"General, good morning."
Qin Yu held the doll in his hands, a smile of joy unable to hide on his face.
He hadn't expected the top leader to come and inspect his post.
Could Ei have guessed he was on his way back to Inazuma City?
"Mhm."
A familiar, cool voice sounded by his ear.
The next moment, in the familiar light screen, the noble and aloof figure reappeared.
Ei blinked her chilling purple eyes, observing Qin Yu with a serious expression.
As if confirming something.
Fortunately, Qin Yu's face was full of cheer, looking to be in good spirits.
"What are you doing?"
The coldness in Ei's eyes softened subtly, and she asked softly.
"General, I'm already on my way back to Inazuma City."
The smile on Qin Yu's lips grew stronger.
Chatting with the top leader made one feel happy.
Although the imposing General should be at work in the Tenshukaku, dressed solemnly and nobly,
Someone honestly recalled the top leader's awkwardness in a bathrobe, turning her face away.
And that grand Tenshukaku…
"That's good."
Upon hearing of Qin Yu's return, Ei's lips curved upwards slightly, and she nodded gently.
As she spoke, the perspective zoomed out.
She sat quietly at her desk, with stacks of various documents piled before her.
Though she wouldn't look at them, of course.
But none of that mattered.
A streak of mournful purple caught her attention.
"General, what is this?"
A hint of hesitation appeared in Qin Yu's gaze.
"..."
Ei lowered her head to look at the lightning in her hand, which was indeed the Amenoma Kageuchi.
The weapon symbolizing the authority of the Electro Archon was trembling and restless.
Qin Yu pondered.
Could it be that the General wanted to chop someone again?
Thinking of this, he sighed inwardly.
Who was so unlucky to be targeted by Ei?
"I had nothing to do last night, so I found someone to spar with."
Ei lightly brushed the sword's body, her eyes lowered as she said it nonchalantly.
As if it were a trivial matter.
*Ding—*
With a crisp sound, the Amenoma Kageuchi vanished into space.
Qin Yu watched with longing, a little disappointed.
He wanted to see the process of the sword being sheathed, to stop pretending.
But he quickly reacted and exclaimed in surprise:
"General, you sparred with someone?"
No way, who else could spar with the imposing General?
Who was that person? Were they on good terms with Ei?
Qin Yu couldn't help but think this in his mind.
"..."
Ei glanced at Qin Yu, who was frowning slightly.
"Just an old friend, not someone I see often."
She thought for a moment and explained.
Though she didn't know why, she specifically said it to emphasize.
"The General's old friend..."
Qin Yu gasped, muttering to himself.
That narrowed down the scope of sparring partners considerably.
"What was the final result of the match?"
He couldn't suppress his curiosity and asked softly.
"It was a draw, she's gotten stronger than before."
Ei lightly picked up a book from the table, flipped open a page, and said calmly.
"It's just that I'm also getting stronger."
Her heart, now filled again by Qin Yu, had long since surpassed its previous realm.
But more than her realm, the biggest change was…
Her attitude towards Qin Yu.
So, when Ei sensed someone intending to harm Qin Yu, she took her sword and stormed into the capital of Snezhnaya overnight.
Not for any other reason, she just suddenly wanted to catch up with the Cryo Archon.
It wasn't that Ei was being protective.
"As expected of the General, so formidable."
Qin Yu heard the confidence in Ei's words and gave her a thumbs-up.
At the same time, he secretly breathed a sigh of relief.
He couldn't imagine combat at the divine level.
But recalling the corner of the divine realm he had briefly touched…
"Don't worry about me, as long as you're okay."
Ei turned another page of the book and said softly.
Qin Yu blinked his eyes and nodded silently.
Such a gentle and caring top leader, so easy to flirt with.
A strange thought arose in his mind.
Why not take this opportunity…
Thinking this, he smiled and poked the General doll's face.
The General wouldn't see it anyway.
"..."
Ei's fingertips paused for a moment, then she casually turned another page.
Her gaze swept across, and it was unclear what she was looking at.
"General, why aren't you speaking?"
Qin Yu smiled, his hands not stopping.
"Don't disturb me with my official duties."
Ei's beautiful brows furrowed slightly, and she said sternly.
Qin Yu still hadn't realized.
That a portion of the imposing General's consciousness was currently attached to the doll.
So, it was…
"But General, this is a light novel."
Qin Yu suppressed his laughter and reminded her tactfully.
"Hmm?"
Ei slowly raised her face, her gaze becoming dangerous as she glared at Qin Yu.
Here's your chance, rephrase that.
"Ahem, I don't know anything."
Qin Yu decisively backed down, shaking his head.
Daring to criticize the top leader might get your salary docked.
Ei snorted and turned another page of the light novel.
"Come back soon, there's no more dessert."
The General, who was diligently handling "official duties," suddenly said fiercely.
Her patience was limited.
If Qin Yu dawdled any longer, it wouldn't be as simple as returning by boat.
"So the reward is..."
Qin Yu couldn't help but probe, teetering on the edge of acting recklessly.
He was just too curious and wanted to know.
"..."
Ei slowly looked up and fixed her gaze on Qin Yu.
Qin Yu froze, a thought flashing through his mind.
She was waiting for an explanation.
The sea breeze howled, and he suddenly felt a chill down his spine.
Only then did he realize something.
Ei seemed to know something.