Rhodes Island arranged dorms for the members of Penguin Logistics, each one a two-person room.
The space wasn't large, but it was clean and tidy—far better than the old apartment they'd used back in Lungmen.
And because the dorms were on a ship, the interior had a faintly sci-fi feel. From the window, they could see the Wilderness stretching into the distance, which made Exusiai nearly explode with excitement at first.
But once the novelty faded, all the women of Penguin Logistics noticed the same issue.
Namely—
who was supposed to share a room with Lucian?
Exusiai jumped up immediately.
She cleared her throat, smiling warmly. "Lucian and I are both Sankta. Obviously, the scientific choice is for us to share a room~."
"What part of that is scientific?" Texas looked unconvinced.
Exusiai tapped the Halo above her head. "Think about it, Texas. We come with built-in lighting."
"We're used to it, sure. But if someone else roomed with us, they'd have to put up with the lights being on all night. And the more excited we get, the brighter our halos shine—so bright you literally can't keep your eyes open!"
Her smile was gentle... and unbelievably smug. "Do you really want a roommate like that? Of course you don't."
Texas's eye twitched. She wanted to argue, but she couldn't say the real reason.
This damn Exusiai. All this time she'd pretended she and Lucian were just "good buddies," never pushing too far. But recently—maybe because the competition kept increasing—she'd started brazenly tearing away the mask.
To Texas, that smile did not say "friendly coworker."
It said claiming territory in bright neon letters.
But betrayal always comes from the least expected place.
Lucian raised his hand seriously. "I'm not rooming with El."
"Whaaaat—!?"
Miss El instantly collapsed into tears.
Lucian pressed a hand to her forehead to keep her from clinging to him.
"I can't stand the lights either," he said firmly. "But I can turn mine off. This small-fry can't. Rooming with her would be torture. Absolutely not."
Exusiai protested loudly, "But you can just let me turn mine off too! All you have to do is let me (drink your bloo—) mmph!?"
Before she could say something idiotic, Lucian clamped a hand over her mouth and tossed her onto the bed.
Texas already knew Lucian's secret, so this was fine.
But Croissant was still in the room.
Lucian would rather die than let this walking loaf learn his secret. She'd be just as bad as Blaze—blabbing embarrassing things nonstop.
Texas finally exhaled in relief, looking downright cheerful.
Since Lucian rejected Exusiai, the most logical option was her.
Actually, besides her, there was no one else.
So Texas spoke with a hint of superiority:
"Then it's settled. I'll room with Lucian."
Croissant immediately began pouting. "Eh~? I dun want that~!"
This chaotic bread girl had zero feminine awareness. She was sitting criss-cross on Lucian's bed, wiggling around so much that her shorts nearly exposed her whole thigh.
She puffed her cheeks. "Ah don't like sleepin' with the lights on either! If you're with Lucian, then I get stuck with Exusiai! I dun want that!"
Exusiai crawled out from under Lucian, protesting fiercely:
"Why am I the one everyone hates!? I don't want to sleep with Croissant either! She snores like a chainsaw and her sleep-poses are terrifying! Angelina cried about it before!"
"What'd you say!? You lousy Exusiai!"
Croissant launched herself at Exusiai, and the two of them rolled around on Lucian's bed like a wrestling match.
Lucian let out a long, painful sigh. "I can't believe you've worked together this long and still have zero teamwork."
Exusiai and Croissant shouted together, "You're the last person who can say that!"
Lucian had no idea why they were mad.
Now the situation was a total mess.
Exusiai and Croissant refused to share a room with each other.
Lucian refused to share with Exusiai.
It wasn't about "men and women living together." If Lucian couldn't control himself around the Penguin Logistics girls, he would've started a harem years ago.
He simply didn't want to feed Exusiai blood every night just so she could turn her halo off.
It reminded him too much of his wandering life after leaving Laterano. Not good memories.
So that left only one option.
Lucian rested his chin in his hand calmly. "Texas, you and El share."
—crack.
Something intangible shattered.
Probably the friendship within Penguin Logistics.
Both Exusiai and Texas went pale, defeated beyond words.
Only Croissant cheered. "Ya-hoo~! Knew Lucian bro was the best!"
She leaped onto Lucian's back, all soft curves pressing against him, her face flushed as she grinned wickedly.
"I knew it~. Lucian bro's still a man deep down~. You always act like you hate me, but you've been dying for my irresistible body, right!"
"But don't worry! Croissant is super understanding!"
She shot a thumbs-up. "Lucian bro is my number-one man! Totally OK! As long as ya confess properly and give me a nice dowry, Ah'm all yours! Limited-time 15% discount! Better act fast! Ehehe~"
Not knowing whether she was happy or shy, Croissant rubbed her face against him like an oversized puppy.
Texas looked torn. "Lucian... do you really mean this? You and Croissant... is that truly what you want?"
Lucian nodded. "I've been serious the whole time. Texas, you're rooming with El."
Exusiai let out a dying groan, her soul practically floating out of her mouth.
But that wasn't the real problem.
Lucian grabbed Croissant by the horn, making her yelp.
"When," he asked, "did I ever say I was sharing a room with this bread girl?"
"And another thing—when did you all start thinking Rhodes Island allows men and women to live together?"
Ah—
The atmosphere froze instantly.
Lucian yanked Croissant off his bed and folded his arms.
"I didn't even share a bed with you back in Lungmen. Rhodes Island is a respectable company. Even if they allowed mixed-gender cohabitation and casual hookups—where do you get the confidence to think I would agree?"
Croissant's eyes filled with tears. "Should've said it earlier... made me say all that embarrassing stuff for nothin'... stupid playboy..."
"What was that, bread girl?" Lucian raised an eyebrow.
Croissant exploded, her cheeks puffing up round like steamed buns.
"Idiot! Pork bun! Pan-fried dumpling! Ah don't care anymore! I'm goin' to open a night stall and make money! Hmph!" she pouted.
She made a face and ran out, finally learning what embarrassment felt like.
Setting aside the bread girl's humiliation, Texas asked carefully:
"I understand. I'll share with Exusiai. But what about you and Croissant? Are you staying with someone else?"
Lucian nodded. "I already spoke to Amiya. When I get the chance, I want Angelina to move in too, so Croissant's roommate slot will go to her."
"As for me, my roommate is already prepared. A new operator who registered today."
Lucian sighed deeply and called out:
"You can come in."
"Pardon the intrusion."
The door opened, and a tall man stepped inside.
He had gray-white hair and icy blue eyes. Combined with his expressionless handsome face, he looked as cold as a machine.
But the most striking thing was above his head.
He had a Halo—a Sankta.
And not just any halo, but a matte black one, modified with mechanical components.
From the moment he entered the room, his gaze stayed fixed on Lucian.
After receiving Lucian's approval, the man straightened and saluted.
"Greetings. I am an Executor from the Notarial Hall, codename Undertaker. I have signed an operator contract with Rhodes Island Pharmaceuticals, and I am honored to become your colleague. Beginning today, I will serve as your escort to ensure your personal safety. That is all."
...
Lucian sighed again, heavier than before.
All his blessings were gone.