Qingque: The Acting General Position is Hereby Delegated to You!

ER Elysia almost thought she was going to turn from Ms. Pink Fairy into Ms. Pink Puff Pastry. She glared fiercely at the 'culprit,' wanting to take a bite out of him.

But the lingering trauma of nearly becoming a cream puff made her reconsider. She abandoned the strange method of revenge and resorted to pummelling him with Elysia kitty-cat punches instead.

Die!

Being hammered on the head by soft, fluffy fists, Jiang Qiao just chuckled wryly and shook his head, not paying it too much mind. He picked up ER Elysia and went to find Firefly.

"...Are you two leaving?" Learning their intentions, Firefly looked surprised, unexpected, and, more than anything, reluctant. After all, for her now, both Jiang Qiao and Elysia were clearly very important people.

"Mm, since I have my body back, and things here are mostly resolved, it's time for us to return to our own world."

"But don't be sad. With the chat group connecting us, meeting up is still easy..."

"If you need anything, you can call me anytime."

Hearing this, Firefly's eyes instantly lit up. Need? I need things right now!

For example, handling the administrative affairs of the Glamoth Empire. And also, training in the path of 'Propagation.' Deeply influenced by primal biological urges, she felt a strong need for a 'Dao Master' like Jiang Qiao to guide her, teach her the ways, and resolve her confusion.

But, as if guessing the nefarious thoughts of a certain Glamoth Empress, the fairy young lady perched on someone's neck chimed in with a smile, "Really now, don't underestimate Firefly~ She's quite outstanding too."

"After my careful guidance, she's already become a very outstanding and mature young lady."

Hearing this, Ms. Firefly, who was about to say something, instantly choked on her words. After all... ER Elysia had said so. If she spoke up now, wouldn't it make her seem very immature?

In that case... maybe he, who entrusted this responsibility to her, would be disappointed... Not wanting to disappoint Jiang Qiao, and also genuinely feeling a small spark of determination, the very pure and strong-willed Ms. Firefly nodded seriously, "Mm, don't worry... I will definitely manage this nation born from everyone's dreams!"

"Well then, see you." After Mr. Jiang left with the fairy young lady, Ms. Firefly's heart suddenly felt somewhat empty. After all, she still preferred being with close people, with companions.

However... gazing out the window at the bustling Volsung, with Iron Cavalry coming and going, she knew she wasn't entirely alone.

The connection through bloodline made the feeling of loneliness less unbearable. Firefly smiled.

At least, she had truly found something worth protecting, worth burning herself for, worth fighting for. That was enough.

However, despite thinking this, when she turned back to her workstation and saw the various official documents that seemed to increase rather than decrease despite her best efforts, Ms. Firefly's smile instantly froze.

---||---

Unlike the other victims who suffered at Jiang Qiao's hands, Victim No. 1, Elysia, had been having a relatively good time recently.

Although she sometimes wondered what someone was doing, whether he missed her, leading to thoughts like... Maybe I should go see him, give him a surprise?

But alas, after her two previous incarcerations in Teyvat, the strong-willed pink fatty, who absolutely, positively never wanted to eat prison food because of someone again, chose to wait and see.

Hmph, I refuse to believe that bad guy won't come looking for me!

But the result was obvious...

"That guy, he really isn't coming to find me!" Having constantly imagined that one day someone would miss her and appear before her, and she might reluctantly take leave again, go out to play together, ease her mood—the long wait without results successfully made the fairy young lady somewhat irritable and full of resentment.

Hmph... That bad guy, he must be messing around with other pretty girls! Fine... Go ahead, mess around!

The annoyed Elysia puffed her cheeks, but her expression instantly brightened into a smile upon seeing the approaching figure. "Eden~"

"Elysia," the latter replied, her tone gentle.

Clearly, their relationship was very harmonious. Eden and Elysia, who should have been best friends anyway, had gone through some twists and turns, but the final outcome was ultimately positive.

The pouting Elysia smiled and hugged Eden's arm, feeling smug. Hmph, let you mess around with pretty girls outside! Like messing around, huh? Won't come see me, huh? Then don't blame me, Elysia, for launching the Best Friend Offensive while you're away! Pretty girls? Eden is just as good! And she's a rich lady!

Most importantly, Eden originally had a good relationship with that bad guy Jiang Qiao. And now, after careful cultivation, Elysia was confident Eden had already been 'won over' by her. Now, her best companion is ME!

It's me! Elysia! Not you, bad Jiang Qiao! Thinking this, Elysia felt smug and also indulged in a little fantasy. Aiya, I really look forward to bad Jiang Qiao seeing the current situation. That way, he'll definitely feel a little dejected, regret not coming to find me, Elysia, right?

Hmph hmph, but even if you regret it, it's useless! After all, I, Elysia, won't give Eden up!

The show-off pink fatty felt a strong urge to display the fruits of her labor to a certain 'ungrateful' Jiang-surnamed man.

And so...

Elysia: @Jiang Qiao, Eden needs to talk to you about something. Are you done with your stuff over there?

The pink fatty with nefarious intentions sent this message, slightly excited. Hmph hmph, this is, of course, me tricking that bad guy.

As long as I use Eden's name, that bad guy will definitely come take a look. Then, I, Elysia, will lure that bad guy over and slay him~ That way, that bad guy will surely be dumbfounded, right? The elaborate 'I have a friend' scheme thus began.

And very quickly, Mr. Jiang saw the message and replied instantly.

Jiang Qiao: Mm, finished.

Jiang Qiao: But... Eden wants to see me?... Is something wrong?

Mr. Jiang was quite puzzled. Anyone else, fine, but Eden?... She rarely seemed to have troubles, right?

Elysia: Can't I just want to see you even if there's nothing wrong?

Elysia: Stop dawdling, hurry up and come!

The pink fatty puffed her cheeks, slightly annoyed.

Jiang Qiao: OK.

Though finding it slightly strange, Jiang Qiao, having nothing urgent, didn't dwell on it. He was currently in the Elysian Realm. The reason? To return... cough cough, to send ER Elysia back. More accurately, the latter wanted to come back.

After all, the Mini Elysia body did have its inconveniences. Especially after the disastrous defeat where she almost turned into a pink puff pastry, Ms. ER Elysia felt maybe the Elysian Realm was safer after all.

Besides... in the Elysian Realm, she had the home-field advantage! Needless to say, Ms. ER Elysia's intention in luring Mr. Jiang back to the Elysian Realm was precisely to use this advantage to regain her footing.

In this domain of memory, once she, a memory construct, returned, the sky was the limit. Taking down someone to avenge her previous humiliation would be effortless.

However, this caused much distress for a certain nun administrator secretly observing. She unwillingly officiated as a hidden referee, her feelings complex.

Fortunately, the Previous Era Elysia intervened in time, saving the male protagonist of this unrestricted combat match.

When Jiang Qiao appeared in the Previous Era... Elysia, who was waiting, brightened up, but quickly restrained herself, humming noncommittally.

And Eden, the other protagonist in the 'I have a friend' scheme, upon seeing him, her radiance remained undimmed, perhaps even shining brighter. Subconsciously, she blurted out the most familiar, intimate address:

"Ely."