After rewarding Vita once more, Jun An started drying his soaked pants while looking at the Big Griseo inside the cryo-pod.
Since he couldn't directly create water, Jun An first had to use Parvati's ability to produce pure ice, then melt the ice with fire to give himself a simple rinse.
After all, a woman's fluids didn't just serve the lubricating function one might imagine; they'd become quite uncomfortable if left to dry on his pants.
As for Vita, once Jun An was finished, she consciously plugged herself with a small toy shaped like Jun An, preventing the results of her efforts from leaking out.
Jun An cleaned himself up, then began to seriously study the slumbering Griseo.
As perhaps the Flame-Chaser who had been conscious the longest, her growth was indeed visible to the naked eye, especially the plumpness of her chest. Jun An felt its size might not be any smaller than Vita's, an F-cup at the very least.
Her development proved that failing to grow up really had nothing to do with being a MANTIS, nor with the passage of time.
"Prometheus, can you use your permissions to wake Griseo?"
Jun An looked towards Prometheus. As an AI from the Previous Era, although she was just brought out from a World Bubble by Misteln, it was still a parallel World Bubble of Earth, so she should have the relevant permissions.
Even if she didn't, Prometheus could probably hack her way in.
This approach was certainly safer than Jun An directly pulling the plug on Griseo's cryo-pod, which was one of the main reasons he brought her along.
Prometheus didn't disappoint Jun An. In just a moment, the cryo-pod's hatch opened.
But what did disappoint Jun An was that Griseo didn't wake up immediately after the power was cut, as he had expected. She remained dormant within, like Sleeping Beauty.
That's not right? In the original story, didn't Big Griseo wake up right after Fu Hua pulled the plug on the cryo-pod?
Jun An asked with confusion, "Why isn't she awake yet? Does she need more time?"
Prometheus shook her head. "No, the cryo-pod has ceased operation, and the wake-up function is operating normally."
"I suspect it might be physical impairment due to prolonged hibernation, or perhaps... someone's deliberate obstruction."
Deliberate obstruction?
Jun An reacted instantly, glancing at Vita, then back at Griseo. "Indeed... Griseo carries colors similar to Vita's."
"What? You don't suspect me of keeping Griseo from waking up, do you?"
Vita trembled upon hearing this and hurriedly explained, "In all the time past, I've never received any powers from Sa beyond basic survival needs during non-essential times! Even if I briefly obtained something, it would be taken back. How could I possibly have the power to keep Griseo in deep sleep!"
Vita was genuinely afraid Jun An would suddenly pin this on her. She'd rather he use tentacles to make her eyes roll back than experience that feeling of being stuck halfway, wanting to spray but unable to, ever again.
"I wasn't talking about you. I meant Sa."
Since Vita's powers were originally siphoned from Sa, it wasn't strange for there to be similar 'colors'.
Jun An couldn't help but sigh. As expected of an enhanced difficulty world; something that originally just required pulling a plug now apparently needed an exorcism for Griseo.
Seeing Jun An's troubled expression, Vita couldn't resist stirring things up mischievously. "Captain, don't you have a way to nullify Sa's powers? Why not give this Sleeping Beauty a shot too?"
"Don't worry, leave the cleanup and explanations to me."
Vita thought to herself that since she was already soaked, she couldn't be the only one.
So, Vita leaned close to Jun An's ear, fanning the flames. "Look, you wouldn't want such a beautiful girl to keep sleeping here, would you?"
"Besides, you came all this way, risking a fight with Sa, just to wake her. Isn't it only natural to collect a small price?"
"Not everyone requires a transaction."
Jun An flicked Vita's forehead, then reached out to touch the sleeping Griseo's forehead. "Besides, my ability doesn't work on all of Sa's techniques, especially not on something like a lingering debuff cast from afar. That's different from your life, which Sa keeps a tight grip on."
Using Aponia's mental abilities, Jun An immediately erased the 'sleep buff' on Griseo. "That should do it."
"She can wake up now?"
Prometheus scanned Big Griseo's body again. "But her vital signs haven't changed significantly."
"She's slept for too long; someone still needs to wake her up mentally. If we wait for her to wake naturally, it might take a month."
Jun An attempted to use his mental power to establish a connection with Griseo's mind. "Prometheus, if you have time, check the Ark's data. Look for any information related to Sa. If possible, try to check Froth's surveillance footage, see if there's anything worth finding."
When it came to data collection, Prometheus was much faster than him.
Prometheus nodded. "Understood. Leave it to me. Data processing is my specialty."
Jun An then looked at Vita. "Vita, you're on guard duty. If anyone causes trouble, help me deal with them. If you can't handle it, remember to call me."
Since the difficulty of this instance was higher than the original world, Jun An wasn't sure if there would be guards posted near such a precious "collectible" like Griseo. So, it was better to have Vita contribute a little effort.
"Oh? You trust me with your back just like that?"
Vita smirked playfully. "Aren't you afraid I'll do something while you're 'asleep'?"
"If you think that aligns with your interests, then feel free."
Jun An ignored Vita's words and directly entered Griseo's dreamscape.
Seeing Jun An become still, Prometheus also began to move. "Then I'll head to the control room first. Good luck."
Watching Prometheus leave, Vita couldn't help but feel surprised. "Aren't you afraid I'll do something to your precious savior?"
"I am not human. I do not fully comprehend the emotion called fear."
Prometheus glanced one more time at the Captain nestled in Griseo's embrace before stating, without turning back, "But if you must ask, I certainly do not wish to lose the Captain easily, and we have not established sufficient trust between us."
"—Yet, he chose to trust you. And I choose to trust him."
"..."
Vita was suddenly speechless. An inexplicable emotion bloomed in her chest. Happiness? Smug satisfaction?
But mostly, it was irritation.
An irritation she disliked, the feeling of being calculated against.
He clearly knew her true nature, yet he still chose to trust her?
Is there something definitely wrong with this guy?!
No, don't get angry. Don't lose your temper.
Vita took a moment to calm herself, but seeing Jun An sleeping in Big Griseo's arms made her anger flare up uncontrollably.
Why did she lose her composure so easily when it came to this guy?
Vita realized that ever since Jun An appeared, her usual calmness seemed to have vanished entirely, and even her intelligence seemed to have dropped.
Could it be that he possessed some ability to forcibly lower people's IQ?
Vita carefully examined her own consciousness. Apart from the precept forbidding her from harming his companions, there was nothing else.
...Wait, not harm his companions?
Did that mean the Captain himself wasn't included?
"..."
Looking at Jun An's back, Vita tentatively raised a blade, holding it against his neck.
"Such a naive savior,"
Vita looked indifferently at Jun An's slender neck, so slender that just a slight exertion of the power Sa left her would be enough to sever it. Surely, even for a MANTIS, cutting off the head would prevent a new body from growing.
Vita couldn't help but feel disgusted. "Did you never consider the possibility that I might kill you to break free from the precepts and attain true freedom?"
"..."
"..."
No reaction.
Vita couldn't help but click her tongue, feeling even more irritated. How could someone be this stupid?!
Seele treated her well before knowing her true nature because of her inherent kindness.
But even Seele's kindness only lasted until the moment Vita hurt the Captain and he exposed her crimes.
So what was the deal with this Captain?
He knew her true nature but still intended to trust her? Was he really that confident he had 'conquered' her through sex?
It wasn't like she was some cheap woman who couldn't live without his dick!
"Stop!"
Just as Vita was stewing in her frustration, someone suddenly burst in. "Put down your weapon, or I'll make you regret it!"
Long black hair, a signature flat chest—Vita almost thought it was the Herrscher of Sentience, but there was a fundamental difference.
Vita had seen quite a few counterparts from different worlds; it wasn't particularly strange.
Perfect. I have a belly full of anger with nowhere to vent.
Vita gave a provocative smile. "I don't know who you are, but if I continue, what are you going to do about it, little flat chest?"