Chapter Ninety: Feron's Request

Seated on a chair carved from rosewood, Feren narrowed his eyes and surveyed his surroundings. The antique décor and the lanterns hanging on either side of the hall all carried an air that seemed detached from the times—though, of course, the most anachronistic thing of all was the computer screen hanging not far in front of Feren.

It was as if someone had dug an iPhone 6S out of an Egyptian pharaoh's tomb, exuding an overwhelming sense of incongruity.

"Long time no see, Doctor."

The old man on the screen had hair and a beard as white as snow, appearing quite advanced in years, yet still remarkably spirited. He looked at Feren, revealed a friendly smile, and nodded at him.

"I've already heard the details from Xiaoyue……… Every time you come to the Fuyuan Association, you bring us a bit of a surprise……… Three Seeds of Fire—that's a rare sight………"

"I was just lucky."

In response to the old man's words, Feren remained his usual smiling self. He reached out, picked up the teacup beside him, took a sip, and only then looked back at the old man.

"Speaking of the Fuyuan Association, it's been a while since I last saw it, and it's been flourishing……… Looks like you've been doing well here."

"With your auspicious words, this is all thanks to your blessing, Doctor………"

Facing Feren, the old man's smile appeared very relaxed—perhaps because there was a screen between them.

Or perhaps something even farther.

The Fuyuan Association.

It was the largest Chinese organization Feren knew of. After the Great Cataclysm, with the collapse of nations, ethnicity had once again become the central force that drew people together. The same writing, the same language, coming from the same place—such bonds far surpassed the barriers imposed by nationality.

In the early days after the Great Cataclysm, when social order collapsed, the savagery once suppressed beneath the veneer of civilization surfaced once more. Confrontation and conflict between races became the core issue, not to mention that this had once been a nation of immigrants, carrying deeply entrenched racial problems. White skin, black skin, yellow skin……… Immigrants from different races, different cultures, and different countries all gathered together, and with order lost, antagonism and conflict soon followed.

And the Fuyuan Association rose to prominence amidst all this, becoming one of the most powerful forces in the region. With the characteristic prudence and adventurous spirit of the ethnic Chinese, they extended their reach into every corner. As one of the most famous powers on the wasteland, the Fuyuan Association excelled at commerce. Rumor had it that the Fuyuan Association practically single-handedly supported the entire commercial trading network of this continent, and those wandering traveling merchants all shared an inexplicable connection with them.

Of course, these rumors were never confirmed. The impression the Fuyuan Association left on people was always that of a dreamlike city of extravagance, wine, and revelry. They strictly adhered to neutrality, never intervening in disputes between other powers, dealing only in trade. Of course, how many filthy backroom deals lurked behind all that remained unknown to outsiders.

Even Vegas was nothing more than a "nightclub" under the Fuyuan Association's command. Where the Fuyuan Association's headquarters was located, no one knew. Even someone as relatively close to them as Feren had never caught the slightest whisper of it. All his transactions with the Fuyuan Association were completed in Vegas, and this time was no different.

"We've already appraised the Seeds of Fire—there's no problem whatsoever. Next, we will hold a treasure appraisal and auction……… Do you have any special requests, Doctor?"

"The usual—energy chips, the higher the quality, the better."

"Very well. I'll give the orders to conduct the auction at standard rates. Then……… the appraisal auction will begin in three days. Until then, I hope you enjoy your stay in Vegas."

With those words, the screen dimmed once more and shut off. And just then, a knock came at the door, followed by Xiaoyue's languid voice from outside.

"Doctor, they're ready."

"Come in."

Hearing this, Feren turned his head and looked toward the door. Under his gaze, the previously closed door slowly opened, and several figures appeared before him.

"Commander, what exactly is going on?!"

At this moment, Eruka's face was flushed with embarrassment. She reached out, desperately pressing down on her skirt, her expression shy and flustered. Beside her, Chris didn't say a word, but her face showed clear confusion. Meanwhile, Kurona blinked curiously, seemingly having no idea what was going on at all.

No wonder Eruka was so upset. After that, the three sisters had been taken by the maids to bathe. They had assumed it would be like usual—just a quick rinse and done. But to their surprise, after being led into the bathroom, they were not only scrubbed thoroughly from head to toe, but the maids even wiped every inch of their bodies with meticulous care until they were spotlessly clean. Having never received such treatment since the day they were born, the three sisters naturally felt extremely uncomfortable. But what they hadn't expected was that the trouble was only just beginning.

When the three sisters finally emerged from the bathroom, they were astonished to discover that their clothes had been completely replaced!!

"What kind of outfit is this?!"

What Eruka was wearing now was no longer her usual plain military uniform. She wore a shirt underneath, paired with a white long-sleeved coat, accented with a bright red tie. Below that was a skirt that barely reached her knees, along with black pantyhose and dark brown leather boots. It brought out Eruka's lively nature rather well, with a hint of maturity woven into the bounce and energy, making her look quite stylish and pretty.

However, Eruka was clearly not accustomed to these light and airy clothes. She pressed down hard on the hem of her skirt, wearing a pained and miserable expression.

In comparison, Chris's outfit seemed much simpler. Inside, she wore a black long-sleeved, long-legged uniform, with a matching-colored cloak draped over it. Combined with her cold, iceberg-like face, it conveyed a crisp and chilly kind of beauty.

And the most gorgeous of all was, naturally, the little girl Kurona. She wore a magnificent Gothic dress, its hem adorned with dark red lace trimmings everywhere. With the little bonnet and floral headband on her head, Kurona didn't look at all like a wasteland native—she looked more like a noble young lady.

"Mmm, not bad—this way you look much better."

After carefully inspecting the three, Feren nodded with satisfaction. He then turned his gaze to the woman beside him, who was idly puffing on a tobacco pipe.

"It seems handing them over to you for grooming was the right call."

"But right now, they only have the surface—the inside hasn't changed at all. In plain terms, they're just monkeys that have learned to wear clothes."

In response to Feren's praise, the woman seemed rather unenthusiastic. She tapped her pipe and then spoke slowly and deliberately.

"If you want better education and guidance, it's probably going to take a bit more time."

"No worries—I have plenty of time these days……… Hmm, looking at it this way, I really do have excellent taste………"

"Wait, Commander, what exactly are the two of you talking about?"

Listening to the exchange between Feren and the woman, Eruka was completely baffled, not knowing how to react.

"And besides, why do we have to dress like this?"

"Because this makes you look beautiful."

Feren's reply was crisp and decisive, without the slightest hesitation—so much so that Eruka thought for a moment she had misheard.

"………Um, what did you say? Commander?"

"Me, I……… like beautiful and pretty things."

Facing Eruka's stunned question, Feren crossed his fingers and watched the three before him with a grin.

"To me, only beautiful things deserve to be with me, deserve to live on in this world. And those ugly, revolting, hopeless things should be utterly eradicated. Since you've already become my subordinates, you should act according to my wishes. First of all, you should dress yourself up nice and pretty, not wrap yourselves up like before……… Mmm………"

At that point, Feren narrowed his eyes and carefully looked the three up and down, then nodded.

"Looks like my luck is pretty good—at least your foundations are solid. I'd originally thought I might have to personally perform some cosmetic surgery on you or something……… Though altering appearances artificially isn't my hobby, I simply cannot tolerate ugly and malignant things around me……… And the only thing you're lacking right now is feminine charm."

"I don't want that kind of thing at all, Commander!"

At this, Kurona was still completely bewildered, Chris clearly wore an expression of "cannot comprehend," and Eruka jumped up and shouted directly.

"And besides, becoming pretty brings no good—it only invites more trouble, doesn't it, Commander?!"

"So you have to work hard to become stronger."

"……………Huh?"

Staring at the dumbfounded Eruka, Feren raised both hands and revealed a smug smile.

"Listen, most humans are selfish, ugly, and stupid. Of course they love beauty, but if they can't have it, they'll find ways to destroy that beauty's existence. I've encountered similar situations many times—those half-ape creatures who look like gorillas can't stand the fact that my appearance attracts their girlfriends or wives, so they challenge me to duels or try to kill me in the chaos. But their ugly exteriors and ugly hearts can't harm me in the slightest, and in the end, I eliminate these pathogens one and all. The same goes for you—if you don't want to be defiled, harmed, or even destroyed, then work hard to become stronger. I love watching people who can't stand the sight of me yet can do nothing about it. I hope you'll strive toward that goal as well—as my subordinates, it's your duty. To me, only beautiful and adorable existences have value. And those ugly, inferior things are to be completely eradicated. Only beautiful things have the right to exist, and only they add positive energy to this world, while those nauseating ugly things only bring me more displeasure."

"What kind of twisted duty is that………"

After listening to Feren's entire string of nonsense, Eruka's face had completely contorted into a look of utter exasperation. She slumped her shoulders weakly, entirely at a loss for words.

"Then……… as long as I follow the Commander's orders and wear these clothes, it's fine, right?"

"Of course……… not."

But in response to Eruka's question, Feren smiled and raised a finger, wagging it gently.

"Next, under Miss Yue's guidance, you'll undergo a period of education……… Mmm, a friend of mine once said it well—a young lady should be more elegant……… And as you are now, your manners are far too mismatched with your attire. Therefore, for the coming period, you'll receive instruction from Miss Yue. She's a truly outstanding and exceptional person—I'm sure you'll benefit greatly."

"—Haaah?!"