Translator's Note: The author includes several PS notes:
Vita created all seven Little Vitas as girls because it was fun.
The Little Vitas are definitely hundreds of years old, older even than Moriarty.
The author questions if anyone can tell the seven Little Vitas apart without explicit labels.
The author notes this chapter version is edited/censored (已删改 Yǐ shāngǎi) and the complete version is in a private group (完整版在群里 Wánzhěng bǎn zài qún lǐ).
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Three days later, the reconstruction of Froth was mostly complete.
Fortunately, Froth's civilization had developed relatively quickly this time around, so a small portion of the houses remained standing after the flood, a silver lining amidst the misfortune.
"Sister Orange, what are you doing?" Harmonizing Light Vita (Cyan) asked, looking at Accumulating Vita (Orange) who was intently contemplating a small cake. "Don't you like this food called cake?"
"Ah Qing." Accumulating Vita shook her head and said, "It's not that I don't like cake. It's soft and sweet; I've never eaten such a delicious cake before."
Harmonizing Light Vita (Cyan) nodded as well. "It would be even better if there wasn't occasionally a spicy one mixed in like some kind of punishment game."
Jun An had brought a massive amount of supplies. In his words, it was fortunate that Froth's population wasn't huge; the supplies he brought were enough for everyone to last three to five days. Coupled with the fruits and vegetables salvaged from the water by the Captain initially, and the Captain's high efficiency, it should be enough for the residents to hold out until the reconstruction was finished.
"So, Sister Orange, why are you staring blankly at the cake?"
"Well, because I don't know if I should give this cake to Brother Captain as a thank-you gift." Accumulating Vita (Orange) fretted. "But using Brother Captain's leftover supplies to give back to the Captain, isn't that a bit inappropriate? Will he be tired of eating it? Also, isn't it a bit too casual? Should I take more?"
"Sister Vita told us that when giving gifts, it's the thought that counts, not the quantity." Harmonizing Light Vita (Cyan) said, "Coincidentally, I also want to thank him. Let's go together."
The two Little Vitas conferred and immediately decided to head towards Griseo's room on the Ark.
Just as they boarded the Ark, three other Little Vitas walked towards them.
Righteousness Vita (Red): "So, why was the Captain staying in Sister Griseo's room just now? Doesn't he have his own room?"
Regulating Vita (Green): "I heard it's because Sister Griseo doesn't usually use it, and Brother Captain consumes a lot of energy every time he uses his abilities to help us rebuild. He needs Sister Vita's help to recuperate."
Aware Vita (Blue): "After all, that's a power we never knew existed – rewinding time. Just from the name alone, one can tell how immense the consumption of such an ability must be."
The three Little Vitas suddenly met the gaze of Accumulating Vita (Orange) and Harmonizing Light Vita (Cyan), who were planning to deliver the cake to Jun An.
Accumulating Vita (Orange) greeted them first, "Yixin, Little Green, Little Blue, hello! What are you guys doing here?"
Regulating Vita (Green) replied, "We came to thank the Captain. Although we've thanked him before, we all feel it's necessary to find another way to repay him."
"...We owe him this." Regulating Vita added after a moment of silence.
"Not only that, but we also owe him for our memories." Righteousness Vita (Red) nodded in agreement. "And the scene where he fought the god was really cool. I also want to ask him how he managed to fly. In our memories, no one from Froth has ever flown on their own."
Because Froth had gone through many cycles, even with the support of the Ark's technology, its basic industry was still very poor. They had basically never flown into the sky.
"Also, regarding the matter of the price," Aware Vita (Blue) added, "Although he finally said that Sister Vita has already paid the price and told us to just thank Sister Vita. But Sister Vita refuses to tell us the specifics of the price, especially since the price seems to be increasing recently."
"...I'm a bit worried. If possible, I hope to share the burden with Sister Vita."
"...Most importantly, we are the city agents of Froth. If there's a price, it should rightfully be paid by us. We can't push everything onto Sister Vita to bear alone."
The Little Vitas looked at each other and nodded. Ultimately, the price for saving Froth shouldn't be paid by Sister Vita on their behalf. As city agents, they were the ones who should be paying the price.
"Count us in!"
Suddenly, True Form Vita (Yellow) and Tuned Vita (Purple) also appeared in the Ark's corridor.
"Little Yellow, Little Purple, why are you here too?" Accumulating Vita was a little surprised. Now all seven Vitas were gathered. Apart from going home for dinner in the evening, this was quite a rare occurrence on a normal day.
Righteousness Vita (Red): "I guess you guys are also looking for Brother Captain?"
"Not really, Yixin." True Form Vita (Yellow) said, "We're here based on the residents' request to investigate the recent incidents of female panting."
Tuned Vita (Purple) also opened her small notebook and said, "According to the residents' reports, for the past three days, they've been hearing the sounds of a woman panting and clapping."
"...Sometimes it's on the rooftops, sometimes in the restrooms, and sometimes in the alleys. But when they went to check, they found nothing."
"...And just last night, someone even discovered that the already downed Star-Crosser suddenly broadcasted something. The sound of someone panting heavily came from the broadcast, and there was more than one witness."
"...To avoid affecting the residents' mood and slowing down the reconstruction speed, we started investigating everywhere. We also wanted to ask Sister Vita for her opinion."
Righteousness Vita (Red) listened and said bluntly, "Well, aren't you still looking for Brother Captain then? He just finished using his authority today to help us repair seven houses. Sister Vita is currently helping Brother Captain recover in Sister Griseo's room!"
The Little Vitas chatted some more and decided they should all go together.
After all, whether it was about the price, the thanks, or the supernatural incidents, these were all part of their duties as agents.
Especially the thanks and the price. Thanks naturally required all seven together to show the most sincerity, and as for the price, it would be best if the seven of them could share it.
And so, the seven of them headed towards Griseo's room together.
"Ah~!"
Suddenly, a delicate moan escaped from the crack in the door, instantly making the seven Little Vitas rush over nervously.
Peeking through the door crack, they saw the scene of Jun An and Vita exercising and sweating together.
Captain: "Speaking of which, why are you in such a rush? Didn't even close the door properly?"
Vita: "Captain, you... you seem to have... grown bigger?"
Captain: "Hmm? Maybe. After all, sometimes MANTISes grow in ways most suitable for their combat needs."
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Vita: "Captain, um, Tuned Vita mentioned today that the crops were all drowned... Can you, perhaps, remedy that?"
"Want to propose a new deal again?" Jun An caressed [her cheek/hair - implied, object missing in original] curiously and said, "But didn't you take over seven or eight-tenths of Sa's authority yourself? I remember Seele's authority originates from Sa."
Using the Herrscher of Rebirth's authority to resurrect those crops should be exceedingly simple.
"But- but, hmm~ Your Earth God's strike... hit- hit Sa's authority, leaving only a very small part... you devoured some more, plus the Herrscher of Rebirth's authority was almost... entirely taken away, so... Mmph..."
Jun An: "So what?"
Vita: "So let's make another deal."
"Alright then. Provide me with sufficient Honkai energy, and add ten days. All of Froth isn't that big; ten days should be about right."
"Let me... consider it."
After thirty minutes of consideration.
Vita: "Captain, can we conclude the deal for today? I'm really too tired..."
After Jun An fused with Nihilism, Vita could no longer keep up with his pace at all.
Jun An then threatened, "But you wouldn't want to disappoint Aware Vita, would you?"
"You... Despicable!"
"Say whatever you want."
After a short rest, Jun An planned to start another round. He didn't care whether Vita could keep up or not; he'd have his fun first.
Suddenly, the seven Little Vitas burst into the room.
"Stop! Let go of Sister Vita! If you have the guts, come at us!"