“Ugh, cough cough cough cough cough!!!”
Red had to admit, he was really starting to panic.
It was like being caught cheating in bed—he had no idea what to do, completely at a loss before Litt’s pure and innocent gaze.
He really couldn’t admit that he’d gone to an Automaton shop and made a “Litt,” right?
How was that any different from admitting he’d gone out to play the wild womanizer?
Red didn’t believe for a second that Litt would be as calm as Tos claimed, not getting angry at all upon hearing about such a thing.
Just think about it from another perspective: you work hard all day, and then come home to find your wife playing the lottery with a robot that looks exactly like you.
How would that feel?
But as long as he didn’t admit that the Automaton was his creation, there shouldn’t be any real trouble… just a bit of guilt gnawing at his conscience.
Besides, only a few of his close friends knew he’d made that Automaton.
As long as he kept their mouths shut, this matter could be buried in his stomach forever.
There was something even more important—he had to figure out where Litt had seen it.
That would help him track it down.
So after composing himself, Red put on a completely clueless expression and asked,
“Really? What a coincidence… Where did you see it?”
“I saw it at the White Church! And it seemed to be someone with a really high status.”
When he heard this, Red felt a sudden realization.
The White Church?
Why did that Automaton go to the White Church?
But while he was still confused, Litt was also busy with her own thoughts.
Actually, she hadn’t seen The Real Lit today at all, but why say so?
The reason was simple: to emphasize that she and The Real Litt… were not the same person, to further strengthen her presence in the Script.
That way, even if Red really did encounter The Real Litt in the future, there would be no risk of the real one “taking over her home.”
After all, it was her who was building a relationship with Red now.
Not The Real Litt.
Only by doing this could she thoroughly block any chance of “Identity Confusion” or “Emotional Transfer” when the true Litt and Red crossed paths in the future.
As long as Red’s brain was branded with the Cognitive Seal of “this Litt is not that Litt,” the real one couldn’t touch, much less replace, the ecological niche that Letia now held at Red’s side.
A position she’d painstakingly fought for, just to survive.
Once she survived past the plot point at Layer Twenty-Five, even if the world outside was in Flood, she wouldn’t care at all if Red and The Real Litt ended up together—or even if Red and Otto shared a bed.
For now, she only did this to keep The Real Litt from taking her place in the Script.
“A person with high status?”
Red was even more bewildered.
But quickly, a new idea formed in his mind.
That Automaton didn’t go to the White Church on its own—it was taken by them!
As soon as that thought occurred, cold sweat started beading on Red’s forehead.
He kept sneaking glances at Litt, then quickly looked away in guilt.
Bad.
Bro, this is bad!
No wonder he and Mason searched all of Nightbright Town and couldn’t find any trace of the Automaton—it all made sense now!
Litt must have known about the Automaton, but judging from her reaction… she really didn’t seem angry?
But why would Litt do this?
A storm brewed in Red’s mind as he tried to work out the reason.
Just then, Litt spoke.
“Lunch is ready.”
She spoke naturally, walking to the back kitchen to bring out the food, her face carrying a faint, gentle smile.
“Now, most of the White Church’s affairs don’t require my direct attention, so I can look after the shop for you with peace of mind.”
The White Church’s affairs… didn’t need Litt to handle personally?
Red’s thoughts became clearer and clearer.
Oh~
I get it!
He smacked his palm in realization.
So that’s why Litt sent the Automaton to the White Church—as a stand-in!
Of course, given Litt’s status, she must have many things to handle.
How could she have so much free time to help him mind the shop?
“Hurry and wash your hands.”
Litt’s gentle voice pulled him out of his thoughts.
“Okay.”
Red nodded.
Though he wasn’t sure whether Litt knew the Automaton was his doing, as long as he kept quiet, there wouldn’t be any problem.
Plus, with the Automaton at the White Church, he could rest easy.
The two quickly washed their hands.
In the cramped weapons shop, there wasn’t even space for a proper dining table, let alone a dedicated dining room.
So, they squeezed side by side on the only long bench behind the counter, while the fragrant dishes were spread out atop the counter.
Two benches, one counter—this was their improvised, lived-in little dining room.
While eating, Litt spoke casually.
“Red, what did you and Tos go out so early for?”
“A place that studies Ancient Weapons, to see if those weapons could be used for daily life.”
Red made up a story without blushing or skipping a beat…
Well, not really—those Automatons actually were daily necessities.
“You’re amazing…”
Litt said quietly, still not quite understanding.
“I’m not much help with things like that.”
But then, her face lit up with a dazzling smile.
“But I have to say, when the four of you walk together, you really catch the girls’ eyes.”
That wasn’t just Litt being polite.
Although the things Red’s group did could be questionable, all four of them were undeniably good-looking.
Without knowing their deeds, it was easy for innocent young girls to be smitten.
“Ah… it’s nothing, really.”
Red recalled that after leaving Succubus Street, it was early in the morning and there were lots of people on the street.
Passing by Nightbright Town’s Magic Academy, plenty of people came up to talk to them—many of them pretty young girls asking for contact info.
But they all turned them down, even the dandy Tos didn’t accept any of the girls’ advances.
In his words…
How could inexperienced schoolgirls compare to the comfort of Succubus Street’s succubi?
The latter knew exactly what to do with a pat on the back, while the former couldn’t even figure out how to catch their breath.
Emmm…
He wanted sweet romance, but had no trouble turning down those girls.
Wasn’t that a bit contradictory?
“So even girls came to chat you up?”
“Yeah, they did,” Red admitted openly.
“But I think they just wanted to get close to Mason and Brian through me.”
One was a prince from the Imperial Capital, the other was a strong, bold, yet gentle man—no wonder they caught girls’ eyes.
Hearing this, Litt couldn’t help but sigh.
“Red, you really need a little more confidence.”
I think she’s more jealous than she realizes.