Deep Sea Hunter, but Deep Sea Titan

"Darling, the night is still long."

The black dress slipped off her shoulders, and W—Vishdel's body was surprisingly flexible and elastic. This was the first time she had such close contact with Lotin alone; previously, she had shared Lotin with Laurentina and the others.

A glistening bead of sweat slid down Vishdel's pale neck. The imp's black and red gradient tail bound Lotin tightly. The greedy and wild imp dominated the night of Requiem's ​​revelry until his consciousness vanished amidst the sound of fireworks.

Chapter 319: Ling's Visit (5000-word long chapter)

The revelry of Requiem Night ended with the rise of dawn, and Vishdel spent a blissful night with his beloved.

After a good morning kiss, Vishdel changed into his original clothes, which had been washed and dried, and woke Lotin.

After buying gifts for his other girls, Lotin returned to Iberia with Vishdel. However, the overly greedy Vishdel seemed to have pushed her body too hard, and she looked uncomfortable the whole way due to backaches.

When Elene opened the door to welcome Lotin and Vishdel, Lotin presented her with a short musket in the style of the Iberian family. Although its performance was probably not as good as Iberian cannons, it still had some value as a collectible work of art.

Skadi received a large, soft red orca doll as a gift, Laurentina received a metal wolf statue, and Goredia received a record containing classic Syracuse opera excerpts.

Precys received a compilation of books on the evolution of the Syracuse language from Lotin, while the Doctor received a new Syracuse-style moka pot from Lotin, and even a carrot cake for Amiya.

"In any case, you are now one of us, W."

Laurentina knew very well that W was now just as important to Lotin as they were, so she tried to teach W "house rules" with the authority of the queen.

"Eating outside of the designated timetable is not allowed."

“His Highness has bestowed upon me a new name. Please call me Vishdale, Lady Laurentina.”

"In addition, I also hope that Ms. Laurentina can set a good example."

Vishdale had long known that the so-called rotation schedule was just a reference; outside of the time specified in the rotation schedule, it was purely a matter of individual performance.

“Vishdel is right. Ms. Laurentina probably needs to follow this rule first.”

Just moments ago, the Doctor was chatting and laughing with Laurentina about sculptures, enjoying a leisurely afternoon tea. However, the Doctor still believed that he, as the only member of the Lotin clan, was the true "Empress" and "Host".

Such arguments happen almost every day, but they are usually just routine debates that end after a sentence or two, and most of the time they maintain a harmonious relationship where they can enjoy afternoon tea together.

As usual, Loting gently embraced both of them at the same time. Their jealousy and envy were the perfect seasoning for this heavy and twisted relationship, but too much seasoning would ruin the original flavor. He would comfort his girls and let them live harmoniously by his side.

"Are you afraid I'll neglect one of you? You underestimate my greed."

Lotin never hid his desires from his partner; he enjoyed the feeling of being intensely loved.

"Yeah, someone will probably bring even more girls home."

Precys sighed and looked at Lotin with an expression that said, "I really can't do anything about you."

Goredia's opinion of Vishdel was more nuanced.

"As Lord Nautilus's subordinate, I hope you will continue to serve him as his right-hand man."

Grandia effectively served as Lotin's housekeeper and secretary. She had many work-related interactions and contacts with Vishdel. She highly valued Vishdel's exceptional business acumen and therefore considered him a very valuable asset to Lotin. As a result, she was generally able to tolerate sharing Lotin with Vishdel.

“Of course, Lady Gretia, we will serve His Highness together in the future.”

Vishdale shook hands with Gretia in a friendly manner; they would indeed be working together frequently in the future.

"I must go and rest now. See you at dinner, ladies."

With a sore back, W waved goodbye and reluctantly let go of Loting's arm before returning to her room.

"Just how much did that guy Vishdel demand...?"

Physical strength is clearly the Doctor's weakness; in this respect, she simply cannot compare to Terra's superhuman physique.

"Heh heh, I suppose such a frail body would hardly satisfy Lord Nautilus."

Laurentina is at the other extreme. Even though Lotin's original form has higher stats than before due to the enhancements in equipment, talents, and level, she is still the same terrifying siren she once was.

Just as Laurentina was having afternoon tea with Lotin and the others, an uninvited guest peeked out from the landscape painting of Yan Kingdom in the hall.

"Your Excellency Gonggong!"

A beautiful woman with blue hair, dressed in a white shirt, leaped out of the landscape painting; she was none other than the Lady of the Sui family.

"The imperial court has finally brought the last culprit who framed Jie to justice!"

She did come to share good news, but that doesn't mean she couldn't try to seduce men while doing so.

"A wrongful case has been resolved, and a shameful betrayal has been punished, though it is a punishment that comes too late."

Loting genuinely sympathized with Jie's plight, which was in line with his character.

"Yes, we owe it all to Your Excellency Gonggong's help. The court investigated everything that could and couldn't be investigated. Only someone with your skill could do that."

He naturally sat down opposite the stone table in the garden, silently enduring the hostile gazes of Laurentina and the Doctor.

"Shouldn't you accept our invitation and have a drink with me?"

Ling shook her wine gourd, but unfortunately, with the passing of years, her power was not as great as before. Otherwise, she would only need to use her powers to pull Luo Ting into the dream world to create an opportunity to drink alone with Luo Ting.

"Of course I'm free today, but my afternoon is already taken up."

Although Lotin's hands were already occupied by Laurentina and the Doctor, he still accepted the invitation from another woman.

"Hehe, your desires are truly insatiable."

Laurentina smiled, her delicate hand stroking half of Loting's cheek. The fact that she had piqued Loting's interest in attending the appointment told her she could foresee the outcome.

"He's enjoying being surrounded by us, yet he still accepted invitations from other women. But this is the Lord Nautilus I know."

"But this afternoon, you belong to us."

In front of outsiders who haven't yet officially established a relationship with Loting, Loting's women appear more united. At this time, Laurentina, who understands Loting's thoughts best, will coordinate everyone's opinions like a true mistress, achieving a united front against external forces.

"Of course, my Laurentina, after all, your visit was impromptu."

Lotin accepted Ling's invitation, but he spent the entire afternoon with Laurentina, the Doctor, and Precyth, and it wasn't until after dinner that he set off for the Painted World to attend Ling's drinking party.

The verdant peaks are veiled in a hazy mist under the moonlight, and the dense clouds on the mountaintops make the mountains in this painting look like a fairyland.

While Lottin's other partners could accept, tolerate, or admire his extraordinary qualities, only Ling could truly understand and resonate with him from that perspective, which is why Lottin was willing to accept Ling's invitation.

In a graceful pavilion atop a mountain, Ling Zheng lay languidly, casually reciting poetry to the bright moon in the sky.

"Your Excellency Gonggong, you have finally arrived."

Ling waved his hand, gesturing for Luo Ting to sit down. A pair of exquisite white porcelain cups were already filled with sweet rice wine.

"Your power has disrupted the balance of everything. The only thing that can limit your words and actions is your own mood and likes and dislikes."

What is this world to you?

Ling raised her glass and asked a question—a question she was sure she and Luo Ting would have in common.

"What is held in one's hand is also something external to oneself."

The dark-haired dragon, dressed in a bronze robe, reached out and grasped the bright moon. Terra was indeed as good as his own, and his reluctance to get too involved in Terra's daily operations was simply a matter of personal preference.

It's not like he absolutely has to do this; he could easily find someone to do it for him, just like Margaret. He only needs to guide and protect his taxpayers from the shadows.

"How can one person cover up the whole sky? Which of those ambitious emperors didn't go mad the faster they reached their peak?"

“No, no, no, I was at my most insane when I was at my lowest point, but my student Margaret was wielding unprecedented authoritarian power in the history of Kazimierz, yet she remained true to herself.”

Luo Ting also downed the rice wine in his cup and smiled as he refuted Ling's question.

"But that's because she has you as her backer. In a sense, she is the true chosen one."

She refilled Luo Ting's glass, and then, as if struck by a sudden realization, she said something.

“That’s right. Nothing in this world can bind you anymore, including our common sense. You are a force outside the rules. It was a slip of the tongue for me to say that you can cover up the sky with one hand. To us, you are no different from the ‘sky’ itself.”

Ling understood Lotin's actions; he shrouded Terra in his shadow, his shadow secretly controlling everything in Terra, while his body, powerful enough to surrender shadows to all of Terra, protected Terra from afar with Terra's offerings.

"But when my brothers and sisters found the answer to this question, it was much more heartbreaking."

"Back then, this land was not as prosperous as it is today. Heaven and earth were a cauldron, but we only felt tormented, unaware that we were trapped in the cauldron and inevitably became enemies with each other... The meaningless fighting lasted for an unknown period of time. Everyone was either running around or sleeping. Those who were awake were finally filled with sorrow and confusion."

The meaning of these words is no longer so heavy for those who have been liberated from the shadow of age; now they are simply being used to reminisce about past hardships and appreciate present happiness.

"How to find the answer to the question depends on the individual. Painting, playing chess, farming, forging swords, composing poems, each without disturbing the other, each finding its own joy, the answer lies in their own enjoyment."

“My partners and I live this kind of life, as do your brothers and sisters. The only difference is the degree to which we are bound by common sense. Your carefree life makes you an anomaly among your brothers and sisters.”

Lotin unlocked part of the system's resistance to non-lethal abnormal states so that he could feel drunk normally.

"Yes, this world is like a dream outside of our lives for the two of us. Only we can not believe that the dream is false, and we cannot believe that any rules in this world have any meaning."

While Ling achieves his desires through his own power, Lotin achieves them through absolute power in reality. Although the paths are different, the results are the same.

"What could possibly stop us? What could twist our will and hinder our progress?"

"Aren't we the most carefree people in this world?"

This reveals the biggest commonality between the two of them, which is also the reason why they are attracted to each other in the dark.

"Free and easy, I like this word. That wrecked ship has returned to the torrent of history, and I can indeed be called free and easy now."

To shape the world according to one's own will is indeed true freedom. However, Lotin's way of shaping the world objectively took care of the vast majority of people, and from the results, it made the Terrans' lives significantly better—he brought external security, a sharp reduction in war, and together with the Doctor and the others, he promoted the cure of Oripathy and facilitated technological progress throughout Terra, even if he didn't care much about it subjectively.

"It's just that your hobby is a bit peculiar; you like to collect members of the opposite sex whose heavy emotions are simply unbearable for ordinary people."

Lotin enjoys trying all sorts of normal activities to pass the time, from watching U-chan's live stream to learning Agor's most difficult dance from Gretia; he accepts them all.

But having been abandoned and betrayed, and even deprived of the right to face disaster together, he still yearns most for a partner who allows him to open his heart to others without being as hostile and defensive as a hedgehog.

The only ones who could meet Loting's requirements were the girls who harbored deep feelings for him.

"You are stubborn, obsessive, twisted and greedy, but only your equally heavy feelings can satisfy your other half."

"However, if you could be judged by common sense, you wouldn't be Lord Gonggong."

Ling felt that drinking from small porcelain cups wasn't satisfying enough, so he simply picked up the wine jar and started drinking heartily.

“You are also an extraordinary woman who cannot be understood by common sense, Ling.”

Rice wine isn't strong, but it's easy to overindulge, and you can get drunk without even realizing it. However, Lotin, who had been forced to drink by Iberian sailors for a long time, wasn't a bad drinker.

“I think even time itself cannot stop you. Your dream leaps across a thousand years, and no one knows what you did in your dream—or who you became in your dream.”

From an outsider in this world to an observer, and now to a guardian, guide, and ruler, Luo Ting has finally come to understand why Ling has always been so interested in him. Even the most carefree and unrestrained person can feel the loneliness at the top.

"So we can be considered kindred spirits then?"

Ling had never imagined that there were people in the world as carefree as herself, and that such a person was now chatting and drinking with her under the moon in a painting.

"Freedom is a luxury, and we are fortunate to be able to appreciate its beauty and wonder."

"Heh, do you also want to turn me into your collection like you did with them? To turn my carefree life into a caged beast?"

Ling made a flirtatious joke, and Luo Ting responded with a hearty laugh.

"Foolish! If you could truly arouse my interest to this extent, why worry about such trivial matters? To you, roaming the world or waiting quietly in your boudoir is merely a matter of a single thought."

Even though her abilities are not as strong as before, they are still enough for her to appear anywhere in Terra at any time.

Luo Ting currently only regards Ling as a confidant and a close friend. As for taking it a step further? Ling has not yet shown any qualities that could pique Luo Ting's interest.

"At that time, I had left Jiangnan and had traveled through the Great Yan for a hundred years. I felt that I had seen through the ways of the world and that all the great figures were just passing by."

"I finally felt the vastness of the world in the desert, but you showed me the immensity of the ocean, and then I realized that the vastness of the desert was nothing special."

“I even got a glimpse of the chaotic lands where sorcerers and demons dwell.”

"Are there any sights in this world that I have never seen, or feelings that I have never experienced?"

The heavily intoxicated Ling looked at Luo Ting, her azure eyes filled with anticipation. She hoped that Luo Ting could bring her new joy and excitement, and that sharing and encouraging each other with her kindred spirit would bring new experiences.

She had never fallen in love before, never been involved in a relationship, but Loting, her only confidant, gave her the urge to try this feeling she had never experienced before.

"Then you'll have to find it yourself."

"No, only you, my only confidant, can give me this kind of affection that I have never experienced before. Only you."

Taking advantage of the alcohol, he closed the distance between himself and Luo Ting, and in a hazy state, he gave her a kiss with the sweet scent of rice wine before passing out.

"It seems you have a lot of potential, Miss Ling."

After several refills of their drinks, Luo Ting also passed out in the small pavilion. The two of them fell asleep leaning against each other after getting drunk, until the sun rose and Shu, who came to make the hangover soup, discovered the two of them sleeping side by side after getting drunk.

"Sister, how could you do such a thing! Lord Gonggong is a married man!"

The more reserved and conservative Shu blushed as she looked at Ling, who was sleeping next to Luo Ting.

"Ah, it's millet. I just drank and talked with Lord Gonggong until we got drunk and passed out. We didn't do anything."