Information Relay

"What's wrong? Still thinking about Cocolia?"

After leaving ME Corp., Lin Wei notices that Yae Sakura hesitates to speak.

"Yes, I thought you would be much harsher..." Yae Sakura swallows her words, assuming Lin Wei would seek justice for the millions of victims.

But instead, he remains restrained.

"What else would I do? Kill her? Beat her up, wreck ME Corp., and reveal her little secrets?" Lin Wei chuckles. He finds Yae Sakura's reaction somewhat naive.

"After all, my goal has been achieved. There's no need to do anything unnecessary. Things could get unmanageable." He continues patiently, "And what if killing Cocolia makes me an enemy of Anti-Entropy? Knowing those stubborn conservatives, they won't see it as me cleaning up their house."

Lin Wei's expression turns strange for a moment. "And most importantly, it would provoke Bronya's irreversible hostility. After all, they haven't broken up yet. Attracting Bronya's animosity..." He trails off. The rest is self-explanatory.

The hatred of the main trio is deeply intertwined. Offend one, and you offend them all.

Not to mention the hostility from Seele, Theresa, Himeko, and many other key figures connected to them.

Facing a horde of Herrschers would be terrifying.

That outcome—no god could save me...

Lin Wei shakes his head, pushing away the terrifying thoughts. He continues, "See? That's how interconnected everything is. I must be careful. No matter what we do, there will be serious consequences. At best, it will escalate conflict. At worst, it will shatter the delicate balance of the current situation. Neither outcome benefits us."

He shrugs. "That's why I didn't damage anything at ME Corp., nor did I leave any traces in their surveillance or other systems. I erased her memory, as if none of this ever happened. This way, I've connected with Anti-Entropy, excluded her from our circle, and kept everything else unchanged. It's the safest approach."

Lin Wei's expression turns odd. "Since Cocolia is a pawn chosen by both Grey Serpent and Otto, it's fine for me to use her a little, right?"

"...Are you that certain?" Yae Sakura feels a strange discomfort every time Otto's name is mentioned, avoiding saying it directly.

"Seeking evidence is for the police. I don't need evidence—erasing it is too easy. Take me for example: if it weren't for Tesla and Einstein pointing me out, there wouldn't be any evidence that I was even at ME Corp. today."

It was like a storm had just passed, but now the area was eerily quiet, as if nothing had happened. Thinking back to their trip to ME Corp., Yae Sakura feels there's no point in arguing anymore.

"Sakura, you've read my memories and know the original story. You should understand how contradictory and absurd Cocolia is. One moment, she's a ruthless warlord using Bronya as a tool; the next, she's a soft-hearted and clumsy mother. That kind of shift is hard to accept."

Thinking of this, Lin Wei feels a sense of helplessness.

If this were just a simple story, he could say, "The writer messed up," and end the conversation. But this is reality, and who knows how many traps lie hidden?

He continues, "There are too many questions: the source of Welt Joyce's genes, Cocolia's extreme hostility towards Schicksal, her plans that essentially helped Otto, and that absurd change at the Sea of Quanta that even Grey Serpent was shocked by…"

Lin Wei ticks off the points one by one. "And Otto has the means to do all of this. He has two key tools: First, the Void Archives, which can mimic Fenghuang Down, erasing Cocolia's memories of interacting with him. Second, and most importantly, Otto is proficient in 'Divine Melody.'"

Lin Wei chuckles. "Fenghuang Down doesn't have the power to distort the mind, but the 'SWARA,' based on the 'Discipline,' does. After all, Otto simplified 'Taixu Sword Qi' into an easier method that's now widely used throughout Schicksal. It's hard to believe he wouldn't have studied the 'SWARA' extensively."

He explains his assumptions to Yae Sakura in detail, "Using a technique similar to the Divine Melody, Otto could implant a psychological suggestion only he knows. Then, using a simulated Fenghuang Down, he could erase any memory of the interaction, completely wiping his traces—creating the perfect pawn."

Lin Wei had attempted to search Cocolia's memories using Pandora's simulated Fenghuang Down, but found nothing.

But, as he had just said, he doesn't need evidence.

"...That's why you easily let her go, right?"

Yae Sakura tries to follow Lin Wei's line of thought but finds herself unable to adapt to his cold, rational mindset. After a moment of contemplation, she gives up.

"Heh, yes. In the end, she's just a pitiful, pathetic, and laughable pawn, being used without even knowing it. There's no need to waste energy or take risks for her. Judgment will come for her in the future."

Lin Wei sneers coldly. He never thought Cocolia was worth any sympathy.

Despite her bloodstained hands, she lacked the courage to take responsibility. No wonder Grey Serpent looks down on her.

In the end, she's just a grotesque clown. Compared to her, Jackal is much more likable.

"There's a deeper reason, isn't there?" Yae Sakura smiles, sensing the hidden truth. "Even I can see these are just excuses you're telling yourself. Excuses for staying out of it all."

"...Aiya, if you've seen through it, don't say it." Lin Wei falls silent for a moment. He had intended to play dumb, but he can't lie to himself. He sighs and laughs. "What else can I do? I'm just a transmigrator... a passerby, a traveler, a player, or whatever else... I'm not really a resident of Nagazora City. It's just a label I got one day when I opened my eyes. Nothing more."

He continues, "You know I have no sense of belonging in this world. There's no love, so how could there be hate? As for Cocolia, I just have a moral aversion to her. Revenge? Judgment? It's not my place as a transmigrator to overstep."

Since all his actions are based on selfish goals, Lin Wei shouldn't put on a façade of righteousness. He might deceive others, but he can't deceive himself.

And in life, the one person you should never deceive is yourself.

Lin Wei raises his head, gazing at the dead city. He can't help but sigh. "I've asked myself if I should seek justice for the millions who died here. But I realized I can't bear that responsibility. If you want to seek justice for the dead, you need to be prepared to pave a path for the living. The former is called 'power,' and the latter is 'responsibility.'"

He shrugs, his smile still relaxed. "I don't think I'm ready for that. So, it's best not to pretend I'm a hero beyond my abilities."

"...But you can't keep floating in the air. You need to find a role that belongs to you." Yae Sakura, as an objective observer, understands that Lin Wei's twisted mentality can't last forever.

After all, he's a part of this world now. How could he remain an outsider forever?

"I know." Lin Wei acknowledges, knowing he has to make a choice. "At least, don't make me play the 'hero' role right away. You have to give me some time to adjust, right?"

His expression grows serious. "For now, I can't find a reason to convince myself."

Yae Sakura falls silent.

Yes, it's hard for a lonely, wandering soul to find a place to settle down when they have no family or friends.

A moment of silence passes…

"Sakura, thank you..."

Lin Wei suddenly speaks, breaking the silence.

"Why are you saying that?" Yae Sakura is slightly confused. She feels she hasn't done much along the way—at most, she just chatted with him.

"It's nothing..." Lin Wei feels his thanks were a little sudden and tries to brush it off. But then, he decides to be honest. "I just feel it's really nice to have someone to talk to, someone to share my thoughts with."

He pauses and smiles. "At least it lets me know I'm not alone in this world. That I'm not in a false dream. It's very reassuring..."

Reassurance is peace of mind, the ballast for the soul, the feeling of security. It prevents a person from being crushed by the anxiety and confusion of reality.

What is the greatest sense of security? It's not the feeling of being protected and cared for.

It's believing in one's ability to control one's life and destiny.

Yae Sakura's presence is proof of that.

As for the future, that is something for his future self to decide.

"...Is that why you tell me your schemes and plans?"

Although Yae Sakura says it with a hint of distaste, her tone betrays no real resentment. In fact, she's happy that Lin Wei is willing to open up to her.

Isn't she the same?

A lonely soul from five hundred years ago, someone who never had control over her life, always toying with fate.

It wasn't until she met Lin Wei that she truly rediscovered that almost forgotten feeling of "peace." Since then, she no longer had to worry about the nightmares that plagued her before.

Lin Wei gave her new "hope," and she gave him the "power" he needed.

"Mutual support?" Maybe "going through the storm together" would be a more fitting description.

"Hahaha, you won't be disappointed in me, this petty person full of schemes, right?" Lin Wei chuckles, unsure why he's become like this. He can't help but hope for some comfort in return.

"...I don't think someone willing to pass on hope to others can be a bad person. If you keep asking such pointless questions, I'll really get angry." Yae Sakura, though, feels a bit irritated.

"Moreover, compared to you, I am the one with truly bloodstained hands. That ominous blade you hold is proof of that."

"..." Lin Wei hits a wall. It's not just the distant honorifics, but he understands Yae Sakura's underlying message—when it comes to being evil, where do you even begin? You're a rookie!

Her way of comforting is rather unique.

......

North America, Anti-Entropy Salt Lake Base.

Dr. Tesla, with her fiery red hair, wears a deeply unpleasant expression. She looks like she's struggling, her face contorted as she desperately tries to figure out how to improve the base's and tactical mechs' firewall systems to better deal with the virus threat.

"Dr. Tesla, I don't think just strengthening the firewall temporarily will be enough to deal with the Corruption threat," Dr. Einstein, with her calm blue hair, strolls in with a cup of coffee. She leans against the backrest, watching Tesla's struggle, her tone as composed as always. "So I suggest you take a break. Let's discuss something more pressing."

"Something more pressing?" Tesla's voice becomes agitated, whether from anger or just her usual intensity. "Is it about that Lin Wei?" She scoffs, throwing her hands up in frustration. "If his identity is real, the last transaction record was at St. Freya Academy's commercial district a year ago! What a coincidence! How am I supposed to believe that?"

Tesla's voice grows almost into a growl. "I still insist on my judgment—this is just another of Otto's tricks. I suggest we dismiss him."

"Hmm, if that's the case, then congratulations to us. Otto has mastered the Key of Corruption." Einstein shrugs, her tone as calm as if it were someone else's problem.

"Hey! You..." Tesla is at a loss for words. "Then what do you suggest? Are we just supposed to agree with whatever he says?"

Einstein shakes her head. "This is a sudden and important development, so we need to be cautious. Since this man claiming to be Lin Wei says he received assistance from Fu Hua, I suggest we ask Joachim to verify it."

"No!" Tesla stands up from her workstation, almost knocking over her computer and equipment. "Yes, he's at St. Freya Academy now, but for safety, we've had no contact with him for a long time! How do we even know if he's alive or dead?"

Tesla's anger mixes with her years of worry about Welt.

After venting her frustration, she steadies herself and continues. She looks at Einstein, determinedly opposing the suggestion. "For something as strange as this, you want Welt to expose himself and abandon his position? Don't you think that's reckless?"

"I agree with you, Dr. Tesla." Einstein raises a finger seriously. "We shouldn't risk Joachim's exposure at St. Freya Academy, whether for monitoring Otto's experiments or for Joachim's safety. We can't rely on conventional means of communication."

"Before I present my plan, I need to ask you something important, Dr. Tesla. Do you think Fu Hua can still be trusted?"

Tesla is taken aback. She pauses, lowering her head to think seriously. "I believe that no matter how much time passes, a person's true nature doesn't change, right?"

Einstein nods. "I agree. Moreover, Joachim has had more chances to interact with Ms. Fu Hua at St. Freya Academy, so he should have a clearer and more accurate judgment. We'll send the information and let him assess the situation for himself."

"...What's your plan?" Tesla senses that Einstein has a solid plan. She needs to understand and evaluate it carefully.

"As a disclaimer," Einstein continues calmly, "my plan only allows for one-way communication. After Joachim completes the investigation, he'll need to figure out a way to send the information back and assess the risk of exposure himself."

"Stop with the rambling, Mophead head!" Tesla can't hold back her frustration. "You're making me impatient! Just get to the point!"

Einstein, unphased, takes out a deep black sphere and hands it to Tesla. "Do you think using this to transfer the information would be feasible?"