As the contract activated, a faint violet light bloomed around Fujibayashi Kyō’s body, her flowing long hair dancing wildly, enveloping the two of them in a brilliant Japanese aesthetic, the surging qí patterns sounding like the rustling of turning pages, followed immediately by a voice both could hear.

“Pact complete. Current Contractor and Contracted have achieved partnership. Current Contractor obtains the Proof of Binding: Absolute Radiance. Current Contracted obtains the Proof of Binding: Absolute Wind.

Contractor Lin Luo: Wanderer (LV1) Physical Strength: B. Spiritual Strength: B. Overall Strength: Peak Human Rank. Proofs of Binding: Angel’s Wings, Absolute Radiance. Heart Sutra Ability: Fused. King of the World: Inactive. Level Up: Requires one more pact completion. Contracted: Fujibayashi Kyō. Physical Strength: C. Spiritual Strength: A. Overall Strength: Initial Spirit Rank. Proof of Binding: Absolute Wind. Heart of the World: Heart of Splendor (ID 32, Form: Vibrant, Binding Level: One).”

Fujibayashi Kyō’s binding seal was only at one layer, judging by the attribute panel in the Contract Book, which made Lin Luo somewhat puzzled. Tachibana Kanade understood the God War very clearly, and her feelings for him were genuine; she was also the key to his rebirth, having guarded the Contract Book, yet even after the contract, she still retained a second layer of sealing. But Fujibayashi Kyō, without knowing anything, had somehow broken through two seals—something that hadn't even occurred before his previous life. What was the reason?

“What is happening?” As Lin Luo inwardly questioned, Fujibayashi Kyō had already pulled away from his embrace. She had been ready to yield her body, but this sudden contract had aborted that dark impulse, significantly lessening the urge in her heart. Forcing down the shame arising from that wicked thought, she couldn't help but ask.

“Are you asking about the contract or the God War?” Lin Luo looked at her with a sly, foxy grin, like someone offering Lunar New Year greetings.

“Both!” Fujibayashi Kyō bit her lip secretly, glaring fiercely at Lin Luo.

“This is something you need to understand for yourself. If I tell you, it loses its meaning. All the information should have already entered your mind during the contract signing,” Lin Luo said, spreading his hands with an air of casualness.

“…Is this what you wanted to discuss with me?” Fujibayashi Kyō understood what he meant, paused, yet chose not to focus on it, merely staring at him as a faint trace of killing intent began to brew behind her.

“Mm-hmm,” Lin Luo nodded, oblivious to the danger.

“Nothing else?” Fujibayashi Kyō tested again.

“What else is there?” Lin Luo feigned ignorance, then instantly slapped his head and laughed heartily and heartlessly, “Oh, I know. Did you think I came to find you to do what married couples do? Heh, you misunderstood. I think we’re still a bit early for that. But you can treat this as a rehearsal; you won't be so nervous next time we actually do it.”

“…” Hearing this, Fujibayashi Kyō felt an almost frantic urge rising within her, feeling as if the tender, sweet heart of a young girl had been instantly shattered, replaced by the heart of Kuroi Kotoba.

However, she took several deep breaths, managing to suppress the impulse to swing her woodcutter’s axe. A smile that was “incomparably warm” spread across her face as she softly asked, “Do you know how to make roast suckling pig?”

Fujibayashi Kyō refraining from exploding was somewhat outside Lin Luo’s expectations. He answered subconsciously, “I don’t know about that. I usually don’t make such high-class cuisine.”

Fujibayashi Kyō explained to him in a friendly, deep, and emphatic tone, “The method for roasting a suckling pig is to first catch an adult male piglet! Pull out its tongue and stuff it down its throat! So it can’t make a sound! Then, hang its four limbs over a fire pit and roast it while turning it! The piglet suffers and cannot cry out, and its meat will become increasingly delicious! Would you like to try some?!”

Fujibayashi Kyō stared with wide eyes, her face filled with murderous intent, making terrifying gestures as she spoke, as if Lin Luo were the piglet about to be placed on the roasting rack.

“Um, I think that’s a bit too cruel. Pigs have their dignity too,” Lin Luo felt a chill run down his spine. He finally understood that the Dictionary Emperor’s most powerful weapon was not his dictionary, but verbal abuse; even someone like him shivered hearing that.

“A wild boar that plays with a girl’s heart must be given an inhuman divine punishment. Don’t you agree?!” Fujibayashi Kyō’s question sounded rhetorical, but she was already closing in step by step.

“Uh, I have something else to do. You take your time understanding it; I’ll take my leave now. Oya shimi!”

Lin Luo also realized that if he didn’t leave soon, he didn’t know if he’d become roast piglet, but he’d most likely experience how Makoto Itou died.

Before his words even fully landed, and before Fujibayashi Kyō could rush him, he had already opened the door and swiftly retreated, closing it behind him. His back was already drenched in sweat.

“That hateful bastard…” Fujibayashi Kyō didn't chase after Lin Luo to administer divine punishment. Instead, she collapsed onto the sofa as if she had lost all strength, staring blankly at the ceiling.

Just as Lin Luo had said, she learned about the God War the instant the contract was confirmed. ‘While I can’t say I understand everything, I have a general grasp of it. At the very least, I understand why I transmigrated and know I’ve been dragged into a very large war. I also understand what Lin Luo meant by that path of no return. It’s just that this isn't why I’m angry.

“Wouldn’t it have been better if you told me this earlier? It’s not like I wouldn’t accept it. He intentionally played the fool and made me worry pointlessly! Ugh, I’m still really mad! Give me back my pure, innocent maiden heart!”

The girl couldn't help but let out a low growl, rolling around on the sofa clutching her head. However, the cushion of the Chikugi sofa clearly couldn't withstand her tossing and turning. Finally, with a loud bang, the sofa collapsed, and the girl tumbled to the floor, but this did nothing to stop her rolling and acting cute.

Lin Luo hadn't revealed the matter of the God War beforehand not because he deliberately concealed it, but because he had gained new insights since his rebirth. He believed it was better for the Host to understand things about the God War on their own. If he were the one to speak of it, due to preconceived notions, there would only be one answer for everyone.

But if the Host understood it themselves, perhaps they would make a different discovery, and the God War itself might even generate a different definition. One more answer meant one more path; everyone had their own direction for development, and the path ahead should be decided by them, without his guidance.

Take Mikoto, for example. She wasn't the strongest at the beginning, but through her own realization, she was the first to grasp the meaning of the Heart of the World, moving ahead of everyone else. Yet, the meaning of the Heart of the World might not be singular; there are many paths. Just because predecessors walked this path doesn't mean later generations must follow suit. While trusting oneself is important, there might be even broader avenues ahead.

Perhaps concealing the God War was unfair to Fujibayashi Kyō, but Lin Luo knew that regardless of whether he told her or not, given her personality, she would never refuse this contract. She loved someone intensely, and though her passion might not be the tempestuous, explosive kind, she would absolutely refuse to turn back until faced with the coffin.

In that case, to give her more direction, why bother discussing something that was merely ‘optional’? The God War was just a shackle they had to remove, not something they had to strive for.

Of course, his deliberately ambiguous teasing that caused Fujibayashi Kyō’s misunderstanding was purely out of a mischievous streak. After all, one must remember, his core nature was still an 'S,' albeit a mild one.

“Alright, the Dictionary Emperor issue is resolved; future growth relies on her own efforts. Next up is the Student Council President—huh?!” As soon as Lin Luo left Fujibayashi Kyō’s room, he was already plotting to make his move on Katsura Hinagiku, but he froze after only two steps. He saw a girl wrapped only in a bath towel standing before him—a petite figure, an exquisite build, golden flowing hair, and the errant ahoge bobbing on her head—it was Artoria!

“……………”

“……………”

The moment their gazes met, both froze. Even the surrounding air seemed poised to solidify, oppressively heavy.

Lin Luo hadn't expected to encounter her at a time like this, and he was momentarily unable to react. Artoria stared at him blankly, her gaze instinctively drifting behind Lin Luo, where she caught sight of Fujibayashi Kyō’s closed door. Her ahoge seemed to sense something and jumped sharply.

“Where did you come from?” Artoria asked instinctively.

Although Lin Luo could lie without batting an eye, standing right at Fujibayashi Kyō’s door, saying he hadn't come from there was something even Cirno wouldn't believe, so he could only nod, “Yes, that’s right.”

“Is that your room?” Artoria appeared relatively calm; at least, there were no visible signs of darkening emotions yet.

“The nameplate says so. Fujibayashi Kyō.” Lin Luo stretched out a finger, pointing to the three characters on the doorplate, which seemed to shine brilliantly, like golden splendor.

“Then why did you come out of there?”

“I was just passing by, so I stopped to check on things.”

“I recall your room is on the first floor. Why would you pass by the second floor?”

“I took a wrong turn accidentally,” Lin Luo uttered the answer, which he himself didn't believe.

“…” Hearing this reply, Artoria probably found it equally speechless. She blinked, then asked again, “Is there nothing else you want to say?”

“I think there’s nothing more to say.”

“Oh, then forget it.” Artoria nodded, ultimately saying nothing, and turned toward the bathroom.

Lin Luo’s expression was calm, but internally, he was slightly frantic. He was merely forcing composure, yet Artoria was acting even calmer, which thoroughly threw him off balance, leaving him feeling faintly disappointed. As he watched her turn and leave, a multiple-choice question immediately appeared before him.

Chase? Or don’t chase?