Chapter 102

"What I want to say," MEI said, adjusting his glasses, "Is that for them, the Honkai is just one of the worst things that ever happened to them. Maybe not even the worst."

"There are far too many things that can easily destroy a person, a family, or even a country."

"And the Honkai is just one of them, not even the worst of them."

"The one that lasts the longest is also the easiest."

"The best one."

"Of course I have humanity," MEI said, shrugging. "But people's emotions aren't interchangeable. Your sadness and despair are your sadness and despair; they won't be mine."

"You are able to open an orphanage, take care of them, and give them hope in their most desperate times."

"You're really good. You're not a bad person; you're very kind."

"You might not understand one sentence," MEI said definitively. "I believe this sentence is what your loved ones told you. It's a guide for your life, and also the reason you're afraid to think about it seriously."

"Live well."

Raven opened her mouth but couldn't refute it at all. She had never thought of it, dared not think of it, and was even afraid to think of it. Fighting the Honkai had become the only reason for her to live.

"What nonsense are you spouting?!" the Raven exclaimed, seemingly enraged. "What did you say?!"

"You simply..."

"You have no idea what it means to 'live well'," MEI interrupted Raven's angry words. "I know what you're trying to do by putting me here."

"What was the meaning behind all those things you said to me yesterday?"

"You think I'd be like those characters in anime who get moved by the protagonist's words, right? You think I'd just jump on your bandwagon after the protagonist just spouts a few words at you?" MEI said with a half-smile.

"Wake up, Raven! Do you know why I'm in Schicksal? It's because I'm fighting for this beautiful world!"

"No, you're wrong. I just applied for a job there."

"Why wouldn't I work for you?" MEI retorted. "Of course it's because you kidnapped me."

MEI doesn't need any special reason, or even many reasons. The World Serpent can't provide her with enough security, and the methods used to get her here weren't good either.

So even if she's content with whatever comes her way, MEI doesn't want to settle down here.

"Save your breath," MEI said. "Your experience with the children here won't move me. People's emotions aren't always interconnected, and besides, you don't have that much persuasive power yourself."

"You bastard!!!"

Raven finally couldn't hold back any longer. She clenched her fists and said in a threatening tone, "You don't really think I would treat you like Jackal."

"Of course not," MEI said, feigning ignorance. "But what can you do?"

MEI pushed up his glasses and said, "You don't think I know nothing about you and your lord, do you?"

The Raven calmed down.

We must remain calm.

Only now did she realize that she didn't seem to have a very good way to deal with Mei. And when she saw Mei's eyes, Raven couldn't help but shudder.

This was the look in her eyes that she least wanted to see ever since Jackal used the amnesia drug on Doctor Mei.

Too rational!

Everything seemed devoid of emotion; even emotions could be transformed into rational analysis and used as tools for calculation. She seemed to have everything under her thumb.

They were certain they wouldn't dare do anything to her.

But they won't openly confront them; they'll just be using them.

Using the World Serpent...

Using the kidnappers who abducted him to achieve his own goals...

What kind of person would do something like this?!

Raven doesn't know, and doesn't even really want to think about it now.

Mei adjusted her glasses; this was a plan devised from the very beginning. It seemed to work not only on Jackal but also on Raven.

Although MEI is severely lacking in individual combat ability, he is quite intelligent.

This is simply indescribably powerful.

If it were in the past, although I can't remember what it was like now, I reckon I would have been infected by these emotions and sighed deeply, and then stood up in anger.

A Honkai is unacceptable.

MEI's biggest advantage.

No matter the situation, she can maintain an absolutely calm and clear mind, completely undisturbed by external influences. She carefully analyzes the pros and cons of any situation and finds something she can utilize.

Just like now.

MEI is not influenced by the Raven's emotions, nor does she follow them; she always maintains her own pace.

She even discovered a very interesting place.

It's that phrase, 'Live well.'

This statement is important to Raven; it's her own words. When she first mentioned it, the emotion she conveyed was genuine; it wasn't an attempt to manipulate her or create an emotional connection with her.

It was also because of this sentence that Mei sensed a trace of fear in the Raven's eyes.

This is a very complex and intriguing meaning.

What is fear? Why are we afraid? What are we afraid of?

MEI was unaware of the deeper reasons behind it, because she didn't know Raven as a person. But the story behind that statement and its significance were definitely extraordinary.

And this...

"Do you see yourself as a demon?" MEI pushed up his glasses, a cold glint flashing across the lenses.

"Then the person who told you to 'live well' back then."

"How disappointed they must be."

The moment Mei said those words, it was as if she had struck Raven's most vulnerable spot. Her clenched fist loosened and then clenched again, loosened and then clenched again.

After a long pause, she said, "I am a bad person! But not a demon."

"I'm just trying to live a good life," the Raven said. "And I hope that in the future, we can live in a world where there is no Honkai."

"Live well."

Mei didn't say anything; Raven's mindset was still unstable. Or rather, many things in her heart hadn't been completely settled. To some extent, she was willing to fund an orphanage or something like that.

This is enough to show that the glimmer of human goodness is still shining deep within him.

Her motivation for doing these things is fundamentally different from that of truly evil people.

Those evil people who burn incense, worship Buddha, and do good deeds are essentially trying to escape the self-examination of the last bit of goodness in their hearts. Therefore, they will not stop doing evil, but will only become more wicked.

The Raven, on the other hand, did so entirely out of its own good intentions.

It wasn't to escape self-examination, but of course it was also an escape.

At least for now, she has avoided the questioning of herself that those words posed.

"Let's get down to business now," MEI said, feeling it was about time. "I'm so bored here, there's nothing to do."

"And my experiment had just begun when the Jackal brought me here."

"If possible, I hope you can send me back."

"I can continue my laboratory at Jackal's place."

"That's impossible," Raven refused. "I heard from the Jackal that you seem to be researching some strange things."

"I'm not interested in what you're studying, but I brought you here from the Hyperion."

"It's not for you to do those weird researches."

"So," Raven said, considering himself extremely ruthless and leaving no room for negotiation, "There is absolutely no way I will let you go to the Jackal."

"If you are unwilling to help us bring the Lord out of the Sea of Quantum."

"Then you can stay here for the rest of your life!"

"Perhaps you could try praying," Raven said mockingly. "The Lord will come after he emerges from the Sea of Quantum."

"Look at you, you heartless and ungrateful woman."

"However," Raven said confidently, "I think, with the Lord's magnanimity..."

"He will definitely punish you severely."

Chapter 132 This is the Sky

Sky City, an intelligence city that doesn't seem like it could be an intelligence hub.

This is an inland city on the mainland of the Celestial Empire in this plane of existence, a mountain city situated at the confluence of three rivers. You can hardly imagine, and may find it difficult to understand, what kind of favorable policies and geographical location made this place a paradise for intelligence brokers.

No matter how much you can't understand it, that's just how reality is.

It seems to make no sense when you ask why. Realistic wisdom shrugs and says, "That's just how it happened. How can I explain it to you?"

I can't explain it either.

This is a paradise for intelligence brokers, but not for criminals.

"An inland city of the Celestial Empire." Himeko, dressed in a fiery red evening gown, looked so graceful, elegant, and passionate.

She was once a serious and unsmiling female military officer and instructor.

Now she's a charming socialite.

This made one of the Redhead a little uncomfortable, saying, "How should I put it? I feel that Major Himeko is even more... much more..." than I imagined.

"Ahem..."

Redhead coughed, but didn't say he didn't know how to describe it.

However, his own adjectives are generally quite common, and it is obvious that such descriptions cannot be used in this context.

What kind of countertop?

This might perfectly align with the common, or rather, the fantasies of some artsy young people about intelligence work: a man in a suit and tuxedo, holding a glass of wine.

Transactions are completed in upscale, glamorous venues.

"I didn't expect to find you here." Himeko's voice was no longer stern, but gentle and full of the allure of a mature woman. She said tenderly, "I've rarely worn this kind of outfit since I joined the army."

"I feel a little unaccustomed to it."

"But can you really find intelligence in a place like this?" Himeko asked.

"You don't seem to believe we can find the information we want here?" the Redhead retorted. "Then where do you think we should get the information?"

"This..." Himeko pondered for a moment, having learned a little from observing this Redhead man.

There's nothing wrong with making assumptions, and being realistic is the right thing to do. Reasonable assumptions can help provide reasonable solutions and contingency plans.

Instead, it was like back in Area 11, where everyone was discussing based on reality, spouting off one set of ideas after another, but no one ever came up with any reasonable solutions.

That was the biggest mistake.

"I think," Himeko said after a moment's thought, "It's not like those roadside stalls or street vendors."

"Then they exchanged information in a very inconspicuous corner."

"And then what?" Redhead asked. "Will there be a street chase? Driving, racing, crashing, blowing up cars?"

"..." Himeko blushed slightly, and had to admit that she really thought so.

"You seem to know a lot about this," Himeko said, unconvinced. "Are you sure you're in the navy, or not from the Chinese Ministry of National Security or something that specializes in intelligence?"

"Actually, I don't know either," the Redhead man said, shrugging. "But I quite like this feeling."

"Something refined or something."

"But!" Redhead didn't intend to let Himeko mock him immediately. He said with such confidence, "Major Himeko, I might be a little different from you."

"Behind me stands a professional team!"