Chapter 147

Aside from the overtime pay that Pardo received for her heroic "voluntary overtime" last time, they really don't have any kind of salary.

Elysia: "Kevin, it's a good thing you and Hua didn't come back, otherwise we'd not only have to work overtime every day, but we wouldn't even get paid."

Kevin: "..."

Money?

The ancestor stated that since he awoke from his hibernation pod and fought against the Honkai, it seems that no one has ever paid him a salary in the thousands of years since.

He doesn't even know who controls the money in the World Serpent right now.

Bronya: "Weren't we talking about how to deal with the Herrscher of Domination appearing? How did the topic suddenly veer to the issue of Fire Moth not paying its wages?"

Sakura: "Sorry, I couldn't help myself just now because of Rin's reaction."

Bronya: "It's okay, I understand."

If one day Seele were to give me that look that says, "Sister Bronya, don't try to pick up girls if you don't have a car," Bronya 'd probably feel my pride was severely hurt.

Kiana: "I just had an idea. The terrifying thing about the Herrscher of Domination is her bewitching power, so why don't we just close our ears?"

Raiden Mei: "..."

Durandal: "Kiana, your idea... is quite humorous."

If I remember correctly, the Herrscher of Domination enters the human mind and works on the level of consciousness, right?

What's the point of closing your ears?

Veliona: "Hmph! No matter how eloquent they are, I'll just tear them to shreds the moment I see them."

Seele: "Is this... alright?"

Bronya: "Seele, don't worry. Haven't you noticed that the Herrscher of Domination can't do anything to you?"

When trying to seduce Veliona, the doll could use trash talk to sway her, but when facing Seele, it was the doll that got angry.

The spell Herrscher of Domination targets the vulnerable side of the human heart.

Seele may appear fragile, but she has a strong heart; neither temptation nor trash talk has much effect on her.

Elysia: "Seele is simple-minded, and the abilities that Herrscher of Domination excel at have almost no effect on her. But Veliona, have you noticed something?"

Veliona: "What is it?"

Elysia: "Compared to Seele, who isn't good at fighting, you're the one who's more easily manipulated by the Herrscher of Domination."

Veliona: "Huh? You mean I'm not even as good as that coward?"

It was just a bunch of cheap lies, Veliona was certain she couldn't be fooled by them.

It's just a divisive tactic; she's not some fool who's easily fooled!

[Q&A begins.]

[The Herrscher of Domination tempted Veliona, but was rejected. Who was the best ally to cause Veliona to waver?]

[A: Bronya.]

[B: Those Herrscher of Reason.]

[C: Seele.]

[D: World Serpent.]

Kiana: "Veliona, is there anything else you want to say?"

Veliona: "Tch..."

This system, of all times, had to ask why she did it right when she was making such grand pronouncements.

That's absolutely wicked!

Bronya: "Bronya is concerned about why the World Serpent is among the options. Hasn't Seele already left the Sea of Quanta?"

Raven: "Maybe. The World Serpent has its eye on Seele, and she's Stigmata holder. I wouldn't be surprised if the Gray Serpent keeps pursuing her."

Gray Serpent: "Raven, you're mistaken. A deal is a deal. Once the Lord left the Sea of Quanta, the contract between that little girl and us ended. Furthermore, we have no reason to harm her."

Veliona has great potential.

Whether she joins Anti-Entropy, Schicksal, or World Serpent, she will be an asset in the fight against the Honkai.

The Herrscher of Reason: "If it's not you, then who else could it be? Could it be me?"

Fu Hua: "It's definitely not Little Senti. Although Little Senti is a bit of a prankster, he wouldn't do anything excessive."

The Herrscher of Reason said, "Hey! Old Timer, what you said actually makes sense."

Little Senti crossed her arms; she was in a very good mood.

Bronya: "Then the only answers are Bronya and Seele. It can't be me, can it?"

Theresa: "That's possible, because Bronya is always clinging to Seele, making Veliona feel neglected..."

Veliona: "Shut up! Do you want to die? How could I possibly be jealous of that guy!"

Deep in her mind, Theresa seemed to see a fierce gaze flash by, and she was immediately speechless.

That powerful aura made even an S-rank Valkyrie like herself feel a chill.

Arrogance is truly terrifying!

Seele: "But if the other me isn't Sister Bronya, then the answer can only be Seele."

Veliona: "Hmph! It must be you, Seele!"

[Correct answer.]

Chapter 243 The Moment Veliona Breaks Through Her Defenses

Seele: "Huh?"

Veliona: "I don't care what others say. It must be you, you coward, who did something stupid to make me fall for the doll's trick."

It was definitely not because I cared too much about that idiot that I got caught up in his concern and was manipulated by the Herrscher of Domination.

It must be that the coward was too stupid and did something to upset her, so she pretended to waver and waited for that idiot to beg for her forgiveness.

Yes, that must be it!

Seele: "So, is that how it is? I'm sorry, my other self."

Veliona: "Hmph, I'm not going to argue with you."

[Congratulations to Veliona for winning the reward: Concept Card - Without a Trace.]

[Description: After use, you will be forcibly disappeared for a period of time, vanishing without a trace, whether in the highest heavens or the deepest hell. Neither Seele's attempts to contact you, nor Schicksal's system detection, nor even the Herrscher's cleansing can find you.]

Veliona: "?!!"

Bronya: "Without a Trace? But what's the use of this thing? Is it for escaping when you can't win?"

Veliona: "Run? Why would I need to run? This Concept Card is clearly for that idiot, why did you give it to me?"

Veliona felt indignant. Even if the Herrscher came out to defend her, she couldn't possibly run away alone using a Concept Card.

If we're going to run away, it'll be the two of us, inseparable, flying together!

Seele: "Huh? Another me, you mean you won't leave me alone?"

Veliona: "No, what I mean is, there's only one body. If something happens to you, it's no use me running away!"

Seele: "Oh..."

She had just put on a happy smile, but upon hearing Veliona's words, Seele immediately wilted.

Everyone else tells me that Veliona likes her, so why is my other self always so unpredictable, sometimes happy and sometimes unhappy?

Seele was wondering who was lying to her.

[In the scene, Seele returns to her room and sorts out the happy things that happened to her that day.]

"Kiana was noticeably happier than before during dinner today, that's great."

Seele sat on the edge of the bed and muttered to herself.

"You can't even take care of yourself, how can you have time to care about others?" Veliona retorted.

"Kiana is Sister Bronya's important partner, and naturally my friend too. Of course I can't just leave her unattended."

"..."

Veliona remained silent for a long time.

Seele kept her head down. For some reason, it always seemed like there was an awkward silence when she talked to Veliona.

Ever since leaving the Theater of Domination that day, Veliona has become less talkative. When Seele asked her why, she wouldn't answer, only saying that everything was fine.

'I don't know what happened that day, um... let's talk about something else to ease the tension.'

Thinking this, Seele spoke stiffly.

"I'm gradually getting used to life at the base. Although we've only just met, everyone is very kind to me, and I've made many new friends."

"..."

"I've already exceeded my training goals these past few days. I'll gradually overcome my weaknesses and slowly become a reliable person like my sister."

"..."

"By the way, I heard that coffee shop Kiana and I went to last time has new items. Should we ask Kiana to come again another day..."

"Enough!"

Her words were interrupted, and Veliona looked displeased.

"Kiana, Kiana, Kiana, is that all you can call her? Before that it was Bronya, and before that it was Cocolia. Can't you live without someone else?"

"Didn't you say you wanted to be independent and become stronger? Didn't you say you no longer needed anyone else? Then why are you calling their names over and over again!"

Veliona's sudden tone startled Seele, who had no idea why she had suddenly become angry.

"The other me, I don't quite understand what you're talking about."

"Enough, enough! Do whatever you want!"

"Another me?"

Seele had a huge question mark above her head, and when she called out to Veliona, she received no response.

Veliona: "..."

Bronya: "Seele, this is just..."

Bronya turned her head and looked at her little sister Seele in astonishment, never expecting that beneath her innocent and cute appearance, she would have such a precise talent for stepping on landmines.

No wonder they say you are a major asset in shaking up Veliona, the Herrscher of Domination.

After being hit by such a combination of punches, who wouldn't be confused?

Seele: "What's wrong? Did Seele say something wrong?"

She didn't understand; Seele didn't understand why everyone's attention was focused on her.

Just now, didn't Veliona suddenly get angry and leave? Why are everyone looking at her as if she's bullying Veliona?

Seele pondered her own words; she really was just looking for an excuse to chat with another version of herself.

Bronya: "It's nothing, Seele, you did a great job Domination Puppet... Maybe I should buy you a big cake to thank you."

Seele: "Huh?!"

Why would Herrscher buy a cake for himself?

And everyone else seemed to agree with her; she must have done something wrong!

Himeko Murata: "Veliona has really had a tough time."

Teacher Himeko, rubbing her forehead.

Sure enough, Seele suffered from her lack of education. Himeko Murata was already planning how to get Seele into her class and receive her professional and systematic teaching.

[In the scene, Veliona disconnects from Seele, and before she can compose herself, the Herrscher of Domination approaches her once again.]

"It's you again? I've told you we're not the same kind of people, stop bothering me!"