Theresa: This Kid Is Too Innocent / Theresa: Why Does It Feel Like I'm the Outsider?

Theresa coughed lightly and said in a deliberately serious tone,

"What is it that you don't know?"

"..."

Looking at Theresa, who was putting on an air of authority, Gwen thought to himself, "I have more to say than you think. Which one do you want to know?"

After muttering a thought to himself, Gwen pondered for a moment and then slowly asked:

"Theresa, are you asking if I am inside Apollo?"

Or should I ask Kiana a question?

Or perhaps Siegfried?

Or Mei?

Or... why did Bishop Otto send me here?

"..."

Actually, she just wanted to confirm whether the large robot she had just seen was Gwen, and whether Cocolia had really been saved by Cecilia. Theresa paused for a moment upon hearing this, subtly abandoning her somewhat affected air of authority and adopting the curious expression familiar to Gwen.

Apollo?

Is that the name of the red mecha?

Was that really you in there just now?

But I've never heard of any such project at headquarters..."

"Because that was not ordained by Schicksal..."

When faced with Theresa, who seemed like a cat cautiously reaching out its little paws to touch the ball of yarn in front of it, Gwen gave her a response that left her completely bewildered.

"You've sided with Anti-Entropy?"

Almost without thinking, Theresa, startled, stood up and questioned him aloud.

"...

If Anti-Entropy had such technology, Theresa, don't you think the first thing they would do is storm the floating island...?

Although Gwen did not say the final "take Otto's life" aloud, the meaning was clearly conveyed.

"Phew... I acted impulsively..."

Letting out a soft breath, Theresa pinched the bridge of her nose with her small hand, then immediately abandoned the question from before.

"Where did that mech come from? Where did you hide it?"

Do you need me to help you fabricate its origin?

If I remember correctly, a Previous Civilization's ruins were discovered nearby not long ago. I can help you with some camouflage if needed.

Gwyn, who had thought Theresa was going to press him for an explanation and was about to bring up his prepared excuse, raised a Gwen. He hadn't expected that their meager relationship would make Theresa so willing to protect him.

However, Gwen smiled and shook his head:

"Thank you for your kindness, Theresa, but it's not necessary—"

Apollo is someone I found in the Sea of Quantum; there's no need to hide it.

Gwen has already obtained enough leverage to support his negotiations with Otto, but he doesn't want to reveal the secret of his cheat ability yet.

In that case, the still mysterious Sea of Quantum is naturally the best excuse.

Chapter 240 Theresa: This child is too naive

"The Sea of Quantum?"

Upon hearing the name, Theresa paused for a moment, then remembered that she seemed to have seen the term while flipping through confidential documents at headquarters. However, there was no clear idea of what it meant. Theresa subconsciously looked intently at Gwen.

"..."

Seeing Theresa's expectant gaze, Gwen's heart stirred slightly—

"I have a feeling... Theresa trusts me a little too much—"

"Aren't you afraid that by directly handing the topic to me, I'll learn from Otto and give her a good talking-to?"

Gwen, without keeping Theresa in suspense, muttered to himself.

The so-called "Sea of Quantum" does not actually refer to a specific ocean, but is a figurative term that refers to a special dimension outside the world we live in.

Some worlds that have fallen Imaginary Tree have fallen into the Sea of Quantum like fallen leaves, and are currently called World Bubble.

Just as fallen leaves gradually decay and return to the earth, the World Bubble will also gradually collapse and merge into the Sea of Quantum, leaving only a few more corrosion-resistant fragments drifting in the Sea of Quantum.

Seeing Theresa's "wise" gaze, Gwen silently abandoned his honest explanation and simply concluded—

"In short, the Sea of Quantum is not a sea, but a special area that does not belong to our world, just like the Imaginary Space the Herrscher of the Void infiltrated back then."

"Oh..."

Theresa, whose gaze had been wandering, suddenly understood upon hearing this. The confused look on her face vanished instantly, and she clenched her left fist and placed it on top of her right.

"So Gwen, you accidentally entered the so-called Sea of Quantum, discovered the mech you called Apollo inside, brought it back, and used it in the previous battle?"

"Yes."

Gwen nodded, affirming Theresa's summary.

Although there were many loopholes, given Theresa's previous attitude towards him, Gwen believed that Theresa wouldn't delve too deeply into the matter.

And Theresa's reaction was exactly as Gwen had predicted; she didn't press the matter further, and the wise expression on her face quickly turned into one of distress again.

"Even so, you can't just get past Grandpa directly..."

Although it's still unclear what exactly the Sea of Quantum is, the fact that you were able to accidentally enter it is itself a topic worthy of study.

Knowing Grandpa's personality, he definitely wouldn't ignore it..."

Although Theresa's impression of him improved significantly after Otto revealed the "truth of the world" to her, it didn't stop Theresa from suspecting that her grandfather was up to something.

Even in Otto's words, Gwen was the hero he had chosen to save the world.

"Isn't this better?"

Faced with Theresa's distress and undisguised concern, Gwen simply smiled.

"The Sea of Quantum is a mysterious and unknown place. What can I possibly gain from it by myself alone?"

In contrast, channeling the power of Schicksal might yield some results and offer some assistance in our fight against the Honkai.

Although the Mind Cube that could have been used for discussion has already been used up, it doesn't stop Gwen from using Apollo as a cover to give Otto hope of finding a way to revive Kallen in the Sea of Quantum.

"Can..."

Theresa originally wanted to say something, but looking at Gwen's innocent smile, she swallowed her original words silently, sighed softly, and showed a bit of adult emotion and vicissitudes on her face——

"Well...

Okay, given the fighting prowess you've demonstrated, even Grandpa should have some reservations.

But..."

As she spoke, Theresa paused, looking at Gwen with some confusion.

Why do you have black hair now?

"It should be white hair, shouldn't it?"

"?"

Is this the kind of issue we should be focusing on right now?

Gwen inwardly grumbled, completely unprepared for Theresa's sudden shift in attention, but remained outwardly composed, casually touching his hair and smiling—

"I came to Changkong City to carry out a mission. In order to avoid being recognized, I disguised myself to a certain extent, including dyeing my hair."

I'll just dye it back when I get back...

Um?"

Looking at the black particles in his palm, Gwen's expression was somewhat subtle.

"It seems the previous battle affected the dye..."

Theresa, can I go wash my hair first?

If we leave it unattended, it will become a mess everywhere.

"Go ahead, there's a sink in the lounge next door, enough for you to wash your hair."

Theresa pointed to the small door to the side and said casually.

However, after Gwen entered the lounge and heard the sound of running water, Theresa's innocent face once again showed a hint of distress—

"Being so naive... you're going to suffer when facing Grandpa..."

Well..."

Soon, the sound of running water next door stopped, and her hair returned to its original white color, just like Theresa's, resembling the first snow of winter.

"So, they should all have fallen off by now, right?"

Gwyn brushed his still slightly damp hair and asked Theresa.

"Yes, it's clean now."

Theresa nodded, but the worry on her little face was immediately apparent.

What are you troubled by?

"Because I was sent on a mission to the Far East, and you didn't hear a single word about it?"

"No, no..."

Theresa waved her hands repeatedly upon hearing this, making up a story off the top of her head—

"I'm just thinking about how to write the report when I get back."

"After all, I am the head of the Far East Branch. Given that this happened in the Far East, I bear an undeniable responsibility, both morally and legally."

What a joke! When has Theresa ever worried about such things? Isn't reporting and such Himeko's job?

"Okay, with your level of access, you should be able to find out about this too..."

Gwen, seeing through Theresa's insincerity, smiled, then changed the subject, his tone suddenly becoming serious—

"Theresa, you should know that Schicksal has experiments recruiting volunteers to try to fuse with the Herrscher Gem obtained during the Second Honkai War, right?"

"Certainly."

Theresa nodded, and seeing Gwen's serious expression, her own little face also showed a solemn expression.

"My mission in Changkong City is to seize the Conquest Gem, which is being held by Anti-Entropy- Entropy, while Anti-Entropy is in turmoil."

According to my investigation—

The Conquest Gem is now on Mei's body—

In other words, the goal that Schicksal failed to achieve despite the sacrifices of many has been realized by Anti-Entropy, and that achievement is Mei.

After comprehensively assessing the Theresa he knew and the Theresa in his Remembrance, Gwen chose to reveal part of the truth to Theresa.

Chapter 241 Theresa: Why do I feel like an outsider?

"What!"

Even though Theresa was somewhat prepared, her expression still changed drastically upon hearing Gwen's words.

"That annoying guy Raiden Ryoma's daughter actually has the Conquest Gem inside her body?"

"That's right. Although I don't know why she did this, the Conquest Gem is indeed inside Mei's body now, and there has been no rejection reaction. I also haven't found any anti-human tendencies in her that want to destroy the world."

On the contrary, based on my observation, Mei's personality and moral standards are definitely above average, even excellent.

Gwen nodded in acknowledgment of Theresa's disbelief and continued,