Below the stairs of the Tenshukaku.
"What is this..."
Qin Yu held the puppet in his hand.
It was shaped like a human, lying in his palm.
It looked like a small boy.
Perhaps due to some impact, its form was twisted and distorted.
Only its broken head faced Qin Yu.
Its pitch-black eyes reflected a vacant light.
As Qin Yu gazed at it, a wave of discomfort washed over him.
This puppet felt like a being with a fractured life.
And... it looked somewhat familiar.
What was this eerie feeling...
"Click."
Suddenly, the puppet's mouth moved.
It let out a chilling laugh.
A hoarse voice echoed.
Qin Yu leaned closer slightly.
Something was drawing him in.
"Qin... Yu...."
The puppet actually spoke human words.
"Devour you... to achieve perfection..."
"Become my... material... obediently..."
The puppet suddenly trembled as if possessed.
Its contorted body sprang up, lunging forward!
What!
Qin Yu's eyes widened, a chill running down his spine.
At that very moment—
"Qin Yu!"
A fragrant breeze wafted over, and someone patted Qin Yu's shoulder.
"Who is it!"
Qin Yu's gaze sharpened, and he instinctively turned his head.
Simultaneously, he tightened his grip on the puppet.
The next moment, Qin Yu's face showed a hint of helplessness.
He also reached out with his other hand.
And gently patted a certain person's head.
"It's you, Yoimiya."
"Ugh... you jerk, Qin Yu, what are you doing!"
Yoimiya, startled by Qin Yu, huffed indignantly.
"Sorry, my bad."
Qin Yu shook his head apologetically.
His expression earlier must have been a bit frightening.
"Of course it's your fault!"
The lively girl placed her hands on her hips and turned away.
Yoimiya was angry and decided to ignore Qin Yu.
"..."
Qin Yu shrugged and looked behind Yoimiya.
"Qin Yu!"
A gentle voice filled with joy, capable of relaxing one's entire being.
From a distance, two young ladies ran over together.
"Hey—"
Yoimiya, with puffed-out cheeks, was unceremoniously shoved aside by the two women.
You guys!
She widened her eyes, pointing at her good friends in disbelief.
Running over so eagerly, what happened to their supposed composure!
Though, someone was running even faster...
"I apologize for making you worry."
"There will be no more Vision Hunt Decree."
Surrounded by their delicate fragrances, Qin Yu smiled.
Even in danger, he had confidantes who cared for him.
Especially two beautiful young ladies.
This sense of fulfillment, well, those who understand will understand.
Kamisato Ayaka and Hiiragi Chihiro examined Qin Yu's injuries.
If not for someone else watching from further away,
They might have started checking him physically right then and there.
Kamisato Ayato: ?
The person in question turned around.
"You still worry!"
Hearing this, they couldn't help but lift their pretty faces.
That heart-wrenching concern had yet to fully dissipate.
Qin Yu felt a deep sense of guilt.
To have made two girls show such an expression.
It was truly a sin.
"Alright, I'm really fine."
Qin Yu moved a little, indicating he was alright.
He also gently ruffled both their hair.
Their gazes met, and he could sense their mutual affection.
It was warm, and a little ticklish.
He hoped Lord Kamisato of the Yashiro Commission hadn't seen it from afar.
"!"
Yoimiya gritted her teeth; she saw it!
A cool, damp breeze blew after the rain.
The girl shivered slightly.
She sniffled, feeling a bit sour.
The wind was so strong, it even carried sand.
This was truly too much...
"Shi... Qin Yu, you were too impulsive."
Kamisato Ayaka bit her lip lightly and said in a soft voice.
Even she, usually so gentle, couldn't hide her reprimand.
Witnessing Qin Yu charge into the Tenshukaku alone, she had been terrified.
That was a true Archon.
"If you had truly... then I...!"
"Ayaka, you're overthinking again."
Qin Yu said helplessly, moving closer to her.
"How could Master ever bear to leave you."
Kamisato Ayaka's eyelashes fluttered slightly, and she hummed in response.
Having received his reassurance, she bloomed into a gentle smile.
Having Master here was the greatest fortune.
He had protected little Ayaka in the past.
Now, she too would forever protect Master.
"Let's work hard together."
Qin Yu increased the distance between them.
"Mhm."
Kamisato Ayaka, snapping back to reality, her ear tips turning red.
That warm breath just now... so close.
A tingling sensation seemed to be spreading.
The elegant young lady turned her face away with reserved grace.
"Xiao Yu... thank goodness."
A soft, melodious voice rang out as Hiiragi Chihiro called out.
Compared to the reserved Kamisato Ayaka,
She was much bolder.
Taking Qin Yu's hand, she gently pressed it to her cheek.
After all, she was Qin Yu's legitimate fiancée.
Though, a former fiancée.
But now, everything was over!
"Xiao Yu, we'll immediately..."
The Commissioner of the Kanjou Commission was already thinking about the future.
It would be best to request the General's blessing.
What a wonderful thing!
"Immediately?"
"Of course, get married!"
"??"
Before Qin Yu could respond, Kamisato Ayaka reacted.
"Miss Hiiragi, please comport yourself."
She stepped in front of Qin Yu, her smile as elegant as ever.
But her unspoken message was clear.
That she would never allow it!
"!"
Hiiragi Chihiro's brows furrowed, showing no signs of backing down.
Their gazes locked, neither willing to yield to the other.
After all, their struggle for Qin Yu's blanket last night,
Had ended without a clear victor.
"?"
Qin Yu quietly took a few steps back.
He had a feeling the two young ladies were thinking of peculiar things.
Shaking his head, he moved away, leaving them space.
He instinctively glanced at the silent Yoimiya.
"Annoying, so annoying!"
The girl mumbled, clearly sulking with someone.
"Be careful not to catch a cold."
Qin Yu approached Yoimiya and ruffled her hair.
In an instant, the girl's hair became a mess.
Like a fluffy kitten that had puffed up.
"What are you doing!"
Yoimiya turned her face away, huffing indignantly.
Now she looked even more so.
"But you've got a runny nose."
Qin Yu found a pack of tissues and handed it to her.
"Hmph, it's because I was worried about you."
Yoimiya snatched the tissues and grunted.
Her sour little nose felt a little better.
He had some conscience after all.
"Ah-CHOO!"
"Still pretending."
Qin Yu shook his head, thinking this girl was hopeless.
Yoimiya rolled her eyes.
She glanced at Qin Yu, intending to say a few words of concern.
But then she remembered what had just happened...
Pouting, she shoved the used tissues into Qin Yu's hand.
"An exchange, a trade. Let me see the puppet."
"?"
Qin Yu's face darkened.
"This puppet..."
As a craftsman, Yoimiya's hands were nimble and her heart keen.
She immediately recognized the puppet's extraordinary nature.
She picked up the puppet and held it up to Qin Yu's face.
"Why does it look so much like you."
Qin Yu blinked slightly.
The doubt in his heart began to clear.
No wonder it looked so familiar...
This was his own likeness.
Who was watching him from the shadows?
And had made such a puppet?
...
Inazuma, a remote factory.
A large number of Ruin Guards stood tall.
And in the center, guarded by these giants...
"You've been discovered, Qin Yu."
In front of a workbench, a brown-haired girl sensed something.
Her slightly chilled black tea reflected her face.
It was the face of a girl as exquisite as a porcelain doll.
"It seems you're rather resistant to becoming my 'material'."
"It will only take a moment, and you won't feel any pain."
The girl frowned in distress and spoke softly.
However, before her,
The disassembled Ruin Guards lay there, looking exceptionally gruesome.
A figure appeared from the shadows.
It was the Fatui.
"Executive, there is a letter for you."
Light illuminated a corner of the letter.
To the Fatui Executive—
"The Puppet."