Ding.
Luo Shu opened his eyes to behold the Greek-style floating garden amidst ethereal clouds.
"Here again... No matter how many times I see it, the virtual space never ceases to amaze..."
The pristine white marble pavilion, surrounded by flower beds blooming with seasonal blossoms, caught Luo Shu's eye. After taking in the sight with a sigh of admiration, he strode towards the central pavilion.
Inside the pavilion at that moment...
Three figures had already been seated and waiting for some time.
When Luo Shu arrived, Kirika Tachibana, who was sitting closest, turned sideways with her hand resting on the stone chair's backrest and teased:
"Looks like our missing great hero has finally regained his senses?"
"So, did Sharon drain you dry last night?"
Hearing Kirika's teasing, Lacus gave her a reproachful look, as if blaming her for bringing up an awkward subject.
They'd already agreed beforehand not to question Luo Shu about his whereabouts last night, yet Kirika still did this, making her both amused and helpless.
She shook her head slightly before asking Luo Shu, who had just taken his seat:
"Everything alright?"
"Yeah." Luo Shu responded, then added, "I went to the Hidden Management Zone. After coming out, I received your message and came straight here."
Hearing this, Kirika raised an eyebrow curiously:
"You went to the Hidden Management Zone?"
"Oh, right, now that you've advanced to the Hero Rank, there must have been some changes there."
A look of realisation crossed Kirika's face as she couldn't help but complain:
"It's all because you're usually too zen-like that I almost forgot you're a god."
Luo Shu gave Kirika an exasperated glance: "If I were a god, don't you think I'd strike you with lightning first thing?"
To this, Kirika actually nodded:
"Believe it? Of course I do. After all, I'm not Lacus - your beloved treasure - nor am I Meer, whose seductiveness always leaves you helpless. If anyone here would be eliminated first, it'd definitely be me."
Hearing this, Lacus's expression stiffened slightly, while Meer, who had been resting her chin in her hands, glanced at Kirika:
"Kirika, are you jealous?"
"Huh?" Kirika blinked: "Jealous of what?"
Meer narrowed her eyes and smiled playfully: "I say you're jealous!"
"The way you're acting now really resembles those high school girls who pretend to be delinquents to get their crush's attention!"
Kirika looked stunned, then gave Meer a thoughtful look before saying mischievously:
"What, little Meer, are you offering to share your little husband with me for some fun?"
"If you're willing, I certainly don't mind. It's not like I'd be at a disadvantage."
Hearing this, Luo Shu protested:
"Hey, hey, don't say such things right in front of the person involved!"
"It feels kind of gross!"
Kirika shot Luo Shu a glance and rolled her eyes beautifully:
"Aren't you the one benefiting from this?"
"I don't even mind that you're not a virgin, yet you're calling me gross?"
She laughed and retaliated by exposing:
"Do you really think we don't know what you and that vixen were doing alone in that room all day and night yesterday?"
Hearing this, Luo Shu's expression changed strangely:
"How did you know?"
At this point, Lacus whispered:
"When we contacted Sharon, we used a special satellite phone."
Lacus added this much and didn't elaborate further, as if wary of something.
Meer, on the other hand, was far more unrestrained. She directly asked Luo Shu, "By the way, Shu-kun, how exactly did you manage with Hagoromo Gitsune yesterday? We could even hear the commotion when we were on the call with Sharon."
As she spoke, Meer glanced at Luo Shu's lower half and licked her lips.
Hearing this, Luo Shu's expression immediately cracked.
He sat awkwardly in his seat, unsure whether to leave or stay, thoroughly uncomfortable.
Fortunately, Lacus quickly spoke up to diffuse the tension, pulling Luo Shu back into the conversation:
"Alright, let's stop with the idle chatter and start the meeting properly."
"Meer, give us the situation report."
"Hai~~"
Meer responded cheerfully, her fingers flicking through the air as a stack of documents materialised before each person present.
Then, in her sweet voice, she began her report:
"Currently, the cleanup at Nijo Castle is nearing completion."
"The reconstruction work has been handed over to the Japanese authorities, while the remaining spoils on-site are being recovered by our SDS. Additionally, after negotiations with the Japanese government, the assets and remaining members of the Hagoromo Group and the Gokadoin clan will be transferred to our SDS for handling."
"Right now, Suzuka-chan is conducting searches and arrests at the Gokadoin main residence."
"Suzuka?" Luo Shu immediately thought of Suzuka Dairenji upon hearing this and said, "I promised Suzuka that if the Gokadoin clan's Taizan Fukun Ritual could revive her brother, she would be allowed to carry it out."
Hearing this, Meer blinked in surprise before waving her right hand, summoning a pen. As she jotted down Luo Shu's words, she complained:
"Shu-kun, next time, remember to mention such conditions in advance. Otherwise, my records will end up inaccurate."
"Sorry about that." Luo Shu gave an awkward smile, realising he had indeed forgotten to notify them earlier.
If Suzuka Dairenji ended up clashing with fellow SDS members during the confiscation because of this oversight, the blame would squarely fall on him.
Meer rolled her eyes at Luo Shu's apology. "What's the point of apologising now? You owe me compensation."
"Compensation? What kind?" Luo Shu looked at Meer, puzzled.
At this, Meer grinned mischievously. "How about doing everything you did with Hagoromo Gitsune to me? I want to see if I can scream that loud, too."
"Don't worry, I know it's embarrassing, so I'll dress up as Lacus when we—"
"Meer!!" Lacus exclaimed, her face flushing red.
"Cough cough cough!!" Luo Shu pretended to choke, acting as though he hadn't heard that tempting suggestion at all.
Just then, Kirika Tachibana chimed in with a giggle. "That's a great idea, but why pretend when the real deal is right here?"
"Kirika..." Lacus shot her best friend a reproachful look, her cheeks burning. "You're all being awful today!"
Not missing a beat, Meer winked at Luo Shu:
"If Shu-kun doesn't mind, having both me and Lacus together is also an option~"
Luo Shu immediately noticed Lacus's gaze flickering towards him. Their eyes met briefly before he quickly averted his, clearing his throat to change the subject:
"The Divine Pantheon Reconstruction System has unlocked several new functions. I think it's important to brief you all."
"Who cares about system functions right now?!" Kirika Tachibana interjected, leaning in aggressively.
"Exactly, exactly!" Meer slammed the table in agreement.
Only Lacus, her face flushed crimson, chimed in: "The system's functions are indeed crucial information that we should learn about immediately."
"I protest! You two are colluding!" Meer exclaimed loudly.
Luo Shu pretended not to hear, glanced at Lacus, and then said: "Let's proceed directly to the agenda."
"Already acting like a devoted wife following her husband's lead?" Kirika Tachibana teased.
Lacus couldn't maintain her composure upon hearing this and replied stiffly:
"...Fine, let's move to the next topic."