The clamor receded like the tide, and the old weapons testing ground returned to silence.
A faint smell of gunpowder still lingered in the air, along with the scent of recent chaos.
A few low-level employees from several companies were silently cleaning up the aftermath, their movements swift yet tinged with exhaustion.
Giovanni stood with his hands behind his back, his gaze fixed on the downcast Sparkle.
At this moment, Sparkle resembled a broken rag doll, head hanging listlessly, completely devoid of her previous mischievous bratty demeanor.
"Thanks to you, Mr. Giovanni, things went relatively smoothly."
Daziel nodded slightly, acknowledging Giovanni's presence.
He paused, then added, "The little trick you left on Sparkle's coin was a huge help."
His words carried genuine gratitude.
After all, if not for Giovanni's safeguard, Sparkle might have actually escaped.
"Ha, wicked people get what they deserve, that's all."
Giovanni turned to Daziel, a meaningful smile spreading across his face. "By the way, Mr. Daziel, congratulations. You've secured the position of Grand Champion."
Hearing this, Daziel couldn't help but be taken aback for a moment.
He gestured towards Sparkle, tucked under his arm, his voice tinged with confusion.
"How did I become the Grand Champion? Shouldn't it be Sparkle?"
"Ah, well, we just reviewed the data from the final match and found there were indeed some issues."
Giovanni explained unhurriedly, his tone calm and formal. It seemed he had prepared his explanation in advance, every word meticulously chosen, leaving no room for loopholes.
"After a unanimous discussion by the judging panel, we ultimately decided to disqualify contestant Sparkle from her championship title. The title will instead go to you, Mr. Daziel, the runner-up. Therefore, I would like to cordially invite you for a post-championship interview, which will be used in the promotional video for the next season of Aetherium Wars."
"Hold on, Mr. Giovanni..."
Daziel narrowed his eyes, staring at Giovanni, as if trying to see through his hypocritical mask.
"Even though you helped me, that coin of Sparkle's... you were fundamentally the one who gave it to her. This whole act you're putting on is quite spectacular. Even Sparkle couldn't keep up with your performance..."
"Mr. Daziel, I don't know what you're talking about."
Giovanni's expression remained unchanged, still wearing that formal smile.
"This is a game I invested in and developed. To me, maintaining the game's fairness is more important than anything. That's precisely why, after discovering contestant Sparkle's violations, I pushed against objections to secure this championship title for you."
Daziel's words had absolutely no effect on him. His tone was firm and forceful, as if he truly were an upright businessman willing to do anything to uphold the game's fairness.
Watching Giovanni spout nonsense with a straight face, Daziel felt a wave of contempt inside.
These guys from the Tavern of Masked Fools... not a single one of them is decent. Full of lies, utterly hypocritical.
Hmm...
Forget it. Compared to a lunatic like Sparkle, guys like Giovanni and Sampo are at least somewhat normal.
Giovanni genuinely just wants his game to succeed.
Anything besides the game he invested in is impure in his eyes.
Daziel waved his hand dismissively, indicating he didn't care about the title. "Champion or not, I really don't mind."
Although he said his goal was to become an Aetherium Wars Master, the championship title was just icing on the cake.
Besides, he had already 'collected' two Grand Champions, so in a way, he had already achieved his goal.
March 7th, listening nearby, couldn't stand it anymore.
She tugged at Daziel's sleeve, murmuring discontentedly.
"Mr. Giovanni already gave it to you, just take it, Daziel! Isn't having a championship nice?"
The girl's tone held a hint of coaxing.
"Miss March 7th is right. Since it's the Victory Celebration, there really should be a champion. The official face of Aetherium Wars depends on it."
Giovanni seemed quite pleased with March 7th's reaction, picking up the conversation with a smile.
"Honestly, I don't really care what Sparkle was plotting behind the scenes. Even if she blew up Belobog, it wouldn't matter to me."
"However, acting so outrageously during my meticulously planned Victory Celebration... that, I cannot easily forgive."
"So this Grand Champion title is merely returning to its rightful owner, Mr. Daziel."
After hearing Giovanni's words, Daziel nodded slightly.
That made sense. Giovanni truly valued Aetherium Wars above all else. Sparkle had desecrated the Victory Celebration, touching his sensitive spot.
That Aether Coin was also a backup plan Giovanni had left to maintain control.
Thinking this, Daziel looked at Giovanni with a hint of amusement.
"So, was this all part of your plan too, JoJo?"
"Why are you also using Sparkle's nickname for me? Well, it doesn't really matter."
Giovanni seemed slightly resigned to the nickname, shrugging, though his expression remained relaxed.
"Mr. Daziel, please do me the honor of accepting this championship title. It's crucial for the future promotion of Aetherium Wars."
"Alright."
Daziel stopped refusing. As he spoke, he casually toyed with the Aether Coin in his hand, his fingertips rubbing against the cold metal surface.
Fewer disputes were better anyway. After all, the way these Masked Fools thought was just too bizarre.
Taking the championship, doing an interview—it didn't seem like a big deal. He wasn't like Sparkle, who lacked even basic respect for others.
Daziel suddenly remembered something and asked,
"Right, about what I did to Sparkle... You Masked Fools aren't going to retaliate or anything, are you?"
Although Daziel now had the backing of Herta, the Xianzhou, and the Express Crew, and didn't fear retaliation from the Masked Fools, he still asked casually, just to avoid unnecessary trouble.
"Hahahaha, feel free to do as you please, Mr. Daziel."
Hearing this, Giovanni burst into laughter, a meaningful undertone in his amusement. "The others might secretly be delighted. Among the Masked Fools, not everyone is as bottomlessly shameless as Sparkle. Teaching her a lesson is actually quite excellent..."
Daziel raised an eyebrow, the corner of his mouth twitching upward slightly. "Hoh, then I'm relieved..."
Herta suddenly spoke up, interrupting their conversation. Her purple eyes scanned the surroundings.
"Right, where's Sampo? Where did he go? Giovanni, do you know?"
Sampo had been a great help finding Hook for Daziel. Later, after Herta tasked him with installing the meme-shielding device, he had tactfully disappeared from the 'modulation' site. And Daziel had been wanting to thank Sampo properly.
Giovanni thought for a moment, then replied,
"Funnily enough, I actually saw him about an hour ago. It seemed he was confident you all could handle things, so he came back early. He wants to make a few more deals before the off-world tourists leave Belobog."
Hearing this, Daziel frowned slightly.
Seriously, buddy... that guy...
A dignified Pathstrider of the Elation, is he really interested in scrambling for such small change every day?
One second thinking about saving Belobog, the next second running off to make money off outsiders?
Thinking this, Daziel couldn't help but ask,
"The money he painstakingly earns in a year... isn't even a fraction of your monthly income, right? The kind of 'fun' he pursues... I really don't get it. Logically speaking, with his abilities, there should be plenty of ways for him to make money..."
"To each their own, hahaha..."
Giovanni shrugged, looking like he'd seen it all before.
"It's like your desire to be an ally of justice, Mr. Daziel. The ladies by your side probably don't understand it either. I'd guess they probably wish you were a bit more... wicked?"
Giovanni's tone was teasing, a mocking glint flickering in the eyes behind his mask.
March 7th immediately linked her arm through Daziel's, rubbing against him emphatically as she retorted,
"No, that's not it! I like Daziel just the way he is—that feeling of him having to do bad things, but trying so hard to restrain himself."
She tilted her head up, her clear eyes full of earnestness.
Herta also added coolly, her tone calm and certain, "Personally, if he were some kind of lowlife with no bottom line, I wouldn't even think of helping him. I just want him not to set his boundaries so rigidly. When appropriate, he could be a bit more flexible."
Giovanni put on an expression of sudden realization. "Ah, then I really didn't understand Mr. Daziel well enough, hahahaha. Enough idle chat, Mr. Daziel. The interview is ready. Please head over. The staff over there have been waiting for quite some time."
Giovanni gestured in a direction, indicating the interview location was prepared.
Daziel nodded, showing he understood. "Alright, Mr. Giovanni."
He tossed the still limp Sparkle to Herta, while he went ahead to do the post-match interview.
He didn't care about the Grand Champion title, but he knew there was no harm in playing by Giovanni's rules, especially since he owed him a favor.
After the interview concluded, Daziel felt a profound weariness wash over him like a tide, threatening to drown him.
Forcing smiles and playing along for the camera just now... was definitely not an easy task.
He felt more exhausted than after spending two hours 'modulating' Sparkle.
Maybe Sparkle was good at handling this sort of thing, since she was so skilled at acting. But she hadn't chosen to cooperate, and ultimately faced Giovanni's retaliation...
Thinking about this, Daziel couldn't help but sigh. Truly, people shouldn't be too wicked, especially not wicked while also being a mischievous brat.
Otherwise, they'd get harshly disciplined by an 'uncle'...
Just then, a soft tissue with a faint, pleasant scent touched his face. March 7th was gently wiping the fine beads of sweat from Daziel's forehead.
The light, cool touch of her fingertips slightly eased Daziel's tense nerves.
Daziel enjoyed his little girlfriend's attentiveness. He turned his head to look at Giovanni, standing not far away.
"So, is this whole affair considered over now?"
His tone held a trace of uncertainty.
Hearing this, Giovanni once again erupted in his signature hearty laughter. The sound echoed in the empty arena, sounding particularly meaningful.
"Who knows, Mr. Daziel?"
Giovanni spread his hands, his smile still radiant, but his tone was like mist, impossible to grasp.
"I'm just an ordinary game development sponsor, hahahaha."
Daziel watched Giovanni's smiling face, feeling that something wasn't quite right, yet unable to pinpoint the strangeness.
Behind Giovanni's smile, there seemed to be a deeper meaning hidden...
But he didn't seem inclined to reveal it voluntarily...
In that case, asking would be useless.
After bidding farewell to Giovanni and leaving the arena, Daziel released Asta and Topaz, who had been sealed within Aether Coins.
After all, Asta and Topaz had their own important duties. The Strategic Investment Department and Herta Space Station needed them back to oversee things.
Silver light flashed, and the figures of the two young women reappeared.
Topaz stretched languidly, letting out a satisfied sigh. Her blue eyes sparkled with the light of regained freedom.
"Finally, I don't have to be a piggy bank anymore! Being stuffed with purple 'moods' every day, I felt like I was going crazy! But work suits me better after all."
As she moved her slightly stiff body, rubbing her backside and complaining playfully, her face nonetheless radiated a long-missed vitality.
Asta, on the other hand, stepped forward and directly transferred a large sum of Credits to Daziel's account, her actions crisp and efficient.
"Next time, arrange for a bigger room..."
she said, sounding slightly reproachful, yet with an underlying hint of concern.
Clearly, several people squeezing into March 7th's room was indeed too cramped. It made this young lady, accustomed to sleeping in fifty-meter master bedrooms, very uncomfortable.
After warmly embracing the two charming young women and kissing them goodbye reluctantly, Daziel looked down at the dazzling string of numbers on his phone screen. A smile finally couldn't help but creep onto his lips, and his heart blossomed with joy.
This unexpected windfall had come at just the right time.
It seemed the matter of renovating the storage room could be moved up on the agenda. He wouldn't have to work himself to death later just to earn Pom-Pom's meager renovation funds.
"Let's go, we're going home!"
Daziel cheerfully tucked the still drooling, dazed Sparkle under his arm again. He turned, called out to Herta and March 7th, and strode off towards the Astral Express.
The direction of home always brought peace of mind.
Back on the Astral Express, the train's unique tranquil atmosphere felt like a gentle embrace, instantly pulling Daziel back from the clamor of the Belobog Victory Celebration.
He let out a long breath, feeling as if he'd shed heavy shackles. His whole being felt much lighter.
"Daziel..."
Even after spending the whole day out, March 7th was still full of energy. Her clear voice rang beside his ear,
"Are you going to start cleaning your room?"
A faint, relaxed smile touched Daziel's lips.
"Of course! Rest today, start tomorrow!"
he replied affirmatively, a hint of excitement in his voice. "I've got money now too. The championship prize money arrived, plus the money from Asta. Buying some furniture, upgrading equipment, stuff like that—isn't that just a piece of cake?"
He rubbed his hands together eagerly, as if already seeing a brand-new room beckoning to him.
Having made his enthusiastic announcement, Daziel's gaze swept over March 7th and Herta. "You two, you're both coming to help then."
March 7th, who had eagerly leaned in, immediately let her face fall and pouted upon hearing this.
"Aww..."
She drew out the sound coaxingly. "Can't we wait for Sparkle to wake up and make her do it?! She caused us so much trouble..."
Daziel raised an eyebrow and lightly tapped March 7th on the head, his tone a mix of exasperation and indulgence.
"When she's back to normal tomorrow, she'll have to work too."
he said with a chuckle. "Anyway, no slacking off for anyone."
March 7th covered her head, grumbling under her breath, but still obediently replied, "Oh."
Herta stood nearby, arms crossed, a subtle resistance showing on her exquisite face.
"Do I... have to go too?"
She tilted her chin slightly, her tone carrying a hint of haughtiness, her purple eyes clearly flashing with reluctance.
Daziel knew this member of the Genius Society had always been aloof and superior. Doing this kind of menial work was likely a first for her.
He deliberately put on a stern face, his tone teasing. "What's wrong? Does being the 'main wife' mean you're exempt from chores? Or does Lady Herta feel her status is too noble to stoop to such things?"
Herta's delicate eyebrows twitched slightly, seemingly provoked by Daziel's words, stirring her competitive spirit.
She huffed lightly, her tone reluctant, but she ultimately conceded.
"Ngh... Fine, I suppose there's no helping it."
She threw up her hands helplessly, as if making a huge sacrifice. "Ugh, to think I'd actually have to do this kind of thing myself someday. Truly, the world is going downhill."
Suddenly, Herta paused, apparently thinking of something.
Her eyes darted sideways, a slight smile playing on her lips as she suggested, "Hey, wait a minute. Can't I just bring over a few cleaning robots from Herta Space Station? Why make it so troublesome and insist on doing it manually? Even my puppets don't need to do chores."
Daziel rubbed his chin, seriously considering Herta's suggestion.
Cleaning robots were indeed a good option—time-saving, labor-saving, and capable of thoroughly cleaning every corner of the room.
In a world with a space sci-fi setting, using such high-tech cleaning tools seemed perfectly normal...
So why hadn't the Express Crew adopted them before...?
Could it be that introducing cleaning robots would make the conductor Pom-Pom seem redundant and useless?
"It doesn't seem impossible..."
Daziel mused briefly, rubbing his chin, apparently weighing Herta's proposal.
After a moment, he hesitated, but finally shook his head. "However, I think I should show you the situation in my room first."
If they were going to be in his room, then there were some things he needed to make clear to March 7th and Herta first.
Hearing this, March 7th instantly perked up, her curiosity immediately overpowering her desire to slack off.
"What situation?!"
She eagerly sidled up to Daziel, her head practically glued to his arm, her tone full of gossipy interest. "Daziel, what have you been doing behind our backs...? Don't tell me you've been raising True Stingswarm in your room? Have they already bred a huge swarm?"
Daziel was amused by March 7th's vivid imagination. He spread his hands helplessly.
"Er... You'll know when you see it."
With that, he stopped being mysterious. He took a deep breath and pushed open the door to his room.
Creeaak—
The door slowly swung open, revealing the scene inside.
Herta and March 7th had initially been in a joking mood, wanting to see what "secret" Daziel had in his room.
At first, they assumed Daziel's room would be messy at worst, or maybe hide some strange little trinkets.
However, when their eyes fell upon the scene in the center of the room, all traces of jest froze on their faces.
There, in the middle of the room, a slender figure was tied spread-eagled on the floor, bound with special purple ropes, like a lamb awaiting slaughter.
Her thin clothes were in disarray, her normally smooth, long hair splayed messily on the floor, covering most of her face, making her look exceptionally fragile and helpless.
The woman had a black ball gag stuffed in her mouth and wore a black mask covering her eyes.
Despite this, Herta and March 7th recognized the bound person instantly.
Those familiar silver-white strands of hair, the faintly visible delicate features—all revealed her identity—
...
Time seemed to freeze at that moment.
The expression on March 7th's face shifted from initial curiosity, to surprise, to shock, then disbelief. Finally, all these emotions merged into an indescribably complex feeling churning across her delicate features.
Her eyes went wide, her small mouth forming an "O" shape, as if witnessing something utterly unbelievable.
After the shock, a faint blush crept onto March 7th's pale cheeks, spreading from her earlobes down her neck, looking enchantingly vivid.
Complex emotions erupted like a volcano within her heart, finally culminating in an earth-shattering...
Scream!
"Aaaaaah! Daziel, you... you...! You actually... actually..."
______
At that time, I had stopped writing lemon scenes due to low engagement, but a Patreon member supported me with the highest tier, so they come back a few chapters later xD
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