Auntie Nia

When Higashino Makoto left Tianxiang's side, it was almost dawn.

He stood downstairs at the apartment building, a cool night breeze blowing by.

He rubbed his lower back and let out a long sigh.

It wasn't easy, it really wasn't easy.

Kurumi's side uses a gauntlet-style battle, while Tohka Yatogami's side uses personality switching; they're both incredibly resourceful.

But he didn't complain, not only because he enjoyed it, but also because he discovered something very important in the process.

He looked down at his palms.

Of the ten seeds inside my body, two have already sprouted.

Tender roots emerge from the seed, swaying gently in his soul, like seedlings just breaking through the soil.

He could feel them growing, transforming from seeds into something more complete.

The Demon King, a Demon King who belongs entirely to himself.

To his even greater surprise, Kurumi and Tohka Yatogami's powers were also changing.

In addition to her original Zafkiel, Kurumi can also use the Rasiel, which originally belonged to her friend Sawa Yamauchi.

Tohka Yatogami's "Sandalphon" power, which originally required a reversal to use, can now be used by her in her normal state.

"Higashino."

Shinano's voice came through the communication crystal, slightly hoarse from just waking up.

"The Guardians have analyzed the data you just transmitted. Their conclusion is that the power connection between you and them is being transmitted bidirectionally. Their Spirit Crystal were fragments separated from Mio Takamiya, and were never complete to begin with. The Demon King within you can fill the gaps in their Spirit Crystal. Conversely, their Spirit Crystal are also replenishing your Demon King seed."

"Two-way transmission?"

"Yes, they are helping you grow, and you are helping them improve; it's a mutually beneficial relationship."

Higashino Makoto remained silent for a moment.

"In other words, it's about me and them..."

The more you do, the faster you grow.

Shinano's tone was as calm as if he were reading a lab report.

Higashino Makoto remained silent for a long time.

"Okay."

He disconnected the communication and put the crystal back into his backpack.

This time, he really didn't expect it. He originally thought he was just building a harem, but it turned out that building a harem was itself a way to become stronger.

That's really awkward.

He had previously vowed that he wasn't lustful, but simply there to save the world.

Now, saving the world and building a harem are one and the same thing.

Hmm, is this kind of plot the defining characteristic of this world?

Give me more!

"I never expected the harvest this time to be so huge."

He sighed, then strode forward.

Just as he turned the corner, he saw a figure slumped against a roadside utility pole in the alley.

Her gray hair was disheveled and covered most of her face.

She was wearing a white shirt and a black skirt, the shirt collar open, revealing a section of her fair collarbone.

He was still holding a pen in his hand, the tip of which poked at the ground, drawing a crooked line.

This Nia Honjo.

Higashino Makoto stopped and looked down at the woman who had fainted on the ground, a thought flashing through his mind.

Isn't this the same move she used on Shiori Itsuka in the original story?

He collapsed on the roadside, waiting for a kind person to pick him up, and then took the opportunity to establish a relationship with them.

This guy can't even come up with something new.

He crouched down and reached out to pat her face.

"Hey, wake up."

No response.

He patted it again, this time with a little more force. Still no reaction.

He sighed and reached out to help her up from the ground.

Her body was limp, like a crumpled piece of paper.

She rested her head on his shoulder, her gray hair brushing against his neck, tickling him.

Then she moved.

She raised her hand from her side, wrapped it around his neck, and hugged him.

The weight of my whole body pressed down on me, like a koala hanging from a tree branch.

She opened her eyes, a sly smile playing on her gray pupils.

"Hmph hmph hmph."

She let out a series of low laughs, her lips curving upwards into an exaggerated arc.

"As expected, the boy finding the unconscious heroine in an alley is definitely a classic plot development!"

Higashino Makoto stared at her expressionlessly.

"You're awake."

"Of course you're awake! If you hadn't woken up, you would have needed to call an ambulance, and then the plot wouldn't be able to progress!"

She released his neck, took a step back, put her hands on her hips, and looked up at him.

Her gray hair was sticking up in a messy, unruly manner, and her shirt collar was still open; she made no attempt to tidy it up.

Yes, that's true.

After all, there's really nothing worth seeing there.

"So, if things continue as they are, shouldn't we go and save the world next?"

Higashino Makoto looked at her and remained silent for two seconds.

"Sorry, the world-saving storyline is from the previous version."

Nia's smile froze on her face.

"Well?"

She tilted her head, her gray eyes filled with confusion.

"The previous version? What do you mean?"

"It means the world has already been saved, it's safe, and it doesn't need saving anymore."

Nia's mouth began to twitch, and she collapsed to the ground.

"You mean, I missed the main storyline of saving the world?"

"Yes, the main storyline has ended."

"What about the side quests? Are there no side quests at all?"

No at the moment.

Nia clutched her chest, feigning deep sorrow.

Her acting was exaggerated, but a hint of disappointment did flash in her gray eyes.

She took a deep breath and wiped away non-existent tears with the back of her hand.

"Young man, how dare you so easily shatter a young girl's worldview! That's a serious crime!"

"Oh."

"Oh? Just oh? Aren't you going to ask what the punishment is?"

Higashino Makoto looked at her.

What is the punishment?

Nia's lips curled up again, and a sly smile returned to her face.

"The punishment is that you have to come to my house and help me finish my manuscript."

She turned and walked away, her gray hair fluttering behind her, her steps as light as a cat that had stolen a fish.

"My house is just ahead, let's go!"

After walking a few steps, she realized that Higashino Makoto hadn't followed, so she stopped, turned around, and put her hands on her hips.

Why aren't you leaving?

"I did not agree to be punished."

Nia blinked.

"Huh? How could this be?"

She walked back, stood in front of him, and looked up at him.

She only reached his chest; she had to look up to see his eyes.

His eyes held a stubbornness and dissatisfaction that suggested he had already planned the script and that the other person couldn't refuse.

"Or you can listen to me, obediently accept the punishment, and I'll give you a reward afterwards?"

What reward?

Nia tilted her head, tapped her chin with her finger, and made a thoughtful expression.

Who knows... maybe it's just me?

She smiled, a smile that held a hint of slyness and a subtle, almost imperceptible seriousness.

Higashino Makoto looked at her, taking in her figure, which was arguably the worst among the Elf Kingdom.

Are you trying to seduce me?

"It's not seduction, it's a transaction. You help me meet my deadline, and I'll reward you. Fair and square, no deception."

Higashino Makoto remained silent for a moment.

"Okay."

Nia's eyes lit up.

"Okay! Follow me!"

She turned and left, her pace quickening even more than before.

Higashino Makoto followed behind her, watching her gray hair gleam faintly in the morning light, a slight smile playing on his lips.

This guy is quite interesting.