Arc 17The Path of Evolution

Gwen defeated Taiziyuros II, sealed Nanook and HooH, and created the Path of Evolution to restore balance across the universe. Back in the Lands Between, he helped Yom recover her memories and begin a new path, while settling into life with his companions.

  • Gwen pursued Taiziyuros II, refined the Propagation concept, and followed the revived Insect Emperor as its swarm devastated Penacony.
  • Gwen joined Alicia and Eden in an Athena Exclamation that defeated Taiziyuros II, then absorbed Hoo and Nanook into a newborn universe and turned them into Spark Dolls.
  • Gwen rescued the amnesiac Yom, brought her to the Lands Between, and explained how her unstable Path of Nihility and sword Nothing threatened her with self-destruction.
  • Gwen worked with Eden and Vill-V to modify the Main God, then established the Path of Evolution and used it to seal HooH and Nanook and restore balance across the universe.
  • Gwen shared Eden’s concert, picnicked with the girls, and helped Yom recover her memories and restore her odachi from Nothingness to Origin.
  • Gwen invited Yom to pursue the new Path, and she entered the Main God Space, where she encountered Jingliu and Blade.
  • Gwen spent time with Hermin and returned to Schicksal Headquarters, where Cecilia explained that Siegfried was away with Walter Yang.
  • Gwen challenged Kiana to pass Dr. Tesla’s calculus course before her birthday in exchange for a deluxe gaming set, while Siegfried and Walter Yang prepared to leave an internet café.
Chapters 401–425 Vol. 5 Read

Ch. 401I’m Going to Focus My Efforts on the Military… / The Bug’s Will to Survive

Gwen pursued and weakened Taiziyuros II, then trapped and burned away much of its body and the first Taiziyuros’s Propagation legacy. As Gwen closed in for the final attack, Taiziyuros II fled toward an inexplicable presence in the Sea of Quantum, driven by fear and loneliness.

  • Gwen developed his Heart of Light while pursuing Taiziyuros II, then shot it with an arrow that blasted apart its upper body and engulfed its insect remnant in Hellfire.
  • Gwen rescued a tiny World Bubble from the chaos and brought it into his body before trapping Taiziyuros II’s remnant in the Meta Field.
  • Gwen spent forty-nine days burning away the remnant and refining the Propagation concept left by the first Taiziyuros.
  • Gwen sensed that Taiziyuros II had revived and pursued it, but Taiziyuros II used the Sea of Quantum to detect his spatial distortion and struck him with a blast of energy.
  • Gwen manipulated the Sea of Quantum’s threads to shield himself from its raging waves and continued closing in on Taiziyuros II, which fled toward a mysterious presence it hoped would ease its loneliness and fear.

Ch. 402Aha: Aha! It’s Bug-Killing Season Again! / Darkness and Radiance

Gwen failed to stop Taiziyuros II from escaping into the Imaginary Tree, where the Insect Emperor began recovering its power and unleashing a new plague. As Penacony was overrun by bugs, two Halovian siblings faced the swarm together while their prayers to Xipe went unanswered.

  • Gwen struck Taiziyuros II and tried to refine it, but the wounded Insect Emperor escaped through the barrier between the Tree and Sea.
  • Gwen returned to the Meta Field and refined the captured concepts of Propagation to strengthen his Heart of Light before facing other Aeons.
  • Taiziyuros II's return alerted the Aeons and prompted the Xianzhou Alliance, the Interstellar Peace Company, and the Family of Harmony to mobilize or consider their response.
  • Propagation transformed Penacony's memoria into bugs, and swarms overwhelmed its dream districts as residents fled in panic.
  • A Halovian boy was trapped beneath a fallen ball cage, but his sister refused to leave him despite his pleas to run.
  • The siblings embraced as the bugs reached them, apologizing and comforting each other while their prayers to Xipe received no answer.

Ch. 403At This Moment, Tayzzyronth II Reenters the Realm of the Aeon of the Self-Annihilator / Aha: The Cosmic Balance’s Biggest Wrecker! …

Taiziyuros II returned to the Imaginary Tree and triggered an insect disaster across Penacony, but Gwen entered the system and fought to stop him. As Aha, Hoo, and other Aeons watched, Taiziyuros II escaped into the Imaginary barrier, leaving Gwen face to face with Hoo and an interrupting Aha.

  • Taiziyuros II reclaimed scattered concepts of Propagation, returned to the Imaginary Tree, and unconsciously spread an insect disaster through Penacony.
  • Gwen followed Taiziyuros II into the Imaginary Tree and used his radiance to erase the swarm and repair the warped lines of reality.
  • Taiziyuros II attacked Gwen with Imaginary energy and fled, but Gwen swallowed the attack and struck him with Noah. Hellfire.
  • Aha arrived to watch the fight, Hoo appeared to address the threat to equilibrium, and the Antimatter Legion mobilized as other Aeons observed.
  • Gwen's flames nearly killed Taiziyuros II, but Taiziyuros II escaped through an Imaginary barrier; Gwen then confronted Hoo before Aha interrupted them.

Ch. 404Athena’s Exclamation!

After HooH’s interference let Taiziyuros II escape, Gwen pursued it to a star system where it faced Nanook and resolved to kill an Aeon despite HooH’s efforts to preserve balance. He called on the marks he had left across the universe, prompting his friends to realize he needed their feelings and connection rather than conventional power.

  • Aha refused to interfere in Gwen’s grudge with the other Aeons, then watched Gwen leave and spread news of his intent to kill a god through the Tavern.
  • Gwen followed Taiziyuros II to a war-torn star system, where the Propagation swarm and Nanook’s forces clashed and Nanook faced the fleeing insect.
  • Gwen recalled how HooH had used balance to let Taiziyuros II escape and concluded he needed to sever his connections and push his Eighth Sense Cosmo to its limit to kill an Aeon.
  • Gwen called on the marks he had left throughout the universe, and Kiana, Yolandale, Rita, Choukai, Li Sushang, Eden, Alicia, Vill-V, Mobius, Ruan Mei, Raiden Mei, Anna, and Vita felt the call.
  • Alicia and Raiden Mei suggested that feelings and closeness mattered more than transferring ordinary strength, while Anna confidently connected Gwen’s request to One-Body Fusion.

Ch. 405Black Tower Loses Her Composure

Gwen drew on the power and convictions of his allies to unleash the Heart of Light, but Alicia and Eden steadied its dangerous flames and joined him in an Athena Exclamation that engulfed the Insect Emperor and the Antimatter Legion. Herta watched the battle from Azure Blue and was left confronting the possibility that a mortal had slain an Aeon.

  • Gwen's allies sent him their strength and heartfelt intentions, helping him burn every part of himself to amplify the Heart of Light.
  • Eden soothed the unstable flames while Alicia harmonized the distorted light, bringing Gwen's power back under control.
  • Gwen brought Alicia and Eden into the battle, and the three joined their Cosmo to perform Athena Exclamation.
  • The attack swallowed the Insect Emperor, the Antimatter Legion, and the surrounding insect tide as Gwen declared the battle over.
  • Herta observed the events from Azure Blue and struggled to process the apparent defeat of an Aeon by a non-Aeon.

Ch. 406A Spark Flashes, and Nanook Vanishes / Official Bandai Version—Star Rail Crossover Edition

Gwen destroyed Taiziyuros II with Athena Exclamation, restored the affected star systems, and reached the fifth stage of the Gene Lock. He absorbed Hoo and Nanook into a newborn universe, and when Aha arrived, Gwen questioned whether the Aeon cared only about fun.

  • Herta recorded the Imaginary Space’s violent fluctuations and sought information about the person responsible from the Interstellar Peace Company.
  • The Council of Seven saw that Gwen had restored the destroyed star systems and voted to wait and observe.
  • Gwen realized Hoo had empowered Nanook, then used a newborn universe to absorb Hoo and Nanook after reaching the fifth stage of the Gene Lock.
  • The Paths of Destruction and Equilibrium weakened, drawing the Amber King’s attention and bringing Aha to Gwen.
  • Aha joked about the deaths of Hoo and Nanook, and Gwen wondered whether Aha cared only about having fun.

Ch. 407God Cloth? Divine Garment! / The Cloth’s Transformation

Gwen transformed Hoo and Nanook into Spark Dolls after suppressing them, then reunited with Alicia and Eden and explained his breakthrough and the fate of the Aeons. Alicia and Eden learned that the dolls held the Aeons of Balance and Destruction, and Gwen said the seal should last forever.

  • Gwen turned the newborn universe dark and transformed Hoo and Nanook into Spark Dolls, restoring the weakened Paths of Balance and Destruction.
  • Aha examined the dolls, but Gwen stopped him from damaging Nanook and erased Aha's avatar and the distant observers.
  • Gwen explained that his Heart of Light had completed its transformation, allowing his Divine Cloth to evolve into a Divine Garment.
  • Alicia and Eden appeared beside Gwen, and he recounted what had happened after leaving them.
  • Alicia recognized Nanook as the Calamity of Destruction, while Eden identified Hoo and asked how long Gwen's seal would last.
  • Gwen told Alicia that, barring anything unexpected, the seal would last forever.

Ch. 408Eden’s Unexpected Side and… Delight

Gwen, Alicia, and Eden discussed how the Antimatter Legion had been weakened, then discovered that Gwen’s upgraded Holy Cloth bore Alicia’s Signet. Their teasing turned into a playful tickling prank, and the chapter ended with Alicia barring Gwen from her room while he claimed his authority as king.

  • Gwen said most of the Antimatter Legion had been destroyed when he used his move against Taiziyuros II, and Alicia and Eden praised him for saving lives.
  • Eden noticed that Gwen’s upgraded Holy Cloth looked different, so Gwen removed his helmet and found crystal flowers representing supreme good and Extreme Evil.
  • Gwen accused Alicia of leaving her Signet on the helmet, but Alicia denied it and accused him of stealing her design; Gwen then hid the armor and chased her.
  • Gwen used special feathers to tickle Alicia, and Eden joined in after he gave her an anti-Alicia Noble Phantasm.
  • Alicia made Eden stand between herself and Gwen and forbade Gwen from entering her room for a month, but Gwen claimed the king of the Lands Between could go anywhere.

Ch. 409An Uninvited Guest? / Similar Flowers

After resolving the crisis, Gwen reunited with Alicia and Eden and shared a quiet moment with them before an out-of-control spacecraft interrupted them. They found a woman transformed by her power, and Gwen restored her; Alicia and Eden recognized the woman’s familiar face as the chapter ended.

  • Alicia asked whether they should return to the people waiting in the Solar System, and Gwen said he had already sent word that the crisis was over.
  • Alicia examined Gwen’s ring and heard the shipgirls’ messages, while Gwen credited Eden’s music-box necklace with helping him.
  • Gwen stopped an out-of-control spacecraft with his telekinesis and brought Alicia and Eden aboard to investigate.
  • Gwen used Little Ai’s authority to disable the spacecraft’s alarms and open the cockpit, where they found a woman turned gray and seemingly lifeless.
  • Gwen reversed the woman’s transformation and revived her, and Alicia and Eden recognized her familiar face.

Ch. 410Acheron Has Amnesia / Acheron? Don’t Know Her. I’m the Blade of Gwyn Now

Gwen, Alicia, and Eden helped the amnesiac Yom awaken and calm down in the gray-white cockpit. When Gwen showed her a blade that seemed to belong to her, it triggered fragmented memories and grief, leaving Yom still unable to recall her past.

  • Alicia and Eden noticed Yom resembled Mei, while Gwen suspected she was the Sea Voyager Yom, also known as the Self-Destroyer.
  • Yom awoke without recognizing the others or remembering who she was, and Gwen used Psionic Energy to ease the pain caused by her memory loss.
  • Yom recalled her name and that she was probably a Sea Voyager, then calmed down with comfort from Alicia and Gwen.
  • Yom thanked Gwen, Alicia, and Eden, and Eden suggested music might help her find familiar memories.
  • Gwen showed Yom a sheathed blade that seemed to be hers, triggering fragmented images before the blade severed her connection to it.
  • Yom remembered broken scenes of blades and twelve shattered divine weapons, felt overwhelming grief, and Alicia held her hand as she cried.

Ch. 411Long-Lost Sisters? / Double the Mei, Double the…

Gwen and his companions welcomed the amnesiac Yom and brought her to the Lands Between for further examination. There, Yom met Raiden Mei, whose striking resemblance to her stirred a fleeting suspicion that they might be sisters, while Gwen and Mei reunited.

  • Yom ate a peach and remembered beautiful but sorrowful things, then thanked Gwen for the comfort it brought her.
  • Yom's long blade leapt away from her and into Gwen's hand, so Gwen suggested she wait before touching it again.
  • Alicia and Gwen offered to help Yom and invited her to travel with them while she recovered her memories.
  • Gwen brought Yom and the others, along with her damaged spacecraft, to the Lands Between for treatment and to handle other matters.
  • Raiden Mei hurried to greet Gwen, and Yom was startled by how closely Mei resembled her, briefly wondering if they were long-lost sisters.
  • Gwen and Mei embraced and kissed after reuniting, while Yom prepared for her examination and treatment.

Ch. 412A Misunderstanding

Raiden Mei welcomed Yom and learned that Yom’s amnesia was accompanied by unstable Path power, so she went to examine her. After Alicia, Mei, and Yom left, Eden stayed with Gwen, who clarified that his earlier concern was not something he needed to discuss privately.

  • Raiden Mei introduced herself to Yom, who still could not remember her name and wondered whether it resembled Mei’s.
  • Alicia hugged Mei, then said Yom had shown signs of Path power going out of control and asked Mei to examine her.
  • Mei agreed to take Yom for an examination and left with Alicia.
  • Eden prepared to leave so Gwen could address the serious matter he had mentioned, but Gwen told her she had misunderstood and drew her onto his lap.
  • Eden asked Gwen what he had meant earlier as she settled in his arms.

Ch. 413Elysia’s Mission / The Problem

Gwen explained to Eden how Yom became a Self-Destroyer and how her sword contained powers tied to a lost civilization. He revealed that sealing HooH had disrupted universal balance, leaving Gwen to use the Spark dolls and HooH’s Authority to restore it, and the chapter ended with him reassuring Eden before they kissed.

  • Gwen told Eden that Yom’s unstable power from the Path of Nihility had driven her toward self-destruction, and that her memories were temporarily sealed after she reached its final stage.
  • Gwen explained that Yom’s sword, Nothing, was forged from Beginning and End, which were made from twelve divine blades whose powers corresponded to the Authorities of the twelve Herrschers.
  • Gwen said the sword’s suppressed powers had begun resisting Nihility after coming into contact with his power, though Yom remained at risk of self-destruction.
  • Eden connected Yom’s loss of balance to Gwen sealing HooH, and Gwen confirmed that the disruption to the Path of Equilibrium had affected balances across the universe.
  • Gwen said he could use the Spark dolls to exercise HooH’s Authority and restore balance, but only he could do so safely; after Eden worried about the burden, he comforted her and they kissed.

Ch. 414Eden’s Passive Progress / The Vill-Vs’ Disagreement

Gwen explained that he could modify the damaged Main God to contain Nanook’s and Hù’s powers and maintain the universe’s balance, then asked Eden to help choose a concept for a new Path. After teasing Eden, Gwen and Eden joined Alicia and Vill-V, who was debating conflicting plans for an unknown project.

  • Gwen showed Eden the Main God and explained that he planned to modify it to wield Hù’s power and stabilize the universe.
  • Gwen said he would place a new Path within the Main God to balance Nanook’s and Hù’s powers, and Eden asked whether the Path could restrict him.
  • Gwen considered several concepts for the Path, while Eden suggested taking them all and Gwen warned that doing so could hinder others’ progress.
  • Gwen and Eden discussed Alicia’s potential to recreate the Path of Beauty before Gwen offered to help Eden improve, and Eden was left unable to refuse his kiss.
  • Alicia returned after accompanying Yom through examinations and found Vill-V studying a tablet while weighing conflicting plans.
  • Vill-V’s internal council argued over its plans, with one personality insisting that a world-spanning magic show was a once-in-a-millennium opportunity.

Ch. 415The Foolish Inner Self / Ye Lina’s New Boss

Gwen and Vill-V worked on rules for a future Main God, leaving Vill-V’s personalities to submit competing proposals for Gwen to choose from. Meanwhile, Gwen brought girls from the World Bubbles to the Lands Between, where their arrival caught the attention of Jade at the Interstellar Peace Company branch.

  • Vill-V’s personalities argued over plans for the Main God until the Original suggested letting Gwen choose, and Gwen accepted their trust.
  • Alicia teased Vill-V, then asked Gwen what he and Vill-V were doing; Gwen explained that they were working to preserve the universe’s balance.
  • Gwen continued developing the Main God’s operating rules while visiting the girls he had not seen in years and bringing World Bubble residents to the Native World.
  • Bumblebee organized a tour group on the juus community, and nearly all the girls joined, while some stayed behind.
  • Jade reviewed images of the visiting girls at the Interstellar Peace Company’s Lands Between branch, and Yelena agreed with her praise before Jade teased her.

Ch. 416Jing Yuan Pays a Visit

Jade took charge of the Company’s operations in the Lands Between and ordered Yelena to build a genuine relationship with Gwen while gathering information cautiously. Meanwhile, spies arrived following rumors about Gwen’s power, and Jing Yuan visited Gwen and asked Fu Xuan about her years in the Lands Between.

  • Jade asked Yelena about Gwen and the mysterious women around him, then told her to foster a friendship with Gwen gradually rather than offer deliberate favors.
  • Jade reflected on the Company’s alarming intelligence about Gwen and accepted her mission to investigate him, knowing the stakes and the promise of a future promotion.
  • Rumors spread through the universe, drawing spies and information brokers to the Lands Between, where the local system handled them.
  • Fu Xuan hurried into Gwen’s office with a budget request and found Jing Yuan drinking with Gwen.
  • Jing Yuan greeted Fu Xuan and asked how she had felt during her years in the Lands Between, while she pointed out that he could read her reports.

Ch. 417Jing Yuan: I Swear on Half a Month of Yanqing’s Food Allowance! / Fu Xuan: General, You Scoundrel!

Fu Xuan secured Gwen’s approval to expand the Lands Between’s defenses, then clashed with Jing Yuan over her ambition to become Luofu’s general. After Jing Yuan came to investigate Gwen’s role in a recent cosmic conflict, Gwen revealed that he had personally caused the fall of Propagation and upheavals involving Equilibrium and Destruction, then tossed Jing Yuan two objects that shocked him.

  • Fu Xuan asked Gwen for funding to monitor the spies and intelligence merchants gathering information in the Lands Between, and Gwen approved the expansion and assigned Prometheus to assist her.
  • Jing Yuan praised Fu Xuan’s growth and teased her about diviners’ bad habits, prompting her to call him a villain and leave Gwen’s office.
  • Fu Xuan declared that she intended to become the Luofu’s general, while Jing Yuan told her she would need to work harder and agreed to keep serving for another century or so.
  • Gwen offered Jing Yuan an opportunity that might free him from being Mara-struck, then asked whether he knew about the brief battle after Propagation’s rebirth.
  • Jing Yuan confirmed that the Alliance had investigated the event, and Gwen revealed that he had personally caused Propagation’s fall and the upheavals of Equilibrium and Destruction.
  • Gwen tossed two objects to Jing Yuan, who nearly dropped them after seeing what they were.

Ch. 418Three Drinks as Punishment / Bad Girl Mei Must Be Punished

Gwen revealed that the dolls were sealed Aeons and showed Jing Yuan a vision of the new Path of evolution, which could help maintain cosmic balance and offer a chance to address the Xianzhou’s Mara-struck condition. Jing Yuan left after drinking three magically varied cups, while Gwen and Dido discussed the burden he carried.

  • Jing Yuan examined the dolls and, after Gwen confirmed his suspicion, learned that they contained Nanook and the Aeon of Equilibrium, though their seal concealed their power.
  • Gwen explained his plan to use the new Path of evolution to restrain Destruction and Equilibrium and test its effects, and Jing Yuan glimpsed a vision of life’s potential before it vanished.
  • Jing Yuan accepted three cups of Gwen’s liquor as punishment and hinted that Xianzhou people might join Gwen’s cause, or that he might serve him after retiring.
  • After Jing Yuan departed, Sirius asked why Gwen valued him, and Gwen praised Jing Yuan as a hero of his generation.
  • Dido said Jing Yuan seemed to carry a heavy responsibility like Elizabeth did, and Gwen praised her insight while noticing her familiar eagerness for a ring.

Ch. 419Both Sides’ Worries / Main God: Don’t Come Any Closer!

Gwen revised the Main God with Vill-V’s help, then spent several days reshaping it in the Golden Tree’s special space. After finishing, he left to see what was happening at Leyndell Cathedral, which had recently gained new functions.

  • Gwen presented Mei with five ring designs, and she chose among them before he teased her about pretending to be Miss Shadow.
  • Vill-V gave Gwen the third version of her plan, and he approved it while telling her to rest.
  • Scyla and Vill-V privately worried about Gwen’s many partners, and Gwen soothed Scyla with a Psionic Energy ripple.
  • Gwen entered the Golden Tree’s special space and removed Abundance’s influence before modifying the Main God.
  • Gwen bound the Main God with rules until it returned to a harmless sphere and obeyed his will.
  • Gwen left the special space and appeared near Leyndell Cathedral, where music was playing.

Ch. 420Ascension to Godhood? Ascension to Godhood! But as the Main God / The Star Gods Stand at Attention

During Eden and Alicia’s concert, Gwen used the spiritual collective it created to accept the Imaginary Tree’s offer and establish a new Path of Evolution through the Main God. After embedding Gene Lock throughout the universe and settling the other Aeons, Gwen prepared to bring Aha along to her new world.

  • Eden conducted a concert that united the audience’s consciousness, and Gwen recognized that the music and Alicia’s influence had formed a powerful spiritual collective.
  • Gwen accepted the Imaginary Tree’s power, placed it inside the modified Main God, and inscribed Gene Lock throughout the universe, awakening a new power in the potion volunteers.
  • Gwen clashed with the Compassionate Medicine King, while Lan continued pursuing the Medicine King without confronting her; Qlipoth shared information about why He built walls.
  • Gwen established the Path of Evolution, absorbed the sealed HooH and Nanook into the Main God, and used its light to restore balance across the universe.
  • Aha asked to contribute to Gwen’s new world, and Gwen invited Him to come along after confirming that He was the Fun God.

Ch. 421Eden’s New Stage? / Kiana, Going Backward as She Gets Older …

Gwen established a new Path, sent Aha flying into space, and attended Eden’s concert, whose music left the audience transformed. Eden agreed to return to the stage, and the chapter ended with Gwen’s group picnicking while Kiana’s terrible cooking prompted him to suggest she learn home economics.

  • Gwen pulled Aha the prankster into Imaginary Space, then kicked Aha the Fun God into space, where a stargazing girl mistook him for an unrecorded star.
  • After Eden conducted a concert, the audience applauded, and Gwen offered to have Vill-V build her a grand theater.
  • Eden accepted the offer to perform again, and Vill-V promised to design her a theater worthy of her talent.
  • Gwen transported the group away from the cathedral, then went picnicking with the girls while Fu Xuan handled demanding work.
  • Kiana served Gwen a disastrously seasoned piece of grilled meat, and Gwen suggested Cecilia hire her a home economics teacher.

Ch. 422Have You Ever Wondered About the Meaning of Life?

At a picnic, Alicia encouraged Yom to accept friendship and enjoy the present instead of isolating herself. Later, Gwen restored Yom’s blade from “Nothingness” to “Origin,” and Yom chose to stay in the Lands Between for now before considering an unusual invitation.

  • Kiana persuaded Gwen to postpone teaching her about childbirth until she was pregnant, while Mei began imagining her own future child.
  • Alicia found Yom sitting alone and urged her to accept help, value the present, and join the others at the grill.
  • Yom joined the picnic and made grilled meat for Gwen, and the gathering ended successfully.
  • Gwen returned Yom’s odachi and helped her reconnect with “Origin,” restoring the blade from “Nothingness.”
  • Yom recovered the final fragment of her memories and decided to stay in the Lands Between for a while before leaving.
  • Gwen asked Yom about the unusual invitations she had received, and she showed him a message asking whether she wanted to understand the meaning of life and truly live.

Ch. 423The Three “Mutes” in the Main God Space / Hermione’s Facial Massage

Gwen offered Yom a gift that could let her surpass her limits, and she accepted, entering the Main God Space. Back at work, Gwen rested with Hermin, who approached him with an anxious request as the chapter ended.

  • Gwen explained that his gift could help Yom break past human limits and told her she could choose whether to accept it.
  • Gwen revealed that a new Path had opened and that he would share in Yom’s gains if she reached its end; Yom agreed and tapped “Yes.”
  • Yom arrived in the Main God Space and found Jingliu and Blade facing off, leaving the three swordsmen in a tense silence.
  • Gwen watched the standoff from his office, then returned to reviewing documents while Hermin served him tea and helped with his work.
  • Gwen ordered Hermin to rest, and she eventually stood and approached him with a flushed, determined expression.

Ch. 424“Inefficiency” / Kiana’s Doubts

Gwen indulged Hermin’s attempt to comfort him, then turned her massage into a romantic encounter and worked through documents with her on his lap. Later, he returned to Earth for lunch with Cecilia, Kiana, Yolandale, and Mysterious, where Kiana grew suspicious about Siegfried’s unexplained absence.

  • Hermin gave Gwen a facial massage, and he teased her for neglecting her duties before pulling her into his arms.
  • Gwen and Hermin became intimate, after which he helped her dress and supported her while she recovered.
  • Hermin helped Gwen handle documents from his lap, though they completed only a quarter of the planned work by noon.
  • Gwen returned to Schicksal Headquarters and shared lunch with Cecilia, Kiana, Yolandale, and Mysterious.
  • Cecilia explained that Siegfried had gone with Walter to a North American Branch project and had been away for four days.
  • Kiana doubted Siegfried would stay away so long for an experiment and questioned whether he would have remembered to return.

Ch. 425Kiana’s Academic Woes / Rita’s Whereabouts

Kiana’s family teased her about her overdue homework, and Gwen offered her a gaming set if she passed calculus before her birthday. Meanwhile, Siegfried and Walter Yang finished gaming at an internet café and discussed returning home, with Siegfried hinting at a gift for Cecilia.

  • Kiana accused her father of sneaking off to drink and play games, and Cecilia showed a photo of Siegfried gaming with beer and instant noodles.
  • Cecilia revealed that Kiana’s homework was a week overdue and that she had received the lowest score in her calculus class.
  • Gwen promised Kiana a deluxe gaming set if she passed Dr. Tesla’s calculus course before her birthday, and Kiana agreed to try.
  • Siegfried and Walter Yang beat a boss together at an internet café, then decided it was time to head home.
  • Siegfried said he had prepared a gift for Cecilia, and Walter Yang asked what it was.
Arc 17 of 18