Even though Bronya had come up with the theory herself, facing the confirmation still felt absurd. Yet... this was the underlying logic for why he was helping her, wasn't it?
She had felt something was off before. After all, since Luo Hong possessed infinite power in this world, he didn't need to care about her will at all. He could manipulate her as he pleased. To put it bluntly, if he wanted her in a certain position, she would have no choice but to comply.
The only thing that gave her value was what he had said: "What you can offer me is very limited. At most, it's a bit of 'sincerity' from the heart."
If he didn't care for her, there would be no need for her "sincerity." But if she were a character he loved in a game... she could vaguely understand why he would give her the luxury of choice.
So... he likes Bronya? Strangely, she felt a wave of relief, losing that floating sense of uncertainty. However... "You all"? He truly viewed everyone as his personal possession!
"It seems you understand now," Luo Hong said, seeing her expression shift from disbelief to realization. "So, which stage are you at over there? Tell me about your recent encounters, and I can judge your current situation."
He added a warning, "I should tell you, once the plot officially starts, events will happen in rapid succession. If you don't lay the groundwork early, Himeko might not be saved."
He spoke like a spider weaving a web, waiting for the blue butterfly that was Bronya to fly into it.
"Major Himeko? Cannot be saved?" Her gaze sharpened instantly. "You mean... something will happen to Major Himeko?"
Though she was sharp enough to know this was a trap set by Luo Hong, she was the fish on the chopping block. She had to jump in.
"Yes." Luo Hong nodded, his smirk widening. "In the original plot, Murata Himeko dies."
"..." Bronya didn't speak immediately. She searched his eyes for any sign of a lie. But his composed expression told her... he wasn't lying.
"Fine. Tell me," she said. "What is the price Bronya must pay this time?" Since she had already given herself up for Seele, she wouldn't hesitate to do so again for her comrade.
"Honestly—" Luo Hong could hardly suppress his delight. "This price shouldn't be paid by you. It would be better if that idiot 'Tuna' (Kiana) did it. But since you've volunteered, I won't let your resolve go to waste. So, let's go in there."
He pointed to a dark, slightly eerie alleyway nearby and walked in first.
"This..." Looking at the gloomy alley, a wave of subtle emotion rose in Bronya's heart. Although she knew this wouldn't end easily, she was prepared to sacrifice herself for her friends. She just hadn't expected it to happen in this manner. Biting her lip with a look of slight humiliation, she slowly followed him inside.
"Honestly, Duckie, why do you keep leading our conversation astray?" Surprisingly, Luo Hong didn't move to "consume" her immediately. Instead, he pinned her against the wall with his arm and looked down at her. "Let's get back to the topic. Where is your world at?"
"The Nine Realms (Jiuyou)... Bronya just received the mission. It should be executed within the next two days."
Leading the conversation astray? That was clearly you! Bronya thought, but she lacked the energy to complain. The mental fortifications she had just built crumbled once again. But since he brought it up, she asked, "Is there anything we should watch out for in the Nine Realms?"
Since she was going to be "devoured" anyway, she might as well get her money's worth!
"There's a lot to watch out for." Hearing the name "Nine Realms," Luo Hong could tell the Honkai world was at the exact starting point of the main story. At this time, Welt hadn't even entered the Eye of the Deep yet.
Good thing I didn't let Bronya run off. Going to the Eye of the Deep now would mean facing Old Ancestor Kevin.
"First, the Nine Realms dungeon isn't that hard. The key is: do not destroy things recklessly. Otherwise, when Fu Hua recovers her memories, she will be very sad."
"How does this involve Class Monitor Fu Hua?" Bronya's brow furrowed. She didn't think he was bluffing, but she sensed she was about to uncover a massive secret.
"She's a mole, just like you," Luo Hong smirked. "Except you're with Anti-Entropy... or rather, Cocolia, while she follows the orders of Schicksal's Overseer, Otto."
"You really do know Bronya's true identity..." Instead of being shocked, she was relieved; it further proved his words. "But the Class Monitor is the Overseer's person?"
"No," Luo Hong shook his head. "Not exactly. She's just cooperating with Otto because their goals temporarily align. If you perform well in the Nine Realms, you might even turn her to your side."
Luo Hong thought to himself: If they dig up Danzhu, Cangxuan, and Ji Xuanyuan, I don't believe Fu Hua won't cave. The only problem was that current Fu Hua didn't remember them. He'd have to wait for Fu Hua to enter his world to "restore" her memories.
"Cooperation? Turning her?" Bronya realized Fu Hua was no ordinary person. She couldn't fathom how her class monitor could be linked to ancient ruins unless she actually knew people from that era.
"Don't worry about that for now." Luo Hong tilted her chin up and leaned in close. "Just remember: do not touch the Xuanyuan Sword inside, and whatever you do, do not let Theresa break those two large crystals."
He suspected those crystals were related to Danzhu and Cangxuan. If Ji Xuanyuan's soul could linger in the sword, he didn't believe the other two were completely gone. Once he "pulled" them in his game, he might be able to save them.
As for the beast Chiyou? He'd figure that out later. First, he was going to enjoy himself!
Soon, the dark alley was filled with the sound of soft, rhythmic whimpers.