Cocolia Was Actually Quite Good

"Damn it, that guy..."

Cocolia clenched her right fist and slammed it hard on the table, her voice filled with anger and disappointment.

"Mother Cocolia..."

Beside her, the girl with silver curly twin-tails had teary eyes, a bewildered look, and could barely stand steady.

"Just now... just now, that person, was... was Brother, right?"

"Why... why did he..."

Cocolia remained silent.

Seeing the girl beside her waver, Cocolia sighed softly and pulled her into her embrace.

"That guy... his brain probably acted up again..."

"But it's not a big deal, a good beating will fix it."

"Hey, Bronya."

"When the time comes, you'll be the one to bring that bastard back!"

"Can you do it?"

"Yes!"

Hearing Cocolia's words, Bronya wiped the tears from the corners of her eyes. The wavering in her gaze had been replaced by determination.

"Bronya will definitely bring Brother back, definitely!"

Gently pushing Cocolia away and stepping out of her embrace, Bronya spoke with the most resolute tone of her life.

"Sigh~"

Seeing that the girl had recovered her composure, Cocolia sighed softly.

She looked at the information displayed on the screen, her eyes somewhat dim and unreadable.

"Zhang Dawei..."

"What exactly... do you want to do?"

"Phew~"

On the other side, Dong Moxuan had already pulled Mei and found shelter in a detached house.

He cautiously peeked out the window. Seeing no Titans or silver-haired drill lolis chasing them, he breathed a sigh of relief.

"Mei, we're safe for now!"

"Jun Xuan..."

With the immediate danger gone, Mei finally asked the question she had wanted to ask since earlier.

"That girl controlling the robot... is she someone you know?"

"You mean Cocolia?"

At this point, Dong Moxuan had no reason to hide anything.

"That's right, I used to work under her."

"Just a normal superior-subordinate relationship?"

Mei's eyes held some suspicion.

She wasn't an idiot like a Paramecium; the conversation between Dong Moxuan and that woman named Cocolia just now didn't sound like a typical superior-subordinate exchange at all. Instead, it felt...

"Just a normal superior-subordinate relationship? What else?"

Mei remained silent.

Rubbing her temples with a sense of helplessness, Mei didn't want to delve deeper into the matter.

She lowered her head slightly, her voice incredibly soft.

"Jun Xuan..."

"Hmm?"

"That woman, what she said,"

Mei looked up, appearing hesitant to speak.

"About... about the Herrschers..."

"You mean that stuff?"

Before Mei could finish, Dong Moxuan placed his hand on her head.

"Don't worry, it's just Cocolia talking big! Herrschers aren't as exaggerated as she makes them out to be!"

Gently pulling the girl closer, he pushed her onto the sofa.

"Don't worry, Mei. Even if something happens, just leave it all to me."

"Could it be..."

Dong Moxuan pressed his forehead against Mei's.

"Mei, don't you trust me anymore?"

"No..."

Feeling Dong Moxuan's warm, damp breath, Mei's face instantly turned red.

"Mei doesn't not trust Jun Xuan..."

The purple-haired girl's eyes darted away slightly.

"Then that's settled!"

Dong Moxuan straightened up, a bright, cheerful smile on his face.

"It's almost noon anyway, so I'll go make lunch. As for you, Mei..."

Dong Moxuan gently ruffled the girl's hair and said softly, "Don't overthink it, just rest here!"

With that, Dong Moxuan turned and headed towards the kitchen.

"Jun Xuan..."

Watching Dong Moxuan's retreating back, Mei remained silent for a long time before slowly burying her head in her arms.

"It's not that I don't trust you, it's... I don't trust myself!"

The will of the Honkai hadn't been defeated, only temporarily suppressed.

"It" was like a venomous snake hiding in the shadows. As long as Mei showed the slightest weakness, it would bare its fangs and seize her consciousness.

Just like when she faced those Titans...

Except, she had held on that time.

But what about next time?

Her willpower ultimately had its limits.

Furthermore, even if she could control herself, was Dong Moxuan safe?

Cocolia's actions had made Mei realize that, to some people, Herrschers were not just harbingers of destruction, but also excellent experimental subjects.

This time, she was lucky to have encountered Cocolia, Dong Moxuan's former superior, and there were backdoors left by Dong Moxuan on the Titans.

What about next time?

Mei didn't believe Cocolia was the only one coveting the power of the Herrscher within her.

Could she really protect Dong Moxuan from those people with her half-baked Herrscher power?

"It is the enemy of human civilization, the source of all disasters."

"It is the embodiment of ill omen, the harbinger of destruction!"

Recalling Cocolia's words from before, Mei seemed to faintly see Dong Moxuan walking towards his death to protect her.

Like the stuffed toy Dong Moxuan had given her before, it had become tattered and worn.

"What... what should I do?"

The girl curled up on the sofa, looking fragile and vulnerable.

"Mei, lunch is ready!"

By the time Dong Moxuan returned to the living room, Mei had recovered her composure.

He looked at the girl sitting on the sofa and called out to her, "There aren't many ingredients in the kitchen here, so I made two bowls of Tonkotsu Ramen. Go try it, Mei!"

The girl silently followed the young man to the dining table.

"I don't make ramen very often, so try it quickly and see if you like it."

"..."

Mei lowered her head, remaining silent and not touching her chopsticks. The atmosphere at the table was eerily quiet.

"Mei..."

Dong Moxuan also sensed something was wrong at this moment.

"What's wrong? Are you feeling unwell?"

Dong Moxuan reached out, intending to touch Mei's forehead.

However...

"Slap!"

Mei directly slapped his hand away.

Dong Moxuan: "..."

Dong Moxuan's expression froze. This was the first time Mei had ever rejected his affection.

"S-sorry, Jun Xuan."

Seeing Dong Moxuan's expression, Mei, who had previously looked indifferent, couldn't help but apologize.

"No, it's nothing!"

Sitting back in his chair, Dong Moxuan waved his hand magnanimously.

"Mei, you... what's wrong?"

Dong Moxuan looked puzzled.

"Is there something you can't figure out?"

Mei...

After a long silence, Mei seemed to finally make a decision and took a deep breath.

"Jun Xuan, you..."

"Let's break up!"