The next day, Lucian looked at the three women sleeping in each other's arms and fell into thought.
As a powerful Resonator, Lucian had naturally noticed Shorekeeper's sneaky peeking last night.
The commotion here inevitably caught Rover's attention, leading to this situation…
Lucian smiled faintly and walked to the window, thinking to himself.
I, Lucian, became Jinzhou's great hero through my talent and effort.
"System, draw the lottery!"
[…Shameless.]
The previous option completion granted a lottery chance.
[Beep beep beep…]
[Reward obtained: Backstab]
[Backstab: Instantly appear behind a visible target, increasing attack power by 800% for 3 seconds. Cooldown: 4 hours.]
"Instantly appear behind a target?"
And with a temporary attack power boost. Paired with his Paralysis Technique, wouldn't that be invincible…
But it might not be as effective against groups as it would be against a single target.
Rover came up behind Lucian, wrapping her arms around him: "What're you thinking about?"
Lucian turned and kissed her lightly on her pink lips: "Awake?"
"I was wondering where those light particles went after you woke up."
Rover recalled for a moment. She remembered waking in the inverted Etheric Sea, golden light particles scattering across the world.
The closest one was in Norfall Barrens, as she was above Jinzhou City at the time.
But the other light particles were unclear, their exact locations unknown.
Rover shook her head slowly, recounting the scene.
Lucian rubbed his chin, pondering: "Besides that, the inverted Etheric Sea has been on my mind."
"Is our planet wrapped in some kind of liquid? Otherwise, why would there be an inverted Etheric Sea… Or is this also the Threnodians' influence…"
Lucian looked at Rover in his arms, her golden eyes showing a hint of confusion, like a cute black kitten.
He ruffled her head: "These are just my guesses. I'm sure we'll find answers on our journey."
Rover leaned lazily against Lucian's chest, nodding slightly.
Since it was a rare moment of rest, Rover had changed into a black gown, exuding elegance and grace.
Jiao-Jiao, back in her small form, yawned and approached: "Everyone's awake?"
"I should head back to Jinzhou. I need to help the Magistrate with affairs."
"If you run into trouble, call me, and I'll help."
"But with your current strength, you shouldn't face anything unsolvable."
"Especially you, Lucian. Your strength has improved significantly."
"There's still a long way to the journey's end, whether you go to the New Federation or Rinascita… I'll support you from behind."
Lucian smiled, pinching Jiao-Jiao's smooth cheek: "Thanks, then?"
Jiao-Jiao rolled her eyes: "You better protect the Lady Arbiter, or I won't let you off."
With that, Jiao-Jiao's figure faded from the room, returning to Jinzhou.
Shorekeeper said: "After this incident, I need to reorganize the Black Shores. If you need anything, find me anytime."
"I'll walk the rest of the path with you."
Shorekeeper also left the space.
The incident had significantly impacted the Black Shores.
With Rover's Speaker replacing the Tethys System, it would take time to adjust.
But with Rover's Speaker's capabilities, fully replacing the Tethys System was no issue, and it could even elevate the Black Shores' overall capabilities.
"Now it's just the two of us again."
"Let's go. We haven't explored the Black Shores properly since arriving. This was our home once. Let's take a look around."
…
Leaving the flower room, they saw a researcher complaining in front of KU-Money.
"…KU-Money, when will my activity budget be approved?"
KU-Money froze, its small face collapsing: "Ku… Ku… System error… Ku…"
The researcher patted KU-Money's flat head: "Don't pretend to crash, you profiteer!"
"Anyway, hurry up…"
"After the Tethys System was replaced by that Cosmic Invincible Super Thunder Rover's Speaker System… what a ridiculous name…" the researcher muttered.
"…My colleagues have gone crazy, you know? It's even more powerful than the Tethys System, and they're desperate to study the new system."
"Though the new system's temper isn't great… it's much more humanized than the Tethys System. We all like it, and we'd love it even more if we could study it every day!"
"Anyway, speed up the budget. With the new system here, everyone wants to shine. You don't want us reporting you to the new system, do you?"
KU-Money: "…"
KU-Money remained unfazed. It figured it was a robot backed by Lucian and Rover. Even with a hundred guts, the Rover's Speaker System wouldn't dare touch it!
As for these people wanting to shine in front of the new system, KU-Money thought, That's just a word from Lucian and Rover!
As the smartest robot in the Black Shores, it had already found the way of survival!
Heh heh heh…
"…KU-Money?"
KU-Money turned to see Rover holding Lucian's arm, walking slowly. Lucian wore a sharp black suit, perfectly matching Rover.
KU-Money circled them, spouting flattery: "Well, look who's here!"
"You two are like a golden boy and jade girl, a match made in heaven!"
Lucian: "?"
Rover: "?"
Lucian smirked: "Wow! The sun rising from the west? You're usually so quiet, but today your old eyes mistook us for Shell Credits, huh?"
KU-Money: "???"
KU-Money fell silent. So in Lucian's eyes, I'm just a money-grubbing robot?
And the flattery it learned from Jinzhou's noble families was useless!
It's over, all over.
If Lucian mentioned this to the Rover's Speaker System, it might be scrapped!
As KU-Money racked its brain for a solution, Camellya arrived with Encore.
"Brother Lucian! Sister Rover!"
Encore broke free from Camellya's hand and ran over on her short legs.