"Close. Just a little closer and you would’ve seen a Star God."

Clearly, Arlecchino was the one who had been frightened—

Yet Su Ran acted like he had narrowly escaped disaster, patting his chest as though shaken.

In reality, he was laughing inside.

Trying to act cool and nearly getting scared instead.

Of course, he had done it on purpose.

What could be more terrifying than a Star God?

Perhaps only the legendary Imaginary Tree or the Sea of Quanta.

Arlecchino had tried to make him see that crimson moon within her gaze.

So he let her glimpse the might of a Star God first.

As an Emanator of Erudition, he could directly draw power from the Path of Erudition.

Combined with Nous’s favoritism toward him, he even possessed a portion of the Aeon’s computational authority.

In a sense, he was directly linked to the Star God.

If Arlecchino had held on a moment longer—

She might truly have seen Erudition itself within his eyes.

But having been shaken by the mere afterglow of a Star God’s presence, Arlecchino had no leisure to respond.

She was still trapped in the lingering terror of that overwhelming brilliance.

It was more dreadful than anything she had ever encountered.

Far beyond the Seven Archons.

If this was the foundation of the Genius’s strength—

Then she understood why he was so powerful.

The residual presence alone had nearly torn apart her will.

If she had witnessed the full manifestation—

The consequences would have been unimaginable.

"W-What just happened...?"

Navia could not comprehend what she had just seen.

Why had The Knave—perfectly fine a moment ago—looked like she had just escaped death?

What had happened in that brief exchange of gazes?

The gap between Second and Fifth Seat was only two ranks.

Was the difference truly that vast?

"Let me see."

Herta vaulted over the sofa and grabbed Su Ran’s face, locking eyes with him.

Just by making eye contact, one could see a Star God?

Was he really that special?

As a fellow Emanator of Erudition, Herta had never received such "privilege."

Arlecchino almost moved to stop her.

But seeing that Herta was Su Ran’s friend, she held back.

She was curious too—

Was it only directed at her, or would everyone experience the same thing?

Moments later, Herta’s consciousness sank into Su Ran’s gaze.

The puppet body visibly went offline.

After quite some time, she finally rebooted.

She looked thoroughly annoyed.

"This is ridiculous. Why are you the only special one? Just looking into your eyes lets you connect to Nous? What are you, Their biological son?"

As an Emanator herself, Herta was clearly dissatisfied with the Star God’s favoritism.

"Maybe it’s because on the Path of Erudition, I’m closer to Nous than any of you other geniuses."

And Nous had already allocated part of their computational power to him as a reward.

That alone proved he had formed a deeper connection with the Aeon than most Emanators.

Calling him Erudition’s strongest Emanator wasn’t unreasonable.

"That’s allowed?"

Herta could understand the explanation.

The further one walked along a Path, the closer one approached the Aeon.

Naturally, more would be granted.

Still—

Progress on a Path depended on one’s own effort.

No one could help with that.

Herta had her pride.

She would never rely on someone else to advance further on the Path.

She had far too much self-respect for that.

"You saw that terrifying existence in his eyes too?" Arlecchino asked.

"Terrifying? For mortals, yes, Star Gods are terrifying. But it wasn’t my first time seeing one. In fact, I met a Star God earlier than he did."

Knowing how technologically backward this planet was, Herta refrained from mocking them.

Even if she did, they likely wouldn’t understand.

"Star Gods? Are they like gods?" Navia asked cautiously.

She had no intention of testing Su Ran’s gaze herself.

Arlecchino was Fifth Seat of the Fatui Harbingers.

If even she couldn’t endure it—

Navia certainly couldn’t.

"More or less. But they’re too far beyond you. And encountering a Star God isn’t necessarily a good thing. They won’t pamper humanity the way the Seven Archons of Teyvat do."

Su Ran had explained Star Gods too many times before.

No need to elaborate again.

Better to let them understand his strength instead.

"By the way, what would you like for dinner tonight?"

"Anything is fine! I’m not picky!"

Though the idea of staying overnight at a man’s place might sound suggestive—

Considering this was supposedly for preventing Fontainians from dissolving—

Navia wouldn’t refuse.

"Mind if I stay too?" Arlecchino asked.

She was certain Su Ran was about to begin experimentation.

Human experimentation.

Like Dottore.

She needed to know whether he was as cruel.

The children of the House of the Hearth still required his power.

If his methods proved he was no different from the Doctor—

She would immediately cut off cooperation.

And forbid the children from approaching him.

"Of course you can stay. Would you like me to prepare some mushrooms for you?"

Su Ran smiled.

He wouldn’t refuse her staying.

Just an extra set of utensils.

Though considering she grew up in Fontaine and Snezhnaya—

He’d probably need to prepare a fork and knife instead of chopsticks.

"...."

At the mention of mushrooms again—

Arlecchino’s eyes narrowed slightly.

She said nothing.

But if he truly prepared them—

She would absolutely make him regret it.

—------------------------------

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