The Thunder Queen · Master Artist · Raiden Mei!

Do you like the Yamato Nadeshiko archetype in sadomasochistic books?

While it's undeniable that, aside from her reserved nature, Mei is indeed a gentle, considerate, and virtuous woman, and although she doesn't have any particularly outstanding qualities, there's nothing wrong with her either.

Tsk, if you look at it this way, Mei is actually the best candidate for a wife?

However, the moment Mei opened the notebook, she had already drifted far away from being "reserved"...

"Maybe that's just talent," Liu Bai remarked. "If I have the chance in the future, I'll introduce you to someone whose cooking skills are absolutely terrible, and then you can teach her a lesson."

"Her...? Hmm, I understand."

How many women does my brother actually know?

Although she successfully stopped the two little ones from running away with cookies, Mei still couldn't help but feel a pang of melancholy.

Chapter 165 Raiden Queen Raiden Mei and Master of Art!

"Excuse me, how do I use this?"

On the testing ground, Mei looked at the belt on her body with some confusion.

"Tie it around your waist... and then what? Do you need to say any lines? Like something about Kamen Rider..."

"If I could, I'd prefer you to call me Armor... Never mind, never mind."

Liu Bai said with a hint of reminiscence.

"However, there are two specific ways to use it. One is to press the button on the belt directly, and the other is to use the control skills you have practiced over the past two months to trigger it directly."

Is that so?

Mei did indeed sense a massive source of Honkai emanating from the transformation device at her waist.

"Is there anything I need to prepare?"

"No need, we have already arranged everything."

Liu Bai glanced at Welt, who was holding the Eden Star, and Reanna, who was standing silently to the side.

"All you need to do now is concentrate... Be mentally prepared, you can start anytime you want."

"I see."

Mei was in the center of the field, breathed a sigh of relief. She had been informed of the experiment's contents after the belt was completed, so she was quite well-prepared.

"All I need to do is adopt the mindset I usually have when I'm practicing meditation..."

On her first use, Mei didn't try to directly contact the Honkai source in the belt with her consciousness. Instead, she chose the button that seemed safer—although in Liu Bai's design, the two were completely identical.

Boom—!

"... It thundered."

The sound of thunder pierced through the building, as if booming in everyone's ears.

"The weather outside has changed dramatically, and thunderstorms are suspected."

Bronya reported this through the Project Bunny.

"And... Mei- neechan's condition..."

Bronya looked at Mei, whose face showed pain, with some concern.

At the same time, purple lightning gradually flickered across the field.

"There will be a certain adjustment period when we first come into contact with each other... or rather, a rejection reaction." Liu Bai, as the backbone of the group, appeared quite calm. "In case of any accidents, the Honkai Energy Suppressant on standby at any time."

Everyone present could panic, but Liu Bai couldn't.

"Clear."

"Nancy, compare the Honkai Energy output of the pseudo- Herrscher of Thunder that appeared before."

"Currently it's one-third, but this number is increasing rapidly. If it doesn't stop halfway, it will probably completely surpass the previous simulated Herrscher of Thunder in about fifteen seconds."

"In that case, we're still in a safe zone. In my design, half of the Honkai Energy of the simulated Herrscher of Thunder is the first safety threshold, the simulated Herrscher of Thunder is the second safety threshold, and there are a third and a fourth, for a total of four layers of protection. That's also the 'rated power' of this thing... Seele, what do you think?"

"I feel that Mei is completely fine—no, rather, I would say that brother-sama's design is excellent."

The one who calls Liu Bai "brother" is of course Dark Seele.

Because Dark Seele's situation was somewhat special, Liu Bai brought Dark Seele along as well.

"With this segmented output, Mei should be able to adapt to Gem of Conquest very quickly."

If you can't output an excessive amount of Honkai Energy at once, the threat of Gem of Conquest is greatly reduced—like having your bladder choked while you're peeing.

"The first safety threshold has been reached!"

As Edison's report was delivered, the purple lightning on the field paused, and the pain on Mei's face gradually faded.

(...easy.)

Purple lightning coalesced into a dazzling katana, and horns resembling those of a "ghost" from a supernatural tale emerged from Mei's forehead.

(This level is too weak, it could be more... Brother Liu Bai's expectations...)

"The first threshold has been breached... The rate of Honkai Energy growth is exceeding expectations. Should we take measures to control it?"

"Where are the vital signs?"

"Vitality signs are all normal—no, or rather, they are rapidly increasing, evolving towards becoming Herrscher."

"Is that so... Bronya, report on the weather outside."

"... The thunderstorm is receding."

"... Then let's wait a little longer. Mei is already able to control the power of the Herrscher."

Not only Liu Bai, but everyone present breathed a sigh of relief upon hearing Bronya's report.

Aside from the instruments in the laboratory, the easiest way to see Mei's condition is through the "anomalies" brought by the Herrscher.

The Herrscher of Thunder is clearly one of the Herrscher with an exceptionally strong destructive desire and power. According to previous information, the Herrscher of Thunder neither suppresses nor cares to suppress her power.

If Mei hadn't managed to control herself, the Herrscher of Thunder would probably have already attempted to storm the lab.

"Did the first layer of insurance, combined with Mei's excellent compatibility, keep things under control?"

Liu Bai looked at Mei in the arena, her appearance strikingly similar to the Herrscher of Thunder in the game, and her expression gradually becoming cold and unapproachable...

"Honkai Energy is rapidly approaching the second safety threshold!"

Unlike Edison's somewhat tense voice, the test site was unexpectedly quiet. The purple lightning was confined around Mei, and at the same time, a pair of huge demon arm armors formed around Mei, and Mei's own armor changed accordingly.

At this moment, Mei was already as awe-inspiring as a demon.

(We can do it again!)

As if to break free of the shackles within her body, Mei her sword heavily without joy or sorrow.

"The second line of defense has been breached!"

"Alright! Mei, that's enough!"

Reaching this value on the first use is already good. If it continues to increase, even if Liu Bai has confidence in Mei and his work, he will inevitably feel uneasy.

"..."

Mei's arrogant and noble purple eyes, tinged with a hint of evil, fixed on Liu Bai.

"..." Welt silently gripped the Eden Star in his hand.

Although the other party has not shown any intention to attack, its very existence is a threat. Despite having defensive facilities, the Herrscher of Thunder's electromagnetic abilities are very suitable for breaking through defenses from a single point.

However, Mei's gaze did not linger on Liu Bai, but quickly shifted to Seele, who is now known as Dark Seele.

In that instant, everyone present sensed the change in Mei's gaze.

If Mei's gaze towards Liu Bai was somewhat arrogant, then her gaze towards Dark Seele was like that of Queen looking down from above.

"Mei, how are you feeling now?"

"Very good."

Liu Bai's words drew Mei's attention back, and then Mei swung a lightning-infused slash in front of her.

"I don't know how to describe this feeling, but I do feel an unprecedented sense of power right now."

Mei's organized answer relieved everyone present.

However, there is another point that cannot be ignored...

"Mei, don't you feel like you're experiencing any emotional... well, feelings?"

Raiden Ryoma asked his unfamiliar daughter with some concern.

"Emotions?" Mei tilted her head. "Hmm... perhaps there have been some changes, but for me it's more like abandoning hesitation and cowardice."

"It's normal for one's temperament to deviate to some extent. To put it metaphorically... this is probably a kind of 'contamination' caused by using the power of Herrscher. Once it's removed, it'll be fine."

Liu Bai wasn't too surprised by this situation.

After all, the power of Herrscher isn't something you can just take advantage of. It's just unexpected that even after all this, Mei would still return Raiden Queen.

So Mei really does have a sadist side...?

"Can I come out now?" Mei seemed a little uncomfortable being stared at. "Also, I have something I want to say to Seele."

"... I don't really want to hear it."

Although Mei's words were not wrong and her tone was normal, the way Mei acting in front of him was inherently oppressive.

Mei in front of him specifically said she had something to say to him... If there wasn't something fishy going on, Dark Seele would never believe it even if he were beaten to death.

"You must listen."

Even though the testing grounds were below them, Mei, looking up at Seele, managed to make her words sound like she was looking down on her.

Absolutely not to be refused.

"Um... Mei, you can say it to her face." Liu Bai felt it would be best for Mei to come out after she had deactivated her transformation.

After all, if things get out of control after they're released, there will be big problems.

"No, some things have to be said this way, please, Brother Liu Bai."

Longma glanced at Liu Bai with displeasure upon hearing this.

After all, the nickname "Brother Liu Bai" is a bit too intimate.

Seeing his own daughter call someone else that made Ryoma feel a sense of crisis, as if his daughter was about to be taken away by someone else.

But Ryoma only dared to glance at him... because he was the lowest in seniority among those present, apart from the little ones and his own daughter.

Besides, with such a large generational difference between his daughter and the Alliance Leader, and with Edison watching over her, there shouldn't be any twilight romance, right?

"... Alright, Mei, don't let me down." After a brief hesitation, Liu Bai chose to trust Mei and lifted the seal on the test site.

Without even using the elevator, Mei flew up directly and headed straight for Dark Seele.

"Good afternoon, Mei."

Sensing something amiss, Dark Seele greeted him rather awkwardly.

"Good afternoon, Seele." Seemingly gradually adapting to the influence of the Herrscher, Mei's aloof and unapproachable aura has also subsided considerably. At this moment, she even responded to Dark Seele's greeting as usual.

—Same as usual?!

Dark Seele looked at Mei with immense pressure as she watched the sword-wielding Lightning Empress floating beside Mei and the fully grown demon horns on Mei's head.

This feeling of oppression is ominous from every angle, isn't it?

"Seele, what kind of knot do you like? A bow? A bunny knot? Or a figure-eight knot?"

Although Mei asked the question with a smile, her bewitching purple pupils and imposing demon horns made Mei smile seem devoid of warmth.

"Um... what... what are you saying Mei?"

"Then a cute bow will do." Mei ignored Dark Seele's question. "Next question, Seele, what kind of bondage do you like?"

"Huh?"

Has this topic started to turn sour?

Where's my brother? Stop him right now!