Chapter 344: Uproar
The prototype of the world-bubble's anchor was declared complete two months after construction began.
The vast palace dissolved into countless black specks, finer than the naked eye could discern, scattering bit by bit from its roof into the wind.
Soon, before countless watchful eyes, the Radiant Hall—which had stood in the imperial capital for a thousand years, a symbol of unfallen sovereignty—vanished without a trace.
Upon the empty ground where the great hall once stood, a lone figure stood with his back to the setting sun. His posture was proud, spine straight as a blade; his face, chiseled and sharp, like a sculpture.
In his palm floated a small sphere, radiating soft white light. Like a flawless moon that could be cradled in one hand, its glow was pure and serene, shining through the young man's cold silhouette and mingling with the crimson hues of the sinking sun.
Whoosh!
Fu Hua's figure vanished from the crowd, reappearing instantly before Sigurd. Her gaze softened with a smile as she looked at the floating sphere.
"So this is… the anchor of the world?"
A glimmer of awe flashed in her eyes as she whispered in admiration.
Sigurd lifted his gaze, moving the sphere slightly closer to her.
"Want to hold it? Take a closer look?"
"No, no! Something this important should stay in your hands!" Fu Hua waved her hands quickly, half-laughing in helplessness. "You really are bold, aren't you? If I broke it, I'd never be able to repay you."
"The micro-carvings and wavefield loops are already complete. Its stability is far greater than you think. After all, it's the core structure representing a world—it's not that easy to destroy. And even if something did happen, I could repair it. Go on, take a look. This is the rarest kind of art—one of a kind."
Sigurd spoke lightly. The sphere dropped into his palm, and then, with a casual flick, he tossed it toward Fu Hua.
Startled, Fu Hua hurriedly reached out with both hands, catching it as though it were the most fragile treasure in existence, not daring to let it tremble even slightly. She then turned a reproachful gaze toward him, eyes both annoyed and playful.
"What on earth were you thinking? How can you treat something like this so casually? Really…"
After a few murmured complaints, she couldn't help but laugh softly. Cradling the sphere, its gentle glow illuminated her delicate features, and her smile shone like a fleeting blossom of beauty.
"So this is the world… how beautiful…"
"Perhaps the world itself is simply beautiful?"
"That's true—the world is beautiful. And with this, we can save its future, can't we, Sigurd?"
"Yes. At least, in theory."
Sigurd leaned back, stretching his arms behind him. His bones cracked as he moved, his reply tinged with weariness and laziness.
He truly was exhausted. More than two months of relentless focus and labor had left their burden piled up on every part of him. It was time he took a proper few days' rest.
Fu Hua tilted her head slightly, watching him with gentle eyes as he stretched.
Then Sigurd started walking forward, and Fu Hua kept pace at his side, speaking softly:
"You've worked hard, Sigurd."
"It's fine. I gained a lot from this as well—it's all experience for our world. If it ever comes to it, dragging a planet off the Imaginary Tree was already one of our backup plans. Extending the lifespan of a world-bubble isn't the same as pulling off a leaf-world safely, but it's still a valuable reference."
"Then… would you like something to eat? Or perhaps a bath first? I could give you a massage, then you could sleep properly."
"The western wing… I recall it has an outdoor artificial hot spring? Let's soak there. Have some pastries prepared for afterward."
"Of course, no problem."
Speaking in easy rhythm, the two walked to where several other women were waiting nearby.
Sigurd stopped, pointing at the sphere Fu Hua still held carefully in her hands.
"The foundation prototype of the world's anchor. If you want a look, hold it yourself. Once you're done, find somewhere to store it safely. I'll explain the next step after I've rested a few days. That's all. I'm going."
With those simple words, Sigurd strode past them all, not glancing sideways, heading toward the western hot springs.
The women's eyes followed his tall, proud figure as it receded into the distance.
Then, Senti leaned over, edging close to Fu Hua's side, her wide eyes sparkling with boundless curiosity as they fixed on the glowing sphere in Fu Hua's hands.
Senti leaned in close, eyes wide with curiosity.
"So this is the anchor? Wow, it's so pretty—it looks just like a luminous pearl. But honestly, that guy is so full of himself. Finishes his work, then struts off all smug like, 'That's it, I'm leaving'— Hmph! Acting all high and mighty, someone ought to knock him down a peg!"
After grumbling, she blinked, lifted one slender white finger, and slowly reached out toward the glowing sphere.
"Lady Senti, please stop!"
Durandal's hand shot out, gripping Senti's wrist. Her expression was grave, cold sweat beading at her temple.
At the same time, the other three peeked out from behind her shoulder.
Rita: "Lady Senti, this is the hope of our world. I beg you to understand how we feel."
Kiana: "Senti, please, I'm asking you! Even I get how important this is!"
Zhuge Kongming: "Lady Senti, I'll give you a fan to play with, but as for this… please, show mercy."
Their pleading and tense expressions made Senti puff out her cheeks in annoyance. She yanked her wrist free, planted her hands on her hips, and declared:
"What's with you all? Do I look like some fool who can't tell what's important and what's not?"
Three of them fell silent at once. Only Kiana, who knew Senti far too well, scratched her head and blurted out with innocent bluntness:
"Yes?"
"..." × N
The scene froze into absolute silence.
After a long moment—by which time Senti's face was red with fury—Fu Hua finally let out a small laugh.
"Haha~"
"Senti, don't be upset. They're just worried. This really is something too important. Let's leave it untouched for now. Durandal, please take it and store it safely. When Sigurd's done resting, we'll decide the next step."
"Yes, Lady Fu Hua!"
Durandal's expression was solemn, almost devout, as she carefully accepted the sphere from Fu Hua. Holding it to her chest with both hands, she took a long, steadying breath.
By then, dusk had faded fully into night. The gentle radiance of the sphere lit her breastplate, outlining the rise and fall of her breathing and hinting at the deep valleys beneath, a breathtaking sight to behold.
Then Durandal turned, step by steady step, and left. The others moved to flank her sides, no doubt escorting the sphere toward some heavily guarded vault.
Once they were gone, Senti finally reached out both hands, tugging at Fu Hua's smiling cheeks in protest.
"And what are you laughing for!? Don't tell me you think I'm unreliable too, Old Timer!?"
Fu Hua let her tug at her face, eyes curved in gentle amusement. Then she reached out as well, cupping Senti's cheeks in her palms and rubbing them lightly.
"You… are scatterbrained, restless, impulsive. It's hard for anyone to think of you as reliable."
"Old Timer!!!"
"See? There you go again, flying off the handle. Such a temper. But… Senti's a good kid. I've always known that."
"You—! There you go again! One moment you're praising me, the next you're scolding me! What's with that!?"
Senti tugged at Fu Hua's cheeks a few more times, but never with enough strength to actually hurt her. In the end she gave up, letting Fu Hua continue to knead her face, still pouting in annoyance.
Fu Hua chuckled softly, released her cheeks, and tapped her forehead with a gentle finger.
"There now, look at that pouty little face. Anyone who saw it would think someone's been bullying you. Senti is just Senti—and no matter what, you're always adorable."
"…Hmph! What, you think if you flatter me, I'll just forgive you?"
"Your lips are pouting so much, you could hang a soy sauce bottle on them!"
"They are not! Ugh, you're impossible!"
"Yes, yes, I know. Anyway, I'm going to prepare some food for Sigurd. Want to come with me? I'll make some dinner for you too. What would you like?"
"Meat! And those super delicious white steamed buns we had last time!!!"
At the mention of food, Senti—who never could stay angry at Fu Hua—forgot her frustration at once. Her eyes widened, sparkling like stars.
Fu Hua smiled and nodded. Under Senti's eager little pushes, she half-reluctantly let herself be guided toward the imperial kitchens.
…
Sip—
Moonlight like water reflected off the clear, steaming pool. Sigurd lifted his wine cup and took a small drink of the sweet plum liquor.
He wasn't much of a drinker.
But since alcohol was, in the usual sense, considered something to ease fatigue, Fu Hua had prepared some. And so, Sigurd figured he might as well drink a little.
Drizzle—
Once the cup was empty, he set it onto the tray floating at the water's surface. Immediately, a pair of slender, pale hands lifted the little wine flask and poured him another.
Sigurd turned his head. At his side, Fu Hua knelt gracefully, wrapped in nothing more than a thin veil of gauze. His eyes briefly swept across her delicate, alabaster form before he muttered with dead-fish eyes:
"…So, why exactly are you here?"
"I prepared food for you. Naturally, I have to bring it over myself. Is there a problem with that, Sigurd?"
Tilting her head, wine flask in hand, Fu Hua's expression was all innocence and purity.
Sigurd thought it over.
Fair enough, he had already put on shorts after noticing someone approaching, so technically no one was naked here. It was basically no different from swimming at the beach. Nothing really wrong with it.
Whooo—!
Splash—!
While Sigurd was mulling this over, a lively figure glided across the water like a mermaid.
Of course, it was Senti. Like Fu Hua, she wore only a light gauzy wrap that covered just enough. Her snow-white body shimmered through the water, beautiful in motion.
After a few laps, she swam up to Sigurd, cheeks puffed up like a little hamster.
Pffft!
A jet of water shot from her cherry lips straight toward Sigurd's face.
Sigurd gave her a sidelong look. Instantly, the water stream bent midair—splashing back onto Senti's own face instead.
"Waaah!!"
Eyes shut in panic, she quickly wiped the water away—only to open them again and find a looming shadow.
Thump! Thump!
Two dull impacts later, Senti floated face-down at the surface, unmoving, with two big bumps rising on her head—like the scene of some "Midnight Pool Murder Case."
"Pfft! Sigurd, go easy on her. Senti's just naturally mischievous, she doesn't mean any harm."
Fu Hua chuckled.
Sigurd shot her a glance, then picked up his cup again, drinking in silence.
Fu Hua only shrugged, helpless, and let Senti drift.
Compared to dealing with her antics, attending to Sigurd's wine and hot spring seemed more important right now—or so she thought.
After a few more sips, Sigurd didn't feel much from the alcohol. He simply leaned back against the pool's edge, eyes tilted skyward, watching the moon. Body and mind slowly relaxed.
Then—footsteps approached.
"Hm?"
Sigurd's eyes twitched. His brow furrowed.
In the moonlight, four figures appeared, tugging and pushing each other as they approached the bath.
Each one draped in nothing but towels barely reaching mid-thigh. That kind of suggestive attire was, in some ways, even more provocative than being unclothed. Unexpected, yet perfectly in line with what he should've guessed—either as a plea for favor, or as gratitude, or something in between.
"Sigh…."
Sigurd let out a weary breath.
In the next experiment world-bubble, he wouldn't play emperor or savior anymore. It bring far too much trouble.
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