, leaving not a single trace for Mei to find when he got out!
I really am a genius! There should be a seat for me in the Genius Society!
In order to prolong the time for blood circulation as much as possible, the boy rolled his eyes. "Hey! Bros! Want to have a contest?"
"Contest for what?"
Boothill was clearly the type who took the bait immediately. He loudly took up the conversation, "Not comparing the size of that thing, right? Not to brag, brother, but at your age, you can't be bigger than m—Holy crap!"
Partial Multiplier Technique, Activate!
Multiplier: Five times!
Fuli sneered, "What? Brother, I didn't hear what you just said!"
"Cough, brother was just joking."
Boothill was full of envy, jealousy, and hate. When he was sent to the Helix Workshop for modification, only the parts above his stomach remained. The original equipment had long since been chewed up as a snack by some beast and pooped out as fertilizer. He couldn't even be considered a 'lone-testicle warrior'; the talk of 'no chicken' referred exactly to him.
Argenti took over the topic. "Then what shall we compete in?"
Fuli answered as a matter of course, "Definitely to see who can last longer in the high-temperature pool!"
"Compete in this? Are you sure?"
Boothill pointed to his modified parts and said confidently, "When those guys modified me, they used molten iron!"
"What, scared?"
Fuli, who was eager to soak longer to clear the bruises, hooked his finger.
"Scared?"
Boothill, feeling victory was in hand, let out a strange laugh, "Prince, the previous battle couldn't determine whose contribution was greater. How about we use this excuse to decide the winner again?"
"I accept."
Argenti answered solemnly, "This must be a trial bestowed by the Goddess of Beauty. I, Argenti, will respond to the victory and defeat between us with the utmost piety!"
Thus, a peerless and unprecedented battle began.
Boothill: "Haa♂..."
He was falling behind.
Argenti: "Mmn♂..."
He was struggling to keep up.
Boothill: "Ooh♂..."
He had no way to retreat!
Argenti: "Ahh♂..."
He couldn't fly even with wings~
Finally! The moment when the hot spring water temperature was at its highest! The powerful destiny answered the call—
The red-haired man in silver armor and the silver-haired man who was basically a metal modification lay on the ground.
They assumed the classic pose of Commander Orga, using their last bit of strength to extend their index fingers, pointing simultaneously at the culprit who created all this.
"Why... why did I, a cyborg, lose to a human in heat resistance..."
"To be able to move freely in magma soup... Goddess of Beauty, it seems my training is still far from sufficient..."
"Heh! Small fry!"
Seeing that the strawberry marks all over his body were almost gone, Fuli stood up, sweeping a look of disdain over the two weaklings lying on the ground.
Do you know what invincible Golden Armor is? Have you ever seen a Son of the Sun scalded to death by hot spring water?
Though, a counterpart of the Herrscher of Flame in this era might die from equipping the Vermilion Knight: Eclipse.
Like a certain Murata, or a certain Himeko.
Meanwhile, on the other side.
Over the sea, in an underground space belonging to the Life Laboratory.
A light screen flashed in front of Mobius, and a cursing voice boomed out, nearly shattering her modified eardrums:
"You scammed me again! You scammed me last time too!"
It was Cocolia.
She was still in her formal Anti-Entropy Executor attire. The custom-made top, designed with military elements, interwove silver and blue. Beneath the hem of her skirt were thigh-high black stockings wrapping her wondrously shapely legs.
Her dignified and atmospheric features showcased the charm of a mature beauty to the fullest; even in her exasperation, she exuded a hint of temptation.
Mobius, whose beauty surpassed hers, certainly wouldn't be seduced.
She trimmed her nails nonchalantly, her eyes revealing a clear innocence (stupidity):
"No I didn't. How did I scam you?"
"You still deny it!"
Opposite her, Cocolia slammed the table. "Who slandered me during the last internal Executor meeting, saying I wanted to order Welt clones? Do you know that crazy woman Einstein was about to bury silver bullets in my base?!"
She had already been burned out by the mess of the Third Honkai Eruption recently, and this green-haired snake was still pouring dirty water on her head!
If she had actually ordered them, fine; if discovered, she, Cocolia, would admit it.
The key was that in the current situation, with the great merit of killing a Judgment-class Honkai Beast, why would she need to activate Herrscher of Reason clones to hold the righteousness of the Sovereign and coerce the other Anti-Entropy Executors?!
Isn't that just asking for trouble?
Facing Cocolia's loud roaring, Snake-Snake was righteous this time too: "Then answer me, exactly who provided me with the Joyce cells!"
The hysterical blonde beauty instantly choked, her gaze becoming evasive.
Yes, she did it.
She took the cells from a mysterious person calling themselves [Gray Serpent].
Seeing her bad friend's appearance, Mobius rested her chin on her hand. "Cocolia, I don't know who you are colluding with in secret, but everyone isn't blind."
"Expanding influence at the grassroots level by winning over young people is indeed an effective method, but do you really think Raiden Ryoma and the others haven't noticed problems with you becoming a heavily armed Anti-Entropy Executor in just a few years relying solely on this?"
She sighed. "You know, even a genius like me took a full fourteen years to climb to my current position."
"That's because human experimentation is naturally politically incorrect."
After subconsciously retorting, Cocolia fell silent.
"Take my advice."
Mobius showed rare sincerity. "Using them is fine, but never get too deeply involved with guys of unknown backgrounds. There is no such thing as a free lunch in this world. Every penny they invest in you is just so they can make a massive profit in the end."
Beep—!
The light screen in front of her was turned off by the other party.
Mobius didn't mind. She had given the advice she should; if Cocolia still kept getting entangled, then it would be Mobius's turn to sell Cocolia for a good price next.
Moreover, compared to this—
"Inspiration! Hehe, my inspiration!"
The long-suppressed desire finally erupted at this moment. Mobius swept the messy things on the table aside and fetched various intractable diseases related to the field of life.
Previously, when she french-kissed Fuli in front of Mei, Mobius took the opportunity to quietly pass over a portion of her own modified physiological tissue.
These tissues were made from her flesh and blood, only nano-sized. After being inhaled into the body, they wouldn't be digested but would attach to the esophageal wall.
Mobius's idea was simple and crude. As long as she was close to Fuli, she could obtain the development aura bestowed by the Aeon. Since she couldn't stay by the boy's side all the time...
Then placing a part of herself inside his body—rounding up—didn't that count as the two of them being together forever?
The inspiration bursting in her brain told Mobius that her move was indeed effective.
The ghoul virus antibody she concocted earlier was just a small test. It was just that she had too much on her plate at that time and couldn't calm down to comprehend it deeply.
Now it was good.
The work was done.
So next... Guhehe!
The beauty wiped the drool from the corner of her mouth and picked up the difficult problem in front of her that had remained unsolved for a long time.
"Ah, right."
Back at the spa center, Fuli, having finished soaking, suddenly remembered something.
With a thought, the fire of the Sun God burned fiercely within his body, cleaning up various impurities inside.
After the great battle, not only the body surface needed cleaning, but the inside as well.
Before, he always asked Mei, but now that he had the Sun Wheel Armor, he didn't need to trouble her.
Bang!
In the underground laboratory, a delicate fist smashed onto the desk covered in documents.
"My train of thought! No! My train of thought is flying away!"
"I'm dying..."
"Let me! Let me huff one more time!"
"Fuli... Hngggggg-aaahhhhh!!!"
Mobius's eyes were full of bloodshot veins. In a state of withdrawal, she used her last bit of strength to reach out towards the ceiling, before her hand finally dropped dejectedly.
...