OHDOM 231-240 (Patreon)

OHDOM 231-240

Chapter 231: Kiana - A Little Secretly Happy

Kiana received a warm reception from Mount Taixu.

Dinner was a dazzling array of Shenzhou cuisine, and after dinner, there was a comfortable hot spring bath. Little Fuxi also gave a small gift in a very social manner—a VIP card that could be used in many rich places. It was of extraordinary value but not as direct as a bank card.

When it was time to sleep, she shared a room with Angel.

Late at night, after seeing that Angel was soundly asleep, Kiana suddenly opened her eyes again.

'Shamash... ELF... World Serpent...'

'These are all concepts I’ve never heard of before.'

'If I don't become a complete Herrscher like Delta, do I really have the ability to help and protect you?'

Gently lifting the few strands of golden hair that had playfully fallen onto Angel's cheeks, Kiana touched her smooth, egg-like face, and her desire for power suddenly became overwhelming.

She was certain that even the shock from Fu Hua’s identity revelation was far less suffocating than Angel’s previous question.

How long could Angel deceive herself?

Or rather, how long could she carry all these burdens, living and studying as if nothing had happened, worrying about the people around her as if nothing had changed? How long could she last in this state?

Kiana hugged the petite girl tightly in her arms, pressing close to her and breathing in the scent of her hair, trying to ease the fear and anxiety in her heart.

But tonight, Kiana wasn’t the only one who couldn’t sleep.

...

They waited at Mount Taixu for three days.

For such an unprecedented and high-standard cooperation between Anti-Entropy and Shenzhou, three days of preparation time was actually very fast, showing that both sides were eager to proceed.

During these three days, Kiana constantly followed Angel and avoided speaking with Fu Hua.

Angel knew that this girl was still angry.

"Bend over, there are two buttons here. Is it tight now?"

Angel stood on tiptoe, buttoning up Kiana’s shirt.

Kiana bent over as she was told and, at the same time, reached out to touch her chest, weighing the round fullness in her palm. She smiled and said,

"It won't be tight after you change it, hehe!"

"Sigh, you've grown up so fast. I told Uncle Fuxi your previous school uniform size, but I didn’t expect it to be smaller. But it’s also the clothing design’s problem. It's a close-fitting type. If the size is a little off, it’ll definitely be uncomfortable."

Angel sighed helplessly as she finished buttoning Kiana’s shirt.

Afterward, the prominent outline was clearly highlighted before Angel.

So Angel also reached out to weigh it.

Slowly, Angel’s expression grew serious, and she strategically leaned back, speaking with a straight face:

"Yeah, it’s heavy."

"That’s right! Who am I? I’m Miss Kiana Kaslana!"

"I hope one day you can be proud of your achievements, not just your... growth. Also, don’t bring up this topic in front of Master. I won’t be responsible for the consequences."

"Haha! You said she was small behind her back! Hehe, Angel, you don’t want her to know you said that, right?"

Kiana smirked, catching Angel off guard.

Angel looked at her silly, smug face and rolled her eyes in exasperation.

In the next moment, Angel touched Kiana’s chest lightly and then pouted, pressing her lips to Kiana’s cheek.

"Okay, I’ve bribed you. Forget about it."

"You... you should have told me sooner! I didn’t even get to feel it properly!"

Kiana exclaimed, placing her hands on her hips, her face full of confidence.

Angel rolled her eyes again, unwilling to indulge Kiana’s greed. She turned and walked toward the door.

"Hey, wait for me, Angel!"

When the two arrived at the courtyard, the other three members of Mount Taixu were already in place.

"You’re here."

Fu Hua turned around and smiled at the two of them, her ethereal figure like a lotus in a landscape painting.

She wore a white dress as a base, black cloud sleeves, and a green belt around her waist, adorned with pendants featuring clouds, yin and yang, and eight trigrams. The wind gently stirred her belt and sleeves, and her calm, indifferent smile made her appear like a true immortal.

"Oh my god, if she wore this dress at Saint Freya... It wouldn’t be good, absolutely not!"

Kiana muttered to herself.

Beside her, Ji Lin was dressed in a red, long-sleeved ancient gown, a luxurious golden phoenix crown on her head, holding the powerful and significant Xuanyuan Sword. She, too, didn’t look like an ordinary person.

Little Fuxi wore her usual white attire, but her small figure sat atop the floating Yin-Yang ball, making her look just as unusual.

Kiana glanced at Angel, who was dressed like a junior sister of the immortal sect, and remarked with a strange expression:

"You’re so pretentious!"

"Why don’t you take a look at your clothes first? This is a rare grand occasion, and Mount Taixu hasn’t shown itself in public for a long time. In every sense, we can't be sloppy. Just make it as high-quality as possible."

Little Fuxi spread her hands with a lazy expression, too unbothered to explain. She even yawned, looking as though she might nod off at any moment. The group had no time to communicate further because the plane that had come to greet them was already visible in the sky.

...

Mount Taixu has been the private property of the Immortal Jingwei since ancient times—it is their home, so Little Fuxi wouldn’t allow a bunch of outsiders to come and go. Not only did it make her uncomfortable, but it was also a hassle to entertain them.

Thus, the meeting was arranged in a town not far from Mount Taixu.

From the perspective of ordinary people, there must be some important event taking place. Traffic and communications were controlled, armed helicopters were constantly coming and going in the government compound, and even the military was deployed. Anyone who saw it would be scared and not dare to approach.

Angel and her party were escorted all the way to the conference room at the top of the building.

Two rows of large leather chairs were arranged in the solemn venue.

The calm-looking Shenzhou representative led them to their seats.

Fu Hua and Ji Lin sat in the middle. Little Fuxi and the Shenzhou representative were on either side, while Angel and Kiana sat further back.

It wasn’t that Fu Hua and Ji Lin wanted to take the main seats, but the Shenzhou representative had arranged it that way—who would dare to sit between these two ancestors? Only someone with a death wish.

On the opposite side, the Anti-Entropy delegation led by Kella had also taken their seats.

Suddenly, the air became quiet, and the faint ticking of the clock on the wall became especially clear.

The Shenzhou representative, his expression calm, spoke first.

"On our side, Immortal Jingwei and Emperor Xuanyuan hardly need an introduction. All our friends of Anti-Entropy are surely familiar with them. Also present is her Excellency Book of Fuxi from Mount Taixu, and Miss Angel, the disciple of Jingwei. As for this young lady..."

The Shenzhou representative glanced toward Kiana, his eyes filled with confusion.

Since when did Mount Taixu have another member? This girl looked young—was she another ancestor dug out from some hidden place?

Angel immediately explained.

"Kiana Kaslana, Valkyrie of Schicksal, eldest niece of Theresa Apocalisse, principal of Saint Freya Academy. She’s here as an observer for Schicksal."

"Hmm?"

"We all know that Schicksal can’t ignore this major event. Rather than letting them use underhanded methods to get information, it’s better to have Mount Taixu take the lead and invite them to listen directly. This way, we can avoid unnecessary trouble."

"That makes sense. The Immortal and the Emperor have thought it through carefully."

The Shenzhou representative smiled. After all, Shenzhou’s influence was limited to the secular sphere. When it came to Schicksal, their authority was limited. Their biggest concern this time was Schicksal’s reaction. Mount Taixu’s involvement reassured them greatly.

Having a backer feels good!

Meanwhile, Kiana tried to keep a straight face, holding back laughter.

These were all temporary fabrications. She was no real representative of Schicksal! She hated Otto to the point of wishing him a sudden death—why would she come to listen to him?

In truth, Otto didn’t pay much attention to Anti-Entropy’s small maneuvers at all. In his view, it wouldn’t shake Schicksal’s ruling power in the short term, nor would it affect his plans. Why bother meddling in a matter that could restore his old friend’s strength?

"Miss Kiana, welcome. Please forgive us for not entertaining you earlier."

"No need for formalities. I’m just here to observe. Carry on as you please. Just pretend I’m not here."

Kiana kept a straight face.

It was her first time acting like a big shot. She wasn’t used to it, but she was a little pleased.

Kella glanced at Kiana, her eyes sweeping past her before she calmly introduced the members present on her side, including herself, the head of the Shenzhou branch, and several adjutants.

"Ahem!"

After the customary pleasantries, Little Fuxi floated up, leveling her gaze with everyone, and coughed lightly.

Fu Hua and Ji Lin, following the signal, exchanged glances and began to speak according to their prearranged order.

"The pace of the Honkai is becoming more urgent. Various signs indicate that the trials faced by the previous civilization are drawing near. At this crucial time, we are glad that Anti-Entropy has come to Shenzhou. Mount Taixu is willing to be a witness to this cooperation. We hope both sides can set aside unnecessary concerns, communicate sincerely and amicably, and reach an agreement beneficial to both parties. This is our greatest hope."

"Jingwei and I aren’t familiar with the current government, so you can treat us as symbolic figures. Feel free to speak openly, negotiate, consult, and even argue as you wish. We will simply observe. Of course, if there’s anything else we can help with, don’t hesitate to ask. As long as it benefits Shenzhou, Jingwei and I will never refuse. Alright, everyone from Shenzhou and Anti-Entropy, don’t be shy—please begin."

With that, Mount Taixu’s part of the mission was complete.

The Shenzhou representative, who had already prepared a draft, smiled warmly, looking at the members of Anti-Entropy as though they were family.

Kella glanced at the adjutant beside her, her eyes suddenly sharp.

"Shall we start with the location of the branch base?"

"You’re the guest—feel free to lead the way."

Thus, the two sides began their friendly exchange.

Meanwhile, everyone from Mount Taixu started losing focus.

Mount Taixu had already given the face it needed to. The negotiation and discussion had nothing to do with them anymore. They just had to wait patiently for the boring meeting to end.

---

Chapter 232: Different Perspectives of the Father-in-Law and Mother-in-Law

The meeting lasted almost the entire day.

And the discussion wasn't even finished in one day; it would continue tomorrow.

Even with Kella's information processing and analysis capabilities connected to the Angel network, she felt a little numb after a full day.

"We've been discussing all day, Ms. Kella. Thank you for your hard work."

Considering that the guests were from outside the Shenzhou cultural circle, dinner was arranged as a buffet in the style of a Western banquet. Then the Shenzhou representative who had been talking to Kella and the others all day came over with two glasses of white wine and smiled.

Kella smelled the alcohol and frowned subconsciously.

"Sorry, I'm a soldier, and I don't drink during missions."

"I understand. How about sparkling water or apple cider vinegar?"

"Boiled water, thank you."

"Oh? You also have the habit of drinking boiled water?"

The Shenzhou representative was delighted.

Kella kept a stern face and rolled her eyes inwardly—nonsense, I’ve been drinking it since I was a child in my previous life!

The two clinked glasses.

"I have to say, you all are really thorough. Before I came here, I never thought you would have so many questions. Location, sovereignty, import tariffs on parts, supplier management, localized industrial chain support... I feel like I should have brought a large professional team so I could discuss these topics with you clearly."

"Haha! We must thank Anti-Entropy for being reasonable, and we also rely on the presence of several ancestors. Otherwise, how could we be so bold? Please, bear with us and discuss these matters thoroughly. After these few days of hard work, the next steps will be easier."

"I understand. In fact, your willingness to talk so carefully and deeply also shows that you really want Anti-Entropy to join, which is a good thing for us as well. For the future of humanity, and for the hardworking, kind, and lovely people on this land, I toast to you."

"Cheers!"

After sensing that Kella's mood had not worsened and feeling a subtle sense of intimacy from her, the Shenzhou representative happily filled his glass with white wine and drank it all.

He then said goodbye with a smile. After all, the meeting had gone on for the whole day, and it would be immature to cling to it during the break.

Kella sighed in relief and then tried to clear her mind for a while, enjoying the food quietly.

"Excuse me, my distinguished guest from Anti-Entropy~~"

A soft, pleasant voice with a playful tone sounded, as if expressing friendliness.

Kella turned her head mechanically.

A pair of snow-white chubby legs, looking extremely soft, came into view.

Looking up, there was the warm smile of Book of Fuxi, and behind her were the two great masters, Fu Hua and Ji Lin.

Kella's mouth twitched.

She knew trouble was coming.

...

"Here, write down this number."

"What is this number, Master Xiaoxuan?"

"Nothing. With this number, you can ask Anti-Entropy to promise you one thing in the future, or you can ask Cocolia to do something for you personally. In addition, from today on, you are a distinguished guest of Anti-Entropy, and no matter where you are in their sphere of influence, they will give you the best personal treatment—though how good this treatment will be is still to be discussed. But it's not a bad thing. Take it, you deserve it."

"Thank you, Master Xiaoxuan."

Angel looked confused, but she still recorded the number into her mobile phone, knowing its significance.

Book of Fuxi floated above Angel, reaching out to touch the head of this little disciple of Mount Taixu, and sighed slightly in her heart.

'It's very straightforward to give, and it seems sincere at first glance. But, can little Angel really use it?'

Sooner or later, Angel will target Cocolia. By then, this little compensation will be meaningless.

Book of Fuxi thought about what the scene would be like when Angel decided or had to face the truth and glanced at the others at the table.

'Ignore Ji Lin and Ah Lin for now. Fighting is fine, but psychological counseling is not their forte.'

'Elmhead might play a role. After all, she's Angel's trusted master. I'll talk to her later. Elmhead, you must step up. Mount Taixu is now down to just you. If you fail again, you might not dare accept disciples for thousands of years.'

'...? Oh!'

'Kiana... hmm, maybe she’s a wild card.'

After a few days of observation, Book of Fuxi found that Kiana and Angel had an unusually good relationship.

Not only were they eating, living, and sleeping together, but they also hugged and flirted so much that they could no longer be defined as just classmates and friends. If Mount Taixu provided a sense of security from home and elders, then Kiana provided friendship outside the family, and perhaps even something deeper.

Both were crucial and indispensable.

Before the worst day comes, the more affection and support Angel has, the better—every bit counts.

So, Book of Fuxi's gaze gradually softened.

On the contrary, Fu Hua looked at Kiana, who was still acting coquettishly and asking Angel to feed her at the banquet. Angel's unconditional obedience and cooperation made her frown slowly.

Fu Hua: Regardless of the occasion, she's not serious.

Book of Fuxi: Innocent, enthusiastic, and simple.

Fu Hua & Book of Fuxi: Angel, Kiana is really good/not bad!

"Huh—"

"What's wrong with you?"

"No, I just feel weird all of a sudden, like something bad happened, but something good happened too. Do you have any idea, Angel?"

"No. I don’t understand the thoughts of idiots, and I don't know what you're thinking."

Angel rolled her eyes and wiped the soup from the corner of Kiana's mouth.

Kiana puffed up her face angrily.

Soon, there was another round of laughter and playfulness, full of youth, which made the elderly people present smile knowingly—well, except Fu Hua, who was still worried about Angel's future.

...

Meanwhile, thousands of miles away in North America.

Ninti was holding two cups of coffee, walking on the way to the laboratory, with the corners of her mouth slightly raised and her tail gently swaying behind her, looking well-behaved and cute.

"Sister Liesel, Sister Frederica, the coffee is here."

Ninti pushed the door open with her tail. The two doctors had light dark circles under their eyes. Upon seeing Ninti, they smiled at the same time.

"Thank you for your hard work, Ninti."

"Ahhh! My life depends on cute little Ninti and coffee! Thank you!"

The genius group, with their different personalities, expressed their affection for Ninti in different ways.

Ninti shyly lowered her head in Tesla's hug and Einstein's gentle head pat, but her tail swayed happily behind her, revealing her joy.

So, the two doctors' gazes became even more gentle.

"By the way, where's Joachim? I saw him here just a moment ago," Ninti asked suddenly.

Tesla and Einstein looked at each other. Einstein was a little helpless, but Tesla seemed a bit irritated.

"Why do you always mention him? Remember, Ninti’s favorite is Sister Frederica. Just mention Welt once in a while, but don’t keep thinking about him!"

Tesla rubbed Ninti's face and emphasized this with resentment. Ninti still used the original name Joachim.

The memory of Joyce was too strong for the three anti-entropy giants to care about this small issue. In fact, they even felt a trace of Joyce in the name, so they didn't bother correcting it.

However, Ninti always paid attention to Welt's performance, which made the two doctors a little jealous.

"Listen to me, Sister Frederica loves little Ninti the most, so little Ninti must love Sister Frederica the most! Come on, repeat this sentence with me!"

"Well, Ninti loves Sister Frederica the most!"

"Hehe, that's right!"

"And Sister Liesel, and Mother Cocolia, and Sister Sin, and Rosalia, Lilia, and Tianwen, and Joachim, and..."

Ninti counted the names carefully, and her ten little fingers almost weren't enough.

Tesla's expression shifted rapidly from joy to frustration. "Hey! You can't be so indecisive!"

"But, but... wooo!!!"

Tesla, whose mood was fluctuating greatly, didn’t care anymore. She held Ninti's face, squeezing and rubbing it to relieve her frustration.

You little philandering rascal!

It’s a pity this genius treats you so well!

She complained like this, but a few minutes later, Tesla still happily hugged Ninti and drank coffee comfortably.

Ninti leaned obediently against Tesla, turning her head to look at the computers of the two doctors.

"Hey, the operating system of the Eye of the Deep seems to be almost repaired?"

"Can you understand this data and these programs, little Ninti?"

"Well, I can understand the basic situation, but I don’t know the details yet. I’m still learning."

"Hahaha! As expected of our Ninti! This intelligence is inherited from me, the genius! Wait and see, I’ll train you to become a world-famous scientist who can stand shoulder to shoulder with me!"

Tesla was particularly happy with Ninti’s intelligence.

This proved that Ninti was more closely aligned with her.

What’s Cocolia, what’s Welt? Are they even worthy of competing with me for little Ninti? Go play somewhere else!

"It’s not that impressive. I’m still learning. I’ll try my best not to disappoint Sister Frederica and Sister Liesel."

Ninti shyly raised her index finger and lowered her head.

At the same time, she passed this information on to the Angels.

Cocolia: 'Tsk! In the end, we can’t avoid this issue. Whether Kevin returns or not, and whether he returns sooner or later, won’t really matter much. There are always ways to handle it. But there's one thing we must settle before he comes back.'

Su (Angel): '...'

Yes, she's talking about Angel, who inherited a huge legacy.

Angel can't use Su's identity directly in front of Kevin. That would be disastrous.

The friendship of thousands of years, the life-and-death experiences, the mutual understanding, the guilt, the reluctance, the longing, the persistence—all of these can’t be faked. Any small mistake, and it will be a fight to the death with Kevin.

And importantly, Angel doesn’t want to fake it.

'Before making contact with the Sea of Quanta, we need to give Su a proper exit. The power will continue to be used, and the relationship can be leveraged, but it’s best not to deceive Kevin directly with Su's identity.'

'Agreed.'

'Seconded.'

'+1.' × N

The Angels reached a consensus.

---

Chapter 233: Kiana's Intuition

"Woo~~"

"How long is this damn meeting going to last? It's already the fourth day, and why do I have to sit there every day, motionless like a robot?"

At night, Kiana, returning to the big suite, collapsed onto the sofa, whining weakly.

Angel slipped off her shoes and changed into home slippers. She brought another pair of slippers to Kiana's feet, removed her shoes and socks, and freed her feet that had been confined all day—there was a slight smell, but it was faint, perhaps part of her natural charm.

Angel then lay on the back of the sofa, looking down at Kiana, who was lying there in a daze. She reached out to poke her white hair and said:

"Who told you to attend as a representative of Schicksal? If you leave in the middle of the meeting, Nientropy and Shenzhou will become suspicious, thinking Schicksal is preparing to act, which could cause conflict."

"Then why can they relax and drink tea outside?"

Kiana looked up, pointing indignantly at Fu Hua, Ji Lin, and Ah Lin, who were drinking tea leisurely on the other side.

Angel explained.

"Because Mount Taixu's stance was made clear on the first day. If Master and Aunt Ji Lin stayed for the subsequent meetings, it would be distracting. For now, it's best for all sides that Mount Taixu maintains a supportive yet detached stance. So, it's enough for Uncle Xiaoxuan and me to be present, showing that Mount Taixu is still involved."

It was like a nuclear weapon—quiet, silent, and reducing its presence as much as possible until it was necessary, to maximize its value.

"Woo~~"

Kiana was still a bit confused but trusted Angel's reasoning, so she slumped back, burying her face in a pillow and whimpering with frustration.

Angel sighed and suggested, "Look on the bright side. You know, all the information you've heard these past few days, in the hands of the right person, could be worth a fortune."

"Huh? I could sell it for money?"

"Of course."

"Do you think Tachibana Yuki, that rich and silly girl, would be interested?"

Kiana's eyes sparkled.

Angel's expression shifted, and she gave Kiana a strange look.

'I'm already the uncrowned emperor of the Far East...'

Who gave you, a simple-minded paramecium, the confidence to call others silly? Is this the unique, unshakable Kaslana self-confidence?

Kiana cheerfully waved her hands.

"My aunt said that Saint Freya's office chairs were uncomfortable, but I still managed to get funding from her. If that's not silly, what is? That aside, do you think she'd want this kind of information?"

"Of course she would. As the head of a super economy close to both Anti-Entropy and Schicksal, Tachibana Yuki is eager to know the content of the meeting."

Angel looked at Kiana with a doting expression, like one would at a silly but lovable child.

Fine, if she really wants to sell information, she'll just give her something.

As long as she’s happy.

"Then I'll bring a notebook to take notes tomorrow!"

"I’ve seen your class notes. They’re mostly blank spaces and doodles you make when you fall asleep."

"That’s different! This can be exchanged for money!"

"Why, Kiana, are you short of money?"

Seeing Kiana’s sudden ambition, Angel asked, curious.

This question seemed to touch on something sad, as Kiana’s expression dimmed.

"My aunt says I’m still young and in school, so I don’t need that much money. My salary gets deducted by her, and she said she’ll give it back when I graduate."

Kiana covered her face, her tone carrying a sadness that could make anyone cry.

Angel then remembered that every time Kiana went out to play, someone always had to accompany her and cover her expenses. Even when she went shopping, she had to stop by Theresa’s office first—probably to beg for pocket money.

"You’ve got it tough. I didn’t expect the Dean to be so strict that she wouldn’t even give you pocket money."

"It’s not like that. She does give me pocket money, but every time I get into trouble or fail a test, she deducts a bit, depending on how bad it is. Overall, I don’t end up with much."

"...Well, that’s deserved, isn’t it?"

Angel's mouth twitched.

Kiana said this with the expression of an innocent victim.

If Angel were her aunt, she’d deduct money too. How else could you discipline such a mischievous child?

Yet, considering Kiana’s current behavior, Theresa’s method clearly wasn’t working. Or perhaps Theresa had simply run out of options. After all, how much more money could she deduct? Economic sanctions can only go so far—you can’t really let the child starve.

"I suddenly feel bad for the dean."

"Hey, whose side are you on?"

"I’m not taking sides, but I do know we should go take a shower."

Angel patted Kiana’s head before turning to fetch their pajamas.

...

After a bath—one that cannot be described in detail—the two of them sat on the sofa, their faces flushed from the hot water, like white peaches.

Fu Hua and Ji Lin were already gone.

"It’s rare for the stoic one to be back together with Ji Lin. It hasn’t been easy for them either. We should help them get along during these days."

Book of Fuxi floated by slowly and explained to the two puzzled girls.

Angel nodded thoughtfully, while Kiana pouted.

"Tsk! I didn’t expect monitor who acts so serious all the time to bully her sisters in private. She's so two-faced, with a beastly heart!"

Angel turned and stared blankly at Kiana.

That idiom doesn’t match your level of knowledge!

Angel chuckled.

"Kiana."

"Hmm?"

"This is the first time you’ve called Master 'Monitor' these past few days, isn’t it?"

"...What can I do? I can’t stay angry forever, can I?"

Kiana looked at Angel helplessly.

It wasn’t like Fu Hua had hurt anyone yet. Her identity as a spy wasn’t enough for Kiana to cut ties with her completely.

Besides, there was no problem more important now than Angel’s well-being.

"Angel, I’ve been feeling a little uneasy lately."

"Are you unwell? Or is something on your mind?"

"No, it’s just... I feel like something bad is going to happen."

Kiana couldn’t pinpoint what the issue was, so she reached out and hugged Angel, seeking comfort in her warmth and scent.

Angel was momentarily stunned but then leaned against Kiana’s chest, gently stroking her back.

Angel: "Don’t worry, I’m here."

Kiana: "But what if..."

What if something happens to you? What if you leave?

Kiana felt a sudden wave of anxiety, but there was nothing she could do except hold Angel tighter.

Book of Fuxi watched from a distance, munching on snacks and nodding with satisfaction.

'Yes, yes, that’s it. The best cure for pain is love and companionship. Kiana, you’re exactly who Angel needs!'

Meanwhile, Angel leaned against Kiana’s chest and sighed inwardly.

‘Such sharp intuition. You really are something, Kiana.’

A new script had arrived.

This time, the protagonist was Saint Freya's Angel, who had long been on the fringes of the stage.

And Angel had accepted her role.

---

Chapter 234: It’s My Birthday

On the fifth day, she went to the meeting where the parties discussed everything clearly, but outsiders were left stunned. Kiana acted normally and forgot about the ambition she had set the night before.

Fortunately, Angel is someone who never ignores the needs of those around her. She handed Kiana a high-quality pen and notebook.

That night, Angel opened the notebook that Kiana had thrown on the table. When opened, it was found to be very childish. Some pages were filled with simple drawings of little ducks.

"Well, the brush strokes are silky smooth, and there is a bit of pause due to thinking in the silky smoothness, which shows the painter's spontaneity and ease. Generally speaking, the level is that of a third grader."

"…"

Kiana lay flat on the sofa, covering her face, ashamed to respond.

What else could Angel do?

After sighing, she decided it was necessary to help the clumsy little Tuna by taking off her shoes and socks. It was customary to help her free little Jiojio.

While taking a bath, in an effort to save face, Kiana defended herself seriously:

"Angel, actually I have a strange condition."

"Um?"

"In situations where people talk for a long time, such as in class or meetings, my head starts to hurt, and eventually, I gradually lose consciousness. The doctor in the infirmary said that this is a terminal illness, and I can only rely on my own will to force myself to resist; there is no other way!"

"…Do you think I will believe that?"

Angel turned her head, her face dotted with water droplets flushed, and her big wet eyes looked straight at Kiana. Kiana covered her face again.

"If I had known earlier, I would have brought a voice recorder!"

"Ha! Seeing as you are the messenger of Schicksal invited by Mount Taixu, they allowed taking notes in a notebook. You want to take out a recording pen? Do you believe that the Titan wouldn't punch in through the window on the spot?"

Angel said with a sneer. Forced by Otto's unparalleled intimidation, in order to prevent him from going mad, Kiana had no choice but to accept Shenzhou's position if she pushed any further. But if she really took out a recording pen on such a highly confidential occasion and if Anti-Entropy remained indifferent, Shenzou would truly start to murmur. 'If you are so cowardly, it is hard to believe that Anti-Entropy can withstand the pressure of destiny!'

If Otto is dissatisfied and performs an on-the-spot retreat against Anti-Entropy, what should the abandoned Shenzhou do?

Are they going to kneel down and beg their ancestors to take action, and then let the whole of Shenzou fight against destiny?

"Besides, you don't have a chance."

"Ah?"

"Ah what? The negotiation is over. You didn’t even stay awake through the final parting, right?"

"Hahaha! No, no, of course, I heard it, haha..."

Kiana's laughter went from loud to soft. In Angel's calm eyes, she gradually sank to the bottom of the water. Only the gurgling bubbles on the water's surface reflected Kiana's mood of wanting to dig out a room and three rooms with her toes.

……

The meeting is really over. Just privately, both parties will definitely have a smaller, more private meeting to finalize the truly sensitive and confidential content. Of course, there is no need to explain these things to the innocent Kiana. Kiana only knew that she could travel and vacation in the surrounding areas in the next few days, so she lifted Angel up in surprise.

"Really? Really? Is it really okay?"

"We came out in the name of a mission, so it's normal to delay for a few more days. It’s a rare trip to Shenzou, so I'll take you for a walk. So can you put me down?"

"No! Angel is so light! So light! Wuhu! We're taking off~~"

Kiana happily lifted Angel and spun her around.

On one side was Kiana's happy laughter. On the other side, Angel sighed reluctantly and helplessly.

Book of Fuxi held her face in her hands, shook her chubby legs, and with a smile decided to add two more zeros to their travel expenses.

It’s hard to say anything else about their Taixuan Group. They have plenty of money, so how can they let their young disciples entertain friends without paying for it?

And Fu Hua pinched her eyebrows, feeling increasingly sad.

What to do, Angel’s obedience to Kiana is getting worse and worse. My cute and filial little apprentice, is she really impressed by this deceitful girl?

But their thoughts have no effect on Kiana's mood. Kiana only knew that she had indeed played happily for several days. Even the depression of not being able to communicate well with Herrscher of the Void had been alleviated a lot.

But no matter how happy the days are, there will always be an end.

A week later, Kiana still returned to the campus that she was extremely resistant to—just like a high school student who has exhausted their balance during winter and summer vacations.

……

"Ugh~~so tired~~Why is your body so heavy?"

Kiana lay on the table in Theresa's office and whined weakly. However, no one cared about her pain. Everyone gathered together just to discuss Angel’s situation.

"She's fine, everything is normal. The people in Mount Taixu also love her very much. I feel like she's a little more lively there."

Everyone breathed a sigh of relief. Then Theresa took out an envelope from the drawer and handed it to Kiana. Kiana pinched it and then raised her head suddenly.

"Auntie, has this month's pocket money been paid in advance? That's great, I love you to death, Auntie!"

Kiana felt the thickness of the envelope, moved her hands to Theresa's cheeks, and forcibly lifted her from the office chair, her two short legs kicking hard in the air. Then Kiana kissed her aunt hard on the cheeks.

"I have never seen such a thick envelope in my life! I’m so touched! Woohoo!"

"Kiana!!!"

Theresa, who had lost all her majesty, broke free and punched Kiana to the ground with a furious punch. But even though she was hit hard and fell to the ground, Kiana still held the envelope and stubbornly raised her hand to give Theresa a thumbs up.

If she can get such a thick envelope after just one beating, she would be willing to do it again l!!

"Alas——"× N

After everyone sighed in unison, Raiden Mei squatted down and asked Kiana.

"Kiana, do you really not know what the next few days will be?"

"Ah? What?"

"It's Angel's birthday."

"Ha!?"

Kiana stood up straight. What responded to her was Raiden Mei's helplessness, Himeko's face covering, and Bronya's milky voice.

"Idiot Paramecium, Bronya knew you wouldn’t remember."

"Who are you calling stupid? You are the stupid one...wait, does that mean this money is?"

"Yes, it's money for Idiot Kiana to prepare birthday gifts. Bronya and everyone have already made arrangements, and you are the only one left."

"...cough!"

Kiana coughed dryly and looked at the envelope in her hand with a trace of reluctance. Then she shook her head sharply.

No, Kiana, Angel is so kind to you; how can you be reluctant to part with this little money?

"Okay! It’s decided, watch me prepare the best birthday gift!"

Kiana held up the envelope with great ambition. The next second, she hugged Raiden Mei fiercely.

"Mei! My Mei! Please help me, I can’t do it alone QAQ!"

"Kiana... I really can’t do anything to help you."

Raiden Mei pinched Kiana's nose helplessly. However, after not seeing each other for a while, this long-lost embrace and breath obviously put Mei Yi in a good mood, and the smile on her face was exceptionally bright and gentle.

---

Chapter 235: Not Coming Back

Angel didn’t know that someone was preparing a birthday surprise for her.

Before she regained her memories, she lived in grief, disbelief, and bullying in this world. In those hellish days, birthdays without celebrations had long lost their meaning.

So she had forgotten them to the edge of her memory. Unless someone reminded her, it would be difficult for her to remember.

Angel was just thinking about how to start her own script and what the reactions of the people around her would be once it began.

"What are you thinking about, little girl?"

On a leisurely night, Himeko held Angel in her arms while the TV played the cartoon that Kiana was passionate about.

For a mature sister like Himeko, the appeal of animation was far less than the subtle changes in the expression of the little girl in her arms.

Angel raised her head, reached out, held Himeko's tender cheek like a girl, gently stroked it, and said:

"Himeko, you are a very strong person, right?"

Strong enough to face death, and at the same time show a gentle and flawless smile to her students.

Himeko shrugged, grabbed Angel's little hand, kneaded it gently, and said matter-of-factly:

"Of course, I am the battle-hardened Murata Himeko! What, do you have any exciting news to tell me? Could it be that Kiana did something stupid that made people angry again?"

Kiana, who was absorbed in cartoons, perked up her ears, turned her head blankly, and stared at Himeko with wide eyes.

No, why can she still be shot here?

And Angel shook her head.

"No."

"It's okay, as long as it’s not Kiana."

Himeko’s current mentality was probably like this:

Kiana set fire to the house? Her butt is swollen? Just throw her into the sea to feed the sharks!

Angel set fire to the house? There must be something wrong with the house; ask her if she needs gasoline to help with the combustion first.

Or, people under the same roof should have this mentality.

After all, Angel is so well-behaved, sensible, pitiful, and loved. There's nothing wrong with her? Right?

"Well, I believe in Himeko."

Angel nodded and huddled in Himeko's arms. She believed that Himeko would save her and wait for her.

As for the thousand words of apology, she would slowly express them in the future.

Anyway, time was not a problem for Angel, and she had plenty of ways to handle it.

Himeko stroked the top of Angel's head, and in a corner Angel couldn’t see, she gradually frowned—she always felt that something was wrong with Angel, but Himeko knew too little and had no way to address it, so she could only attribute it to an illusion for the time being.

…

"Swish, swish, swish!"

In the kitchen early in the morning, Angel casually pulled out a gorgeous and fleeting knife light. The flying apple turned into a neat petal shape and fell onto the plate, while the peel, core, and other debris all flew into the trash can.

But she did not wash the fruit knife as usual. Instead, the tip of the knife was against her index finger, and the mirror-like blade reflected her eyes, which seemed frozen and motionless.

"Angel, what’s wrong with you?"

Raiden Mei soon noticed something amiss.

Angel became frightened; her body trembled, and the knife fell to the ground with a clang.

She shook her head violently and forced a smile at Raiden Mei.

"Nothing, probably. I didn’t rest well. I’ll take the fruit out and then go wake Kiana up for dinner."

Angel walked out as usual.

Raiden Mei looked down at the fruit knife on the ground, a flash of lightning in her eyes as the knife was attracted to her hand. Then she looked in the direction of the kitchen door, a bit absent-minded.

"Red Eyes... Am I seeing things wrong?"

Just before the knife fell, the blade had reflected Angel's eyes. Raiden Mei vaguely saw that her eyes were as red as blood.

"No, it must be an illusion."

Raiden Mei put the knife away, but the uneasiness still lingered in her heart.

…

"Get up, lazy pig."

Angel lifted Kiana’s quilt expressionlessly.

This idiot, she won’t be able to take care of her for a while. Will she become the contents of a trash can in a few days?

Well, it shouldn't be the case. Mei is still watching.

But during that time, will Mei still have the heart to take care of Kiana?

Thinking of this, Angel grew increasingly uneasy.

"Wow! The light is so dazzling... Let me sleep... Five more..."

"Five minutes?"

"Five hours... Oh!!!"

Angel kicked someone off the bed.

I took great pains to take care of you, not to follow you unconditionally.

What if I don’t eat breakfast on time and it gets cold? It’s not good for my stomach!

"I’ll give you five minutes. Get up and eat, or I’ll beat you up."

"Huh?"

Kiana was lying on the ground with her butt sticking up. She looked up with a whine, only to see Angel really counting down with an alarm clock and holding a fiery long sword in her other hand.

Oh my god!

If I don’t hurry up, I’ll really get chopped off!

Five minutes later, Kiana hurriedly washed herself, then ran out to get socks to put on her feet. In her haste, her feet tilted, and her head almost knocked over the table legs.

"Ah--"

Angel sighed as she watched the dancing white-haired fool.

She put down the alarm clock that was about to expire, pressed Kiana to sit on the bed, and then squatted down to put on her socks.

"Angel..."

"You can’t do this. I can’t take care of you forever, and the same goes for Mei. There will always be times when we are not around, and you have to learn to take care of yourself."

"Woo..."

Kiana blushed, lowered her head, and looked at her fingers, feeling guilty and not daring to speak.

Angel smiled and was about to get up but was suddenly clamped on her face by Kiana’s hands.

"What are you doing?"

"Well... It seems you’re a little pale? Are you uncomfortable, Angel?"

Kiana's bright and clear eyes revealed some worry.

Angel was speechless.

But she didn’t expect that this idiot could also notice it.

She thought she would be confused until the end.

Angel smiled and said nothing but got up and pulled her down to eat.

...

Angel gave some signs, not many, and not obvious.

But with careful observation, everyone in the room sensed the abnormality to some extent, so the atmosphere grew a bit gloomy.

"I always feel that Angel has been a little strange these past two days..."

On the weekend when Angel went out to practice, Kiana voiced her anxiety.

The people in the living room who were doing their own things paused.

Himeko frowned and said,

"Is it because she practiced too hard and had problems with her body? Fu Hua, what do you think?"

"It shouldn’t be the case. I haven’t assigned her homework for a while. But Angel has always been very self-conscious. It’s not impossible that she has worked too hard. Let’s do this: I’ll check her out when she comes back."

Fu Hua was knitting a pair of gloves at the moment, using silk produced by special Honkai beasts. These gloves, compatible with Honkai energy, would be very helpful for hand protection once completed.

As a master, this is Fu Hua’s birthday gift for Angel—of course, it was also thanks to Book of Fuxi’s advice; otherwise, she probably wouldn’t have thought of such a meaningful gift.

In short, so far, no one thinks there will be a big problem.

Angel’s mood seems very stable, and other issues should be easy to address.

"Tomorrow is her birthday! Hehe, I’ve already prepared a surprise, so don’t hold me back! I think there won’t be any problems after giving Angel a big surprise!"

Kiana looked forward to the moment of giving the gift and suddenly became optimistic.

This optimism obviously infected the others present, making them smile.

Himeko: "Don’t get carried away; I hope you can be more reliable this time."

Bronya: "Bronya is ready, but I don’t know if Idiot Kiana will make a fool of herself."

Fu Hua: "My gloves are finished. I’ll check them again and give them tonight. The gift from Mount Taixu has also been sent, but it’s a pity that my family is busy with other things; otherwise, it would be best if they could come together."

Raiden Mei smiled quietly, without saying anything, just thinking about the scabbard she asked Teacher Yang to order, hoping that Angel would like it.

……

The next day, Angel got up early to make breakfast, dragged Kiana down to eat, and then went out to practice. Everything was the same as usual.

Soon after she left, the house became lively.

Himeko was wearing a commander hat and directing in the middle. Mei and Fu Hua were preparing the feast in the kitchen. Bronya and Kiana were running around in the living room to set up the venue, quarreling from time to time. Even Theresa, who came to check the situation halfway, was forced by Himeko to join the team, working with Kiana in a daze.

Busy, with anticipation and excitement.

This was Angel’s first birthday at Saint Freya. For her and the people around her, it was very special.

When everything was ready, everyone sat in the transformed birthday party venue, eagerly awaiting Angel’s return.

But that night, Angel never came back.

---

Chapter 236: No, Still No!

"Angel must have lost her way, or she was too serious in her training and forgot the time. Really, she can get really busy on this day! I'll go out to find her; you guys just wait!"

Bang!

In the brightly lit living room, Kiana spoke to break the silence and then rushed out the door in a hurry.

However, everyone could see how restless Kiana was, with her fists clenched in the silence.

Himeko took a deep breath, raised her eyes, and looked at everyone with a calm demeanor:

"Fu Hua, Bronya, you know best where Angel usually goes, so you go out with Kiana. Theresa, let's check the surveillance to see if she really forgot the time while practicing somewhere. Mei, you stay at home; maybe she will be back soon. Whoever has news should notify the others in time to prevent everyone from worrying too much."

As soon as the voice fell, she dragged Theresa, who had not yet reacted, out. Only Theresa knew that Himeko's hands were like iron pliers—very strong.

Bronya and Fu Hua stood up and walked out of the house silently.

Raiden Mei, the only one left, softened and bent down as if she had lost her strength. She supported the table with both hands, and her fists were unconsciously clenched until they turned white.

Angel's strange behavior in the past few days suddenly brewed a panic that made everyone's hearts palpitate.

...

No, still nothing!

Kiana, Fu Hua, and Bronya searched all the training grounds for Angel they knew, but they couldn't find the girl who could make them feel at ease.

Mei also couldn't wait for the person who should have come back.

Finally, it was Himeko who found the surveillance footage in the morning and confirmed that Angel had gone to an old teaching building that was about to be demolished.

They searched the entire building and found the only clean and dust-free empty classroom. Angel was the child who liked cleanliness the most. In addition, there was a faint smell in the classroom.

The most important thing was the red ancient sword lying alone on the floor of the classroom.

Everyone was very familiar with it because it was the sword Fu Hua had given to Angel, and it was also her usual weapon.

Fu Hua walked to the location of the ancient sword, squatted down, took a deep breath, and slowly grasped the hilt.

"There are no signs of fighting or struggling, so she should not be in danger. Maybe, it's just..."

Although she wanted to comfort herself and everyone, Fu Hua couldn't say it after all.

What kind of situation could make Angel throw her beloved sword, which had always been inseparable from her, to the ground and disappear without a trace?

Combined with the signs of the past few days, who can still say that everything is normal?

A deep sense of foreboding shrouded everyone's hearts.

Kiana stamped her feet, ran to the window, and pushed open the glass window:

"Angel, I know you are nearby! The prank was successful, and we are all scared by you! So you can come out; don't play anymore!"

"Angel, did you hear me?"

"Angel!!!"

Kiana called out repeatedly, gradually with a bit of crying, but the only response to her was the whistling evening wind.

Kiana's face suddenly turned extremely pale.

"Kiana, calm down."

"But Himeko, Angel..."

"I said, calm down!"

Himeko pinched Kiana's shoulders hard.

Kiana showed a painful expression but did not complain, just sniffed and looked at Himeko with red eyes.

Himeko took a deep breath, suppressed the panic in her heart, turned around, and said to everyone:

"Bronya, you have the best memory and calculation ability. Come with me to confirm today's entry and exit records and related surveillance. The others continue to search the academy. And Theresa, go and mobilize the patrol team to assist in the search. Let's first confirm whether Angel is still in Saint Freya."

"Okay, Teacher Himeko."

"Okay, I'll go find someone now."

"Okay, Teacher Himeko."

In the strong anxiety, everyone was a little at a loss, but Himeko stood up as the backbone and pointed in the direction, so naturally there was nothing to say, and everyone immediately took action.

"Zizi~~"

"Swish!"

Raiden Mei turned into a ray of lightning, flashing out of the window in an instant and shuttling through the night sky at high speed.

Fu Hua was stunned for a moment. The next second, she jumped out and rose to the sky, as she turned into a bright fireball like a small sun, and sensing everything in the entire academy with all her strength. The sudden change made the remaining few people confused for a moment, but they only looked at each other for a moment and then tacitly put these things aside for the time being.

Everything should be based on finding Angel first. After finding her, other things can be discussed slowly.

…

No, still nothing!

They tried every means, but the people of Saint Freya could not find any clues about Angel's disappearance.

The empty classroom and the ancient sword left behind were all that Angel left.

"How is it possible!?"

Himeko scratched her messy red hair and smashed the solid wood table in the dean's office with all her strength, and various objects were scattered all over the floor.

However, even Theresa didn't care about this outburst.

Because everyone's mood was the same—confused and extremely anxious.

Something happened; something must have happened! They were sure of only this.

In the suffocating air, Bronya finally remembered that she had someone to rely on.

"Mom, help me! Angel, Angel is missing!"

The moment the call was connected, everyone's eyes were focused on Bronya, whose face turned pale.

Cocolia was a ruthless person and very capable.

Although she had never been to Saint Freya, she was a life-saving straw at this moment.

There was silence on the other end of the phone for a moment, and then Cocolia's calm voice came.

"Time, place."

"She left at about nine o'clock this morning and has not been seen since. We searched all over Saint Freya but couldn't find her, let alone how she disappeared. The last place she was was an empty classroom, where she practiced, and her sword was also left there. By the way, there was no sign of fighting at the scene. Mom, help me think about it!"

Bronya described the situation as briefly and clearly as possible, with a bit of uncontrollable trembling in her voice.

Then, the whole room was so quiet that you could hear a pin drop, waiting for Cocolia's analysis and response. It wasn't a long time, but after a period that felt like an eternity, Cocolia's calm and steady voice sounded:

"The first is her original home. The second is those bullies who have been dealt with but are still alive in the Far East. The third is Nagazora City. The fourth is to find me at the East China Sea Base. There are four possibilities, and I am in Nagazora City now, so I will focus on the third and fourth. The first and second are up to you."

It's a very reasonable analysis.

Everyone who was familiar with Angel's situation quickly realized the reliability of these directions.

They couldn't wait to take action.

At this time, Cocolia's voice came again.

"Is Immortal Jingwei next to you?"

Bronya was a little confused.

And Fu Hua no longer cared about hiding her identity, let alone politeness, and directly snatched Bronya's phone.

"I'm Jingwei. Do you have any other ideas, Cocolia?"

"Contact Mount Taixu. Maybe she will go there. Apart from these, the only possible direction is World Serpent. However, this organization has always been mysterious. The girl should not be found, so we will talk later..."

"No, Angel knows one of their bases."

Fu Hua remembered her last treatment. Angel was with her at that time.

Suddenly, the immortal's pupils trembled, and the thought was horrifying.

Cocolia on the opposite side appeared to be shocked and said immediately,

"Notify Taixu Mountain immediately and ask them to go to the World Serpent base to wait. Maybe they can stop her. In short, the situation is still unclear. Every direction is possible. Don't panic. Get moving and confirm one direction at a time."

"Okay."

Fu Hua returned the phone to Bronya. "We'll talk about the Immortal Phoenix later. Finding Angel is the most important thing." Fu Hua casually resolved everyone's doubts, and they obviously didn't care about it, and nodded one after another.

Then, Fu Hua began to contact Taixu Mountain.

After Bronya received the call, she received Cocolia's instructions.

"Calm down, don't panic; she won't disappear completely. I know it's useless to ask you to rest now, but take care of your body and replenish more sugar. I will keep the communication smooth, and the same goes for you. That's it, I'll arrange a search of Nagazora City. Goodbye."

Cocolia hung up the phone in a swift and decisive manner.

The confused people found their direction again. There was nothing to say.

Raiden Mei and Fu Hua turned into lightning and fire and rushed out, and the others quickly boarded the fighter plane and headed to the Far East.

---

Chapter 237: Bronya Feels Strange

"Beep——"

Cocolia hung up the phone.

Beside her, Angel squatted quietly on the ground, extended her hand, and touched a cold tombstone.

This is the resting place of her parents in this world.

As soon as Angel settled down, she began searching for her parents. Through various techniques and investigations, they finally found their remains.

"I don't know if it can be considered a blessing in disguise. They didn't become zombies, nor were they eaten by monsters. Instead, they were buried in the ruins of the hotel, just as if they had died in an ordinary earthquake... I think they shouldn't have died so painfully."

As one of the main executors of the search plan, [Angel]Cocolia sighed sadly.

"I couldn't think of where else to let them go, so I found this garden. Fortunately, this place was not destroyed in the disaster. Now, except for the silence and the absence of people, it still retains the scenery of the past. So, I erected a monument for them here."

"Hehe, I think they will like it here. After all, the scenery is beautiful, and no one comes to disturb them. It's like a vacation."

Angel laughed softly but couldn't help sniffing, and her eyes were a little sore.

[Angel]Cocolia also squatted down and raised her hand to touch the tombstone.

"Although it's not easy to see, I am also Angel! I am now magical but also safe. I have many people I like and super ambitious goals. We have grown up, we will live well, and strive to pursue our happiness and dreams, so..."

"So, don't worry about me anymore. Have a good rest in the world over there, okay?"

The two spoke softly, with nostalgia and sadness for their parents.

As for resurrection?

To be honest, they thought about it, but reality does not allow it, at least not now.

There may be hope in the future. Anyway, Angel can only have a little expectation. She won't force it too much, but she won't forget it.

Remembrance has an end after all.

When [Angel]Cocolia and [Saint Freya]Angel walked out of the park and into the desolate and ruined city, it felt like walking into a wasteland at the end of the world. A gloomy and ominous atmosphere greeted them.

"Hmm~~"

The two stretched their waists in unison. One had towering breasts and the other had a little lotus. This was probably the only difference.

[Angel]Cocolia: "You are the protagonist, so are you ready?"

[Saint Freya]Angel didn't say much, just hummed softly.

At this time, the fiery sunrise could be seen on the horizon, and the dead city was actually a little warm.

...

[She is in Nagazora City.]

[Be careful, here ￥＃%￥...]

Bronya was the first to receive the message from Cocolia, so she quickly passed it to the large search team.

Then, she also arrived in Nagazora City first, having headed straight there from the beginning.

When Cocolia suggested that Angel might go to the East China Sea Base to find her, Bronya thought Angel might be seeking revenge from Cocolia.

So, Bronya decided to leave the other directions to everyone else and go straight to Cocolia.

"Why is the signal suddenly disordered? Is there an accident in Nagazora?"

Bronya's reasoning became increasingly shaken.

Amid all sorts of terrible associations, Bronya flew the fighter plane into Nagazora City's airspace.

...

"Bronya... Bronya!"

In the familiar and anxious call, Bronya leaned against the wall, pressed her forehead, and felt that her mind was a little unclear.

"Strange, why am I..."

"Bronya, what's wrong with you? Are you hurt?"

Bronya looked up and saw Angel leaning against the wall, carefully checking the outside world and asking without looking back.

"Angel?"

"Cheer up, I've sent everyone the location, but it may take some time to meet up."

"But why are we here?"

"Did you hurt your head? Of course, we are here to carry out a mission! Anyway, follow me first. Don't be afraid; I will protect you no matter what!"

Angel grabbed Bronya's wrist and rushed out of the dilapidated bunker.

Bronya shook her head in confusion.

'Carry out a mission?'

'Yes, it seems that this is the case, right?'

'But it feels that something is wrong...'

Bronya tried to dispel the pain and chaos in her head but still felt a little confused.

"Hehehe!"

At this time, in various corners on both sides of the street, petite figures entangled in a dark atmosphere appeared, crawling, lying, or standing, with strange laughter.

"Run!"

Angel's cry, coupled with the dangerous scene, made Bronya no longer care about the slight disharmony in her heart.

"Project Bunny 19C!"

The high-tech robot appeared behind Bronya. Angel grabbed her wrist with one hand and extended a sharp sword with the other.

The two looked at each other.

The next second, the sword light and the fire light intertwined and poured towards the black figure flying over.

"Boom boom boom!"

Fighting and running at the same time.

Bronya found that these enemies were extremely difficult to deal with.

Not only were they extremely fast and had extremely high defense, but even if they were injured by sword ki or artillery fire, they would recover quickly. They were like puppets who could not feel any pain at all, with weird and terrifying laughter, and they kept rushing towards Bronya and Angel with strong counterattacks.

"Angel, no, we will be caught up if we continue like this."

"You run first, I'll stay behind!"

"No, let's go together!"

"Don't act like a TV show now! My physical fitness and close combat ability are far superior to yours, and it's easier for me to get away alone! Take it, this is the next destination; go here for help. If I can get away, we'll also gather here!"

Angel threw the phone to Bronya, then lifted her collar and threw it out of the street with all her strength.

"Angel!!!"

Bronya flew out of the encirclement and was caught by Project Bunny. Then, she had no time to consider the damage to her body and could only watch Angel, who was trying to stop the pursuers from a distance.

"No, Bronya can't go back. Bronya's combat effectiveness is far inferior to Angel's. Bronya's just a burden now. It's more important to find reinforcements!"

Bronya bit her tongue and forced herself to calm down with the pain.

According to the direction marked on the phone, Bronya sat on the hand of the heavy-armored bunny and flew away at the fastest speed.

"Angel, wait for me; I will definitely come back to save you!"

Bronya took a last look in Angel's direction.

Although her focus was on Angel, her excellent eyesight still allowed her to capture some strange details—such as the black figures moving with floating hair, which was a beautiful and familiar golden color.

Obviously, they were enemies; why did they have the same hair color as Angel?

It was unsettling!

Bronya arrived at her destination at the fastest speed of her life.

It was a place with thick walls that looked like temporary fortifications.

Project Bunny threw Bronya over the wall.

When she landed, Bronya saw Kiana, Himeko, Theresa, Fu Hua, Mei, and Cocolia with an armed team, walking towards her from different directions.

"Everyone, and Mom, you..."

"Anyway, let's go and save Angel!"

Bronya said simultaneously with Kiana, Himeko, and Theresa, all with the same anxiety on their faces.

Then they were all stunned.

"I'm back!"

At this time, Angel's figure fell from the sky and landed among them.

Several people immediately surrounded her, eagerly expressing their worries and concerns.

In the atmosphere of surprise after escaping death, only Fu Hua, Mei, and Cocolia, who took out a pocket watch to check the time, looked at each other as if they had confirmed something, and frowned together.

---

Chapter 238: What on Earth Is She?

"Angel, what should we do now? It doesn't look good here!"

"Well, let's improve the fortifications first because those strange enemies may come here soon. Himeko, how about you take charge?"

As someone with both experience and intellect in the Saint Freya camp, Himeko looked around and confirmed she was indeed the most suitable commander, so she nodded decisively.

The group took action under Himeko's direction.

Cocolia stood by and watched. After a while, she raised her hand and made a gesture, and the Iron Pilot Squad and armed personnel behind her moved in coordination.

Once the two leaders formed a tacit understanding, both sides set aside their grievances between Schicksal and Anti-Entropy. The Honkai was imminent, and everyone was human—that was the consensus at the moment.

Just as the entire location was repaired and fortified, and others stopped to rest, Fu Hua, Raiden Mei, and Cocolia exchanged glances and then met quietly in the corner.

"Why did you also..."

"Why? It's rare for us to meet. Can't I spend more time with my daughter? Besides, in this situation, having more samples will be more conducive to analysis and judgment."

Cocolia said confidently, leaning Bronya against her body and pinching her little face lovingly.

Fu Hua and Mei were speechless.

Fu Hua: "Mei, let me ask you first: you shouldn't have been affected by false memory, right?"

Raiden Mei: "Yes. When I stepped into Nagazora City, I felt a force trying to invade my consciousness, but it was blocked by the electromagnetic shielding layer. After that, I appeared here."

The two calmly exchanged information.

Cocolia suddenly frowned.

"Wait, I can understand that the Phoenix is invincible and invulnerable to all methods, but why is she not affected?"

"Because she is already a True Herrscher of Thunder. Ordinary means can no longer harm her."

Fu Hua explained casually. Cocolia paused while kneading Bronya's face, turned her head, and looked at Raiden Mei with an expressionless face.

Raiden Mei did not seem weak either. She slightly moved her pretty face and met Cocolia's gaze calmly. After becoming a Herrscher, she regained her former cold aura with outsiders, except in front of her friends.

After more than half a minute, Cocolia lowered her eyes and sighed softly, without sadness or joy.

"It seems that times have truly changed. I never thought the peaceful coexistence of Herrschers and humans could become a general trend. What do you think, Jingwei?"

"Just call me Fu Hua. You are right; I also find it incredible."

Welt is the Herrscher of Reason, Delta is the Herrscher of Wind, Mei is the Herrscher of Thunder, Kiana is the Herrscher of Void who is destined to awaken, and Fu Hua has fought alongside them.

Sometimes Fu Hua really doubts whether she is dreaming. However, this topic was not important at the moment, so it was quickly ignored.

"Let's get back to the point. I don't have your talent. I noticed something wrong because of the time discrepancy."

"What do you mean?"

"From the last time I clearly remembered my behavior when I just looked at my pocket watch, the gap between the two is too significant. When I go out, I still pay attention to these details, so I naturally noticed something was wrong. As for the conclusion, I am also deceived. Our consciousness has been distorted by an unknown force. The source is unclear, and it is difficult to distinguish between enemies and friends. The situation is not optimistic."

Fu Hua and Raiden Mei were amazed.

There was no way; everyone present except them was unaware of the memory anomaly.

Only Cocolia saw the abnormality based on the small issue of time.

This sharpness and intelligence, as well as the will to remain calm in the face of unknown crises, were admirable.

Bronya immediately looked up, her pupils trembling as she gazed at Cocolia's face.

"Mom, what are you talking about? Is there something wrong with our memory?"

"Let me ask you a question first: why did you come to Nagazora City?"

"Of course, it was to carry out a mission."

"What mission? Who issued it? When did you leave? How did you get here?"

The series of questions made Bronya's mind go blank.

She tried to recall the details Cocolia asked, but only felt a severe headache.

Snap!

Cocolia patted Bronya's head, raised the corner of her mouth, and said:

"Don't bother. I can't remember the details in between. The other party's identity and purpose are not yet clear, but they must have strong abilities. Forcing a conflict with the current cognition will only bring trouble to any of us."

Cocolia explained the current situation.

Bronya confirmed that what she said was true through the severe headache and the vague but still stable cognition.

"What should we do now? Everyone has been infected. The situation is very dangerous. We must find a way to deal with it as soon as possible."

"For that, we need to consult the powerful Immortal Phoenix. We are already trapped in the swamp. Now, only the immortals standing on solid ground may help us."

Cocolia raised her eyebrows and looked at Fu Hua, who was in deep thought. Her charming and cunning smile was like a fox shaking its tail.

Fu Hua did not respond directly to Cocolia but reached out to touch the wall.

"Rough and solid, this is real material. Now we can be sure that what we see is not an illusion. Additionally, the other party has the ability to interfere with consciousness and distort space; otherwise, it would be impossible to teleport Mei and me here directly."

"Then I want to ask a question."

"Go ahead."

"I remember that I came to Nagazora City to test some drugs and new weapons. The cause and effect of this memory are very clear. It should not be a false reason added by the other party. Then, why did Saint Freya come here? It can't be to ambush a weak woman like me, right?"

Cocolia asked without any guilt.

The three people who heard it couldn't help but think of the significant things this "weak woman" had done, and then they were speechless.

After a short silence, Mei Raiden replied:

"We are looking for the missing Angel. I won't go into detail about the process. Anyway, we received your message. You said Angel was in Nagazora City, and the content of the message was interfered with and became garbled. There should be no need to elaborate on the next step. We all rushed to Nagazora City and ended up in the current situation."

"Message?"

Cocolia decisively took out her mobile phone to check.

"You are right. I did send a message to Bronya. Then, I have initially identified the suspect."

"...You don't want to say it's Angel, do you?"

"First, she is the cause of everything. Second, I don't know if you have noticed that Bronya, Kiana, Theresa, and Himeko Murata entered this fortification from different directions simultaneously, and from my observation just now, they all fled here after separating from Angel."

Except for Cocolia, the eyes of the three people flickered.

Cocolia crossed her arms and said, "You should be able to guess it, but you just don't dare to admit it. We all know that it is impossible for a person to appear in different places far apart at the same time. So the question is, what are those Angels they met and the Angel who is resting there now?"

Cocolia asked this terrifying question.

Bronya's face turned pale, and her little hand could not help but tightly grasp the corner of Cocolia's clothes.

"Impossible! Bronya is sure that she is Angel, there is no mistake!"

"I didn't say you were wrong. But Bronya, you have to remember that common sense is not reliable in the field of Honkai."

Cocolia stroked Bronya's head, feeling her trembling, and her face showed some pity and helplessness.

Raiden Mei and Fu Hua's faces were not good either.

They didn't think that the Angel they had just met each was fake. After all, she was as strong, sensible, and reliable as ever, treating those around her gently and attentively, just like the warm and flawless gold they knew.

But at the same time, they also knew that the sudden disappearance of Angel must have involved a significant change.

However, the Angel who appeared here showed no abnormalities.

This was the biggest abnormality!

"Be patient, everyone. We have walked into a chessboard set up by others. Experience and reason tell me that it is best to follow the chess player's pace and find a breakthrough point under their guidance. If we don't want our companions to encounter unexpected dangers, we'd better integrate into the environment and respond to the moves."

Cocolia gave her suggestion.

The other three nodded solemnly.

At this time, the cool breeze brought the fragrance of food.

"Master, Bronya, Sis Mei, come and eat!"

The petite girl who made them worry waved to them from not far away, her golden hair shining brightly in the wind, so delicate and lovely, like a flawless and precious doll.

The three people who were called trembled in their hearts, not because they were worried about the current danger but because they feared that Angel might have suffered unknown affliction. They could only reluctantly smile in response to Angel and then walked toward her step by step.

---

Chapter 239: I Tried My Best

"Okay, let's use everything we can at once. Hehe, these traps will definitely teach our enemies a deep lesson! As expected of me, perfect!"

Kiana dusted off her hands, her bright eyes crinkling into two crescents with a sly smile.

Beside her, gasoline, lubricating oil, glass shards, rusty steel nails, and other miscellaneous waste were carefully arranged into extremely insidious traps.

Primitive, simple, but thoroughly effective.

Even the Anti-Entropy special forces passing by couldn’t help but gasp.

"Although I don’t think these traps will have much lethality against the monsters of the collapse, isn’t Saint Freya’s education a bit extreme?"

Theresa caught the whispers of the hostile organization keenly, and the corners of her mouth twitched. She wanted to clear Saint Freya's name, but the problem was that this little white-haired girl was not only a student of Saint Freya but also her eldest niece—an inescapable connection!

Himeko and Cocolia nodded in unison, pinching their chins with admiration in their eyes.

"Kiana, where did you learn such cruel trap-setting techniques?"

"Indeed, from a professional perspective, you’re quite skilled."

The praise from the two elders made Kiana beam with pride.

"Hehe! I learned it in my dreams. Isn’t it amazing?"

"You’re not being serious again after just a few compliments. You learned to set traps in your dreams? Why don’t you learn mathematics and history there too?"

Himeko smiled and patted Kiana’s head, thinking she was just talking nonsense.

Cocolia rolled her eyes slightly.

'Do you think I haven’t tried that? The problem is that serious knowledge can’t be instilled even in dreams!'

In the depths of Kiana's consciousness, the Herrscher of the Void, Angel, sighed in shame and fatigue.

Regarding Kiana's education, she truly tried her best. It was the limit to teach her combat ability and battlefield adaptability to this extent.

Kiana knew that her dream was related to the Herrscher of the Void and her life experience, and she couldn't explain it to anyone other than Angel for the time being. So, she stuck out her tongue and climbed up the wall to investigate the situation.

"It's so quiet, and there’s no one on the street. Didn’t those strange creatures come?"

Kiana lay on top of the wall, looking at the eerily silent city, and felt a sense of relief.

Then, Bronya and Angel’s little heads popped out from the wall and observed the outside world with Kiana.

"Angel, why don’t you take a break? You’ve been covering me from behind and searching for ingredients to cook. You must be very tired."

"Not at all. The situation is critical now. I’m worried and can’t rest."

"Hehe! Don’t worry. There are so many of us here. Even if there are a thousand or ten thousand of those weird guys, we can easily handle them!"

Kiana was well aware of the hidden talents around her. With the Immortal Phoenix, a Herrscher of Thunder, and Auntie, an S-rank Valkyrie, not to mention Cocolia’s strong support, this camp could easily defeat the Herrscher, so there was no need to panic.

Kiana smiled heartlessly.

But Bronya looked at Angel with a hint of hesitation in her eyes.

Ask or not?

What if she rashly tested it and caused Angel some unexpected harm?

Bronya bit her lip and finally fell silent.

"By the way, yesterday was your birthday, Angel! We prepared a surprise for you, but it didn’t come in handy." Kiana suddenly remembered.

"Ah?"

Angel blinked, belatedly realizing it.

The expressions of those around her varied, with some knowing about the anomaly and others not.

But in the end, when Angel came down from the wall, everyone gathered around her.

"Although it’s a day late, happy birthday, Angel."

"Happy birthday!"

"I’ll make up for your birthday party when we get back. I wish you good health, happiness, and growth as soon as possible!"

Angel looked around at the people surrounding her, her mouth slightly raised. Then she twirled her golden hair and lowered her head shyly.

...

The whole day was very peaceful.

The monster didn’t attack, and the sun slid silently to the west.

But for the few people who knew, this calm made them even more uneasy, and even the coming night seemed ominous.

Even the usually calm Fu Hua and Raiden Mei could no longer hide their anxiety.

"Will the danger come in the middle of the night?"

"It’s hard to say. But hasn’t anyone tried to test that little girl for most of the day?"

"..." × 3

Meeting again to discuss the situation, facing Cocolia’s question, the other three were silent.

Cocolia sighed and said:

"Although we’re counterattacking, it’s not good to keep delaying. After all, the consumption of spirit, physical strength, and food is real. I have an idea. Raiden Mei, how about you go find the boundary of this world?"

"That’s fine. But do you have any deeper meaning?"

"Nothing specific, but Bronya and I will also venture out of the wall. Based on what happens tonight, I can probably give you the truth."

"Can’t you just say it directly?"

Raiden Mei frowned. She disliked riddles.

Cocolia raised her eyebrows and smiled without saying anything. So, late at night, Mei Raiden rushed out of the fortifications into the dark.

Cocolia led Bronya, and under the protection of several pilots, they also ventured into the depths of the dark Nagazora.

"Dr. Maki’s serum has been reproduced, and the laboratory test results show that it is indeed beneficial for Honkai disease. So, I came to Nagazora City for clinical trials."

"...Another human experiment?"

Bronya, worried about Angel’s situation, was then drawn to Cocolia’s topic.

Cocolia pinched her cheek with a smile.

"Are you thinking I haven’t changed at all and that I came to Nagazora City to capture survivors as experimental subjects?"

"Bronya... did think so, but it seems that’s not the case, Mother Cocolia?"

"Almost. I didn’t capture people as materials, but... I built a sanatorium in Nagazora City to accommodate most of the survivors infected with Honkai Disease. They had nowhere else to go, and only in that sanatorium could they wait for a glimmer of hope. Fortunately, now I’ve brought that hope."

"Mom, Bronya is sorry."

Bronya looked at her young mother with guilt.

Although she knew Cocolia wasn’t that bad, she always subconsciously speculated about her mother’s actions in a negative light.

If she thought so, she was really the problem.

Whether it was family or Angel, Bronya felt she hadn’t taken care of either side properly, and was truly useless.

"I have another piece of good news for you about The Deep... Wait, it’s coming."

"Yeah, Bronya saw it too."

In the darkness, a twisted and ominous figure appeared.

---

Chapter 240: Angel, Became...

The enemy crawled out of the shadows with such fierce momentum that it was hard to describe.

"Boom!"

Bronya watched as the Titan BT72-type iron fist fell from the sky like a steel building by the laughing black figure with its hands raised high.

The sound of the electric current from the machine and the sonic boom of the iron fist crashing down made Bronya realize the immense power contained in it—enough to destroy Project Bunny head-on.

Yet the thin and petite figure caught it with its slender arms.

"Hee!"

The piercing, strange laughter made Bronya shudder. "They could be crushed with one punch earlier, so why can they compete with the mechs so quickly now? Are they getting stronger?"

"Maybe they're in an adaptation stage and need to gradually release all their power. It’s also possible they can evolve in battle. I hope it’s the former; otherwise, it would be too ridiculous."

Cocolia responded to her daughter’s doubts casually. At the same time, she pulled out a magazine filled with golden bullets from her waist, replaced it, loaded it, and fired the bullets in a burst of sparks.

"Bang!!!"

In an instant, a black shadow rushing toward Bronya and Cocolia was blown to pieces by the exploding bullets.

However, the severed limbs which were made of wood rather than flesh and blood slowly rejoined and recovered bit by bit.

"Let’s go."

Cocolia didn’t even glance at the enemy shadows approaching from all directions. She grabbed Bronya’s wrist, turned around, and headed toward the fortifications.

Bronya was also a bit nervous. Naturally, she wouldn’t go against Cocolia’s decision at this time. Under the cover of the BTs behind her, she followed Cocolia and ran.

At that moment, a shadow rushed out of the darkness.

"Huh? Is there another person hiding here?"

"Hee!"

Things happened very quickly.

Bronya only heard Cocolia’s brief mumbling before she was forcibly pulled into Cocolia’s arms.

The next second, something warm splashed on her face and stained her eyes red.

"Mom!?"

"Back off!"

Cocolia stomped on the struggling black shadow and threw Bronya behind her. She freed her hands, pulled out another pistol, and quickly loaded it with her teeth.

"Bang!"

The bullet shattered the shadow’s head, and its puppet-like body ceased moving.

Yet the black substance wrapped around it, obscuring its true appearance, remained attached to its body. It was clearly not completely dead and had not yet fully resurrected.

"Tick! Tick!" Blood dripped from the torn sleeve of Cocolia’s arm onto the ground. She turned and looked at Bronya with a frown. "Are you okay?"

"Mom, you..."

"Okay, it’s just a minor issue. Retreat for now—be careful!"

Bronya immediately looked down and saw her ankle grabbed by a small black hand. The next moment, a huge force dragged her into the darkness. Bronya saw Cocolia, with only a bloody sleeve left on her right arm, running toward her in panic, and then she was pulled into the dark alley. Fortunately, the high-quality clothes avoided the skin on her back from being scratched by the ground.

Bronya forced herself to calm down, raised her pistol, and aimed at the hand gripping her ankle.

"Bang!"

The dragging force stopped abruptly. Bronya quickly stood up, but she was already surrounded. Dark shadows slowly crawled out from the ground around them, like demons emerging from hell.

The situation was dire, and their current strength was likely insufficient to repel Project Bunny.

What should she do?

The fear of death and the desire to live made Bronya’s heart race instinctively. She quickly considered how to retreat amidst the suffocating tension.

Suddenly, a golden color appeared from behind and grabbed Bronya’s wrist.

"Follow me!"

"Angel?"

Bronya felt as though she had been led by someone today.

But since it was Angel, she could only trust her.

...

"Hu~Hu~~"

Bronya sat on a bench at the corner of the street, panting.

Although she was unsure how she escaped from the encirclement, she was safe now, and there were no pursuers around.

Angel was right next to her, her back turned, seemingly checking the surroundings.

"Angel, how did you get out?"

"...Run away."

The cryptic response made Bronya look at Angel in confusion. She saw Angel’s back stiff and motionless, which looked odd in the empty ghost town.

"Angel?"

"Boo...Boo...Lo...Hee hee!"

Turning her head 180 degrees, Angel faced Bronya, her mouth with puppet-like joints opening and closing, producing a creepy laugh that made Bronya shudder.

"Wh-why?"

The smell was right, and the hand that grabbed her to escape was as soft as before.

Why did she suddenly become a puppet!?

The scene of Cocolia losing her arm and Angel’s sudden transformation drove Bronya’s already anxious state of mind toward collapse.

"What am I going through? Am I having a nightmare?"

Bronya stood in a daze, her body stiff, unable to immediately flee. The suddenly puppet-like Angel was enveloped in a black aura, much like the monsters she had encountered before.

Then, it—or rather, she—rushed toward Bronya.

"Bang!"

A golden bullet smashed her head.

Bronya had no idea how to react. She was picked up by a massive mechanical hand and retreated at high speed.

In her last glimpse before evacuation, Bronya saw a golden figure rushing toward the black shadow, with brilliant sword light shattering it into pieces.

The night and the distance blurred Bronya’s vision. She could only vaguely sense that the figure seemed to look back at her after defeating the monster.

"Is it... Angel?"

Bronya murmured uncertainly.

Then, she lost consciousness from the pain in her body and mind.

...

"Ah!"

"Oh, you! Don’t pretend to be asleep with me. Come and help me. We have to set this up before Angel comes back!"

Kiana called down from the stepladder, holding a banner that read "Happy Birthday Angel" and urging Bronya.

Bronya blinked blankly and then handed over the tools.

Yes, she was preparing a birthday surprise for Angel. Why did she suddenly lose focus?

Maybe she stayed up too late playing games and was too tired?

Bronya felt a headache coming on. A strong sense of weirdness left her feeling scared and confused.

"Kiana, I’ll borrow Bronya for a while. Please focus on your work here!"

"Eh? Mei, wait a minute. I need... what else? Are you leaving? But food is still the most important thing. Forget it, let’s leave it as it is."

Kiana scratched her head and continued setting up the venue. Bronya was led into the kitchen, the door was closed, and she faced Fu Hua and Raiden Mei, who looked solemn.

"Class Monitor, Mei, what’s going on?"

"Bronya, do you really not remember?"

"Class Monitor, what are you talking about?"

"... Let’s take a little risk. After all, the sudden change in the environment must have important reasons. We can’t continue to flounder around like headless chickens."

Fu Hua sighed, raised her hand, and a red feather appeared in her palm.

Bronya’s pupils widened, and her mind felt hit by something. Her mind slowly pieced back a mess of her memories. She stumbled and took two steps back.

"Monitor, Mei, we... are still in Nagazora, right?" Bronya asked pale-faced, receiving a unanimous nod from the two.

Half an hour later, Bronya regained her composure, and her initially distorted memory returned to normal. She recounted everything she had encountered after she and Cocolia left.

Fu Hua then turned to Raiden Mei. "I also encountered the enemy. Fortunately, the power of the Herrscher was still effective, and I was not trapped. I’m not sure if I’ve found the border, but after leaving the fortifications and traveling about 71 kilometers, I arrived at a place 71 kilometers away from the fortifications—but in the opposite direction."

"You mean this is a space that circulates at the border?"

"Although I didn’t have time to explore other directions, it should be like that. Let’s put that question aside for now. I’m more concerned about what Bronya saw. What’s the situation with Angel? Could those black enemies actually be..."

Raiden Mei’s expression turned grim, and her voice trailed off.

No one present was average. Their IQ and knowledge far exceeded ordinary people.

What they knew now was enough to make many guesses, but they hoped it wasn’t as bad as it seemed.

"Hurry up, hurry up! My aunt sent a message; Angel is coming back soon!"

Kiana’s excited voice filled with anticipation came from outside the door.

The three in the kitchen exchanged silent glances.

Finally, Fu Hua walked to the cake that had just been completed and unwrapped the candles.

"Whatever happens, let’s give her a belated 'Happy Birthday' first."

Who could refuse this kind of request?

Bronya and Raiden Mei suppressed most of their repressed emotions and nodded in agreement.

---