Chapter 150: The so-called "Trust", fragile and cheap

"Hey, Dr. Mei, did you see that Nozomi just hugged Ke... ah, is he gone already?"

The observer who was still on duty turned around to remind Mei but found that there was no figure behind him. In the end, he could only smile helplessly.

"Ha... Come to think of it, if Dr. Mei could touch Kevin again, she would definitely be the most excited one."

"Ah... It's finally over. As expected, Nozomi's voice is still so beautiful... Oh, it's a pity that I couldn't go to the scene to watch it. Hmm? Who is it?"

"Hello, I came to Dr. Mei to get some observation data on Nozomi as agreed... Ah, Dr. Mei is not here?"

"Oh, Congressman Light? Thank you for coming all the way here to get it... Dr. Mei just left. You know, some very happy things happened just now. I... well, come here, I'll pack it for you, to take it."

"I can understand that. I came so early because I wanted to take the data while Dr. Mei was still here, so as not to disturb their time together. But I didn't expect that I would still be a step late. Haha... Anyway, thank you very much."

"It's okay, I just sorted it out anyway."

"Then... I'll leave first. Thank you again for your help. Goodbye."

"You're welcome. Goodbye."

The observer watched Light leave with the observation data, then retracted his gaze, copied the data again, and sorted it, muttering to himself.

"I remember that Dr. Mei didn't seem to have an agreement with the other members of the Fire Moth to share the data... Never mind, it will be made public in the end anyway, so it doesn't matter."

......

.........

On Nozomi's side, everyone seemed a little nervous and excited.

"Kevin!"

Mei rushed into the rest area of the stage, panting, and her eyes instantly fell on Kevin and Nozomi, who were surrounded by the crowd.

She originally wanted to appear calm and walk over there, but halfway through, her pace unconsciously quickened, faster and faster, until in the end she didn't even realize that she had started running.

Her figure was different from that of others. Everyone else had finished enjoying Nozomi's "concert" and were preparing to go home to rest or return to their respective posts, but she... was moving against the flow of people.

Seeing her hurried look, everyone was surprised but also understood. After all... they all saw how Nozomi hugged Kevin.

They knew, from what they had learned from Su, that Nozomi... had been trying to use his "song" to reduce the side effects on the fusion warriors. This was an idea he had had a long time ago, and now it had borne fruit, and it really was effective... This was indeed something to be happy about.

Therefore, no one stopped Mei along the way. Almost everyone would be stunned for a moment when they saw her, and then show an understanding smile, slightly move sideways, and make way for her, allowing her to get to Kevin faster, just like... at this moment.

"Mei..."

"Kevin..."

In the passage that everyone deliberately made way for, two lovers who had not touched each other for a long time slowly approached each other, with a little nervousness and fear in each other's eyes, and finally... at the same time, they bravely stretched out their hands, carefully, and tried to... touch each other.

She touched his palm, which was cool, not bone-chillingly cold, just cool.

He touched her fingertips, and they were warm, not as hot as fire, but just warm.

Finally, they hugged each other and cried with joy.

They finally touched each other... again.

With the help of... Nozomi.

"Ha... I'll tell you~"

Nozomi took a breath, took the cup of water handed to him by Eden, smiled, looked at Kevin, and spoke softly.

"Kevin, don't be so nervous."

After drinking the water in the cup, Nozomi stopped breathing and his tone returned to its original soft and light tone. He looked up again and smiled at Kevin and Mei.

"Be happy, be happy~"

"...You seem very tired, Nozomi."

"It can't be helped. Using 'water' to increase the power of 'wind' is a bit of a burden for me now... But don't worry~ It's okay, I succeeded~"

Nozomi blinked at Mei and answered her question.

"I... I don't know how to thank you..."

"The greatest thanks to me is that you guys get along well and live well. Kevin, please treat Mei well, okay? She is usually very tired. Well... if you really want to thank me for something substantial..."

Nozomi put down the cup of water and opened his arms towards Kevin.

"Just give me a hug~"

"…Is that all that's needed?"

"Hold me!"

"......"

"Why are you hesitating, Kevin..."

Hen pushed Kevin lightly from behind with a look of disappointment, and Mei also pushed him lightly from behind.

"......"

Looking at Nozomi's pupils that were like stars in the night, and looking at the expectation and determination in Nozomi's eyes, Kevin was silent, his lips moving slightly. He had too much gratitude to say and too much thanks to express, but... at this moment, he seemed to be at a loss for words and seemed silent.

After holding it in for a long time, he could only follow Nozomi's wishes. He hugged Nozomi gently and said the shortest and most sincere thanks.

"Thank you, Nozomi."

"Hmm~"

Nozomi hummed happily twice and exerted a little force with his arms, allowing Kevin, who was still a little "shy", to really hug him (although in fact Kevin was not used to hugging others and habitually kept a distance from people).

"Kevin feels cool, that's nice... Okay~ I'll leave it to you two from now on~"

he patted Kevin's back gently, separated from him, then grabbed his shoulders, helped him turn around, and pushed him back to Mei's side. As for Nozomi himself, he took light steps and returned to Eden's side (Sakura had to accompany Rin).

"I hope everyone has a pleasant night today~ Well... I'll wish everyone good night in advance~"

"Wait, Nozomi."

Mei suddenly spoke up.

"You haven't told me yet... do you need my help? Now that the 'concert' is over, why don't you tell me?"

"Ah... Regarding this, can you please postpone it for a while? Tonight's night is rare, Dr. Mei, you should enjoy it well, okay?"

"Okay, but I hope you can give me an accurate answer later."

"Yes, I will."

Nozomi nodded and agreed with a smile.

————————

[Unfortunately, you can no longer wait until that time, the "Fire Moth" has already started to act.]

[First of all, there is irrefutable "evidence" - "Fire Moth" checked the portable combat video of Kevin and Hen's team, um, the team that went to the sea to look for you.]

[Then, as expected, they showed Kevin wielding the "Judgment of Shamash" and attacking "you," and said that as the "strongest warrior in the human race," Kevin must have discovered something, so he waved the "Judgment of Shamash" directly at you.]

[Adding to what you've said before, and the killer whale Honkai beast next to you, which is most likely a "companion Honkai beast," then this conclusion is not difficult to guess - Kevin must have judged you as a "Herrscher," so he launched an attack.]

[The following scene further confirms this point - when your body is covered in flames, a large number of Honkai beasts jump out from under the sea, destroying the team's aircraft and attacking Kevin and others.]

["Fire Moth" believes that you are subconsciously counterattacking and controlling the Honkai Beast, which is one of the signs that only the "Herrscher" can have. And the giant killer whale Honkai Beast that started to riot when it saw you injured... There is no doubt that it is your "companion Honkai Beast."]

[Although Kevin and Hen's team denied this later and only tried to evade questions, it doesn't matter. "Fire Moth" understands. After all, you have a good relationship with them. It's normal for your relatives and friends to become "Herrschers" and want to "shelter" you. Especially since your performance is no different from ordinary people, it's even more unbearable. "Fire Moth" understands.]

[However, everything must be based on facts.]

[Then, "Fire Moth" took out the battle record of the "Ninth Herrscher Crusade," especially the final stage, where you suddenly showed overwhelming combat power against the "Ninth Herrscher"... This is obviously not normal because your ability as a fusion warrior is almost entirely in "song," and it is impossible for you to have such a powerful force.]

[Okay, although Mobius argued that this might be the effect of "artificial Honkai," this is not true either because after the "artificial Honkai," the fusion warriors either continue to maintain a clear self-awareness (that is, normal "artificial Honkai"), or fall into madness (that is, in extreme cases, the unavoidable "artificial Honkai" can be understood as "runaway"), but neither of these two can explain your condition.]

[If your "artificial Honkai" fails and is a "runaway," then the first ones to suffer should be your comrades around you. They will become the first targets of attack after you go crazy... But you didn't.]

[Okay, you are determined and only want to be the Herrscher, but why are you so calm? You don't look crazy or have any signs of "running wild"? More importantly... why are you still in your "human form"?]

[You know, no matter which fusion warrior, after the "artificial Honkai," they will show obvious "inhuman" signs, which can be seen at a glance, but you don't show any abnormalities except that your hair has turned completely white, which is obviously unreasonable.]

[Secondly, if you say that your "artificial Honkai" was successful and that you still maintained a clear self-awareness, that is also incorrect, because after you defeated the "Ninth Herrscher," when Mu Continent fell downward, you did not directly save your comrades. You only saved four people—Eden, Sakura, Hen, and Elysia. And from your expression at the time, it was obvious that you only wanted to save these four people. You did not care about the life and death of others.]

[This is obviously not normal. With your attitude towards others, you should have tried your best to save the lives of other comrades at the very beginning, and you might even try to save Mu Continent... You would never have such an attitude of indifference towards the lives of others. Therefore, "Fire Moth" infers that this is "not you" at all.]

[Although you finally saved the others, this doubt cannot be erased.]

[Finally, "Fire Moth" took out the wavelength data of you at the "concert"—obviously, the reaction similar to "Herrscher" in you has become more obvious.]

[Therefore, "Fire Moth" judges that you are now inevitably becoming a "Herrscher" and are the target of "punishment." You must be "punished" before you become a "Herrscher" and cause greater damage.]

[This statement was undoubtedly opposed by everyone, and the "Fire Moth" also expressed its understanding. They also believed that you were working hard to resist the erosion of Honkai and trying not to fall into the "Herrscher." Whether it was in the "Ninth Herrscher Incident," you finally saved other comrades, or in the sea, you killed the Honkai beast that attacked Kevin and others, which can prove that you are fighting against Honkai.]

[But... the facts are facts, cold and cruel. The data from the "concert" has confirmed that you are gradually becoming a "Herrscher." This is inevitable.]

[In addition, "Fire Moth" also emphasized to others that during the "Ninth Herrscher Incident," you...did not think about saving other comrades at the beginning. Is that really you with that cold and ruthless attitude?]

[…Yes, everyone remembers that you only saved four people at the beginning, and your attitude towards others could even be described as indifference, and there was also a hint of disgust and… hostility. It was obviously "not you," and this problem could not be concealed.]

[Plus, the tangled look on your face later, obviously you were fighting against the Honkai, and in the end, you "reluctantly" saved the others, and then ran away directly... Can this be explained in another way? For example... you have become the "Herrscher," but your own consciousness is still resisting, and then the "Herrscher" left directly in order to control your body and memory to avoid being discovered?]

[Finally, when the Herrscher becomes familiar with your body and memory and has mastered your power, they will sing again and allow the Fire Moth to take it back, in order to lurk around humans and wait for an opportunity to cause greater damage.]

[Kevin discovered the problem at first, so he attacked you, but he didn't expect that the "Herrscher" would hold on, and even saved everyone according to your original character, thereby gaining their trust and successfully sneaking in.]

[…No, the so-called "saving everyone" might just be a self-directed and self-acted performance. You have to know that the "Herrscher" can control the Honkai Beasts, so why were those Honkai Beasts hiding there? Why was the place where you met so peaceful at first, but immediately after you were attacked, the Honkai Beasts that attacked appeared again… This is obviously not normal.]

[And the power you displayed in the "Ninth Herrscher" incident was water. Even the "Companion Honkai Beast" looked like a killer whale, and the Honkai Beasts that attacked Kevin and others were all marine... It's hard not to think too much about this.]

[Maybe you set up the ambush from the beginning? To trick people into "saving you" and then eat away at the "Fire Moth" troops one by one. However, you didn't expect that the person you met at the beginning was Kevin, the "strongest warrior." So you planned to play along with them and direct the ambush yourself to gain their trust and then sneak into the "Fire Moth" directly.]

[Think carefully, you had a lot of problems back then, for example, why did your "song" become the carrier of the "Herrscher's" power during the "Eighth Herrscher Incident"? Why were you not affected by the "Eighth Herrscher"? Why...]

[Why...]

[There are more and more doubts, more and more doubts, and the suspicion in their heart is getting bigger and bigger. The small problems that were once deliberately ignored and no one cared about have become more and more conspicuous at this moment, and people's attitude towards you has gradually begun to waver.]

[People didn't even notice that they had originally differentiated you from the "Herrscher," but in the end, they simply merged the two and called you directly, as if they had already tacitly accepted that you had become the "Herrscher" and that you were the "Herrscher."]

[Because everyone knows that the "Herrschers" are disasters, catastrophes, the "messengers" of destruction, the executioners who harm humanity, and the "machines" that destroy civilization. They can disguise themselves, lurk, and do whatever it takes to cause destruction.]

[In order to protect the continued survival of mankind and ensure the continuation of civilization, the "Herrschers"... must be "conquered."]

[Everything is for humanity.]

[…Look, the so-called 'trust' is so cheap and fragile in people's eyes. It obviously requires countless events, a lot of kindness, and a long time to build up and construct 'trust'. It obviously should be tough and solid. But with just a slight push, cracks appeared and it fell uncontrollably towards the direction of breaking and collapsing.]

　　[As long as there is a little bit of 'doubt', then this 'trust' will be completely shattered, it's just a matter of time.]

　　[…Look, when 'distrust' begins to spread and 'doubts' take over people's hearts, there is no need for others to do anything, no need for Honkai to influence, no need for 'Herrschers' to push, humans will find 'reasons' or 'excuses' for themselves, extract those 'suspicious points' one by one, and use them as evidence of 'suspicion'.]

　　[So what if you just held a 'concert'? So what if you just solved the side effects of most fusion warriors? Once 'suspicion' begins to appear, your 'good' will be subconsciously ignored by them, and they will focus on the 'suspicious points' in you.]

　　[At this time, even if there is a little 'problem' with you, it will be infinitely magnified. Even if there is no 'problem', they will make it up or even imagine one... And this is just to 'confirm' the 'doubt' in their hearts.]

　　[Look, this ignorant and stupid human being, just for a little 'doubt', swept everything you did into the corner of memory, leaving only suspicion of you in their mind.]

　　[Look, you are so pitiful and ridiculous. Even though you have done so much for them and even though your feelings towards them have never changed, in the end, you are still overwhelmed by doubt.]

　　[......]

　　[Everything is for humanity... Haha, what a ridiculous declaration, what a boring excuse.]

　　[Do you think I'm right? Trying to become a 'hope' to 'traitor'?]"