The White Mask Beneath the Sea of Quanta

Even though she never forgot Cocolia's care for her and still regarded her as her mother in her heart, she gradually developed her own sense of right and wrong and had something she wanted to protect no matter what.

"Seele is right, we will not let Mother Cocolia do things her own way again."

Bronya also spoke up, her eyes flashing with a light similar to that of the Ural Silver Wolf of the past.

During the Third Honkai Outbreak, she was unable to prevent the tragedy that befell Mei.

But this time, she would never back down.

"I understand your intentions, but please rest assured for now."

Einstein glanced at Seele and Bronya, then nodded slightly and said, "Your mother, Cocolia, has always been a wise woman; she will know how to choose."

Unless Cocolia can actually hire Welt White as a bodyguard, the other party will not be able to forcibly keep the boy.

Moreover, she couldn't figure out why Cocolia keep the boy.

It's not a wise choice to completely turn against these people for a single Serenity Gem.

Upon hearing this, Seele's expression softened slightly, and Bronya's breathing also eased a bit, but Wendy's eyes still held a hint of worry.

Even though things seemed to be going quite smoothly, fate told her that unexpected situations were waiting for them ahead.

Before long, the Hyperion continued its descent, and a huge city hidden deep in the trench appeared before everyone.

Wow! Is this Haiyuan City? It's magnificent!

Clinging tightly to the ship's porthole, Theresa couldn't help but sigh, like a child on her first autumn outing.

"Ahem! Teacher Theresa!"

Wendy, unable to bear it any longer, reminded him.

"Hey? Wendy, do you want to see it too?"

Understanding the girl's meaning immediately, Theresa stepped aside slightly.

Wendy: "..."

Objectively speaking, in this deep trench more than 6,000 meters below sea level, Haiyuan City is indeed as bright and dazzling as a shining pearl in the darkness, which makes people marvel.

But... you are the leader of the Far East Branch, is it appropriate for you to act like a child?

"I am pleased that you all like this Haiyuan City, but for now, it is best to remain vigilant."

Einstein glanced at Seele, who was also staring in disbelief, and said with a slight smile.

Sizzle

During the conversation, the Hyperion had already passed through the outer protective barrier of Haiyuan City and was slowly descending towards an airport.

Outside the parking area, dozens of Titan Mech were lined up in two rows as a welcoming gesture.

Yes, the kind of welcome where you can enter battle mode anytime.

Upon exiting the Hyperion and seeing the two girls, one in gold and one in pink, positioned at the forefront of the mechs, Einstein raised an eyebrow. "It seems our Lady Cocolia is quite a busy person indeed."

As fellow enforcers of Anti-Entropy, along with Theresa and others from the Far East Branch, Cocolia should have come to greet them personally, but instead, only Peggy and Anne appeared.

Even though Cocolia's manipulation ensured that both of them held positions as executors of Anti-Entropy, there are still differences between executors.

Upon hearing Einstein's words, Xing immediately bared her teeth and grimaced. "Tch! You're underestimating me..."

"Apricot!"

She immediately interrupted, and Peggy gave everyone a polite smile, "It's a pleasure to see you all arrive safely, Dr. Einstein, Ms. Theresa, Miss Wendy, my name is Peggy."

Bronya and Seele, you're welcome back too.

"Peanut, Peggy!"

Upon seeing the two people who had lived in the same orphanage, Seele's face immediately lit up with a smile, and she instinctively wanted to rush towards them for a long-awaited hug.

But she quickly realized this wasn't the place for catching up, so the girl forced herself to suppress her impulse and smiled, saying, "You've all changed so much in the years I haven't seen you!"

Years have passed, and Anne and Peggy have both grown into beautiful young women. The latter has changed from her previous malnourished and thin appearance to a curvaceous figure that is reminiscent of Cocolia.

"You too, Seele."

Peggy smiled brightly at Seele as well, then glanced at the gray-haired loli beside her. "Bronya, on the other hand, hasn't changed at all. She's exactly the same as before."

"..."

Looking at the enormous evil that the blonde girl possessed, enough to make everyone in the orphanage look like an outcast, Bronya silently moved closer to Theresa.

In this cold and cruel world, only the headmaster can bring her the last bit of warmth.

"Let's talk about catching up later. Right now, I just want to know where Cocolia is."

Einstein glanced at the two rows of mechs behind Peggy and said with a slightly somber expression.

"Mother Cocolia is already waiting for you in Haiyuan City."

As if oblivious to the sharpness in Einstein's tone, Peggy's smile remained gentle. "Although there are some things I cannot say outright, please believe me, Mother Cocolia has absolutely no intention of being your enemy."

"That would be best!"

Theresa snorted coldly.

"Does Miss Peggy truly understand the purpose of our trip?"

Einstein asked a question, a subtle light flashing in his eyes.

Because the source of the intelligence was illegitimate, and also to avoid giving Cocolia time to make any underhanded moves, she did not mention the boy when she proposed visiting Haiyuan City.

But as the leader of the radical faction, Cocolia should have this insight, and Peggy and others who are her confidants should also know something about the situation.

This is the unspoken understanding in the power struggle.

"Hmph! This time you'd better thank your mother properly!"

If it weren't for Mom, that guy would still be half-dead right now!

Xing pouted, already inwardly complaining about someone.

Although Cocolia had already allowed the boy to communicate with the outside world, after learning that Theresa and the others were heading towards Haiyuan City, she rejected the proposal on the grounds of preserving the surprise.

Does that guy really not understand how much trouble this will cause Mother Cocolia?!

As she thought about it, Xing was already drawing circles in her mind.

"Xing, do you know something?"

Bronya's eyes lit up immediately.

"Hmph! Bronya, I'm now Mom's most capable helper!"

Upon hearing this, Xing immediately became proud, raising her head high as if she were looking down on people. "Let me tell you, that guy..."

"Apricot~"

Peggy smiled and narrowed her eyes slightly.

"I-I know, I won't tell!"

Startled by the girl's gaze, Xing immediately shut her mouth.

After years of working together, she has learned to ingrain the habit of not messing with Peggy into her DNA.

Otherwise, even if she's terrible at fighting, the other person can always find a way to make her uncomfortable, and she won't be able to find fault with them.

"It seems that Sister Xing isn't as amazing as she claimed?"

Bronya immediately spoke with disdain, even using the "older sister" special attack weapon.

Upon hearing this, Xing instantly flew into a rage. "Who said that?! She's just Peggy, I can easily..."

"There's no need for that, Bronya."

Peggy reached out and pressed down on Xing's shoulder to quiet her down immediately. She looked at Bronya and sighed softly, "Trust me, Bronya, this surprise will definitely satisfy you."

"..."

Looking at Peggy's incredibly composed and beautiful face, Bronya pondered for a moment before slowly nodding.

Soon, she led everyone deeper into Haiyuan City. Peggy stopped in front of a reception room, smiled, and said, "Mother Cocolia is inside."

And that's also the person you most want to see.

Upon hearing this, Wendy, who could no longer contain her anxiety, was the first to step forward and push open the door. The scene inside the room that was revealed made everyone instantly stunned.

In this elegantly decorated reception room, there was neither the executor of Anti-Entropy Cocolia, nor the boy that everyone had been waiting for. The only thing there was... a pile of light pink shaved ice.

Chapter Seventy-Seven: The White Mask Beneath the Abyss

"Miss Peggy, we need a reasonable explanation."

Upon seeing this, Einstein's face immediately darkened.

The facts before us clearly indicate that either Cocolia, or... this meeting was a trap from beginning to end!

"..."

Upon hearing Einstein's words and sensing the tense atmosphere in the air, Peggy did not speak immediately, but instead frowned and looked like she was seriously thinking.

"That's impossible!?"

Peggy remained calm, but Xing couldn't stand this unfounded accusation. "Mom promised to be here with us, Shi Hen. We were just waiting for you to come!"

As she spoke, Xing lifted her foot to rush into the reception room, wanting to see if Cocolia and the boy were hiding in some inconspicuous corner.

"Apricot!"

At this critical moment, Peggy suddenly spoke up, placing her hand on the pink-haired girl's shoulder and scanning everyone's faces. "Although I don't know exactly what happened, I hope everyone will refrain from making any rash moves for the time being, so as not to destroy crucial evidence!"

"What do you mean by this!?"

Upon hearing this, Wendy raised an eyebrow, her eyes already brimming with barely suppressed anger.

She Cocolia wanted to do; the only thing she knew was that the blonde girl in front of her had undoubtedly deceived them all!

Ignoring Wendy's threat, Peggy's gaze fell on the gray-haired loli: "Bronya, I'm leaving the inside to you!"

To investigate what exactly happened in the room, the first step is to find someone that both parties can trust.

Undoubtedly, only the Sea of Quanta group meets this standard.

If we also consider intellect, Bronya becomes the only choice.

"Bronya will find out the truth."

Nodding slightly, Bronya stepped into the drawing room without hesitation and began searching carefully.

"Peggy, what exactly happened in there?"

Still confused, Seele asked hesitantly.

"..."

Peggy took a deep look at the blue-haired girl who still appeared frail, took a long breath, and after a long while sighed, "Someone in this room may already be dead."

"Ah!?"

Instinctively, Seele reached out and covered her mouth, her eyes widening as she gasped in surprise.

"How is that possible?"

This is Haiyuan City, who would dare to kill someone here?!

Theresa asked in disbelief.

As one of Anti-Entropy's most secretive strongholds, Haiyuan City is located more than 6,000 meters below sea level in the deep sea. Its defenses are extremely tight. Even S-rank Valkyrie have to be careful to avoid being discovered. How could anyone possibly kill someone so easily?

"I don't know either, but... we have to prepare for the worst."

Peggy shook her head slightly, her expression extremely solemn.

What exactly happened inside!?

With her fist clenched tightly, Wendy suppressed her emotions and demanded an answer, her delicate body trembling as if she might suddenly burst out and take down Peggy and the other two at any moment.

Since waking up a month ago at the new base of the Far East Branch, she has been constantly consumed by deep self-blame.

She had thought more than once that if she had been stronger and hadn't had the Desire Gem taken from her by Welt White, would the boy have had to sacrifice himself to stop the Void Herrscher?

Unfortunately, no matter how much she wallowed in self-pity, what had already happened could not be undone.