Clockwork Bride

Page 170

Fortunately, Angela seemed to enjoy feeding Pania, as if she had a cat that would occasionally come over for a free meal.

"Master, what are you worried about again?"

Instead, it was Hayden's deep thought that made her anxiously come closer.

"Nothing."

Hayden shook his head, intending to brush it off.

...But just as he was making this decision, Hayden saw the expression on Angela's face—an expression that clearly showed she was genuinely worried about him, which even made Hayden feel a little guilty.

What was he just saying to Miktikahiva? That a loving relationship between husband and wife is built on equality?

Hayden glanced at Angela in the nanomaterial maid outfit she always wore with such joy and initiative, and suddenly felt a strong sense of bewilderment and incongruity.

There can be no love between slaves and slave owners, no love between nobles and servants, just as there can be no love between capitalists and laborers. True love, like all other relationships, can only be found in a relationship of equality.

From this perspective, what exactly is the relationship between Hayden and Angela?

Did Angela consider herself Hayden's servant? She probably did. Ever since the system started up, Angela had always addressed Hayden as "Master" and had voluntarily chosen to dress as a maid. She certainly didn't understand the significance of this attire.

But was Angela really Hayden's servant? That doesn't make sense; it's clearly not normal. The relationship between servant and master is one of personal dependence. Servants become servants because they need to obtain things from their masters.

Why would Angela need anything from Hayden? She was completely self-sufficient. Even the gods need to eat, yet Hayden never saw Angela eat anything or replenish her energy.

It's not so much that she doesn't need Hayden, but rather that Hayden is now completely dependent on Angela. If Angela were to suddenly disappear, let alone where Hayden would get the Secret Fire or her scent—just the thought of not having Angela by his side to take care of him would probably drive Hayden crazy.

Who really needs whom?

Why on earth would such an incredible Angela fall from the sky for him? Just because he made a wish? Impossible! This isn't just hard to "understand," it's downright unbelievable!

And there's no doubt that this is clearly not an equal relationship...

Hayden's head was getting more and more aching. He had known for a long time that this was very strange, but he had always tried to avoid thinking about such things that he couldn't understand and would only add to his troubles. But now, he just couldn't get around it.

"Owner."

Angela's voice finally became a little more serious.

“I can sense when you are distressed and frustrated. Whatever problems you encounter, please don’t struggle with them alone.”

Hearing Angela's words, even Pania, who was carefree eating her baked rice, looked up and gazed at her curiously.

What else could Hayden say? Why would he say he was worried about Angela in front of Angela and Pania?

Obviously impossible.

So he had to downplay his concerns: "I'm worried about what will happen next."

"After this incident, the two new technologies from Mitra Group and Smoke Mirror Company have matured. They will gradually put them into the market. What kind of changes will this bring to the socio-economic situation? To be honest, I can't be sure, but I feel that something big is about to happen, and I'm also worried that I'm not strong enough."

This is not a lie. Even if it were just on instinct, Hayden could realize that the new technology was tolling a terrible alarm bell, not just heard with his own ears, but felt in his heart.

"Although I really didn't want to say this in front of the young girl,"

Hayden glanced at Pania across the table as he finished speaking, and couldn't help but sigh.

"But even if I wanted to have your current fighting strength, it would be very difficult."

Hayden possesses neither the talent to become a true god nor the talent for martial arts. Although after strengthening his body into that of a god, and further studying and improving his magical techniques, he should be able to achieve combat power comparable to a Vajra Warrior... but that's pretty much his limit.

Professor Albion is essentially a fully realized non-divine mage. Yet even he couldn't possibly fight the divine army alone. His combat strength is roughly equivalent to the old headmaster in a children's novel from the last century. In comparison, [Magical Girl Pazuzu] at least possesses the divine power to move Mount Tai across the North Sea.

And this is just a very ordinary [minor god] level new god.

Without power, what makes you think you can change the world?

So Hayden was really having a headache.

However, after hearing his words, Panya showed a strange expression and raised her eyebrows: "Uncle, are you a little obsessed?"

……ah?

"If you really need fighting power, why don't you ask me or the daughter of the Peacock King? Putting aside Boss Mikite, at least we would definitely give you power, right?"

Pania tilted her head.

“We are all gods. If someone we want to help is calling out to us, of course we will help them. You just need to call our names.”

For a moment, Hayden was truly speechless.

Although Pania was unaware of this, from this perspective, Hayden could also invoke [Bosa], summoning the divine power of Alastor. All things considered, this meant three [Heavenly] level deities could provide support.

As for how much combat power can be converted from so much divine support, that depends on how much processing power they are willing to allocate, and the aptitude of Hayden as the vessel and terminal. However, on the other hand, Hayden's talent as a "witch" is very strong, so… could it be…

...Is the new path Hayden is about to forge simply the path of clinging to powerful figures?

To carve a bright path through the dark wilderness, is that to cling to your friends' coattails?

Hayden had a very strong imagination, and when he thought that this idea might actually be possible, he was immediately a little stunned.

Even more terrifying, Angela beside her nodded happily: "That's really good. Master, please don't forget, strictly speaking, Miss Karen, Miss Pania, and Mr. Alastor, the core of their power was all created with your help. Even if you borrow power from them, you shouldn't feel ashamed, right?"

That's certainly true. Without Angela and Hayden, Karen would probably have had a hard time starting her own business and would likely have had to go home and rely on her parents' help to become a god. As for Pania and Alastor, it goes without saying that without Hayden, they would both be corpses, not gods.

But one thing is one thing. Hayden felt these were two separate matters.

"No matter how easy it is to borrow the strength of friends, it is still just the strength of friends, not your own strength."

So he still shook his head: "Friends can be relied upon, but not depended upon. These are two different things."

Panya couldn't help but think Hayden was incredibly stubborn. Strange, what's going on? Could this guy be a virgin magician over thirty? He's clearly liked by several goddesses at the same time, yet he's so hesitant and timid in a place like this?

Thinking of this, Panya picked up the lactic acid bacteria drink next to the dining table, and while taking a big sip, she complained: "Uncle, if you don't want a superior and unequal master, and you don't want to borrow power from equal friends, then you should hurry up and marry a god, and then talk to Him about sharing property?"

Hayden, enraged, laughed: "Shared property in marriage? Who are you going to talk to? What would you do in my shoes?"

Unexpectedly, after Pania finished drinking the probiotic beverage, she thought for a moment and actually nodded: "Marrying Uncle means that you will always help me come up with ideas for live broadcast programs and be my producer. Then there's also the wonderful mother-in-law, Angela. And Uncle is such a coward that he definitely wouldn't dare to cheat. He will definitely treat me like a goddess and be very careful with me. Moreover, I can also get a lot of powerful connections through Uncle... Uncle, let's go get our marriage certificate now?"

草

What are young girls thinking these days?

Hayden was completely dumbfounded.

Angela's eyes lit up immediately: "Miss Panya, have you considered having children after marriage?"

Most sixteen-year-old girls would be stunned for a moment upon hearing such a question, but Pania is Pania after all. She immediately put her hands on her hips and puffed out her chest: "I want a son and a daughter! Anyway, I have money now, so I can use an artificial womb!"

So Angela walked over and, like announcing the winner of a boxing match, raised Pania's hand: "Pass!"

This is ridiculous.

"I'm not interested in sixteen-year-old girls!"

If things continue like this, who knows what trouble Angela and Panya might cause? When the two of them team up to torment Hayden, their destructive power is multiplied. In the end, Hayden stuffed a bunch of food into Panya's hands and managed to send her home.

Pania wasn't angry at all. She said, "I'll come back to play next time~" and flew away happily.

Suddenly, only Hayden and Angela were left staring at each other in the room.

“Angela, I’m really worried. I can feel things changing. I have a feeling that things will get worse and worse, like the great storm the Peacock King spoke of, like the wheels of fate about to roll over us.”

Hayden rubbed his temples and couldn't help but complain to Angela.

“I really need strength, not jokes.”

However, Angela didn't seem to quite understand what Hayden meant.

Instead, she tilted her head, looking puzzled: "Master, if you really need power that much, you can just ask me for it."

Uh, that's not the point at all, is it? How much power do you have?

Just as Hayden was about to ask that question, he suddenly realized that it wasn't actually the most important question at all.

The most important question is... the one he just thought of, but didn't dare to ask.

Angela, who are you? Why are you helping me?

Karen and Hayden are friends, comrades who both want to improve the world, and have a mutually beneficial relationship.

Alastor and Hayden were friends and comrades who both wanted to overthrow capitalism, and Hayden was also his benefactor who revived him.

Panya was basically raised from a rookie stage by Hayden, needless to say.

Even though the three of them were already gods, possessing the fighting power to kill Hayden with a single slap, they were still essentially equals to Hayden.

But what about Angela?

Who exactly is she, who appears to be dressed as a maid serving Hayden, and why?

Only now does Hayden truly realize that he has neglected these issues for far too long.

On a whim, he picked up the tarot deck in the living room and turned over the top card on his own.

That card is the number one card of the Major Arcana Tarot.

The card depicts a magician holding a scepter, his right hand pointing to the sky and his left to the earth, as if he himself were a bridge between heaven and earth. On the table before him are the scepter, chalice, sword, and coins, symbolizing the four elements of magic. His crimson robe symbolizes passion and initiative. A green snake is coiled around his waist; while snakes often symbolize evil, here they represent wisdom and enlightenment.

This is the first card of the Major Arcana Tarot, representing the number one, the beginning of all numbers, and symbolizing new beginnings. Drawing this card signifies a good time to embark on new actions and realize new plans. Because you have already laid a solid foundation for these new plans, new adventures are very likely to come to fruition.

Looking at the card, Hayden immediately knew what he needed to do next.

He should probably start figuring out who Angela really is.

————————————————————————

[The Magician - Upright]

[First Card of the Major Arcana]

[Keywords: communication, everything is ready, new plan, initiative, creativity]

You've accumulated a lot. Now is a good time to take the initiative and launch a new plan.

Side Story: Scepter Attendant

Nearly a month has passed since the "World's Number One VTuber Esports Tournament" ended and the matter was settled.

Of course, Hayden's cheerful friends still have a lot to do, and the dust settling down doesn't mean they can relax or lie back—there's no such thing as a free lunch in this day and age. But let's not talk about that today. Let's talk about someone who's in a more relaxed situation.

That's the fox ninja, Ms. Momiji Akika, who has been temporarily staying at the Hayden family's residence since the end of this incident!

When the "World's Number One VTuber Tournament" ended, Akika Momiji, originally an employee of the Mitra Group's old god race, was effectively dead. Although Hayden resurrected her, Momiji's social connections as a human being were, in any case, dead. She couldn't possibly leave Hayden's family's barrier and wander the streets until the storm passed. After all, that would only cause trouble for everyone.

So this month, Hongye Qiuhua has been staying obediently at Hayden's house...

...and then she competed with Angela for the housework.

"Now that I am Lord Hayden's ninja, I should also do the work of a servant. I am proficient in cooking, sewing, and washing clothes. Please sit down, madam. No need for help or pity."

It's embarrassing to admit, but Hayden was clearly fighting every day for the happiness, freedom, and equality of the people, yet his servants seemed to have increased. What kind of strange phenomenon is this?

Hayden was speechless: "...Could you at least stop calling me 'Master'?"

Angela seemed somewhat confused as well: "Why am I called 'Madam'?"

But Hongye seemed quite stubborn in this situation: "Questions and answers are useless, no need for further words. Well then, I'll go prepare dinner."

On the very first day, when Hongye entered Hayden's kitchen, she was startled by the large, bizarre wind-up cooking device that Angela had placed there.

Hayden pondered this for a while and finally said to Angela, "It would be good for her to do some housework at home. It's important to have something to do for mental stability."

People who create value and feel a genuine sense of contribution to others are more likely to feel proud and confident. Conversely, those who don't create value are more likely to lose that confidence. This is especially true for stubborn and earnest individuals like Hongye Qiuhua, who may experience anxiety and restlessness.

She had already lost contact with her family, and if she were trapped in the house, becoming anxious and restless, she might cause other trouble. It would be better to let Hongye do some housework.

...At this point, Hayden had even mentally prepared himself for a tragic end. After all, he was used to Angela's cooking. Hayden had initially thought he definitely wouldn't like the dishes made by Momiji. Hayden hadn't even thought Momiji could serve anything delicious.

The result, however, was once again beyond his expectations.

As soon as Hongye got a normal home kitchen, her eyes lit up. She lit the stove with ease and skillfully cut tofu into thin strips, put them into a casserole, and then lightly seasoned them with soy sauce and cooking wine before simmering them over medium heat.

"Sorry to keep you waiting. This is Edo-style eight-cup tofu shabu-shabu rice. There's also fried shiitake mushroom tofu and bok choy. Here's rice with pickled vegetables and kombu miso soup."

Before long, Hongye served Hayden three dishes and a soup. Even Hayden was stunned.

White rice, pickled vegetables in a small dish, and miso soup—these were nothing special; the tableware was probably something Angela had bought and kept at home, and the ingredients were just things bought online. However, the ordinary tofu was made exceptionally exquisite by Momiji. The tofu, cut into thin strips, was simmered in a ratio of six parts broth, one part sake, and one part soy sauce, hence the name "Eight Cups." It was then thickened with kudzu root powder, served in a black ryaku ware tea bowl, and topped with grated radish.

The black pottery vessel holds tender, smooth white tofu and grated radish. The dark glaze of the pottery further accentuates the whiteness of the tofu. The entire composition exudes a pure, elegant Eastern beauty; judging by appearance alone, it's probably more appealing than any dish Angela usually cooks.

Hayden gazed at the visually appealing, almost painterly dishes, hesitated for a moment, then picked up his chopsticks and teacup, taking the first bite. Indeed, the food lived up to its appearance; a gentle flavor softly spread across his mouth. The seasoning was based on soy sauce, pure and simple. The soft tofu and rice were carried down into his stomach by the hot soup, the warm broth seeping into his entire being.

"……call."

Even Hayden couldn't help but let out a sigh of relief after taking a few bites.