I'll Never Turn My Blade on You

"Really?"

Mei raised an eyebrow, somewhat surprised.

"Yes. After all... saying any more would be dangerous for both of us."

"That's true."

Considering Sakura's and his identities, Mei quickly understood the crux of the matter.

"Then... happy cooperation."

"Happy cooperation, Dr. Mei."

I Will Never Turn My Blade Against You

News of Dr. Mei's assassination attempt quickly spread throughout Moth to Fire, along with rumors that the assassin had been an internal member of Moth to Fire.

Though the assassin's identity was never made public, the signs were obvious enough: Sakura had vanished without a trace, and even you had been suspended pending investigation. It was not difficult for everyone to guess who the assassin was.

Soon afterward, Mei and Mobius convened a meeting to discuss the incident and how to handle matters going forward. Others proposed their own solutions and expressed concern for Mei's circumstances and well-being.

Everyone tacitly avoided discussing the question of "who exactly wanted to assassinate Dr. Mei." After all, they all knew the answer. Bringing it into the open would mean tearing away all pretense, and that would benefit no one.

At the end of the meeting, a certain member said, "Why not establish a squad specifically for dealing with these matters? A unit responsible for internal incidents like assassinations targeting important Moth to Fire personnel. Such heinous incidents require specialists, after all. We are heroes standing at the forefront of the fight against Honkai. Stabbing someone in the back like this can be seen as betrayal, can't it? And traitors... need to be purged, don't they?"

Everyone knew that speaker was a member of Poison Chrysalis, an organization that had always sought to expand its influence. They had been trying to take control of Moth to Fire's "dark side" through their own methods, and this time, naturally, they seized the opportunity to take a vicious bite out of the others and claim a piece of the power pie.

Ordinarily, such a proposal would never have passed. It meant formally putting the improper method of "label someone a traitor and then kill them" on the table, turning it into something anyone could use. But... unexpectedly, Mei, Mobius, and the others represented by them agreed to it.

Not only that, Mei publicly stated, "Perhaps each of you should also be assigned members with exceptional combat ability, to prevent vicious incidents such as assassination from happening again." She also informed the others that Kevin would be responsible for her safety whenever he was not on a mission, while Sakura would take over when Kevin left. As for Dr. Mobius, she was not assigned anyone since she rarely left the laboratory, though someone would accompany her whenever she went out.

They called it protection, but it was really surveillance... Everyone understood that, but no one could openly object. After all, it was only natural for Mei, as the "victim," to make such a suggestion. Besides, people could choose their own assigned personnel, so it was not overly excessive.

Thus, by a narrow margin, the proposal passed. The special unit Poison Chrysalis was officially established—without even changing its name. They simply used the old one directly.

At the same time, everyone in the upper ranks understood one thing—Mei, Mobius, and the others had joined forces with Poison Chrysalis. That was why Poison Chrysalis had been willing to split up your and Sakura's partnership, assigning someone specifically to protect Mei. There was even the possibility that they had helped orchestrate this assassination attempt, then used it as an excuse to take what each side wanted.

Mei, Mobius, and the other researchers gained stability. They could devote themselves to their plans and continue their research without worrying that someone would suddenly stab them in the back while they fought Honkai, because doing so would likely invite retaliation from Poison Chrysalis.

Poison Chrysalis, meanwhile, gained official authority. They escaped their previous awkward position of being ordered around by anyone and everyone, backed as they were by Mei, Mobius, and the other researchers.

At that point, the others had no choice but to rein in their methods, take the alliance seriously, and grant them the treatment they deserved.

As for you and Sakura, once the meeting ended and the proposal took effect, you naturally returned to a more or less ordinary life—Sakura became Mei and Mobius's accompanying guard while also holding a nominal position in Poison Chrysalis, while you were reinstated and likewise listed under Poison Chrysalis.

Naturally, there was nothing surprising about it. Other than you and Sakura having fewer chances to meet, everything was fine. Ling had even been brought into Moth to Fire, and Sakura could visit her whenever she had time.

Of course, those who had vaguely guessed your and Sakura's former identities gradually reduced their contact with you. Quite a few unconsciously began distancing themselves from the two of you. Naturally, there were also people who showed no reaction at all... such as Elysia.

She remained as cheerful as ever, and after that day, she seemed to care about you even more.

However, like Hen, she had developed a bad habit—whenever she met you, she always tried to sneak your candy box away. You were happy to play this little game with her, and you were confident that you would not let her get it.

Absolutely not.

Amid this mixture of lightness and tension, time gradually passed, until the arrival of—the Sixth Herrscher.

The wind carried the chill of night as it drifted gently by. As it passed through the quiet streets, it quietly swept away the lingering traces of human warmth and carried them off into the distance.

"..."

Xi Wang moved swiftly with the help of the buildings, glancing down at the silent streets.

He remembered this place. He had come here once while carrying out a mission. Back then, it had been bustling with voices. People stood shoulder to shoulder, packed into streets that were still fairly wide. Store employees enthusiastically introduced their products to customers, while restaurant kitchens bustled with activity.

Children played in the plaza, wobbling through the crowd on roller skates. Elderly people danced leisurely to Singing Voice, their rhythmic movements drawing the eyes of passersby. Children's laughter mixed with the Singing Voice of the square dance, becoming the lively clamor known as human warmth. Couples who had finished shopping sat in quiet corners, resting as they whispered to one another, occasionally playfully squabbling over some tiny gesture.

Even three days ago, this place had still looked the same. As the most prosperous commercial street in the area, it saw tens of thousands of people passing through every day, playing, enjoying themselves, and adding to its bustle. Not even the moon hanging high above could stop them.

But now, it had fallen into dead silence. Even Xi Wang's footsteps seemed loud, the passing wind seemed noisy, and even the sound of his own heartbeat had become so clear.

But...

So be it.

Xi Wang withdrew his gaze, his eyes as calm as a lake.

He merely quickened his pace slightly, heading toward that place—the place where the person he cared about was.

Bang—!

He heard a sound from far away. It gradually faded, then echoed again through the tranquil streets.

"...Wang, you're here."

Xi Wang landed lightly beside her. She nodded, maintaining her smile as she spoke.

"The operation was a success."

"Mm... what happened to him?"

Xi Wang glanced at a billboard by the roadside. A distinct crimson fist mark had been left on it, and then his gaze settled on Kevin.

"Wang... you're here. Where are your teammates? Where are they? What about the others? Are they still alive?"

Upon seeing Xi Wang arrive, Kevin hurriedly asked. His frantic tone made him sound as though he had seized a lifeline.

"...They're all dead."

Seeing his state, Xi Wang hesitated for a moment before truthfully telling him what had happened.

They were warriors. Soldiers. There was no need to hide things from each other—and casualties like these could not be concealed anyway. Kevin would learn the truth the moment he returned to base.

"I'm the only one from the team still alive and able to move. Since you two were still in the center, I came to check on the situation."

To protect Kevin's fragile state of mind, Xi Wang slightly adjusted his wording, lest he hurt him again.

"They're all dead... Ah, yes... of course they are..."

Kevin looked dazed. This was something he had long known, something he had long guessed, yet when he saw Xi Wang rushing over, he had still hoped to hear that someone else had survived.

But that was impossible. Under an eruption of Honkai Energy at that level, very few people could survive. The fact that the three of them could still stand here and talk was already proof that their constitutions were extraordinary.

"It's all... my fault..."

Kevin swayed, eventually having to brace himself against the nearby billboard to keep from falling. Then his hand unconsciously tightened, leaving another grip mark on the billboard.

"...Should I tell him that even if no one is around, he still has to pay for breaking things?"

Xi Wang turned to Elysia and asked in confusion.

"..."

"Ha ha~"

Elysia covered her mouth and laughed twice, and the heavy atmosphere dispersed a little.

"...Don't say that, Kevin."

Elysia spoke softly.

"The deaths of these people were certainly your fault, but... they were also mine."

"...What happened?"

Xi Wang frowned and asked.

"...At the very end, just as we were about to succeed in subjugating her, the Sixth Herrscher displayed... human emotions."

Elysia spoke slowly.

"We had never encountered something like that before, so Kevin..."

"So I hesitated, and before she died, she took this city with her."

Kevin's voice came from beside them, picking up where Elysia had left off.

"The people nearby, all of them, innocent ordinary people, died just like that."

"They did nothing. They did nothing wrong. Yet because of me, a completely unrelated stranger, their lives ended just like that. They vanished so easily, without even leaving behind bodies..."

"I killed them..."

Because of his hesitation.

"Oh."

Click—

Xi Wang responded flatly, then took out his candy box and popped a piece of candy into his mouth.

His attitude seemed to say—That's it?

"...But the one who killed the Sixth Herrscher and ended this disaster was also you."

Elysia gave him a reproachful glance before speaking gently.

"..."

"It's okay, Kevin. If it had been me, the outcome would not have changed... The same doubts would have appeared in my mind. I would have hesitated and questioned myself because of them, and I... would have made the same choice you did."

Elysia did her best to soothe Kevin's emotions. Of course, she truly meant what she said.

"..."

Kevin shifted his gaze toward Xi Wang—he was standing off to the side by himself, eating candy while enjoying the cool night breeze... or perhaps simply spacing out.

"Don't look at me. I have no right to speak when I wasn't there myself."

Noticing Kevin's gaze, Xi Wang merely spoke calmly and indifferently, as though none of this mattered to him.

If it had been him, he would have pulled the trigger without hesitation... After all, he would never care about such things. Maybe he would not even have any doubts.

Seeing Xi Wang like this, Kevin could not help having that thought.

If it had been him, he definitely would have killed her cleanly and decisively, and none of this would have happened afterward...

Click—!

With an especially loud snap, Xi Wang forcefully shut the candy box in his hand and responded to Kevin with an extremely disgusted look.

"What's with that look in your eyes?"

"..."