In the early morning, Ye Feng climbed off of Big Duck Duck.
He wore a pair of shorts as he drank a glass of warm water, facing the winter sunrise.
Then, he straightened his clothes and tidied his ruffled hair.
Even though he had a much more convenient "one-key outfit change" function, Ye Feng enjoyed this process.
Just as he had enjoyed peeling off Big Duck Duck's stockings.
On the bed, the silver-haired beauty was curled up in the pure white duvet, a snowy-white arm draped over the outside, revealing a smooth, jade-like shoulder.
"Big Duck Duck."
Ye Feng called out softly.
"Mmm..."
Bronya responded groggily, her eyes still closed. She had been thoroughly exhausted last night.
She wouldn't lose to anyone in terms of stamina, but the knowledge Ye Feng taught her was always so unexpected.
"It doesn't matter in this world, but you should still get into the good habit of eating breakfast."
Ye Feng whispered in her ear.
Big Duck Duck, her eyes still shut, listlessly raised a hand and patted him.
"Mmm... I know, you're such a nag. You think it's not your fault that Bronya is this tired?"
Ye Feng couldn't deny that.
Last night, Bronya hadn't just been enduring pleasure, but primarily, "endurance."
"That's why I have to make it up to you. What does Big Duck Duck want to eat? I'll go make it for you."
For a rare moment, Ye Feng's heart was free of impurities.
When he said he would make breakfast, he really meant he would make breakfast.
Even if words like milk, sausage, or cream puffs came up, he would absolutely be referring to food.
Big Duck Duck merely replied with sleepy eyes, "...Whatever."
"Mmm, then I'll just freestyle it."
Ye Feng got dressed and headed to the kitchen.
Ye Feng's specialty was still making noodles.
Not only did he like to eat them, but he also liked to feed them to others.
Ye Feng placed the steaming bowl of noodles on a wooden tray and carefully carried it into the bedroom.
"Big Duck Duck, time for breakfast."
When he entered the bedroom, Big Duck Duck was curled up in the blankets.
In just that short time, she had changed her sleeping position.
She had only covered a small portion of herself with the large, soft, white goose-down duvet; the rest was hugged tightly in her arms.
Her head was resting on a corner of the quilt.
"Big Duck Duck."
Ye Feng bent down and brushed away the silver hair that had fallen across her eyes.
In the morning light streaming through the window, Big Duck Duck's flawless side profile was veiled in a soft radiance.
Ye Feng reached out and gently pinched her delicate nose.
Her breathing hitched. She rubbed her cheek against the quilt, letting out a soft, dissatisfied "Mmm~~" sound.
Beneath the covers, her smooth and exquisite feet peeked out and wiggled slightly.
Big Duck Duck opened her eyes. Seeing the noodles Ye Feng had placed by the bedside, she couldn't help but grab his hand and press it to her cheek.
The warmth from his palm made her close her eyes as if entranced. She said softly:
"Who eats breakfast in bed? Besides, I don't have an appetite right after waking up."
Ye Feng sat on the edge of the bed and helped her sit up.
The clean, white goose-down duvet slipped down, exposing Big Duck Duck's delicate and flawless body to the morning sun. Her skin, bathed in the morning light, seemed to glow.
He had her lean against him in his embrace, then pulled the duvet back up to cover her.
The vernal scene in the middle of winter vanished in an instant.
"Here, have some soup first."
Ye Feng scooped up the fragrant, rich broth with a spoon and brought it to Big Duck Duck's lips.
Although she didn't have much of an appetite—she had eaten far too much last night—she didn't want to refuse her husband's kind intentions.
She gently opened her mouth, and Ye Feng softly fed her.
Instantly, the taste of home filled her taste buds.
"Is it good?"
"...Mmm."
Big Duck Duck nodded lightly. Her cherry lips, now moistened with broth, looked even more crystalline and pink.
"Next are the noodles."
"No need, Bronya will do it herself."
"Alright. I actually quite enjoy feeding Big Duck Duck."
"...Do you think Bronya is a pet?"
Big Duck Duck sat up straight, picked up her chopsticks, and held the bowl.
She looked at the noodles in her hands, then back at Ye Feng.
"So, you just wanted to do a feeding play session?"
"Do you think I'm that shallow of a person, Big Duck Duck?"
"...It's hard to say."
"Alright then. But Big Duck Duck has become quite proficient with these terms. Congratulations, congratulations."
A melancholic expression appeared on Bronya's face. "Bronya doesn't think this is something worth praising."
She really felt that she had changed, become a little bit… lewd?
Although most of last night was spent enduring Ye Feng's antics, deep down, from beginning to end, she had been anticipating more from him, more and more…
Big Duck Duck couldn't help but blush slightly.
An image of her legs wrapped tightly around Ye Feng, not letting him leave, flashed through her mind.
"It's alright. No matter what kind of Duck Duck you are, you're always very cute."
"Mmm… are you talking about Silverwing, or Silver Wolf?"
Ye Feng couldn't help but chuckle. "Why are you getting jealous of yourself?"
"..."
Bronya held her bowl and used her chopsticks to break the noodles.
She yawned again.
Ye Feng noticed that her long eyelashes were stuck to her porcelain-white skin.
It was probably due to tears from her sleepiness.
Through the window, dust motes danced and intertwined in the beams of the early winter morning light.
Bronya suddenly asked, "Is it really okay to continue like this?"
Ye Feng naturally understood what she was referring to.
"Is Big Duck Duck not used to being frank with Mei?"
"Mmm…"
Bronya froze, seriously pondering the question.
Herself, and Sister Mei, together in bed with her husband…
Was she against it?
Not really.
But she couldn't say she was happy about it either.
And if it was that idiot Kiana, that was even more out of the question. Absolutely not!
Bronya couldn't imagine a scene with that little bug.
It was too weird!
"How about..."
Ye Feng asked tentatively, "We start with you and Seele together first?"
"Huh?"
Bronya's body stiffened slightly, and a flicker of unreadable light flashed in her silver eyes.
She turned her head and looked straight at Ye Feng.
Ye Feng was just as frank, returning her gaze with a gentle one of his own.
In this silent staring contest, it was ultimately Big Duck Duck who spoke first.
"You wicked man, you've had your eyes on Seele for a long time, haven't you."
"Yes, I've had my eyes on Seele for a very long time."
"Mmm~~!!"
Hearing her husband's words, Bronya glared at him resentfully, like a mother hen protecting her chick.
"But I never made a move. Why do you think that is, Big Duck Duck?"
Bronya pondered for a moment, and her expression immediately softened.
...Could it be because of Bronya?
After all, she knew Ye Feng's personality very well.
She was well aware of what a wicked person he was, but even so, she was willing to accept all of his flaws and vices.
Achieving this was one of the important conditions for forming their [Vow].
And because she understood this, Bronya could more directly feel how difficult it was for Ye Feng to "refrain from making a move on Seele."
"Who cares what your reason is."
Bronya lowered her head and absentmindedly ate the noodles Ye Feng had made.
Seeing Duck Duck's girlish expression, a "just-as-planned" smile spread across Ye Feng's lips.
Bronya seemed to have forgotten that Seele had entered this world even earlier than she had.
As for what the real reason was, it was no longer important.
What was important was how Big Duck Duck interpreted it.
"So, is it okay?"
Ye Feng pressed further.
"Hmph, what's okay or not okay. If you really wanted to make a move on Seele, could Bronya even stop you?"
Ye Feng said, "You could. If it's you, maybe you really could stop me."
Well, if you add Mei, Snake-Snake, Elysia, Kiana, and the others, the success rate would be much higher.
But there was no need to say that last part out loud.
"..."
Bronya was taken aback and lowered her head.
At this moment, her heart was pounding like a frightened deer, and she didn't dare to look Ye Feng in the eye.
As for whether it was okay or not, Bronya finished the noodles Ye Feng had made without giving a direct answer.
"Then I'm heading over to Seele's."
"Eh?"
Bronya grabbed Ye Feng's hand. "No!"
Ye Feng chuckled. "See? This is probably what they mean by 'the moment you toss the coin, your heart has already decided on the answer.' Alright, since Big Duck Duck said so, I won't go for now. But, Big Duck Duck, how do you plan on compensating me?"
"Mmm..."
Big Duck Duck took the initiative, her stockinged feet twisting gently.
…
…
While Ye Feng was appreciating Big Duck Duck's jade feet, Snake-Snake had already crossed the ocean and arrived in London, on the other side of the Atlantic.
In terms of deliciousness, Snake-Snake's pale little feet were certainly not to be outdone.
Her alluring figure was wrapped in a long dress of ink and green hues. The hem was long, offering only a tantalizing, fleeting glimpse of her stunning, pale, slender feet.
But now, Mobius had put on high heels, concealing even that last bit of charm like the final rays of a setting sun.
Mobius looked up at the gothic architecture before her, filled with the vicissitudes of time. Its beautiful columnar structure and intricately carved spire gave it a graceful and noble appearance.
"So this is the [Clock Tower]? A research institution of the Current Era whose mission is to manage and conceal the Honkai, and to develop it. Founded in the first year of the Common Era, it has grown and developed as the newest research institution. Ninety percent of Western European researchers choose the Clock Tower. It is filled with new doctrines, and beneath it lies a 'path' to the Spirit Tomb Albion, where lost creatures and mysteries are buried… That's how Father described its setting."
Mobius tilted her head, her vertical, snake-like pupils holding a hint of resignation.
"But no matter how you look at it, it's just an ordinary tower. There are no residual traces of Honkai energy, nor have I detected any particular distortion coefficient... As I thought, Father was just describing the setting of some work of fiction."
But since Mobius had come, she would definitely visit the [Clock Tower] that Ye Feng so fondly remembered.
"I wonder what kind of woman here is worth Father's constant thoughts."
Mobius pouted.
This wasn't jealousy, but a logical deduction.
Whenever Ye Feng talked about "legs you could play with for a year," Mobius always felt he was thinking of someone else.
Retracting her upward gaze, Mobius turned around.
She had come to London with a purpose.
Unlike Elysia who thought things through, Mobius had always acted without inhibition.
She came here primarily to retrieve the Second Divine Key, the Cosmic Juggernaut.
Mobius did not rely on Divine Keys; even in the Previous Era, she had no need for their assistance.
But there was one thing that the "current" Mobius was still very concerned about—where did "that" Mobius go?
According to Ye Feng, "that" Mobius did not seem to have died.
On the eve of the Final Herrscher's world-ending catastrophe, she did not choose to enter a cryogenic pod. After conducting a secret experiment with the AI Prometheus, she vanished along with the Previous Era.
The current Mobius wanted to know where she went.
Did she die or not?
In the current world, the only things that could concern Mobius were probably the Herrscher of the End and her own original body that had disappeared with the Previous Era.
As for what she would do or ask after seeing her original self, the current Mobius had no idea, but she just wanted to do it.
Perhaps… she just wanted to confirm whether that weak Mobius was truly dead or not.
And to get that answer…
Mobius looked up at the sky above the River Thames.
"The Cosmic Juggernaut. Its Zeroth Power can open a path to the Imaginary Tree."
The Imaginary Tree, the coordinate of the world's origin, where the causality of all creation flows. All questions can be answered there.
"It's not that I must rely on the [Imaginary Tree], but as a backup plan, it's more than sufficient."
Mobius had received information from Ye Feng that the Cosmic Juggernaut was hidden in London, above the River Thames.
As for the specific location…
Mobius raised her hand. A swarm of small drones materialized behind her, flying towards the River Thames with a buzzing sound.
These drones, equipped with ultrasonic transmitters, would scan the entire area, with the data being uniformly received by a terminal.
All she had to do was measure the time it took for each sound wave to reach the terminal.
If there was another folded space within these areas, the sound waves passing through it would take longer.
That would be the location of the Divine Key, Cosmic Juggernaut.
This equipment had all been built by Mobius at St. Freya High School.
Some key components were made with the help of the Herrscher of Reason's power.
But for the Herrscher of Reason to "recreate" something, she must first understand it.
Bronya had spent a considerable amount of effort on this.
Thus, Mobius had delayed her trip to London until now.
Furthermore, the "recreated" components could not exist for long and required periodic infusions of Honkai energy.
Mobius didn't seem to have any intention of hiding her actions, as the swarm of drones probed the area above the River Thames.
Such a large commotion quickly attracted the attention of Schicksal and the world.
Coincidentally, the Herrscher of Lust, Rita Rossweisse, was here.
Due to the persecution of the Serpent Who Devours the World, Mobius, she had been forced to make a strategic retreat from St. Freya High School to recuperate in Britain.
At the same time, she was also investigating the "Legend of King Arthur."
According to information obtained by Schicksal, the legend of King Arthur was related to the Second Divine Key.
However, apart from that piece of information, all other leads had gone cold.
Originally, this investigation would likely have been postponed indefinitely.
While Rita was flipping through materials in the library, her terminal suddenly rang.
There were no more than four people in all of Schicksal who knew this communication signal.
Rita immediately answered the call.
A figure appeared. The reliable tool, Alvitr, reported:
"Lady Rita, a large number of unidentified flying objects have appeared over the River Thames. Could they be related to the target of your current mission?"
"Unidentified flying objects?"