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Zeke nodded, tacitly acknowledging Hera's plan to coast on others' efforts.
Following their exchange, Amber and Einstein began their negotiations.
The former, effectively Schicksal's chief administrator, was highly skilled, proficient, and astute in her duties.
The latter, a superbrain scientist, had meticulously studied all significant treaties, national documents, and international cooperation agreements throughout history before arriving, ensuring thorough preparation in this domain.
The two virtually faced each other with their documents, meticulously comparing clauses and negotiating point by point. Hera's eyelids drooped, drifting off to sleep; live stream viewers couldn't resist logging out en masse; even Zeke pulled up his virtual screens to focus on his own work.
As the sun dipped low near the horizon, its fading rays illuminated this opulent chamber divided in gold and silver, casting a mesmerizing, dreamlike glow.
Finally, both parties held freshly drafted alliance agreements, simultaneously letting out sighs of relief.
"Zzz..."
Hera slumped over the table, her dazzling golden hair spreading across the jet-black metallic surface like an astonishingly laid-out painting, emitting steady breaths of deep sleep.
Zeke closed his work screen, snapped his fingers, and casually tossed a worker bee towards Hera, akin to flicking a peanut bean—except it was a supersonic metal peanut bean.
"Plop!"
The worker bee bounced off Hera's head with a loud thud.
Under the force, Hera leaned dangerously backward, nearly falling off, then clutching her head, she exclaimed, "What was that for?! Can't a girl get some sleep?!"
"Why feign innocence? This is not the place for napping. The alliance agreement is ready. Summon your archbishop, sign promptly, and we can all go home sooner."
Zeke mercilessly criticized Hera's attempt at cuteness and pointed to the two identical documents on the table, speaking calmly.
"Oh..."
Pouting, Hera clapped her hands.
Following the crisp sound of applause, golden beams descended from the sky, precisely enveloping both copies of the agreement.
In the blink of an eye, the light vanished, leaving behind ornate golden calligraphy with sweeping strokes—the signature of Otto Apocalypse.
Then, Hera gestured towards the treaty, beaming expectantly at Zeke and Einstein.
"Your turn now!"
Her smile seemed to anticipate some grand performance from Anti-Entropy.
Zeke expressionlessly looked at Einstein, who rolled her eyes.
"Fancy yet superficial," she remarked mildly. Without further ado, she pulled out a seal from her pocket. With delicate cherry-red lips slightly parted, she blew gently onto the seal before swiftly stamping it onto both documents, leaving Welt's signature.
Hera blinked innocently, taken aback.
"No way, just that?"
"With this seal alongside Zeke and myself, we have full authority to represent the Alliance Leader's intentions. That is sufficient."
Einstein, expressionless, casually retrieved the stamp.
Hera blinked, taken aback... "(ー`?ー)..."
Shouldn't you two play along instead of pretending not to notice?
With a huff, Hera planned to take one document and leave.
Just then, Zeke gently placed his hand on the file, halting Hera's movement.
"Wait a moment."
"What is it?"
"Given the gravity of this matter, aside from our parties, I have invited an additional witness."
"Huh? Who has the qualifications to be our witness? Bring them forward; I'll send them straight to Chiyou!"
Zeke turned his head towards the western direction.
Simultaneously, the live stream's perspective abruptly shifted.
In the viewers' sightline, against the backdrop of a massive setting sun, a colossal burst of crimson flames rose from the East Shenzhou Sea. Spanning across the Ocean, it created towering waves like a blazing new dawn emerging from Shenzhou.
"BOOM!!!"
Dazzling scarlet light descended from the heavens, engulfing the hall with endless inferno, causing most present to break out in a slight sweat.
As the flames dissipated, at one corner of the round table, seemingly unnoticed by all, appeared a silver-haired woman clad in a white qipao adorned with fiery red rhombuses.
Perched on her shoulder stood a diminutive girl clad in black-and-white Daoist robes, her doll-like figure adorned with an adorably fervent smile. With cute enthusiasm, she raised both hands high and proclaimed in a sweet, childlike voice:
"Rejoice! A transcendent immortal from beyond time has descended before you mortals! She is the Red Kite Immortal, embodying the might of two eras, surpassing space-time, souls, life, death, and reincarnation—subduing all demons across past and future. And I am the Book of Fuxi, created by the ancient deities Fuxi and Nuwa, forever serving the immortal!"
"I said rejoice, mortals!" she exclaimed gleefully.
"Wahahaha!"
The auditory and visual spectacle, coupled with the bold declarations of this peculiar being, left every observer spellbound.
Then, Fu Hua scratched her face, gently cradling little Fuxi in her arms, and softly covered the book's mouth with her index finger, somewhat awkwardly saying:
"My apologies, she's just a mischievous kid at home; please don't mind her."
Fuxi bit Fu Hua's finger to free herself, raising her tiny fists indignantly: "What are you doing?! Have you forgotten what I told you before we arrived? Show some presence as an immortal! Prestige! Prestige, do you understand? With such timidity, it'll be hard for me to collect offerings later. How am I supposed to take care of you then?!"
"...I don't need offerings."
"Bullshit! In life, money is crucial; without it, you can't get anywhere - do you understand that?!"
"Um, I..."
"What's with 'I'?! Snap out of it! Where have you been living for the past fifty thousand years, you stubborn blockhead?!"
Their argument escalated, or more accurately, turned into a scolding session led by the Book of Fuxi, akin to an experienced older sister reprimanding her naive younger sibling.
Fu Hua appeared slightly exasperated, yet she held the Book of Fuxi gently, careful not to exert even the slightest extra force. Despite being berated harshly, her eyes radiated affectionate warmth.
Zeke pointed at Fu Hua and addressed the bewildered Hera emotionlessly, "The witness I've invited is the Red Kite Immortal. Now, let your performance begin."
Hera glanced between Zeke's deadpan, mocking gaze and Fu Hua's gentle expression, paused momentarily, then rose gracefully, curtsying politely as she said:
"Apologies for not providing a grander reception befitting your esteemed presence, Red Kite Immortal," Zeke said emotionlessly. "I humbly offer my regrets on behalf of Director Otto and extend our warmest greetings. With you as witness, this alliance is certain to prosper smoothly—a great honor for Schicksal indeed!"
His words were deferential, but Hera's mood sank.
Fu Hua had regained her powers—at least a significant portion of them—Hera was now certain.
With Fu Hua recovered and having new options like Zeke and Anti-Entropy, she would no longer unquestioningly follow Otto's commands.
The Red Kite Immortal's commitment to promises was true, but it depended on the nature of those promises. From the start, their deal with Otto was unequal and unwilling, compounded by their poor compatibility, leading to years of friction... It wasn't surprising that Fu Hua might change allegiances.
Hera had anticipated this possibility, yet when it finally happened, it still left her disheartened. Losing a trump card was one thing, but more importantly, Fu Hua was special—an old friend she held in high regard and respect.