The apocalypse is coming, but thankfully I have a harem of paper dolls.

Page 74

How come the three people left on the first floor are all [witches]?

Added URL 117

Luo Jiajun and Anne Lorze stood at the bathroom door, a short distance from the living room.

Bayonetta and Dreyer were not deaf; on the contrary, they were not ordinary people, so their hearing was exceptionally acute.

At this moment, Anne-Loz suddenly told Luo Jiajun that she had something to ask him, and it was related to Bayonetta. Bayonetta and Deleil, who were silently facing each other in the living room, immediately turned their heads and cast curious glances at Luo Jiajun and Anne-Loz.

Anne-Loz didn't beat around the bush and told Luo Jiajun directly that when she recovered her strength and fought the Storm Bear, she noticed that her strength seemed to have increased inexplicably, especially her speed!

Luo Jiajun immediately recognized that this was the effect of the "3 Swordsmen" synergy bonus.

The problem is, Anne-Lorze doesn't know any of this!

“At first, I was completely clueless.” Anne-Lorze frowned slightly, revealing her inner confusion. Her gaze didn’t leave Luo Jiajun, but the direction of her words subtly shifted, “Until… Bayonetta appeared.”

The moment she finished speaking, she turned her head, her sharp gaze piercing the living room. Bayonetta and Derek remained looking back, their eyes meeting in a silent battle. Anne-Lorz's eyes held a scrutinizing, almost probing look.

She quickly turned back, refocusing on Luo Jiajun's face, her tone resolute:

“After you summoned Bayonetta, that feeling became even clearer. The magic within me… was like the surface of a lake where a pebble had been thrown in, creating some kind of peculiar ripples. I can’t quite put my finger on it, but my intuition tells me that this change is positive, and it has once again enhanced my strength.”

In the living room, behind the lenses of Bayonetta's signature glasses perched on her nose, her deep, beautiful eyes narrowed almost imperceptibly. This subtle movement seemed to be a silent confirmation of Annerose's words. Clearly, she had also felt the fluctuation of magical power within her when she was first summoned; that resonance was undeniable.

Luo Jiajun understood once again. This was the effect of the "3 Witches" bond. The power of the bond was like an invisible tie, subtly connecting and strengthening the magical fields of the three of them.

In stark contrast to the seriousness and inquiry on Anne-Lorze and Bayonetta's faces, De Layle's alluring face held a knowing, slightly amused smile. She seemed unsurprised by what was happening before her, displaying instead a detached, almost theatrical composure of someone watching a play.

This contrast finally broke the long silence in the living room. Bayonetta's gaze shifted from the bathroom doorway to Derek's face, her red lips parted slightly, her voice carrying a hint of probing coldness:

"You...seem to know something?"

She keenly noticed Dreyer's unusual reaction.

Delaire did know something. Back then, when Luo Jiajun summoned her and Zyra at the same time, both of them were [Mages], instantly activating the "2 Mages" synergy bonus. At that moment, Delaire clearly felt the magic power within her being gently boosted by an external force.

Although she didn't understand the specific principles behind how this power worked, she was well aware of the fact that "Luo Jiajun possessed a special way to enhance their strength."

Faced with Bayonetta's blunt question, Dreyer simply maintained the mysterious smile on his face, pursed his lips slightly, and made a playful "no comment" expression, without making a sound.

"Tch." Bayonetta let out a barely audible snort, her gaze behind her glasses instantly sharpening, a dangerous glint flashing like a blade.

Derek's deliberately mysterious attitude clearly displeased her. "You're here, I'm here, I'm free, but you're not here yet..."

At the bathroom door, Anne-Lorze's attention remained fixed on Luo Jiajun.

Ignoring the little incident in the living room, she went straight to the point and asked Luo Jiajun, "You must know something about the changes that have happened to me, right?"

Her tone was resolute, carrying an unquestionable certainty.

Luo Jiajun met her gaze, and a meaningful smile slowly curved his lips.

"Hmm..." Luo Jiajun drawled out the last syllable, nodded, then changed the subject, a mischievous glint in his eyes, "Of course I know. But why should I tell you?"

As he spoke, Luo Jiajun leaned forward again, lowering his voice with a hint of playful sarcasm, "You won't even call me 'master'."

“…” Anne-Loz was clearly taken aback, seemingly not expecting Luo Jiajun to make such a request at this critical juncture.

She clearly caught the undisguised, teasing smile in Luo Jiajun's eyes. A nameless fire instantly surged up, causing her chest to heave uncontrollably.

Then, she took a deep breath, forcibly suppressing the agitation, her eyes filled with coldness, and almost through gritted teeth, she squeezed out two icy syllables: "M...Master! Can you tell me now?"

"Of course not, because it's a secret!"

"You!" Anne-Lorze's expression instantly shifted from suppressed calm to astonishment, followed by barely contained anger. She felt like she'd been played.

However, Luo Jiajun didn't give her a chance to retaliate. He chuckled, nimbly sidestepped, and like a slippery fish, easily bypassed Anne-Lorz, heading straight for the coffee table in the center of the living room.

He seemed completely oblivious to the icy gaze that seemed to burn through his back. His eyes swept over Bayonetta and Draiel, who were sitting at opposite ends of the coffee table, and he asked in a relaxed tone, "So, what are you two doing here? The atmosphere is so tense, like you're about to fight."

Bayonetta didn't answer immediately. She simply crossed her long legs gracefully, leaned back slightly, and sank into the soft sofa back.

The "Bayonetta" gaze, peering through her glasses, was fixed on Luo Jiajun's face. Her eyes were deep and playful, carrying a hint of silent scrutiny and... dissatisfaction.

Clearly, she was equally interested in Luo Jiajun's earlier cryptic remarks to Anne-Lorraine, as well as the "secret" he possessed. Her silent gaze was, in itself, a form of unspoken questioning.

In contrast, Dreyer's reaction was fiery.

"Oh dear, Master~"

With a soft cry, Derek immediately stood up from the sofa, swaying as she moved closer to Luo Jiajun. Her soft body almost nestled into Luo Jiajun's arms, and a scent mixed with her natural fragrance and some strange floral aroma wafted over him.

She tiptoed, her red lips close to Luo Jiajun's ear, her breath sweet as orchids, her voice low and alluring: "Wasn't I waiting specifically for you to finish your bath, Master? You've been running around all day, you must be tired, and besides, it's getting late, so why don't we..."

As she spoke, Dreyer's delicate, boneless hand had already restlessly moved to Luo Jiajun's firm chest beneath his bathrobe. Her fingertips, with a teasing air, gently traced circles through the thin fabric, and then, with an extremely natural and familiar ease, began to slide down the lines of his chest, aiming directly at a certain sensitive area concealed by the hem of Luo Jiajun's bathrobe.

The whole process was smooth and effortless, as if no one else was around, as if only she and Luo Jiajun were in the living room, completely ignoring Bayonetta's suddenly icy gaze and Anne-Lorz's almost solidified chill.

Just as Dreyer's fingers were about to touch the vital spot, Luo Jiajun suddenly felt a prickling sensation on his back. Moreover, this sensation came from two different directions.

Luo Jiajun acted swiftly, grabbing Derek's wrist as he tried to cause trouble. His movement carried an irresistible force, and he turned his head to look at Bayonetta and Anne-Lorz, who had somehow walked into the center of the living room, her face so dark it could drip water.

really!

Bayonetta's eyes behind her glasses had turned completely cold. Although there was still a faint smile on her lips, it was a chilling smile.

Anne-Lorze was staring intently at Derek's hand, which was being held by Luo Jiajun, and at a certain part of Luo Jiajun's body that had subtly changed due to the stimulation just now, the murderous intent in her eyes almost solidified.

Alarm bells rang in Luo Jiajun's mind. He was plotting how to completely conquer and seduce Bayonetta and Anne-Lorze.

How could we let De Layle's sudden and unrestrained "flirting" ruin everything?

Immediately, Luo Jiajun composed himself, reverting to a serious demeanor. With a slight exertion, he subtly pushed Dreyer's body back half a foot.

"No, I'm not tired right now, and I don't want to rest so soon."

He deliberately avoided Dreyer's captivating gaze, his eyes falling on the water glass on the coffee table. "If you're tired, you can go upstairs and rest."

Upon hearing this, the charming smile on Delaire's face froze instantly, then turned into a deep resentment, as if silently accusing Luo Jiajun of being heartless and ungrateful—a truly mournful sight of "only seeing the new lover's smile, but not hearing the old lover's cry."

"Master~" She leaned closer, unwilling to give up, and gently blew a warm breath on Luo Jiajun's cheek, her voice so sweet it could melt your heart, "I just want to 'replenish my mana'~"

She deliberately emphasized the words "mana replenishment," and after speaking, she turned her head and glanced at Bayonetta and Annerose, her face carrying a false sense of goodwill as she explained:

"Oh, by the way, a friendly reminder to the two 'new' 'little sisters,' if you want to do anything with the master, you'd better take the initiative."

She paused here, seemingly admiring the possible changes in expression on Bayonetta and Annerose's faces, before slowly and wistfully adding:

"Because Master's 'body fluids' have a magical effect of enhancing magic power. And that feeling... tsk, it's really..."

"Crack~!"

Just then, a crisp, loud clapping sound abruptly interrupted Dreyer's suggestive and thought-provoking words.

It was Luo Jiajun who slapped Deleil's pert buttocks hard! The force was so great that it caused ripples to spread across the elastic area.

"Alright." Luo Jiajun's voice turned serious, carrying an unquestionable tone of command. "Go upstairs and rest! Don't cause any more trouble here."

Finally, under Dreyer's seemingly surprised yet amused gaze, Luo Jiajun's lips moved extremely slightly, silently mouthing two words to Dreyer—"burn your cunt."

Instead of being angry, Dreyer was like a cat that had stolen some fish, a sly and triumphant glint in his eyes.

She even swayed her hips slightly, giving Luo Jiajun a charming and seductive look.

Her seemingly reckless actions just now were not without purpose. She had keenly sensed that Luo Jiajun's "hunting" target tonight did not seem to be her, but rather two other people.

So she immediately changed her strategy and chose to retreat in order to advance.

That "friendly tip" about her "mana replenishment" ability, which seemed like an unrestrained boast, was actually a carefully planned assist!

She wanted to lay bare the value and benefits of Luo Jiajun, this "secret weapon," in front of Bayonetta and Anne-Lorze.

She knew Luo Jiajun too well. Although he was sternly telling her to leave, he definitely remembered her "contribution." Afterwards, to appease her, or rather, to "reward" her, Luo Jiajun would simply... give her a good "mana boost"!

Just thinking about the feeling of being forcefully thrust into and impacted by Luo Jiajun, experiencing the ultimate sensation of being out of control and filled with magic, caused an uncontrollable surge of heat to rise from the depths of Delaire's body.

Her tongue, which she unconsciously extended, licked his lower lip with an irresistible lick, and her legs unconsciously parted slightly.

Through the thin leather skirt that perfectly accentuated her curves, she brazenly stroked her sensitive inner thigh with her fingers through the fabric, right in front of Bayonetta and Anne-Loz, a dazed and pleasurable expression on her face.

Given her utterly shameless behavior, it's self-evident what she was really going to do when she said she had "an urgent matter to attend to upstairs," and it's full of blatant sexual innuendo.

"Ah~ Well, I also have some 'urgent business' to attend to, so I'll head upstairs first~ Hehe." Derek let out a string of lazy and satisfied laughs, swaying her hips and walking with a cat-like gait, exuding charm as she walked towards the stairs until her figure disappeared around the corner.

Now only Luo Jiajun, Bayonetta, and Anne-Lorz, whose face had become even colder after Dreyer's actions, remained in the living room. But the atmosphere didn't ease; instead, it became even more delicate and tense because of the bombshell information Dreyer had left behind.

Luo Jiajun stood awkwardly by the coffee table, unsure whether to sit or stand. The source of his embarrassment was obvious—he had just been intimately teased by that "burnt cunt" Derek, and being young and vigorous with ample resources, even through the loose bathrobe, his manhood was already uncontrollably erect, forming a clear and awkward outline.

Bayonetta and Anne-Lorz haven't been completely won over yet, and their relationship remains delicate.

In this situation, even with his thick skin, Luo Jiajun couldn't help but feel a little embarrassed.

Especially after Luo Jiajun sat down, Bayonetta's gaze didn't leave him. Instead, it deliberately and with a playful scrutiny fell on the awkward bulge on Luo Jiajun's body. The corners of her mouth turned up slightly, forming a half-smile, a smile that clearly carried undisguised mockery and a hint of...amusement?

"cough……"

Luo Jiajun coughed lightly, forcibly suppressing the agitation in his heart. He could only avoid Bayonetta's penetrating gaze and instead looked at Annerose, who was still standing to the side with a cold face, trying to divert her attention. "Annerose, you should sit down too."

Anne-Lorze's amber eyes swept coldly over Luo Jiajun.

The only reason she didn't leave immediately like Dreyer was that Luo Jiajun still held the answer she desperately wanted to know—the secret of her inexplicable increase in strength. She silently walked to the single sofa, choosing not to approach Luo Jiajun or Bayonetta, but instead sitting down alone. A spacious coffee table and an invisible distance separated them, clearly demonstrating their unfamiliar, almost estranged relationship.

Seeing that Luo Jiajun and Anne Lorze had already taken their seats, Bayonetta finally withdrew her unsettling gaze and parted her red lips slightly.

However, her first question wasn't about the secret to her increased strength that Annerose had hoped for, but rather—

"What Miss Delaire just said... about replenishing mana."

Bayonetta's voice was steady, with a unique, slightly husky magnetism. She tilted her head slightly, her gaze behind her glasses refocusing on Luo Jiajun's face, with a hint of inquiry, "Is this true?"

She asked very directly, as if she were discussing something extremely ordinary.

Anne-Lorra's face instantly darkened, her brows furrowing. She hadn't expected Bayonetta to steer the conversation to such a private, even vulgar, topic at this crucial moment.

In her opinion, this was simply a waste of time!

Compared to the core issue of improving one's own strength, the absurd notion of "mana replenishment" is utterly insignificant! Her gaze towards Bayonetta was filled with incomprehension.

Faced with Bayonetta's sudden and extremely sensitive question, Luo Jiajun was caught off guard. His Adam's apple bobbed, and he let out a short "uh...", his face showing obvious hesitation and embarrassment.

He carefully chose his words, his gaze shifting between Bayonetta and Annerose, before tentatively asking in a somewhat uncertain tone, "If... I said it was true, would you... believe me?"

"Tch!" Anne-Loz's response to Luo Jiajun was an undisguised sneer and disdain.

She curled her lip, her eyes filled with disdain, as if looking at a clumsy conman.

"Sex devil!"

She coldly uttered two words, her tone resolute, "That Mizuki family's anti-demon ninja sister was absolutely right!"

However, to Anne-Lorz's surprise, Bayonetta's reaction was quite different.

"Why is Miss Annerose in such a hurry to draw conclusions?" Bayonetta's voice remained calm, even carrying a hint of a smile.

She turned her head slightly to look at Annerose, her gaze behind her glasses carrying an unfathomable depth. "Such a sensitive, even 'taboo' topic, and someone didn't immediately deny it, but instead gave an ambiguous, somewhat affirmative response..."

She drew out the last syllable, her gaze returning to Luo Jiajun's face, her eyes seemingly piercing through to the heart, "Isn't this itself quite interesting? Perhaps what Miss Derell said isn't unfounded?"

Anne-Loz frowned deeply upon hearing this. She was completely baffled. What was Bayonetta up to? Why was Bayonetta defending Luo Jiajun's absurd claims?

Bayonetta ignored Anne-Lorz's probing gaze; her attention remained firmly fixed on Luo Jiajun.

She leaned forward slightly, her red lips parted slightly, and her tone became even more deliberate:

"If... I mean, if."

She deliberately emphasized the hypothetical tone and continued, "If Miss Delaire wasn't lying and there really is such a thing as mana replenishment, then I'd like to ask us... dear master, how can you be sure that Miss Delaire's flattery towards you is out of genuine affection for you, or... merely to obtain your 'fluid' that can enhance your magic power, and that's why she's so 'enthusiastic' towards you?"

See you in the picture!

Bayonetta's seemingly casual yet meticulously planned words finally revealed their sharp fangs at this moment! She cleverly used the "mana replenishment" topic that Dreyer had brought up, and taking advantage of Dreyer's absence, she amplified the sensitive points of the topic to the extreme, viciously stabbing at the seemingly "intimate" relationship between Luo Jiajun and Dreyer!

This isn't a discussion about the authenticity of "mana replenishment"; it's clearly questioning Dreyer's motives and planting a seed of "doubt" in Luo Jiajun's heart!

Palace intrigue...

Luo Jiajun could even sense the invisible glint of swords and spears in the air. Bayonetta, that woman, was indeed terrifyingly shrewd!

Luo Jiajun was always certain of Dreyer's feelings. This was because he possessed an unparalleled "cheat code"—he could directly see the favorability rating of each summoned character through the character cards in his consciousness!

Dreyer - Current Favorability: 74

This number clearly surfaced in Luo Jiajun's mind at this moment. To be honest, considering Derek's usual almost obsequious and subservient behavior towards him, 74's favorability rating didn't seem particularly high.

But Luo Jiajun was well aware of the criteria for judging the favorability system. 74 was already a fairly high number, which was considered to be "more than friends, but not quite lovers".