Not long after Ganyu and Shenhe headed off to read...
Dainsleif and Aether walked into the shop.
"Hehe... Bro—"
Aether quickly corrected himself.
"Boss Han, we're back!"
He walked up to the counter with a bright smile.
He was obviously in an excellent mood.
"I heard from Kaeya..."
Han Feng smiled.
"You took the Abyss Order clubbing?"
"Well..."
Aether scratched his head.
"Dain suggested it."
"So I brought everyone along."
"I've got to say..."
"It was really fun."
"My subordinates all had an amazing time."
Just recalling the scene from last night...
Filled him with satisfaction.
Being able to let those who had followed him for so long finally relax...
Made him genuinely happy.
"And you weren't worried..."
Han Feng asked with an amused smile, "...about spending all your money before your war even begins?"
The saying came to mind:
The great cause is only half accomplished... and the budget has already been spent on clubbing.
Was the Abyss Prince about to walk the same path?
"It's fine."
Aether waved dismissively.
"Dain's here."
"She was willing to lend me some money."
Sure enough...
His old friend was incredibly dependable.
Not enough Mora?
Here.
The Knights of Favonius made the approval process troublesome?
She handled the negotiations too.
Aether was deeply moved.
"...Ahem."
Dainsleif coughed awkwardly.
"It was only natural."
Noticing Boss Han's teasing gaze...
She couldn't help clearing her throat.
She was simply taking the indirect approach.
What was the point of endless fighting?
Wouldn't it be better if the Abyss Order immersed themselves in entertainment instead?
Judging by last night's results...
The strategy had been extremely effective.
The only problem now...
Was running out of money.
She'd have to think of a solution.
"Oh, right."
Aether looked around.
"Where's Lumine?"
"Kaeya told me she came here."
"She went to Inazuma."
Han Feng replied.
"Inazuma?"
Aether's eyes lit up.
"Does that mean she's finally come around?"
"She's coming to find me?"
That's more like it!
Little sister!
"No."
Han Feng smiled.
"She went to Inazuma to sell carrots."
"...Sell..."
"...carrots?"
Aether froze.
Why would she go all the way to Inazuma...
Just to sell carrots?
So he'd gotten excited for nothing?
"...Even if she wanted to start a business..."
He muttered.
"She could've sold something more valuable."
"Carrots aren't worth much..."
"No, no."
Han Feng shook his head.
"Lumine received an ability that lets her create carrots."
"So, theoretically..."
"She has an unlimited supply."
"She'll definitely make quite a bit of money."
"...Unlimited carrots?!"
Aether looked astonished.
Another reward from Boss Han?
But he immediately realized the business opportunity.
Used properly...
That was an endless source of income.
Instantly...
He felt jealous.
They were twins.
So why was his sister's luck so ridiculously good?
She had all kinds of treasures...
And now she was practically on her way to becoming rich.
Meanwhile...
Not only had he failed to obtain any remarkable rewards...
He even had to borrow money from Dainsleif just to treat his subordinates to a night of clubbing.
Being the Abyss Prince...
Was far harder than he'd imagined.
Of course...
Aether still didn't remember the phone call from yesterday morning.
He believed it had all been a dream.
If he ever discovered...
That Lumine had developed a rather strange misunderstanding because of it...
His mentality would probably shatter even further.
"...Sigh."
"I'd better read some manga."
He let out a long sigh.
As her older brother...
He couldn't afford to fall too far behind.
Otherwise...
His sister would become a millionaire...
While he'd become buried in debt.
How embarrassing would that be?
His only chance to turn things around...
Was through manga rewards.
Unfortunately...
Ordinary manga couldn't solve his current predicament.
Thinking of that...
Aether looked helplessly at Han Feng.
"Boss Han."
"I desperately need a breakthrough."
"Mora..."
"A weapon..."
"Anything would help."
"Can you recommend a manga for me?"
"Another customer in urgent need of change."
Han Feng smiled.
Without refusing...
He waved a hand.
Two manga floated off the shelf into his grasp.
"B-Robo Kabutack."
"And Dragon Ball."
"Either one could satisfy your needs."
"The first contains the Peace Star, which can grant wishes."
"The second..."
"If you gather all seven Dragon Balls..."
"You can summon Shenron..."
"And have your wish granted."
After speaking...
He added one more sentence.
"Oh, and by the way..."
"Two Dragon Balls have already appeared."
"...Grant wishes?"
Aether's eyes widened in disbelief.
He stared at the manga before instinctively swallowing.
If anyone else had said such a thing...
He would've slapped them.
How could something so absurd exist?
But this wasn't just anyone.
This was his future brother-in-law.
The mysterious owner of the manga shop.
There was no way he'd lie.
Which meant...
These wish-granting treasures...
Were real.
"Boss Han..."
Aether asked nervously, "Could I wish to restore Khaenri'ah..."
"Or defeat the Heavenly Principles?"
Those were the two things he cared about most.
If either wish could come true...
Its significance would be immeasurable.
Hearing that...
Even Dainsleif, who had still been processing the earlier revelation...
Immediately fixed his gaze on the counter.
There was tension in his eyes.
And anticipation.
Clearly...
Aether had voiced exactly what was in his heart.
Wasn't this far simpler than a time machine?
With a time machine...
They'd still have to travel back in time...
And personally battle the Seven Archons.
But this...
Only required making a wish.
"Whether it'll work or not..."
Han Feng smiled mysteriously.
"Why don't you read the manga and find out?"
"That's true."
Aether nodded.
Only after reading it himself...
Could he understand the true capabilities of the Peace Star and Shenron.
As for which manga to choose...
There was nothing to hesitate over.
Children made choices.
The Abyss Prince wanted both.
One today.
One tomorrow.
That settled it.
After placing a bag of Mora on the counter...
He picked up Dragon Ball and headed inside.
"I'll take this one."
Dainsleif paid as well.
Then picked up B-Robo Kabutack and followed after him.
"The odds of obtaining a Peace Star are slim..."
Han Feng watched them leave.
"But Dragon Balls..."
"Those are still possible."
"It seems another faction has joined the race."
He sighed softly.
Then stopped dwelling on it.
Taking another sip of tea...
He relaxed in his chair.
As time passed...
More and more customers entered the shop.
Noelle busily greeted each newcomer.
Before long...
The manga shop was lively once again.
—------------------------------
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