Chang Yuan glanced at Elysia beside him and silently thought to himself.
She was truly the first Herrscher humanity had ever possessed.
It's just that this Herrscher didn't seem to realize she was one.
"Vill-V, keep up the good work. Oh, and don't forget about the absolute defense Divine Key for the Fourth Herrscher."
Chang Yuan, worried that Vill-V might forget his request, reminded her again.
"Got it, got it. I'm so smart, how could I forget? Once I create a super AI to help me, it'll be even easier."
"Alright, you handle it however you see fit. After all, we have access to the world's resources now."
Not long ago, their pawns had replaced the council members, so all those councilors had been "removed."
However, the world didn't fall into chaos because the transition had been publicly announced.
Now, if Chang Yuan wanted, he could easily control the entire world.
And with his close allies—Vill-V, Mobius, Kevin, and others—the world was practically under his command.
But he had no interest in playing world domination games. His only goal was to ensure Elysia's survival.
After leaving the Spiral Workshop with Elysia, the two enjoyed a rare moment of peace.
"Yuan, would you like to take a walk with me?"
After walking a few steps, Elysia suddenly turned to Chang Yuan and extended an invitation.
Faced with what was essentially a date invitation, Chang Yuan didn't even think about refusing.
He nodded and agreed.
Reaching out, he took Elysia's hand.
Perhaps because of their previous experiences, neither Chang Yuan nor Elysia felt shy this time.
Feeling the smooth, jade-like skin of her hand, and occasionally Elysia playfully scratching his palm with her fingers, Chang Yuan couldn't help but wish time could stand still forever.
"Hmm~? Yuan, I want to eat that."
Spotting a dessert shop, Elysia immediately took a liking to a small pink cake.
It wasn't just the taste—she loved the color.
Seeing this, Chang Yuan almost blurted out that eating sweets could make you gain weight.
But then he remembered Elysia's enviable metabolism and quickly stopped himself.
"Alright."
With a helpless, doting smile, Chang Yuan led Elysia into the pastry shop.
"What can I get for you two?"
The shop owner stood up and greeted them as they entered.
"I'll take four of those pink cakes."
"Coming right up, four strawberry-flavored cakes."
The owner began packing the cakes for Elysia.
After they were packed, Chang Yuan, as usual, took care of the payment.
"Your boyfriend is so sweet to you."
"Yes, Yuan has always been good to me."
Elysia smiled without denying the shop owner's assumption.
This response made Chang Yuan's heart skip a beat.
Wasn't this an indirect acknowledgment? Yet, he felt that Elysia wouldn't openly confirm their relationship due to some underlying reason.
He still didn't understand why. Their feelings were clearly mutual, and he could sense Elysia's affection.
But why wouldn't she accept his confession?
Even when others referred to them as a couple, Elysia didn't deny it, yet she had rejected his formal confession.
If he didn't know Elysia better, he might have thought she was playing games, like a "player" leading him on.
"Let's go, Yuan. Why are you standing there spacing out? Do I need to remind you? Not that I mind."
Tugging on Chang Yuan's hand, Elysia called out softly.
Only then did Chang Yuan snap out of his thoughts.
"Sorry, I zoned out."
"Oh~? Zoned out? Let me guess why."
Hearing that Chang Yuan had spaced out, Elysia immediately teased him with a playful smile.
She then made a thoughtful gesture, pretending to ponder.
"Hmm, was it because the shop owner called me your girlfriend, and I didn't deny it?"
"..."
"Hmm~? Looks like I hit the mark. After all, Yuan, you're not good at lying~? But spacing out over something like that is so cute~?."
Letting go of Chang Yuan's hand, Elysia quickened her pace and turned to face him.
With her free hand, she gently pinched Chang Yuan's cheek.
"Actually, Yuan, you can think of me as your girlfriend. We can even do things that couples do, cough, well, I won't go into detail.
But please forgive me for not accepting your formal confession. I won't deny our relationship to others, but I won't confirm it either.
However, once this matter is resolved, I will announce to the whole world that you are my boyfriend. Okay?"
"...No, it's not okay at all."
If this were his previous life, Chang Yuan would have been thrilled to have a girl who offered all the benefits of a relationship without the commitment.
But now, in this world, with Elysia, he couldn't accept it. He couldn't treat Elysia that way.
"...That's such a Yuan-like response. You've always been so gentle, so biased toward me, so considerate of my feelings."
Elysia looked at Chang Yuan with a mix of helplessness and affection.
"Sorry, Elysia..."
"You don't need to apologize. It's me. I underestimated you, Yuan. In that case, once I give you my answer, let's have a wedding that the whole world knows about."
Placing a finger on Chang Yuan's lips, Elysia shook her head, not giving him a chance to refuse.
In the end, Chang Yuan had no choice but to agree.
But the thought of finally being together after overcoming the Herrscher of the End filled him with excitement.
"Nom~ This cake is really good. Want a bite?"
After taking a bite, Elysia held the cake she had bitten out to Chang Yuan.
After a moment of hesitation, Chang Yuan leaned in to take a bite.
But just as he opened his mouth, Elysia pulled the cake away.
"Hahaha, Yuan, I tricked you! Teehee~?"
Seeing her successful prank, Elysia quickly ran ahead.
Realizing he'd been tricked, Chang Yuan was momentarily stunned, then smiled and chased after her.
"Stop right there, you pink elf! How dare you trick me? If I catch you, I'm eating all your cakes!"