"That damn Aha—sooner or later I'll string Him up in the tavern and whip Him like a top."
Kiana propped one hand on her hip, half exasperated and half amused.
He dares make fun of everyone—clearly He can't tell the big shots from the small fry!
Of course, Kiana was only thinking out loud.
After all, Aha's open declaration of support in the Interstice of the Paths had touched her.
She already counted Aha as a friend; she'd never actually lift a finger against Him.
"That laughter just now—was that the Aeon of 'Joy'?!"
Livelier's bright eyes flew wide, shock written across her face.
In the past she'd known next to nothing about Paths beyond Propagation and Abundance.
But an Aeon? That name she knew.
And an Aeon was cracking jokes with her general—who threatened to hang Him up for a whipping… the clout, the sense of safety!
Too unfair—this damned racing of her heart!
"Livelier."
"What is it, da—General, sir!"
Livelier caught herself just before "darling" slipped out.
Another close call… she exhaled in secret relief.
Kiana didn't mind.
By now she could accept being close to this adorable insect girl.
"As for looking after these kids, I'll have Raven's Orphanage or the Vidyadhara under Bai Heng take over, so you won't be stretched so thin."
Kiana crouched, scooped up a wide-eyed toddler and nuzzled her; gentleness rippled in her gaze.
Objectively speaking, Bug Spirit tots were top-tier beauties in the making—she could already picture them grown up.
And so many snow-white heads!
Best of all, they were natural-born dual-Pathstriders.
With a talent like that, their race was hardly second-rate.
If she could study the Glamoth Iron Cavalry's SAM Armor, then let Doctor tweak it for the Bug Spirit girls… a swarm of maidens shouting 'I shall ignite the cosmos!' as they charge into battle—how awesome would that be!
"General, sir… I'm uneasy leaving these little ones with strangers."
Livelier spoke softly, worry creasing her brow.
"Then what should we do…?"
Kiana pinched her chin, vexed.
Everyone she trusted had their own duties; the idle ones were unreliable.
Elysia had plenty of free time, but Kiana shuddered to imagine what the girls would become under her care—probably all lovey-dovey and saccharine.
Hard to picture the Bug Spirits' future… eighty percent certain they'd turn out "Elysia-esque".
While pondering, she suddenly remembered a few idle folks at home!
Dad, Mom, her shut-in big sister Sirin, and the all-purpose dragon-maid Bella!
With that, she turned to Livelier and suggested:
"Livelier, I'll have Dad, Mom and Sis come help you look after the kids. They're family—completely trustworthy."
"All right. I feel safer with your family, General."
Livelier nodded, a spark of barely hidden excitement flashing in her eyes.
Win over Kiana's family, show them her best side, make a glowing impression on her future parents-in-law!
Then marrying Kiana would be in the bag!
"Good. I'll send them over tomorrow."
Kiana smiled and added,
"No need for 'General, sir'—just call me Kiana, Livelier."
As she spoke she pinched Livelier's soft, slightly baby-fat cheek.
Really—someone as adorable as Livelier, how could Kevin have the heart to keep ignoring her?
Kiana couldn't understand.
A stunning loli delivered right to his door and he didn't want her?
Though she too had instinctively resisted at first.
Now she realized: cuteness overrides every bad habit! (hands on hips)
"Then… Kiana…"
Livelier batted her alluring lashes and murmured, shy.
(I really want to write something spicy—lemme write the good stuff, waaah!)
Suddenly—
[Digi-Na has started a livestream]
A stream window popped up before Kiana.
"Oh? Streaming again?"
She was a little surprised.
Had they already reached the Nameless Titan Tomb?
"Let's find a comfy spot to watch…"
She glanced around: plush toys everywhere, soft blankets, toddlers crawling about.
Adorable, quiet babies were bliss, but not the best setup for viewing a stream.
"Watching a stream? Come to my room!"
Livelier's eyes lit up the instant she heard Kiana's mutter.
"Sounds good…"
After a moment's thought Kiana agreed.
Following Livelier, she opened a wooden door and stepped into the girl's boudoir.
They lay together on Livelier's big bed while Kiana projected the stream mid-air with her clearance.
"Which planet is that? And those two girls look just like… Kiana?"
Unaware of the chat group and the many Kianas, she exclaimed at the sight of the maidens strolling through the majestic city.
"Those two are also me—think of them as alternate-timeline versions."
While speaking Kiana produced snacks from her system space and set them beside them.
Livelier gave a half-understanding nod and turned back to the screen.
[Herrscher of Flamescion Na: Stream's on… my legs are jelly… can't stand…]
[Group Owner Na:!!!]
[Gojo Na: @Herrscher of Flamescion Na, what'd you do to turn your legs to jelly…?]
[Pretty Cure Na: Over-exercise, maybe? After our school sports day my legs feel the same.]
"Tch—don't tell me someone already took her first blood?"
Munching crisps, Kiana gazed enviously.
Keqing, Hu Tao, Guizhong… every one a super-beauty—this girl eats like a queen!
She'd have to find a chance to glom onto her and yank all the soul fragments in one go!
[Void Hunter Na: Could it be like what's on those hidden tapes with Rin…?]
[Herrscher of Flamescion Na: What are you all thinking? I just hid Zhongli's underwear while she was showering and got chased and beaten—how'd she get so strong?!]
[Herrscher of Flamescion Na: Seriously, that little cheat!]
[Group Owner Na: Zhongli's now an Emanator of Preservation—Qlipoth glanced at her when He followed me to your universe.]
[Herrscher of Flamescion Na: Damn! No wonder—this little sis is hacking!]
[Group Owner Na: You haven't cultivated the Breath of God I gave you at all…]
[Herrscher of Flamescion Na: Ehe… (sticks out tongue)]
"This girl…"
Kiana's crisp-stuffed hand paused; she shook her head with a laugh.
No more banter—time to watch the stream.
One hand kept feeding her snacks… while the other seemed to act on its own, drifting sideways.
Mm…~
"What's wrong, Livelier?"
Kiana tilted her head in puzzlement.
Livelier's face flushed. She shook her head gently, leaned against Kiana's shoulder, and softly murmured,
"Nothing…"
Bug swarms smell faintly of oranges.
"Hmph~"
Kiana narrowed her eyes, a teasing curve on her lips.
So… what does Livelier taste like…?
Before long, Livelier's sweet, melodious singing began to fill the quiet room.
-------------------------------
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