Time slowly passed, and in a blink of an eye, more than twenty days went by.
Since he had sent Algol out on tour, Lin Que didn't visit other worlds this time.
He stayed in the area near the unnamed Community every day, helping to prepare for the Harvest Festival while keeping an eye on Algol's situation.
He wanted to ensure that if she really caused an accident, he, as her holder, would receive the news immediately and go to quell the disturbance.
However, perhaps because she had taken his words to heart, Algol, who went out to hold concerts, surprisingly didn't cause any trouble this time.
She not only followed the procedure and held concerts in ten Outer Gates consecutively but also accumulated a large number of genuine fans.
On the other hand, with the meticulous preparations of Black Rabbit and others, the Harvest Festival arrangements were completed as initially expected, just one day before the official start.
"Phew~ Now everything is fine."
After hanging the last lantern on a tree, Black Rabbit hopped towards the distance.
"It's all done! Lin Que!"
"Yosh, yosh, well done."
Lin Que patted Black Rabbit's head: "Is there anything you want? I'll get you something later, as a reward for your hard work this time."
"Don't casually touch my head!"
Pushing Lin Que's hand away, Black Rabbit's face showed an expectant expression: "Are there really gifts?"
"Of course."
Lin Que replied with a smile: "Don't worry about financial issues, we won't be short of money once this Harvest Festival is well-organized."
"Even Divine Authorities, I can get you a few."
"Hmm… then I'll have to think carefully."
Black Rabbit's face showed a thoughtful expression: "This is a rare chance to fleece you, I must seize it well."
Leticia: "…"
Not far away, Leticia, who had just arrived, paused and listened to their conversation with a subtle expression.
One finished work and acted cute to claim credit, while the other patted her head and gave out rewards as encouragement.
No matter how you looked at it, it resembled a conversation between a master and a pet.
"Completely domesticated, aren't they?"
"Hmm? What's domesticated?"
Black Rabbit's ears on top of her head twitched, immediately noticing Leticia's murmur.
"Leticia, what are you referring to?"
"Nothing, don't mind it."
Shaking her head casually, Leticia approached Lin Que and reported.
"Master, Algol has just returned."
Lin Que nodded knowingly: "After all, tomorrow is when the Harvest Festival officially begins."
He had always been following Algol's movements, and had even contacted her remotely in private, so he wasn't surprised by this.
However...
Just as Lin Que thought everything would proceed smoothly as planned, Leticia brought him an unexpected piece of news.
"Besides Lady Algol, two other guests returned with her."
"From what they said, it seems they intend to meet with the Master to discuss some matters."
"Guests? With Algol?"
Lin Que asked curiously, "Who's so brave as to act with Algol?"
Leticia replied, "It's Lady Vera Za Ignifatus, the leader of Willowisp, and her strategist, Mr. Jack."
"Vera? The strongest in the Northern District?"
Hearing that name, Lin Que paused, then a look of understanding appeared on his face.
"No wonder she's associated with Algol; if it's her, it makes sense."
Vera Za Ignifatus.
Lin Que was not unfamiliar with this name.
Not only was she the strongest in the lower levels of Hakoniwa's Northern District, but she was also a Great Demon Lord who manifested in the realm of life and death.
If it was this renowned Great Demon Lord, she could naturally converse with Algol, who held the status of an 'Original Demon Lord'.
"Among Algol's touring Outer Gates... hmm, there were indeed Outer Gate 678900 and so on."
Recalling the Outer Gate where Willowisp was located, Lin Que became somewhat emotional.
"I had originally planned to meet her in the Northern District after the Harvest Festival, but I didn't expect Algol to bring her back."
"Go to meet Willowisp after the Harvest Festival?"
Black Rabbit, who was nearby, heard his words and asked curiously.
"Lin Que, do you already have a next step planned?"
"Yes."
Lin Que calmly looked at this foolish rabbit: "If I don't plan ahead, do you expect you, the strategist, to do it?"
"Ahem, you can't blame me for that, can you?"
Black Rabbit coughed awkwardly a couple of times, her ears on top of her head wagging restlessly from side to side.
"I've been busy preparing for the Harvest Festival recently; I haven't stopped at all."
"If I had time, I would naturally plan the next step in advance."
"I'm not blaming you; you don't need to be nervous."
After all, he had never had such expectations for Black Rabbit from the beginning.
If there were no expectations, there would naturally be no disappointment when they weren't met.
For Black Rabbit, just acting cute daily and occasionally being coquettish was enough.
"Why do I suddenly feel your gaze is a bit rude?"
Black Rabbit looked at Lin Que suspiciously: "You're not thinking about something bad, are you?"
"No, that's your imagination."
Lin Que turned away nonchalantly and walked towards the back: "I'll go back and receive the guests first; the remaining inspection work here is on you."
"Don't worry, Lin Que!"
Black Rabbit waved her hand energetically: "I'll check carefully; there definitely won't be any problems!"
...
At the same time, Outer Gate 678900.
"Your Excellency Strategist! What did you say!"
Maxwell's eyes widened as he looked at the little girl in front of him.
"Vera... my bride ran off with someone?!"
"That's right, ran off with someone~"
The lively girl in a black sleeveless dress with long black hair raised her hand and pointed to the east.
"And according to the information I've received, the one who abducted her seems to be the famous Algol."
"Algol?"
Maxwell immediately calmed down: "If it's her, Vera should be fine."
After all, she was the famous narcissist.
Even Maxwell, who only thought about stalking Vera every day, had heard rumors about her.
And among the various legends he had heard, he had never heard rumors of her being a lesbian.
"Is it really okay to be this calm?"
Just as Maxwell was recalling rumors about Algol, Cagliari's voice came again.
"Although Algol won't lay a hand on Vera, her current holder might not be so sure~"
"From what I understand, that's a lecherous demon who found a hundred lolis to join his Community in one day~!"
"A hundred?!"
The string of reason snapped, and Maxwell's eyes instantly became bloodshot: "No... no! I must go rescue Vera!!!"
Boom—!
Amidst a storm of hot and cold winds, the newly promoted Four-Digit Demon Lord vanished from the spot, leaving behind only a smug girl.
Plan complete!
...