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"Hoo? Tsk tsk."
Sylvester watched the thoroughly wrecked 'Giovanni' and curled the corner of his mouth into a teasing smirk.
The Aeon of Elation had actually been reduced to this state by a mere green-tier Curio—if this got out, people would laugh themselves silly.
Even if it was just a clone, seeing an Aeon of Elation become the butt of a joke was something the broader populace of the universe would undoubtedly enjoy.
Aha truly has no face left!
Sylvester stroked his chin, contemplating how to explain Aha's 'glorious deeds' to everyone.
A being of godly stature brought low before them—he could only wonder what expressions would cross their faces.
At that moment, a voice suddenly rang in his mind, pleading: "Wait, wait a moment…"
It wasn't a real sound but a direct telepathic transmission.
At a time like this, who else could communicate this way?
Sylvester muttered inwardly: "Aha?"
He added mischievously: "Does even the God of Fun get scared of becoming a joke?"
The voice replied: "That doesn't matter."
"I mean, don't reveal THEIR identity. THEY still want to play a little longer."
That doesn't matter?
This was a full-on social death.
Well, perhaps it was typical of THEM.
Sylvester had to admit, Aha's determination to pursue fun even while socially dead was impressive.
He teased: "You really have too much free time. Don't you have anything to do for maintaining cosmic peace?"
"Look at HooH—just the other day, THEY were voluntarily cleaning up after someone crossing time and space."
Aha's voice bristled with indignation: "Do you think THEY didn't see it? HooH was forced to do that after being beaten like a child by you. Otherwise, THEY would have erased that human immediately."
Then, THEY chuckled with schadenfreude: "Poor HooH… an Aeon reduced to serving a human. HooH truly has no face, truly has no face."
Oh, so THEY had noticed.
Sylvester rubbed his nose in slight embarrassment—not from being exposed, but out of mild guilt toward the Aeon of Equilibrium.
Originally, he intended to give a bit of a flattering cover, but Aha had ripped the veil off entirely.
Hmm… all because Aha is way too good at spying!
Neither he nor HooH had noticed this little trickster.
Sylvester addressed Aha: "Alright, I won't expose you, but don't cause trouble either."
"Of course. THEY always protect places that generate abundant fun."
With that, the telepathic link ended, and Sylvester leaned back in his chair, unconcerned.
Let 'Giovanni' frolic inside the shop like an untamed primal being—Aha was reconnecting, no need for him to intervene.
The only downside? Giovanni's reputation might suffer.
But Sylvester was confident the others didn't know this, while Tail floated around him, chuckling, and urged impatiently:
"Hey hey hey, don't give up on treating him!"
"That's right. Sylvester can create all these powerful Curios, there has to be a way, right?" Qingque's hopeful eyes glimmered, though her body was completely limp from laughter, slumped on the sofa, she still forced out words.
Huohuo joined in: "Yes, Shopkeeper Sylvester, you just figure something out."
No matter how anxious they were, Sylvester only smiled, raising a hand to signal them not to worry.
Tail's temper couldn't handle this, and he ground his teeth, suddenly coming up with an idea.
Floating in front of Huohuo, he resolutely said: "Little one, if all else fails, use your [Human Emperor Banner] to trap him."
"?"
"?"
"My heavens, this is going to be a huge amount of fun!"
Qingque and Huohuo froze, while Sylvester laughed wickedly.
If it was just trapping this clone, the [Human Emperor Banner] could easily manage.
But if they exploited the connection between the clone and the true body…
An Aeon serving as a puppet for Huohuo? Too thrilling!
If it worked, Aha would truly regret one misstep for eternity.
Ah, in life, never drink fermented bean juice!
"Ah? That doesn't seem right…"
Huohuo didn't immediately act.
After all, she had no ill will toward this person, and she didn't have the heart to trap them in the banner recklessly.
Tail couldn't stand her hesitancy.
"Hurry! The faster you act, the more of their consciousness you might preserve. You take forever to finish off your enemies, yet you hesitate so much when saving someone."
"Uh… fine." Huohuo, with no better choice, decided to grit her teeth and try.
She shook the banner, and a dense, viscous purple aura erupted, enveloping Aha.
Tail encouraged her: "Yes, yes, put some force into it."
But just as he was about to jump in, a sharp voice pierced the black mist: "Oh, Aeon of Elation above, who turned off the lights?"
"Ah, forgot it's daytime. Then who turned off the sun?"
"Uh, cough cough cough." Giovanni stepped out from the smoke, brushing off his clothes as if emerging from dust into his home.
"Mr. Giovanni! Are you alright?" Huohuo exclaimed in relief.
He had recovered on his own—luckily, she hadn't fully activated the [Human Emperor Banner], or she might have endangered a life.
"Of course."
Aha proudly placed THEIR hands on THEIR hips: "The great Aeon of Elation blesses every Masked Fool!"
Sylvester watched THEIR self-praise, his gaze flickering between Huohuo and the others.
Seeing Huohuo's relieved expression, he smiled faintly, emotions mixed.
They hadn't fully grasped how powerful the [Human Emperor Banner] was, but Sylvester knew clearly.
The earlier black smoke, combined with the lack of resistance from those unaffected, would have ensnared even an Emanator.
But Giovanni's body reacted as if merely brushed by a waft of smoke—completely unharmed.
That alone showed how terrifying THEIR strength was.
If he hadn't already known THEIR identity, he might have shouted: "What demon is this!"
After calming Huohuo and the others, Aha smiled at Tail: "Little Heliobi, I heard everything you said earlier. For caring about me, I'll repay you with a generous gift."
Tail, unaware of the circumstances, assumed this was standard gratitude.
Generously, he said: "It's nothing. I can't stand those who… cough… die unfairly."
He had meant "die foolishly," but reconsidered due to Aha's politeness.
Little did he know, his few words had enormous karmic implications.
Aha gave a wicked smile: "No worries. You'll like my gift, but I'll give it to you when I depart."
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