Chapter 188

It's just a little pain and a little danger, that's all. Boss Kevin was willing to gamble with less than a one-in-ten chance for the sake of hope. What's a little sacrifice for the Golden Rule?

Anyway, while Sister Snake's operating table is dangerous, it's probably still quite safe.

Vill-V: "Give up, Little Pardo. I think this kind of ability is basically out of your reach."

Pardofelis: "Oh, Sister Vill-V, don't discourage me."

She's just a cat who wants to find little coins while walking around. What did she do wrong to deserve this treatment?

"According to the unverified theories of Vill-V Occultist, such unimaginable power must place extremely high demands on the user."

Vill-V: "Take the Golden Rule, for example. This incredible ability is matched with Eden's already strong fortune. What would happen if someone else couldn't control the Golden Rule? It's truly an intriguing chemical reaction."

Eden: "Hmm... I see."

Chapter 305 Who is the most suspicious?

Eden crossed his arms, pondering the credibility of Vill-V's words.

If it truly is a rare skill that only she can use, then she needs to consider how to repair the Golden Rule.

Ultimately, in the process of fighting against the Honkai, there is loss of resources and property everywhere, and they must have corresponding financial resources to support it.

Pardofelis: "So, even if I answer the question, I still can't obtain the Golden Rule? Waaah, Canned Food, come here and let me hug you."

Canned Food: "Meow..."

It was too cruel. Pardofelis's eyes were lifeless. Like Raiden Mei, she also felt that she had been fooled by an unknown force.

Since the Golden Rule is destined to be unusable, why let her know of Golden Rule existence?

That's absolutely cruel!

[In the scene, Raiden Mei's mind was buzzing. The sudden news caught her off guard, leaving her somewhat at a loss.]

"Miss Mei."

Mei didn't come to her senses until Eden called her name for the third time.

"Eden, what is this?"

"We knew about it before you arrived, which is why there was that commotion. Kevin's data disappeared overnight, just like Elysia's."

"Disappeared? That's too euphemistic a way of putting it."

Cosmo Griseo was behind him, and even though Chakravartin, Su, and Hua had already left, he still did not let his guard down.

"Cosmo, I understand your worries, and I can even understand Chakravartin's rage, but now the facts are before us, and the truth is hidden in the shadows. We must be pragmatic."

Eden advised.

"There's no need for such a tense standoff. Even if the traitor truly exists, he or they wouldn't act rashly under the noses of several Flame-Chasers and visitors."

Cosmo hesitated for a moment, then lowered his hand that was protecting Griseo, took a few steps to the side, and let Griseo appear in front of everyone.

"Then, Pardofelis, if there are no objections, you may come out as well."

Eden spoke to the bushes beside him.

"Huh?"

The roadside grass trembled, and after a slightly awkward silence, Pardo reluctantly emerged.

"I'm sorry, Sister Eden, I was just so scared when I saw Brother Jie so angry. I had no choice but to hide."

Pardofelis walked up to the crowd.

"But I heard everything you just said. Sister Eden is right, now is not the time for infighting!"

"Aren't we the Thirteen Flame-Chasers? We're clearly very united... well, maybe not that united, but we're still comrades who've been through thick and thin together."

"Don't make the atmosphere so tense. Maybe... this is just a prank? Sister Snake's experiment, or Sister Vill-V's magic trick..."

The more she spoke, the softer her voice became; even Pardofelis herself didn't believe her own claim.

She scratched her head, feeling somewhat uncomfortable under everyone's gaze.

"Sorry..."

"You don't need to apologize," Cosmo said.

"I just don't believe there could be a traitor among us. There might be something we don't know about Boss Kevin's situation, or something unspeakable..."

"Secret."

Cosmo filled in the words that Pardofelis wanted to say but dared not.

"Every Memory Body contains secrets, a fact we all know—secrets about themselves, secrets about others, or... secrets about the Herrscher."

"..."

Raiden Mei paused for a second.

Cosmo's words seemed to be a signal to her to be wary of other Flame-Chasers.

"Cosmo."

I'm just stating the facts.

Cosmo turned his head, meeting Eden's gaze without fear or remorse.

Eden: "A fog of distrust has begun to spread among us, but unfortunately, there's nothing I can do but watch it fester."

He claimed he would be in charge of directing the remaining Flame-Chasers, but Eden himself knew that this was not an easy task.

With Kevin and Elysia gone, she took on the responsibility of helping everyone resolve the conflict, but even as the fourth-ranked hero, the remaining Flame-Chasers were beyond her control.

Apponia in the Deep, Mobius hiding in the shadows, the three who have already broken out in battle within the Sumeru World-Bubble, and even Vill-V of the Spiral Workshop...

Each of them has something they want to do, and bringing them together is by no means an easy task.

Pardofelis: "Don't say that, Sister Eden. Without you, we wouldn't even know what to do."

Eden: "I'm not Elysia. If I were her, I could easily handle the current situation."

Elysia: "Eden is fine too. If anyone misbehaves, you can deduct their budget and salary."

Vill-V: "?!!"

Mobius: "..."

It's practically naming someone by name. How could you come up with such a vicious plan as withholding wages? Elysia, you're so cruel!

In the scene, Eden's gaze swept over the few remaining people in front of her. She paused for a moment, then offered her suggestion.

"Instead of creating further rifts, let's disperse and protect what's most important to each of us, while we wait for news from Su."

Split operations make it easier to defeat them one by one, but there's no better way at the moment.

Even Kevin and Elysia, the most powerful among the Flame-Chasers, were not spared. If suspicion is allowed to spread further, it will only lead to a worse situation.

"Then, Sister Eden, can I come with you? Even if it's just a little bit, I want to help everyone."

Pardofelis bravely stepped forward, though her legs were trembling, she felt quite courageous at that moment.

"Thank you, Pardofelis."

Eden nodded, then frowned.

"But now that the first and second of the Thirteen Flame-Chasers have met with misfortune, if the other party is setting their goals according to their rank, then following me is definitely not a wise move."

Although Elysia is now ranked second, she was the first when the Fire Moth established.

Eden ranked fourth.

If the murderer really killed Flame-Chasers in this order, it would be truly unsafe to stay by her side.

"And Pardofelis, what I'm about to do is a bit special. I'm going to go to the Deep to ensure the safety of Apponia."

"Will Mama Apponia be in danger?" Griseo asked.

"I don't know, Griseo, that's why we're going there. During this time, you'll stay with Cosmo and not wander off, okay?"

"Okay, I understand."

Griseo nodded, then returned to Cosmo's back.

"Sister Eden is going to the Deep, so if I go with her, I'll definitely be a bit of a hindrance."

Pardofelis scratched his head.

The Deep are places that not just anyone can go to.

"Don't be discouraged, Pardofelis. There's something I really want to ask you."

Eden pointed to the garden outside the square.

"Of all the shortcuts and paths in this Elysian Realm, you are the most familiar with them. I would like to ask you to pay close attention to whether there are any traces of other people walking on these paths."

"Oh, indeed."

Pardofelis rested her chin on her hand, her eyes sparkling, seemingly pleased that she could finally play a role.

But this brief moment of joy lasted less than two seconds before her pupils suddenly froze, replaced by panic.

"Wait! Then... then wouldn't I possibly run right into the murderer?"

Pardofelis's legs trembled even more violently, as if she could see a skull holding a scythe beckoning to her.

Just be a little careful; your safety is the most important thing.

"Okay, I'll try. After all, running away is what we're best at."

Pardofelis scratched his head and accepted this daunting task that could easily lead to his death.

"Thank you, Pardofelis, then Cosmo."

Eden turned around and looked at Cosmo and Griseo beside him.

"I know, I will take good care of Griseo."

"Then, let's say goodbye."

Cosmo took Griseo away from this dangerous place, while Eden and Mei went together to find clues and unravel the mystery.

Only Pardofelis remained, staring blankly at the empty surroundings. Any rustling of the grass in the bushes would startle her.

The video ends here.

Elysia: "Oh my, I didn't expect that Pardofelis would step forward without hesitation at this crucial moment. Pardofelis is so brave!"

Pardofelis: "Hehe, Sister Elysia, although I'm happy to hear you praise me, at this moment, I just wish I wasn't so brave."

I want to die, I want to die, I really want to die!

Pardofelis could almost feel a huge "danger" sign hanging over her head!

Sending her off-the-beaten-path to find the real culprit alone is practically suicide.

It's over. Pardofelis seemed to already foresee the next scene: she would be missing for a long time, and by the time Sister Mei found her, she would already be a cold, lifeless Pardo.

If you arrive early, it might still be hot.

Kiana: "It's okay, Pardo. As long as you run fast, the killer won't be able to catch you."

Pardofelis: "I... I also hope that's for the best."

Theresa: "If all else fails, you might have to sacrifice the Canned Food at the last minute!"

Pardofelis: "Yeah, that's right!"

The headmaster offered Pardofelis a very constructive suggestion: if a gecko can detach its tail to escape, why can't she use Canned Food sacrifice?

Canned Food: "Meow!"

Pardofelis: "Wait, Canned Food, I was wrong, please don't bite me! I really know I was wrong!"

[Q&A begins.]

[After Kevin's death, who is the most likely suspect?]

[A: Chakravartin.]

[B: Apponia.]

[C: Raiden Mei.]