"Moreover, precisely because of the Holy Grail War's influence, the spatial structure around Mingdu was already dangerously fragile. Once this spacetime channel formed, its stability far exceeded expectations. I'm afraid… it'll be very difficult to shut it down in a short time."
Herta continued explaining to Lu Jingming.
"And the consequences?"
Lu Jingming stared grimly at the chaotic passage in the distance that kept swallowing silhouettes and ruins, his brows tightly knit.
"Consequences? Now that's interesting~"
Herta's tone brimmed with anticipation.
"It's possible nothing happens—the channel eventually stabilizes on its own or slowly closes. But it's also possible the two worlds, because of this sturdy passage, will gradually draw near—or even… begin to merge."
"Think about it. The two worlds also have alternate-world counterparts. I really want to know whether they can coexist, or if they'll obey some law and ultimately converge into a single unique existence. That would be an unprecedented research topic."
She cared nothing for the risks that might come with world-fusion; pure scientific curiosity had the upper hand.
"…Alright. I knew with a Masked Fool in the mix there'd be 'surprises.'"
Lu Jingming shook his head helplessly.
Although Sparkle's sudden stunt disrupted his plan, he felt neither panic nor anger.
Even if the two worlds really started to fuse—so what? He was confident he had the power to suppress all chaos.
His own strength was growing at a staggering rate, and with Jingliu, Acheron, and Herta by his side, what had he to fear?
Everything was still, ultimately, under control.
"But that Sparkle…"
Lu Jingming narrowed his eyes, looking toward the channel.
"Don't let me catch you, or I'll tan your backside into a blossom."
…
Meanwhile, high in the sky, the fierce battle between Celenova and Feixiao was forcibly halted by this sudden earth-shaking upheaval. They each withdrew, staring in shock at the gigantic energy vortex and chaotic passage that had replaced Mingdu below.
Under Phantylia's protection, Xu Tiantian gazed from afar at the devouring black chaos and his face went dark.
The channel, gradually stabilizing yet still radiating a terrifying pull, was clearly not something human power could easily erase.
This meant that Mingdu—the heart of the Sun Moon Empire—had been utterly and completely wiped off the map, with not even the possibility of rebuilding.
The Sun Moon Empire would have to find a new capital.
…
"Hahaha, surprise! A brand-new adventure begins! Everyone, have fun~!"
Sparkle stood at the edge of the energy maelstrom, excitedly waving at the massive chaotic channel. Her figure swayed in the howling gravity winds, as if she could be sucked in at any moment to continue her mischief in a new world.
Just then, a sharp gleam flashed in Vita's eyes.
That stable channel to a parallel world—whose coordinates she had secretly observed and supplied, and which Sparkle had personally blown open—was to her a heaven-sent chance to slip Lu Jingming's control and head for a new world of endless fun.
She quietly lowered her energy resistance, ready to let the pull carry her into the channel and make a clean getaway.
But the instant her body moved, about to turn into a streak of light—
"Tsk. Never a moment's peace."
Lu Jingming, who had been covertly watching her, let out a cold chuckle.
Of course he knew Vita and Sparkle were acquainted—and both were consummate chaos-gremlins. For Sparkle to make such a spectacle, he'd never believe Vita hadn't provided precision coordinates and tech support using her eyes.
Almost as his words fell, Istaroth—who had been lazily spectating all along—lifted a single finger, as if she'd foreseen it.
In an instant, the space and time around Vita seemed to be severed from this chaotic spacetime by a higher rule, plunging into an absolute, total stasis.
The just-blooming smile of a plan succeeding froze on Vita's face.
The sly glint in her eyes dimmed; even her thoughts felt as if someone had pressed pause.
The mecha beside her, who was also preparing to move, was likewise fixed in place by an invisible force, locked in a poised-to-bolt posture, unable to budge.
Trying to slip away in the confusion, Vita ultimately failed—subdued in an instant. Her scheme was ruthlessly strangled once more.
Lu Jingming turned his gaze to Vita, who had been utterly bound by Istaroth's power, unable even to change her expression.
Time's authority was pinning this little mischief-maker fast.
He gave a slight gesture.
Istaroth inclined her head; a ripple flickered in her golden eyes, and the suffocating stillness around Vita receded a touch—enough to restore her ability to think and speak—but her body remained as if cast in amber, unable to move at all.
"Miss Vita."
Lu Jingming walked up to her with a seemingly gentle smile.
"How about we make a deal?"
Vita's eyes turned slightly. Though her body was restrained, her mind whirred faster than ever.
A deal? When I'm at an absolute disadvantage, my life and death in his hands?
She kept her doubt off her face, answering only with her eyes to signal him to continue—curious to see what this handsome guy was plotting.
"Looks like you're very interested in that open spacetime channel, and you want to use it to reach a parallel world, right?"
Lu Jingming spoke lightly, pointing to the slowly rotating, still-drawing channel in the distance.
"And I—"
His gaze shifted with interest to the sleek, powerfully contoured green mecha—Lone Planetfarer—standing nearby.
"—am very interested in your beautiful ride."
A trace of comprehension flashed through Vita's eyes, and a smile mixing mockery and curiosity tugged at her lips.
So he'd taken a fancy to her Lone Planetfarer.
How… amusing.
"Well?"
Lu Jingming kept it casual, as if it were a minor matter.
"You transfer Lone Planetfarer's ownership and control to me. In return, not only will I take you through this channel to the parallel world, but I'll also grant you temporary full freedom, so you can… have your fill of fun in the new world."
He stressed temporary and have your fill, hinting that the freedom wasn't indefinite, but enticing enough.
Vita narrowed her eyes, studying Lu Jingming like prey, and probed in her signature sing-song.
"Little brother, you do realize this Lone Planetfarer isn't a physical object. Its existence relies on the manifestation of my concept—it is a fantasy that exists because of me. If I die, or if I so much as will it, it disappears. Even if you get 'ownership,' it's just a moon in water, a flower in a mirror—meaningless."
She paused, adding, "I don't think someone of your insight would fail to understand that."
With multiple Servants at his side, he should grasp the essence of Servants.
"Heh…"
Lu Jingming chuckled, calm and self-assured.
"You needn't worry yourself over that, Miss Vita. Since I've proposed the deal, I have my methods and my confidence."
For one who wielded True Authority, solidifying concepts into existence—elevating the unreal into the real—was no insurmountable task.
Even if Lone Planetfarer was originally a fantasy projection based on Vita's power, as long as its concept was complete and clear, he could strip it from its dependency, grant it a foundation for independent existence, and make it an objectively real creation.
Once made real, Lone Planetfarer's ownership would no longer be subject to Vita's life, death, or will.
This seemingly offhand yet utterly confident statement jolted Vita.
For the first time, she truly reassessed the man before her. He seemed shrouded in a mist even her eyes could not fully penetrate.
"Interesting…"
Vita murmured. The binding around her receded like the tide—not because Istaroth lifted it, but because Vita triggered a hidden safeguard and burst the restraints.
She flexed her newly freed wrists, folded her arms, and for the first time regarded Lu Jingming with something like parity—curious, serious, as if to see straight through him.
"Little brother, you really do keep surprising me."
Her tone had shed some of its earlier playfulness, gaining genuine interest.
"A man with secrets is always extra tempting to one's curiosity."
"Oh?"
Lu Jingming arched a brow, a teasing half-smile on his face.
"Ever hear the saying, Miss Vita? Getting overly curious about a man is often… the first step to falling."
That half-jest, half-warning line touched a nerve or two.
Standing just behind Lu Jingming, Gu Yuena's amethyst eyes narrowed at once, her icy gaze falling on Vita like a physical weight, a hint of draconic might seeping into the air.
Not only Gu Yuena—Firefly, who always stayed quietly by Lu Jingming's side, also turned her eyes to Vita.
Even Castorice, who usually wore a gentle, all-forgiving smile, showed a barely noticeable ripple in her serene gaze. She glided half a step closer to Lu Jingming, subtly closing the distance.
Three women, different in style but each close to Lu Jingming, all focused on Vita at once. The air grew taut with a subtle, territorial tension.
Vita caught the reactions of Firefly, Castorice, and Gu Yuena, a crafty light flickering in her violet-red eyes.
Not only was she unafraid, she looked like she'd found something deliciously fun. Her smile grew even brighter, more playful.
She lightly licked her lips, her gaze drifting between Lu Jingming and the three protective women, her tone turning more ambiguous:
"Little brother, you really are interesting."
For a mischief-lover like her, calm waters were the dullest thing. The more jealousy simmered and undercurrents surged, the finer the fun.
Seeing the trio on high alert, she didn't hold back—quite the opposite. Some perverse impulse had taken over; the troll within was in full command.
"My, my, little brother, everyone around you… seems to care quite a lot about you."
Vita deliberately drew out her words, honeyed and cloying.
Instead of retreating, she took a light step forward to close the distance with Lu Jingming. The move sharpened all three stares opposite.
She lifted slender fingers, as if casually dusting non-existent lint from Lu Jingming's shoulder. Her fingertips traced an ambiguous arc through the air, almost brushing his collar.
The gesture looked nonchalant but was rife with provocation, every detail pricking at the onlookers' nerves.
"Looks like getting you alone to talk deal details won't be so easy."
She tilted her head slightly, a few strands of gray hair falling. Her limpid gaze slid over Lu Jingming's face, then feigned innocence as she glanced at ice-cold Gu Yuena, the unsteady-breathing Firefly, and Castorice whose smile was beginning to stiffen.
"Ladies, no need to be so tense~ Big sis is just here to discuss… serious business with your man."
Gu Yuena snorted, silvery dragon phantoms faintly coiling around her as the elements stirred restlessly. She restrained the urge to blast this seductress away, squeezing out a few words through clenched teeth: "Stay away from him."
Firefly said nothing, but the wingsheath changer in her hand trembled, as if she'd transform into SAM and ignite the stars the next second.
Her eyes locked on Vita's fingers nearing Lu Jingming, her breathing quickening.
Castorice's gentle smile nearly slipped. She took a soft breath, voice still mild but brooking no refusal: "Miss Vita, please mind yourself. Xiao Ming doesn't like overly frivolous behavior."
Faced with near-palpable hostility from three women, Vita only smiled more happily, as if dancing on a knife's edge was exactly her thing.
Instead of backing down, she leaned in even closer—almost half her body touching Lu Jingming—and whispered in his ear, warm breath for the two of them alone:
"See how much they care about you, little brother~ Makes one jealous. But…"
Her tone turned tempting.
"Compared to being protected like this, don't you want a more… thrilling adventure? Like ditching these little tails and going to that parallel world with big sis?"
Every word and move was pouring oil on the fire.