The few short words carried an unmistakable bitterness and helplessness.
"Anyway, let's go inside first," Lucas helped Kamisato Ayaka up and said gently, "You can tell me whatever's troubling you."
About ten minutes later, Ayaka, freshly bathed, slowly stepped out of the bathroom. Lucas had already prepared a warm drink and asked, "Feeling better?"
"No, I feel terrible right now," Ayaka murmured, "You know, even though Raiden Kunikuzushi bullied me so much, I never really hated her that much. But now... I truly despise my brother."
She then recounted what had happened earlier at Raiden Ei's residence to Lucas. Of course, she had no idea that Lucas not only knew everything about the incident but had also orchestrated it from start to finish.
"I see..." Lucas sighed, "Honestly... I'm not surprised he would do something like this."
"What... do you mean by that?" Ayaka seemed puzzled.
"Let me show you something," Lucas pulled out his laptop again, "Do you know why your brother's legs were broken?"
Ayaka hesitated, "He never liked talking about his legs. I only vaguely heard that he fell from a building while fighting some bad kids and broke his legs."
"No, the truth is, your brother was bullying a student and even tried to push him off the roof," Lucas pressed play, "But in the end, the student fought back and dragged him down with him."
The screen displayed surveillance footage from the school years ago, which Lucas had gone to great lengths to obtain. Though the image was blurry due to its age, Kamisato Ayato's striking light-blue hair made his identity unmistakable.
Watching the footage, Ayaka's expression turned to one of utter shock as she whispered, "My brother... is actually a murderer!"
"Exactly. He's been hiding behind a facade of hypocrisy, willing to deceive and betray anyone for his own gain," Lucas's voice was like a demon's whisper, "And now, it's your turn to be pushed into the abyss by him."
"No... this can't be!" Ayaka's eyes were more resolute than ever as she declared firmly, "We must make him pay for this!"
Hearing this, Lucas felt a surge of dark joy in his heart.
Success!
Everything he had planned was for this very moment.
Ayaka had now completely severed the last remnants of familial ties with Kamisato Ayato and was ready to seek revenge.
As it turned out, the gentler and kinder a girl appeared, the more terrifying she could be when pushed to cruelty.
"Have you made up your mind?" Lucas continued his act, "He is your own brother, after all."
"No, he's already decided that for the sake of his status and position, he can even abandon his own sister," Ayaka said coldly, "The moment he said those words, I... was no longer his sister."
"If you want revenge, I actually have an idea," Lucas narrowed his eyes slightly, "But I'll need your help."
"What is it?" Ayaka trusted Lucas completely.
Lucas leaned close to Ayaka's ear and whispered a few words. The girl's face flushed slightly before she nodded and said, "Let's... do as you say."
Ayaka thought this plan was something Lucas had come up with on the spot. In reality, he had been planning this step for ten years.
...
Late at night.
In the office, Kamisato Ayato's face was filled with anxiety.
To find his runaway sister, he had dispatched almost all of his subordinates.
Of course, apart from worrying about his sister, the more important reason was that Ayato needed to retrieve her and make her apologize to Raiden Ei's daughter at tomorrow's press conference.
He was prouder than anyone, yet more insecure than anyone.
The incident with his legs had always been a psychological burden. He could only mask his inferiority by maintaining a high social status.
Just then, the office door suddenly swung open, and the girl standing before Ayato was none other than Ayaka, who had run away not long ago!
"Ay... Ayaka!" Ayato rubbed his eyes to make sure it wasn't a hallucination before exclaiming, "Is it really you?"
"Yes, brother," Ayaka smiled, "I've thought it over. Those who achieve great things don't dwell on trivialities. For you and the company, I'm willing... to sacrifice myself."
Hearing this, Ayato's heart finally settled. He smiled in relief, "That's my sensible sister. Don't worry, Ayaka. One day, I'll climb even higher, surpassing that bitch Raiden Ei. When that happens, I'll make her and her daughter apologize to you personally!"
Ayato was always skilled at making empty promises.
"Brother, to show my apology..." Ayaka said softly, "Tonight, let me help you bathe. Tomorrow's press conference will be even more glorious for you."
Looking at his stunningly beautiful sister, Ayato's feelings were complex.
Though Ayaka was his blood sister, over the years, his possessiveness toward her had grown stronger. The thought of his precious sister one day becoming another man's wife filled him with inexplicable pain.
Now that Ayaka offered to bathe him, he naturally wouldn't refuse. He nodded, "Of course. Push me to the bathroom."
Just then, his subordinate, Sho, suddenly entered and bowed, "Lord Kamisato, we've just received word that the young lady has returned. I'll recall the other men to resume guard duty."
Due to his disability, Ayato often kept a few subordinates nearby for protection and assistance.
"No need," Ayato shook his head, "They've worked hard. Let them rest early."
"But..." Sho hesitated, "Then you'll have no one guarding you..."
"Would I harm my own brother?" Ayaka said coldly, "Or do you think my swordsmanship isn't enough to protect him?"
"Exactly. You useless lot combined aren't even a match for my sister," Ayato, perhaps to please Ayaka, showed no regard for his subordinates' dignity, "Get out! Don't disturb my time with Ayaka!"
Sho lowered his head, a flash of anger crossing his face. Of course, he didn't dare voice it and could only nod silently before retreating.
...
The Kamisato residence had a large dedicated bathroom, which Ayato used for relaxation.
Though his disability had robbed him of certain abilities, as a man—and a wealthy, accomplished one—he still needed ways to relieve his loneliness.
Occasionally, he would hire "special workers" to provide particular services in this bathroom.
Most of the time, it was just scratching an itch, but it was better than nothing.
Upon entering the bathroom, Ayaka unexpectedly produced a blindfold. Ayato was puzzled, "Ayaka, what's this?"
"I'd like you to wear this while I change..." Ayaka's face flushed with shyness, "Otherwise... I'd feel embarrassed."
"Why be embarrassed? You're my sister," Ayato naturally wouldn't resist this "little game" and took the blindfold, quickly putting it on.
However, Ayaka then took out two strips of cloth and tied Ayato's hands to the wheelchair, explaining it was to prevent him from peeking.
Thus, Ayato was now not only blindfolded but also completely immobilized.
In the darkness, Ayato could only hear the sound of clothes slipping off, and a trace of dark desire began to stir in his heart.
"Are... are you ready?" Ayato asked impatiently.
"Ready."
Hearing this response, Ayato was startled—it wasn't his sister's clear, melodious voice but... a man's voice!
The voice was familiar yet strange, as if he'd heard it somewhere before. Ayato panicked, "Who... who are you?"
"Me?" Lucas smiled, "I'm Ayaka's man."
Ayaka's man?
Hearing this, Ayato was naturally shocked. He immediately shouted, "Guards! There's... an assassin!"
"Stop yelling," Lucas patted Ayato's cheek lightly, "You sent all your men away. Besides, the bathroom's soundproofing is excellent. Even if they were outside, they wouldn't hear you."
"You bastard..." Ayato growled, "What have you done to Ayaka?"
"Ayaka's fine," Ayaka walked up to Ayato and smiled, "Brother, this was all part of our plan."
"What?"
Hearing Ayaka's words, Ayato seemed to realize what had happened and muttered, "You... you betrayed me with an outsider!"
"I didn't betray you. You betrayed me first," Ayaka said coldly, "To you, I was never your sister—just your possession."
"No! That's... all in your head!" Ayato quickly defended himself, "To me, you've always been my most important family! My one and only sister!"
"If you'd said this before, it might have moved me..." Ayaka sighed, "But brother, I know you too well."
Seeing that Ayaka was resolute in her disbelief, Ayato turned his anger toward Lucas, "What did you do to brainwash my sister?"
"Want to know?" Lucas leaned down and whispered to Ayato, "I used the one thing you'll never have again."
The implication was obvious.
For Ayato, losing his legs wasn't the most humiliating part—it was losing his manhood. Without the use of his legs, many things were impossible.
And since he'd always treated Ayaka as his untouchable treasure, Lucas's words filled him with rage, "You're lying! My sister, my pure sister, would never...!"
"Brother, he's telling the truth," Ayaka smiled, "Remember that night I didn't come home? I told you I was at a club sleepover. That night... I gave him everything."
"What?!" Ayato was stunned, "No... impossible!"
In his eyes, Ayaka had always been pure and flawless, his sister alone. Learning she'd lost her purity was unbearable.
"That was just the first time," Ayaka twisted the knife further, "Every time I told you I was at kendo club after that... I was actually with him."
"Kendo club..." Suddenly, Ayato's face twisted into a vicious smile, "Good! Very good! I see now... you're that club manager at Ayaka's school! Your identity is exposed now! You're... dead! I'll make you pay!"
To his surprise, Ayaka and Lucas exchanged glances and laughed.
"What... what are you laughing at?" Ayato's voice trembled with panic.
Lucas chuckled, "Do you know why kidnapped victims aren't supposed to see their captors' faces?"
"Because if they do, they'll be killed..." Ayato's eyes widened in realization, "Wait... are you going to kill me?"
At this point, Ayato had no idea what this man—who'd stolen his sister—wanted, leaving him unsettled.
"Killing you wouldn't be hard," Lucas mused, "Given your state, tossing you into the bath and making it look like an accident wouldn't raise suspicions. After all, who'd believe someone as kind and gentle as Ayaka... would murder her own brother?"
"No... please!" Ayato's voice was full of fear, "What do you want? Money? I'll give you everything! Or my sister? You can have her!"
Hearing the word "give," Ayaka wasn't hurt—she'd already given up on Ayato. She merely scoffed, "You have no right to decide my life anymore. From today onward, my life belongs to me!"
At that moment, Lucas cupped Ayaka's face and smiled, "It's getting late. Should we... begin?"
"Now?" Ayaka's breath hitched slightly, "I... need to prepare."
"What?" Lucas teased, "Still shy about doing this in front of your brother?"
"What... what are you planning?" Though blindfolded, Ayato could guess from their suggestive tones.
"What do you think?" Lucas sneered, "Your adorable sister fell for me long ago. You? Just a fool kept in the dark."
"You're lying! I don't believe it!" Ayato roared, "My sister would never do such things! You're lying!"
"Let's begin," Ayaka took a deep breath, "Count my brother's sins."
"Don't start!" Ayato screamed, "Not that... please!"
Ignoring him, the two proceeded, filling Ayato's ears with sounds that shattered his sanity.
In the quiet, spacious room, every sound was crystal clear.
A person could hold their breath, close their mouth, or shut their eyes to block smell, taste, or sight—but they couldn't close their ears. Ayato couldn't even cover his.
Though he saw nothing, the sounds alone were enough to drive him to madness.
It was worse than a dagger through the heart.
Ayato cursed, raged, and wept loudly until, suddenly, he let out a strange cry.
Lucas was slightly startled.
Damn, did he just have a seizure from the shock?
They paused. Lucas stepped closer to Ayato and caught a peculiar smell. Seeing Ayato's convulsing form, he understood immediately.
"He's..." Ayaka approached but quickly wrinkled her nose in disgust, muttering, "Pathetic."
"Didn't expect you to... finish like this," Lucas sneered, "Just from listening? Impressive."
"Please... spare me..."
Ayato, who'd always looked down on others, had never suffered such humiliation. His mind was on the verge of collapse as he mumbled, "At least... not in front of me..."
"This is just the beginning," Lucas wrapped an arm around Ayaka's shoulder, "Your punishment has only started. Endure it... slowly."
For the next two hours, Ayato endured relentless psychological torment.
Every second felt like a century.
Finally, Lucas relented and said gently, "Ayaka, rest in the changing room. I have some words for Mr. Kamisato alone."
"Don't bully him too much," Ayaka smiled coldly, "After all... he's already pitiful enough."
Indeed, watching his beloved sister fall before his eyes was the ultimate punishment for Ayato.
"Enough... right?" Ayato was now a broken shell, "No more... torture."
"Torture?" Lucas scoffed, "Compared to what you did to me, this is nothing."
"When... did I ever torture you?" Ayato muttered, "I... don't even know you!"
"Oh?"
Lucas yanked off Ayato's blindfold, "Take a good look at this face!"
Having been in darkness for so long, the sudden light blinded Ayato briefly. When his vision cleared and he saw the man before him, cold sweat broke out on his forehead.
"How... how can it be you!" Ayato struggled wildly, his handsome face twisted in terror, "It's impossible! You died! I saw your corpse shattered on the ground!"
"True, I died," Lucas grabbed Ayato's hair and lifted him, sneering, "Now, I'm a vengeful ghost from hell."
"My biggest regret... the biggest regret of my life... was what I did to you!"
Ayato's mind, already fragile from the ordeal, shattered completely upon seeing the man he'd killed standing before him. He babbled, "Too painful! Too painful!"
In his frenzy, Ayato thrashed, and with a splash, he and his wheelchair toppled into the bath.
Bound to the chair, he couldn't move. Even free, he'd have been helpless. Soon, he lost consciousness from drowning.
...
"Ah!"
Ayato jerked his head up to find himself at a clean, tidy desk. Sunlight streamed through the curtains, warming his face.
Around him was a bright, spacious classroom. Students chatted or ate lunch.
Everything was peaceful.
Had it all been a dream?
Ayato rubbed his temples. Not just the nightmare—the past decade had been an illusion.
At that moment, he felt an overwhelming relief, even gratitude for this second chance.
Just then, a soft "plop" sounded as an eraser rolled to his feet.
A girl's voice called, "Kamisato, could you pick that up for me?"
"Sure..."
Ayato, ever the helpful persona, bent down but suddenly lost balance, crashing hard to the floor.
The pain left him dazed. When he looked down at his "legs," he nearly screamed.
They weren't disabled—but they were tiny, deformed, like a baby's, grotesquely attached to his body.
The students gathered around, and Ayato realized their faces had no features—just smooth skin with wide, mocking grins.
"Disgusting freak!"
"Can't even pick up an eraser? Useless!"
"So gross..."
The taunts continued under the bright sun. Hazily, Ayato felt these faceless figures resembled his past self when he'd bullied others.
"Ayaka, your brother's getting bullied again."
A teasing voice rang out. Ayato looked up to see Lucas and Ayaka in school uniforms, leaning against each other like a couple.
Ayaka's face was full of disdain, "That disgusting thing isn't my brother. Let's go."
"Alright," Lucas smirked at Ayato, "I've got the gym keys. It's empty now."
"Pervert..." Ayaka playfully punched Lucas's shoulder, and they walked off hand in hand, treating Ayato like trash.
"Ayaka! Don't leave me!"
Ayato's cries were drowned out by the jeers.
His nightmare would never end.
Indeed, everything Ayato saw was an illusion conjured by Lucas's "Mirror Flower, Water Moon."
The earlier events had shattered Ayato's psyche, leaving him vulnerable to Lucas's manipulation.
Now, freshly fished out of the bath, Ayato lay on the floor, twitching and muttering, "Don't bully me... don't bully me..."
Previously, Lucas had used illusions as part of punishment. This time, the illusion was the punishment itself.
Lucas wouldn't kill Ayato. His revenge wasn't about taking lives but making each person suffer for their past sins.
For Ayato—who'd once killed him—eternal torment in a bullying nightmare was fitting.
"He's finally... sigh."
Seeing her once-admired brother reduced to this, Ayaka felt a mix of emotions, "But what will become of the Kamisato clan now?"
"After graduation, you can take over," Lucas smiled, "I'm sure Raiden Ei would rather invest in you than your brother..."
He suddenly stopped.
Logically, he shouldn't know Raiden Ei. The slip revealed their connection.
But Ayaka, as if noticing nothing, just smiled, "I suppose I won't need to apologize at tomorrow's press conference."
A girl as sharp as her wouldn't miss it—but she also knew when to play dumb.
Lucas's ties to the Raidens didn't matter.
What mattered was she'd seen Ayato's true nature and was free of his shadow.
"Of course," Lucas played along, "After graduation, I'll be beneath your notice."
"I can't lose your help," Ayaka smiled sweetly, "After all... I'll need a 'special advisor.'"
[Exit Immersive Mode]
[Enter Text Mode]
[The press conference proceeded as scheduled the next day, but instead of Ayaka apologizing, it addressed bullying's societal impact, using the incident as a case study.]
[Anonymously, you presented evidence of schools covering up bullying to protect their reputations.]
[The conference sparked massive public outcry, though you knew bullying could never be eradicated.]
[Age 29: Meanwhile, Kamisato Ayato's bath accident left him brain-damaged and mentally unstable. The Kamisato business naturally passed to Ayaka after graduation.]
[This seemingly delicate girl proved ruthlessly efficient, matching her brother's prowess. Partnering with the Raiden Group, the business thrived further.]
[With this, your revenge concluded, but a new purpose emerged.]
[Countless students still suffered bullying, with most perpetrators escaping justice. As a "teacher," you moved between schools, punishing bullies your way.]
[Now, you weren't alone—backed by the Raiden and Kamisato clans.]
[Age 30: You returned to the orphanage. The cruel director had long died of illness. You bought the failing orphanage to shelter misfortunate children, planting your ideals in them.]
[Age 31: Raiden Ei bore you a son. Ei was his mother, Kunikuzushi his sister, Ayaka his sister, and Kujou Sara his godmother.]
[Age 32: Kunikuzushi bore you another son. Kunikuzushi was his mother, Ei his grandmother, Ayaka his godmother, Sara still his godmother.]
[Age 34: Ayaka bore you a daughter. Ayaka was her mother, Kunikuzushi her godmother, Ei her great-aunt, Sara her...]
[Thus, your family faced a unique problem: tangled relationships. And with more children to come, it only worsened.]
[Even you, who could solve any problem, were stumped. The rest of your life was plagued by this sweet dilemma...]
...
[This Life Simulation Ends]
[Comprehensive Evaluation: Sweet Dilemma]
[Rewards Sent. View Anytime]
[Choose One Trait as Permanent: Mirror Flower, Water Moon or Late Bloomer]
No hesitation—[Mirror Flower, Water Moon] it was.
[Mirror Flower, Water Moon (Purple): Touch a target to induce temporary hallucinations. Success depends on target's alertness and mental resilience.]
Though Lucas had other illusion skills, they were limited. This one was versatile and useful.
Of course, he wasn't Aizen. How far he could develop it was uncertain.
After all, enemies he could beat didn't need illusions, and those he couldn't... might be untouchable.
...
"Achoo!"
Fresh out of the simulator, Lucas sneezed as a cold sea breeze hit him.
Though it was late, the massive moon illuminated the shimmering waves.
[Welcome back. You're aboard the Crux fleet's ship, The Alcor, en route to Inazuma.]
The system provided context, lest Lucas forget after the long simulation.
This simulation had been a novel experience.
Unlike past ones, it diverged from Teyvat's lore, playing out like a modern school drama.
Yet its impact was no less profound.
In the simulation, Lucas could punish bullies as a dark enforcer. Reality wasn't so kind to victims.
...
Stretching, Lucas jumped down from the mast, landing steadily on the deck.
The crew, though rough around the edges, were competent—trusted by Beidou. Seeing Lucas awake, they greeted him warmly.
"Mr. Lucas, the night wind's chilly. Best rest in the cabin."
They didn't know his identity, but since the ship was chartered for him, they knew he was important.
Lucas nodded and headed inside.
Drowsy and unsteady from the ship's rocking, he fumbled to his cabin door.
The lights were off—Lumine and Paimon were likely asleep. Not wanting to disturb them, he entered quietly.
The pitch-black room forced him to feel his way to the bed. Exhausted, he stripped to his shirt and climbed in.
Huh?
The bed felt bigger than before.
Must be his imagination.
Too tired to care, Lucas pulled the covers over himself and drifted off.
It was unclear how much time had passed before Lucas slowly awoke, only to find darkness before his eyes—likely because his face was covered by the blanket. Still groggy, he instinctively tried to push the blanket aside but suddenly felt warmth against his fingertips.
That sensation and temperature were unmistakably familiar—undoubtedly human!
At this realization, his drowsiness instantly faded by half.
Had he accidentally climbed into the wrong bed last night without realizing it?
No, that couldn't be. If he'd truly gone to the wrong place, forget how Lumine might react—Paimon would've definitely made enough noise to wake him up!
And this size…
It didn't quite match Lumine's proportions.
Based on Lucas's experience and estimation, Lumine fluctuated between a B and C, leaning more toward the former.
As for Paimon…
Laughable—there was nothing there at all!
But what he was holding now was at least on par with Shenhe's level!
If what he was grasping wasn't some fat sailor's belly, then there was only one possible answer…
"How much longer do you plan to keep this up?"
Just as Lucas was about to confirm his guess, the "answer" spoke first: "Any further, and it'll be downright rude."
Before the words fully landed, a whoosh sounded as the blanket covering Lucas was abruptly yanked away. The sudden light made him blink rapidly, and when his vision cleared, he found himself face-to-face with a raven-haired beauty in sleepwear.
Who else could it be but Beidou?
However, the Beidou before him now bore none of her usual heroic aura. Her long hair cascaded loosely, silky smooth, and her sleepwear—almost sheer like gauze—was a far cry from her usual sharp, spirited style.
Even her signature eyepatch was missing.
One shouldn't underestimate that small accessory. Such defining details, when suddenly removed, could completely alter a person's entire presence.
The Beidou before him now seemed less like the indomitable pirate captain and more like the effortlessly beautiful, casually dressed older sister next door—the kind who lounged around in loose clothes, carefree and unbothered.
And "lounging" wasn't the only thing she was doing.
"S-sorry!" Lucas hastily sat up, his face flushing red. "Last night, I…"
"You were too tired, accidentally entered the wrong room, it was too dark to notice…" Beidou seemed to have anticipated his words, chuckling. "Is that what you were going to say?"
Lucas froze for a moment before awkwardly nodding. "How did you know?"
"A decent-looking woman with a good figure isn't exactly safe on a ship full of men," Beidou teased, a playful smirk on her lips. "You're not the first to use that excuse."
"O-others have been in your room before?" Lucas asked offhandedly.
"Of course. But you're the first to climb into my bed," Beidou mused, rubbing her chin. "The others either got beaten senseless or thrown overboard for shark food. Honestly, it's been a while since anyone dared barge in."
"I really didn't mean to!" Lucas said, torn between laughter and tears. "Morax as my witness—if I'm lying, may a sea monster devour me!"
"Relax, I'm not blaming you," Beidou patted his cheek, grinning. "After all, last night, we already did… this and that."
"What? Impossible!" Lucas exclaimed. "I was sound asleep!"
If it were drunken antics, maybe. But asleep? There's no way!
I'm not Cao Cao, dreaming my way into someone's bed!
"Your hands weren't idle," Beidou tapped her chest. "And neither was your mouth."
Hearing this, Lucas understood—he must've dreamt of Ganyu. No wonder his mouth had been busy too.
Lucas sighed. "Why didn't you just kick me out?"
"I thought you were faking it, just trying to cop a feel," Beidou admitted with a laugh. "So I waited to see how long you'd keep up the act before teaching you a lesson when you 'woke up.' But you were genuinely asleep…"
Her expression softened slightly. "Judging by your face… were you dreaming of your mother?"
Hearing this, Lucas roughly pieced together what he'd done unconsciously in his sleep.
Thank goodness he'd actually been asleep. If Beidou had suspected he was faking, she'd have cleaved him in two with her claymore by now.
"Y-yes," Lucas feigned a pitiful expression for self-preservation. "My mother… passed away when I was very young…"
In truth, his family was perfectly ordinary—his childhood grievances extended no further than his mom's terrible cooking.
But Beidou's eyes filled with sympathy. She gently patted his shoulder, radiating maternal warmth. "It's alright. If I can remind you of her, you're welcome to come to me anytime. After all… I've never known my mother either."
Hearing this and seeing her expression, Lucas inwardly cursed himself twice over.
His story was fake—but Beidou's was real.
"Actually, I…" Lucas mumbled.
Before he could finish, Beidou pulled him into a hug, laughing. "But this stays between us—don't let anyone else know! Now, get dressed. If anyone asks why you were in my room, just say…"
"We were playing Genius Invokation TCG!" Lucas blurted out.
"You're quick on your feet," Beidou grinned. "That'll work— Wait, where's my eyepatch?"
"Eyepatch?" Lucas blinked, then fished out a stretched crimson band from beneath him. "This?"
Seeing the distorted red fabric, Beidou's cheeks flushed—a rare sight. "I meant my eyepatch!"
She retrieved a red eyepatch from the other side. "Found it! A captain's signature accessory!"
"Honestly…" Lucas smiled. "I think you look better without it."
Come to think of it, Genshin Impact had quite a few eyepatch-wearing characters.
Fischl wore hers due to chuunibyou, while Kaeya's likely tied to his Khaenri'ah heritage.
"As a captain, I keep one eye covered to adapt faster to darkness," Beidou explained breezily. "Back when piracy was rampant, this trick saved me more than once. These days, battles are rare, but old habits die hard."
Just as Lucas finished dressing, a deafening BOOM shook the ship violently.
A panicked shout followed: "Alert! S-sea monster attacking!"
Hearing "sea monster," Lucas's heart skipped a beat.
Had his oath come true this fast?
At his current strength, ordinary foes were no threat. But all his past battles had been on land—now, adrift at sea, he couldn't help feeling uneasy.
Yet Beidou looked exhilarated. She grinned fiercely. "Bold move, picking a fight with me! Let's go greet our guest—see if it's tougher than Haishan!"
Haishan was a colossal sea beast Beidou had slain after countless attempts. In a grueling four-day battle, she'd finally decapitated the four-legged monstrosity.
That very fight had earned her a Vision.
Though it hadn't been a solo victory, Beidou—Visionless at the time—had achieved the near-impossible.
Since then, as if cowed by her ferocity, sea monsters had vanished from Liyue's waters. Now, facing one again, Beidou itched for a rematch.
They rushed to the deck, where calm seas had transformed into raging waves. Alongside the ship loomed not one, but three monstrous heads—each belonging to a serpentine leviathan stretching dozens of meters long. Even the mighty Alcor seemed a toy boat in comparison.
Lumine and Paimon were already on deck. Spotting Beidou and Lucas emerging together, Lumine frowned. "You two…?"
"Just playing cards!" Lucas brushed it off. "No time for that now—what are these things?"
"Not three monsters—one with three heads," Beidou corrected, her expression a mix of tension and exhilaration. "That's Osial's wife—'Beisht.' Never thought we'd meet her."
Beisht?
The name rang a bell.
Dubbed "Remnant of the Vortex," this creature had once attacked the rebuilt Jade Chamber to avenge her husband, the Vortex God Osial.
Though weaker than her divine spouse, she was still a force to reckon with—especially at sea, her domain.
As Lucas strategized, Beidou acted first. A massive claymore materialized in her hands, crackling with Electro. She spun, building momentum, then hurled the blade like a projectile.
"Take this—Tidecaller!"
Even Lucas was surprised. A weapon this massive, and she was treating it like a thrown dagger?
The greatsword spun through the air like a storm-tossed anchor. The moment it struck the sea dragon's head, it split the scales like they were paper, embedding deep into its skull. Then, with a whirl, it returned to Beidou's hand.
"Whoa!"
"Monstrous strength!"
"Captain Beidou is insane!"
That strike caused an instant uproar—this wasn't the power of some average Vision holder. Such overwhelming might, with a single move, severely wounded a monster of that level. Naturally, it left everyone else speechless.
"Piece of cake," Beidou wiped her nose smugly. "Seems I've grown stronger—even the legendary Beisht's no match. Next time, maybe I'll spar with Osial himself!"
But the sea surged anew. The severed heads regenerated—larger than before.
Before anyone could react, a massive blue tentacle erupted from the waves, lashing toward Beidou.
Two wind blades—one noticeably stronger—sliced the appendage into thirds mid-air.
The weaker one came from Lumine; the stronger, from Lucas.
Having traveled Mondstadt and Liyue, Lumine wielded Anemo and Geo, mirroring in-game progress.
Though her combat experience remained, her strength was a shadow of its former self—nowhere near Lucas's current level.
Yet seeing him use Anemo deepened Lumine's frown.
During their battle against Stormterror, he'd wielded Cryo.
Why Anemo now?
Moreover, like her, he didn't need a Vision to harness elements.
As far as Lumine knew, only "Outlanders" like herself—and presumably her brother Aether—possessed this trait.
Did that mean… Lucas was connected to Aether?
Her thoughts were cut short as the Beisht's heads reared, unleashing torrents of high-pressure water bullets.
BANG! BANG! BANG!
The hardened deck splintered under the barrage.
"Lumine, focus!" Paimon yelped.
Too late—a water bullet hurtled toward her.
Lucas lunged, unleashing a gout of crimson flame that vaporized the attack mid-air.
Phoenix Flame—pilfered from the Bifang clan—was no ordinary fire. Even the Beisht's assault couldn't withstand it.
The creature recoiled, wary of the blaze.
But Lucas hadn't fully mastered this power. While he could likely scorch the beast, the Alcor would burn to cinders alongside it.
Unnoticed by him, Lumine's gaze grew more suspicious.
Anemo. Geo. Now Pyro?
Lumine had awakened her elements through each nation's Statues of The Seven. If Lucas had done the same, he'd have needed to visit Snezhnaya and Natlan—yet he'd claimed never to have been there.
What was he hiding?
Now wasn't the time. She'd grill him later—if they survived.
Beidou repeated her claymore toss, but this time, the blades bounced harmlessly off the regenerated hides.
"Damn it…" Beidou gritted her teeth. "It's tougher now."
"Captain!" Lucas shouted. "We can't win this—retreat!"
Only Beidou fought for sport. In reality, victory brought no rewards—only a sunk ship and drowned crew.
Ever pragmatic, Beidou barked orders as another salvo loomed: "Activate the Wind Catcher! Full speed ahead!"
The Wind Catcher was the Alcor's secret weapon—a wind-storage device for emergency propulsion.
"Captain, bad news!" The first mate grimaced. "The water bullets ruptured the Anemo reserves—the Wind Catcher's dead!"
"Damn it!"
Beidou's heart skipped a beat. Without the power of Anemo to activate it, the Wind Propeller was nothing more than a useless hunk of metal. But with her wealth of experience, she quickly barked orders: "Anyone with a Vision of Anemo, go and channel energy into it now! Kazuha! And that blonde brat, hurry up!"
As for why she didn't send Lucas along, the reason was simple—someone had to hold off Beisht's attacks while the Anemo energy was being infused.
Kazuha waved at Lumine and said, "Follow me!"
Though Lumine was worried about Lucas, she gritted her teeth for the sake of the bigger picture and said, "Brother Lucas, Captain, be careful!"
"Don't worry," Lucas flashed a thumbs-up and grinned. "I promised I'd help you find your brother, didn't I?"
"Hey, kid," Beidou slung her massive sword over her shoulder and smirked. "If we survive this, let's go drink our fill. I'll make sure Ningguang coughs up that bottle of 'Daughter's Red' she's been hoarding for years."
"Honored," Lucas replied, a spear materializing in his hand as he chuckled. "Cover me!"
"Huh?"
Before Beidou could react, Lucas had already leaped off the ship. The moment his feet touched the water's surface, a layer of ice formed beneath him, rapidly extending toward Beisht.
Among all elemental affinities, Lucas' mastery of Cryo was the highest.
"Mastery" wasn't just about amplifying elemental power—it also enhanced control.
So, walking on ice was as natural to Lucas as eating or drinking.
He knew that if they kept fighting from a distance, Beisht would continue bombarding them with water projectiles. The ship wouldn't hold. The only way to buy time for the Wind Propeller to accumulate enough Anemo energy was to engage Beisht in close combat.
As for his own safety?
Lucas' physical prowess was monstrous. In fact, if not for the inconvenience, he could probably walk all the way to Inazuma on frozen water, as long as he had enough food and drink.
When it came to "walking on ice across the sea," even Kaeya would have to take a back seat.
More importantly, as long as he was away from the ship, Lucas could unleash his full power without restraint.
---
Beidou was stunned when Lucas suddenly jumped ship. She rushed to the edge, only to see him walking effortlessly on ice. She let out a relieved sigh and cursed, "Damn it, kid! What the hell am I supposed to cover you from?!"
Had this guy planned to solo Beisht from the start?
Beidou had always prided herself on being reckless—after all, she was the one who dared to challenge Haishan. But even she had prepared thoroughly, loading the ship with weapons before setting sail.
And here was this guy, charging at Beisht with nothing but a spear!
"Damn it, such a brave man…" Beidou bit her lip and muttered, "It's rare for someone to make my heart skip a beat like this."
Unlike those young girls, Beidou had no interest in pretty-faced, delicate men. She was drawn to raw strength. But in all her years in Liyue, she had never met a man stronger than herself.
Now, watching Lucas charge forward without hesitation, spear in hand—it was the most stirring sight she'd ever seen.
If she weren't needed to command the ship, she would've charged alongside him.
But wait… that spear in Lucas' hand looked familiar.
Wasn't that the "Vortex Vanquisher," the legendary weapon Rex Lapis used to seal away sea monsters? A replica, perhaps?
Little did Beidou know, the spear in Lucas' hand was the genuine article—personally gifted to him by Rex Lapis himself.
---
Meanwhile, Beisht had noticed the audacity of this tiny human daring to charge at her alone. To her, it was nothing short of an insult.
Just as Lucas predicted, Beisht shifted her focus from the Alcor to him. Her central head unleashed a massive torrent of water, striking the ice behind Lucas and instantly splitting it apart. The fissure raced toward him.
This wasn't just water—it was a high-pressure water cutter!
Lucas didn't dare take it head-on. With a swift motion, he planted the tip of his spear into the ice and pole-vaulted high into the air.
But when Beisht saw the Vortex Vanquisher in Lucas' hand, her body froze for a split second. Then, she let out a piercing shriek. All three heads aimed at Lucas and unleashed high-pressure water jets simultaneously.
She recognized that spear instantly—it was the very weapon that had sealed her beloved, the "Overlord of the Vortex," Osial. Consumed by grief and rage, she held nothing back.
The attacks came from three directions, leaving no room to dodge—especially for a target mid-air.
But Lucas was prepared. In an instant, a layer of Cryo armor encased his body, blocking the water jets. The supposedly unstoppable torrents were halted by the ice shield.
The Vortex Vanquisher's special effect enhanced all shield strength by 40%—including Cryo shields.
Can't dodge?
Then stack defense!
With the thickest shield and the toughest body, bolstered by the "Indestructible Golden Body" defense bonus, even Beisht's full-force attacks couldn't break through immediately.
"Take this—!"
Lucas raised the Vortex Vanquisher, flames erupting along its length.
"Divine Flame Dragon Piercer!"
This move combined the "Flame of the Vermilion Bird" with the "Dragon Piercer," using the Vortex Vanquisher as its conduit.
Moreover, though it wasn't mentioned in the weapon's description, the Vortex Vanquisher—originally forged by Rex Lapis to suppress sea monsters—was inherently lethal to aquatic fiends. A single strike from it could obliterate even Beisht's husband, the Overlord of the Vortex Osial, if he were resurrected.
Beisht sensed the impending doom of this attack but found herself paralyzed by fear. Lucas' flaming spear streaked across the sky like a falling meteor, incinerating all three of Beisht's bodies in an instant.
The aftershock of the Dragon Piercer sent massive waves rippling through the sea, churning the surrounding waters.
The overwhelming heat of the flames boiled the ocean, cooking any unfortunate sea creatures that couldn't escape in time.
Had this been near a populated area, the blast radius would've reduced everything to scorched earth.
The attack, powerful enough to one-shot a creature of Beisht's caliber, drained Lucas of most of his stamina. He plummeted toward the sea.
Meanwhile, the Wind Propeller on the Alcor had finished charging. Ignoring the boiling waters and lingering flames, the ship sped toward Lucas.
"Full speed ahead! Full speed ahead!"
Beidou roared commands, her face etched with unprecedented urgency.
But just as the ship neared, an unfathomably deep whirlpool formed in the sea around Lucas.
"I hate! I HATE!"
"Devour! DEVOUR HIM!"
"Overlord of the Vortex, Osial, my beloved… if you can hear me—"
"By the remnant fury of the vortex, DESTROY HIM!"
A voice thick with resentment rose from the swirling maelstrom. The Alcor couldn't get any closer. Everyone could only watch helplessly as Lucas' body was swallowed by the whirlpool's center—vanishing in the blink of an eye.
And just like that, the whirlpool disappeared. Aside from the floating corpses of boiled fish, it was as if nothing had happened.
---
"Lucas!"
Lumine's face twisted in panic. She moved to jump into the sea to save him.
She had just glimpsed faint clues about her brother from Lucas, and she'd grown fond of him. There was no way she'd stand by and watch him drown.
"Lumine! Don't!"
Paimon reached out to stop her, but her tiny frame couldn't even handle a baby boar, let alone a full-grown human.
Just as Lumine was about to leap, a massive sword blocked her path.
"Don't be stupid," Beidou said coldly, her expression icy. "That whirlpool is Beisht's lingering resentment. Jump in, and you're not coming back."
"Get out of my way!" Lumine snapped. "Are you just going to let Brother Lucas drown?!"
"That's the cruelty of the sea," Beidou sighed. "I've lost count of how many of my crew have died at sea. All the sea monsters and gods combined aren't as terrifying as the ocean itself."
Lumine wasn't irrational. She knew the odds of surviving that whirlpool were slim. But she couldn't accept it. "So there's nothing we can do? He risked his life to save all of us!"
"I have an idea," Kazuha, who had been silent until now, stepped forward. "If the whirlpool is formed from resentment, it might not lead to an abyss. Lucas could be trapped inside. We should head to Inazuma and seek help."
"Right!" Beidou smacked her forehead. "I've heard the Raiden Shogun is insanely powerful—she once cleaved the Musoujin Gorge with a single strike. If we can get her to slice open that whirlpool, there might still be hope."
But at the mention of the "Raiden Shogun," Kazuha's expression darkened. He shook his head. "No good. The Shogun's temperament is unpredictable. Besides, we're technically stowaways violating the Sakoku Decree. There's no way we'd get an audience with Inazuma's archon. More importantly… I have history with the Shogun. I was part of the resistance. The Tenryou Commission might still have a bounty on my head."
"Then what do we do?" Paimon stomped her feet mid-air. "Who else can we ask for help?"
Despite her reservations about Lucas' "character," she still considered him a comrade and didn't want him dead.
"Our only option is to seek help from the resistance," Kazuha crossed his arms. "The leader of Watatsumi Island's resistance is Sangonomiya Kokomi, the 'Divine Priestess.' She's resourceful and powerful. I served under her subordinate Gorou—we might be able to get assistance through him."
"At this point, we've got no choice," Beidou, ever decisive, immediately ordered, "Navigator, mark these coordinates! Helmsman, change course! And you two—keep channeling energy into the Propeller. We're going full speed ahead! Destination: Watatsumi Island!"
"Aye!" The crew responded in unison.
---
Meanwhile, in Liyue Harbor, at Ganyu's residence.
Ganyu, working overtime in her study, suddenly felt a pang in her chest. Her hand twitched, knocking over a bottle of red ink and staining the documents before her.
"Oh no!" She snapped out of her daze and hurried to clean up, only to knock over another stack of scrolls.
"What's going on?" Shenhe, passing by, pushed the door open and frowned. "Senior Sister, are you okay?"
"I-I'm fine," Ganyu forced a smile as she tidied up. "I don't know why, but I suddenly felt uneasy. Do you think… something happened to Husband?"
Shenhe helped pick up the mess and said casually, "Brother-in-Law's only been gone for a short while, and you're already worried? Relax. He might not be as strong as you, but he's no pushover. He won't die that easily."
Though she and Ganyu had both "married" Lucas, Shenhe had gotten used to calling him "brother-in-law" and never bothered to change.
Besides, given her personality, asking her to call him "husband" was probably unrealistic.
"Maybe I'm overthinking it," Ganyu sighed. "I should've just taken some time off and gone with him."
If Ganyu had gone, Beisht probably wouldn't have dared to show up.
Shenhe scoffed. "He's your husband, not your son. Why fuss so much?"
"I don't know why…" Ganyu shook her head. "Sometimes, I feel like Lucas might've been my child in a past life."
This was tied to the previous simulator. That dream had left a subconscious imprint on her.
"What a hassle," Shenhe grumbled. "Fine. I'll go to Inazuma and keep an eye on him, so you don't have to worry."
"It's too late," Ganyu replied. "The only ship that can reach Inazuma right now is the Alcor."
"No matter," Shenhe said seriously. "If I swim fast enough, I can catch up."
Ganyu could only smile wryly, silently praying, "Husband, please stay safe."
---
"Cough! Cough!"
Perhaps in response to Ganyu's prayer, Lucas suddenly coughed and slowly regained consciousness.
He looked around, stunned to find himself on a beach, the Vortex Vanquisher still tightly gripped in his hand.
It took him a moment to recall—he'd exhausted himself using that overpowered technique and had fallen into the whirlpool.
Logically, an unconscious person sucked into a whirlpool should've been doomed. So why was he unharmed?
Suddenly, the Vortex Vanquisher glowed faintly. A warm, soothing sensation spread through Lucas' palm.
"Could it be…" Lucas murmured, staring at the spear. "You saved me?"
The spear couldn't speak, but it vibrated slightly, as if in response.
So this is the power of a divine weapon gifted by Rex Lapis himself.
"Thank you," Lucas said sincerely, using the spear to push himself up.
Then, less than ten meters away, he spotted a girl lying on the sand—apparently another victim of the sea.
Without hesitation, Lucas rushed over and turned her onto her back.
She was strikingly cute, with long, water-blue hair that shimmered like ocean waves under the sunlight.
But she was completely naked, save for a few strands of seaweed barely covering her.
Her ample curves strained against the seaweed's meager coverage, as if the poor plants were struggling to contain her.
Now wasn't the time to admire the view. Lucas quickly checked her pulse—steady. No signs of drowning. With his "Medical Sage" talent, he set aside propriety and examined her further.
Strangely, she showed no symptoms of drowning. Even after some artificial respiration, no water came out.
Even someone as tough as me coughed up seawater. How is she fine?
Then Lucas noticed something odd—slits behind her ears, rhythmically opening and closing with her breath.
Gills?
Humans didn't have gills. As far as Lucas knew, in Teyvat, only merfolk or similar creatures possessed such traits.
Curious, Lucas poked one of the gills.
The girl jolted awake as if electrocuted.
Her eyes, as blue as her hair but brighter, had tiny pupils—almost like a husky's.
Not an insult. Huskies might seem goofy, but their eyes were stunning.
But the moment she saw Lucas, her pupils dilated, turning crimson. With a furious roar, she lunged at him, screaming, "Why aren't you dead?! I'll kill you!"
"Huh?" Lucas easily held her back with a hand on her forehead. "Kid, you've got the wrong person."
The girl flailed wildly, but her punches and kicks were useless. In frustration, she bit down hard on Lucas' hand.
"Ow!" Lucas yanked his hand back, scowling. "What are you, a dog? Why bite?"
"Hah! You're done for!" The girl cackled. "My venomous fangs will kill you!"
"Venomous fangs?" Lucas inspected his hand—only a faint mark. "At worst, I'll get rabies."
Seeing Lucas unharmed, the girl froze. Then she looked down at herself and gasped. "How… How did I end up like this?"
Her fiery demeanor vanished. Her eyes turned gray as she collapsed to her knees, tears streaming. "Husband… I… I failed to avenge you. I'm… so useless."
Confused, Lucas asked, "Who… are you?"
Though she was the same person, her personality had done a complete 180.
"I am Beisht, wife of the Overlord of the Vortex, Osial…" The girl looked up, her gray eyes filled with sorrow. "Kill me. Use that weapon—the one that killed my husband. At least… we'll die the same way."
This is Beisht?!
No wonder she had gills—she wasn't human.
Though called Osial's "wife," Beisht was more of a follower. Osial was a true god, while Beisht wasn't. Different species entirely.
Her split personalities likely stemmed from centuries of grief and isolation underwater.
Beisht had sensed the Vortex Vanquisher's presence and attacked the Alcor. To her, whoever wielded the weapon that killed Osial was her enemy.
Her logic was akin to "I just want to be the mayor's wife—who the mayor is doesn't matter."
Truthfully, Beisht wasn't inherently evil. After Osial's sealing, she'd vanished. Had she been a threat, Rex Lapis would've dealt with her long ago.
Only the desire for revenge had drawn her out.
Now, defeated and drained from creating the whirlpool, she was harmless—just a mentally unstable woman.
"Fine. If you won't kill me, I'll do it myself!" Seeing Lucas hesitate, Beisht threw herself at the spear's blade.
Lucas yanked her into a hug. "Stop!"
"Let go…" Beisht struggled. "I must keep this body pure for my husband."
Pure for what? You two aren't even biologically compatible.
Lucas realized that even if he let her go, she'd kill herself out of despair. The only way to save her was…
"You don't need to die," Lucas said gently. "Because… I am Osial."
Beisht stiffened, then sneered. "Liar. My husband was slain by Morax—"
"True. After my defeat, my soul was sealed within the Vortex Vanquisher and sunk into the depths," Lucas said solemnly. "Years later, a drowning boy fell near the spear. I used his body to resurrect myself."
A sane person wouldn't buy such a wild tale. But Beisht's fractured mind and obsession with Osial made her hesitate.
"Doubt me?" Lucas placed a hand on her shoulder. "Then I'll prove it."
Lucas had no connection to Osial.
But the moment he touched Beisht, he activated his newly acquired skill from the simulator—"Mirror Flower, Water Moon."
In her weakened, unstable state, Beisht fell for the illusion instantly.
As she looked at Lucas, phantom water dragons coiled behind him, roaring like the Overlord of the Vortex himself.
Confronted with "proof," Beisht's doubts vanished. Her gray eyes shimmered blue as she threw herself into Lucas' arms. "Husband… I never thought we'd meet again."
*What's with this mood swing?
First a rage monster, then a suicidal wreck, now this tender devotion.
Normal people didn't switch personalities so drastically. It was like she had multiple souls in one body.
"Y-Yeah…" Lucas forced a smile. "But my soul was sealed too long. I've forgotten… many things. Even you."
"It's okay, husband. I understand." Beisht smiled sadly. "For centuries, I wandered the ocean alone. The loneliness… fractured my soul into three."
"Three?" Lucas blinked.
"You've seen them," Beisht sighed. "By human terms, I have three personalities. My rage toward Morax formed the red one. My despair became the gray one. And my love for you… is the blue one—me, now."
Damn. Most people split into two personalities under extreme stress. You went for three.
Lucas couldn't help but pity her. Centuries of isolation had driven her to create personas to cope.
"So… where are we?" Lucas glanced around. "How do we leave?"
"Why leave?" Beisht tilted her head. "This is 'Dark Vortex Island.' The currents around Inazuma are treacherous—no ship can reach us. Now that we're reunited, let's live here in peace."
Crap. Lying backfired.
Lucas sighed. "Though I'm Osial reborn… I'm human now. I have a human life. I can't stay here forever."
Besides, the Alcor crew—and likely Ganyu and Shenhe—would tear the ocean apart searching for him.
"You… you're abandoning me?" Beisht's eyes darkened to gray as she slumped. "Abandoned… abandoned…"
Too fast!
"That's not what I meant!" Lucas quickly clarified. "You can come with me. Live among humans."
Beisht shrank back. "I… hate humans."
"Then I'll take you somewhere else," Lucas said. "A place without humans… where we can meet often."
"Really?" Beisht's eyes brightened blue. "As long as I'm with you, I'll go!"
That place was Lucas' "Harem Sanctuary"—the Serenitea Pot!
Its inhabitants were mostly automatons, hilichurls, or creatures like the Blue-Eyes White Dragon and Stormterror. No humans.
Honestly, the Serenitea Pot was like Professor Oak's lab to Lucas—anyone inconvenient got sent there.
Did that make Raiden Mei the Professor Oak of this world?
The only difference was that while Ash's journey had ended, Lucas' adventure was far from over.
"Then it's settled," Lucas said, eyeing the deceptively calm but deadly waters. "But how do we get out?"
Wait. Can't I just summon the Blue-Eyes White Dragon or Stormterror to fly us out?
Just as he thought this, two seagulls flew toward the island, likely seeking food. But the moment they descended, a bolt of lightning struck from the stormy sky, reducing them to charred crisps.
"W-What was that?!" Lucas paled.
"Lightning storms are common near Inazuma," Beisht explained. "The only safe place is underwater."
Thank the seagulls for their sacrifice.
Had he summoned the massive Blue-Eyes White Dragon, it would've been a lightning rod.
For seagulls, it's safer to stick to stealing fries at the docks.
"Lightning above, deadly currents below…" Lucas groaned. "Are we trapped?"
"Husband, you jest," Beisht giggled. "You're the Overlord of the Vortex—master of the seas. These currents are nothing to you."
"After reincarnating, I lost most of my power," Lucas wiped sweat off his brow. "Why don't you take us out?"
Though weaker than Osial, Beisht was still formidable. Surely she could manage.
"That last battle drained me. I can't even revert to my true form," Beisht shook her head. "Recovering will take… cough… three to five years."
She'd clearly intended to say "months" but extended the timeframe, hoping to keep Lucas here with her.
Her transparent lie showed her innocence. Had she truly wanted to trap him, she could've claimed recovery was impossible.
"I can't stay that long," Lucas gripped her shoulders. "There must be another way."
---
"Damn you!"
At Lucas' words, Beisht's eyes flared red. She grabbed his collar and snarled, "You won't even stay with me a little longer?! After all my years of waiting! Heartless bastard!"
Worst personality activated!
The gray one was just depressing. The blue one was cooperative. But the red one? Pure rage.
"Calm down!"
Lucas pinned her against a rock wall, scowling. "This isn't the time for tantrums. Tell me how to leave."
"Tch."
Beisht smirked. "Leaving's easy. Regain even a tenth of your former power, and these currents won't stop you."
Problem is, Osial wasn't my past life!
Lucas couldn't admit that. Instead, he asked, "How… do I regain that power?"
"You forgot?" Beisht pressed a hand to her stomach. Water-like patterns glowed across her skin. "To assimilate me, you imprinted part of your power onto me. Take it back now, and you'll recover that fragment. It's nothing compared to your prime, but enough to brave these currents."
"I… think I remember now," Lucas lied. "But will taking it back hurt you?"
"This power was just a bridge to bind me. I can't use it." Beisht smiled. "Taking it might even… relieve me."
Lucas got the gist. Osial's power was like a "deposit," and Beisht was the "bank." Retrieving it would restore some of his "savings."
But since he wasn't actually Osial, how would this work?
"Then let's do it," Lucas said cautiously. "How?"
Beisht's cheeks flushed. She whispered, "The same way you gave it to me…"
Oh.
Oh no.
Lucas suddenly realized why she'd said taking the power back might "relieve" her.
This was going to be awkward.
The "interest" generated from this "deposit" became the energy absorbed by Beisht, but she herself couldn't utilize this deposit—only Osial could retrieve and use it.
Of course, the real Osial was currently sealed away somewhere, unknown. This "deposit" could only be "fraudulently claimed" by Lucas.
Sorry, Brother Osial. When I return to Liyue, I swear I'll burn three sticks of incense for you every day as thanks. Little brother here has no choice but to borrow your name to get off this island. Please forgive me!
Lucas silently expressed his gratitude to this unseen ancient god in his heart before shamelessly saying, "I see. Then… give it to me."
Beisht crossed her arms and smirked. "Come and take it."
Lucas tilted his head in confusion. "How… how do I take it?"
Did he need to input some kind of account number and password or something?
"Back then, you used my purity as the vessel to seal this power," Beisht beckoned him with a finger, smiling. "As long as I lose my purity, this power will flow back into you."
Is this scientific?
No, it's not!
But then again, Teyvat wasn't exactly a place where science mattered much.
Still, what kind of idiot was Osial? Using his own wife's purity to seal power?
What, if the power wasn't used, did that mean his wife was just left untouched too?
Of course, Lucas couldn't even figure out Zhongli's way of doing things, let alone another ancient god's. Who knew how bizarre these beings could be?
"So, you mean…" Lucas' face reddened slightly. "We have to… do that for me to get my power back?"
"Exactly," Beisht stated bluntly. "Fuck me."
Damn, this red personality isn't just hot-tempered—she's also way too direct.
"But…" Lucas still hesitated.
Taking someone else's power was already shady enough. Now, he was about to take their wife too? If he were Osial and found out about this, he'd probably flip out of the ocean in rage.
"I get it…" Beisht's eyes instantly turned gray, her expression darkening. "Back then, you had countless concubines, yet you refused to touch me. Was it because… I'm ugly? You despised me?"
"Of course not!" Lucas quickly explained. "I've just lost too many memories. Suddenly being told to… ahem with you, isn't it normal to hesitate?"
This wasn't the simulator—recklessness here could be dangerous.
"So, if you regain your memories, it'll be fine?" The gray in Beisht's eyes faded, replaced by a deep blue. Suddenly, an exquisite conch appeared in her hands. "Do you remember this conch? You once told me that if I blew it, you'd come to me. If I blow it now, maybe it'll bring your memories back too!"
With that, Beisht raised the conch to her lips, and Lucas heard a deep, melancholic sound.
For some reason, the moment he heard it, his entire body trembled, and his consciousness blurred.
[Due to the host meeting special conditions, the designated simulator Memories of the Vortex God can be activated.]
A "designated simulator" referred to a special simulator that only activated when the host fulfilled certain rare conditions.
According to the system, these conditions were extremely uncommon. Even Lucas had only triggered it once before—when he touched a stone tablet at the ruins of Decarabian's Tower during the campaign against Stormterror.
"You said this was rare," Lucas muttered to the system. "How did I trigger it again?"
[It is rare. Who knew you'd get so lucky, meeting such stringent conditions?]
[Designated simulator activated.]
[Starting talents as follows:]
[Vortex God (Gold): As the Vortex God, you possess an innate mastery over Hydro, capable of summoning whirlpools and tsunamis.]
[King of the Deep (Gold): In the ocean's depths, you are the undisputed ruler. Most aquatic life can communicate with and obey you.]
[Eternal in the Blue (Purple): In any environment with Hydro, you can absorb its energy to greatly enhance your regeneration.]
It seemed the "special condition" for activating this designated simulator was hearing Beisht blow the conch Osial had given her.
Honestly, triggering this condition was no easy feat. Under normal circumstances, encountering Beisht was already rare, and even if one did, she'd likely be in her monstrous form.
If Lucas hadn't lied earlier, claiming to be Osial's reincarnation, Beisht would never have blown that precious conch.
Looking at the three talents before him, it was impossible not to feel tempted.
Designated simulators weren't just rare—compared to regular ones, they didn't let you choose talents. Instead, they directly assigned powerful ones at the start, with the weakest still being purple-tier.
Well, I am a god. It's not like they'd give me something ridiculous like [Kricket Warrior], right?
[Age 0: You were born in the endless depths of the ocean. You didn't know why you existed, but you were filled with curiosity about this unknown world.]
[Age 1: You drifted aimlessly through the sea. You discovered you could communicate with the creatures you encountered—not through language, but through thought. Clever orcas, gentle dolphins, ferocious sharks, even crabs hiding under rocks (King of the Deep effect active).]
[Yet you knew you were different. You didn't need to flee from predators or scavenge for food. You simply wandered the abyss without purpose.]
[Age 37: Unconsciously, you realized you could effortlessly manipulate water (Vortex God effect active). Creating small whirlpools or massive tsunamis was equally trivial.]
[Age 182: Your body grew larger with time. Though you could communicate with most sea life, the ocean was far from safe. Like the war-torn land, the deep was ruled by powerful monsters fighting for dominance, devouring foes to strengthen themselves.]
[You had no interest in their battles, but your innate power drew their envy. You had no choice but to fight.]
[Most fell easily. After defeating them, you absorbed their strength—an instinct you couldn't explain.]
[Occasionally, you faced truly formidable foes. You were torn apart more than once, but as long as you were in the sea, time would heal you (Eternal in the Blue effect active).]
[Each recovery was like a rebirth, making you even stronger.]
[Age 1392: At some point, no monster in the sea could threaten you. Your signature move—ripping enemies apart with whirlpools—earned you the title Vortex God.]
[Age 1651: Life in the depths grew dull. You decided to leave the ocean and see the world above.]
[You weren't entirely ignorant of the surface. You knew of a weak but intelligent species called "humans," who built ships to traverse your domain.]
[So you took human form and began wandering the mortal realm.]
[But you were born of the sea. No matter how strong, you couldn't adapt to land.]
[Worse, the surface was embroiled in the Archon War—a chaotic struggle between gods no different from the battles below.]
[Your power was at its peak only in water. On land, many gods rivaled you. Thankfully, you could conceal your presence to avoid their notice.]
[Not all gods were hostile. During your travels, you met one named Havria, who ruled over "salt." She and her followers lived in barren lands, far from the war.]
[While other gods fought fiercely for Teyvat, Havria chose retreat. Faced with threats, she yielded again and again, until only a sliver of territory remained.]
[It couldn't be helped. Even among gods, strength varied. Your mastery over whirlpools made you invincible in the sea. Havria's power over salt? Even weakened on land, you could defeat her.]
[Friendship between gods was impossible—only one could survive the war. Yet Havria still called you a friend, becoming your sole reason to stay ashore.]
[She taught you many things: farming, herding, even sculpting salt. None of it mattered to you—especially the last one—but you humored her.]
[Once, you invited her to live with you underwater, safe from the war. She refused, joking, "I am the Salt God. If I enter the sea, I'll dissolve."]
[You knew the truth. Weak as she was, she couldn't abandon her people.]
[Age 1705: As expected, peace didn't last. Havria's concessions only delayed the inevitable. Soon, she lost everything—even a weapon to defend her followers.]
[You offered to help, but she declined. An unspoken rule of the Archon War forbade alliances. She wouldn't drag you into the land's strife.]
[So you granted her final wish—ending her life yourself.]
[Even a weak god's death unleashed power beyond mortal endurance. Those who stayed behind turned to salt statues.]
[You gained the "salt" authority. Disillusioned, you abandoned the surface forever, ready to return to the sea.]
[After burying Havria, another god appeared—one whose power dwarfed yours and Havria's combined. On land, you stood no chance.]
[Morax, the Geo Archon. The strongest contender in the region, backed by formidable allies. If you were the ocean's king, she was the land's overlord.]
[You expected her to slay you for your power. Instead, she spared you, taking Havria's survivors under her wing.]
[This insulted you. "Why ignore me?" you demanded.]
[She replied coldly, "I seek no throne. Since you belong to the sea, return there and avoid this conflict. Stay in the depths, and we need not be enemies."]
[With that, she left. For the first time, you felt fear—though there was no shame in that. In the ocean, even Morax might not best you.]
[Age 1706: During your absence, the monsters you once cowed had grown bold, terrorizing coastal villages.]
[You cared little for humans—to you, they were no different from animals, helpless in the Archon War.]
[But their plight offended your pride as the sea's sovereign. Perhaps you also needed to vent after Morax's slight. Without hesitation, you annihilated the marauding beasts.]
[As their remains sank, the terrified villagers knelt, hailing you as "Lord of the Sea."]
[You weren't surprised. Humans were weak but clever, always clinging to the strong.]
[Even Havria, frail as she was, had worshippers. You knew their reverence was born of fear, not respect.]
[Yet you didn't dislike it. Perhaps it was a god's nature to crave devotion. Even Morax, for all her power, needed followers.]
[You hadn't saved them intentionally. If they wished to worship you, so be it. With a wave, you parted the waves and returned home.]
[Age 1710: As predicted, your absence had allowed rivals to rise. You crushed them all within years, reasserting your dominance.]
[Once, you'd have slaughtered the defeated. But remembering Morax's recruited allies, you offered some a choice: serve or die.]
[Most chose service. You began building an underwater kingdom, heeding Morax's advice—if land wasn't your domain, you'd rule the seas unchallenged.]
[Occasionally, you visited the surface, casually protecting coastal towns from monsters. Each time, villagers praised you as "Lord of the Sea."]
[You preferred that title over "Vortex God." Though only a word apart, "god" sounded far nobler than "demon."]
[Age 1719: Your fame spread. Coastal settlements built shrines and idols, offering lavish tributes—livestock, gold, jewels. You ignored them, but the humans persisted, experimenting with new gifts to please you.]
[Though uninterested, you enjoyed their efforts—a rare amusement in your dull existence.]
[Age 1725: Disasters and war worsened human lives. Offerings grew meager, but you didn't mind. Starving people scraping together "tributes" deserved patience.]
[Like indulging a dog bringing sticks or flowers—it was trying its best.]
[Age 1726: This year, you expected a scrawny goat or fruit baskets. As their "god," you'd decided to help—until you saw the altar.]
[It was empty, save for a trembling, weeping girl.]
[Confused, you wondered if they'd sent her to beg. Before you could decide, she leaped into the raging sea.]
[Startled, you dove after her, carrying the drowning girl to your palace—a dry, luminous haven lit by mermaid-oil lamps.]
[Your servants were baffled but silent. Even you didn't know why you'd saved her. Perhaps just curiosity.]
[When she awoke, fear filled her eyes—until she saw you. Then came awe, confusion, even joy.]
[Assuming a gentle human form, you soothed her. Still, she recognized you, kneeling as she cried, "Lord of the Sea!"]
[Once calm, she explained: years of famine and war had left the village unable to offer goods. They feared you'd abandoned them for rejecting their tributes.]
[So the elders devised a "special gift"—a bride. Or, less delicately, a live sacrifice.]
[You almost laughed. Did they truly see you as some monster demanding virgins?]
["Please," she begged, kowtowing. "Eat me, or… or do anything. Just save my village!"]
["Why plead for them?" you asked. "They sent you to die. Don't you hate them?"]
[Her father had starved, leaving her mother struggling to feed them. The elders promised food if she became the offering.]
[She knew refusing meant both would die. So she agreed secretly, despite her mother's protests.]
[Understanding now, you promised to aid her village and send her home.]
[But she refused. Returning would imply you'd rejected her, dooming the village. Without her, her mother might remarry and live well.]
["Then stay," you said, lifting her chin. "Be my wife."]
[That night, she offered her body as tribute, and you accepted. As a god, you couldn't love a mortal—but their acts of procreation weren't unpleasant.]
[Havria had once taught you of human intimacy, even demonstrating in human form. Back then, you'd found it bizarre.]
["Humans enjoy this because it's their nature," she'd said, lying beside you. "Like sugar's sweetness fuels their bodies, this act brings joy when shared with a loved one."]
[You hadn't understood then. Nor did you know if Havria had felt joy that night.]
[Gods differed from mortals in this: while others lived to survive and reproduce, gods had no need for either. Their endless lives were both a blessing and a curse.]
[Having accepted the "offering," you soon delivered your "blessing." With a thought, you ended the drought, guiding fish into fishermen's nets.]
[To you, it was trivial. To the humans, it was divine miracle.]
[Age 1727: The girl brought life to your lonely palace. Compared to her past, this was paradise.]
[To you, she was hardly a burden. At the very least, she brought you much amusement. By day, she would clean your palace, and by night, she would warm your bed.]
[You initially thought this matter would conclude here. On this day of ritual, you whimsically wondered what gifts the humans would offer you this time. To your surprise, atop the altar, you saw yet another woman.]
[It seemed your assistance had given these humans a taste of sweet rewards. After all, their previous offerings had all been rejected. But upon presenting the "Bride of the Sea God," you not only accepted gladly but also immediately bestowed a divine miracle.]
[Perhaps they assumed this was your preference, leading them to repeat the same trick this year, offering yet another such "gift."]
Again?
Lucas couldn't help but laugh bitterly in his heart.
I'm the Sea God, not some playboy! Why are you throwing so many wives at me?
[As the woman prepared to leap into the sea, your decision:]
[1. Ignore her]
[2. Manifest and tell the humans to stop offering women]
[3. Accept gladly]
"Accept gladly"? Really?
Lucas pondered for a moment.
This woman was likely in a similar predicament as last year's offering—forced into becoming a sacrifice for unavoidable reasons. Even if he refused her, her life on land would hardly improve. Moreover, as the previous maiden had said, a "rejected" sacrifice would likely face a grim fate.
Besides, this was the Villain Simulator.
As a villain, demanding a woman as tribute from humans every year was perfectly reasonable!
"I accept gladly," Lucas shamelessly declared.
[Just like the previous year, as the woman plunged into the sea, you caught her in your arms and brought her back to your palace.]
[As you expected, her reaction upon waking mirrored her "predecessor's." Surprisingly, she even turned out to be acquainted with the first sacrifice. Fortunately, thanks to the "predecessor's" explanations, she quickly calmed down.]
[She briefly explained her circumstances—like the previous maiden, she had been chosen as a sacrifice due to her father's early death.]
[You couldn't help but find it amusing. These humans were so rigid. Because the first sacrifice had lost her father and was raised by her mother alone, they assumed you only favored maidens raised solely by their mothers—hence their selection of her.]
[Of course, this was only part of the reason. The truth was, families without husbands or fathers were vulnerable and less likely to resist, making them easier targets for sacrifice.]
[You gave her a choice: stay or return.]
[Seeing her once-emaciated companion now radiant and happy, she hesitated not a second before choosing to stay.]
[Thus, you gained your second bride. As if by instinct, you quickly learned how to manage two wives at once. As a deity of the sea, your energy was boundless within the ocean's embrace.]
[Humans have a saying: "The land never wears out, but the ox may die of exhaustion." But in your case, it became: "The sea never dries, but the fish may tire to death."]
[In the years that followed, you received a new "sacrifice" from the humans annually, each becoming your wife.]
[Most of these "offerings" were women facing hardship or lacking protection. Perhaps fearing the Sea God's wrath, the humans ensured these maidens were pure—after all, they assumed… that was your preference. Sending an "impure" woman might provoke your anger.]
[Within the bounds of nature's balance, you did your best to grant small favors to your devoted followers.]
[Though you called them wives, it was more accurate to say you provided refuge for these homeless women, offering them a carefree sanctuary.]
[You built them a grand palace, large enough to house hundreds. Here, they lived free from want or fear.]
[Age 1841: Unbeknownst to you, over a century had passed since the first sacrifice arrived. Human lifespans were fleeting—your first wife had died decades prior. Following their wishes, you buried your departed wives at sea, allowing their souls to remain with you in the ocean's depths.]
[The Archon War raged on, with gods battling for fertile lands. Yet your coastal followers remained largely untouched, steadfast in their belief that the Sea God protected them.]
[Thus, the annual "sacrifice" persisted, evolving over a century into the "Sea God's Bridal Ceremony." Each year, you would sit atop a giant clam, reins of twin sea beasts in hand, accepting dowries from village elders and welcoming a new bride aboard.]
[Your "bride price"? A year of calm seas.]
[Over time, the Bridal Ceremony became one of the coast's most cherished festivals. Joy filled every face—except the departing bride's. No one saw, nor cared about, her expression.]
[This year's ceremony unfolded as usual. You led the bride into the ocean's depths, past towering whalebone arches and gates adorned with pearls. This was the harem you had built for your wives.]
[Its inhabitants ranged from young to old, beautiful to plain, yet all adored their lives here—and loved you, their savior.]
[Lifting the bride's veil, you saw a young girl. Though not the fairest in your harem, her sea-blue eyes captivated you.]
[This wasn't "love." But what man could resist such eyes?]
[Fear and unease filled her gaze—a look common among new arrivals. You were accustomed to it. Soon enough, their eyes would reflect only happiness.]
["Do not fear," your voice rippled like the tide. "This mortal farce repeats yearly. Here, you may have whatever you desire."]
[After a long silence, the girl mustered courage: "I… want to go home."]
["This is your home now," you gestured to the laughing women beyond crystal walls. "Like them, you will live and age here. They, too, were cast aside. Here, no one disturbs their peace."]
[Yet the girl shook her head fiercely. "I wasn't cast aside! I want to go home! I want my mother!"]
[She was younger than any bride before—and thus, more naive.]
[She didn't realize she, like all who came here, had been "abandoned" by her village. They preyed on fatherless families, manipulating orphans and widows.]
[Those hardened by hardship adapted quickly, grateful for your refuge. None wished to return, knowing they had no home left on land.]
[You gave the girl the finest room and food, but her stubbornness defied all temptations. As a deity, her novelty didn't warrant indulgence. With countless wives, why focus on one child?]
[So you proposed a wager: if after a year she still wished to leave, you'd return her at the next Bridal Ceremony.]
[She agreed, smiling for the first time. You thought: How nice it would be to see that smile daily.]
[Asked her name, she said her illiterate mother hadn't given her one. When you offered to name her, she refused: "You've given me enough. Mother said not to be greedy. Besides… if you don't know my name, you won't miss me later, right?"]
["Absurd. Why would I miss a mortal?" you scoffed. "You may not even leave. This life surpasses your past."]
[The wager began. Your other wives doted on her, sensing your wish to keep her.]
[Yet you deemed their efforts unnecessary. Surely a month here would make her forget her past.]
[You lavished her with delicacies, silks, and pearl-adorned chambers—all ignored. She spent days staring toward her homeland, growing frail from waiting.]
[Only once did she ask for something: an hourglass.]
[Delighted by her first request, you crafted one from precious materials, enchanted and perfect down to each grain.]
[Her eyes sparkled upon receiving it. "With this, I can count the days till I go home," she said.]
[Furious but unwilling to show it, you left in cold silence.]
[That night, sleepless, a dark thought emerged. You slipped ashore to her village.]
[Observing from shadows, you noted its growth over a century. A snap could summon waves to erase it.]
[No home, no homesickness. Nowhere to return but to you.]
[Yet impulse faded. Havria's words echoed: "Cherish your people."]
[You lacked her compassion. Your restraint stemmed from not wanting to disappoint your late friend—and refusing to let the girl "win."]
["Had you acted, I wouldn't have stood idle," spoke a voice behind you. Turning, you saw the last person expected—Morax!]
[Why was the Geo Archon here? Had the Archon War reached these shores?]
[Reading your thoughts, Morax said flatly, "I'm merely wandering. The war hasn't come here."]
["Shouldn't the mightiest archon be fighting?" you asked cautiously.]
[Ignoring the question, she said, "Got any booze?"]
["I'm the Sea God—of course I have the finest wines," you boasted, emboldened by the sea's proximity. "Since when does the great Morax drown her sorrows?"]
["My dearest friend recently died," she admitted. "Join me for a drink?"]
[Thus, land's and sea's mightiest deities found themselves drinking in a dilapidated shrine.]
[Morax mourned the death of the Dust Archon, Guizhong. You, in turn, confessed your struggle with a stubborn girl.]
[Dawn approached. As she left, you asked, "Are we… friends?"]
["No. I'll have no more friends," Morax replied. "To avoid loss, one must forego connections."]
[You understood. This wasn't disdain—it was her way. No friends meant no grief.]
["However," Morax added, "I'll make a contract: remain at sea, harm none, and I'll never oppose you."]
[You sensed she, like you, cared little for humans. Her protection was likely another promise to a departed friend.]
["Don't think I fear you," you drunkenly retorted. "In the sea, I'm immortal."]
["Defeat needn't mean death," Morax drained her cup. "Thanks for the wine."]
["You drank centuries-old reserves!" you grumbled. "Humans pay for drinks, no?"]
[Back then, with no unified currency, coastal folk used seashells for trade.]
["I've nothing to barter," Morax said solemnly.]
Seriously? Thousands of years, and you still never carry cash!
[Suddenly, she conjured a golden disk. "This shall suffice."]
["What is it?" You examined the engraved circle. "Your creation?"]
[Archons could forge objects tied to their dominion—salt for Havria, water for you. As the Geo Archon, this was likely a unique crystal.]
["A prototype for universal currency," Morax explained. "With this, you may mint your own."]
["What if you lose the war?" you asked.]
["Then it becomes a relic," she said calmly. "Though it lacks a name."]
["Call it 'Morax,'" you suggested. "Too clunky. 'Mora' works."]
["Naming currency after oneself seems vain… yet fitting," she mused.]
[Obtained: The First Mora]
[Effect: The original Mora forged by Morax. Infuse Geo energy to produce authentic currency.]
Now rewards skip money and hand out printing presses?
As all knew, Mora was Teyvat's universal currency, minted solely by Liyue's "Gold House." This First Mora was a portable mint—with one hitch: you lacked Geo powers!
Otherwise, you'd have flooded Teyvat with inflation!
[You couldn't bring yourself to destroy the girl's village.]
[Months passed. Her resolve held firm. Each day, she stared at the horizon or her hourglass, counting down.]
[Your wives, sensing your reluctance to let her go, devised a plan: show her the "joys" of being your woman, and she'd stay willingly.]
[Most archons disdained mortal women. A harem-keeping sea deity like you was an anomaly.]
[With little else to do, bedding your wives was a prime diversion.]
[Your oceanic stamina allowed "equal attention" to all—a perk your wives adored more than palaces or feasts.]
["Once she experiences your… prowess, she'll stay like us," one wife said.]
[Puzzled, you asked, "You stay for the luxury, no?"]
[They exchanged knowing smiles. You'd underestimated human lust—and overestimated their materialism.]
[As the Sea God, force was beneath you. So your wives proposed a revelry where all could indulge freely with you. Surely the girl would join once tempted.]
[Though unconventional, archons weren't bound by mortal morals. You agreed, dubbing the event the "Tiger Hour Feast" for its dawn start.]
[At the Tiger Hour Feast, you had countless delicacies and fine wines prepared and displayed in the palace. Once the gathering began, you and your wives indulged in unrestrained revelry, sharing in the pleasures. Legend has it that in ancient times, there were emperors who drowned in debauchery, lost in pools of wine and forests of meat, yet compared to you, they were mere amateurs.]
[Entering Immersive Mode]
Damn, this Immersive mode... isn't it a bit too intense?
It must be said, the simulator's Immersive mode lately has been getting more and more outrageous.
Lucas took a moment to mentally prepare himself before slowly opening his eyes.
Even so, what lay before him was still hard to believe.
What was called "pools of wine and forests of meat," what was called "extravagance beyond measure."
What was called "beauties of every shape and charm," what was called "a garden of competing blossoms."
Today, he finally witnessed it all.
In the vast palace, dozens of people wore so little that their combined clothing probably couldn't even stitch together a single pair of underwear.
Since new wives joined the palace every year, their ages and charms varied. Perhaps due to the free use of precious skincare like pearl powder, even women in their thirties and forties were impeccably maintained.
The younger ones were adorable and naive, the older ones experienced and skilled.
No wonder there were so many decadent rulers in ancient times.
With just these few dozen, he was already completely immersed. If it were truly a harem of three thousand, even a god's body wouldn't hold up.
Of course, while there were many beauties among these brides, they still paled in comparison to the likes of Ganyu, Shenhe, Keqing, Eula, and Jean.
As Lucas took in the scene of these women surrounding him, his thoughts drifted. What if he gathered all the women he knew in reality for such a Tiger Hour Feast? What kind of spectacle would that be?
"Lord Sea God, why are you hesitating?" One of his wives filled his cup with fine wine and whispered in his ear, "That girl is watching from the corner. Let's... hurry and begin."
Lucas glanced sideways and, sure enough, a blue-eyed girl was hiding in a corner, secretly observing the palace's activities.
For some reason, those blue eyes felt familiar, as if he'd seen them somewhere before.
But his wives gave him no time to dwell on it. With cries of "Lord Sea God," he was instantly surrounded by a swarm of women.
No need to move—everything was automatic.
After all, these women lived here, free from all worries and duties. Their sole purpose was to bring joy to their "savior."
Soon, he was lost in the pleasure of "the emperor neglecting his morning court," even forgetting that all this was meant to pique the interest of that young girl.
Strangely, the thought of her watching from the shadows excited him inexplicably, and he redoubled his efforts.
Using the Sea God's body in the simulator felt similar to his experience in the "Lonely Tower King" simulation—always offering new sensations.
In the ocean, his stamina and energy seemed limitless. A mere few dozen wives were no match for him.
Finally, the girl could no longer hold back and rushed forward. Just as Lucas spread his arms to embrace her, she swung her tiny fists, pounding his chest as she mustered her courage: "Stop bullying my sisters!"
Her fists, of course, felt like nothing more than tickles to him. He caught her hand and said, "I'm not bullying them."
"You're lying! Dad used to 'bully' Mom like this too!" The innocent girl, completely ignorant of such matters, pouted tearfully. "I... I miss Mom..."
Her words cast a somber mood over the other wives.
After all, their backgrounds were similar. They had always believed their mothers would live better lives after they left.
Of course, none of them ever spoke of their mothers, nor did any dare ask the Sea God to let them visit. Becoming his bride meant severing all ties to their past lives on land.
Only this girl still longed to reunite with her mother.
"Fine," Lucas sighed. "I'll send you back."
The girl's blue eyes sparkled. "But... it hasn't been a year yet..."
"I concede," Lucas ruffled her hair helplessly. "Little one, you're impressive. You're the first human to make me admit defeat."
The Sea God's palace wasn't close to land, but Lucas instantly transported her to the shore.
The girl seemed unable to believe it. To her, the months spent in the palace felt like a fleeting dream.
"I'll give you one last choice," Lucas said, still reluctant. "Will you stay here, or return with me?"
"Lord Sea God... you're kind and gentle. I like you. But you have so many sisters with you—you'll never be lonely!" The girl said earnestly. "But Mom... she only has me..."
"Believe me, you'll regret this one day," Lucas took the conch from his waist and handed it to her. "If you ever wish to return, blow this conch. I'll come for you."
The girl carefully tucked the conch away, her cheeks flushing. "Lord Sea God, take back what you said earlier. Can you give me a name? With a name, Mom won't leave me again."
"You traveled mountains and rivers to come here, and now you leave like the wind," Lucas traced his finger over the conch, engraving two intricate characters. "Let's call you... Beisht."
"What a strange name..." Beisht frowned at the unfamiliar characters but smiled nonetheless. "But I like it. Goodbye, Lord Sea God!"
With that, she turned and left, her tiny footprints dotting the sand before a wave washed them away, as if they'd never existed.
Just like Beisht, who seemed to vanish from his life as if she'd never been there.