Uesugi Ryu suddenly remembered something, and a look of anticipation appeared on his face.
He immediately manipulated the water into a human shape.
After fine-tuning some details, the figure's build and facial features looked almost identical to Uesugi Ryu himself.
Using Phantom Clone to add color to the water clone, two Uesugi Ryus stood facing each other.
Uesugi Ryu examined the duplicate and nodded in satisfaction.
"Water clone, complete."
It was still made of water, though, so its body temperature was lower.
As long as there was no physical contact, it would be fine.
But once someone touched it, the difference would be obvious.
After finishing the experiment, Uesugi Ryu sent someone to call Gore back.
Gore walked into the thoroughly wrecked garden, his steps light and his mood clearly excellent.
After Uesugi Ryu had appeared at the palace alongside Esdeath, his status had quickly become common knowledge.
With one of the Empire's strongest generals backing him, no one dared oppose Uesugi Ryu anymore.
"Lord Uesugi."
As Gore bowed, his gaze swept over the cratered lawn.
He also noticed the black suitcase beside Uesugi Ryu, and a hint of curiosity flashed in his eyes.
Uesugi Ryu said softly,
"I'm leaving the Imperial Capital for two or three days. Operations will continue as usual during that time."
"If anything unexpected happens, wait until I return."
Gore nodded without asking any questions.
"Understood."
Uesugi Ryu often went out to hunt Danger Beasts in the countryside, so disappearing for a few days was nothing unusual.
Gore had been running around constantly these past few days, handling matters efficiently and cleanly.
His contributions had been considerable.
Naturally, Uesugi Ryu was not stingy.
He picked up the suitcase and tossed it to Gore.
"An armor-type Shingu. You should be able to use it. Take it."
Gore caught the suitcase and froze for a moment.
He had not expected it to be for him.
Inside was the new Joker.
While it could not compare to Incursio or Demon Armor, it could still outclass the vast majority of Shingu.
Molten Abyss now offered almost no improvement to Uesugi Ryu.
Aside from boosting his defense somewhat, it was nearly useless to him.
But for Gore, it should still provide a noticeable increase.
Defeating a Teigu user might be impossible, but holding one off for a while should not be a problem.
The cold metal suitcase made Gore shudder.
Realizing what it was, unrestrained delight spread across his face.
"Th... Thank you, my lord!"
His voice trembled with excitement.
Gore naturally knew the reputation of Teigu and Shingu.
He understood exactly what something like this meant.
This was a genuine increase in combat power.
It would not be an exaggeration to treat it as a family heirloom.
.....
"Meow."
Morning sunlight filtered through the curtains, weaving warm golden patterns across the wooden floor.
Maris Stella curled up by the windowsill and let out a long, lazy yawn.
The tip of her black tail traced idle circles in the sunlight.
When a faint sound came from the living room, her pointed ears twitched.
Then she abruptly sprang to her feet and leaped down like a fluffy snowball, squeezing through the door and racing outside.
Looking at his home after so long, Uesugi Ryu could not help smiling nostalgically.
"Oh."
Maris Stella gave a soft greeting.
After spending so much time together, she had finally become somewhat accustomed to Uesugi Ryu's presence.
Otherwise, she would have run away long ago.
Uesugi Ryu crouched down and forcefully gave the fat cat a good rub.
Only when Maris Stella looked ready to hiss did he finally let her go.
"Don't be mad."
Uesugi Ryu chuckled, then looked up at the clock.
"Still early. Perfect, I haven't had lunch yet."
He took out some Danger Beast meat from his system space and headed into the kitchen.
Calling it cooking was a bit generous.
The Danger Beast ingredients had already been pre-processed.
All he needed to do was pan-fry them.
The sizzling sound filled the kitchen as an enticing aroma spread through the air.
Maris Stella's eyes lit up.
She sat obediently by Uesugi Ryu's feet, flicking her tail as she waited to be fed.
Humming softly, Uesugi Ryu pressed the steak with his spatula.
He looked down at the little glutton beside him and said teasingly,
"Sorry, little buddy. None for you. Go eat your cat food."
Maris Stella immediately let out an indignant meow and pawed at his pant leg.
It was not that Uesugi Ryu was stingy.
He was worried the cat would end up with an upset stomach.
After all, the flesh of a Super Danger Beast contained enormous amounts of energy and nutrients.
If it killed the cat, Akira would definitely kill him.
Inside the bedroom, Akira Mado's eyelashes fluttered.
"That smells amazing..."
She yawned.
Uesugi Ryu had only been gone for less than two days, so she could hardly say she had been lonely.
Still, the sudden separation had left a small emptiness in her heart.
Hearing the sounds of cooking from the kitchen, she knew immediately that Uesugi Ryu had returned.
Wrapped in a thin blanket, she shuffled to the kitchen doorway, where she found his silhouette bathed in morning light.
He hummed cheerfully while flipping food in the pan, the apron strings tied into a crooked bow at his waist.
Meanwhile, the slightly oversized blue cat sat by the counter, its pink nose twitching eagerly at the scent.
Akira tiptoed across the wooden floor, barefoot.
She walked up behind Uesugi Ryu and wrapped her arms around his waist.
Resting her head against his shoulder like a cat, she held him close.
Uesugi Ryu paused.
He placed his hand over hers and said quietly,
"I'm home."
Morning sunlight brushed across Akira's trembling eyelashes as the two held each other tightly.
Her fingers curled slightly as a gentle smile appeared on her face.
"Welcome home."
Uesugi Ryu's breathing suddenly hitched.
He turned his head, only for his eyes to be instantly dazzled by a rather breathtaking sight.
After a moment of silence, he said in a slightly strained voice,
"Are we still eating first?"
Akira shot him a charming, teasing glance.
Then she quickly looked away from his increasingly heated gaze.
Her nose twitched as she curiously examined the food in the pan.
"Let's eat first. I want to try what you brought back from your hunt."
Uesugi Ryu took a deep breath and quickly plated the food.
Breakfast was swiftly devoured.
Once Akira had replenished her energy, another sort of battle began just as quickly.
A brief separation made reunion all the sweeter.
The atmosphere between them became even more warm and intimate.
As the two enjoyed their time together, none of it had anything to do with Maris Stella.
Uesugi Ryu still tossed a strip of meat into her bowl.
It was only a small piece, but Maris Stella savored every bite of the Super Danger Beast delicacy.