"These are the formulas for the strengthening secret dicines," Luciel said as he passed a sheet of animal skin to Yu Feier. The dark surface was covered in fine, complex symbols written with charcoal, the formulas layered one atop another like arcane runes. "Go through them carefully and see which materials we’re missing."
His tone was calm, but there was intent behind every word. Black Tortoise City was expanding faster than anyone had imagined, and now that they had a foundation, it needed order, strength, and capable hands. Luciel was planning ahead—he needed a team of real elites who could handle missions, guard operations, and gather intelligence. Ordinary villagers wouldn’t be enough; he needed soldiers who could think and fight, and for that, he needed these strengthening potions.
Yu Feier lifted her golden eyes from the parchnt. The afternoon sunlight streaming through the small research hut reflected in her irises, giving them an ethereal shimr. "These... are strengthening formulas all the way from Tier 1 to Tier 5?"
Her delicate brows arched in surprise. Then curiosity took over. She bent her head, studying the lines as if every word were a treasure. The alchemist in her was already breaking apart each formula, comparing and analyzing every ingredient.
Luciel smiled faintly at her reaction. "Take your ti. Let know what materials you’re short on once you’re done," he said as he rose from the wooden chair and brushed off his coat.
The building they were in was a laboratory he’d personally shaped from stone and reinforced with his ability. It served both as Yu Feier’s workplace and her residence. Initially, Luciel had suggested she live with the white-haired girl on the high ground, but the blonde researcher had declined, saying that being near her equipnt was more convenient. So Luciel had built a small additional chamber next to the lab—a simple cubicle, but cozy and bright enough to sleep in.
"Alright," Yu Feier murmured distractedly, her golden eyes still fixed on the parchnt. Her mind was already running wild with calculations and hypotheses.
She wasn’t just interested in the strengthening secret dicine itself. She wanted to find new fusion paths, new ways to combine the strengthening formulas with her own "Angel’s Tears." If she could do that, she might even create a completely new dicine—one powerful enough to treat the mysterious "Void Ghost Infection" that haunted the outer lands.
Luciel paused at the door. "By the way, I’ll need a drop of your Angel’s Tears to heal Yue Qinlan," he said casually, glancing back at her. "I’ll give you another drop in two days."
That made Yu Feier finally look up. Her eyes widened. "Two days? But it takes ten days to condense a single drop of Angel’s Tears!"
Luciel’s lips curved slightly. "I can also condense Angel’s Tears."
Her hand froze mid-air. "...You can?" She stared at him, completely shocked. "You can produce them too?"
Her voice trembled with both disbelief and fascination. In her mind, Angel’s Tears were sacred—unique to her angelic physiology. They were condensed essence of divine power, requiring long ditation and control to form. The fact that Luciel could produce them as well made her chest tighten with curiosity. She looked at him as if he were an unsolved puzzle begging to be dissected.
Luciel felt her gaze lingering too long and gave a helpless chuckle. "Stop looking at like I’m your next experint," he said, waving a hand as he opened the door. "I’m leaving before you decide to start dissecting ."
The door closed behind him.
Yu Feier blinked twice, her cheeks warming as she realized what she’d been doing. "Oh... it seems I scared him off," she muttered to herself, smiling wryly. Adjusting the cloth tied across her cheek, she refocused on the animal skin. Soon, the faint scratching of charcoal returned as she scribbled notes beside the formulas. Her curiosity might have startled Luciel, but it had also reignited her drive to research.
---
Outside, the air carried the faint scent of damp earth and wood smoke. Luciel stepped into the sunlight, rubbing his temples lightly. The past few days had been filled with planning and construction. The city was still young, barely past its first stages of order, yet everything already demanded his attention—housing, food, training, infrastructure, and the constant issue of resources.
He headed toward the central house. Yue Qinlan was still recovering, and he needed a proper container to store the Angel’s Tears before delivering them to her. Letting her stay injured in the office wasn’t an option—it was inefficient and dangerous.
"Angel Wings should evolve soon too..." he murmured to himself as he walked. "Maybe after that, I’ll gain a healing ability strong enough to counter the Void Ghost infection."
That would make everything easier. Fewer potions, fewer experints—just pure ability. He exhaled softly, pushing open the front gate.
To his mild surprise, two people were standing there: a middle-aged woman and a young girl, both dressed neatly though a little worn from travel. They looked nervous, their hands clasped before them.
Luciel stopped. "You are...?"
The woman quickly turned and bowed deeply. "Lord City Lord," she said respectfully, "my na is Su’er. I am Wei Geng’s wife—and I once served as maid to the Moon Lord. This is my daughter, Wei Youlan."
Luciel nodded slightly. He rembered Wei Geng—the loyal hunter who’d followed Yue Qinlan since the days of the Moon Lake Tribe. If this was his family, they likely ant no harm.
"Co in," Luciel said, gesturing them forward. He stepped inside, the two following hesitantly behind him.
In the living hall, Mino was sitting at a low table, her long rabbit ears drooping sleepily. She had clearly just woken up.
Luciel smiled faintly. "Wake up properly. If you’re hungry, find sothing to eat," he said.
"I’m not hungry..." Mino murmured softly, shaking her head. Her eyes were half-closed, her voice gentle as always.
Luciel walked past her, tugging her rabbit ears lightly as he pulled a chair closer and sat down. Then he looked at the two new visitors. "So," he asked, "what brings you here?"
Su’er didn’t beat around the bush. "Lord City Lord, the Moon Lord instructed us to co and serve you."
Luciel blinked, slightly taken aback. "Serve ?"
Did he look like soone who needed personal servants? For now, his household was already functioning fine. The white-haired girl and Mino handled most als. Cleaning and laundry were... well, sowhat chaotic under Mino’s care, but she was learning.
"Yes," Su’er said firmly but politely. "The Lord City Lord will only beco busier as ti goes on. Soone must handle the daily matters and smaller chores."
"I... I can do it," Mino blurted nervously, her long ears twitching. The idea of soone else taking her responsibilities clearly upset her.
Su’er glanced at her kindly. "This young lady shouldn’t need to do everything alone," she said gently.
"But... I want to," Mino replied in a small voice, glancing at Luciel for reassurance. Her heart fluttered—she enjoyed helping him. Cleaning his room, washing his clothes, cooking soup—it made her feel useful. Needed.
Luciel looked between them, his expression softening. "Alright," he said at last. "If you enjoy doing it, then keep doing it."
The rabbit-eared girl’s face brightened instantly. "Really? I’ll do my best!" she said, her voice full of life.
Luciel smiled. "Just don’t try to do everything yourself. You still need to train and study. Learn how to read, write, and think ahead."
He intended to gradually let her grow into a leadership role. Soday, when Black Tortoise City had more maids and workers, Mino could oversee them. It would be her own small domain.
Su’er bowed her head. "Lord City Lord, if you wish, I can assist her and take care of the heavier work."
Luciel nodded slightly. "Good. Mino still has a lot to learn—teach her what you can."
That would give Mino a chance to learn from soone experienced while saving Luciel ti.
"Yes, my lord," Su’er said, relief showing in her voice. She understood her place well and didn’t intend to compete for power. Stability was all she sought—a safe environnt for her daughter.
"Mino," Luciel continued, turning to the rabbit-eared girl, "if there’s anything you don’t understand, ask Su’er. Learn how to manage the household properly."
"I understand," Mino said obediently, her ears perking up again.
"As for your daughter," Luciel said, glancing at the shy girl half-hiding behind her mother, "she can follow Mino and help her. Consider it training."
"Yes, my lord," Su’er replied gratefully. A sense of relief washed through her—her daughter had found both work and protection in this city.
"Mino," Luciel said as he stood, "I’ll leave the place in your hands for now."
"Eh?" Mino froze, grabbing his sleeve nervously as he turned to go. Her big eyes looked up at him anxiously, clearly uncertain about being left alone in charge.
Luciel sighed softly and looked at Su’er. "If possible, help her overco that timid nature," he said.
"Of course, my lord," Su’er replied kindly, smiling at the flustered girl. She bowed slightly. "My daughter and I will take our leave now. We’ll return tomorrow to begin work officially."
Luciel nodded once. "Alright."
The two bowed deeply before leaving the hall.
Once they were gone, the room felt calr. Mino relaxed her grip on Luciel’s sleeve and exhaled, her ears drooping slightly.
"You don’t have to force yourself so much," Luciel said gently.
"I’m not forcing myself," she said, shaking her head quickly. "I actually enjoy organizing things. It makes feel... useful."
Luciel chuckled quietly. That was just like her. She wasn’t as strong as Liyue, nor as intelligent as Yu Feier, but her dedication was pure. She worked from the heart.
He nodded approvingly. "That’s fine. But rember—only do what you can. Don’t tire yourself out."
"I won’t," Mino said brightly, smiling up at him. Her tail gave a little twitch, betraying her excitent.
"Good," Luciel said, standing and stretching slightly. "I’m heading to the plantation."
He scanned the table, then picked up an empty iron lunchbox—simple, sturdy, and perfect for storing the condensed Angel’s Tears. With this, he could deliver Yue Qinlan’s dicine without delay.
"Alright," Mino said cheerfully. "I’ll start cleaning the warehouse from last night."
Luciel smiled, his expression softening once more before he headed out the door, sunlight spilling across the stone floor behind him.
Outside, the breeze carried the faint hum of workers from the growing city below. The day was just beginning, and so were the countless responsibilities that ca with it.
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