Chapter 54: Is Your Family’s AI Always This Cocky?

“Mm, so expensive things really do have their reasons.”

Eous toddled forward on his stubby legs and tugged at Phaga’s pants.

Phaga glanced down and caught a faint crimson glow flicker across his monocle. It vanished with a blink.

Kneeling on one knee, Phaga extended his palm. Eous squirmed bashfully for a moment before stepping onto his hand, wrapping his arms around his wrist, and climbing up.

Once Phaga stood and steadied himself, Eous continued, “But since Victoria Housekeeping is this strong in combat, taking a shortcut should be fine, right?”

“No problem.”

Phaga adjusted his umbrella, smiling faintly. “Victoria Housekeeping will spare no effort to fulfill our master’s expectations.”

Eous blinked, ears twitching in a daze.

Belle, linked to Eous’s consciousness, nearly collapsed from the impact. A rosy flush spread across her face like spilled peach dye. Her feet kicked frantically beneath the desk, sending her wheeled chair rolling awkwardly away. Her vision swam; she couldn’t even focus on the H.D.D.’s screen.

Th-this... this is the true power of Victoria Housekeeping?

He’s smiling. He’s calling me “Master.” He even promised to meet all my expectations!

Damn it, I want to keep commissioning him forever!

“Belle, what’s wrong?”

Wise, who had been busy monitoring business on the Inter-Knot, finally noticed her strange behavior and shook Belle’s shoulders.

【Fairy: According to human definitions, Master’s current state would typically be classified as maiden—】

“Fairy, shut up!”

Belle’s face turned so red it looked ready to bleed. She clenched her teeth and barked at Fairy.

But Fairy really did fall silent this time. Belle’s mind, however, kept replaying Phaga’s gentle smile.

He smiled so warmly.

But Victoria Housekeeping is expensive.

He seemed so reliable when he worked seriously.

But Victoria Housekeeping is expensive.

He...

But Victoria Housekeeping was expensive. Painfully expensive!

Timidly, Belle turned her head, her expression pitiful like a stray cat’s, and whispered, “Brother, what’s the minimum commission fee for Victoria Housekeeping?”

Wise thought for a moment. “I think the starting rate is one million dennies.”

【Fairy: To put it simply, that’s enough money to maintain dozens of Fairies.】

Stab!
A blade pierced Belle’s heart.

【Fairy: Master, considering your financial situation, I recommend against repeatedly hiring Victoria Housekeeping. You already struggle to maintain one AI as comprehensive and eloquent as myself.】

Stab!
Another thrust, straight through.

Belle felt hollow inside, but at least her mind cleared. She slumped weakly over the desk. “Fairy, scan for nearby spatial rifts.”

【Fairy: Response. While Master was in an abnormal state, I had already begun using the H.D.D.’s processing power to analyze the Hollow’s structure. Compared to last month, electricity consumption may increase by 5% to 50%.】

Swish!
Belle silently clenched her fist.

Thud!
Then slammed it hard against the desk.

...

Meanwhile, inside the Hollow.

“Phaga, what’s wrong with this Bangboo?”

“Ellen, don’t manhandle the Master.”

“Tsk, fine!”

Hearing movement, Belle finally reconnected to Eous after a long absence.

With last time’s embarrassment still fresh, she no longer allowed others to overhear her exchanges with her brother or Fairy. But she hadn’t yet managed to get her emotions under control. Weakly raising Eous’s paw, she said:

“Phaga, this way.”

Phaga followed her guidance and asked, “Is something troubling you?”

“Me? Hahaha, no, no, of course not.”

“Your forced smile doesn’t hide your unhappiness.”

“What? No way, you’re imagining things... Ah, Ethereal ahead. Put me down first.”

After crossing the spatial rift, Eous scanned the area. Through the link, Belle immediately pointed forward.

Phaga arched a brow but hadn’t yet spoken when Anton cut in, unable to contain himself.

“Ah, this air—thick with Ether Substance! This sudden spike in concentration! No doubt about it, I can hear our Grappler calling to us!”

With some peculiar sixth sense, Anton sniffed the air dramatically and declared that the grappler was nearby.

Grace, recognizing the signs of his excitement, quickly forced herself to tear her gaze away from Phaga and tried to restrain him.

“Anton, calm down! There are tons of Ethereal here!”

“So what? Only those who climb boldly and take risks are real men! Let’s go, brother—spin, spin, spin!”

He hefted his drill and charged.

Phaga closed his eyes. He wouldn’t show helplessness in front of his master during work hours. Tilting his head slightly, he murmured:

“Ellen, if you would.”

“Mm.”

Ellen finally tore her gaze from Grace.

She couldn’t understand it. They’d only just met Phaga, yet Grace kept sneaking looks at him.

But now wasn’t the time to dwell on it. She had a fight to focus on.

She also couldn’t figure out why, despite being the Senior, it was Phaga who naturally took the lead on commissions. They’d never discussed it—it just happened.

Fine. She’d sort it out later. For now, the priority was clearing the field.

She hefted her massive scissors and activated [Roaming Hunt], sprinting straight toward the thickest cluster of Ethereal.

“Um, aren’t you going to fight too? If you’re charging in, I could carry you—mmph!”

As Ellen ran ahead, Phaga strolled casually beneath his umbrella. Grace’s voice came hesitantly from his side.

Phaga turned just as she blurted the word “carry.” Her face instantly flushed crimson. Overcome with shyness, she covered her cheeks, her unfinished words swallowed back.

Phaga could make no sense of her intent.

“No, but thank you for your kind offer.”

It hardly mattered. Politeness was enough.

Ellen’s strength was dependable. At Phaga’s measured pace, he reached her just in time to see Ethereal collapsing one after another at her feet, each death releasing bursts of light like fireworks against the flow.

Once they crossed the rippling trails of Ether-light, Ellen was already waiting at the far end, tapping her toes impatiently. When Phaga approached, she fell into step beside him. Guided by Eous, they crossed another spatial rift.

On the other side, an intelligent machine appeared.

Eous pointed ahead. “Is that the Grappler you’re looking for?”

The grappler swiveled around at the sound. Though its frame was mechanical, it moved with noodle-like suppleness, striking a heroic pose.

“Ho? The pursuers finally arrive! I’ve been waiting for ages!”

Phaga tilted his head slightly, glancing back at Anton and Grace.

“Is your intelligent machine always this cocky?”