A silver McLaren cut through the neon night of Sapphire City like a bolt of lightning, speeding along the steel spine of the elevated highway.
Robin's slender fingers rested lightly on the steering wheel as her gaze flicked to the rearview mirror, studying the silent purple-haired girl in the passenger seat.
"Should I call you Miss Makoto?" Her voice was as soft as a feather, carrying a hint of imperceptible probing. "Or perhaps, Miss Ei?"
The person in question remained silent, her eyes locked firmly on the car's dashboard display.
It was livestreaming the knighthood ceremony from the ballroom of Buckingham Palace in London. The magnificent hall was resplendent in gold and jade, with light cascading down like waterfalls from crystal chandeliers.
At the center of everyone's attention, the exquisitely beautiful Princess stood at the highest point of the steps. Tribios wore a majestic and solemn royal formal dress, holding an ornate knight's sword encrusted with gemstones.
The heavy ceremonial robes could not conceal her unique temperament, a blend of purity and seduction. Her blue eyes shimmered like water, yet held a charm capable of shattering a male's reason the instant their eyes met.
Yet, this very Tribios, with her devastatingly beautiful face, was flushed with a maiden-like shyness and intense anticipation. Her gaze bypassed the layers of guests and flashing cameras, locking tightly onto the end of the red carpet.
Who is she waiting for?
This question hovered in the minds of every viewer.
This was by no means a monarch scrutinizing a subject; it looked more like a young girl eagerly awaiting her beloved.
It wasn't until the cameraman panned the lens to the end of the carpet that everyone came to a sudden realization.
In the silent ballroom, the sound of footsteps approached from a distance—neither fast nor slow, neither heavy nor light.
Within the pillar of holy light pouring down from the ceiling, a figure slowly revealed its silhouette.
Tall and upright, with an otherworldly aura.
A dark blue velvet cape draped down like the night sky, lined with pristine white taffeta. On the left shoulder, gold thread embroidered the solemn crest of St. George slaying the dragon.
Further up was a face impossible to forget. His features were harmoniously proportioned, his fair skin glowing with a lustrous sheen under the lights.
His willow-leaf eyebrows were long and slender, slightly raised to reveal a natural heroism, framing eyes that were narrow and profound.
What was most unforgettable was not just the man himself, but the sword hanging at his waist.
The hilt seemed cast from cold jade, with a red Chinese knot tied at the pommel.
The scabbard, however, was dark, and one could faintly see the characters "MEI" inscribed upon it.
Together, they looked like a work of art meant for display—too beautiful, leaving countless people at a loss, unsure where to focus their gaze.
Even across the screen, and even knowing that he was currently on the other side of the globe in London accepting a title, Ei watched with unblinking focus.
Noticing this, Robin sighed softly. She thought to herself that Mr. Fuli really was the center of attention wherever he went.
Yesterday, he had a massive battle with the City God troops, and the video of him fighting a hundred enemies alone was going viral on the dark web; today, he stood impeccably dressed under the spotlight of Buckingham Palace, becoming a newly minted noble under the gaze of millions.
Meanwhile, she and Miss Ei had been cooperating with the investigation in the Administration's interrogation room. They had recorded statements for a very, very long time, only regaining their freedom just now.
But compared to that...
Her gaze returned to Ei, and Robin asked with a hint of inquiry, "Miss Makoto, what do you plan to do next?"
At that moment, the ceremony cut to a commercial break. The girl finally tore her eyes away from the screen. "I don't know."
She paused, then added, "Also, my sister has to sleep for a while after gaining new power. The one here right now is Ei."
Even though she had guessed it, hearing the other party personally admit the switch made Robin sigh with emotion.
In fact, Baby Bird had become suspicious very, very early on. She was a top-tier Tuner, possessing a sensitivity to all discordant notes that far exceeded that of ordinary people.
Aside from that, there was Fuli's "Raiden Ei Investigation Report."
About a third of that report was him complaining about how annoying Ei's big dog was, followed by complaints that Ei always looked at him with fear.
And Robin had noticed a small detail.
Whether venting emotions or muttering to herself, from start to finish, Ei had never once referred to Makoto as "Sister."
Combined with the blank tombstone in the cemetery, some things went without saying.
Of course, there was one other point of concern: where Ei's soul had been before this.
Combining the data at hand, Tieshi Yixia had speculated that the recovery of the blood led to the recovery of the sister's soul.
Little did they know, the reason Ei could return like lightning was that her soul had been preserved in Sparkle's unpredictable kaleidoscope item from the very beginning. Only after everything ended did Sparkle, acting on a whim, return the item to its owner, placing the soul back into the sister's body.
simply put, Makoto was just a newly awakened Golden Descendant. She didn't know the first thing about "blood being the currency of the soul."
The reason the body had been drained to the last drop of blood was merely a byproduct of her using every means possible to torture her mortal enemy.
What? Sparkle's motive for doing this?
Trying to determine a Masked Fool's motive is one of the funniest jokes of the 21st century.
However, regardless of the details, it was now confirmed that the "Raiden Ei" everyone saw before was actually Makoto in disguise.
"Since you chose to confess voluntarily, Miss Ei, I assume you've developed a certain level of trust in me." The corners of Baby Bird's lips curved into a pleasant arc, her voice becoming a bit lighter. "As a newcomer who has just stepped into the Honkai side of things, normally, you have two paths to choose from."
"Join the Taixu Front, or follow the person who looks very influential?"
People around her described Raiden Ei as withdrawn and antisocial. People of this type were often extreme—either having no opinion and following the crowd, or having very strong ideas but refusing to voice them.
Ei was undoubtedly the latter.
"That is correct," Robin nodded.
"Are those the only two options?"
The girl looked at the screen again. The commercial break was over, and the knighthood ceremony had reached its most critical moment.
Under the gaze of millions, Tribios held the ornate knight's sword. Her expression was solemn and divine as she tapped it on Fuli's shoulders in turn.
The officiant proclaimed the name of St. George, thunderous applause erupted, ceremonial cannons fired, and confetti filled the air.
Pointing at the spirited young man on the screen, she asked, "Can I not become his subordinate?"
"Subordinate?" Robin shook her head, her tone holding a trace of regret. "I'm afraid not."
"Does he think I'm too weak?"
"That's not it."
"Is he used to being alone?"
"Not that either."
"Then why?"
"Because I've detained you."
"?"
Ei blinked blankly.
"Sigh. The concert... it's over," Robin sighed theatrically. "Everyone at the Administration is very nice and allowed me to return to perform during the investigation... But the problem is, the main backup dancer, Miss Raiden Makoto—who was originally the main gimmick—was absent for reasons. The promotional posters released earlier became false advertising, and many investors seized on this point to withhold the final payments."
A premonition of doom suddenly rose in the girl's heart.
Her voice trembled slightly. "H-How much is the loss?!"
Robin made an 'OK' sign with her fingers (representing the number three).
"Three million? That's okay, that's okay. Sister still has some savings. if we work hard, we should—"
"US Dollars!"
The Evil Bird delivered the fatal blow!
"Gah!"
It was super effective! The crushing weight of reality immediately flattened Ei!
As an orphan who had depended on her sister since childhood, even if you sold both sisters, they couldn't scrape together that much money.
Ask Fuli for help?
Don't joke. He just saved your life, and you turn around and ask him for nearly twenty million RMB? Neither Makoto nor Ei had faces made of steel plating.
"It's over. I'm going to be a slave to capitalists for the rest of my life."
The girl slumped into the seat, looking up at the night sky through the sunroof with dead eyes.
She lay there limp, her small mouth slightly open, a pale-colored soul escaping from her lips.
"Calling me a capitalist... that's really quite harsh," Robin puffed out her cheeks, speaking seriously. "Don't underestimate your own value, Miss Ei. The Taixu Front was willing to release you, aside from respecting personal freedom, because every member of 'Project Southern Heavenly Gate' can be considered an artificial Chrysos Heirs corresponding to a divine office."
Mm, the kind with rather significant side effects.
"But outside the Divine State, Miss Ei, you are invaluable!"
Hearing this, Ei quickly covered herself, her tone wary. "An idol sells her art, not her body! I can work, but don't even think about anything else!"
Anyway, Sister was the one who was an idol. I'll just throw her out to work and pay off the debt when the time comes.
I'll stay comfortably inside the body, eating dango milk and desserts when I have nothing to do, and then critique Sister's performance!
Bad · Ei · Bad!
"What's the pay?" Having planned her future, she asked again, "You won't take a 98% cut like some black-hearted lamppost decorations, right?"
"As for the pay..." Baby Bird smiled cunningly. "It's him!"
Following the direction she pointed, Ei immediately saw Fuli on the car screen. The ceremony had ended, and he was standing by a long dining table, elegantly gorging himself on food.
Don't ask how "elegantly" and "gorging" fit together; Lord Fuli naturally had his ways.
"I heard Mr. Fuli mention that he seems interested in taking a disciple recently." Tapping her fair cheek with a fingertip, Robin implied, "Shall I recommend someone? For example, a certain purple-haired, dual-souled Chrysos Heirs lady who has awakened the complete power of Baal?"
The light of hope ignited in Ei's eyes.
She asked urgently, "Is that really okay? Will I not be rejected?"
"He shouldn't reject you," the little bird tilted her head. With a deft turn of her wrist, the McLaren deftly overtook a slow-moving Mercedes like a swimming fish.
After all...
Having finished the knighthood ceremony, Fuli, with the help of attendants, stripped off the complicated attire and returned to the luxurious guest room in Buckingham Palace.
The moment he closed the door, he couldn't wait to take out his phone. With fingertips trembling slightly, he sent a message to Robin, who was on the other side of the ocean:
[Miss! Miss! Did Raiden Ei agree to become my disciple?]
After sending it, he clutched the phone, pacing anxiously back and forth on the carpet.
This was the first time in Lord Fuli's life that he had entertained the thought of taking a disciple, so he couldn't help but worry about gains and losses.
He had even lowered himself to beg Robin to act as a matchmaker, which showed how much importance he attached to this.
With the growth of the organization, recruitment for the Hyperion had become inevitable.
And Ei was the Golden Descendant corresponding to Baal.
What kind of god is Baal?
The Lord of the Canaanite pantheon of ancient Phoenicia! A great king and dragon-slaying warrior!
Even after being slandered, he remained the first of Solomon's Seventy-Two Demon Gods! The Prime Minister of Hell! A super demon king on par with God!
It highlighted one thing: infinite potential. A guaranteed top-tier Critical Grade.
If she fused with the Tinder through the God-Slayer Ritual and killed the Baal main body, becoming a completed Mythological Sequence like Tribios, she would be a solid Combat-Type S-Rank!
The most crucial point was her clean background. No need to worry about being tripped up by all sorts of troublesome baggage.
It would be a crime against the Heavenly Principles not to snatch such a super potential stock for the Hyperion!
A few seconds of waiting felt as long as centuries.
Finally—
Success!
Robin's icon jumped, followed by a cute sticker of a Harmonious Choir bird.
"Heck yeah!"
Fuli jumped three feet in the air, punching his fist hard, his face blooming with an ecstatic expression worthy of Joey Wheeler.
However—
The next message followed immediately: [Miss Ei will stay by my side for a while to fulfill her sister's dream of becoming a top idol, and then she will go to you.]
"No problem, no problem! When is the next concert? I guarantee I'll be in the first row VIP seat cheering!"
Fuli, carried away by joy, agreed to everything. Robin was outstanding in both background and strength; with her taking care of Ei, he didn't need to worry.
[The Luminary Wardance. I've agreed to sing for this celebration, and your obedient disciple will be the host.]
The other side replied with a well-behaved smiley face, then sent two video links.
"Host? That works. What is this? Related content?"
Curious, Fuli tapped it open and found it was a daily life video uploaded quite a while ago.
In the video, Ei was hugging her big dog. The girl's expression was unprecedentedly gentle and tranquil as she stroked the dog's ears. The background was soothing, heartwarming BGM.
"Who understands? Sleeping with him in my arms, listening to the sound of his breathing... I'm so happy. I love my baby so much. He is my emotional support."
The warm, fuzzy scene paired with the gentle music brought a soft smile to Fuli's face.
"No matter what happens, life must go on," he thought with a touch of relief, casually tapping open the second video.
"GOD DAMN IT, YOU ATE SH*T!!!"
An earth-shattering roar instantly tore through the silence of the guest room. Fuli's hand jerked, and his phone almost flew out.
The video shook violently. The lens was first shoved into a blurry mass that was heavily pixelated but suspicious in both shape and color.
Then it spun violently, focusing on the big dog that had just been gently caressed in the first video.
"Are you sick in the head?! Are you sick in the head?!"
Ei slapped the dog several times as it scrambled under the table, finally breaking down and screaming in collapse.
"I'm so pissed off! AAAAAHHH!"
"BWAHAHAHAHA!!!"
Fuli pounded the floor, laughing wildly at this divine plot twist.
After a long while, he wiped the tears of laughter from the corners of his eyes. Just as he was about to forward it to the "Hyperion Family" group chat to roast it, his smile suddenly froze on his face.
Wait? That dog!
Even though I didn't break defense... I let that damn thing bite me! AAAAAHHH!!!
Recalling the well-behaved sticker Robin had sent earlier, he finally couldn't hold back and unleashed a torrent of fragrant language at the chat screen:
"You black-bellied bird, you did this on purpose! You absolutely did this on purpose! You're just taking revenge for when I used the Star Domain Supreme Hegemony to make you let out that 'HOOOOoooo' war cry! It's been so long, yet you still hold a grudge!"
Ah, holy sht, why is Robin so evil?!*
Meanwhile, inside the McLaren in Sapphire City, Baby Bird's finger swiped across her phone screen.
Looking at the string of eye-catching, red "60-second" voice messages from Fuli in the chat box, and imagining him jumping around in frustration, a smile blossomed on her face—incredibly brilliant, incredibly bright, and incredibly heartwarming.
"Hehe~"