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Chapter 178 Chapter 178: You and Me

As a participant, Renji deeply realized one thing: \'if I had a cigarette right now, I\'d desperately want one.\'

Demi-humans were indeed different from humans.

Their appetites were enormous.

And as a member of the Dragon kin, known for their exceptional abilities even among demi-humans, Renji found that he had grossly underestimated the Dragoness.

\'How to describe it?\'

If Suthia was used as a unit of measurement, Renji estimated that it would take about four and a half Suthia to equal the effort required for one Nova.

Moreover, Renji could never have imagined that Nova, usually so cold and the least talkative among "them," would change so dramatically. When Nova had him hold her "dragon horns" on her head, it was like flipping a strange switch. The Dragoness\'s behavior completely overturned Renji\'s previous impression of Nova.

To use Suthia as an example again, it was like the difference between a Saintess and a Witch.

If he didn\'t use his Dragonblood Ignition to keep his domination on Nova… he would be no less better than her.

So,

why did the image of Suthia keep popping into his mind?

Holding Nova, who now clung to him with her limbs like an "octopus" with her massive chest between his hand, Renji pondered over this serious question.

First, he ruled out guilt.

The remaining reason must be Suthia\'s role as a priestess nun with powerful healing abilities, which could help Nova recover better from the post-ceremony weakness.

From Nova\'s current position, clinging to him, it was evident how weak she was.

Although Renji had joined the ceremony to assist and ensure Nova didn\'t damage her foundation, the enormous energy expenditure of the ceremony had nearly depleted her strength.

On the status panel, Nova still displayed a six-star \'Calamity\' rank, and her level hadn\'t changed. However, the status section was filled with numerous debuffs (negative effects) visible to Renji, a dense mass of them.

These were the inevitable consequences of the ceremony, significantly reducing Nova\'s attributes to a very low state. Fortunately, these were temporary, far better than a permanent decrease in attributes.

Also,

yes, the panel.

Only those contracted as Eclipsed beings would have a panel.

Reflecting on this, Renji gently brushed aside the fiery red hair of Nova in his embrace, revealing a new, shimmering contract sigil on the pale nape of Nova\'s neck, which appeared following his touch.

It was a case of misfortune interlinked with blessing.

Nova, in an effort to repay her debt to her Nation, had distributed her immense power, leading to a sense of falling from grace. On the other hand, due to her previously unattainable position on the "divine pedestal," even with her cooperation, Renji\'s power would have been insufficient to make a difference.

Now, thanks to the "ceremony" that significantly weakened her, Renji, despite struggling, managed to conquer her. The once resistant Nova, proud of her formidable power, eventually succumbed to the contract\'s mark.

Renji couldn\'t help feeling a bit smug and proud. In such a short time, he had already successfully contracted and rectified two of his wives. Maintaining this momentum, he hoped to soon reach a joyous and triumphant conclusion.

However, Renji felt somewhat helpless about the circumstances of his contracts. Each time, the situation was... well, indescribable.

Though he wished for the next contract to be more dignified, he hoped his prowess could be recognized in other ways as well.

As Renji was lost in these thoughts, the Dragoness in his arms stirred.

Perhaps it was his earlier hair brushing that woke her.

Nova awoke from her slumber.

The first thing she did upon opening her eyes was to sense her body. Realizing that her power had indeed been significantly reduced, no longer reaching the \'Calamity\' level, her expression dimmed, thinking she had been demoted.

Despite her disappointment, Nova showed no regret. She knew the ceremony was successful, and she had finally fulfilled her duty as an "Empress."

Gritting her teeth against the fatigue and weakness, Nova tried to rise from Renji\'s embrace. Now a weaker being, she felt undeserving of her position.

As someone useless, rather than being dismissed by her master, she preferred to leave on her own terms. This was her final act of pride.

Meanwhile, elsewhere...

Seeing Nova awaken, Renji felt a mix of apprehension and concern. On one hand, their relationship had undoubtedly grown closer; on the other, he wondered if he should help maintain Nova\'s composed facade, especially after witnessing her uninhibited side, to avoid embarrassing her.

However, Renji soon realized his concerns might be unnecessary. Nova, upon waking, seemed no different than before, if anything, even more reserved. She silently got up from his embrace, straightened her clothes, and then,

seemed ready to leave without looking back?

That\'s when Renji sensed something was amiss.

"Nova?" he called out.

Nova shook her head, "Master, there\'s no need for words. I understand and will leave willingly." Her eyes held a myriad of emotions, but she turned away decisively.

But in the next second, she was pulled back into the warm embrace by a pair of strong hands.

"Master?" Nova looked surprised.

\'You fool!\'

\'What exactly do you think you understand?\'

Though Renji internally scolded the naive Dragoness, he couldn\'t bear to do so aloud.

"First of all, even if you truly were demoted, I wouldn\'t abandon you. I\'d help you regain your strength. Secondly, although you\'ve lost a lot of power now, it\'s only temporary! With proper rest and care, you\'ll be back to normal before you know it!"

Renji spoke with earnest severity, but from Nova\'s expression, it seemed she didn\'t quite believe him, perhaps thinking he was just comforting her with lies.

This nearly infuriated Renji again.

"I might not have been able to say this before, but now, as my contracted, I probably understand your body better than you do!"

Initially, Nova didn\'t grasp his meaning, but as she quickly sensed her body again, she finally noticed the restored contract sigil on her neck, causing her body to tremble.

Previously, she had been so focused on her loss of power and her anxiety that she hadn\'t noticed it, but now,

"Is it true, Master Ashen? Is my weakness only... temporary?"

"Do you now doubt my words as well?"

"No, no, no, Nova just... Nova just... "

For Nova, those few seconds felt like a transition from hell back to heaven. Not only did she regain her contract with her master, but her rank and level remained intact, meaning she could continue serving him and, more importantly, stay by his side.

Changing Nova\'s mindset, which equated "power" with "status," wouldn\'t happen overnight. It would take time, and Renji was patient. For now, he simply stroked Nova\'s soft red hair as she buried her head in his chest.

Renji had fantasized about this moment many times, especially during his gaming days when Nova, as his character, would emerge battered but victorious from extreme battles. He had always longed to comfort her.

Now, holding Nova in his arms, feeling her warmth, Renji knew there was nothing more valuable. If given the choice to enter a Second Playthrough again, he would press that button without hesitation.

Looking down at Nova, who had once again become an "octopus demi-human" with her arms wrapped around his neck and legs around his waist, Renji felt a sense of satisfaction.

When Renji\'s gaze met hers, Nova blinked her purple eyes as if to say she was too weak and could only maintain herself by clinging to him.

\'This is the sort of moment you unlock in a New Playthrough\' Renji thought, amused by the rare sight of a \'cuddly\' Nova. "Nova, let\'s make sure we\'re on the same page."

"Align our story?"

"Yes. When we go out, I\'m planning to contact Suthia immediately. With her healing you, your recovery should be much quicker."

Nova\'s eyes lit up at the mention of Suthia. She had forgotten about her! Although Suthia was the weakest in combat among them, her healing abilities were unmatched. Just with Suthia\'s help...

Nova\'s excitement suddenly halted, and she looked awkward. She suddenly realized why she had "forgotten" about Suthia earlier.

"Cough, cough."

Seeing Nova\'s expression that almost screamed \'guilty conscience,\' Renji quickly coughed twice to interrupt her thoughts. It wasn\'t that he felt guilty, but to avoid unnecessary troubles and misunderstandings. He then shared the \'testimony\' he had prepared in advance with Nova, emphasizing the principle of "known to heaven and earth, only you know and I know."

But Nova still seemed worried.

"Master… but besides us, Lena probably also knows..."

\'Lena…\'

Mentioning Lena made Renji realize he owed an apology to the pink-haired succubus.

He had misunderstood Lena.

Studying in advance really proved useful and important.

Renji acknowledged that without the "training manual" Lena had provided, which allowed him to rehearse and enhance his \'resilience\', he might not have been able to endure.

He never expected that the foreshadowing would play out this way.

This revelation gave Renji a moment of clarity.

He had always thought of Lena as a troublemaker, just like in the game.

But now, it was clear that his journey in the Dragon Nation wouldn\'t have been successful this easily without Lena\'s behind-the-scenes assistance. Not only did he manage to unveil the mastermind and save the Nation, but he also successfully contracted Nova!

Lena was not just a troublemaking succubus.

She was more like his protective guardian, indispensable to his journey.