Chapter 201: No Difference to Me

I will have a little problem, so I will take a week off so instead I will release the chapter early, please enjoy

Ryan did not dislike taking risks, nor did he always consider the returns before making every move. Some scattered clues were being connected, gradually allowing him to understand what those madmen were trying to do, and this bold guess needed to be verified.

Music was playing in the restaurant, and upon careful listening, it was once again Eden lead singer. Ryan tapped his hand lightly on the table, glancing over the plates full of meat.

Pork belly, steak, and chicken wings were neatly arranged, and with the high cost of living in Tokyo, even Hua felt a little reluctant to spend so much.

"I told you we could just have some noodles, but you insisted on something this heavy."

"This is to welcome you, it's fine, next week we'll get paid. Besides, I often eat at home."

"Don't you hate being watched?"

"Yeah, after becoming a fusion warrior, my senses are too sharp, it's always uncomfortable being watched."

She was still wearing her military uniform with black and gold trim, paired with a beautiful yet youthful face that always caught the attention of the diners. She was so young, and the uniform made her stand out even more.

Those in the know had already recognized her as a 'monster,' and they couldn't help but wonder why such a little girl had become a superhuman, even viewing her with a mix of curiosity and provocation.

"You're luckier than Sakura. At least the stares you get are full of doubt," Ryan said, sipping his tea, his gaze shifted to the busy crowd outside. "You've probably gotten used to it by now. You're trying to do good, yet no one understands or accepts it. Your hands are even stained with human blood."

Hua breathing quickened. She had fought, struggled, and even killed rebels and those infected by the Honkai Disease.

"Some people in my squad went insane. It didn't affect me much, but they all said I…"

"They said you were like a wooden stake. Hmm, in a way, that's an advantage," Ryan continued, picking up the conversation. Hua wasn't one to think too deeply. He even suspected that Rose had become a Herrscher because her will had wavered.

When all comrades are lost, when fire is aimed at your own kind, the beliefs you once had collapse entirely. The line between protection and hatred is razor-thin, and once a weakness is found, the collapse can seize that opening.

"They said I had a pillar in my heart, so my mentality stayed stable."

Hua gently pressed her lips together, not correcting him because her senior brother was never wrong. It was indeed partly due to her character.

"Lieutenant Rose changed her temperament later on, becoming silent. The captain used connections to send her to the extermination fleet, hoping it would help her relax, but then that incident happened."

"Which is why I also regret it," Ryan said with a slight shrug, noticing a bright red sports car speeding toward them and drifting into the parking space by the barbecue restaurant.

The door to the restaurant was pushed open, and a woman with red hair walked in briskly, crashing into the waiter who had come to greet her.

Her beauty was striking, but her presence was fierce. Hua quickly stood up to block her path, but before she could react, Empress Himeko struck her with a palm. Hua instinctively raised her hand to block.

Slap!

With just one move, the shockwave exploded, causing the customers to scream and flee in terror.

"Your temper is still as fiery as ever, Himeko." Ryan calmly held his cup of water, propping his head with one hand. "Let her come, Hua, it's fine, she'll be okay once she vents her anger."

Himeko snorted and walked straight to the table, slamming her hand down with a 'bang.' Her dark golden pupils seemed to burn with flames.

"Why didn't you tell me last time?"

"When we were in Hawaii, I didn't want to ruin your mood. Besides, what would telling you have changed? Do you think you could've brought the lieutenant back through our friendship?" Ryan stared at her unceremoniously and slowly shook his head.

"You know that's impossible. I've tried. Once someone becomes a Herrscher, they're something else entirely. A difficult opponent, no longer human."

"I'm not as naive as you think," Himeko said, inhaling slightly, her voice cold. "At the very least, I can personally end this."

"So what? She's a Herrscher. It doesn't matter who hunts her down. At least if I do it, she'll die easier," Ryan mind flashed to the scene just before the fourth Herrscher's death. He didn't know whether Rose had returned or if it was just an act.

But he knew that if it were Himeko, she would hesitate. She would definitely die.

"Herrscher must be purged. There's no need for you to risk your life. Leave this cruel task to me."

They locked eyes, and after a long moment, Himeko lips curled into a trace of mockery. "So, you expect me to thank you?"

"You should thank me. Killing someone you know is not a fun thing," Ryan replied.

"You... Fine, at least you dared to meet me." Himeko sat down heavily, grabbed the beer on the table, and drank it down. "But this is not over. It's not about you, it's about them."

"I can tell. You're not downhearted at all."

"Hmph. I'm not so easily broken. I just can't make sense of it." The red-haired woman spread her hands and, as usual, smiled brightly. "My hands are stained with blood. When there's no hope of victory, that's fine. But I still have to worry about the daggers coming from behind. We're really going to lose this fight."

She had started to waver, tortured by the never-ending war. Her eyes were filled with exhaustion, and her beliefs were no longer steadfast.

This was the opening. The Honkai had chosen her to be the seventh Herrscher for a reason.

Ryan finally understood why Himeko became a Herrscher. She was similar to the later Himeko, but different in some ways, such as her heart always being filled with hope.

Separated by 50,000 years, they were not the same person, and the earlier civilization was even more desperate.

"Hua, grill some meat for your captain." Ryan didn't show his thoughts and opened a can of beer. "I came here for this. We're friends, so helping out is no big deal."

"This water runs deep," Himeko hesitated.

"It's not that deep. Do I really need to explain?" Ryan asked. "Tell me, are you seeking revenge, or what?"

"Of course, I want to get some answers. But it'll involve the higher-ups, and I don't want you to get involved in this mess. Even if I'm determined to die, it will only lead to more despair."

Despair, the word the Honkai loved the most. If I don't intervene, you will become a Herrscher.

Ryan paused. Now he understood completely. She couldn't topple the people behind this, because this was a challenge to the entire Fire Moth order. After the disappointment, she would simply give up treatment.

"So that Coleman is after you. If I'm not mistaken, for these days, you haven't been able to find any evidence. You couldn't proceed through the normal channels, right?"

"They do things cleanly because they're the ones who set the rules. They know better than anyone how to use them." Himeko tugged at her hair, looking troubled. "You coming doesn't help. I'll slowly gather evidence and report it to headquarters."

"What if you can't find anything?"

Himeko became a little lost, as if her sense of justice and hatred had nowhere to go. She mumbled and shook her head. "I don't know."

She wasn't an ordinary person, but still too far from being able to fight against an organization she once believed in. For a soldier, it was hard to tell who the enemy was, and who was a friend.

"So I'll help you," Ryan said with a self-mocking smile. "The guy who always meddles in other people's business, that's almost become my nickname."

"You have that nickname too, Senior Brother?" Hua, who was grilling the pork belly, paused in surprise.

"Yes, but they don't really understand. I never interfere in other people's business."

"Then what do you do?"

"Gather necessary conditions, pointing to the final destination."

Not just Hua, even Himeko vaguely understood, knowing that Ryan never interfere in things that didn't concern him. Every move he made was related to his interests.

Maybe those people were a threat to him too?

Once she figured that out, she felt a little more relaxed and shook her beer can. "But this time is different. I might just become a traitor."

As soon as she finished speaking, she saw Ryan smile lightly, crossing his hands and resting his chin.

"Other than using your brain more, it's the same."

...

In the end, Himeko drank herself half-drunk and ate eight plates of pork belly before Hua sent her home.

Ryan, on the other hand, went straight back and had a comfortable afternoon nap, waking up to the sound of cooking in the evening. Slowly, he sat up.

As he had said, this wasn't meddling in others' business. Himeko couldn't do it, but that didn't mean he was powerless. Once he realized that the fourth Herrscher was connected to the Faith faction, he decided to act early and dig out this cancer.

Power struggles, balance, different paths—he didn't care. The only thing he couldn't tolerate was helping the bad guys. No matter what these people's intentions were.

"They must die. Only then will I feel at ease." Ryan slowly put on his glasses. The challenge wasn't in the killing, but in how to separate them from the entire Fire Moth group and minimize the damage.

It feels good to say "better safe than sorry," but the cost is too great. At least most of the Fire Moth members were enemies of the Collapse.

"Let's start with Neon. Let's see who the Faith faction is."

Ryan got up, put on his coat, and opened the door to see Hua already making dinner. He couldn't help but blush.

"Sorry, I overslept. I promised I'd cook tonight."

"It's okay. You rarely get to rest, and I'm not busy lately," Hua said, placing the stir-fried bitter melon with pork on the table. She was still in her military uniform, her ponytail looking sharp, making Ryan glance at her a little more.

"Senior Brother?"

"Oh, I suddenly realized you've become more reliable."

The girl was momentarily stunned, then her eyes turned into crescent moons as she happily served Ryan a bowl of soup and slid the file folder on the table over to him.

"Captain asked me to bring this to you."

It seemed that Himeko had still chosen to trust him.

Ryan wasn't surprised. After all, they were old friends. Since he had offered to help, Himeko didn't really have a choice.

He opened the file and glanced at the two photos, lightly tapping his finger on them.

The two people looked seven parts alike—black short hair, sharp and strong features, both with goatees. They were about forty to fifty years old. Even just looking at the photos, one could feel the imposing aura of someone who commanded respect, a presence belonging to those in power.

Director of the Administrative Management Bureau, Takeuchi, and Chairman of the Consortium, Koche.

These two brothers were the true kings of Neon.