A Clear, Bright Smile / So Sweet, So Nice... Thud!

Welt shook his head with a wry smile, shifting the topic away from that tangled mess.

Cocolia picked up her teacup, raised her eyebrows, and pondered for a moment.

She sensed something different in those seemingly logical words.

Before today, although Welt and the others' impression of Cocolia had been steadily improving thanks to their actions, they still developed at their own pace, maintaining a clear independence and distance. However, now they are beginning to consult her on the overall action plan of Anti-Entropy.

Does this mean they're starting to accept that Cocolia is qualified to be a true insider?

"How should I look at it? I'll just sit down and look at it, of course."

"Cocolia, I'm serious."

"Ha! We need to look at the essence of the problem. Put all those messy changes aside for now. First and foremost, let's be clear about one thing—the threat of Honkai is ever-present, and I absolutely cannot allow humanity to start a civil war at this critical juncture!"

Former Civil War God of War Cocolia put down her teacup, making a crisp porcelain sound, and spoke righteously.

Well, regardless of the specific changes in Welt and the others' thoughts, Cocolia has already begun to prepare a powerful line. Seizing the opportunity to show off is the real priority.

Yang

As the title says, two lines on the blackout line, a high fever of 38.5 this morning, just now 38.7, feeling the heat surging through my body—thank goodness for the holiday. Also, I really feel unwell all over, my head is throbbing, and I can't write anymore. Taking a day off, I'll see how I am tomorrow. Goodnight.

Chapter 204 A Clear Smile

Welt and his team had already planned out the next strategic adjustments.

While they and Otto are sworn enemies, public interest trumps private interests. Anti-Entropy's mission over the years has never been to defeat Otto, but to overcome the Honkai and protect the world.

Now, with the World Serpent having a criminal record in Changkong City and Skyfire forcefully seizing the Gem of Serenity, Welt is extremely wary.

After all, while Otto wasn't a good person, at least he had to shout slogans like "Fight for all that is good in the world." World Serpent is different; with its Herrscher Core, it truly dares to trigger an artificial Great Honkai!

To prevent the World Serpent from silently detonating another major international city or committing even more horrific acts, Welt must reduce friction with Schicksal and ensure that both organizations continue to strengthen their control over the world.

"So times have changed. None of us can understand what this great serpent from the previous era wants to do, or what its intentions are towards contemporary humans. We must reduce conflict, preserve our strength, and if necessary—I hope you can even suppress your disgust and shake hands with Otto to make peace."

Cocolia doesn't need to emphasize anything further; she only needs to tell Welt —I, Cocolia, also have a sense of the bigger picture. That's enough.

She even advised Walter to put aside his grudges for the time being, which made Welt even more relieved.

"It's good that you understand. I'm just worried that you're taking advantage of your connection with Gray Serpent and are determined to get back at Otto."

Do you take me for a fool?

"But you're Radical Faction leader!"

Welt shook his head with a wry smile.

This colleague in front of me is indeed capable, but he is extremely stubborn.

Stealing gems from the Schicksal Headquarters? Is this something a human would do?

The last person to do something similar was Siegfried, who is now not only riddled with wounds but also forced to separate from his only daughter. Although he may still seem to be able to laugh and drink, Welt knows that his old friend's spirit has long since faded. Now, all he's waiting for is to protect Kiana with his life once more when she faces danger in the future, nothing more.

Cocolia waved her hand dismissively, looking bored.

"Since we've reached a consensus, there's nothing more to say. If there's nothing else, you should leave now; I'm busy here!"

"Hey! Cocolia, do you take us for some kind of tool that you can summon and dismiss at will?"

Tesla expressed its dissatisfaction with Cocolia's dismissive attitude.

Wow, when they're in trouble they just yell "Alliance Leader, come help me!" and once the problem is solved they just wave people away. Who the hell is the Alliance Leader and who's the executor?

Cocolia retrieved her tablet from the ditch, tossed it onto the table, revealing 999+ pending tasks, and said expressionlessly:

"Could you help me with some official business?"

"Ahem! There are indeed some urgent matters at the North America lab, so perhaps we shouldn't disturb them any longer, hahaha!"

Tesla scratched his head, a forced smile on his face, his gaze wandering, avoiding looking at Cocolia's deadpan eyes and faint dark circles.

Then Cocolia said nonchalantly:

"I heard that the two Doctor have recently launched a number of large projects?"

"Uh, just a tiny bit, a tiny fraction of a tiny bit."

After annexing and managing Raiden Ryoma's business empire, and cultivating Tachibana Yuki's financial supply line with the Far East region as its fulcrum, Cocolia is now one of the largest economic sources in the entire Anti-Entropy.

Therefore, when it comes to experimental projects and funding, not to mention Tesla, even the shrewd Einstein couldn't help but feel uneasy.

Honest Welt was even less likely to raise his voice at his sugar daddy.

The group arrived calmly and composedly, and left in a hurry.

When it was time to board the plane for the return trip in the afternoon, Cocolia didn't even come to see them off, but no one dared to utter a single complaint.

Only Tesla, holding Ninti's little hand, muttered complaints:

"Didn't we say we needed to bring Xiao Ninti back as soon as possible, and not let Cocolia develop into a new Radical Faction leader? Why didn't you mention that at all, Chicken Hair?"

Power is the reason to be king.

Judging from the current situation, if Welt were to step down, the only person who could replace him as the new generation of strategic deterrent unit for Anti-Entropy would be Ninti. Furthermore, given Joyce's strong assertion that if Ninti cannot take over the Herrscher Core and become the leader, even Otto might feel indignant on her behalf.

Einstein understood this principle well, and therefore was also very clear about how important Ninti's education was.

But in the end, she pressed her temples, looking slightly troubled, and explained helplessly:

"Dr. Tesla, please think about this calmly. This incident has just subsided, and Otto's attitude afterward is still uncertain. In addition, there's St. Freya... Do you think she can let Ninti leave?"

Cocolia never hid her hostility towards Raiden Mei; it seemed that in her eyes, Raiden Mei was a super nuclear bomb that could explode at any moment, and the East Sea Base was specifically created to monitor this nuclear bomb at close range. Otto's possible retaliation, coupled with the existence of this nuclear bomb, meant that Cocolia was determined not to let a super-powerful fighter leave.

Of course, on the other hand, Einstein never doubted Cocolia's feelings for her daughter.

"Oh! My little Ninti, you must keep in touch with your sister more often, and never become a bad woman like Cocolia, okay?"

"Hmm~~"

With her face rubbed against Tesla and her body squeezed into Tesla's arms, Ninti could only manage a barely audible response.

This pitiful appearance amused Welt and Einstein, but it made Tesla's eyes light up, as if he had awakened something, and he rubbed against Ninti even more enthusiastically and ecstatically.

"Mmm~~"

Welt and the others set off with satisfied smiles, while Ninti watched the plane disappear into the distance in a daze. After a while, she suddenly came to her senses, raised her hands and waved gently, bidding farewell to the few people she didn't know if they would ever see her again.

' The North America headquarters is indeed still unexplored territory; we need to find an opportunity to develop it.'

Although her tentacles have extended far enough and her accumulated power is considerable, Anqi has never been one to be content with the status quo and stop moving forward.

Besides, how can the successor be entrusted with the weight of the Herrscher Gem of Reason gem if Joachim and his two older sisters don't personally educate him? After all, it's such an important inheritance, so they should be allowed to test the successor's worth first, right?

Ninti patted her cheeks to encourage herself, then smiled slightly and headed home while pondering the situation.

Three days later, Anna's bottom had healed.

Then Cocolia grabbed him and threw him out of the house.

"Get back to work! The area under construction is almost completely destroyed, and we're short-handed!"

"Lady Cocolia, I..."

"Bang!!!"

The door slammed shut so hard it nearly hit Anna's nose.

Anna stood stiffly at the door, and after a long while, she sighed sadly.

"Although there's nothing wrong with dusting..."

"But I really am Schicksal S-rank Valkyrie..."

"At least tell me which construction site I need to go to?"

Anna looked around, utterly bewildered.

Fortunately, the generous and kind foreman eventually appeared and took her away.

"See this port area? Let me tell you, dozens, even hundreds, of Valkyrie from St. Freya were docked here! It was here that Lady Cocolia set up a tea table, uttered a series of grand pronouncements that left Schicksal and that... whatever-that-snake... speechless. Then, with a clever scheme, she easily drove away all the enemies! Lady Cocolia is truly amazing!"

"Yes, yes, that's really amazing."

Anna gave an awkward laugh.

After a moment of contemplation, she asked hesitantly:

"Sister, is it possible—I mean, just a possibility—that someone from Schicksal has inquired about me from us?"

"Huh? Never heard of you. Why are they asking about you? Do they even know you?"

"Uh, hehe, you're right..."

Anna smiled weakly and humbly.

After a moment of confusion, the foreman suddenly asked:

"Speaking of which, don't you always boast about being an S-rank Valkyrie? I'm a little curious, can people like us from Anti-Entropy also take the Schicksal's ranking test?"

"Hmm... if the bribe is sufficient, probably anyone can pass the exam, right?"

Otherwise, how can we explain the fact that no one takes it seriously, not to mention the Archbishop, even Durandal ignores her?

On the contrary, Lady Cocolia never forgets to give her the punishment and reward she deserves, and everyone on the construction site always greets her happily.

So am I destined for Schicksal or Anti-Entropy?

Anna was momentarily bewildered.

"Hahaha! You're so funny! Here, take this hat, let's get started!"

Anna took the little yellow hat she hadn't seen for several days, took a deep breath, and slowly put it on her head.

Once you put on this hat, the joys and sorrows outside the construction site become irrelevant to you. Only the simple work and the delicious and plentiful meals on the construction site are the meaning of life.

Anna's eyes sparkled with longing for the white hat, or even the red hat, and she revealed an incredibly clear and lovely smile.

Chapter 205 Sweet, so nice... Thump!

How are you feeling today?

While feeding Himeko, Himeko asked about Anqi health as usual.

Anqi nodded slightly.

"It's almost healed, and it doesn't hurt anymore."

"That's good."

Himeko smiled genuinely. Even though she had been incredibly busy these past few days, the dark circles under her eyes, which even makeup couldn't conceal, seemed to have disappeared.

St. Freya deployed her entire force this time, and although she didn't die thanks to Anqi's covert protection, she was severely injured. The normal operation of the academy and branch fell entirely on Himeko, the second-in-command and head housekeeper. In addition, the Hyperion was almost completely destroyed, and there was never an end to the various tasks.

But the real difficulty isn't the work itself, but knowing the truth yet having to cover it up—it's the guilt and heartache that feels like being slowly cut with a dull knife.

"Get well soon, I'm waiting for you to come home and cook for me."

"Um."

Himeko carried a heavy burden in her heart. Anqi wanted to comfort her, but even the one who tied the knot didn't know how to untie it. Both of them had their reservations, so there wasn't much to say.

So, Himeko left very quickly.

Anqi leaned back, her silent expression revealing a hint of melancholy.

Just then, a long-overlooked white fluffy creature, scratching its bottom with one hand and holding an apple in the other, opened and closed its lips, uttering a clear, crisp sound:

"What's wrong? Do you feel like everyone is being too cautious around you?"

"..."

"There's nothing we can do about it, we're all afraid of upsetting you, aren't we?"

Aren't you afraid of provoking me?

Anqi turned her head expressionlessly and saw Kiana crunching on the fresh apple that Himeko had brought her as a treat, and she could smell its sweet fragrance.