Under the Same Sun

There was no need to make excuses, saying things like maybe the other party had not thought that much about it.

Having risen to the position of an Anti-Entropy Executor, could he really not know that some things should not be said carelessly?

When you held a high position, you could be a little foolish, but you absolutely could not be an idiot.

"What are you saying!? Are you suggesting that this Welt might be connected to some of us?"

Someone else rebuked him.

This was another member of the radical faction.

As soon as those words were spoken, everyone began sizing each other up, their eyes carrying a hint of suspicion, as though the others were the "some people" in question.

"Everyone, I believe you all understand that the name 'Welt' represents a hero who sacrificed himself for the founding of Anti-Entropy," Einstein spoke up, interrupting the Executors' mutual suspicions. "This name symbolizes Anti-Entropy's glory and conviction. We absolutely cannot allow it to be trampled upon.

Therefore, I propose that he be placed on the wanted list, with a reward of one billion dollars."

Although Anti-Entropy was not financially well-off, when it came to the name Welt, they could not show even the slightest weakness.

Besides, she did not think that fellow calling himself Welt Yang would be caught so easily.

Of course, if someone really managed to claim that billion dollars, she would not mind teaching a certain Name Thief how the mass-energy equation was derived.

"It doesn't need to go that far. We only need to refuse to acknowledge Schicksal's accusations."

A woman with waist-length golden curls and a stunning figure spoke up.

Einstein could not help glancing at her again.

Cocolia, a core member of the radical faction, had flourished in Siberia with Anti-Entropy's support.

She even showed faint signs of becoming the faction's leader.

"This is not something we can simply let go. That vile Name Thief must pay the price."

A middle-aged man with short blue hair said.

As a core member of the conservative faction, Raiden Ryoma naturally had to demonstrate his worth.

He could not always let his own leader do the talking. That would make it seem as if the conservatives had too few people.

Neither acknowledging nor denying it would allow them to borrow some of the fame Shi Hen had brought, to a certain extent, but... they were Anti-Entropy!

If they could not even defend their own glory, how could they speak of saving the world?

Although Welt's disappearance had indeed placed Anti-Entropy in an extremely passive position.

This was the one matter on which no Anti-Entropy member could yield.

"Fine."

Cocolia clicked her tongue regretfully.

She only cared about profit, not glory.

Moreover, she had joined Anti-Entropy only ten years ago. Welt's glory had nothing to do with her.

Or rather, most Executors in the radical faction did not care about the meaning behind the name Welt at all.

Einstein, you've made a terrible move this time.

Watching the blue-haired girl force this proposal through, Cocolia's lips curled into a contemptuous smile.

As she thought this, Cocolia cast a glance toward someone nearby.

Receiving the signal, an Executor immediately asked, "Executor Einstein, do you truly have no news regarding our Sovereign?"

As soon as those words were spoken, everyone's gaze gathered on the blue-haired girl at the center.

Anyone who had remained an Executor for long enough would understand that even among Executors, some people were different.

For example, Einstein.

As one of Anti-Entropy's oldest members and the Sovereign's close friend, if anyone knew Welt's whereabouts, the most likely person was undoubtedly this blue-haired girl.

"No." Einstein's expression did not change as she answered. "As an Anti-Entropy Executor, I am also deeply concerned for the Sovereign's safety. If I receive any news, I will inform everyone immediately."

Naturally, no one was satisfied with that answer, but there was nothing they could do.

After all, they could not exactly hang her up and interrogate her.

Taking in the expressions of the Executors, the curve of Cocolia's lips widened.

Asking Einstein about Welt's whereabouts had become a regular item at Anti-Entropy's Executor meetings, and the blue-haired girl's answer had never changed. It was practically copied and pasted.

Everyone's dissatisfaction had been piling up for quite some time. How much longer could you hold on?

Cocolia licked her lips, a hunter's sharp gleam flashing through her eyes.

A vacancy in power always needed someone to fill it, even if that position had once belonged to a being close to a god.

No, rather, it was precisely because Welt's brilliance had been too dazzling that the shadow he left behind after vanishing had become even more apparent.

Schicksal's new generation of S-rank Valkyrie had already emerged, while Anti-Entropy's Herrscher had vanished without a trace.

When the pressure accumulating in the Executors' hearts was completely ignited, that would be the day she seized power and ascended to the summit.

Anti-Entropy's future belonged to her, Cocolia!

Under the Same Sun

On a luxury cruise ship that had just departed Sicily, Shi Hen stared at his freshly issued wanted poster and went completely numb.

Had those Anti-Entropy people gone insane? He had not even done anything yet, and they had already put him on the list with a downright outrageous bounty of one billion dollars!

Even Otto's bounty was not as high as his.

After looking it up, Shi Hen discovered that the bounty on that blond, granddaughter-obsessed bastard was only several tens of millions?

Anti-Entropy probably had not expected anyone to bring them Otto's head in exchange for money, so they had just put up a token bounty.

But if both were merely symbolic, why was his price dozens of times higher than Otto's!?

He had only used the name Welt. Was there really such deep hatred involved?

What a bunch of cheapskates!

Shi Hen angrily took a huge gulp of milk tea.

"I think we could give this a try. When the time comes, I'll be responsible for getting you out of Anti-Entropy."

Raven suggested, her wine-red eyes shining brightly.

She could do nothing about Schicksal, but she was confident she could break into Anti-Entropy.

More importantly, World Serpent had people inside Anti-Entropy!

Even if Anti-Entropy locked Shi Hen in its most secure prison, she was confident she could get him out.

"Can Anti-Entropy even afford that money?"

Shi Hen rubbed his chin, expressing deep doubts about Anti-Entropy's financial situation.

At the orphanage Cocolia ran, the children were eating bran and wild vegetables.

He did not know whether Cocolia was simply too incorruptible or whether Anti-Entropy as a whole was just too poor.

After all, they played with mechs. That burned money.

And the rules of the Honkai World were extremely unfriendly to mechanical systems, leaving Anti-Entropy, which stubbornly focused on mechs, chronically short on funds. Even their Sovereign had to make animated films to subsidize his household expenses.

Meanwhile, Schicksal's Saintess game series had already reached its thirty-second installment. Aside from one annoying blond guy who ruined the story's atmosphere, its visuals and music were all industry-leading, while the price was ridiculously low. It looked completely unconcerned with profits, relying entirely on financial subsidies to survive.

That was the difference.

Sipping bubble tea topped with extra milk foam, Shi Hen let out a deep sigh.

"Anti-Entropy is huge. They can't possibly be unable to afford this little bit of money, can they?"

Raven had far more faith in Anti-Entropy's strength.

For people like her and Shi Hen, one billion dollars was an astronomical sum, but for an organization of Anti-Entropy's scale, it was nothing.

Even just to preserve their credibility, they should pay it.

Anti-Entropy's reputation was far more important than money. That was also why they had put Shi Hen on the wanted list.

"Hard to say." Shi Hen shook his head. "Besides, Anti-Entropy can drag out the process."

This matter had major implications. It was perfectly reasonable for them to spend three or five years going through procedures, right?

"That's true."

Pulled out of her money-minded fantasies, Raven's face was full of regret.

The billion dollars that had practically been in her hands had just flown away.

"How about you disguise yourself as the Schicksal Bishop and wander around Anti-Entropy territory?"

Raven had discovered the secret to making money from this incident.

If they could not get one billion, then a smaller bounty should work, right?

"Otto is still alive and kicking."

Shi Hen rolled his eyes.

Unlike a certain Herrscher whose body was so wrecked he was practically about to get banned, Otto was doing just fine.

Besides, Shi Hen had no way of turning into Otto.

"What a pity." With her path to wealth completely cut off, Raven nodded toward Sicily. "Aren't you going to say goodbye to that white-haired girl?"

After being toyed with by Shi Hen at the castle ruins last time, Raven no longer dared to casually tease him.

Hearing that, Shi Hen could not help looking toward Sicily, which had gradually shrunk into a tiny dot in the distance, his gaze carrying a hint of nostalgia.

Although he had only stayed in Sicily for a little over a week, quite a lot had happened. In particular, he had met two of this world's protagonists and even fought Durandal fiercely, making the Welt identity famous throughout the world.

But all of that was in the past.

The destination of Shi Hen and Raven's journey was India.

There, World Serpent executive Jackal was waiting for them—or rather, for the Moonlight Throne in Shi Hen's possession.

Shi Hen stared in Sicily's direction for a long time before finally withdrawing his gaze. "...If we're fated to meet again, we will."

He would never tell Raven that he did not have Kiana's contact information at all.

That white-haired girl was seriously clueless. He had even given her his email, yet she had not thought to leave any contact information.

Though he probably would not have contacted her first anyway.

He had to work hard to maintain his persona.

"This world is very big." Raven seemed to be speaking from experience. "Once you miss some people, you may never have another chance to see them again."

Especially people like them, who lived with their lives on the line. Who knew when they might collapse in some forgotten corner.

Though with Shi Hen's strength, he would probably live for quite a long time.

"Big Sister Natasha is a woman with a story."

Surprise filled Shi Hen's eyes.

"Then do you have any wine?"

Raven brushed a lock of hair beside her ear.

"..."

Shi Hen raised the glass of milk tea in his hand.

"Little brat~"

In the soft sea breeze, Raven rolled her eyes at the youth before smiling radiantly, overflowing with charm.

"Fine, don't tell me."

Turning away, Shi Hen continued drinking his milk tea.

He and Raven were traveling on a luxury cruise ship, and the drinks were excellent, though quite expensive.

After all, with the mission over, they were no longer in a hurry and could slowly enjoy the scenery along the way.

As for the enormous bounty on the wanted poster... the wanted man was Welt. What did that have to do with Shi Hen?

Watching the youth throw his little tantrum, Raven could not help smiling quietly. She leaned against the railing, letting the Mediterranean breeze wash over her as her eyes gazed toward the rolling waves in the distance.

Today was another beautiful day.