Chapter 105: Chapter 105 – Consider it a Wedding Gift~
"The reason? Oh, that's simple. I just think that mastering the power of 'Reproduction' suits me perfectly~"
C.C. replied casually, not at all bothered by the sudden flicker in Welt's expression.
"That's it? Just that?"
"Yep, that's all!"
Welt looked slightly dazed. Honestly, he thought this mysterious guest wanted the First Herrscher Core for some grand scheme.
After all, from what she'd said earlier, it was obvious this woman had access to information that far exceeded what Anti-Entropy and Schicksal—or even that snake—could grasp.
And for someone holding such critical intelligence to claim they had no plan at all?
How could anyone believe that?!
"Geez, don't be so suspicious. I'm telling you the truth~" C.C. let out a sigh as she saw Welt's obvious doubt.
"Well then, let's put that matter aside for now. About your claim that we can defeat the Honkai—why should we believe you?"
Adjusting her glasses, Tesla picked up the cup noodles on the table.
Sure, Welt was the leader of Anti-Entropy, but in other areas… Tesla's near-century of life experience clearly gave her the edge.
'Wow… is the food in Anti-Entropy really this bad?' C.C. couldn't help but think as she watched the genius scientist chew on instant noodles.
"Well... that ties into the true nature of the Honkai itself..." Her gaze flickered playfully between Welt and Tesla.
Then, a sly smile curled on her lips.
"Fine. I'll generously throw in this intel... think of it as a down payment—no, better yet, a wedding gift for you two~"
Not only would this stir things up, but it'd also confuse Anti-Entropy's assumptions about her identity.
Truly a two birds, one stone deal!
After all, causing trouble whenever possible was simply a basic instinct of any professional mischief-maker~
"...A wedding gift?"
"A wedding gift."
Two completely different tones echoed.
For a moment, the word distracted both of them from their original line of questioning.
Welt's voice was filled with confusion at first, then a hint of mockery. It seemed even C.C.'s intelligence wasn't perfect.
'He and Tesla? In that way?'
Ridiculous.
Strangely enough, knowing she'd gotten that wrong made Welt relax a little—but also left him with an odd trace of disappointment.
Because deep down, for Tesla—the woman who'd been like an older sister to him all his life—Welt did harbor unusual feelings.
He never denied that to himself.
But until the Honkai was truly defeated... until he could pass the name "Welt" onto a successor... how could he allow himself to pursue romance?
He might not even survive to see the next day, with injuries like these looming over him! (foggy future and all that...)
How could he ever burden Tesla with that?
Tesla herself stiffened slightly, a faint blush rising to her fair cheeks—her usual confident aura faltering for just a moment.
"Looks like your intel isn't perfect after all. There's nothing like that between us!"
Though her tone was firm, there was a softness hidden beneath—the kind of shy tsundere energy that, with a different hair color, would've screamed "loser heroine."
Not that anyone was trying to steal Tesla away anyway.
"My apologies for disappointing you, Leader-sama~ But my intel never fails." C.C. sipped her tea, a wicked grin spreading across her face.
"In exactly eight years, you two will marry. You'll also have a son named 'Geoffrey Joyce Yang.' He won't be Tesla's biological child—but the two of you will love him as your own~"
She couldn't stop the mischievous curve of her lips as she casually revealed this little bombshell, eyeing Welt and Tesla as if nothing unusual had been said.
But the impact was immediate.
Both Welt and Tesla froze, stunned beyond words.
The very topic they'd been discussing vanished from their minds.
Tesla even dropped her noodles, the spilled broth soaking her white coat.
Her mind reeled, as if thunder had exploded inside her skull.
"Wh-Wh-What are you talking about?! Eight years? Marriage?!"
Even Tesla, usually so composed, couldn't hold it together.
After all, what C.C. just said wasn't some hidden implication—it was a direct, terrifying prophecy!
"You heard me loud and clear." C.C. leaned forward, eyes gleaming, face close to the screen where Tesla's red twintails and flushed face filled the view.
"Completely literal. Whether you believe it or not... that's up to you.
But if you two make things difficult for me now... who knows?"
"My intel might just be wrong this one time~"
"And what do you think, Leader-sama?"
She turned toward Welt, still frozen in shock. Her long green hair swayed like blooming roses as she moved.
For just a moment, she noticed Tesla's gaze flicker toward Welt—and Welt hastily glancing away, a flash of embarrassment crossing his face.
But beneath that... was an undeniable spark of joy.
Right now, Welt looked like a man secretly wearing new underwear for New Year's—a silly, happy little thrill dancing in his chest.
Desperately forcing down those feelings, Welt struggled to focus on the situation.
"...You're from the future, aren't you?" His voice was heavy with suspicion as he voiced the question swirling in his mind.
After all, according to Anti-Entropy's data, this green-haired girl had suddenly appeared at Nagami's side, with no prior trace, no background... nothing.
A person who'd materialized from thin air.
And Nagami himself—an ordinary man who'd suddenly gained impossible power, acting with foresight as if he knew every turn of the Third Eruption... plus the intel this girl held...
If she was from the future—then everything made sense.
"That... I can't tell you~" C.C. stretched lazily, propping her chin in her hand, her tone casual and teasing.
'Talking to clever people really is the best. They fill in all the blanks for you. Such good imagination~'
Of course... this only worked when you had overwhelming information superiority.
Using entirely real information as bait—
After all, information was the greatest weapon of any isekai traveler.
"Our deal has nothing to do with my origins."
With her satisfaction finally fulfilled, the green-haired girl chuckled softly as she moved on to the main course.
"The true nature of the Honkai is actually—"
Her suddenly serious tone snapped both Welt and Tesla out of their whirlwind of thoughts.
The quiet room was filled only by her clear, melodious voice and the soft ticking of the clock.
"—In short, the essence of the Honkai is a trial. A test set forth by beings known as the 'Imaginary Tree.'"
"As for the details... I'll tell you the full story once you've agreed to the trade, Mr. Alliance Leader."
"And the key to overcoming the Honkai lies in a power that comes from outside the realm of the Imaginary Tree."
"Like this—"
A surge of magic, not from this world but from the universe of Kumo Desu ga, Nani ka?, rose within her.
A crimson magic circle formed in her pale hand, flickering with intense flames.
Tesla adjusted her glasses, the earlier blush gone from her face as she stared intently at the formation, completely forgetting her embarrassment.
"There's no trace of Honkai energy waves…"
With just a glance, Welt immediately understood Tesla's intention.
Using the power of the First Herrscher, he scanned the small flame in C.C.'s palm.
"So… you've seen enough. What's your decision, Mr. Alliance Leader?"
With a flick of her hand, the magic disappeared, and C.C. calmly met Welt's complicated gaze.
For now, her only bargaining chip was the Dual Drive System—but that alone was far more valuable than a single Herrscher Core, excluding perhaps the Final Herrscher Core, which barely touched upon metaphysical power.
Not that C.C. was worried.
A few more points saved, and she could pull out something worth just as much as a Herrscher Core at will.
Such was the power of a true gacha god.
"...We'll need to discuss this and give you our answer in a few days. Will that be acceptable?"
After a long silence and a brief exchange of glances with his teammate, Welt finally replied.
"No problem~"
C.C. didn't have enough points left to buy a world-jump card after dumping everything into the last gacha banner anyway.
While Anti-Entropy was busy debating, she'd quietly rack up points.
Once she secured the Herrscher Core, she'd make a beeline for Guilty Crown and grab both the Origin Stone and the Void Genome.
Then Nagami wouldn't have to tiptoe through this world like she was now. A wave of buffs was coming his way!
Of course, if Welt refused... they'd simply fight for it.
The only reason C.C. was even talking so nicely with Welt was because he really was walking the path against the Honkai.
That, and because she honestly didn't feel like wasting the effort to fight.
But when it came to the Herrscher Core, she would never back down. If Welt refused to play nice, well... so be it.
"Then I'll leave you two lovebirds to your private chat."
Not expecting a clear answer today anyway, C.C. spun on her heel with ease.
But just as she reached the door, she crossed her slender legs, glanced back, and gave the two an ambiguous smile.
"Oh, and by the way—be sure to invite me to the wedding. I'd love to enjoy the food at your reception~"
With that teasing parting shot, she stepped lightly out the door, leaving the blushing pair behind.
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