The moment Phantylia fled, everyone gathered at Scalegorge Waterscape was completely dumbfounded.
The formation had been set.
The people were all here.
Everything was ready for everyone to work together, grind the boss, and loot equipment.
And then… the boss just ran away?
"…Uh, so… what are we killing now?"
March 7 scratched her head. With no boss left to fight, were they supposed to organize a Scalegorge sightseeing tour or something?
That question stumped everyone.
Not only did March 7 not know what to do—even Jing Yuan was momentarily at a loss.
All the follow-up plans had been prepared on his end… yet Phantylia simply left.
"…Sigh. Blade, let's go."
Since the main character had already escaped, Kafka had no intention of staying. She needed to go back and rethink how to handle the future prophecies.
She had a strong premonition: as long as Valerius was still around, those prophecies were bound to change again.
"Mm."
Blade never spoke much. He nodded toward Valerius and followed Kafka as they left.
Once the two departed, it immediately triggered a chain reaction. Others began preparing to leave as well.
The Astral Express crew was also getting ready to head back—they needed to ask Dan Heng what exactly was going on with his current appearance.
After getting stabbed once, how did he suddenly grow horns?
"And you two? Are you still planning to meet the Marshal?"
With the outsiders gone, Jing Yuan finally turned his attention to Jingliu and Luocha.
These two were, after all, the real culprits behind the Stellaron incident.
"…Uh… should I just leave?"
Luocha thought for a moment and decided it was best to slip away.
Now that shortcuts existed, why bother meeting the Marshal? Wouldn't it be better to just play games, win rewards, and then go spread Abundance later?
Since no one was making a move to arrest him, leaving now was the wisest choice.
Jingliu, however, didn't quite know what to do.
Ever since this game descended upon the world, she felt many things had changed.
Behind her black veil, her gaze turned toward Valerius.
Valerius had the distinct feeling she was looking at him—but with the veil in place, he couldn't be sure.
Jing Yuan's eyes lit up almost imperceptibly. He walked over to Valerius and said quietly:
"Mr. Valerius, it's not appropriate for Master to remain on the Luofu right now. How about… you take her in for a while?"
"…Me?"
Valerius pointed at himself.
You want Jingliu to follow me?
It sounded kind of nice—but he didn't even have a permanent residence himself. Was that really appropriate?
"Mr. Valerius needn't worry. I'll personally cover all expenses."
Jing Yuan had thought this through.
Jingliu looked stable right now, but who knew when she might lose control again?
If she stayed by Valerius's side, then even if mara struck, Valerius should be able to handle it.
At the very least, they wouldn't lose a player.
"…Uh…"
Turning around, Valerius reached into his pocket and counted the Winter City coins Bronya had given him. There was still a little left.
Only then did he turn back.
"Alright then. Miss Jingliu can stay in Belobog for a while."
That action made Jingliu's eye twitch violently beneath the veil.
What—was she not worth it? You actually had to count money?!
"Cough… then I'll trouble you."
Even Jing Yuan didn't quite know what to say.
This guy never followed the script.
"We still have matters to attend to, so we'll take our leave. Mr. Valerius is welcome to tour the Luofu."
After handing Valerius a large sum of training tokens, Jing Yuan led his people away.
He was afraid that if he stayed any longer, Valerius might cause even more trouble.
As for Valerius wreaking havoc in Scalegorge Waterscape—he wasn't worried at all.
Valerius didn't look like someone who caused trouble for no reason.
"…Sigh. I'll be leaving as well."
Fu Xuan felt like she had been just one step away from the General's position today.
Even if not that, at least an acting role.
Yet somehow, she now felt farther away than ever.
After everyone left, Valerius finally looked at Jingliu.
"Miss Jingliu, do you still want to walk around the Luofu?"
"There is one place I wish to visit."
"Bailu's place, right? I—get it!"
Valerius immediately understood.
She just wanted to see an old acquaintance.
"I merely heard that this generation's High Elder is quite young. I was curious."
Though she said that, Jingliu still headed toward Bailu's location.
"Heh, a bit tsundere."
Valerius found it amusing. If you want to go, just go—was he going to stop her?
Besides, tsundere was already out of meta.
They found Bailu in the Alchemy Commission.
Valerius deliberately glanced at the tail behind her.
He had to admit—it really was distinctive.
"Oh? Valerius, are you here to play with me?"
Compared to Jingliu, Bailu showed far more enthusiasm toward Valerius.
"Oh, Jingliu and I came to see you."
"What's there to see? When are you opening the next game? Can I join?"
Bailu was far more interested in the game.
She was confined most of the time, and this was one of her few chances to get out.
"After a two-day break. Then we'll start again."
Seeing Bailu chatting animatedly with him and completely ignoring Jingliu, Valerius pointed to the side.
"She has something to ask you. I'll wait over there."
"…Looking for medical advice?"
"More or less."
Her voice was still cool, but there was a faint warmth to it now.
"Then you came to the right person. Let me take a look."
Once it came to her specialty, Bailu immediately reached out to examine Jingliu.
Valerius watched from a short distance away, unable to help but sigh.
Jingliu was genuinely gentle with Bailu.
Same old acquaintances—yet she beat up her grand-disciple without mercy, showed no restraint toward her disciple…
And yet she was so gentle with Bailu.
They didn't talk for long before Jingliu returned to Valerius.
"…Let's go."
"Wait for me a moment."
Valerius gave Jingliu a mysterious smile and walked over to Bailu, taking something out and handing it to her.
"Bailu, this little thing is for you."
"What is it?"
Bailu's big eyes were filled with curiosity—until she saw what it was.
Her expression immediately soured.
Wasn't this the toy you used to mess with Gepard and Sunday?
"Hey, don't be disappointed. This song fits you perfectly."
She pressed the play button.
Music immediately started.
🎵 I've got horns on my head,
A tail behind my back—
No one knows
How many secrets I haaaaave~ 🎵
"Well?"
"…Mm. It's actually pretty good."
Bailu liked it.
It was basically written about her.
"Glad you like it. I'll be going then."
"Okay! Remember to start the game soon!"
"No problem."
After saying goodbye to Bailu, Valerius opened a door and returned to Belobog.
"I'll help you get a room. Wait for me."
Valerius's room had been booked by Bronya, and he'd never paid himself.
Now that Jingliu was staying, he needed to book another.
After reserving the room next to his, Valerius headed back.
But after he left, the hotel owner stared thoughtfully down the hallway.
Then suddenly slapped his forehead.
"Oh no—quick, inform the Supreme Guardian!"
That man had been brought here by Bronya, and Bronya paid his room fees.
Naturally, the owner assumed they were close.
So what was this situation now?
Sneaking around behind the Supreme Guardian's back…
And keeping her this close?!
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