Chapter 126

"Can't get in, no matter how you think about it!" 

Paimon stared at the carrots on the table, comparing their size with her tiny hands, her expression utterly bewildered. 

"Paimon, what can't get in?" 

Nathan didn't expect the little creature to react like this, but it was kind of cute. 

"It's these carrots! There's no way they can fit!" 

Paimon stomped her feet in the air. The carrots were so thick and long—how could they possibly fit? 

"Uh, Paimon, I hope you're really talking about carrots..." 

Nathan shook his head, feeling like Paimon's words had taken a rather suggestive turn. 

"Of course, I'm talking about carrots! I mean putting them in my mouth to eat!" 

Paimon stared blankly at Nathan, but after a moment of thought, her cheeks began to flush. 

"Impure... so impure! Traveler, you need to control your brother! His thoughts are way too impure!" 

It seemed Paimon had finally realized what Nathan was implying, and her eyes were filled with both embarrassment and indignation. 

She didn't dare to look Nathan in the eye anymore and instead turned to Lumine to complain. 

"Brother isn't being impure. It's you who said something weird!" 

However, Paimon's complaint ended in failure. 

Expecting Lumine, the ultimate brother-con, to scold her own brother? You might as well just dream about it. 

"You... you're all bullying me! I don't want to play anymore!" 

With Lumine siding with Nathan, Paimon felt like she was being treated unfairly. 

She flew forward, crying, and just so happened to head straight toward the entrance of the adeptus' abode. 

Thud! 

She crashed into the barrier at the entrance and was instantly sent flying backward. 

"Waaah! Even this stupid rock is bullying me!" 

After landing on the ground, Paimon continued to whine. 

Though she seemed genuinely upset, there was something oddly amusing about seeing her get bullied. 

"Alright, Paimon, this isn't just an ordinary rock." 

Nathan and Lumine walked over, and Nathan picked up the little creature. 

"You big meanie, let me go!" 

However, being held in Nathan's arms, Paimon struggled with a hint of dissatisfaction. 

If it weren't for this man teasing her earlier, she wouldn't have crashed into the rock and made a fool of herself. 

"Stop squirming. I'm helping you!" 

Ever since playing the game, Nathan had always wanted to pick up Paimon and give her a good squeeze. 

Now that he finally had the chance, the little creature kept wriggling in his arms. 

It had to be said... her small body was surprisingly soft. 

"Brother, stop messing around. Let me take Paimon." 

Seeing the two of them bickering, Lumine finally stepped in to help her longtime companion. 

Nathan let go, and Paimon flew over to Lumine, deeply moved. 

She nuzzled against Lumine's chest, rubbing her face back and forth. 

"Wuwuwu, Traveler, you're the best after all!" 

"No, Paimon, even though you're emergency food, you're still technically a girl. It's not appropriate for brother to hold you like that." 

However, Lumine's next words shattered all of Paimon's gratitude. 

It turned out that Lumine was just jealous. 

"Ugh... you meanies! You two siblings are both big meanies!" 

"Alright, let's stop joking around. We should head inside now." 

Nathan stopped teasing Paimon. If this continued, the little creature might really get upset. 

"Inside? There's only a big rock here!" 

Sure enough, Paimon's attention was diverted by his words. 

She pointed at the stone wall in front of them—the very same one that had sent her flying earlier. 

"Actually, this place is protected by an adeptus' barrier. The real interior is a completely different world." 

"Big meanie, how are we supposed to get in, then?" 

Paimon had now fully associated the term "big meanie" with Nathan. 

"Originally... if you wanted to visit the adeptus here, you'd need to offer three of the adeptus' favorite dishes." 

"Huh? Is the adeptus a glutton like Paimon?" 

"Mean Traveler, Paimon is not a glutton!" 

Ignoring their bickering, according to the game's storyline, Lumine and Paimon needed to offer three dishes: Jewelry Soup, Mora Meat, and Matsutake Meat Rolls. 

Only after Cloud Retainer saw their sincerity would she open the abode and meet with them. 

But now, with Nathan here, all those steps could be skipped. 

Entering the abode was as easy as going home. 

In fact, during Ganyu's life simulation, this place really did feel like home. 

The barrier outside the abode had even been modified by Nathan himself. 

Even though he had lost all the powers from Ganyu's life simulation, breaking through a barrier he had modified was as easy as breathing. 

"Wow, big meanie, you're amazing!" 

As Paimon exclaimed with admiration, the stone wall opened, revealing a path leading into the adeptus' abode. 

"Let's go in!" 

Having been here countless times, Nathan could probably find his way even with his eyes closed. 

....

"Intruders, how did you break through this adeptus' barrier? Hmm? You're holding a Sigil of Permission? How do you have Rex Lapis' token?" 

The trio had just stepped into the passage when Cloud Retainer blocked their path. 

"Wow, this adeptus is a girl!"

"Little one, you should show respect to the adeptus!" 

Paimon's comment clearly annoyed the proud adeptus. 

The crane flapped its wings, seemingly preparing to teach her a lesson. 

"Cloud Retainer, please show mercy. Don't take it out on Paimon." 

Nathan stepped in, stopping the crane's impending action. 

"Ah... so it's you. The man of my two disciples." 

Upon noticing Nathan, Cloud Retainer calmed down. 

However, the way the crane phrased it sounded rather strange to Nathan. 

"If it's you, then breaking the barrier is indeed easy. But why are you alone? Where are Ganyu and Shenhe?" 

Cloud Retainer looked around but didn't see her two disciples anywhere. 

Finally, her attention turned to Lumine. 

"Don't think this adeptus is meddling, but you... you're quite the philanderer, aren't you?" 

Cloud Retainer clearly misunderstood the relationship between Nathan and Lumine. 

"No, Cloud Retainer, let me explain..." 

Having already been involved with her two disciples, Nathan knew that if this misunderstanding wasn't cleared up, his reputation in Cloud Retainer's eyes would plummet. 

"He's my brother, not your disciples' man!" 

However, Lumine's reaction was to tightly cling to Nathan's arm... 

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