I'm in Morioh, just joined a chat group for cute girls.

Gu Ye didn't say anything more, but simply acquiesced to her statement.

An hour passed quickly.

As the countdown reached zero, soft white light enveloped Gu Ye, Mei, the Sword Saintess, Vishdel, and Xiangzi respectively.

"Well then, everyone, until we meet again."

Gu Ye waved to the people who had launched the night raid.

Esdeath, who was beside him, was also enveloped in the same white light.

A flash of light, and six people disappeared from the courtyard in an instant, leaving only the members of Night Raid and the lingering scent of parting in the air.

The shift in time and space was only a fleeting moment, but when Gu Ye felt the familiar solid texture of the wooden floor beneath his feet, he knew he was back.

The air was filled with a blend of aromas—the sweetness of food, the dusty and magical scent unique to the Magic Workshop, and the fresh body fragrance of a young girl.

"Big brother—!"

A petite, silver-white figure rushed into his arms with such force that he couldn't help but take a half-step back.

Ilya von Einzbern clung tightly to his waist like a koala, burying her face in his chest, her muffled complaints tinged with tears.

"Where have you been?! You haven't come back for so long! Ilya... Ilya is almost driving Haimeng crazy!"

Gu Ye looked down and could only see a head of smooth, long silver hair. He reached out and ruffled the girl's hair with a hint of helplessness.

"It's already very fast, Ilya."

"Not fast at all!"

Ilya looked up, her eyes indeed glistening with tears. "Sister Haimeng said you might have been abducted by aliens! If you don't come back soon, I'm going to go and blow all the aliens away!"

"Hey, Ilya-chan, I was just kidding!"

A lively female voice came from the side, and Kitagawa Kaimu scratched her head a little embarrassedly, "Welcome back, Gu Ye-kun!"

Beside her, Irisviel wore an elegant white dress and had a gentle smile on her face, like a noblewoman who had stepped out of a painting.

"Welcome home, Gu Ye. Judging from your appearance, your journey should have been quite smooth."

In the shadows a little further away, Medusa, dressed in a black bodysuit, leaned against the wall, her long purple hair cascading down like a waterfall. She simply nodded slightly as a greeting.

Meanwhile, Medea, dressed in her pajamas, crossed her arms and scrutinized Gu Ye... and the stranger behind him, a faint hint of sarcasm playing on her lips.

"Looks like you've brought back some new 'local specialties' this time?"

As she spoke, everyone's attention turned to the tall woman with long, ice-blue hair behind Gu Ye.

She wore a black uniform that was completely out of place in the house, and her demeanor was cold and powerful, like a drawn sword.

QQ: ⒏1 4 9 0 3 7 9 8

It was Esdeath.

Despite being scrutinized by the women in the room, Esdeath showed no sign of unease.

She took a step forward and stood beside Gu Ye. Then, to everyone's astonishment, she knelt on one knee and lowered her proud head.

"Nice to meet you all. My name is Esdeath, and I am my master's servant. From now on, please take care of me."

The air in the living room seemed to freeze for a moment.

Ilya blinked, curiously looking at Esdeath, and whispered to Gu Ye, "Big brother, what game is this sister playing? Is it a game of king and knight?"

Irisviel's smile froze slightly, while Medea let out a barely audible sneer.

Gu Ye sighed, picked Ilya up from his lap, and said to Esdeath, "Get up. There are no masters or servants here. Just make yourself at home. There are plenty of rooms. Go and pick one you like."

"Yes, Master."

Esdeath obediently stood up, but her form of address remained unchanged.

She looked around, her gaze lingering briefly on each person, and finally, she walked steadily toward an empty guest room on the second floor, without the slightest hesitation.

Watching her disappear at the top of the stairs, Ilya tugged at Gu Ye's sleeve: "Big brother, she's so strange."

"You'll get used to it."

Gu Ye rubbed his temples, feeling more exhausted than if he had fought a revolutionary war.

He decided to temporarily set aside these complicated family relationships and deal with more important matters first.

He sat down on the sofa and opened the chat group interface in his mind.

[System notification: The quest "Twilight of the Empire" has been completed.]

[System notification: Rewards have been distributed to all members' accounts. Please check.]

[Rewards: 5000 points, 1 free 10-pull lottery draw]

【American Scythe】: Tsk, only 5,000 points? That's like giving money to a beggar. What is this lottery thing?

【Sword Maiden】: Thank you for the chat group's gift. May the light of the Supreme God also shine upon you all.

[Herrscher of Food]: I've finished my gacha pulls and got some strange ingredients... they don't seem to be edible.

[American Scythe]: Huh? I got a bunch of junk! What a piece of garbage system!

Gu Ye smiled as he looked at the complaints in the group chat.

He first exchanged everything he had looted during the mission—things useless to Esdeath and the new regime, as well as Imperial Arms.

[System notification: Redemption successful. You have received 20000 points.]

Without hesitation, Gu Ye created a four-person red envelope.

[The weather forecast sent a special red envelope to the Sword Saintess, the American Scythe, and the Herrscher of Food.]

[American Scythe]: Oh? What's wrong with you?

W may be sharp-tongued, but her hands move incredibly fast.

[American Scythe has received your red envelope.]

The Sword Maiden has accepted your red envelope.

[The Herrscher of Rice has received your red envelope.]

[Herrscher of Food]: Huh? Five thousand points? Gu Ye-jun, that's too much...

[Weather Forecast]: The spoils of this battle should be divided equally.

【Sword Saintess】: Lord Gu Ye, you are too generous. In that case, I shall accept your offer.

[American Scythe]: Hmph, you're smart enough to know what's good for you. Fine, I'll just do it one more time! I refuse to believe it!

After a while.

[American Scythe]: Damn!

It looks like it's sunk again.

Gu Ye also opened his lottery interface, where the "Free 10-Draw" button was flashing.

Since I can't exchange them for points anyway, there's no point in keeping them.

He pressed the button.

On the screen, a streak of light flashed, and nine white orbs and one blue orb popped out one after another.

[Received: A bag of expired potato chips]

[Received: A cat toy that sheds fur]

[Received: A used notebook (with the inscription on the title page: Wishing you happiness)]

……

[Obtained: The restored red doll]

A series of puzzling gadgets made Gu Ye's face darken.

Is this system a garbage recycling station?

Just as he was about to close the interface, the last, and only, blue orb of light suddenly burst forth with a dazzling golden light! The light was so intense that it almost pierced his retina.

【Ding--! 】

After a crisp notification sound, the golden light dissipated, and a uniquely shaped card quietly floated in the center of the prize pool.

Congratulations on obtaining the rare reward: Second Substitute (Slot)

[Item Description: You have obtained the basic qualification to host a second Stand. When your skill, emotion, or will in a certain area reaches its peak, this slot has a chance to be activated, giving birth to a brand new Stand. Note: This item only provides a possibility and does not guarantee awakening.]

Gu Ye stared at the description for a moment, stunned.

A second stand-in?

He opened the shop and searched; the "Second Substitute (Awakened Version)" priced at 100,000 points was prominently displayed there. Although his own was just a "slot," its value was definitely considerable.

However... it doesn't seem to be of much use to him.

The weather forecasting capabilities are already powerful and comprehensive enough, with virtually no shortcomings.

Adding another substitute, unless it's a rule-based one like time-based or causal-based ones, would only be icing on the cake.

Moreover, one still needs to awaken to this, and who knows when that will take.

He casually took a screenshot and sent it to the group.

[Weather Forecast]: [Image: Second Stand (Column)]

[Weather Forecast]: I drew something that's not very useful.

The group remained silent for a full half minute.

[American Scythe]: ...

【American Scythe】: You son of a bitch, Gu Ye! You call this useless junk?! Do you want me to tie you to a cannonball and shoot you out like a firework?!

[Herrscher of Food]: ... (Shocked and speechless emoji)

【Sword Saintess】: ...Lord Gu Ye, your luck may have surpassed the favor of the supreme god.

【Oblivionis】: ...A second Stand? What is that?

Shoko Toyokawa finally popped up; she didn't know much about these supernatural things.

[The Crimson Executioner]: Sounds very powerful. Is it edible?

[Weather Forecast]: No. It's just an empty equipment slot; it's useless.

[American Scythe]: Shut the hell up! Who are you trying to impress with Versailles?! Believe me or not, I'll find a way to get through there right now and tear your lousy mouth off!

Gu Ye ignored W's impotent rage and closed the chat group.

For him, this "second stand-in" didn't really interest him much; it was far less important than thinking about what to eat for dinner.

He stood up, stretched, and his bones cracked softly.

The long battle and mental strain left him feeling somewhat tired.

"I'm going to take a shower and rest for a bit."

He addressed the people in the living room.

"The food is almost ready, big brother."

Ilya held his hand, tilting her little face up, "Today we have your favorite Mapo Tofu, which was made by Medea and Haimeng!"

"Oh?"

Gu Ye looked towards the kitchen with some surprise.

Just then, Esdeath, who had just gone upstairs, came down the stairs again.

She had changed out of her conspicuous uniform and was now only wearing a loose-fitting white shirt that appeared to be Gu Ye's. The hem of the shirt barely covered her thighs, leaving her two long, straight, jade-like legs exposed to the air.

Her wet, ice-blue hair was casually draped over her shoulders, adding a touch of languidness and breathtaking allure to her originally cold demeanor.

She walked up to Gu Ye and bowed slightly.

"Master, do you need me to attend to you in bed?"

Esdeath's seemingly casual yet startling request to "serve in bed" was like a boulder thrown into a calm lake, creating not ripples but an instant chill that froze everything.

The air in the living room, which had warmed up because of Gu Ye's return, suddenly cooled down.