Charija's generosity in handing Asuka the capsules didn't surprise Yuzhou at all. Charija wasn't a stingy person—he had plenty of these capsules lying around. Giving away a few meant nothing to him.
"By the way, Charija, take us back to R'lyeh," Yuzhou said, pointing toward Zoiger.
"No problem," Charija nodded, agreeing without hesitation.
"Wait, senpai—am I coming too?" Asuka blinked, confused.
"Yeah," Yuzhou turned to him with a smile. "You're coming with me. I'm treating you to dinner."
"Dinner? Oh, nice!"
The moment Asuka heard "dinner at Yuzhou's place," his fatigue vanished. He jumped up from the ground with renewed energy.
"Asuka, weren't you just exhausted?" Yuzhou asked, puzzled. The guy had been completely drained moments ago—wasn't this a little too sudden?
"Not tired!" Asuka said brightly. "My back doesn't hurt, my legs don't ache, and even my heart's not—"
Before he could finish, Asuka's strength gave out, and he collapsed face-first onto the ground.
Yuzhou: "…"
"Charija! Quick—help him!"
Yuzhou rushed to Asuka's side and lifted him up. Charija fumbled through his belongings and produced a bottle of water from somewhere.
"Don't pour it down his throat! Press on the philtrum—press here!" Yuzhou shouted.
"Philtrum?" Charija blinked. "What's that?"
Yuzhou: "…"
"Never mind. Just hold him."
Sighing, Yuzhou propped Asuka against Charija and pressed his finger firmly between Asuka's upper lip and nose.
"Huff!"
A sharp breath escaped Asuka's mouth—he was awake.
"Here, drink!" Charija quickly tilted the bottle to Asuka's lips.
Gulp gulp gulp—cough cough cough cough!
Having just woken up, Asuka nearly drowned as Charija poured the water too fast.
"Enough—cough cough cough—Charija-san, if you keep pouring—gulp gulp gulp—I'm gonna die!" Asuka protested between swallows.
"Ah?" Charija froze, then immediately stopped, saving Asuka's life.
Unfortunately, once the water stopped, Asuka fainted again.
Yuzhou placed a hand under his nose to check—good. He was still breathing.
Still alive.
When Asuka next opened his eyes, he found himself staring up at…
"A strange ceiling…"
His voice was weak, dazed. The ceiling above him was not only unfamiliar—it was beautiful, shimmering like crystal.
"Wait… is this a crystal palace?"
Startled, Asuka sat up abruptly. The last thing he remembered was collapsing after fighting monsters. Had Yuzhou-senpai carried him back?
Click.
The door opened. A middle-aged man wearing a black cloak entered, pushing a small cart.
"You're awake," the man said calmly.
"Uh… and you are?" Asuka asked warily.
"Hello. I'm Himala."
It was the crystal palace's sole servant—Himala.
Himala had always dreamed of more guests coming to the palace. With more people, maybe his workload would finally be recognized. But that day never seemed to come—until now.
"Nice to meet you, Mr. Himala," Asuka said politely.
Anyone who lived here must be someone important.
"No need for formality," Himala waved it off, picking up a bowl of soup from the tray. "Here, drinks this medicine."
"Uh… Mr. Himala, this…"
Asuka stared at the steaming soup spoon and the overly cheerful man holding it. A chill ran down his spine.
"Did… you make this yourself?" he asked cautiously.
"Of course not," Himala said. "It was made by the Prince Consort."
"Prince Consort???"
Asuka's brain blanked.
What prince consort?!
"Wait!" He sat up straighter. "You mean Yuzhou-senpai, right?"
"That's right!" Himala nodded cheerfully.
"'Prince Consort'… that title sounds kinda weird…"
But knowing it was made by Yuzhou, Asuka relaxed. He took the bowl and downed it in one go.
"Gulp gulp gulp—delicious! Gulp gulp gulp…"
Himala: "…"
Truth be told, Himala had initially doubted Yuzhou's cooking skills. But after tasting this "Celestial Tianma Pig Brain Soup," he was convinced—Yuzhou was a culinary genius.
The aroma alone nearly made Himala lose control, and he had even begged Yuzhou to make him a bowl.
Yuzhou, with time to spare, had cooked enough for everyone—Himala, Darramb, and Hudra each got a portion.
Now, watching Asuka drink greedily, Himala's own appetite started to rise again.
"Oh, right—Mr. Himala, are you also a Giant of Light?"
Asuka knew everyone in the Crystal Palace was said to be a Giant of Light. Maybe Himala was one of the ancient ones!
"No," Himala replied honestly, shaking his head.
"Then… what are you?"
Asuka tilted his head in confusion.
"I used to be a cosmic collector," Himala said wistfully. "I travelled the universe, gathering beautiful things. Until one day, I came here… ah, but that's a story for another time."
"No, wait, Mr. Himala—I meant why you're living here in the Crystal Palace."
"Oh, that." Himala smiled faintly. "Because I am…"
He raised his chin dramatically.
"…the master of this palace!"
Asuka: "???"
"…'s servant."
Asuka: "…"
"Well, I'd better get back to work. Still got floors to sweep. Goodbye!"
Himala hurriedly left before Asuka could say another word.
"Poor Mr. Himala," Asuka sighed. "A place this big, and only one person to clean it all…"
Then, with a mischievous grin, he muttered to himself, "Maybe next time I meet some aliens, I'll capture them and bring them here as helpers for Miss Camearra."
"Ah, Asuka—you're awake."
A familiar voice came from the door.
"Yuzhou-senpai!"