This sense of loss was not strong.
Compared to her love for him, it was merely a negligible flaw. This is an emotion that everyone in a polygamous team has.
However, if the Sacred Sakura Tree truly demands 100% mental fusion, this mere 0.1% flaw might be the reason for the entire ritual's failure.
"According to what you're saying, even if I'm not here, it would be difficult for you to achieve the 100% condition, right?"
"Indeed, but there's always a chance. If you were here, 1000% mental fusion wouldn't be achieved."
Lumine pouted: "As expected of a scumbag. When you need someone, you speak so nicely, but when you don't, you just discard them."
"Sigh~ Just say it, how much do you want?"
Jack understood that once Lumine showed that expression, she wanted benefits from him.
Someone who has already experienced Impact.
Who still cares about these things?
Perhaps these wives are even discussing in private which position is easier to deal with him. It's just a routine exchange of bodily fluids. For them, this behavior is as common as ordinary people shaking hands and hugging.
"Fifty thousand! No bargaining!"
"Twenty thousand, no more!"
"Forty thousand! To silence the gossips, husband, you need to show some sincerity."
"Thirty thousand! You spendthrift! I can sculpt figurines myself. Why buy so many Nami and Robin ones?!"
"Deal! Hehe, my swimsuit Nami-chan~"
Jack had no way of dealing with this queen of all females.
Normal girls who buy figurines mostly buy male characters or special mecha.
But she, on the other hand, preferred these female characters.
If it weren't for her not having such tendencies in reality, Jack would suspect that this person wasn't Lumine, but Elysia in disguise.
He readily handed over 30,000 world coins in banknotes.
Lumine happily hugged Jack and kissed him, then rushed straight to the general store outside the door.
...
"Our dear has a habit of full-body contact. That is to say, during combat, he will hold you tightly, press you firmly beneath him, and make you feel a suffocating sense of pressure."
"Sister Lisa is right. If a newcomer faces this kind of battle for the first time, their defenses will probably be breached in just a few moves, because this feeling is indescribable in words. Only after experiencing it firsthand will you know that it's truly... comfortable."
"???" x 2
Kamisato Ayaka and Lisa cast puzzled glances at Mona.
Mona tilted her head.
"Why are you looking at me like that? Did I say something wrong?"
"Yes, you are right."
Lisa showed a teasing smile.
"Everyone knows you're a masochist; there's no need to specially introduce it to the new sister. Alright, next topic."
"Hey, no, how did I become a masochist? Lisa, explain yourself!"
Mona was still trying to argue.
But when Lisa brought up countless embarrassing stories of her playing with Jack's vines, Mona's small face turned crimson, and she couldn't find any reason to refute.
Could it be... could I really be a masochist?
Mona fell into self-doubt.
"What are you chatting about, so engrossed?"
Jack, who had completed his PY deal with Lumine, walked over.
He pretended not to have heard his two wives imparting combat knowledge to the newcomer.
Kamisato Ayaka shivered, quickly covering her face: "I... I didn't hear anything! They didn't say anything either!"
"Ara, wasn't little sister Ayaka quite interested just now? We're talking about some naughty things, you know~"
Lisa, in her true witch nature, began to help Jack 'educate' Kamisato Ayaka.
"Cough cough, Lisa, rein it in. Ayaka comes from a relatively conservative family background. She won't be able to accept your mature knowledge all at once."
Jack pulled Kamisato Ayaka, preparing to take her away from the two battle-hardened women.
The pure-hearted her would only be teased by the two.
"Is Daddy leaving again?"
Klee pouted, tugging at Jack's clothes.
Clearly, the little darling was unhappy.
Jack squatted down and patted her head.
"Yes, Daddy has the mission of saving Teyvat. Your Aunt Lumine has already given up, and if Daddy doesn't work hard, then all of Klee's big and little friends in Teyvat will face danger."
These words were not meant to coax a child.
Rather, it was the result of Jack's serious contemplation during this period.
How the original Genshin Impact story should develop, he, having transmigrated worlds, had no way to verify it.
The only way to save Teyvat and achieve a happy end was to become the fourth Heavenly Principle, using the Creator's power to protect Teyvat, which wandered in the sea of stars (the Sea of Quanta).
"Okay, then Daddy, remember to come back and see Klee often, pinky promise!"
"Mm, pinky promise."
The little finger of the big hand and the little hand hooked together, and after saying the oath, their thumbs touched, and the promise was completed.
Klee was a very well-behaved and sensible child.
Alice was basically always away, yet she maintained her innocence and kindness without going astray. In comparison, Jack's time with her was many times better than her mother's.
"Mm, Klee is so good!"
Jack picked up Klee and kissed her on the cheek.
"Hehe, that tickles~"
Klee immediately broke into a happy smile, then also hugged Jack's face and gave him a peck.
"Qiqi... wants one too."
"Hmph! What saving the world, he just knows how to trick children."
Seeing the other two little ones also coming over, Jack knew that neither the big girls nor the little girls could be treated unfairly.
So he left affectionate marks on Qiqi and Diona as well.
After a brief enjoyment of domestic bliss (mist),
Jack took Kamisato Ayaka upstairs to choose a room.
"How is it? This home is quite lively, isn't it?"
"En, compared to the Kamisato Family, where it was just me, Big Brother, and Thoma, it's indeed much warmer."
Kamisato Ayaka hugged Jack's arm, her thoughts drifting back to the past.
Before the incident of the Raiden Gokaden, her family was also happy and complete.
The girl's face was filled with worry.
So Jack gently smoothed her brow.
"Thinking of your parents?"
"Yes, seeing Klee and them, I also remembered things from when my elder brother and I were little."
"Can you tell me about it, Ayaka's childhood? I'd like to learn more. Of course, if it involves some unpleasant memories, then you don't have to say anything."
"If Jack wants to hear it, then it's no problem."
Kamisato Ayaka leaned slightly to the left, resting her head on Jack's shoulder.
Seeing this, Jack simply released her right hand, which was holding hers, and directly embraced her sideways in his arms.
With a tilt of their heads, they leaned against each other, forming an inverted heart shape.
Then she began to recount her childhood.
...
Approaching noon.
Jack and Kamisato Ayaka returned to Inazuma.
Seeing that Traveler had not followed, Kamisato Ayaka breathed a sigh of relief, but still politely asked,
"Traveler doesn't seem to be here yet. Aren't we waiting for her?"
"She's busy watching one piece, don't worry about her."
one piece? Was it that small booklet with many illustrations that she recommended before?
Ayaka, who had spent years in the Kamisato Family, actually longed for professions related to the sea. Captain Beidou, who had cooperated with the Kamisato Family, was also a pirate, but she gave off a very upright impression.
So, if it was the king of pirates, he must also be a very dashing and life-loving person, right?
For her first world coin purchase, she would try the manga Traveler recommended.
Kamisato Ayaka quietly made this decision.
...
After returning to the Kamisato Family, the two walked together in the central garden.
At this moment, a female attendant walked over.
"Young Mistress, Traveler, I finally found you two. It's almost mealtime, and the family head asked me to call you to the dining hall for dinner."
"Alright, Auntie Keiko, we'll go right away."
Even when dealing with servants, Kamisato Ayaka's demeanor was very approachable.
The attendant named Keiko smiled and bowed, then took small steps to lead the way.
Under her guidance, the two arrived at the dining hall.
Before entering, Jack glanced at their still-clasped hands and reminded, "Is it okay if your brother sees this?"
"N-no problem! Being with you is my own choice, my elder brother can offer suggestions, but he cannot dictate my decisions!"
"Good! Since that's the case, I'll take responsibility. If he doesn't agree to our relationship, then I'll snatch you away right in front of him, and we'll elope!"
"It wouldn't be that serious!"
Kamisato Ayaka's serious expression instantly crumbled, and she looked at Jack with a resentful gaze.
Jack flicked her nose: "A young mistress who is independent and resists family authority, isn't that very charming?"
Praised by him like this.
Kamisato Ayaka's heart felt as sweet as if she had eaten honey.
"Alright, let's go in quickly."
"Okay, I'll listen to you."
So the two used their free hands, one on the left and one on the right, to pull open the door.
The scene in the dining hall immediately presented itself before them.
Kamisato Ayato sat at the head of the table, with only some appetizers, desserts, and two cups of milk tea in front of him; one cup was already empty, and the other was half full.
The seats on both sides were empty, presumably left for Jack and Kamisato Ayaka.
However, when Kamisato Ayato saw the two entering, their fingers already tightly interlocked, he very naturally said to Thoma, who was standing by his side,
"Today we're holding a welcome banquet for Traveler, Thoma, don't just stand there, sit there. Also, have someone set up another table next to Traveler."
"Yes, Family Head!"
Thoma subtly winked at Jack and Kamisato Ayaka, then whispered instructions into another attendant's ear.
Jack's extraordinary hearing immediately caught what he said.
(Later, place the Young Mistress's things next to the Young Master-in-law, and remember to place the cushion closer.)
This master and servant.
Not only were they in perfect sync, but they were also very good at facilitating things, constantly trying to bring him and Kamisato Ayaka together.
He just didn't know whether the prematurely mature Kamisato Ayato was thinking of his sister's happiness, or if he wanted to invest in his potential stock to solidify the Kamisato Family's position.
Or perhaps he wanted both.
Amidst his thoughts.
A group of attendants carried another low table and matching cushions from the inner room, setting up a table right next to Jack's seat.
They directly combined the single tables into a double table specifically for couples.
Kamisato Ayaka was so embarrassed by her older brother's arrangement that she couldn't lift her head, and numbly sat down with Jack, her clasped hands sweating profusely.
The instigator of this matter, however, remained calm and composed, and as the host, he was the first to offer an opening remark.
"I apologize for not informing Traveler beforehand and for presumptuously holding this welcome banquet. It's just some simple fare, please don't mind it, Traveler."
"Haha, Ayato-xiong, you're too kind. Just some simple home-cooked dishes would suffice. Traveler and I are used to eating on the go, so anything is fine."
"As expected of a man who can face the Raiden Shogun's Musou no Hitotachi without changing his expression. His original intentions remain, and his magnanimity is truly vast."
Flattery never fails.
Kamisato Ayato's high praise for Jack right from the start was an attempt to bridge the distance between them.
However, such pleasantries were actually superfluous, as everyone present was familiar with each other.
Kamisato Ayato, as one of the most useful characters in Inazuma, coupled with his ridiculously powerful elemental skill, Jack had trained his favorability to level 9, almost maxed out.
Thoma, due to his rare pyro element and shield characteristics, was very suitable for applying the Demon King's Armor to elemental reaction on-field characters, so his favorability had been trained to the max level 10.
In reality, the few of them should be able to call each other close friends.
During the period of mutual flattery, the dishes began to arrive one after another.
Although Kamisato Ayato spoke of simple fare.
As the head of the Yashiro Commission, one of Inazuma's three major commissions, he had this banquet prepared directly at the level of a national guest's kaiseki cuisine. Whether it tasted good was a matter of personal preference, but the grand display was certainly complete.
At the dining table, everyone quietly ate their food.
Unlike the lively dining tables in Liyue, the portioned dining in Inazuma seemed a bit quiet.
However, because Kamisato Ayato thoughtfully placed his sister and brother-in-law at the same table, Jack was still quietly conversing with Kamisato Ayaka.
"This dish is Sakura Shrimp Crackers..."
"This is a sashimi platter, with salmon, eel..."
While eating, Kamisato Ayaka introduced the dishes with her vast knowledge of aristocratic cuisine.
Although in terms of taste, Jack didn't particularly like these relatively light Inazuman foods.
But looking at the girl's serious profile and the occasional glimpse of her delicate collarbone, he felt that today's meal was indeed very good.
...
After eating and drinking to their fill.
A group of attendants cleared away everyone's plates, then replaced them with tea and cakes.
Everyone else retreated, leaving only four people present.
Jack knew that after a long wait, Kamisato Ayato was about to get down to business.
"Counting the time, Traveler should have not visited Inazuma for a full half a year. During your absence, many interesting things have happened here."
"I'm eager to hear."
Kamisato Ayato smiled and said, "Miss Yoimiya of the Nagamasa family... General Kujou Sara... Sangonomiya Kokomi, the Divine Priestess of Sangonomiya... Miss Kuki Shinobu, a colleague of my good-for-nothing brother Arataki Itto..."
Whether intentionally or unintentionally.
He spoke only of the women with whom Jack had close relationships.
The stories he told were also identical to those mentioned in Yae Miko's letter, and even more detailed.
Finally, he mentioned.
"And our Inazuma Shogunate's General... Raiden Shogun."
"Ei? What about her?"
"Violent explosions are often heard from within Tenshukaku. The Okuzume and General Kujou Sara are directly subordinate to the General and remain tight-lipped about this matter. Such unknown danger has caused the three Commissions to be in a state of panic, fearing that the Vision Hunt Decree incident might happen again, so..."
"So you need me to use my extensive connections to help investigate the movements within Tenshukaku?"
Kamisato Ayato smiled as he looked at Jack.
"No need for too much detail, a simple investigation within your capabilities will suffice. I think Traveler will help out a little, for the sake of my younger sister."
-------------------------------
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