Chapter 197: Is This Enough?

Ah, this feels great. Coming to Neon really requires a bath experience.

Ryan comfortably curled up in the bathtub, enjoying the bath even more in the cold weather. The fatigue accumulated over the past several hours rapidly diminished. He stretched, yawned, and looked up at the foggy bathroom.

This break had been so refreshing. Even when he was at the Fire Moth headquarters, his schedule was strict and regular, even more so than when he was back at the academy.

Back then, he went to school during the day and occasionally had to go out on missions or handle the Herrscher. This time, it had been over a month since he last fought, and he hadn't even participated in any simulated battles.

Combat skills were deeply ingrained in his bones, so Ryan wasn't worried about getting rusty. He thought that it was actually a good thing that the Herrscher weren't making any moves.

They aren't showing up, so I don't have to go hunting them down.

He leaned his head back against the wall. During this time, most of his mental energy had been spent on research, with occasional thoughts about the Fire Moth.

'Since I entered this apartment, the electromagnetic signals have tripled. Someone should be getting nervous now.'

That was obvious. Even Hua wouldn't believe the vacation excuse, let alone those agents. But trying to monitor me would be difficult. The person in charge here is probably cursing right now.

Ryan grinned. He didn't mind stirring up a little trouble in Tokyo. After all, he had nothing better to do, so why not practice a bit?

Two more days, and someone will probably come looking for me.

He stood up, water droplets slowly rolling off his body. After drying himself, he put on a newly bought shirt. He spread his arms, and the water droplets on his hair separated on their own, drying him faster than a blow-dryer.

"Who said authority is only for fighting?"

As a master of time management, Ryan had blended practice into his life, gradually making it instinctive.

"Hua, is dinner ready?"

He poked his head out, but saw that Hua wasn't cooking. Instead, she was standing with Carol, and he had no idea what they were doing.

"What are you two up to?"

"Nothing, Carol said she already ate and is going home." Hua said, gently pushing Carol toward the door.

Carol resisted, whispering in Hua ear, "Remember, courage, courage! You can't lose to a childhood friend, right? You don't want to be treated like a little sister forever, do you?"

Bang

The door slammed shut, finally locking out that annoying girl. Hua turned away from the door and saw Ryan coming out of the room holding a bag.

Courage? How can I have courage in front of him? Senior brother hasn't thought about that, in some ways, I'm even worse than Mobius.

That doctor, despite being stubborn, acted quickly. The so-called childhood sweetheart, because we're too familiar, there's no surprise left, and that's the big problem.

I've secretly looked at those magazines too, even more carefully than Carol, and the more I look, the stranger it feels.

"What are you mumbling about? Aren't you supposed to be eating?" Ryan asked when he saw the odd expression on her face. He had already checked the room, and there was no alcohol, otherwise, that wooden stake would've caused a headache.

"Oh, right. Please sit down."

They both returned to the living room, and Hua brought the dishes and rice to the table. Her cooking was average, but she could manage some simple home-cooked meals.

Meatball soup, wood ear with pork slices, stir-fried zucchini—aside from the meat being a bit too salty, the rest was decent.

Ryan scooped a mouthful of rice and shook his head. "I haven't had home-cooked meals in a while. Those idiots have such picky mouths and keep finding new ways to torture me."

Hua quietly shoveled rice, her voice muffled, "It looks like you had a good time at the headquarters?"

Ryan was about to nod but suddenly smelled a sour scent, so he changed his answer. "It's better than being out in the cold. Plus, I got familiar with cooking. Let me cook tomorrow night."

"Mm, I haven't tasted your cooking in a while, senior brother." Hua expression finally softened, and she picked up a large piece of meat and gave it to Ryan.

Still a child.

Ryan silently chuckled. In a few more days, Hua would be around eighteen, but for now, she was still a young, immature kid.

"By the way, didn't you plan on transferring to the headquarters? The situation here in Neon is pretty bad, isn't it?"

"It's indeed bad, which is why I can't leave. You taught me that warriors can't retreat." Hua propped her face in her hands and looked a little lost. "This past year, I've learned a lot. I've experienced failure and regret, made friends, and then watched them fade away."

I also taught you what it means to be a 'wise person' who knows when to follow the times.

Ryan glanced at her, realizing that not only had her appearance changed, but even her mindset had matured quite a lot.

"It sounds like you're not sad about it?"

"There's no use in sadness. As long as I'm still breathing, I have to keep fighting. But don't worry, I won't waver."

A faint smile spread across Hua face. Truthfully, her background was rather ordinary among the elite, and she didn't have many achievements to speak of. Her strength was average, like most people in the world.

"But that stubbornness is your biggest strength. This world changes so fast, and fewer and fewer people can maintain their true selves." Ryan encouraged her as usual, pointing to the photo on the dining table.

"Like Himeko. She should know who the Fourth Herrscher is by now. Has anything changed?"

Hua hesitated. She was always slow to pick up on micro-expressions and tilted her head, thinking for a while.

"She sometimes seems absent-minded. Most of the time, she's normal. Oh, but she drinks more than before. But I remembered something."

"What's that?"

"It seems like Captain Himeko is investigating something related to Lieutenant Rose. I don't know the specifics."

Lieutenant Rose?

Ryan recalled this old acquaintance. From her, many things had changed, and she had also died at his hands. He still held the power.

"That's an unfortunate story. What's wrong with her?"

"I heard that Lieutenant Rose was supposed to receive psychological treatment, but she was sent to that fleet and became an executioner." Hua answered as plainly as she could, sighing.

"Lieutenant Rose's situation had a big impact on Captain Himeko. She was the captain's deputy and close friend. After this incident, Captain Himeko was heavily criticized."

Including you, right? After all, you all had a good relationship.

Ryan silently added that in his mind. It couldn't be helped—there were countless lives in the hands of the Herrscher of Wind, and someone had to take the fall. Himeko had managed to escape endless investigations, which was already impressive.

Could there be something wrong with the lieutenant's case? It should be similar to the Third Herrscher.

"I'll keep an eye on this. In a few days, I'll personally visit Himeko. Maybe it's related to the Herrscher invasion event."

Why would it be related?

Hua didn't quite understand, but she trusted Ryan's intelligence and quickly finished her meal. She got up to clear the plates but was stopped by Ryan.

"The knuckledusters I gave you last time are probably broken, right?"

"Uh, yes. After becoming a fusion warrior, regular metal couldn't withstand the Herrscher energy." Hua answered honestly. She had been heartbroken when the knuckledusters melted, and she kept the remains in a box.

"I knew it. Sorry, the gift came a little late." Ryan opened the bag, revealing a pair of silver-gray knuckle gloves. "I asked Vil-V to make them. The main material is soul steel, with some added fluid metal. You might want to stand back."

Hua stepped back a few steps, and Ryan put on the gloves. With a flick of his hand—

Whoosh—

The air exploded with a loud noise, and a silver light flashed by, like a blade that disappeared in an instant.

"It has a certain ability to morph. It will have a surprising effect in crucial moments. You should come up with a name for it."

Hua took it in her hands, her eyes shining as she gently touched the surface of the metal. After a long while, she answered, "How about calling it 'Tiger's Roar'?"

"Powerful, doesn't sound like a weapon for a girl, but if you like it, that's fine." Ryan wasn't picky and immediately took the plate from her hand. "Since you made the meal, I'll wash the dishes."

"Aren't you the one who hates washing dishes the most?"

"It's only fair. I hate bullying honest people. You, girl, are sometimes too honest." Ryan lightly tapped her on the head and took the plates to the kitchen. On the way, he remembered something.

To be broken by someone as honest as Hua, Mobius, you're really useless.

Hua held the tea, curled up on the sofa, her gaze fixed on Ryan washing the dishes.

Carol was wrong. This wasn't about retreating or lacking courage. Because what I wanted was always simple.

If my senior brother can keep me in his heart, thinking of me even from miles away, then—

That's enough… right?