Capítulo 154: Villain Simulator, Ch 153

"Kulechet, is it? I'll remember that." Lucas shifted behind her, adjusting his angle. "Next, I'll call your name to confirm if you're still conscious."

"W-What?"

And so, Kulechet began to realize just how painful—and yet, how intoxicating—it was to experience life as a "human."

[Talent Activated: First Glass of Red Wine][Hydro Damage increased by 20%.]

In Mondstadt's Cat's Tail Tavern, there was a unique drink called "Slime Champagne." To prepare it, the bartender would keep a small Hydro Slime on hand. When needed, a mixing rod coated with a mildly irritating substance was inserted into the Hydro Slime's body, agitating it.

The distressed Hydro Slime would secrete a special gel-like substance, forming the base of the champagne.

This method, originally devised by the feline bartender Diona as a prank on drunken patrons, quickly gained popularity. Unfortunately, the process left Hydro Slimes fatally dehydrated, leading to a skyrocketing demand for live Hydro Slimes in Mondstadt. At their peak, they were traded like speculative commodities.

Unscrupulous merchants bought 20-30 kilogram Hydro Slimes at high prices, crammed them together in pens, and extracted their gel day and night to maximize profits.

Before long, however, Diona introduced a new line of cocktails, rendering "Slime Champagne" obsolete. The merchants who had hoarded Hydro Slimes faced financial ruin. Many, buried under crushing debt, leapt from rooftops to their deaths, earning them the nickname "Flying Entrepreneurs."

This tangent may seem unrelated, but it provides context for Lucas's current actions.

Using a similar method, Lucas was "dehydrating" Kulechet.

Of course, the "Hydro Abyss Mage Champagne" produced by this technique wasn't exactly destined to become a best-seller.

Hydration Level: 63%...

Hydration Level: 56%...

"How are you holding up, Kulechet?" Lucas's voice dripped with the malice of a devil's whisper. "Does my method work?"

"This... this is just the beginning," Kulechet gritted her teeth. "I... I can endure it..."

Hydration Level: 51%...

Hydration Level: 47%...

"Still feeling defiant?" Lucas smirked. "You're like someone chewing gum—once you start, you just can't stop."

"Shut... shut up..." Kulechet's voice grew faint, her strength waning.

Hydration Level: 45%...

Hydration Level: 42%...

"Are you still alive over there?" Lucas wiped the sweat from his brow. "If you can't hold out, just surrender. Even the fountain at Mondstadt Cathedral would resign out of envy if it saw you."

"I... I won't betray... the Prince..." Kulechet's words were airy, as if they were floating through the sky.

Hydration Level: 40%...

Hydration Level: 39%...

Finally, with a splash of water, the overly dehydrated Kulechet collapsed, unable to hold on any longer. Simultaneously, the shell that had been tightly encasing Lumine slowly opened, revealing the unconscious golden-haired girl inside.

But it wasn't just the shell that lost its magical hold. The surrounding water bubble maintaining the underwater palace also disintegrated, collapsing under the strain of Kulechet's dehydration. Water began seeping in through the thinning barriers, threatening to flood the entire area within moments.

Seeing the rising water and the still-unconscious Lumine, as well as the incapacitated Kulechet, Lucas quickly acted. "Endora! Hydro Possession!"

"At once!"

Endora, who had been in a resting state, immediately responded to Lucas's call. Upon opening her eyes, however, she looked puzzled. "Huh? Where are your clothes?"

"Not the time to worry about that!" Lucas quickly pulled his clothes back on. "Possess Lumine! We need to get out of here now!"

"But if I possess her, what about you, Master?" Endora asked, concerned. "It'll take at least five minutes to swim back to the surface."

"Who said anything about swimming?"

Holding both girls tightly in his arms, Lucas braced himself. "Ice Pillar, rise!"

Under his feet, ice energy surged and formed a pillar, rapidly carrying Lucas and the two girls upward like an underwater elevator, propelling them toward the lake's surface.

.....

"Cough, cough..."

Kulechet slowly regained consciousness, only to see Lucas holding a chilled cup of ice water, gently pouring the liquid into her mouth.

"Wha... cough, cough!"

Kulechet quickly pushed Lucas away, spitting out the water in shock. "What... what did you make me drink?"

"Relax," Lucas replied nonchalantly. "It's just plain ice water. If you don't rehydrate, you'll die."

Looking around at her surroundings and spotting the still-unconscious Lumine nearby, Kulechet understood that her mission had failed.

What she couldn't comprehend was why Lucas had brought her back to the surface and even saved her life.

Lucas wasn't the type to spare his enemies lightly. If Kulechet were just another ordinary Abyss Mage, he'd likely be digging a grave for her body by now.

But Lucas remembered that Kulechet wasn't just any Abyss Mage—she was a named officer directly serving the "Prince," Lumine's brother, Aether.

Aether would never harm Lumine. His intention in having her captured was likely to prevent her from participating in the Stormterror expedition. If Lucas killed one of Aether's trusted officers, it could create a lasting feud.

Although Lucas' power had grown considerably, he wasn't yet in a position to take on the Abyss Order as a whole.

"Why... why didn't you kill me?" Kulechet asked, her voice weak yet cautious.

"Consider it a reward for the entertainment you provided me." Lucas tossed Kulechet's mage robe back to her and chuckled. "Of all the valves I've opened, you're the most... hydrated."

"You...!"

Kulechet flushed with embarrassment, but before she could retort, Lucas had already turned away, carrying Lumine in his arms. Without looking back, he said, "Tell your master that I'll protect Lumine. He doesn't need to worry."

Lucas had briefly considered turning Kulechet into an informant within the Abyss Order, much like he had with Lyudmila from the Fatui.

Ultimately, he dismissed the idea. Abyss Mages showed no fear of death, and even if she could be turned, the Abyss Order's intelligence held little immediate value for him.

As Lucas's figure faded into the distance, Kulechet remained seated, silent and contemplative.

The events that had just unfolded felt like a surreal dream. Though it was, in essence, a punishment, she hadn't felt much pain during the process.

Instead... there was an odd sense of pleasure.

"I'm sorry, Prince," Kulechet murmured, clutching the ice cup Lucas had used to give her water. "Not only did I fail the mission you entrusted to me, but... even my soul no longer feels pure. Can I still serve by your side like this?"

.....

At the same time, in the Knights of Favonius' encampment, many were drying their soaked clothing around the campfire.

Having been pulled into the lake earlier by Endora's Hydro Mirage, most had ended up drenched to the bone.

Jean, however, stood apart, her eyes fixed on the water's surface, her brow furrowed deeply.

"It's been two hours now…" she murmured to herself. "Lucas, you mustn't let anything happen to you."

"Captain Jean, don't worry. That guy won't die so easily," Eula said as she handed Jean a food container with a small smile. "Care for a slice of Moon Pie? It's a special treat from the Reconnaissance Squad. Not many get the chance to try it."

Despite her aloof demeanor, Eula's cooking skills were unexpectedly excellent. She excelled in crafting all kinds of pastries and often prepared rations for her squad when they ventured into the field. Her treats were so well-loved that they became a reason some knights eagerly volunteered for missions.

"Thank you…" Jean said. Although she wasn't in the mood to eat, she accepted out of politeness. Taking a bite of the Moon Pie, her eyes widened in surprise. "This… this is delicious!"

"Right?!" Eula said proudly. "If that guy doesn't get a chance to try it, he'll die with regrets!"

The two exchanged a brief, genuine smile.

Due to their family histories, there had always been tension between Jean of the Gunnhildr family and Eula of the Lawrence family. Their interactions were often strained and formal.

But in this moment, they seemed more like close friends.

Perhaps the bond they now shared was forged by their mutual concern for the same man.

"They're back!"

Kaeya's voice rang out as he waved to the returning Lucas, who carried an unconscious Lumine in his arms. "I knew you'd make it."

"Let me down!"

Lumine, who had regained consciousness during the return trip, protested shyly. While she insisted she could walk, Lucas refused to let her go, fearing the strain might harm her further.

"Not happening," Lucas said firmly. "You're still weak. Don't push yourself."

"Ugh…"

Despite her complaints, Lumine instinctively leaned into his chest, feeling a surprising sense of warmth and safety.

"Traveler! Waaaah!"

Paimon flew toward them and threw herself into Lumine's arms, her tears streaming freely. "I knew you'd be okay!"

This little companion certainly hadn't been this optimistic earlier…

Still, Lucas decided not to call her out. After all, this was a heartfelt reunion.

"What took you so long?" Jean and the others approached, concern evident on their faces. "What happened down there? Was it really an Abyss Mage who captured Lumine?"

"Uh… about that…" Lucas hesitated, realizing he hadn't thought up a believable excuse.

He couldn't exactly explain that he had been "helping an Abyss Mage hydrate," could he?

"I know, I know!"

Endora suddenly emerged from Lucas's side, her cheerful voice cutting through the tension. "I saw everything! Master used a strange rod to give that bad guy a good beating and squeezed all the water out of her!"

Lucas nearly turned pale with fright.

Thankfully, the little pure-water elemental was too naive to grasp the full implications of her words.

While her description was technically accurate, the image it conjured in Jean's mind was quite different. She imagined Lucas wielding a long staff in a fierce duel against the Abyss Mage.

"I didn't know you were skilled with a staff," Jean remarked, her tone tinged with curiosity. "Is this some kind of Liyue martial art?"

Eula's eyes lit up at the idea, and she cracked her knuckles. "I'd love to see your staff techniques in action. Let's spar sometime."

Her eagerness left Lucas feeling both amused and exasperated.

After all, in the simulator, Eula had experienced his "techniques" quite a few times already.

"Sorry…" Lumine said softly, her voice filled with guilt. "This was all my fault. I'm sorry for worrying everyone."

She was still unaware that the entire incident was tied to her brother, Aether.

"These things happen," Jean said, offering reassurance. "What's important is that we're all safe now. Everyone, rest up. We have a long day ahead."

However, the earlier commotion had left the camp in disarray. Many knights were still dealing with damp clothing and disrupted routines.

Even though these were elite members of the Knights of Favonius, and such inconveniences wouldn't significantly affect their capabilities, the quality of their rest had undoubtedly been compromised.

"What a mess…"

A cold, aloof voice suddenly broke the silence.

Emerging from the shadows of the trees was a tall man with striking red hair. His expression was impassive as he surveyed the scene. "Jean, is your task force here for a picnic?"

[Image here]

"Sir Diluc?" Jean gasped in surprise. "Why are you here?"

Indeed, this uninvited guest was none other than Diluc, the owner of Dawn Winery.

"This campsite," he said casually, "was purchased by me years ago. My estate, Dawn Winery, is only a few kilometers from here. Do you think I wouldn't notice what's happening on my own property?"

"This was my oversight," Jean admitted with a sigh, knowing full well Diluc's disdain for the Knights of Favonius. "We'll leave immediately—"

"There's no need for that."

Diluc shook his head. "Come with me to Dawn Winery. There are enough guest rooms for all of you to stay the night."

"...Huh?"

Jean blinked, genuinely surprised.

Had she heard correctly?

Diluc wasn't driving them away. He was inviting them to stay.

"Haha! I knew it!" Kaeya stepped forward with a sly grin. "You must be doing this for my sake—"

But Diluc ignored Kaeya entirely, striding over to Lucas instead. "Don't misunderstand. I'm only offering because of Lucas. He's my guest of honor."

What in the world? Is this turning into some cliché romance drama?

Lucas couldn't help but question if he'd been handed the wrong script from a neighboring melodrama production.

He remained oblivious to the real reason for Diluc's hospitality: Diluc believed Lucas to be a distant relative and was even considering entrusting him with a portion of his estate.

"What a joke," Eula scoffed, crossing her arms. Her prideful nature refused to tolerate Diluc's apparent smugness. "What's so special about Dawn Winery? Must you act like you're granting us charity?"