CHAPTER 376
The Style of the Mansion
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Only later did Yu Lan and Chu Youwei learn that Zero Two—the girl who had claimed the grand bed—was an embodiment of divine authority. Due to imperfect modification techniques, she had become a failed prototype.
As the first Divine Weapon produced under the second-generation Divine Weapon Modification Project, she was designated Zero-Two.
Being a failure, it was not only uncontrollable but also nearly impossible for anyone to master—this thing truly consumed its hosts whole.
Making a deal with the devil who destroys the world required not only courage but also bargaining chips.
Beyond Su Cheng, few possess the skill to wield this apocalyptic demonic blade.
Zero Two's danger stems from its relentless consumption of the wielder's life force, which intensifies as its power is unleashed.
But where there are advantages, there are also disadvantages. While it has its flaws, Zero Two possesses distinct advantages over other Divine Rank weapons, or even compared to the third-generation weapons or Xiao Ai's fourth-generation Divine Rank weapons.
Similarly, while Zero Two consumes voraciously, she truly works—and works exceptionally well!
Put simply, the more life you expend, the more power she unleashes!
The reason Zero Two is called a failed prototype boils down to two points: First, her power isn't fully sealed within the demon sword. She occasionally manifests as a chatty, long-haired woman who's incredibly clingy…
Second, her appetite is insatiable—there's no limit. This means if the user isn't careful, they might die before even swinging the sword.
But then again, unlimited consumption also means her output…
is equally limitless.
Except for Concept-level powers like Xiao Ai's impenetrable shield, even the toughest enemies have a breaking point—and Zero Two can slice through them!
In anime terms, she'd be the ultimate weapon in power-up battles. With Zero Two by your side, you wouldn't need to burn your inner cosmos—just keep her fed, and she'd help you defeat any foe!
To everyone's surprise, Zero Two hadn't even eaten yet when she first tended to Su Cheng's injuries. Observe how his arm, which had been immobile earlier, quickly regained mobility upon Zero Two's arrival.
"Master, would you like Xiao Ai to accompany you?"
Su Cheng shook his head. "No need. I know my limits."
Feeling the familiar power in his palm, Su Cheng felt no particular joy. He only sensed that his busy life was about to begin anew.
"Very well. Yu Meng, show the Master the way."
As the words fell, a slender, alluring woman stepped out of formation. She wore heavy armor, a broken-army spear hung at her waist, and her quiver held dozens of upgraded white blades.
Beneath the heavy skirt armor lay secrets known only to the dead.
Yu Meng said nothing, simply striding forward to lead the way for Su Cheng…
Su Cheng had been following, but suddenly turned his head as if remembering something.
"Oh, that dress suits you perfectly. It's beautiful."
As if an iceberg had suddenly cracked open, the single sentence left Xiao Ai stunned for a long moment.
"Thank you for your kind words, my one and only master."
Her reply was formal, yet it couldn't hide the joy bubbling inside her.
After Su Cheng left, Xiao Ai waved to summon Amber.
Depending on who Xiao Ai needed to meet and what she needed to do, Amber prepared her daily outfits in advance.
However, outfits that earned praise from the Master were few and far between.
"Hang this set in Xiao Ai's wardrobe. Remember to scent it—Xiao Ai will wear it again next time."
It wasn't that extravagant to wear a dress only once, but most of her formal gowns never saw a second wear.
That said, Xiao Ai rarely wore formal gowns in daily life. Her usual outfit consisted of training pants paired with cartoon-print tops, layered with a casual jacket when going out.
Seeing matters here concluded, Chu Youwei approached. It seemed she hadn't been able to interject earlier—after all, Xiao Ai had arrived with her entourage, and these individuals appeared formidable.
"You're Xiao Ai?"
"Gu Ai—the 'Gu' from Gu Ai, the 'Ai' from Gu Ai. Pleased to meet you, Miss Youwei."
"What's your relationship with the Master?"
"Xiao Ai belongs to the Master."
"Is that so?"
"That's how it is."
Chu Youwei also scrutinized Xiao Ai carefully. This fellow is Master's person?
But upon reflection…
Yu Lan, Cang Jue, Xiao Ai—all petite loli builds of similar height. Could it be that the Master favors this type?
If that were the case, it wouldn't be surprising that Xiao Ai was the Master's person.
"Chu Youwei, it's a pleasure to meet you."
Xiao Ai's lips curved upward in slight surprise. "Likewise. But you don't seem particularly concerned about the Master's safety anymore?"
Chu Youwei nodded. "Master trusts Xiao Ai, so naturally, I trust Xiao Ai too."
Xiao Ai said nothing, simply turning to lie down on the eight-person bed in Su Cheng.
Honestly, compared to her own bed, this one was far from comfortable—in fact, it was downright uncomfortable to sleep on.
But Xiao Ai hadn't smelled Su Cheng's scent in so long. She needed a good rest.
"Xiao Ai is taking a nap. Wake me when dinner is ready."
Preparing for thirteen people was merely for show. In reality, neither Shen Rui nor the other Su Cheng needed that many people.
What surprised everyone, however, was that while Xiao Ai took her nap, the remaining dozen or so Valkyries didn't leave!
Code-named Shattered Sword, Amber returned to the mansion to arrange work and dinner. Code-named Yu Meng, the seductive woman, guided Su Cheng. The remaining eleven stunning beauties, however, stood rooted to the spot.
This embodied the adage: "When the commander doesn't give the order, the soldiers don't disarm."
They had been dispatched on orders, not for leisure. Without a withdrawal command, they were bound to remain fixed in place.
The eleven beauties remained silent and motionless, kneeling on one knee before Xiao Ai's bed, awaiting further orders. This scene genuinely surprised Chu Youwei.
Amber took a long while before finally dismissing them. Though they couldn't return to rest yet, they were now free to move about.
After closing Xiao Ai's door, the dozen Valkyries began chatting, idly gossiping in the grand hall of Su City.
After all, each had their own duties and missions. Some Valkyries even held positions in the military headquarters or combat units, making opportunities to meet rare.
"Heguang, heard that Amber the bitch sent you some good stuff again?"
"Her? Who's been feeding you that nonsense? That gear was approved after I submitted seven or eight reports! Don't you know how stingy that bitch is?"
"Cut the crap. Everyone knows your Heavy Armor Unit is Lady Gu Ai's pride and joy. You've got the best gear around!"
"You only see the perks! Haven't you noticed Amber bossing me around over every damn little thing? Just the other day she had my Heavy Infantry Corps building someone's house. Where the hell am I supposed to complain about that?"
Back and forth they went. Three women make a drama—and there were over a dozen of them. You can imagine the chaos.
These women were all hardened fighters who danced on the edge of blades. They certainly weren't delicate ladies. Their graceful steps only tread upon the bones of their enemies. Their daily lives? Well, they were nothing short of a muddy mess.
"I heard a handsome young officer joined the inner city garrison. Have you heard?"
"Yeah, heard he transferred from Lord Xunye's Fourteenth Army to the rear. Seems he got hurt."
"Injuries don't matter—as long as that thing isn't hurt…"
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