"This is such a great treasure you have given me, Mister Leyvi. It's not easy to improve one's sea of consciousness through external means. I think I will be able to visualize complex formations even better now. That said, you should have reserved something this precious for yourself," Bellion said.
"Hahaha! Don't worry about it. I got lucky and obtained a lot of these bamboo shoots back then. Also, we will be under your care from now on after all. This much goodwill is nothing," Leyvi said.
With Lilian around, he did not have to worry. Sooner or later she would be able to produce the legendary bamboo shoot.
Kiyara was stunned. It really was a treasure? One that could improve the sea of consciousness at that. This was incredibly rare. Who were these people?
"If that is the case, how can I still act like a stranger? Mister Leyvi, from now on please just call me Bellion. Mister Bellion sounds too distant," he suggested.
"Hoho. How is that fair? You still call me Mister Leyvi. Call me just Leyvi as well to be even," Leyvi replied with a chuckle.
"Very well." Bellion nodded. "Ah right. Since my mental fatigue has completely disappeared, I will do the house formation as well. Let us go everyone."
Bellion led them toward the residential area. Along the way, they passed by where the portal was located.
They all glanced at the portal as they walked. It was far smaller than the one they had come through previously, since it was not yet fully stabilized.
Barcas and Barbara slowed their steps to observe it more carefully.
"Incredible. He really stopped the barrenness from spreading with his formation," Barcas muttered.
"Right. Back then, none of the formation experts Protector Alexandra hired to deal with the portal could do this, so that entire area eventually turned into a desert," Barbara nodded.
"When we return, we need to inform the higher-ups and see if we can purchase his formation blueprint. In the future, if portals appear in populated areas, we can immediately stop the barrenness from spreading and prevent unnecessary widespread desolation," Barcas said.
"Hopefully he won't be stingy," Barbara whispered.
Meanwhile, Anda walked beside Kiyara, clearly entertaining herself.
They chatted about random topics at first before Anda casually shifted the conversation, steering it toward Bellion.
"Miss Kiyara, is Bellion your lover?" she asked with a mischievous smile.
"L-lo-lover? Madam Anda, that's not it. I'm just his assistant," Kiyara denied, shaking her head vigorously. Her thick braid swayed from side to side.
"Is that so? What a pity. You two looked like a pair of lovers to me. It seems I was mistaken," Anda said, feigning disappointment.
"Eh? Is that true? Do we really look like lovers?" Kiyara suddenly brightened, her eyes sparkling.
"Of course. I am a wife myself. The way you cared about him earlier is the perfect example of how a caring wife acts. Do you like him?" Anda asked.
Kiyara blushed and nodded. "But he probably does not have any feelings for me."
"How can you be so sure?" Anda shook her head.
"Well… I just think so. Our talents are so far apart. He is bound to be in a world beyond my reach," Kiyara said, her eyes locked onto Bellion's figure leading ahead. She imagined a huge chasm separating them.
Anda smiled. "In my opinion, you are already in his world. You just have not realized it yet."
"Eh? Am I? But our talent…" Kiyara doubted.
"That is where you are wrong. You keep using talent as a measure. That is not how this works." Anda shook her head. "You told me that Bellion is a complete loner, right?"
"He is. Many people volunteered to be his bodyguards, but he rejected them all. He handles everything on his own," Kiyara replied.
"Then how did you become his assistant? How come he did not reject you? You said that he allowed you to observe and copy everything he did. He could have just handed over the blueprints for you to study by yourself, you know. Have you thought about that?" Anda raised multiple points, her eyebrow arching.
Kiyara was stunned. She had never looked at it this way. She had always kept an outsider's perspective and never included herself in the equation.
"It seems to me that you are already a part of his world. As a loner, the fact that he allowed you to be around him so much means something, right? At the very least, he enjoys your company, whether he realizes it or not. So rejoice, young lady. Your chance to make him yours is very high!" Anda encouraged.
Kiyara's eyes brightened.
Am I something to him? Am I already a part of his world? Can I make him mine?
Anda's expression turned mischievous. "You know, Miss Kiyara, I have a very strong sense of smell."
She paused. Took a couple of slow, deliberate whiffs.
"How come I smell Bellion's scent all over your body? This does not happen unless you are lovers."
Another pause.
"Or did something unusual happen?"
Kiyara was stunned.
Her face turned red. Then redder. The memory came flooding back, taking advantage of his unconscious body, hugging him all night, pressing herself against him. She had thought it was her little secret. She had thought no one would ever know.
Madam Anda, what kind of nose do you have? It is too accurate. Did Bellion's scent really stick with me?
A strange, flustered thought crossed her mind.
Oh no. This makes me reluctant to take a bath. I do not want it to wash away.
"What, you do not want to take a bath anymore?"
"Eeeek!"
The yelp escaped before she could stop it. Her hand flew to her mouth, but it was too late.
Everyone was staring now.
"Hehehe… looks like I guessed right." Anda's giggle was light, pleased, thoroughly amused.
Madam Anda, don't read my mind like that. I feel exposed. Am I that obvious?
Kiyara wanted to sink into the ground.
But Anda was already moving on, her tone shifting to something more practical.
"Listen, Miss Kiyara. This Bellion seems to be the dense type. Unless you spell it out directly to him, it might take forever for him to realize anything."
She tilted her head. "Do you need my advice?"
Kiyara looked up. Her eyes were hopeful, almost desperate. "Madam Anda, please give me your wisdom!"
She had already accepted that seduction was not her strength. That attempt had been an unmitigated disaster. But now, knowing that her chances were actually high, she could not afford to fail again.
Anda was around the same age as her. Yet the way the other ladies treated her, the quiet authority she carried, and the obvious respect everyone gave her made it clear that Anda's experience in this field eclipsed everyone else's.
Kiyara needed that experience.
Anda's smile deepened. She leaned in slightly. "Good, good. Listen to me, young lady…"
Kiyara leaned in as well, her eyes fixed on Anda's face.
She nodded. Then nodded again. Her expression shifted from anxious to thoughtful, from thoughtful to excited, from excited to fiercely optimistic.
With every word Anda spoke, her admiration grew.
Meanwhile, walking beside Bellion, Leyvi shook his head. He could not hear what they were talking about, but it was obvious that Kiyara had become her next victim.
This panda villainess. Just like that, she gained another follower. Her pandawashing game is far too terrifying. Is she planning to control Bellion through Kiyara, just like how she controls Dastan through Tamina? Good luck, Bellion. Leyvi thought inwardly.
Afterward, everyone selected an empty house to live in. The group stayed far from others but close to one another.
Bellion and Kiyara installed the home formations together. Kiyara had already started incorporating Anda's advice, gradually making Bellion more and more accustomed to her presence by his side.
Kiyara moved a little closer than necessary when handing him materials. She asked questions she already knew the answers to, just to hear him explain. She lingered after each task, finding small reasons to stay near.
Bellion, for his part, seemed to notice nothing unusual. He simply answered her questions, accepted her help, and continued working.
---
Just like that, a year passed.
Under the colossal tree's shade, in the West Region, inside Prince Charles's grand mansion.
"What did you say?" Prince Charles turned around. His expression lacked the playfulness he usually carried.
Behind him, a towering house of cards collapsed dramatically.
"Report from Soda. The portal is estimated to be ready in about a month. Your Highness, we need to take action as soon as possible. We cannot let this only chance to go home slip away," Captain Logan reported.
Prince Charles frowned.
The portal wasn't supposed to be ready for another two and a half years. We are only in the fifth and a half year in this world. It is far too early to return. Tsk. Where did this variable come from? I am not aware of anyone who can tamper with the portal besides me.
It seems that I must perform another divination. To ruin my game like this, you deserve a million deaths!