-"I'm sorry."
Yu Xunge conveyed those words to Qihua.
Qihua sat on the Flower Throne made of red petals, propping her chin on her hand and staring into space for a while, as though those few words were a difficult problem that required a great deal of thought.
Sitting on her own Flower Throne, Yu Xunge did not hurry her. She opened World Sigh and began playing her lord game. By now, 70% of Prison 8017 had been dyed blue, and progress was accelerating. She expected to have complete control of the prison by tomorrow.
Only after Yu Xunge had assigned the Leader Players and Godly Players to the extremely difficult Prison Cells based on Player feedback did she hear Qihua's reply.
"Just an apology?"
"Yes."
Yes, just an apology. Star Sea Youwo would not say she regretted it.
She had betrayed Qihua, betrayed Fragrant Branch, betrayed Midsummer. She had already betrayed far, far too much. She could not betray herself in the end as well.
The two things least likely to happen in the Chaotic Star Sea were Maple Sugar admitting she was wrong and Youwo feeling regret.
"I understand," Qihua said quietly.
"Is there anything you'd like me to tell her?"
"Hmm?" Qihua raised her eyes in mild surprise to look at Zai Jiu Xunge. "I thought you really hated her. Didn't you forbid me from talking to her?"
"...My words carry that much weight?" Yu Xunge asked, feigning surprise. Was Qihua someone who did as she was told?
"Of course." There was a soft smile even in Qihua's voice. It diluted the coldness in her eyes and smoothed away that exceedingly faint trace of sorrow. With a rising lilt, she said, "You're the Arbiter, after all."
Yu Xunge moved her fingers slightly, and World Sigh floating before