As one of the most famous celebrities, Eden's security was top-notch. You could say she wasn't exactly approachable, but Eden wasn't foolish either.
In times like these, with so many unstable people around, some felt like they were going to die soon and thought, "If I'm going out, I might as well go with my favorite person." Assassinations and kidnappings were constant threats. Some people had simple plans—kill Eden and then take their own life in front of her body, as if that twisted version of love was the ultimate.
Ryan had slipped into the backstage area with ease. But something felt off. If they were just there for autographs, they could've walked in openly—why sneak around like thieves?
He glanced at Elysia, who seemed way too eager, and thought, This girl really seems obsessed with spy work. She infiltrated Möbius lab last time. Must watch too many heist movies, huh? But now, they had already crossed the first line of security, and turning back would make things even harder to explain.
Noticing Ryan's gaze on her, Elysia paused and gave him a thumbs-up. "As expected of you, Ryan—spy work is your thing. You're just a tiny bit behind me."
Ryan rolled his eyes. I'm not into this kind of espionage, and the target is ridiculous anyway.
The last time he had infiltrated somewhere, it was to take down a leader and wipe out an entire security team. But this time… well, forget it, let's just get this over with.
His expression became more focused as he surveyed their surroundings.
They were at the back of the stage, and since the power system hadn't fully transitioned, only emergency lights dimly lit the area. Ahead, a corridor led to the athlete's resting rooms and media rooms, where two bodyguards stood.
Where had Eden gone?
The bodyguards were just regular guys, and Ryan had a thousand ways to bypass them. He thought for a moment and then decided to take the opportunity to practice.
A breeze stirred.
A faint flow of air swept through the corridor, like an invisible hand brushing against everything in its path.
So this is what Wind Herrscher detection feels like.
The wind gave him feedback—unlike electromagnetic sensing, which only picks up rough outlines of objects. It felt like he could see details—height, hair length, even the length of their clothes and what they were holding.
That shape… is that a rifle? No, probably just a camera—looks like a journalist. The detection range of this power is huge.
His senses stretched further, following the corridor, the passages, even the pipelines, reaching everywhere. After a moment, he pressed his head with his hand.
"Ryan, what's wrong?" Elysia asked, her curiosity piqued. She had felt a faint surge of Collapse energy, similar to the Wind Herrscher's.
"Somehow I've overextended myself," Ryan muttered. "Turns out, being an Herrscher doesn't just boost my authority—it enhances my body too." He had extended his mind along the wind outside the stadium, and the sheer number of people and objects—tens of thousands—had made his head ache.
But the Wind Herrscher could control the entire Latin Fortress, so this wasn't about how much Collapse energy or authority strength mattered.
Elysia seemed to understand but didn't ask any questions. Instead, she gently massaged his temples, and the soft sensation immediately made him feel better.
At least she had some empathy.
He nodded in approval. Controlling authority didn't require professional practice—after all, being a master of time management came from experience.
"Go this way. Eden just finished an interview. Hey, stop sneaking around. I've already used mental suggestion on the guards," Ryan said, walking past the two bodyguards. The large men, as if on cue, looked in opposite directions, seeing nothing.
"Hehe, now this feels like a real covert mission. By the way, your head isn't hurting anymore, right?" Elysia said with a grin, a little envious of Ryan's abilities. The super-agent Elysia had found it incredibly difficult to infiltrate the Fifth Research Institute last time.
"Just another day at the office. Infiltration isn't about sneaking around—it's all about technique," Ryan replied, holding her hand to signal her to stop overdramatizing. "I narrowed the range to avoid too much interference."
Ryan nodded at a passing journalist, who quickly returned the gesture. As they walked by, the journalist glanced over, slightly puzzled.
They didn't look familiar, but their attire suggested they had an invitation—probably some VIPs.
Ryan was in a sharp suit, Elysia in a stunning dress, and with their good looks, no one thought to double-check their credentials. The journalists, bodyguards, and staff simply admired them.
A golden couple—heaven's perfect match—even Eden's usual beauty couldn't compete with the stunning couple strolling through.
As someone who often struggled with social anxiety, Elysia returned the admiration with a warm smile and looked at her hand, which Ryan was still holding tightly.
"Ryan, this feels like we're walking towards a holy wedding, with everyone's blessings!" she said playfully.
"Ah?" Ryan almost lost his composure. What nonsense is she talking about now?
Before he could respond, a woman approached them down the corridor. She looked to be in her forties, with black hair tied up in a high ponytail. She wore a light blue OL suit, black stockings, and black-framed glasses.
Her expression was serious as she quickly walked up to them. "First collaboration, and you two are already so late. Good thing you've changed clothes, or I'd have to file a complaint with the agency." She grumbled. Eden's time was precious, and the local agency had been dragging their feet. Although they were ten minutes late, considering the chaos in Britain and Eden's exceptional looks, she didn't push it any further.
"I'm Eden's assistant, Eva. Follow me. After the photoshoot, I'll transfer the remaining balance to the agency's account. Hey, are you listening?" She walked a few steps ahead before turning back when she noticed Ryan and Elysia had stopped.
Ryan's mind was quick, and within seconds, he pieced everything together. Looks like I'm unlucky today.
It was clear Eden had organized this, but the person supposed to handle the task was stuck outside. He'd seen the traffic in the square, and misunderstandings were inevitable.
As top-tier agents of Fire Moth, their identities were classified. Plus, Elysia's outfit was impossible to ignore.
So troublesome.
He glanced behind him, ready to use mental suggestion to send the woman away, but before he could, he felt his wrist being tightly grasped by Elysia's soft, elastic hand.
Elysia had hooked her arm through his, her eyes sparkling with excitement.
"This sounds so fun! Ryan, let's go to work!" she chirped.
Ryan groaned inwardly. He hadn't expected this. Before he could protest, Elysia was already pulling him forward.
"Let's go, no time to slack off!" They walked a few steps, and Ryan stopped resisting. He wasn't sure why, but with Elysia, he didn't feel the need to lecture her like he would with Hua, nor did he feel the competitive pressure to outdo Möbius.
Even when she was playful and mischievous, a small struggle was all it took for him to give in.
So, he followed Eva to another room in the stadium, which had once been an indoor badminton court. The space was large, with sports equipment pushed aside to make room for a massive green screen. Oh, they were taking photos first and adding special effects later. That would save time and effort.
Ryan understood immediately and looked at the busy staff. Taking the opportunity, he explained to Elysia what a green screen was.
"So, you can add any background in post-production? That's impressive," Elysia's eyes lit up, her curiosity about everything new evident.
"Technically, yes. After all, many historical landmarks have been destroyed by the Honkai, so shooting on-location isn't always practical," Ryan's tone deepened.
"Ryan, I suddenly feel like this has real meaning. We're models for preserving humanity's most beautiful scenes in memory. This is such a happy thing," Elysia said, her genuine joy making Ryan's previously somber mood lift.
This girl really had a unique perspective. After hearing her, Ryan thought he understood Eden's intentions better.
"This is the photo content. Take a good look and try to get it right the first time," Eva said, handing them two thin booklets.
The printing was exquisite, and Ryan opened it, finding concept art and descriptions. He immediately switched into research mode, reading every word carefully.
"The background is Mount Mahont and the small lake at its foot. The foreground is the ruins of St. Feneral Abbey... Hmm, the composition is quite good. Combining the best natural landscapes with historical ruins creates a beautiful, almost poetic effect. The ruins even have symbolic meaning."
"A couple stands above the crumbling stone steps, exchanging rings, with Eden in the middle, acting as a witness to this beautiful, hopeful scene."
Interesting. The composition was full of aesthetic appeal. Hope amidst the ruins—a contrast that worked well together.
Wait, newlyweds?!
Ryan looked up from his analysis, instinctively focusing on Elysia.
"Isn't this a bit much? Maybe we should skip this?"
"But this is work! If we don't do it, the other two will have to," Elysia replied, her eyes twinkling. "Ryan, you're not shy, are you? Or are you worried Möbius will see? Don't worry, this is a fun and meaningful task."
Ryan scratched his face, unable to express all his thoughts. He had underestimated Elysia—when it came to things she liked, she was all in.
"You two, hurry up. Time is precious," Eva urged again, continuing to nag about their lack of professionalism. Ryan, tired of thinking, took a deep breath and raised his left hand.
"Let's go, Elysia."
"Mm."
With their backs straight, they walked forward under the staff's gaze. Although there was no music and no real church setting, Ryan and Elysia carried an air of ceremony. Their sharp suits and elegant dress drew the attention of the staff, who couldn't help but discuss them.
"What's going on with these two? Aren't they just taking a photo in the middle?"
"Feels like they're really doing it?"