Deep Sea Hunter, but Deep Sea Titan

But she dared not ask for more. She did not have the same bond with Lotin that Skadi and Laurentina had, a bond that allowed them to live and die together. So she hesitated and remained indecisive.

"And what do I mean to you?"

"I'm just using the contract of a gold coin to stay by your side without a care in the world."

Goredia lowered her head and covered her face with the brim of her hat, still habitually concealing her weaknesses.

"You are an dishonest girl, you don't know what you want, so you willfully wait for others to coax you to be happy."

Lotin gently removed Grandia's hat, and then he saw Grandia, whom only he could see, the Grandia who was sitting on the bed as a child, helplessly looking at the small dressing mirror hidden under her pillow.

In her childhood, she had to be the best child, even if her excellence received no response from her mother. During her time as a Deepsea Hunter, she had to be a resolute superior to Laurentina, otherwise the team's morale would be crushed by fear and wavering.

Cold, resilient, ruthless, selfless, rational, and calm. These are the labels of Gladys, the invisible shackles Heratia prepared for her, needing her offspring to become like them. Poor Gladys, she didn't even know which way to resist, she had even forgotten that all these things were shackles.

“But I am not qualified, Lord Nautilus, I am not qualified.”

"But only you can..."

Only Lotin was willing and able to accept her willfulness; Goredia didn't want her old life to continue.

"If only I can do it, that's enough."

“Cheer up, Grétia. Your best friends are all around you. You no longer have to hold your nose and stay next to people you hate. Your mission is complete, Agor’s suffering is over. From now on, just be yourself.”

Lotin gently put the hat back on Goredia's head. She quickly adjusted her expression; she still looked like the same aloof Goredia, but her heart was in turmoil as she took this step.

"So, can I take that I've successfully made you fall for me?"

"You are a captivating hunter, spirited, capable, and sharp, like the crispest wave raised in the wind, Goredia."

"But what fascinates me about you is simply that you are a willful girl named Agor who can't live without me and craves acceptance."

At this moment, Goredia finally understood what Skadi and Laurentina meant by the weight of this feeling. This emotion might be just right for Laurentina and Skadi, but for Goredia, who was new to this path, it was "blissfully suffocating."

“We have plenty of time to get to know each other better, Gladys, my hunter.”

Lotin's absence from the restaurant naturally prompted the others to search for him, and Skadi and Laurentina easily found the second-floor balcony because "Deepsea Hunters are connected by blood."

"Swordfish, you're so cunning! You actually managed to sneak Lord Nautilus to a place like this for a tryst!"

Laurentina's surprise was feigned, because she knew this day would come sooner or later. On one hand, she wanted to possess Lotin alone, and on the other hand, she was left alone without any blood relatives.

But her anger wasn't feigned; Laurentina stated righteously:

"Second Captain, how could someone as upright as you sneak food while everyone else is eating breakfast?"

Greta said that Lotin had taken the initiative to come to her this time, but since Laurentina had said so, it would be a huge loss if she did nothing.

The taller Grétia embraced Lottin and asserted her dominance over him with a forceful and passionate kiss.

As for Lotin, he was simply going along with Gladys's preferences to satisfy her pride. Occasionally enjoying the feeling of being dominated by a strong woman was quite a unique experience.

The most direct consequence of Grandia's actions was that Laurentina pulled out the circular saw, Skadi gathered her familiars, and the Doctor activated Anana.

Fortunately, Ling was still in bed due to being drunk, otherwise there would have been another sword here.

"Avoid strenuous exercise indoors."

Luo Ting simply smiled and said this, and they chuckled as they put away their weapons. Clearly, unlike a certain deep-sea guardian, he was the true head of the family.

Chapter 314: "The Innocent Cockroach is Fiery Hot"

Lotin is currently in a semi-reclusive state, and he is unlikely to actively engage with the full force of Nautilus until a world war or crisis or other threat to all of Terra occurs. However, this does not mean that he has relaxed his surveillance and spying on the nations of Terra.

Nautilus continued to gaze upon this land.

During these two years, Terra underwent dramatic changes. One was the smooth implementation of the exile of Laterano. Terrans unknowingly developed a weak sense of empathy with each other. However, as long as they entered Rhodes Island and used the augmented empathy machines developed by the previous civilization, they could communicate remotely through the PCS system without being affected by Originium.

Terra's intercity communications have achieved a revolutionary breakthrough, overturning the technological foundation of network communications. The PCS system is shortening the distances across Terra.

Another thing is that the Originium has been properly adjusted so that it is no longer contaminated by living organisms. Those infected with Oripathy will no longer have their condition worsened and are no longer contagious. Depending on the specific physical condition, Originium can be removed simply by performing surgery.

Therefore, the three orphans of the former civilization, including Lotin, are indeed revered as gods by many Terrans, especially those who were once infected.

Of course, accepting the gifts of the "gods" always comes at a price. While enjoying the convenience of PCS, the thoughts of the Terrans are no longer a secret to Lotin and his group. By accessing the data in the PCS system, Lotin can grasp the situation of various countries in Terra. However, the PCS system alone is still not enough.

Traditional methods of communication were still in use, and it was impossible for the rulers of Terra to be unaware that the Creator's gifts came with a price.

As a supplement to the PCS system, W indeed organized an intelligence network to monitor the entire Terra, just as Lotin wished, and she put this intelligence network into operation in just two years.

W, who had already achieved some success in espionage work with his simple experience, has now taken over the mantle and legacy of Hedley. With the cultural education from his two teachers, Theresa and Nian, Lotin has truly managed to mold W into a knowledgeable and erudite individual.

She performed the task she took over from Lotin brilliantly, and with the technical assistance provided by Lotin, she even managed an intelligence network that was much larger than the one Hadley had originally operated.

Kazdel's intelligence organization was downsized after completing its mission to hunt down Theresis and his remnants. These were the original core members that Hedley gave to W. Kazdel's intelligence work has now been handed over to the Shapeshifters, who have developed a streamlined intelligence system centered around themselves.

Hedley himself got his wish and landed a job in Kazdel's education system, which had always been his dream.

Meanwhile, the PCS system also provides support for W's intelligence network.

Those employees who act as Lotin's eyes and ears will have slightly higher PCS system privileges than ordinary Terrans, thus enabling them to unilaterally empathize with ordinary Terrans.

Their main tasks include directly gathering intelligence or acting as a listening beacon for the PCS system, narrowing down the scope of information Lotin accesses from the PCS system through investigation.

The extremely generous salaries, the security guarantees that other intelligence organizations cannot provide, the lenient shift and leave system, and the creator's deterrence and control brought by the PCS system all contribute to the high level of loyalty and reliability of these personnel.

Working for the so-called "creators" is an open secret among them. For many of them, the fanaticism cloaked in mysticism gives them a firm belief in their work—since Originium, sea monsters, and demons have all been driven back by the creators, then their role as the creators' eyes and ears in observing this land must also be to prevent similar threats from recurring.

In fact, this is essentially the fundamental purpose of Lotin's surveillance of the various countries of Terra.

Under the neon lights of Qasim, a few unassuming third-rate newspaper reporters might be compiling detailed reports. They are not members of the long-dissolved Unarmed League; most of the time, they simply observe and probe quietly, without disturbing the daily lives of the locals.

In a high-class hotel in Ursus, the emperor's envoy might be observed from some corner, while the Ursus soldiers responsible for his protection could easily spot this hidden, unusual gaze in the crowd.

Colombia has gained a new company responsible for scavenging and recycling, but this company's recycling branches are spread throughout Colombia.

Among the drivers on the sugar route between Tara and Lateran, some were also responsible for presenting reports from both locations to the guardians of the route.

"Today's report has been saved, Your Highness."

W's attire is much more subdued compared to her previous flamboyant image in red armor. She is wearing a black bodysuit, which is similar to the Phantom Thief W in The Secret of the Night, but instead of the flamboyant red inner skirt worn by Phantom Thief W, she is wearing a black leather pencil skirt.

Lotin had to admit that W's outfit did indeed have the stereotypical image of a Terra female agent, although he didn't know why W dressed herself up like that. Did she also read that strange fashion magazine like Temimi?

"Thank you for your hard work, W."

Based on the PCS system, Lotin can retrieve reports directly from his employees and then use the information processing system provided by Agor, Dr. and Precys to verify and analyze the reports after debugging.

Because Lotin has already stacked his mana and magic resistance to a very high level, his brain's endurance has become very high. He has done things like using his physical body to withstand Priss, who has mastered most of the Originium's permissions. Of course, he can do the same with his neural connection to this data processing system.

W had grown accustomed to Lotin casually jumping off that strange recliner; perhaps only the prince she served could face so much information without relying on the black crown.

Are you getting used to life here?

W no longer needs to do the technical work herself as she did in the early days; her main job now is to manage and operate her intelligence network, so her workplace is in a cave not far away.

The place was originally the lair of the Deep Sea Cultists, but it has now been renovated by Lotin into a workplace for W, where the intelligence analysts she trained work.

“It’s safe, clean, and comfortable here. More importantly, His Highness and Lady Theresa are both here.”

"This place feels like home to me."

W is indeed a thrill-seeker, but even though she loves thrills, she believes that thrills should only be a seasoning in life, not the main course. This is one of the reasons why she readily accepted the name "Vishdel" (hope for a home) in the original work. It's just that in the Terra timeline where Lotin is located, W's wish was fulfilled in a different form.

Having spent her life in constant displacement, how could she not long for a relatively stable life?

“I’m glad you think that way, W.”

"When I met you in Londinium, you were determined to blow me up."

Recalling her encounter with Lottin, W still felt somewhat dazed. Even though Theresa herself had submitted to and acknowledged Lottin and personally tried to dissuade her, she still arrogantly wanted to blow up Lottin, even though Lottin had no intention of attacking her at the time.

Loting's decision not to kill her was already quite magnanimous. Although he would use the Bloodthirsty Sword to inflict a bit of phantom pain on her, that was punishment for her casual breath and threats to kill him. Loting wouldn't inflict pain on her without reason; it was merely a necessary punishment and warning. After W's initial rebellion gradually subsided, Loting would at most issue verbal warnings.

Despite her circumstances, Lotin still allowed her to receive personal instruction from Theresa, whom she once deeply respected, to celebrate Requiem for the first time, to pursue her passion for creating "explosive art," and to live a carefree life materially.

After that, Lotin's protection transformed Kazdel from ruins into the prosperous and stable metropolis it is today. Ultimately, W came to regard Lotin as someone who followed and served the Demon Lord. Lotin did more and better than Theresa; he accomplished what Theresa could not.

He even helped Theresa along the way, sparing her from the torment of the Sarkaz's hatred.

As for Theresa?

It seems that it's not so important to W anymore.

"Please don't bring up that time again, Your Highness. Everyone has moments of impulsiveness and ignorance."

"Even when Ms. Theresa was trying to dissuade me, I still insisted on doing it my own way."

W laughed awkwardly. This was indeed the result of her trying to kill Loting by acting irrationally and simply indulging in her emotions—she had become Loting's pet and hound like this.

"At least you're a piece of work that satisfies me, W."

W once wanted to kill Lotin because of Theresa, but even after Theresa told her to stop, she still wanted to blow Lotin up out of emotional outburst.

For a crazy girl who once wanted to kill herself simply out of emotional venting, Loting's actions can only be described as generous. He wanted a loyal hound, and now he has such a W.

"In your heart, am I merely a subject you have cultivated, nothing more?"

W did not seem very happy in the face of Luo Ting's praise; she seemed to be hoping for even higher praise from Luo Ting.

"Aren't you satisfied yet, W?"

Loting gently rubbed W's little head, as if he were petting a cute little animal.

W was also greedily enjoying Lotin's caresses.

In W's mind, mercenaries are just efficient tools of war, like fast food, ready to eat and discarded. This makes her enjoy the feeling of being needed and irreplaceable.

Theresa's care and attention towards her mercenaries was a major reason why W was willing to follow her. Lotin's possessiveness and controlling nature completely satisfied W's needs, even more so than Theresa's initial care.

"As you can see, I am a Sarkaz who is cruel, crazy, and greedy to the core. I would rather take things by myself than have them given to me."

W slid behind Loting and wrapped its tail around Loting's waist.

"I never expected that tall, seemingly asexual Agor would beat me to it."

"Your Highness, will you accept me? Not just as your attendant and subject...?"

W's long, slender fingers covered Loting's eyes; she intended to give Loting a surprise.

"Ha, you still love playing pranks, W."

As a mischievous little devil, W is clearly even bolder and more unrestrained than Laurentina.

"Even if I remove my hand, please close your eyes. That way, the surprise will truly be a surprise."

W's tongue lightly traced the back of Loting's ear, uttering a whisper filled with dangerous allure.

The little devil's surprise was clearly more than just a playful kiss. When Lotin opened her eyes, W, with his hazy gaze and radiating warmth, was still licking her lips with lingering desire.

Just then, there was a knock on the study door, and it was Elena's voice outside:

"Lord Nautilus, here is a letter from Syracuse. The letter itself has been confirmed to be safe."

Because the sender did not know Lotin's exact address, he simply wrote "Nautilus" as the recipient and sent it to Iberia. The Iberian logistics company, upon seeing "Nautilus" as the recipient, immediately became highly vigilant and handed the letter over to the court. This is how the letter eventually reached Lotin.

"Okay, please come in."

Elena pushed open the door and saw only Loting and W clinging to Loting from behind. She placed the letter on Loting's desk, then blushed and hurriedly ran out with her head down.

Even Elena could sense that something was wrong, not to mention that she had heard some suspicious noises before entering the room and smelled a suspicious odor after entering.

As for the letter, W opened it rather casually and found that it was written in Syracuse. Fortunately, W had already learned several of Terra's main languages ​​for intelligence work.

"Red cockroach, do you dare to have a traditional Syracusan duel with me? It's been almost three years, and you're still hiding in your owner's nest, too scared to fight. I think you're a complete coward!"

"If you don't dare to accept the challenge, I'll put you on a bounty website and give you some publicity. How about that?"

The content was indeed quite shocking, but when Lotin saw that the signature was "Lappland," he was relieved; it was indeed something she could write.

This girl has been waiting all these years to settle the score that couldn't be decided at Longmen.

What a unique Syracusan duel!

"We can't go back on our word, right?"

Lotin smiled and looked at W. He had been planning to bring up this matter with W, but now Lappland had brought up this old grievance first.

"Then you'll come with me, right?"

W suddenly realized that this was an opportunity to take Lotin to Syracuse alone.

Chapter 315: "Head of the Family"