After ordering the dishes, Akio returned to the private room and saw Kitsune Saiguu chatting with Keqing. Keqing's face was flushed, and she occasionally let out a soft gasp.
Although Keqing was usually decisive and efficient, she was still a young girl at heart. In front of the thousand-year-old Kitsune Saiguu, she seemed particularly innocent.
Kitsune Saiguu easily stirred Keqing's heartstrings, and whenever she mentioned something embarrassing, Keqing's face would turn red.
Honestly, Keqing looked absolutely adorable when she blushed. The two women sitting together and chatting was like a scene from the most beautiful painting.
When Akio pushed the door open and entered, both women turned to look at him. Keqing's eyes were filled with shyness as she gazed at him.
"Hmph, praise me, my dear. Thanks to my encouragement, Keqing really likes you," Kitsune Saiguu's voice echoed in Akio's mind as she sent him a telepathic message.
"Amazing! As expected of you, Saiguu! My treasure!" Akio secretly gave Kitsune Saiguu a thumbs-up.
"Alright, now go and charm your little Keqing," Kitsune Saiguu said with a smile.
Akio nodded and walked over to sit down. He looked at Keqing and asked, "What were you two talking about just now?"
"…" Keqing's face turned red as she looked at Akio. "Saiguu told me that you're a big flirt! You have many wives, and there are also many girls in Inazuma who like you."
"???" Akio was baffled. He turned to Kitsune Saiguu, thinking, You're telling this to a girl who likes me?
Kitsune Saiguu stuck out her tongue playfully, teasing Akio for being so impatient.
"Akio…" Keqing looked at Akio's handsome face, her usual decisiveness replaced by a stutter.
"It's okay, go ahead," Akio said gently, his eyes soft as he looked at Keqing.
"I… I know you're a deity of Inazuma, but I think I've come to understand my own feelings. I like you!" Keqing mustered her courage and looked at Akio. "I don't know when it started, but after meeting you, whenever I'm exhausted from work, seeing you fills me with energy!"
"When I'm lost or confused, thinking about what you've said helps me find clarity," Keqing nervously played with the hem of her dress. "You're about to return to Inazuma, and I… I don't want to miss this opportunity!"
"Saiguu told me that neither she nor the other sisters in Inazuma mind having one more sister, so I want to express my feelings too," Keqing said firmly. "I like you! Please let me be your lover!"
"Even though I'm just a mortal," Keqing continued, "I'll prove it through my actions! I can stay by your side! Even if I'm just a star, I'll follow the sun's path!"
"Ding~ Detected Keqing's heartfelt confession. Unlocked SS-level Herrscher of Rebirth template, unlocked Lightning Element Enhancement (Keqing exclusive), unlocked one-handed sword weapon—Stellar Thunderblade (Keqing exclusive)." ( idk this weapon's official translation sorry)
"!!!" Akio was stunned. Not only did he unlock the SS-level Herrscher of Rebirth template, but he also got a Lightning Element Enhancement and a weapon specifically for Keqing?
System, are you giving Keqing special treatment? Why didn't Ayaka trigger anything when she confessed? This is making things difficult for me.
"Master, unlocking these really depends on luck. It's also possible that Miss Keqing's luck is just exceptionally good," the system explained. "The Lightning Element Enhancement and weapon are based on the Honkai Impact 3rd world."
"!" Akio suddenly remembered that in his previous life, when he played Honkai Impact 3rd, Keqing was a crossover character that players could experience.
Wow, that was truly "With sword in hand, I cut through all chaos!"
Tears in my eyes! My Keqing is finally going to shine! And that weapon, Stellar Thunderblade, is on par with the divine weapons of Teyvat.
"Akio! What are you thinking about?" Kitsune Saiguu's voice pulled Akio out of his thoughts. She teased, "If you don't respond to the girl's feelings soon, she might start crying."
Akio quickly turned to Keqing, who was looking at him nervously. He took her delicate hand and said, "Keqing, of course, we can be together forever. It's not about a star chasing the sun, but about us walking side by side."
"Are you saying yes?" Keqing looked at Akio excitedly.
Akio nodded. "Of course, I'll gladly accept a girl's heartfelt feelings."
"That's wonderful," Keqing said happily.
"Keqing, I have a gift for you," Akio said, gently cupping Keqing's beautiful face and leaning in to kiss her.
"Mmm~" Keqing's face turned red. In the next moment, she felt a surge of thunder enter her body from Akio's lips.
The powerful Lightning Element enveloped Keqing's entire body, enhancing her physical and spiritual strength. Even her Vision turned a deep purple.
"What is this…" Keqing was stunned as she looked at herself. The power of this thunder was so immense that even Kitsune Saiguu was impressed.
"Feel the power of the highest level of Lightning Element, Keqing," Akio said. "Don't worry, this is my gift to you."
"Okay," Keqing nodded, absorbing the power. She didn't usually seek divine power, but if it came from Akio, she felt incredibly happy.
The intense Lightning Element nearly destroyed everything in the private room, but soon, Keqing fully absorbed the energy.
"Such power… I feel so strong!" Keqing marveled at the changes in her body. Both her physical strength and elemental power had reached incredible levels, and her mind felt sharper than ever.
"Your body has now surpassed the limits of a mortal, rivaling that of an adeptus," Akio said with a smile. After all, mortals were still mortals. Even with this enhancement, Keqing was far from reaching the level of an Archon, but reaching the level of an adeptus was already remarkable. In Honkai Impact 3rd, Keqing was roughly at the level of an adeptus.
"And this weapon—Stellar Thunderblade," Akio said, summoning the sword. It hovered in the air, its light purple blade gleaming with cold sharpness, crackling with faint traces of lightning.
"It feels so familiar," Keqing reached out, and the Stellar Thunderblade seemed to recognize its master. It circled her twice before flying into her hand.
"What a magnificent sword!" Keqing exclaimed in delight. Even her family's heirloom sword, Lion's Roar, would likely shatter upon clashing with the Stellar Thunderblade.
But for now, she had no interest in the sword. She stored it in her Vision space and threw herself into Akio's arms, her eyes filled with love.
How could he be so good to her?
"Akio~ I'll be waiting for you in Liyue. If you want, you can come to Liyue to see me anytime," Keqing whispered softly in Akio's ear, her voice filled with shyness and affection.
A/N: Enjoying the story? Read 40+ chapters ahead on Patreon! Your support helps: Patreon.com/nneol
and next target is 300PS for one extra chapter!!