Genshin Impact: Villain Impact

Not only within the simulator, but even in reality, Xiao Xi was able to give hints.

Indeed, there was no other option at the moment.

Looking at Keqing's gradually paling lips, Lucas could only lower his head helplessly and say, "Miss... forgive me"

…

Half an hour later.

"Achoo!" Sitting by the bedside, Lucas sneezed. He glanced helplessly at Keqing, who was now lying in his bed, and muttered to himself, "I can't believe you actually don't know how to swim…"

For some reason, he felt that the Keqing he had encountered earlier seemed a bit strange. In his eyes, although Keqing was of noble status, she didn't have the temperament of a spoiled young lady. Normally, she wouldn't make such unreasonable demands.

"Hmm…"

At that moment, the unconscious Keqing slowly opened her eyes.

"Miss, you're finally awake!"

Seeing Keqing regain consciousness, Lucas finally felt a weight lifted off his shoulders and sighed in relief. "It's great that you're okay."

"What… exactly happened?"

Keqing had now regained her awareness. She remembered sleeping in her own room, so how had she suddenly ended up in Lucas's room?

"Don't tell me you don't remember anything?" Lucas asked, puzzled. He then recounted everything that had just happened to Keqing in full detail.

The more Keqing listened, the more shocked her expression became.

Because she had absolutely no recollection of the events Lucas was describing.

"So, you're saying I not only fell into the pond and almost drowned, but I also made you kiss my… my…" At this point, a light blush appeared on Keqing's fair cheeks. "No way… how could I do something like that? I don't remember any of it."

Seeing Keqing's reaction, Lucas began to reflect.

Perhaps the young lady of Liyue Qixing, Keqing, was just too embarrassed. After all, for a dignified figure like her to nearly drown in a pond would be incredibly humiliating if anyone found out.

So, she must be "playing dumb," pretending not to remember what had happened.

As a high-EQ servant, Lucas silently praised himself for his astuteness and nodded in agreement. "I suppose the young lady must have been sleepwalking due to the stress of work lately. Don't worry, I won't tell anyone about this."

"So… that's what it was?" Surprisingly, Keqing seemed to believe him. She nodded and said, "In any case, I should return to my room now. If anyone sees me in a servant's room, that would be…"

As she spoke, Keqing started to sit up. The thin blanket that had been covering her slid off due to gravity, falling to the floor.

Feeling a chill, Keqing instinctively glanced down, only to realize… she wasn't wearing anything!

Lucas, also taken by surprise, inadvertently let his gaze fall on her, only to quickly avert his eyes once he realized what he was doing.

"Ahhh!!!" Keqing let out a sharp scream, hastily grabbing the blanket to cover herself. Both shocked and furious, she exclaimed, "You pervert! I… how could I…!"

"Don't misunderstand!" Lucas quickly explained, "You fell into the pond and were soaked from head to toe. If you didn't change out of those clothes, you could've gotten sick. Don't worry, I undressed you with my eyes closed—I swear I didn't see anything!"

"But…" Keqing's face was now so red it looked like it might start dripping blood. "Just now… you saw everything, didn't you?"

"That doesn't count!" Lucas protested, "Miss, you really should—"

Before he could finish, there was a sudden sound of hurried footsteps outside the door.

"Miss Keqing!" Chunxiang's voice came from outside, "Are you in there? I thought I heard you scream just now!"

Chunxiang was indeed Keqing's most trusted maid. Even in the dead of night, she could somehow hear Keqing's voice. Did she have some kind of "Keqing Radar" on her head?

At this point, both Lucas and Keqing looked as though they had turned to stone.

It was the middle of the night, and the two of them were alone in a room, with one of them practically undressed. If they were caught, there wouldn't be any way to explain the situation.

"Lucas!" Chunxiang's voice grew more anxious when no response came from inside. "What have you done to Miss Keqing?!"

Lucas didn't dare make a sound, casting a desperate, pleading glance at Keqing. Keqing, for her part, was in a complete panic, unsure of what to do.

"Not answering, huh?" Chunxiang cracked her knuckles and said, "Fine! I'm breaking down the door!"

Although Chunxiang was a woman, she was quite strong. Even without a Vision, she possessed considerable skill, and breaking through a door wouldn't be difficult for her.

"Bam!"

Just as Chunxiang was preparing to punch through the door, it suddenly swung open, revealing Keqing standing there. She was wearing a freshly dried robe. Before Chunxiang could say anything, Keqing quickly pulled her into the room.

The room was neat and tidy, with no signs of a struggle. Lucas sat off to the side, an awkward smile on his face.

"Shh!" Keqing put her finger to Chunxiang's lips, her expression complicated. "Chunxiang, let me explain…"

Honestly, Keqing hadn't yet come up with a reasonable explanation.

But to her surprise, Chunxiang suddenly patted her on the shoulder, her face showing understanding. "There's no need to explain, Miss. I understand completely. You must have come to see Lucas for a massage, right? That scream earlier was because it felt so good, wasn't it?"

Keqing hadn't expected Chunxiang's imagination to run so wild, but she quickly nodded in agreement. "Yes… that's right, I came for a massage."

"How was it? Wasn't it amazing?" Chunxiang's eyes sparkled. "Honestly, Miss, you don't need to be so shy. If you want a massage, just come right out and say so. Why sneak around like this?"

"It was just a spur-of-the-moment decision," Keqing mumbled, pushing Chunxiang toward the door. "Alright, it's late, let's go now. I've got tasks to assign him tomorrow."

Before leaving, Keqing shot a glare at Lucas.

It seemed that she wasn't going to forget what he had accidentally seen anytime soon.

Once the two women had left, Lucas let out a sigh of relief. He had only wanted some fresh air and ended up with so much trouble.

Opening the "Simulator Interface," he intended to check the afk progress before going to sleep. However, what he saw made him gasp.

[Age 138: You can now swing a sword 10,000 times without breaking a sweat. Your strength has increased significantly (Talent: 'Old But Vigorous' activated).]

[Age 139: This year marks the hundredth year you've spent in the cellar. Your strength continues to grow each year, but what's even stranger is that you seem to have been forgotten by death itself. Your lifespan has long exceeded that of a normal human.]

[Age 140: The bread stored in the cellar has become as hard as stone, yet your stomach seems capable of digesting any kind of food. However, despite this, you accidentally chipped a tooth. But you're not worried, as you know the broken tooth will soon grow back.]

[Indeed, during your hundred years of solitude, you've lost quite a few teeth. Strangely, they always grow back. Moreover, your appearance and body have not aged despite the passage of time—instead, you've grown more youthful and strong, maintaining the form of someone in their thirties.]

[You suspect that the Durin's toxin and various potions have caused a special reaction in your body, allowing you to slow the aging process. Or perhaps, due to years of immersion in the art of immortality, you've accidentally acquired an immortal body.]

[However, none of this matters to you anymore. A hundred years of solitude has changed your way of thinking. You once tried to break through the barrier sealing the cellar, but failed. Yet, strangely, this gave you a sense of comfort. It's as if, like a prisoner who becomes accustomed to life in confinement after decades, you too have grown used to the dark cellar. You can even see clearly in the darkness now.]

[In truth, given your intelligence, you could likely find another way out, but you feel that your beloved Rosalyne has long since passed away. You've lost the reason to leave and have resigned yourself to living out the rest of your life here.]

[Achievement Unlocked: Cellar Dweller]

[Talent Reward: Night Vision]

[Night Vision]

[Effect: You can see in the dark.]

"140 years old? Oh my gosh…"

Lucas was stunned. After just a short idle period, his simulator self had been trapped in the cellar for a hundred years?

Originally, he had thought that with the talents [Old But Vigorous] and [Die of Old Age], he'd be lucky to live until 80 or 90 and become a great master. 

In Teyvat, while there were many long-lived races, humans were not among them. No matter how strong they became, ordinary humans could not surpass the limits of their lifespan.

But as for himself? He had already lived to 140, and instead of becoming frail with age, he seemed to be growing younger.

"Oh well… let's keep it running."

Lucas yawned. So much had happened today, and after lying down, he quickly drifted off to sleep.

That night, Lucas slept incredibly well. Ever since crossing into Teyvat, this was the first time he had truly slept soundly in a real bed.

He slept until morning without even dreaming. After all, the events in the [Villain Simulator] were far more thrilling than any dream could be.

Upon waking up, the first thing Lucas did was check the idle progress. It felt like playing one of those idle mobile games where you wake up in the morning to harvest the results.

[Age 231: Today marks your 200th wedding anniversary with Rosalyne. You know that a 60-year marriage is called a "diamond anniversary," but you're not sure what a 200-year anniversary is called, since such a long marriage has likely never existed.]

[So, you call it the "Tungsten Anniversary," named after the metal with the highest melting point, to commemorate how the two of you once almost burned to ashes together.]

[Age 232: Lately, you've taken up playing chess against yourself.]

[Age 233: You've adopted a group of rats as pets. Under your training, they've learned to follow simple commands. Moreover, you've begun using their corpses as materials for your experiments.]

[Age 234: Your need for food and water has diminished. Sometimes, you can go one or two weeks without eating.]

[Age 235: You…]

"Still not dead, huh…"

What an "immortal old man."

Maybe because of yesterday's discovery, Lucas wasn't particularly surprised this time. 

The simulator's speed wasn't slow. At this rate, a day of idling would cover 400 to 500 years. Even if his simulator self had a long lifespan, he couldn't live for thousands of years, right? After all, even the Geo Archon Morax only lived for about 6,000 years.

However, what surprised Lucas the most was that he had spent 200 years in the cellar. A normal person would've broken down long ago.

Luckily, he didn't have to experience such a life himself.

After a brief wash, Lucas made his way to Keqing's study, as they had agreed the day before, and gently knocked on the door.

"Who is it?" A tired voice came from inside.

"Lucas."

Hearing his name, there was a brief pause before the voice continued, "Come in. The door's not locked."

Lucas opened the door and walked in. The study had a rather traditional style, with a large panoramic map of Liyue hanging on one of the walls.

The large desk was cluttered with various documents, clearly Keqing's workspace.

However, seeing the desk reminded Lucas of the time in the simulator when he and Shenhe had used such a desk as a hiding spot to play certain "games." The vivid memories made his face flush slightly.

"Ahem…" Keqing's voice snapped him out of his thoughts. "What are you daydreaming about?"

"S-sorry!" Lucas quickly looked at Keqing and was surprised. "Miss, your complexion… why does it look so bad?"

Indeed, Keqing's face was pale, and dark circles had formed under her eyes. It was obvious she hadn't slept well.

Last night, after returning to her room, Keqing had dreamt of becoming the "Thunder Calamity," a high-ranking member of the Abyss Order.

Strangely, in the dream, she fully embraced this "evil" persona, committing various acts that harmed Liyue. When she woke up, the vividness of the dream left her feeling puzzled.

The dream had been so real, almost as if she had truly traveled to a parallel world and existed as another person.

"It's nothing, just some insomnia," Keqing replied, unwilling to reveal her "secret" to Lucas. She opened a drawer, pulled out a document, and handed it to him.

"Even though your role is a servant, you're still my personal attendant, so you won't need to do menial chores. Just complete the tasks I assign to you. The rest of your time is your own, and you don't have to stay in the manor if you don't want to. Today's task is to deliver this document to Lady Ganyu at Yuehai Pavilion."

"Ganyu?" Lucas was startled and blurted, "You mean the Ganyu from the Qixing?"

Ganyu was one of the most well-known figures in Liyue Harbor, her reputation rivaling even that of the Liyue Qixing themselves.

After all, while the Qixing often changed, the Messenger of the Qixing had remained for over 3,000 years.

Not only was she "living history," but she was also one of the few Adepti who regularly interacted with mortals.

"You even know about her?" Keqing nodded. "Yes, that's her. But you don't need to be nervous. Ganyu is very kind and easy to get along with. Of course… getting too close to her is unlikely."

Indeed, although Ganyu had lived in Liyue Harbor for thousands of years, she had never fully integrated into human society. Even Keqing, who worked closely with Ganyu, could only consider her a colleague rather than a friend.

This made sense, considering the vast difference in lifespans between humans and Adepti. Forming deep relationships with humans would be difficult when their lives were so brief in comparison.

As Keqing thought, "It's like how most people wouldn't bother keeping pets with only a few months to live." To Ganyu, human lifespans might not seem much different.

"Miss, you're joking. I'm just a commoner—how could I possibly befriend such an important figure?" Lucas chuckled self-deprecatingly. "Anyway, I'll go right away. You should get some rest, Miss Keqing."

----

"I don't have much time to rest," Keqing said with a yawn. "By the way, there's some money in another envelope. Since you're new to Liyue, take some time to familiarize yourself with the place."

"Thank you, Miss Keqing" Lucas nodded and then left the room.

As she watched him leave, Keqing instinctively furrowed her brow again.

If it weren't for the intense hatred she felt for him in "that dream," she wouldn't believe that this cheerful young man could be an evil person.

What's more, if he were truly evil, he would have taken advantage of her while she was unconscious after almost drowning last night. But her body was unharmed—not a trace of inappropriate behavior, not even a mark.

Could it be… she was mistaken?

No…

Their brief time together wasn't enough to reveal someone's true nature. Maybe he was just hiding it well. More time was needed for observation.

Even if Lucas wasn't a bad person, keeping him around the manor as a servant wouldn't cause any harm.

...

After leaving the manor, Lucas casually opened the envelope, only to be shocked to find that Keqing had given him 200,000 Mora.

While it wasn't a fortune, it was certainly a generous amount for a servant's allowance.

Keqing's family truly was wealthy.

Without wasting time, Lucas headed toward Yuehai Pavilion.

Though it was his first time in Liyue, thanks to the two previous simulations where he had been a Liyue native, he wasn't completely unfamiliar with the layout of the city. After asking for directions once or twice, he found himself at the entrance of Yuehai Pavilion.

As one of the most important administrative offices in Liyue, Yuehai Pavilion was an impressive and grand building.

Just as Lucas was about to enter, a guard dressed in the Qianyan Army uniform blocked his way. "Who goes there? No unauthorized entry into Yuehai Pavilion!"

"I'm here on behalf of Lady Keqing," Lucas said, presenting the document sealed with Keqing's Yuheng Star insignia. "This document is to be delivered personally to Lady Ganyu."

"Alright, no problem." After inspecting the seal, the guard nodded and allowed Lucas to pass. "Lady Ganyu's office is on the top floor, last room on the left. Don't go the wrong way."

Meanwhile, in Ganyu's office…

"Phew... so tired..." Ganyu stood up after reviewing hundreds of documents, stretching as she spoke to herself. "I'm so hungry... Oh, right, I think there are still some snacks in the drawer..."

Her hand instinctively reached for the drawer handle, but she quickly pulled it back, a look of resignation on her face. "No, I can't. I've already exceeded my calorie limit for today. If I eat more, I won't be able to hide the extra weight..."

Ganyu's outfit, known as "Frostdew", was designed by her adoptive mother, Cloud Retainer. It consisted of a tight black bodysuit under a flowing gown.

This wasn't some eccentric choice by Cloud Retainer but a deliberate way to encourage Ganyu to maintain her figure. After all, even a little extra weight would be noticeable in such form-fitting attire.

Ganyu lifted her gown and pinched her belly, sighing. "Looks like I need to cut back on my food again… ugh."

"Uh… excuse me…" 

A voice suddenly came from the doorway. Startled, Ganyu looked up to see a handsome young man standing there, his gaze momentarily lingering on her stomach.

Awkward…

So awkward!

As one of the prestigious emissaries of the Qixing, being caught playing with her belly in the office was beyond embarrassing!

Quickly dropping her gown, Ganyu blushed and said, "Sorry… What can I help you with?"

The person, of course, was Lucas. He had to admit, walking in and seeing such a beautiful woman pinching her own belly was a bit… odd.

Keqing, Shenhe, Rosalyn—they were all stunning women, but they were still human. Compared to Ganyu, with her half-Adeptus heritage, there was something uniquely different about her aura.

"I'm here on behalf of Lady Keqing to deliver some documents," Lucas explained. "Now that I've done that, I should be on my way."

"Please… wait a moment!" Ganyu, her expression somewhat conflicted, said, "I just made a pot of tea. Why don't you stay and have some before leaving?"

"Well, in that case, I'll gladly accept." Lucas, unsure why she was asking him to stay, didn't want to seem rude, so he sat down.

"Um…" Ganyu's face turned slightly red as she hesitated, "About what you saw just now…"

What he saw just now?

Lucas immediately understood.

Was she referring to him catching her pinching her belly?

Even as an Adeptus, it seemed that Ganyu, like any other girl, was shy about such things.

She probably wanted him to stay so she could ask him to keep it a secret.

Just as Lucas was about to say something, the system's voice suddenly appeared.

[Faced with Ganyu's subtle hint, your response is…]

[1. Lady Ganyu, you wouldn't want your subordinates to know that you were pinching your belly in your office, right?]

[2. Just thinking about that sight will let me eat three bowls of rice!]

What? I have to choose now?

Like I'm really going to choose one of those!

Why is the system giving me options now? This is real life, not the simulator!

[Xiao Xi is just offering feasible suggestions.]

Neither of these options is feasible! If I actually said either of them, I'd probably be arrested on the spot for being disrespectful.

Almost "betrayed" by the system, Lucas smiled slightly and said, "What I saw? All I saw was Lady Ganyu working diligently in her office. As for anything else, I didn't see a thing."

Although Ganyu was simple-minded, she wasn't foolish. She quickly understood the meaning behind Lucas's words.

What a high-EQ response…

She couldn't help but feel a slight appreciation for this stranger.

Of course, it was only a small appreciation.

As an Adeptus, there was no way she could ever form a deeper connection with humans. This would be the first and last time she crossed paths with this man.

"I…"

Just as Ganyu was about to say something else, a paper crane glowing with a soft light flew in from the window, circling around her before landing gently in her hand.

"This is… a message from Cloud Retainer."

Ganyu was momentarily surprised. Due to her busy work schedule, she seldom visited Mount Aozang to see her adoptive mother, Cloud Retainer. Their communication was usually through letters folded into paper cranes.

However, Cloud Retainer had already sent her a message just a few months ago. Why another one today? Could something urgent have happened?

"Please give me a moment." Ganyu nodded at Lucas before hurriedly opening the letter.

---

Ganyu, my dear daughter,

As you read this letter, do not worry. There is no pressing matter. However, yesterday I sent your junior sister, Shenhe, down the mountain for training. Although she has inherited my teachings and possesses great strength, her lack of experience and long absence from the world may make it difficult for her to adjust. If you have the chance, please assist her where you can.

Also, I have been urging you about your marriage for quite some time. Now that Shenhe has left the mountain and I am living alone, I find myself somewhat bored. I hope that you will soon find a suitable partner and have children. I can help raise them, and they will provide me with some amusement.

I know several promising Adeptus men. If you have not found a match within three days, I will arrange blind dates for you with them. This is not negotiable.

—Cloud Retainer

---

After reading the letter, Ganyu's expression darkened.

Of course, it wasn't Shenhe's matter that bothered her. Though she didn't know Shenhe well, she was more than willing to assist her "junior sister."

What gave her a headache was Cloud Retainer's "marriage pressure."

Though Cloud Retainer wasn't Ganyu's biological mother, she had raised her since childhood. The bond they shared was no different from that of a real mother and daughter.

Though Ganyu still appeared to be a young woman, she was, by qilin standards, well past the age of marriage. Like any parent, Cloud Retainer wanted to see her daughter settled down rather than remain alone.

More importantly, if Ganyu were to marry and have children, Cloud Retainer could finally have some little qilins to… play with—no, to help raise!

For decades now, Cloud Retainer had subtly been dropping hints about marriage. Every time Ganyu visited, Cloud Retainer would wistfully remark, "It would be so nice if you brought someone with you next time."

However, Ganyu was highly focused on her career and had never met a man who caught her interest, so she hadn't been able to fulfill Cloud Retainer's hopes.

It seemed this time, Cloud Retainer had truly run out of patience. With her personality, if Ganyu didn't respond soon, she'd surely drag her to a blind date.

Wait!

All she needed was to find a man who could temporarily pretend to be her "boyfriend" to placate Cloud Retainer. Then she wouldn't have to go on any blind dates!

But where could she find a man in such a short time, someone who was trustworthy, with a clean background, and skilled at keeping secrets?

"Lady Ganyu, you don't look so well…" Lucas suddenly said. "Is there anything I can help with?"

That's it!

An idea struck Ganyu. This man in front of her was the perfect candidate!

His character seemed good, and as Keqing's personal attendant, his background was assured.

More importantly, he appeared capable of keeping secrets.

"Mr. Lucas, I do have… a rather difficult request," Ganyu said, lowering her head slightly. "Could you… become my husband?"

What?

Was that… a proposal?

That's so sudden!

Ganyu's words left Lucas stunned. Seeing his reaction, Ganyu quickly clarified, "Please don't misunderstand. What I mean is, could you temporarily pretend to be my husband to deal with my mother's marriage pressure?"

She then explained her plan to Lucas in detail.

"Don't worry, I wouldn't ask you to help for free," Ganyu added. "Afterward, I'll be sure to reward you properly."

A reward from Ganyu…

To be honest, Lucas couldn't help but feel a little curious.

Moreover, given Ganyu's status, there was no way she'd deceive someone like him.

And, most importantly, helping her out aligned with his personal principle of "doing a good deed every day."

"There's no need for a reward, really. Given all that Lady Ganyu has done for Liyue, I'd be more than happy to assist with this small matter," Lucas said, nodding. "So, I'm willing."

"That's wonderful!" Ganyu sighed in relief, standing up. "There's no time to waste. Let's get started right away!"

"Start?"

Start what?

Wait, based on what Ganyu just said, the reason why Cloud Retainer was so eager to push for marriage seemed to be because she wanted to hold a little qilin grandchild as soon as possible.

Could it be that Ganyu wanted to start "making qilins" with him?

Isn't this moving a bit too fast?

"Th-this doesn't seem right," Lucas hesitated, his expression a bit uncertain. "Shouldn't we at least have tea, watch a show, stroll through the night market, and then maybe…"

"Why make it so complicated?" Ganyu tilted her head slightly. "I just want to take a photo of us together to send to Cloud Retainer and calm her down."

As she spoke, Ganyu pulled out an exquisitely crafted Kamera from her drawer.

However, the moment Lucas saw the Kamera, his expression shifted, becoming a bit grim.

After all, in the previous run of the Life Simulator, it was because of a Kamera that he met a tragic end at the hands of the crazed Shenhe.

"So… it's just for a photo?" Lucas awkwardly laughed.

"Of course," Ganyu replied, looking like it was the most obvious thing in the world. "What else did you think?"

"N-nothing!" Lucas quickly shook his head.

Starting to make a little qilin together… There was no way he could say that out loud!

"This is called a Kamera, a creation from Sumeru. It captures an image and imprints it onto a special type of paper," Ganyu explained as she fiddled with it. "I think this is how it works. First, you…"

-----

After about ten minutes of fiddling with the camera, Ganyu was already sweating, flustered, and frustrated. "How strange… why can't I figure out how this works?"

After all, Ganyu was an "old" Adeptus, over 3,000 years old. Watching her struggle with the Kamera reminded Lucas of elderly people first learning how to use smartphones.

Of course, she was a very beautiful and cute "elderly lady."

"Let me handle it," Lucas offered. He quickly adjusted the settings with a few swift moves and said, "This model is quite advanced; it even has a timer function."

"Wow… that's impressive!" Ganyu's eyes filled with curiosity. "But, Mr. Li, didn't you say you're from a remote area? How do you know how to operate such modern devices?"

Uh-oh…

He couldn't possibly tell her that he learned how to use it through the life simulator, could he?

"Um… Miss Keqing taught me," Lucas quickly came up with an excuse, smiling. "You know how girls are—they love taking pictures."

"I see," Ganyu nodded thoughtfully. "So… can we start now?"

"Yes, everything is ready," Lucas replied, sitting beside Ganyu. "Is this pose okay?"

"I'm not really sure," Ganyu frowned slightly and asked, "How do couples usually pose for photos?"

"Well…" Lucas suddenly pointed out the window and said, "Maybe like that?"

Following his gaze, Ganyu saw a young couple sitting on a bench in Yujing Terrace's garden, acting affectionately with each other—clearly a pair of lovers.

"Do… do we have to go that far?" Ganyu blushed even more but then nodded resolutely. "Cloud Retainer is very experienced and hard to fool. If we want her to believe it, we'll have to do this properly."

Taking a deep breath, Ganyu shuffled closer to Lucas. In a voice barely above a whisper, she said, "P-please… put your arm around my shoulder… I'm counting on you…"

Seeing Ganyu's shy, vulnerable expression, Lucas felt his heart melt.

Besides, helping people was always a good thing, right? Nodding, he carefully placed his hand on her shoulder.

Her skin was smooth and cold like snow, soft and delicate. The faint fragrance in the air made Lucas's throat go dry.

And it wasn't just him—Ganyu was also extremely tense. Despite her thousands of years of life, this was the first time she had been so close to a man, and her body stiffened with nerves.

"Look at the camera… smile… click!"

The shutter clicked, and the first photo appeared in Ganyu's hand. Although the two looked close, the picture seemed a bit off—especially their awkward expressions.

"Maybe… we should take a few more," Ganyu suggested, unsatisfied. She pulled Lucas for several more shots, changing poses each time.

Finally, Ganyu picked one that looked a bit more natural.

"This one is perfect," Ganyu nodded in approval. "Even Cloud Retainer shouldn't be able to spot anything suspicious."

"That's good," Lucas said, glancing at the remaining photos on the table. "So, what do you plan to do with the other photos?"

"This is a secret between us," Ganyu frowned, "so aside from the one for Cloud Retainer, the rest must be destroyed."

"I see…" Lucas couldn't help but show a hint of regret on his face.

Noticing his expression, Ganyu hesitated for a moment before picking up one photo and handing it to him with a small smile. "It would be a shame to burn them all. You can keep this one as a memento."

"Really? Thank you!" Lucas hesitated for a moment and asked, "But aren't you worried someone else might find it?"

"I chose you because I trust you," Ganyu shook her head. "I'm certain you'll keep your promise."

"Of course!" Lucas solemnly placed the photo in his pocket. "Lady Ganyu, until we meet again."

As she watched Lucas walk away, a strange feeling of emptiness welled up in Ganyu's heart.

"Until we meet again?"

But with almost no connection between them, it's likely they'll never meet again, right?

After quickly writing a reply, Ganyu tucked the selected photo into a paper crane and sent it out the window. The crane flew off swiftly, disappearing from her sight in no time.

Ganyu then picked up the remaining photos, sighed softly, and prepared to feed them into the shredder. However, seeing their slightly awkward smiles in the pictures made the corners of her lips curl into a barely noticeable smile.

---

"Buzz, buzz, buzz!"

As the shredder whirred, the photos quickly turned into snowflake-like pieces of paper.

However, Ganyu quietly slipped one remaining photo into the deepest part of her drawer.

She wasn't sure why she did it.

Still, it should be safe there, where no one would find it, right?

---

[You have earned 1,000 Virtue Points!]

Just after leaving the room, Lucas noticed the system's reward notification.

Looks like his decision had been the right one.

Seeing that he had accumulated a fair amount of points, Lucas opened the store and decided to exchange them for something useful.

[Nobita Nobi's Gunmanship], 1,000 points, redeemed.

[Nobita Nobi's Gunmanship]

[Rank]: B

[Effect]: Proficiency in all types of firearms raised to Advanced level; Handgun proficiency raised to Expert level.

[Description]: Don't ask why Nobita's gunmanship is so good—it's just part of the story.

Although [Charging Fist] had decent damage, it required him to take hits first. Now that he had received a firearm-related skill, it would be a waste not to use it.

Though ordinary guns might not be effective against opponents with Visions, they should still be enough to intimidate regular people.

Afterward, Lucas decided to check the simulation's idle progress.

[Age 378: You discovered that you could enter a state of hibernation like certain animals. While in this state, your body's consumption drops to nearly zero.]

[Age 379: You spent a year in hibernation. Even while hibernating, your internal strength continued to grow. Moreover, as the years pass, the rate at which your strength increases seems to be accelerating. Although the growth each year is small, after 200 years, it has reached a significant level (Talent [Old But Vigorous] activated).]

[Age 380: You still often feel like your body is burning. You realize that this sensation may not just be an illusion. Fortunately, the pain subsides while you're hibernating. The longer you hibernate, the longer the burning sensation stays away.]

[Age 381: You feel that with your current power, you could leave the cellar. But each time you attempt it, you find yourself unable to make the decision. You decide to enter a long period of hibernation, waiting for the burning sensation to completely vanish before leaving.]

[Age 382: You are in hibernation.]

[Age 383: You are in hibernation.]

[Age 384: You are in hibernation.]

"Is he hibernating again?"

It seemed that his "self" in the simulator had the strength to leave the cellar now but was still hesitant.

After all, centuries had passed, and he couldn't be sure what the outside world was like. Maybe there was no longer a place for him.

Three hundred years of solitude had made Lucas's simulated self fully accustomed to isolation.

To him, the outside world might just be a "bigger cellar."

"Oh, right…" Lucas suddenly thought of something. "Can I use immersive mode to take control and leave the cellar?"

[In immersive mode, you cannot act against the fundamental will of your simulated self.]

Lucas already knew that.

Basically, immersive mode allowed him to "experience" the events of his simulated life, but he couldn't go against his simulated self's core desires.

For instance, in the previous simulation, he could do whatever he wanted with Shenhe in their "games," but he couldn't order her to kill anyone because his simulated self would never want that.

Similarly, here, since his simulated self didn't want to leave the cellar, even in immersive mode, Lucas could only move around inside the cellar.

Ultimately, the simulator merely replicated another person's life. At key moments, he could make choices, but he couldn't change their entire life to suit his own preferences.

The only concern Lucas had now was that if this continued, the simulator would be stuck in hibernation mode indefinitely.

Ironically, in previous simulations, Lucas had worried about whether he'd live long enough. Now, he worried about whether he'd live too long.

"Grrr…"

Suddenly, Lucas's stomach growled.

"It's lunchtime already, huh?" Lucas patted his stomach and muttered to himself, "Well, since I'm near Chihu Rock, I might as well go to Wanmin Restaurant and try Xiangling's cooking."

...

While Lucas headed to Wanmin Restaurant for lunch,

 Ganyu's paper crane had already crossed the mountains of Liyue and arrived at Cloud Retainer's domain deep within Mt. Aozang.

Sitting at a stone table outside the cave, a silver-haired woman in a loose white robe quietly enjoyed some snacks.

The woman appeared to be around twenty-six or twenty-seven, with a plump figure that her loose robe couldn't completely hide. She wore no makeup, except for the red eyeshadow around her eyes, but even without it, her natural beauty was striking.

This was Cloud Retainer in her human form. While most Adepti preferred their beast forms, even they had to admit that being in human form made things like eating snacks much easier.

"The pastries sent by the Yuheng Star last time were quite delicious," Cloud Retainer mused. "It's clear she put thought into them… Unlike Ganyu, who has spent so long in Liyue but still doesn't understand human customs as well as I do."

Indeed, as a member of the Liyue Qixing, Keqing always made sure to send gifts to the Adepti during festivals as a sign of respect.

Ganyu, however, often returned to visit Cloud Retainer empty-handed.

Not that Cloud Retainer minded, of course. After all, Keqing was a guest, while Ganyu was her beloved adopted daughter.

Just then, a delicate paper crane, wrapped in celestial energy, gently descended from the sky and landed before Cloud Retainer.

"A letter from Ganyu? So soon?" Cloud Retainer was surprised. "Oh dear, have I been pushing her too hard? The poor girl probably doesn't want to go on blind dates… Fine, fine, if she really doesn't want to, I won't force her. Hm? What's this?"

A "picture" suddenly slipped from the paper crane, landing neatly in front of Cloud Retainer.

"This is... a photo?"

Although Cloud Retainer had lived in seclusion in the deep mountains for many years, she was well-versed in new gadgets due to her hobby of crafting various mechanical devices.

However, upon seeing the content of the photo, her expression froze.

The photo showed two people. One was her adopted daughter, Ganyu, and the other was a young man with a delicate face, appearing to be in his twenties, with black hair. The man had one hand resting on Ganyu's shoulder, while Ganyu leaned her head against his chest, looking quite intimate.

"Who is this man, and why is he so close to Ganyu?" Cloud Retainer's heart tightened as she quickly unfolded the letter that had been tucked inside the paper crane.

---

Dear Cloud Retainer,

I received your letter. Although I have not met my junior, Shenhe, often, since we share the same master, I will make sure to take good care of her.

Regarding the matter of a partner, please do not worry. I have already found someone to be with. His name is Lucas, and he works under the Liyue Qixing. He is honest, loyal, and capable—someone I can trust with my future.

Please, do not spread the word about this matter.

Sincerely, Ganyu

---

Cloud Retainer read the brief letter several times before a smile of relief slowly appeared on her face. "Ganyu has finally grown up. It's a pity Shenhe just descended from the mountain—otherwise, I could have shared this joy with her."

Of course, what Cloud Retainer didn't know was that if Shenhe saw this photo, she would be utterly shocked, as the man in the picture—her "soon-to-be brother-in-law"—was the same despicable figure from her nightmares.

"Well, since Shenhe has descended, she'll likely meet Ganyu, and perhaps even this man," Cloud Retainer mused. "I'll have her test this man's character and see if he truly is as dependable as Ganyu claims."

At that moment, two beams of light flashed through the sky, and a crane and a deer descended in front of Cloud Retainer. 

These were none other than Mountain Shaper and Moon Carver, fellow "Adepts with Three Eyes and Five Manifestations."

"Mountain Shaper, Moon Carver," Cloud Retainer looked slightly surprised. "What brings the two of you here?"

"It was your own letter saying that with Shenhe gone, the valley feels even more lonely," Mountain Shaper said calmly. "We worried you might be lonely, so we came to visit."

"No need to worry," Cloud Retainer said, her face lighting up with a smug smile. "Before long, I won't be lonely anymore."

"Oh?" Moon Carver asked with curiosity. "Are you, like Madam Ping, planning to transform into human form and live among mortals?"

"No, no," Cloud Retainer shook her head. "I'm about to become a grandmother."

"Isn't that the same thing?" Mountain Shaper nodded thoughtfully. "I've heard that in Liyue, Madam Ping's mortal name is 'Granny Ping.'"

"That's not what I meant," Cloud Retainer chuckled. "What I mean is, I'm about to become an actual grandmother."

"I see," Moon Carver said with a knowing look. "It makes sense. Shenhe is certainly of an age where she could marry and have children."

"What does Shenhe have to do with this?" Cloud Retainer picked up the photo Ganyu had sent and smiled. "I was talking about Ganyu!"

------

At this time, far away in Liyue, Ganyu remained completely unaware that the fake news of her "marriage to Lucas" was about to become a major headline in the Adeptus circles.

---

Meanwhile, Lucas, whose stomach was growling with hunger, had arrived at Chihu Rock.

Though Wanmin Restaurant wasn't as high-end as Xinyue Kiosk or Liuli Pavilion, it was very popular among the common folk. It didn't take Lucas long to find the restaurant.

"Welcome!"

As soon as he stepped inside, a young girl with blue hair and dressed in red came forward, carrying a tray and greeting him with a bright smile. "Is it just you today?"

The girl appeared to be around sixteen or seventeen, not extraordinarily beautiful, but she had a cute and lively charm. Her curved eyebrows added to her adorable appearance.

Without needing to think much, Lucas immediately recognized this girl as Xiangling, the head chef of Wanmin Restaurant.

What a cute little girl, indeed.

[Wouldn't it be fun to mess with such a cute girl in the simulator, just like you did with Shenhe and Rosalyn?]

The system chimed in with a suggestion.

Hey, hey! Don't suddenly set up a flag like that!

"Yes, it's just me," Lucas responded, ignoring the system's voice. Under Xiangling's guidance, he found a quiet seat and sat down.

After placing his order, Lucas began to observe the restaurant while waiting.

As he watched Xiangling move cheerfully among the customers, Lucas couldn't help but recall the system's earlier words.

If Xiangling were to appear in the Villain Simulator, would something special happen between them, just like with Shenhe and Rosalyn?

Shaking his head to clear the thought, Lucas lightly slapped his cheeks and muttered to himself, "Stop thinking about nonsense. She's just a kid!"

[So, it's okay to have those thoughts as long as she's not a kid?]

The system teased.

"Of course not!" Lucas frowned. "Why is it that other people's systems are obedient, while you're always messing with my mind?"

[Well, go play with other systems then! I'm just here to remind you that the simulator is about to reach an important milestone, so you might want to check it out.]

Is the story finally progressing?

Without hesitation, Lucas opened the simulator. Typically, when the simulator was active, time around him would freeze, so it didn't matter where he used it.

---

[Age 488: You remain in hibernation.]

[Age 489: A strange sound awakens you from hibernation. You open your eyes and are surprised to see a flash of light. The sealed exit you've been trapped behind for centuries has crumbled. A group of soldiers, all dressed in identical uniforms, enters the cellar, led by a peculiar man.]

[The man immediately notices you, but oddly, he doesn't seem surprised. Instead, he smiles and says, "If I'm not mistaken, you must be the Immortal King who disappeared 450 years ago, correct?"]

[You are stunned to learn that you've been sealed away for 450 years.]

[Faced with this stranger, you are unsure how to respond. You also don't fully understand what he means by "Immortal King."]

[Sensing your confusion, the man patiently explains, "450 years ago, a mysterious figure appeared in Mondstadt who could revive the dead. Facing judgment, he summoned an army of undead and completely destroyed Mondstadt before vanishing… The Fatui have come here to find this person. Rest assured, we mean no harm. We only hope to invite this individual to join us in a grand endeavor."]

[You realize that the person he's talking about is you. But what will you choose to do…?]

[1. Admit your identity.]

[2. Deny your identity.]

At this point, would it even matter to deny it?

Besides, after quietly growing stronger for over four centuries, Lucas figured that even if he couldn't rival the Seven Archons, he should at least have the power of a demigod. Plus, with his near-immortality, there wasn't much to fear.

"Admit it."

[You admit your identity, and the man's eyes light up. He introduces himself as Pierro, the first-ranked Harbinger of the Fatui, also known as the Jester. He invites you to join the Fatui and promises that if you do, the Tsaritsa will grant you any wish you desire.]

[Your choices are…]

[1. Accept the invitation and make a wish.]

[2. Refuse the invitation and eliminate everyone who knows your identity.]

---

The Fatui?

Lucas was quite familiar with them.

They were the designated villains and scapegoats in Genshin Impact. Although it seemed that the organization wasn't as simple as it appeared, they were undoubtedly portrayed as villains for the time being.

The Villain Simulator seemed to align well with the Fatui's nature.

Given the circumstances, it seemed logical to accept the offer. Rejecting it would lead to a confrontation, but joining the Fatui could provide opportunities, especially since Lucas had his own goals.

"Join."

---

[You agree to join the Fatui, but you tell Pierro that your identity must remain a secret. You also ask for their help in finding any clues about Rosalyn, whether she is alive or dead.]

[Though you suspect Rosalyn is likely deceased, you still cling to a small hope. After all, with your necromantic skills, even her grave might hold the key to reviving her.]

[Pierro immediately agrees to your request. However, he smiles and asks for a demonstration of your abilities, wondering if you can truly revive the dead.]

[You scoff at Pierro's request, stating that you can't demonstrate your skills without a corpse.]

["That's easily solved!" Pierro says without hesitation. He orders all of the nearby Fatui soldiers to commit suicide. Before you can react, the soldiers unsheathe their weapons and kill themselves on the spot. Only one young Fatui soldier hesitates, trembling in fear.]

[Pierro, disappointed by the hesitation, personally ends the young soldier's life. He comments wryly, "I've heard that the army of undead you once created followed orders without question. Unfortunately, I haven't been able to achieve that level of obedience. No matter how I train them, there are always moments of disobedience."]

[You feel no particular emotion at Pierro's actions. By killing the soldiers, he ensures that no one else will learn of your identity while also providing you with the corpses you need. It was the correct move.]

[Your long life and solitary existence have stripped you of your humanity. To you, nothing in the world matters anymore—except for Rosalyn.]

[Despite the centuries-long seal, your skills remain sharp. You quickly revive the soldiers as undead and have them follow your commands.]

[Pierro, impressed by your abilities, invites you to travel to Snezhnaya with him. Thus, the two of you, each with your own motives, set off together.]

[Upon leaving the cellar, the sight before you takes you by surprise. What was once the flourishing city of Mondstadt has been reduced to ruins. A massive blue pillar stands before the ruins of the Cathedral of Favonius, splitting the statue of Barbatos in two.]

[From Pierro, you learn about the events that transpired over the past 450 years.]

[After you created the army of undead, they quickly overwhelmed Mondstadt. The last surviving Knight of Favonius, Grand Master Arundolyn, led a small group of survivors out of the city, saving only a few hundred citizens.]

[However, with no one left to command them, your undead army continued to carry out your last order: to kill every living thing in sight.]

[As in the fall of Khaenri'ah, a "Judgment" descended from the sky, obliterating the city and your undead army along with it. The resulting miasma from the countless corpses made the area uninhabitable for hundreds of miles. Only recently has the toxic air begun to clear.]

[After escaping Mondstadt, Arundolyn and the remaining citizens migrated to Liyue. With Liyue's support, they founded "New Mondstadt." While they survived, their new settlement became the weakest of the Seven Nations.]

[Upon hearing this, Pierro once again expresses his admiration for you. After all, you are the one who singlehandedly "destroyed" a nation. However, you feel no joy from his praise.]

[As for the remnants of your undead army, they didn't all perish in the "Divine Punishment." Some managed to escape Mondstadt and have since spread across Teyvat.]

[It was by studying one of these undead that Pierro discovered their potential. After extensive research, he led an expedition to Mondstadt to uncover the source of the undead and unexpectedly found you—their creator.]

[After a long journey, you and Pierro finally arrive in Snezhnaya, a land perpetually covered in snow and ice. The climate is vastly different from Mondstadt, but your body, now immune to heat and cold, feels nothing.]

[Introduced by Pierro, you meet the Tsaritsa, the Cryo Archon and one of the Seven, who surprisingly appears to be a young girl of about ten years old.]

[Despite her youthful appearance, she radiates an overwhelming aura, and even with your considerable power, you cannot afford to be disrespectful.]

[You are formally appointed as the Third Harbinger of the Fatui. Ironically, your code name is "The Doctor," the very nickname you were given when you studied at the Sumeru Academia.]

[The other two senior Harbingers are Pierro, the First Harbinger, and the General, who holds the Second position. Pierro offers to let you take his position as the First Harbinger, but you decline, having no interest in such matters.]

---

What!?

Lucas was genuinely shocked.

The Doctor was "himself"?

While the character of the Third Harbinger, "The Doctor," hadn't yet appeared in the game at this point, he had already been shown in the official manga, where he had the classic appearance of a villain.

Who would've thought that after all this time, he would end up becoming "The Doctor."

However, this did make sense in a way. Whether it was his research into the human body or being exiled as a heretic, his life experiences mirrored those of "The Doctor" in the game.

Of course, since the simulator wasn't identical to the original story, it was likely that the "Doctor" he became in the simulator wasn't directly connected to the canon version.

---

[Age 490: Unlike Mondstadt or Sumeru, your research in Snezhnaya progresses smoothly. Here, you can conduct experiments openly, and there's never a shortage of fresh bodies.]

[You have no idea where the bodies come from, nor do you care. To you, they are nothing more than tools for experimentation, no different from beakers or scalpels.]

---

[Age 494: The undead army you created for Snezhnaya is deployed for the first time and proves to be a great success.]

---

[Age 497: The Fourth Harbinger, code-named "The Pigeon," joins the Fatui. Pierro holds a welcome banquet, but you do not attend.]

---

[Age 500: You've completely forgotten that you are now 500 years old. The Tsaritsa sends you a gift—a Delusion. You understand that its significance is more symbolic than practical, as neither a Vision nor a Delusion can grant you the kind of power you already possess.]

---

[Age 506: The Fifth Harbinger, code-named "The Rooster," joins. You know little about him, only that his name is Pulcinella.]

---

[Age 510: Thanks to the presence of your undead army, Snezhnaya's military power increases dramatically. You become regarded as a "hero" by many in the nation.]

[This feels oddly familiar, as you were once hailed as a hero in Mondstadt.]

[Several high-status women express interest in marrying you, but you politely decline all of them.]

[It's not that your extended lifespan has caused you to lose interest in such matters. In fact, your vitality far exceeds that of an average young man.]

[The Tsaritsa has rewarded you with many attendants for your personal pleasure, and your fame and allure have made many women willingly "serve" you. You don't resist this, seeing it as a necessary outlet for your energy.]

[However, despite all this, you've never developed feelings for any of these women. Your heart remains forever devoted to Rosalyn.]

---

[Age 515: Pierro brings you an unusual "corpse" and asks if you can revive it. The body appears to be that of a handsome young man, dressed in the style of Inazuma.]

[As usual, you agree to Pierro's request, but upon closer inspection, you're shocked to discover that the "corpse" isn't human—it's a highly intricate puppet.]

[This amazes you. If your power lies in "reviving life," then whoever created this puppet undoubtedly holds the power to "create life."]

[Despite the puppet's complex design, your extraordinary medical skills allow you to successfully "revive" it.]

[Technically, the puppet has no biological gender, as it lacks the reproductive functions of humans. However, since the puppet doesn't possess any of the anatomical features of a male, you decide to refer to it as female.]

[After being revived, she opens her eyes slowly. Her gaze is empty, showing no surprise at being brought back to life.]

[However, she doesn't speak or communicate. You suspect that she may have suffered a traumatic experience before "dying," resulting in temporary psychological shutdown. But you don't mind. You have all the time in the world—time is something you have in abundance.]

---

[Age 516: Over the next year, observing this puppet girl becomes your "hobby." You notice that she has begun reacting to external stimuli and occasionally watches you as you conduct experiments. She also shows human-like responses, such as "embarrassment," especially when you clean her internal oil tubes with lubricant.]

---

[Age 517: Pierro frequently inquires about the puppet's progress, but you only tell him to wait. Although Pierro holds considerable authority as the First Harbinger, he respects you and does not press further.]

---

[Age 518: You continue your experiments with the puppet, setting up unguarded environments to see if she will attempt to escape. Your observations show that she does consider fleeing but ultimately hesitates at the door and decides against it.]

[As a reward for her "obedience," you switch to a new mint-scented cleaning lubricant.]

---

[Age 519: During an ordinary afternoon tea, the puppet speaks for the first time, asking if she can have one of your pastries. You perform a basic obedience test, offering her a treat in exchange for answering a question. The first question you ask is her name.]

["Scaramouche," she answers.]

---

Scaramouche? Raiden's discarded puppet, the Sixth Harbinger?

Lucas was quite familiar with this name, as it belonged to Scaramouche, one of the Fatui Harbingers.

Lucas vaguely remembered Scaramouche's backstory—an artificial human abandoned by the Electro Archon, Raiden Shogun, who later had his powers sealed. Wandering Inazuma with only fragments of his consciousness, he eventually became a Harbinger for the Fatui.

In this simulation, Lucas never expected that not only would Scaramouche become a girl, but they would also form a connection.

[The experiment went smoothly, and Scaramouche (Kunikuzushi) seemed to excel at following orders. You speculated that her original purpose was likely to obey certain commands, but her original "master" had abandoned her. Since you had spent the most time with her, you naturally took on the role of her "master."]

[However, your knowledge was limited. Her memory system seemed to be sealed by someone, and apart from her name, "Kunikuzushi," she had lost most of her memories.]

[Additionally, she had a great fondness for sweets.]

[Age 520: Pierro had a conversation with Scaramouche, formally inviting her to join the Fatui. However, the official discussion lasted less than five minutes.]

[After the conversation, Pierro informed you that Scaramouche had agreed to join, but with one condition. You wondered whether it was to regain her lost memories or a permanent supply of free sweets.]

["No, it's you, my friend," Pierro said, patting your shoulder with a smile. "Her condition is that she must stay by your side." Your choices are:]

[1. Agree]

[2. Refuse]

Lucas hesitated slightly. From an evil perspective, keeping Scaramouche by his side would allow him to mold her into the most loyal and powerful human weapon.

"I agree."

[You didn't reject the request, so Scaramouche stayed by your side. Perhaps because you revived her, she became quite attached to you and was very cooperative in your modifications.]

[Pierro told you that Scaramouche possessed great potential, but just like her memories, her abilities were sealed. Your task was to unlock her potential and turn her into a valuable asset for Snezhnaya.]

[That same year, Scaramouche officially became the Sixth Harbinger, known as "The Balladeer."]

[Age 521: Although Scaramouche looked like a young girl, her mental state was quite immature, much like a child. As a result, in addition to training her, you found yourself acting as her mentor and companion.]

[Technically, you didn't need to do these things, but you didn't refuse. Unconsciously, you seemed to have become her "father."]

[Cursed by the gods, you knew you would never have children of your own, and you had long abandoned the thought of experiencing familial love. However, Scaramouche's presence filled this void. Neither of you was skilled at expressing emotions, but you had unknowingly formed a bond similar to that of "father and daughter."]

Seeing this, Lucas couldn't help but feel a deeper sense of disbelief.

It seemed that in this simulation, he had developed quite a tight connection with the Fatui. 

He was "The Doctor," his past wife was "La Signora," and now, he had an adopted daughter, "The Balladeer."

Maybe he should go ahead and forge a brotherhood with "Childe" Tartaglia—then he might be able to take over the entire Fatui someday!

[Age 522: Under your training and modifications, Scaramouche's power grew rapidly. During this time, she also successfully completed many missions as a Fatui Harbinger.]

[You didn't ask her about the missions; you simply checked her body for damage. As a puppet, she didn't feel pain, so even serious injuries could be quickly repaired by you.]

[She excitedly recounted her missions—assassinations, sabotage, kidnappings. For Scaramouche, who lacked human morals, these tasks didn't cause her any distress. You began to understand why Pierro wanted her to join the Harbingers—Fatui needed a sharp, emotionless blade, and a blade didn't need feelings or morals.]

[Age 523: Scaramouche's behavior grew increasingly arrogant. She was disrespectful, harsh, and dismissive toward nearly everyone, except for the Tsaritsa and you. Even Pierro, the First Harbinger, couldn't completely command her.]

[Her attitude toward others was poor, but around you, she showed a different side. It seemed that everything she did for the Fatui was her way of proving only one thing—She is your biggest "Masterpiece".]

---

[Age 526: The Fatui welcomed the Seventh Harbinger. Unlike the others, this man, named Pantalone, appeared to be an ordinary human. However, after learning about his background, you understood Pierro's decision.]

[Pantalone was a financial genius. In a routine meeting, he proposed several strategies to enhance Snezhnaya's economy, and most were approved.]

[There was an exception, though—Pantalone requested that you create "special" female undead to satisfy the illicit desires of high-ranking officials and wealthy merchants, which would generate considerable profits. Although it was theoretically possible, you declined, as you had one principle—never desecrate the dead.]

[Age 529: Recently, the Tsaritsa gifted you another woman named "Rebecca." Like most of these women, Rebecca had likely volunteered. Some worshipped you as the "Hero of Snezhnaya," while others had ulterior motives, hoping to bear your child and produce a superior offspring.]

[Of course, this was impossible, as you were incapable of fathering children. Usually, you kept these women for a brief time before parting ways. It wasn't about lust or loneliness, but rather a practical need to release the pressure built up in your body.]

[However, this time was different. Maybe it was Rebecca's resemblance to Rosalyn, or perhaps it was her exceptional skills, but you found yourself spending more time with her. After each workday, she would relieve your fatigue using special techniques.]

[You knew that the Tsaritsa was using every method to control you, including sending beautiful women. Rebecca was likely one of these tools. Despite the immense military contributions you had made to Snezhnaya, you remained a ticking time bomb.]

[After all, you had single-handedly destroyed Mondstadt. Though Snezhnaya was much stronger, no one could guarantee that history wouldn't repeat itself.]

[But you didn't mind. You and Rebecca both played your parts—she didn't care what thoughts crossed your mind during your intimate moments, and you didn't care what schemes she harbored.]

[Everything seemed to be going smoothly, except for one thing—Scaramouche didn't like Rebecca. In fact, Scaramouche seemed to dislike every woman who appeared in your life. It was almost as if she were a child in a single-parent family, jealous of her father's relationships—at least, that's what you thought.]

[Age 530: Rebecca had been with you for nearly a year, longer than any other woman. You were fully aware of her small actions, like secretly reading your notes and research, then reporting them to the Tsaritsa.]

[You chose to ignore it. You had no rebellious intentions, so if Rebecca's reports earned you more trust from the Tsaritsa, that was fine with you.]

[Age 531: Rebecca was dead. When you returned home, you found her lifeless body, cold and unmoving. Scaramouche sat next to her, calmly wiping blood from the murder weapon, smiling as if she were seeking your approval. She proudly told you she had discovered Rebecca's deceit and had acted without hesitation to eliminate her.]

[Scaramouche's actions seemed partly driven by personal motives. You didn't particularly care about Rebecca's death; she was merely one of many women who had passed through your life, and she held no special place in your heart. Scaramouche, on the other hand, had been with you far longer and mattered far more.]

[However, you were furious because this murder was unnecessary. For the first time since leaving the cellar, you had a serious argument with Scaramouche.]

[After the argument, Scaramouche stormed off to her room in a fit of anger. Your next choice is:]

[1. Ignore her]

[2. Comfort her]

Although Scaramouche and his simulator counterpart shared no blood relation, their long-term companionship had forged an unusual bond.

"Alright, alright," Lucas sighed. "I'll go comfort her."

[After dealing with Rebecca's body, you head to Scaramouche's room…]

[Forced switch to Immersive Mode in progress.]

"Huh?"

Before Lucas could react, his consciousness was transferred into the simulation.

Maybe the system thought his real self would be better suited as the "comforter"?

With a sense of resignation, Lucas adjusted to his simulated body, which he hadn't inhabited for nearly five centuries.

Interestingly, while he was once frail despite his unmatched medical skills, his body now felt brimming with overwhelming power.

It seemed the effects of his [Old But Vigorous] trait, accumulated over five hundred years, had reached an extraordinary level.

He caught his reflection in a nearby window. His appearance hadn't aged, but his hair had turned silver, and a mask covered half his face—concealing the burn marks Rosalyn had left.

*Knock, knock, knock.*

Lucas knocked on the door, and after a brief silence, he heard a low voice from inside: "The door's not locked."

Taking a deep breath, Lucas opened the door and stepped inside Scaramouche's room. Contrary to her violent personality, the room was styled like that of a typical young girl.

Several not-so-cute dolls were scattered across her bed—dolls you had bought for her as part of some experimental tests. Surprisingly, she had kept them, treating them like treasures.

Scaramouche sat on the bed, hugging a doll resembling a Ruin Guard, her back turned to you.

Yes, a Ruin Guard doll—popularly known as "One-Eyed Little Treasure"—a toy quite popular among the children of Snezhnaya. Only in this fierce land would such dangerous mechanical monsters be turned into children's playthings.

"Are you still mad?" Lucas asked softly after clearing his throat.

"I'm not mad." Scaramouche turned her face slightly, revealing her sharp, boyish features. If she had been a boy, she would undoubtedly be the type adored by older schoolgirls.

At the moment, though, she resembled a sulky kitten, glaring at Lucas.

Sitting beside her, Lucas gently patted her back and said, "You know, I was aware of everything Rebecca did from the start."

"What?" Scaramouche's eyes widened in surprise. "Then why did you pretend not to know?"

"Because if having her around made the Tsaritsa trust me more, then it was a small price to pay," Lucas said calmly. "I wasn't angry because you killed her—I was angry because your actions were rash and thoughtless. As my 'creation,' what you did today was… 'unacceptable.'"

Unacceptable!

Those words cut deep into Scaramouche's heart, reminding her of why she had been abandoned by her original creator—because she was deemed "unacceptable."

Clinging tightly to Lucas, her voice trembled as she pleaded, "I'm sorry! I won't make this mistake again! Please don't abandon me like a defective product… Please…"

It was hard to believe that the usually arrogant and overbearing "Balladeer" could now appear so vulnerable and pitiful.

"Don't worry, Scaramouche," Lucas said softly, stroking her silken hair. "I will never abandon you. Remember, you're not like those women—you're my 'family.' Both of us have been cast aside by this cold, harsh world, and now… we only have each other left."

"Doctor..."

Scaramouche clung tightly to Lucas, even though she didn't know his real name.

It was strange; despite being a puppet, Scaramouche's body was warm and emitted a faint scent, like a human.

"Alright, get some rest," Lucas said softly. "I'll take care of Rebecca's situation. You shouldn't do something like that again."

"So..." Scaramouche asked tentatively, "Will there still be other women around you?"

"There probably will be." Lucas didn't plan on lying to her and smiled helplessly. "This body, which deals with corpses all day, sometimes still needs the warmth of a woman."

In this regard, Lucas was always honest. 

Moreover, for someone who had lived for centuries and was no longer truly "human," it seemed that only during moments of intimacy with a woman could he truly feel "alive."

"My body is warm too," Scaramouche suddenly stammered, "and if it's not warm enough, I could have an internal furnace installed. It can be set to any temperature you want!"

"Silly girl..."

Lucas hadn't expected that this ruthless and bloodthirsty "Balladeer" could be so naïve about this topic, thinking that "warming the body" was meant literally. "What I meant is... I need a woman."

"I can become a woman!" Scaramouche clung tightly to his clothes. "I don't have a gender, but if it's you, you can turn me into a woman, right? You can just install some organs... I'll be even better than Rebecca, I promise! I'll learn everything."

Although Scaramouche's words seemed incredible, what she said was technically feasible. For someone like Lucas, who had long mastered the secrets of the human body, organ transplantation was a simple operation.

After all, Scaramouche was a puppet, which came with even more "possibilities."

It was only then that Lucas realized that Scaramouche actually understood everything. He asked instinctively, "What is it... that you want to learn?"

"Just... the things Rebecca did with you..." Scaramouche's voice was as quiet as a whisper. "I once secretly watched from the doorway. Those actions... I can do them too."

As a combat genius, Scaramouche could perfectly replicate any technique after seeing it once, no matter how complex. So, it wasn't difficult for her to mimic Rebecca's "tricks."

"You... you actually spied on us?" Even Lucas, who was usually calm and composed, couldn't help but blush. "No, absolutely not. Not with you."

"Why not?" Scaramouche's voice grew more agitated. "Why am I the only one who can't? Am I... not as good as those women?"

Being a puppet, Scaramouche didn't adhere to human morals or ethics. So, she didn't see anything wrong with what she was suggesting.

"Because you're special," Lucas said, pinching her cheek gently. "How about this? I promise not to bring any more women home. How does that sound?"

"Really?" Scaramouche's previously gloomy face brightened immediately. "Let's make a pinky promise!"

"Alright, alright." Lucas extended his pinky and hooked it with Scaramouche's.

Even without bringing women home, with Lucas's status and wealth, there were still plenty of ways to "relieve stress."

"Pinky swear, no changing your mind, or you'll be thrown into the glaciers. The glaciers are cold, the snowfields are colder, and a liar's tongue will freeze and rot!" Scaramouche recited a grim little nursery rhyme, one that seemed uniquely fitting for the cold land of Snezhnaya.

"Now, are you reassured?" Lucas said as he let go of her finger. "Good night."

"Wait a minute..."

Scaramouche tugged on Lucas's sleeve, her cheeks tinged with pink. "Recently, I've felt that some of my parts aren't functioning as smoothly. Could you... apply some lubricant?"

Although this sentence might have sounded suggestive, it was actually quite innocent. Scaramouche's body, much like the character "Arale" from *Dr. Slump*, could be disassembled and reassembled, and only Lucas knew how to do it.

"You're such a handful," Lucas said with a resigned smile. "Lie down, I'll get my tools."

---

Thirty minutes later.

[Exiting Immersive Mode]

[Switching to Text Mode]

As Lucas exited the immersive mode, his face still carried a slight flush.

He glanced at his fingers, as if they still held the lingering, unique sensation from the experience.

After all, personally injecting lubricant into every pipe and crevice of such a lifelike puppet was a peculiar process.

Especially when the puppet felt so real.

---

[Age 532: After the Rebecca incident, you submitted a formal request to decline any similar "gifts" from the Tsaritsa.]

[However, the Seventh Harbinger, Pantalone, hearing of this, sent you a mysterious black membership card. With it, you could indulge freely at his exclusive club, "Red Night."]

------

[Red Night is not your ordinary place of pleasure. You know the hidden secrets within it. Pantalone uses this establishment to gather leverage against many nobles and officials. You don't mind giving him some "small leverage"; in fact, you need to expose more "weaknesses" to reduce the Tsaritsa's suspicion of you.]

[Age 533: Today, Pierro found you and mysteriously told you that he had fulfilled his promise. Before you could understand what he meant, he presented you with a special "gift."]

[It was a woman sealed in a crystal coffin, her body constantly burning like flames, with her blood flowing like molten lava.]

[You immediately recognized her as Rosalyne, the one you've longed for. Even after 500 years apart, you recognized her at first glance.]

[Pierro explained that after the Mondstadt calamity 500 years ago, Rosalyne, freed from her seal, burned herself, becoming the "Crimson Witch" and traveled the world hunting down remnants of the undead.]

[Eventually, her flames consumed her life. On the brink of death, Pierro found her and brought her back, using the Tsaritsa's pure ice powers to suppress the endless flames within her.]

[However, even the Tsaritsa can only temporarily suppress the life-devouring flames within Rosalyne. As for whether she can be revived, only you hold the answer.]

[Pierro left the choice to you. You could decide what to do with Rosalyne. Restoring her was not difficult for you, but you hesitated. Even if you revived her, how could you face her?]

[Rosalyne admitted to once loving you, but you had hidden behind the identity of Rustan, leading to the destruction of Mondstadt. She turned her life into flames to burn away all "impurities" in the world, and you were the creator of those impurities.]

[Moreover, even if you revived her, her memories would only cause her endless pain. Your choices are...]

 [1. Let her remain in her current state.]

 [2. Revive her.]

 [3. Revive her, but erase her past memories.]

Perhaps due to the complexity of the situation, the system rarely presented Lucas with three choices.

Letting her remain in this half-dead state would only prolong Rosalyne's suffering. Reviving her but erasing the painful memories seemed like the best option to Lucas.

[You took three days and nights to finally revive Rosalyne, but during the operation, you also erased her memories.]

[Only you could perform this surgery, as her skin, muscles, and blood were unbearably hot. Your exceptional regenerative abilities allowed you to withstand the extreme burns.]

[Even after the successful surgery, the seed of flame within Rosalyne didn't disappear. If left unchecked, it would one day consume her body and mind. The only way to suppress it for the long term was with a Cryo Vision.]

[But acquiring a Vision, especially a Cryo Vision, wasn't easy. To ensure Rosalyne's survival, you asked the Tsaritsa to bestow her a Delusion. She agreed, but the price was that Rosalyne had to become a Fatui Harbinger. You knew you couldn't refuse.]

[From that moment on, Rosalyne ceased to exist, replaced by the Eighth Fatui Harbinger—La Signora.]

[Perhaps due to the memory erasure or the toll of burning for 500 years, La Signora's personality had drastically changed. She became cold, arrogant, and condescending, completely different from the gentle and understanding Rosalyne you remembered.]

[La Signora's relationships with the other Harbingers were strained, but her relationship with you was particularly poor. She even once said to your face, "Don't look at me with those eyes of yours—they disgust me."]

[There was nothing you could do about it. Even after 500 years, whenever you looked at La Signora, your eyes couldn't help but show affection, which she, being sensitive and irritable, misinterpreted.]

[Yet you didn't mind. Just being able to see her was enough. You knew there was no chance of rekindling your relationship. First, you feared that her sealed memories might resurface. Second, Scaramouche would never allow you to be with another woman.]

[Age 534: You thought this life would continue forever, until one night, after finishing a day's work in your laboratory, you were visited by an unexpected guest.]

[That guest was La Signora herself. You had no idea why she, who usually wanted nothing to do with you, would visit in the middle of the night...]

[Entering forced immersive mode]

"Damn it! Again?"

When Lucas regained consciousness, he was already in his laboratory. In front of him stood a tall, cold-looking woman—someone familiar, yet distant. Her face instantly reminded him of Rosalyne.

"Have you seen enough?" Rosalyne—no, La Signora—glared at Lucas coldly. Her disdain was obvious. "I knew it. Your gaze disgusts me."

"I apologize," Lucas chuckled awkwardly. "What brings you here so late, La Signora?"

Although the Fatui Harbingers were ranked, there was no clear hierarchy among them. Thus, even though La Signora was the Eighth, she showed no respect toward Lucas, the Third Harbinger.

"I know that besides playing with those disgusting corpses..." La Signora sat down casually, "you're also a half-decent doctor, right?"

"Half-decent?" 

That was like telling Morax, "You're kind of rich."

On the continent of Teyvat, no one could rival Lucas in terms of medical expertise and experience.

"Sort of..." Lucas nodded. "So, are you here for a consultation?"

"What else?" La Signora raised an eyebrow, sneering. "Did you think I was here for a late-night rendezvous? Someone like you is only fit to sleep with corpses."

Despite her harsh words, Lucas felt a wave of complex emotions, seeing how Rosalyne, who once was sweet and loving, had turned into such a sharp-tongued person.

But it was only La Signora who could speak to him like this. Even Pierro, the First Harbinger, showed him respect, and Scaramouche was obedient.

"Well, we're colleagues. If you have any hidden ailments, just tell me. I'll do my best to help," Lucas replied, unfazed by her attitude.

Perhaps it was guilt, or perhaps it was love.

"Hmph, let's get this straight: you can't tell anyone about this," La Signora's pale face blushed slightly. "Or I'll snap your neck!" 

"Don't worry," Lucas nodded. "Patient confidentiality is a doctor's principle."

"Doctor's principle?" La Signora glanced at the half-dissected corpse on the lab table, intestines still exposed, and said coldly, "Is defiling corpses also a doctor's principle?"

Even without her memories, La Signora's instinctive hatred for the undead remained.

"It's not defilement, it's a necessary step on the path to medical discovery," Lucas replied calmly. "So, what's bothering you?"

La Signora hesitated for a moment before lifting her clothing, revealing a patch of her icy, white skin marked by burn-like scars.

"For a while now, I've been experiencing strange burning sensations," La Signora said with a slight frown. "It becomes unbearable at night, keeping me from sleeping."

"It's hard to diagnose just by description. This is quite unusual," Lucas pondered. "Would you mind if I conducted a thorough examination?"

"How thorough?" La Signora bit her lip.

"As thorough as needed," Lucas said, putting on gloves. "Don't worry. I've seen more bodies than you've killed. To me, your body is just... meat."

"You—!" La Signora was taken aback by the remark but didn't know how to respond.

"Just hurry up," Lucas said, clapping his hands. "If I'm late, Scaramouche will start nagging."

"I... I understand."

For La Signora, nothing was more humiliating than exposing herself to the Doctor. Sometimes, even she didn't understand why she hated him so much, why she felt the urge to kill him.

But now, she was the one on the operating table, subject to his whims.

She chose Lucas for two reasons: first, because his medical skills were unparalleled, and second, because her body, chilled by the flames within her, was too cold for most people to touch.

The examination was entirely professional. Lucas showed no interest in taking advantage of her, which surprised La Signora. After all, she had heard rumors of the Doctor's promiscuity and his frequent visits to the exclusive club "Red Night."

Could it be that she was less attractive than those other women?

Impossible!

La Signora had full confidence in her looks and figure. In her mind, only the Tsaritsa could rival her beauty.

"The examination is complete," Lucas said, removing his gloves.

"The cause of your condition is not a disease but the accumulation of the flames within you. Though they are sealed, they aren't completely suppressed. Over time, the flames build up and cause you pain, especially when you're resting."

"I see..." La Signora nodded. "So, how can I release this buildup?"

"Since the flames are rooted in your consciousness, physical treatments won't work. You need to find a way to release the built-up energy."

"What method?" La Signora asked urgently.

"There are ways to relieve stress. For example, in my case..." Lucas cleared his throat, "well, never mind. My method probably wouldn't suit you."

"Stop beating around the bush!" La Signora grabbed his wrist. "What method? Tell me! I can't take this burning any longer!"

"Well..." Lucas leaned in and whispered a few words in her ear. La Signora's face immediately turned crimson.

"What?!" La Signora stammered. "I... I can't possibly do that! That's utterly absurd!"

"I did warn you," Lucas shrugged. "My method isn't for everyone."

"No, even if I wanted to try it, it's impossible..." La Signora sighed. "My body is too cold for any man to touch..."

"Wait..." La Signora suddenly realized something. She had been holding Lucas's wrist this whole time, and his skin only had a faint red mark that quickly disappeared.

Although Lucas never flaunted his strength, his body had long surpassed human limits. It had the resilience of a god. Even La Signora's freezing touch couldn't harm him.

"Hold on..." La Signora narrowed her eyes. "You can withstand my body."

"So... what does that mean?" Lucas muttered nervously. "You... you don't mean..."

"I don't have a choice," La Signora said, her voice trembling with embarrassment. "If I had any other option, I wouldn't choose you. But if this burning continues, I'll go insane. I don't know if you have any principles, but..."

"But what? Hurry up and get over here."

La Signora was stunned. When she looked up, she saw Lucas, already shirtless, sitting on the bed and patting the mattress. "I'm sorry, but I have no principles. How could I say no to such a convenient opportunity?"

"You... you!" 

La Signora was furious at his shamelessness. Clenching her fists, she growled, "I've changed my mind! There's no way I'm letting a scoundrel like you have his way!"

"It's your choice," Lucas said with a slight smile. "But if you need help, feel free to come back anytime."

"No need for your concern!" La Signora huffed as she stormed toward the door. "This is ridiculous! It's infuriating!"

With that, the door slammed shut with a loud "bang."

Lucas, however, remained calm, smiling slightly as he leisurely poured himself a glass of strong liquor and took a sip. He wasn't fond of drinking, as one of the pleasures of alcohol was the sensation of intoxication, which he couldn't experience. Due to his unique constitution, alcohol would break down in his body almost instantly, making it impossible for him to get drunk. But the burning sensation of strong liquor down his throat was enough to keep him alert.

"Ten, nine, eight..." Lucas counted softly while looking at the closed door.

Just as he reached "one," the door opened again.

La Signora, who had just stormed out, reentered the room. She leaned against the door, her face slightly flushed, her expression conflicted. "I... Wait! Why are you still sitting there?"

Indeed, Lucas hadn't moved at all. He was still sitting elegantly on the bed, sipping his drink, as if he had known she would return.

"Because I knew you'd come back," Lucas said with a knowing smile.

"You... I..." La Signora, caught off guard by his spot-on prediction, was at a loss for words, losing her usual commanding demeanor.

"There's no need to say more," Lucas said calmly. "I understand your pain—whether it's the immense pressure with no outlet or the increasing inability to feel truly alive. You don't have to feel any guilt. This is merely a 'treatment.' After it's done, you can go right back to hating me. Just... think of me as a medical tool."

"A medical tool, huh..." La Signora raised an eyebrow, then let out a cold chuckle. "Fine. It's not like I have any other options. But if your 'treatment' doesn't work... I won't let you off easily."

"Don't worry, I'm a doctor with principles," Lucas said, placing his drink down. "Though I don't exactly have a medical license."

…

Two hours later.

Both La Signora and Lucas were far beyond the physical limits of ordinary humans. The "battle" between these two "monsters" couldn't be measured by human standards.

"Want to keep going?" Lucas asked suddenly.

"No more," La Signora replied, eyes wide as if still processing what had just happened. She muttered, "You're a beast."

"Beast" was usually an insult, much like "brute" or "animal." But in this context, it was undoubtedly a compliment to Lucas's performance.

La Signora had never imagined that the seemingly lethargic "Doctor," always clad in his lab coat, possessed such a strong physique.

Of course, Lucas was also still savoring the aftermath. La Signora's body, much like her personality, could be described as "cold on the outside, fiery on the inside."

Her exterior was as cold as ice, but inside, she burned like molten lava.

It seemed that only someone with a body as monstrous as Lucas's could withstand her extremes.

"So..." Lucas stood up, draping a coat over La Signora's shoulders. "Did your symptoms lessen?"

"I..." La Signora finally realized that the burning sensation, which had tormented her for so long, had completely disappeared without her noticing.

She glanced at her abdomen, where the burn-like scars had vanished without a trace.

"Looks like the treatment was effective," Lucas said proudly. "Remember to come back for 'follow-up treatments' weekly."

------