"Improve our strength?"
Paimon heard what Nolan said, first a bit confused, then suddenly understanding as she exclaimed,
"You rascal..."
She spread her hands, her face showing speechless resignation, making it clear she already knew Nolan's naughty intentions.
"Uh, n-now? Shouldn't we wait until later..."
Amber, who'd kicked off her long boots at home and looked a bit casual, pressed her snow-white thighs together, knees touching as she spoke shyly.
She clearly thought Nolan wanted to get intimate with them.
Fischl, on the other hand, seemed used to it, not nearly as bashful. Dressed in her signature asymmetric, semi-sheer black stockings, she straddled Nolan's lap, knees bent.
She slung her arms around his neck, her pale face tinged a gentle pink as she declared,
"Hmph, this Prinzessin will go first!"
Then leaned in for a kiss, lips hungrily meeting his.
Seeing Fischl's misunderstanding, Nolan only smiled. Since things had gone this way, he cheerfully went along, letting her lock lips with him.
"Mm—"
Fischl hugged his neck tighter, and Nolan's right hand stroked gently up the bare white skin of her back exposed by her short dress.
His left arm wrapped Amber too, but his hand stretched further, slipping up beneath Lumine's skirt—her thigh soft and delicate beneath his palm.
Lumine sipped her tea, gave a helpless sideways glance.
"Knew you'd just grope us..."
"That's not it," Nolan paused the kiss, shook his head and grinned, "I've gotten a little stronger. Now even a simple touch is enough to strengthen you all!"
With that, he began transmitting his "universal energy" to them.
"Eh? What's this?"
Amber instantly felt a surge of energy pouring in from where his hand met her arm.
Fischl and Lumine, both in close contact, felt it too. Waves of power seethed through their bodies and souls, sending warm tingles throughout—incredibly comfortable!
Nolan's golden Eye of Judgment shone as he watched their levels rise, slowly but surely—Amber went from level 43 up to level 50.
But as he prepared to pour even more energy in to push her to the next breakthrough, Amber suddenly couldn't take it anymore, overwhelmed by the huge leap in strength!
She bit her lip, quickly pried off his hand, and blurted,
"That's enough, that's enough—I can't digest it all!"
"Oh?" Nolan paused transmitting to Amber. Seven levels in one go... she'd need time to process that much power before advancing further.
He glanced between Fischl and Lumine, and asked, "You two? Can you still handle it?"
By now Fischl had gone from level 60 to 65, and Lumine from 86 to 89.
"Mmm..." Fischl frowned, clearly feeling the same, boosted so fast she could hardly keep up. Collapsing gently against his chest, she murmured,
"A-alright, attendant—enough for now, even this Prinzessin is reaching her limit..."
Lumine, too, silently moved his hand away, breathing just a little heavy—her body clearly working overtime with the sudden burst of energy.
"Heh, since you're all so full, let me help you... digest it a little."
A wicked intent flashed in Nolan's eyes—after stuffing yourself, a little exercise helps digestion, after all.
He stroked down Fischl's back, fingers finding the zipper at her snug dress and slowly drawing it down.
As more pale springtime skin was revealed, he expanded his invisibility domain, enveloping Amber and Lumine along with them.
"Uuwaah, you people are so shameless!"
Paimon didn't have to guess what they were going to do under the cloak of invisibility. She ran away as fast as she could—one look, and her eyes would've been contaminated for life.
Time slipped quietly by.
Soon, everyone returned one after another. After dinner, those who needed rest retired, while others lingered for idle conversation.
Meanwhile, Ningguang made her way upstairs, apparently heading for a soak in the hot spring bath.
Nolan followed, taking her hand and saying, "Going to bathe? I'll go with you—just happened to have something I wanted to discuss."
"To discuss? Is it about the development of elemental technology?"
Ningguang, noticing how she was being led by the hand like a little girl, smoothly looped her arm around Nolan's instead—restoring the demeanor expected of a poised, mature lady.
Her black high heels tapped crisply against the steps—da, da—as they climbed.
Nolan nodded.
"Mm, that's right. I think the automobile technology using elemental steam engines as power sources is pretty much mature now.
Now it's just a matter of building roads. Once the factory starts mass-producing vehicles, those roads will see real use."
As he finished speaking, they arrived at the second-floor hot spring bathhouse.
The slit hem of Ningguang's qipao offered teasing glimpses of her snowy white legs as she walked; entering the bathhouse, she tilted her chin thoughtfully.
"We've already started preparing everything you mentioned. Construction is being overseen by the Yuheng Star.
On my suggestion, Keqing has also had the Secretary General's Office issue a public notice inviting Geo Vision holders to assist with building the roads.
Teams of ordinary workers are in formation as well, and since the pay is generous, many Geo Vision holders are signing up enthusiastically.
Yet during Keqing's recent review of the Geo Vision holders, she discovered an adventurer of no small renown.
By expending all his elemental power, he can conjure a block of stone twenty meters long and thirty centimeters thick—durable enough for years.
Then he needs about an hour and a half to rest and replenish his vision's energy. Even so, his efficiency dwarfs that of typical labor crews, and there's no need to haul building materials.
But… problems remain."
Nolan listened as he and Ningguang entered the changing room. Hearing this last bit, his expression turned doubtful:
"Problems? What sort?"
Ningguang let go his arm and bent to remove her high heels, setting them neatly on the wooden rack nearby.
She straightened—sliding off one sleeve from her arm as she continued, soft lips parting to explain:
"What else? The fundamental issue is manpower. Vision holders are rare, and specialty types even rarer.
So far, after more than half a month, the Secretary General's Office has only recruited fifty-seven Geo Vision holders.
If we wish to connect every city and village in Liyue using only these people, it is nowhere near enough."
Standing at Ningguang's right, Nolan watched her slip off her sleeves; during a lull, he worked at the fastenings of her qipao, voicing his agreement:
"Without enough Geo-wielders, even sourcing materials for the roads would be a challenge."
In no time at all, he undid the qipao's clasps and slid her dress off.
Now she had only a white, strapless undergarment wrapped around her chest and a pair of black safety shorts that hugged her hips.
(End of Chapter)