From the moment Pardofelis saw that box, she knew she might have gotten herself into trouble. In the past, no matter where she had stolen something from, Ai Yue had always remained calm. Even when the owner of the stolen goods was a major figure renowned throughout Twilight Street, he had never once frowned.
But this time, an emotion Pardofelis could not understand had appeared on Ai Yue's face, as though something unavoidable had finally come knocking.
Combined with his intention to urge her to leave Twilight Street as soon as possible, the answer was obvious—Ai Yue had decided to face this matter alone to protect her!
Once she realized she had caused serious trouble, Pardofelis's first reaction was to run.
After all, money could be earned again, but she had only one life. Leaving Twilight Street for an unfamiliar place might make things difficult for her, but no matter what, it was better than losing her life.
As for Brother Yue... Brother Yue was so powerful, and he had so many amazing gadgets. He would definitely be fine. Yeah!
She knew perfectly well that even if she stayed, she would not be able to help Ai Yue. Without her, he might even have an easier time escaping.
Besides, even if Ai Yue was trying to save her, Pardofelis did not really owe him anything. Back when he had fainted from hunger in the muddy water, it had been she who carried him to a sheltered room and even gave him some canned food!
What was more, her relationship with Ai Yue was not actually that close. Although he was her biggest customer, although he never haggled, although he treated her very well...
But, but...
Pardofelis could think of countless reasons to convince herself to run, yet none of them could drive her body to leave.
The girl climbed onto the roof next to Ai Yue's home as if possessed, then crouched down.
She watched Ai Yue leave his home with a shoulder bag and Canned Food, heading toward the sanatorium. Only when he was about to disappear from sight did she finally stand and chase after him across the rooftops.
Pardofelis clutched her waist pouch tightly. Inside was the little gadget Ai Yue had previously given her as a freebie.
"Brother Yue, we're really risking everything today..." Pardofelis muttered to herself, as if cheering herself on. "When you make something good later, you have to think of us first!"
And so, time passed until the present. Pardofelis finally found an opportunity to catch several people gathered in the backyard while Kalpas drew their attention, so she grabbed Ai Yue and tried to escape.
However, just as she seized Ai Yue's wrist, she heard Aponia's calm voice.
"Everyone, please 'stop.'"
Thus, those who wanted to act, those preparing to act, and those preparing to run all stopped where they stood.
Yet two people were unaffected.
"Pardo?"
Ai Yue's attention naturally focused on Pardofelis, who had suddenly rushed out. "Didn't I tell you to go next door?"
He had never imagined that Pardo would not flee despite her courage—or rather, lack thereof. Instead, she had chosen to stay and even risk herself to save him.
"Ahaha..." Pardofelis remained frozen in place with her hand gripping Ai Yue's wrist and her body leaning outward as if she were about to run. Only her expression and mouth could move. "Brother Yue, what are you saying? Could we really abandon you?"
"Sakura, don't be rash..." Elysia also tried to stop Sakura's reckless move. "Oh, Sakura, you're being so obedient this time."
Sakura had already come within three meters of Kalpas, yet she had truly stopped. The long blade in her hand was still raised, however, its tip aimed directly at Kalpas's heart.
Kalpas was not idle either. His fist was aimed at Sakura's head. If she moved even a little farther forward, she would likely be blown apart on the spot.
"My body... won't move..." Sakura furrowed her brows. For the first time in her life, she felt the unease of being unable to control her own body. "What kind of ability is this?"
"Tch, Aponia..." Kalpas's temper was as violent as ever. "One day, I'll tear that annoying mouth of yours apart!"
Aponia had no time to bother with Kalpas. It was not as if he had only started being foul-mouthed today.
Her gaze was fixed entirely on Elysia. She was the first person Aponia had ever seen who could remain completely unaffected by her Discipline.
As for Ai Yue, she was not surprised. Ever since his Honkai Sickness, which had been incurable by conventional means, was brought under control by the gadgets he created, Ai Yue had become, in her eyes, the kind of person who could pull out all sorts of miraculous devices at any time.
An ear covering capable of resisting her Discipline was nothing. Even if he took out a potion that could nullify her abilities one day, Aponia would not be surprised.
At that moment, the smoke finally dispersed completely, revealing the suddenly appearing Pardofelis to everyone. Under the intense gazes of Aponia and Elysia, which felt especially oppressive from Pardofelis's perspective, Pardo could only look pitifully at Ai Yue. "Brother Yue, help me..."
"This evening is certainly chaotic enough." Ai Yue sighed helplessly. "Aponia, could you do me a favor?"
"I can certainly withdraw my Discipline." Aponia nodded, then looked at Sakura. "But Miss Sakura, will you be able to remain calm afterward?"
"I think this is mostly a misunderstanding." Ai Yue looked at Kalpas. "Master Qian... Brother Jie? Could you calm down first? Everyone is safe. It's fine."
Kalpas looked silently at Ai Yue. He said nothing, merely closing his eyes.
Yet that single action caused the aura around him to change dramatically. His former ferocity vanished, as though a volcano had returned to stillness, or a typhoon had abruptly disappeared over the sea.
"Miss Sakura, how about this?" Ai Yue looked at Sakura again. "Master Qian won't threaten you anymore. Do you still intend to fight?"
"In that case, I naturally have no reason to draw my blade." Sakura was silent for a moment before speaking. "Can this restraint be removed?"
To be honest, remaining motionless while so many people watched her was an extremely uncomfortable experience.
Only then did Ai Yue look back at Aponia. The nun also nodded lightly. "Since that is the case, I naturally have no need to trouble everyone any further."
Almost as soon as she finished speaking, Pardofelis dropped onto the ground. "Oh, my legs are weak... Brother Yue, how about I leave you to it?"
"Not so fast, little sister." Elysia came over, her gaze fixed on the box in Pardofelis's other hand. "There is still something we need to settle, after all."
Pardofelis immediately hid behind Ai Yue.
"Come to think of it, this is rather strange." Elysia did not continue making things difficult for her. Instead, she shifted her gaze back to Aponia and Ai Yue. "Are you really the owner of this sanatorium, Aponia? Why do I feel that Ai Yue is the one in charge here?"
Anyone who was not an idiot could tell what had just happened. Kalpas clearly lived in the sanatorium, yet he seemed deeply hostile toward Aponia, the owner. Instead, he appeared to value Ai Yue's opinion more. With only a little persuasion from Ai Yue, the previously furious Kalpas had immediately calmed down.
Even Aponia herself had always acted as though she were assisting Ai Yue. Apart from firmly expressing her own position just now, she had almost always sought Ai Yue's approval through glances and other means before taking action.
Even the unfamiliar girl who had just used a smoke bomb to create chaos had been targeting Ai Yue. From the few words they had exchanged, she seemed to have come to "save" him?
In other words, the relationships among the four people present all revolved around Ai Yue.
That was why Elysia had such a question.
"From a certain perspective, that is indeed the case." Aponia nodded. "You should be able to imagine that without the gadgets Mr. Ai Yue provided, this sanatorium would have long since become the source of a nightmare under my decisions. Therefore, Mr. Ai Yue saved everything here. Although he is unwilling to stay, he is indispensable both to me and to the sanatorium."
"Mm, Dr. Mei did say that this thing needs regular maintenance and replacement parts." Elysia toyed with the pendant in her hand. "So what should we do? We have to take care of both the mission and the sanatorium. What a headache..."
There was no way she could leave without bringing Ai Yue and Aponia back to Moth to Fire. No matter how she looked at it, people like them could not be missed. Judging from what had happened just now, Kalpas was also a serious problem, and perhaps he needed to be brought back to the organization as well.
But the sanatorium held so many children and patients. If they were simply abandoned, Elysia would never agree.
That made the matter rather difficult. How was she supposed to write this mission report?
While Elysia was still deep in thought, Ai Yue had already taken the tactical case from Pardofelis and handed it over. "Here. It's back with its rightful owner now."
"So this child was the one who stole Sakura's equipment?" Elysia looked at Pardofelis, who was hiding behind Ai Yue, with curiosity. "What's your name?"
"P-Pardofelis." Pardofelis could tell that Elysia meant no harm, which gave her a little more courage. "Miss, you can call me Pardo or Felis!"
"Then I'll call you Little Pardo." Elysia readily chose the name she liked. "Little Pardo, how did you manage it? Sakura isn't the kind of person who lets her guard down."
As a warrior from the "Chimera," Sakura was always highly alert to her surroundings. Moreover, the tactical case was an important weapon required for her mission. She could not possibly have been careless with it.
To steal the case from Sakura, Pardofelis was likely far more capable than she appeared.
"Luck, just luck, haha." Pardofelis naturally lowered her stance, trying her best to make herself look harmless. "If I'd known it was something so important, I wouldn't have touched it even if you beat me to death!"
She had just listened to Ai Yue briefly describe Moth to Fire, and only then had she realized that she had stolen from such an important figure.
Fortunately, both older sisters seemed easy enough to get along with. Otherwise, she would truly have been in deep trouble.
"Miss Elysia," Ai Yue continued, "you seem to be having a headache over this mission. Am I right?"
"Yes. It really isn't easy to have the best of both worlds." Elysia sighed, then looked at Ai Yue. "Could it be that you have a solution?"
"It is actually very simple." Ai Yue smiled faintly. "You find it difficult because, with your current authority, you cannot handle this properly. Am I right?"
"Yes." Elysia nodded, then looked curious. "Come to think of it, I've always wanted to ask—why do I get the feeling that you are so familiar with Moth to Fire?"
"I merely happened to come into contact with it. That's not the point." Ai Yue avoided the question once again. "The key is this: if someone with greater authority handles the matter, wouldn't the situation be different?"
Elysia blinked, faintly understanding his meaning. "Are you saying we should make this a bigger issue?"
"Exactly. As long as the mission level is raised and the people above are forced to take it seriously, wouldn't that solve the problem?" Ai Yue pointed at himself, then at Aponia and Kalpas hidden in the darkness. "I think a sudden incident in Twilight Street is enough to attract their attention, don't you?"
"You want us to fake something together with you?" Sakura walked over at that moment. "That sort of thing shouldn't..."
Before she could finish, Elysia stopped her with a gesture. The pink-haired girl smiled. "Don't rush, Sakura. I think this idea is worth considering."
"Miss Sakura, don't worry." Ai Yue spoke mysteriously. "If you cannot accept fabricating evidence, I naturally have a way to make the act real."
"It will just make things harder for the three of you."
Sakura froze. "The three of us?"
Ai Yue did not answer directly. Instead, he looked at Kalpas. "Brother Jie, how long has it been since you had a proper fight with someone?"
Kalpas opened his eyes again. The corners of his mouth curled into a cruel smile beneath his mask. "It has been... far, far too long."
Chapter Seven: Hidden Dragons and Crouching Tigers on Twilight Street
That night, Moth to Fire headquarters received a video from Elysia.
It was a short and blurry recording, filmed amid the ruins of a city that had already fallen into desolation. A vague figure could be seen flashing rapidly through the wreckage. Wherever it went, countless building remnants were swept up like debris in a hurricane, making one wonder whether the ultimate source of such destruction was even human.
"The mission is more troublesome than expected. Twilight Street needs to be reassessed." Elysia's voice was somewhat hurried, as though she had lost her usual elegance and composure. "I recommend sending Dr. Mei and Kevin here. That's all!"
At the end, the camera turned slightly, capturing a figure lying on the ground in the distance.
The long pink hair and distinctive fox ears were enough to prove the person's identity.
"That should do it, right?"
After sending the video, Elysia turned to look at the others and revealed a somewhat helpless smile. "I really don't do things like this very often."
"Don't burden yourself over it. Just consider it something you're doing for the children." Ai Yue comforted her. "Besides, if we hadn't been able to sit down and talk things out calmly, things would clearly have ended up like this anyway, wouldn't they?"
Aponia could disable Sakura's combat ability with nothing more than her Discipline, while Elysia would clearly have found it difficult to take Kalpas down in a short time. With Ai Yue providing support from the side, a direct confrontation would have left everyone worse off.
"So strictly speaking, this doesn't count as a lie. That's what you're saying, right?" Elysia understood Ai Yue's implication and nodded. "Put that way, you aren't wrong."
They were currently standing in the same ruins shown in the video. If the camera had turned a little farther at the end, it would have captured both Ai Yue and Aponia.
"I still don't quite understand the purpose of this." Sakura walked over from nearby. "You said you wanted the people above to take this more seriously, but all this will do is make them assign a stronger warrior to handle the mission. And ultimately, a warrior won't have much authority to deal with this matter."
She did not believe Moth to Fire would really send Dr. Mei to Twilight Street. Dr. Mei's status within Moth to Fire was extraordinary, and she was extremely busy. How could she have time to handle something like this?
"Didn't I have Elysia send back a mission briefing earlier?" Ai Yue smiled. "This video is only meant to support that briefing."
"A briefing?" Sakura froze. She had missed some events because she had been fighting Kalpas earlier. "What briefing?"
"A briefing about a mysterious organization appearing in Twilight Street." Elysia smiled. "Simply put, I reported Ai Yue and the others as a single entity."
"A single entity?" Sakura sensed something. "You mean you reported them as an organization?"
"Exactly." Elysia smiled. "Doesn't that change the situation completely?"
If Twilight Street contained hidden dragons and crouching tigers—a warrior capable of fighting a Fused Warrior evenly, a psychic who could control others through speech, and a highly skilled scientist—Moth to Fire would treat them as three unrelated matters.
But if three relatively independent incidents were combined into a special group possessing all those members, the nature of the matter would change.
After all, no matter which one of them Moth to Fire dealt with, it would have to consider the other two. Once the three were bound together as a single entity, their leverage in negotiating with Moth to Fire would naturally increase as well.
Ai Yue looked smug. "That's what they mean by 'unity is strength.'"
Elysia said, "That's not how the saying is used, is it?"
"I more or less understand." Sakura nodded. "But what if, even then, the higher-ups still only send a warrior?"
"The ruling class has always cared only about profit. If they aren't tempted, it means the price we offered isn't high enough." Ai Yue had been prepared for this. He took several sheets of paper from his handbag. "We've finished demonstrating Kalpas's value. Naturally, it's my turn now."
"What is this?" Elysia took the papers from Ai Yue, while Sakura leaned over as well. "They look like blueprints."
"The design plans for the Honkai Energy Absorber—the device you acquired." Ai Yue spoke casually. "As far as I know, Moth to Fire doesn't have anything like it, right?"
"We didn't before, but after obtaining this device, we already handed it over to... well, to a specialist for analysis." Elysia was vague and did not elaborate. "With her abilities, she has probably already managed to reproduce an identical device."
Ai Yue naturally knew who she was talking about, but he did not care. "That remains to be seen."
Sakura immediately caught the implication. "You did something to prevent it from being replicated?"
"Just a small anti-counterfeiting measure. It may not delay your people for long." Ai Yue smiled. "Besides, even if she can make an identical device, it definitely won't be cheaper than my design."
Ai Yue knew better than anyone what the true value of the Honkai Energy Absorber was.
Moth to Fire certainly had plenty of ways to block Honkai Energy infection and suppress Honkai Sickness outbreaks. But if one asked about the costs of those methods, the figure would probably be something an ordinary person could never imagine.
Ai Yue's Honkai Energy Absorber was different. Its principles were simple, its size compact, and its production cost extremely low. Otherwise, Ai Yue would never have been able to give one to everyone in the sanatorium.
This simple, effective, and inexpensive means of protection was precisely what Moth to Fire needed.
"Are you really a genius?" Elysia now understood where Ai Yue's confidence came from, and her gaze toward him brightened further. "If that's the case, it might really work."
The last person to display extraordinary talent before Moth to Fire had already become a pillar of the organization. The money spent on that person would have been more than enough to build ten thousand sanatoriums.
If Ai Yue could truly prove that his talent was no weaker than that person's, then Moth to Fire would probably be more than willing to renovate all of Twilight Street, let alone care for the patients in one sanatorium.
Before you continue