Golden morning light shone through the half-open window into the pristine white hospital room, and Ming Yu's eyes instantly snapped open, his black pupils quickly taking in everything in the room.
After his brain gave the all-clear, Ming Yu's tense mind finally relaxed a little. Too many things had happened recently, and he had grown accustomed to staying vigilant, even in the safe confines of St. Freya.
After all, this supposedly safe St. Freya had just been breached by Anti-Entropy last night, which made Ming Yu lack a bit of confidence in this so-called "safety."
He flipped over and stretched, breathing in the fresh morning air, and much of the frustration from being forced to stay in the hospital dissipated.
Although the battle with Welt had left him with many injuries, they were fortunately not serious and would heal after a few days of rest. Yet, Theresa insisted he undergo treatment.
Considering that his own residence had been demolished by Welt I, Ming Yu didn't insist on the matter, otherwise, he would have had to stay in the guest house. As merely a place to stay, there wasn't much difference between the two in Ming Yu's mind, so he didn't mind yielding to Theresa on such a small matter.
After a simple wash, Ming Yu's gaze fell on the Jizo Mitama placed on the bookshelf against the wall. His fingers gently caressed the Divine Key's cold blade, feeling the slight warmth transmitted from his fingertips.
If one had to define this trace of warmth, it would probably be the warmth of a soul.
Within this cold weapon resided the soul of a young girl.
Feeling the heat at his fingertips gradually rise, a wave of warmth spread through Ming Yu's heart. He knew the time was about right.
A night's recovery time was enough for Jizo Mitama to heal that wound. For Higokumaru, the Key of Corruption was always her final barrier and protection.
A gentle smile appeared on his lips as Ming Yu softly called out, "Higokumaru, time to get up!"
The Jizo Mitama trembled slightly, and a pink-haired figure gradually solidified from illusion into reality in front of Ming Yu.
"Big Bro Yu!"
As soon as she appeared, Higokumaru rushed forward and hugged Ming Yu tightly, as if afraid he would disappear.
"I... I had a dream. I went back to those hellish days, where I was all alone. And... it was so dark and cold inside the Divine Key, there was nothing..."
Higokumaru looked up, her clear eyes glistening with tears, her voice still trembling slightly. Even after returning to reality, that gloomy and cold feeling still lingered in her heart, refusing to dissipate, still assailing the girl's mind.
Even though Higokumaru could recover best within Jizo Mitama, she still instinctively hated that dark place. That gloomy little black room only reminded her of the painful memories of the past.
Feeling the girl's trembling body, Ming Yu hesitated for a moment in his heart, but finally placed one hand on the girl's shoulder and stroked her soft pink hair with the other, saying slowly but firmly, "Don't worry, I'm here. I won't let you go back into Jizo Mitama again."
Looking at the gentleness in Ming Yu's eyes, Higokumaru gave a soft reply, burying her head deeper into Ming Yu's chest, feeling the warmth from his body—something she longed for but could not possess.
As a special kind of Honkai Energy lifeform, her body wasn't as cold as ice, but it wasn't warm either. But the more she got used to human body temperature, the less she could tolerate loneliness and cold, and the more she didn't want to go back into the Divine Key.
Gently patting Higokumaru's head, Ming Yu's eyes were full of pity. Although he couldn't fully comprehend the girl's thoughts, he could feel her trust and reliance on him.
*Creeak~*
The door to the hospital room slowly opened, and a white-haired fluffball peeked its head in, then immediately closed the door with a blush, hastily saying, "Excuse me!"
Gently pushing away the blushing Higokumaru, Ming Yu cleared his throat and quickly opened the door, speaking to the three girls in the hallway in a serious tone, "Come in, you're all quite early."
Noticing the lingering blush on Ming Yu's cheeks and his fierce glare, Kiana took a small step back, hiding behind Mei and saying weakly, "I didn't see anything just now, Mei can vouch for me!"
"Hmm?"
Tilting her head, Mei looked at Kiana hiding behind her with a puzzled expression.
"We weren't doing anything anyway!"
Clenching his right fist tightly, veins popping up, Ming Yu said through gritted teeth. Of course, if one could ignore the blush on his face, this might have been a bit more convincing.
Sighing helplessly, Ming Yu took the food container from Mei while thanking her, and made way for them to enter the room.
When she saw Higokumaru in the room, Mei's face showed a look of understanding as she said with a smile, "Good morning, Higokumaru."
Although she vaguely saw Higokumaru get seriously injured before she lost consciousness and transformed into a Herrscher, since she was safe and sound now, Mei wouldn't pry into others' privacy.
The things Ming Yu and Higokumaru didn't want to explain, she had no position to get to the bottom of. Maintaining a certain distance was the reasonable way to get along.
Facing Mei's greeting, even though her cheeks were still flushed, Higokumaru managed to muster the energy to reply in a low voice.
Looking at the unharmed Higokumaru, a trace of guilt flashed in Bronya's eyes as she said in a low voice to Ming Yu, "I'm sorry, Big Brother Yu, Bronya failed to protect Higokumaru last night."
Even though confirming Higokumaru's safety now allowed the girl's constantly anxious heart to finally rest, the fact that she had been gone all night indicated that things were not simple. And as the person closest to Higokumaru at the time, Bronya could not forgive her own weakness.
"No, it's not your fault. You couldn't have handled that enemy as you are now."
Shaking his head, Ming Yu said firmly. Bronya had already done her best; she didn't need to feel guilty for this.
"But, Bronya..."
"I said, it's not your responsibility!"
Placing a hand on the little loli's head, Ming Yu's tone became a bit stern. He knew the self-blame in Bronya's heart. After all, the enemy came from Anti-Entropy, and it was very likely they were sent by Cocolia, who was obsessed with the Third Herrscher. She couldn't completely forgive herself.
But in Ming Yu's heart, Cocolia was Cocolia, and Bronya was Bronya. He could not blame Bronya for Cocolia's crimes.
Seeing Bronya finally fall silent, a hint of struggle appeared on Ming Yu's face, but he let out a long sigh and said, "Bronya, if one day, I have to make a move against Cocolia, will you stop me?"
His eyes looked in Bronya's direction, but Ming Yu's gaze was unfocused. This question was too cruel for the girl, yet it was something Ming Yu could not avoid.
The conservative faction had Welt to take the fall for Einstein, so he had lost his reason to go after them. After all, Welt had let him go once, and Ming Yu had to acknowledge that favor.
But for the radical faction led by Cocolia, Ming Yu had no intention of letting them go. Since the enmity was already established, there had to be a conclusion.
"Who's Cocolia? Why would Bronya help her?"
While Bronya was silent, Kiana couldn't help but ask. This strange and awkward atmosphere made her very uncomfortable.
"The current vice-sovereign of Anti-Entropy, the mastermind behind the Nagazora incident, and the planner of this Anti-Entropy invasion." Seeing everyone's gazes gathered on him, Ming Yu explained word by word, "And, Bronya's mother."
Hearing Ming Yu's words, expressions of resentment appeared on Mei's and Kiana's faces. After all, the great eruption in Nagazora meant too much to them; it had almost completely changed the trajectory of their lives.
But when they heard the last sentence, their expressions unanimously changed to shock, and their gazes towards Bronya kept shifting.
"I'm sorry."
Taking a few steps back, Bronya faced everyone and bowed. Although her tone was still flat, anyone could hear the guilt in the girl's voice.
She was apologizing for the harm Cocolia had inflicted on everyone.
"It's okay." Embracing Bronya, Mei's tone became unprecedentedly gentle. "After all, Bronya is Bronya."
Even though Cocolia had done many things, Bronya was just Bronya, and that wouldn't change.
"That's right, you are you, you're not one of them with that Cocolia." Kiana also smiled and made her decision. "Also, get off of Mei, that spot belongs to me!"
As she spoke, Kiana had already pounced forward in a frenzy.
Watching the girls tangled in a heap, a gentle smile appeared on Ming Yu's lips, but a frighteningly sharp glint flashed in his eyes. Bronya had made her choice, but he still couldn't forgive Cocolia, for what she had done, and for what she had yet to do.
But at least for now, he and Bronya could still be friends.
Letting out a long breath, Ming Yu beckoned Higokumaru to sit next to him while opening the meal Mei had prepared.
Even though Higokumaru didn't need to eat to sustain herself, and the food Mei prepared was only a single portion, Ming Yu was still unwilling to take Higokumaru's special nature for granted.
As an ordinary girl, after waking up from sleep, Higokumaru should have a breakfast.
...
Earlier, in a secret Anti-Entropy base somewhere, Welt and Einstein slowly materialized from the lab's teleportation device.
"Cough, cough, cough~"
As soon as the teleportation was complete, Welt couldn't help but grab a handrail and bend over coughing, dots of crimson instantly staining the left hand he used to cover his mouth.
"How is your body?"
Seeing Welt's condition, Einstein couldn't help but cry out, but her tone remained full of reason.
"It's nothing, I can still hold on. It just seems I'll have to stay in this base for a while."
Forcing himself to pull together, Welt squeezed out a smile as he looked at the unharmed blue-haired girl. Although he took a direct hit from a railgun, it wasn't much for a Herrscher. With a period of recuperation, he would recover soon.
"It's fine, you decide."
Understanding Welt's situation, Einstein didn't mind him staying here. This base was her territory, and Cocolia's hands couldn't reach here yet.
"The agreement with Theresa has been made, and the plan is proceeding steadily." After reporting the mission status to Welt, Einstein paused for a moment before continuing, "So, about that Ming Yu, should we retaliate?"
Although Ming Yu hadn't caused any substantial damage, he had introduced many variables into the plan. Even Welt's undercover (vacation) mission at St. Freya had to be cut short, which made Einstein feel a few threads of annoyance.
"No, there's no need. The matter is already in the past."
Shaking his head, Welt rejected Einstein's proposal.
"The most important thing now is to complete the Moonlight Throne! We don't have much time left..."
A trace of determination flashed in his brown eyes as Welt spoke faintly.