After confirming that Phoenix didn't truly dislike her, Higokumaru let out a sigh of relief. As long as Phoenix-nee didn't hate her, everything was fine.
However, at this moment, Higokumaru hated the person who told her that rumor.
Rubbing will make them grow bigger...
Now Phoenix-nee was angry, almost to the point of disliking her. Higokumaru wanted to punch someone.
Higokumaru, now in her nightgown, stood before Phoenix. She lowered her head in silence, not speaking...
She seemed quite unhappy. After all, this was her first time being scolded by Phoenix, and she couldn't be anything but upset.
"Go to bed early! We're going to China in two days. Then, I'll make you fried tofu."
Phoenix looked at the sulking Higokumaru, thought for a moment... and finally spoke.
She had already promised Higokumaru to visit China and Japan. There was nothing pressing at the moment. The King of Swords hadn't returned to Italy yet, and it was unclear when he would come back to challenge her to a fight.
So Phoenix couldn't possibly wait here indefinitely for his return. Who knew when that impulsive King of Swords would come back?
All she knew was that he was traveling around the world looking for Heretic Gods.
"Going to China? Fried Tofu? Really? Phoenix-nee, you're the best!"
Higokumaru, who had been silent until now, immediately perked up at Phoenix's voice.
All her previous gloominess vanished. Finally, she could enjoy Phoenix-nee's fried tofu again.
-
Watching the now cheerful Higokumaru leave her room, Phoenix couldn't help but smile.
This Higokumaru is so easy to please! Just with fried tofu...
I wonder when I can visit a world full of delicious food. If I learn some skills there, Herrscher like Higokumaru would never want to leave me, right?
"Ai-chan! Do you think I could go to a world full of delicious food? Like Food Wars! or Gourmet Hunter?"
Thinking about those dishes, Phoenix was curious about their taste. If she could eat them, it would be perfect.
[It's possible! That depends on your luck, Boss.]
Ai-chan didn't disappoint Phoenix, answering her question directly.
"Is that so..."
It actually works...
Phoenix stopped pondering this, as it was still quite distant. She walked over to the nearby table, looked at the laptop in front of her, and opened it, once again sighing in amazement.
This was the first modern world she had experienced after traveling through several worlds.
At that moment, Phoenix's storage contained a large amount of modern electronic products and emergency food supplies - the storage was spacious enough.
As for power sources, there was no need to worry.
Apart from the generators and solar equipment she had already collected, Phoenix had taken Ai-chan with her to steal massive amounts of electricity from large power plants and nuclear power stations across various countries.
Ai-chan had stored all this electricity for free.
For Ai-chan, stealing electricity was simply instinctual.
After playing some computer games in this world for a while, it was almost 10 o'clock when knocking came from the door.
"Come in! The door isn't locked."
Phoenix closed her laptop and turned to look at the door.
"Creak~"
As the door opened, two beautiful young girls entered Phoenix's room.
Phoenix looked at Liliana and Erica before her, her eyes unconsciously brightening. The two seemed to have dressed up a bit, completely different from their disheveled state when they first returned. Now they looked very beautiful.
Seeming to notice Phoenix's gaze, Erica couldn't help but smile. It seemed the king liked them very much.
"Phoenix, may we ask why you summoned us here?" Erica and Liliana approached Phoenix, their voices tinged with anticipation and curiosity.
"..." Phoenix did not immediately respond, instead studying the two young girls before her with intense scrutiny. Only when Liliana and Erica began to grow visibly uncomfortable did Phoenix finally speak.
"You... desire to become stronger? To wield greater power?"
"King? Do you mean..."
At these words, Erica and Liliana's eyes widened involuntarily.
"Can I truly trust you both?"
Phoenix didn't answer directly, instead posing another earnest question.
"Of course! As your Knights, from the day we pledged our loyalty, you have become our very faith."
"Please, Your Majesty, do not doubt us. We would never harbor any disloyalty toward you."
Hearing Phoenix's voice, the two beautiful young mage girls immediately dropped to one knee before her, reciting their oath with unwavering conviction.
"Very well, I believe you! Then... I shall grant you greater power."
Sensing the genuine emotions in their voices, Phoenix could clearly tell they were now completely devoted to her.
If that's the case, I shouldn't be too stingy.
"Greater power..."
Erica and Liliana exchanged glances. Though uncertain what form this power would take, they couldn't contain their excitement.
Who wouldn't want to become stronger?
Moreover, Phoenix's gesture undoubtedly deepened Erica's loyalty.
"Now then, remove your clothes!"
"Huh?" x2
At Phoenix's words, Erica and Liliana froze, still somewhat bewildered.
Has the king... already reached the point of taking action against us?
"Don't misunderstand. The method to enhance your strength requires you to undress - just expose your backs."
Seeing their confusion, Phoenix felt compelled to clarify further.
"Oh."
Hearing the explanation, Erica felt a twinge of disappointment. She had thought...
"Next, I will grant you the power of Stigmata. These marks will instantly double your strength. Moreover, every future enhancement of your abilities will receive the same boost, as their effects are calculated as percentage increases."
Phoenix casually explained to the two young girls before her.
"Stigmata? Do you mean the ones recorded in the Church of the Cross?" Erica immediately recalled the religious texts, thinking of inexplicable bleeding and such.
"Not exactly. You can think of it as a type of blessing or special equipment."
Phoenix shook her head. The Stigmata in her hand was indeed this kind of equipment, not the genes of Honkai World's ancestors from the previous era, nor was it ordinary Stigmata.
"It's this thing..."
Phoenix opened her hand, revealing a set of Stigmata in her palm.