Suspicions

"Lin Wei? What is that guy up to again?"

Fu Hua never expected that her investigation would lead her straight to him.

Although Bronya's story was brief, mostly about missing her "little sister," with only a passing mention of the person who brought the "news" – clearly, to her, this person himself wasn't that important – it was enough for Fu Hua, as a fellow "victim," to make sufficient connections.

This style of suddenly appearing with an important bargaining chip the other party couldn't refuse, then disappearing on a whim.

Plus, the timing of that guy's appearances in Bronya's story…

All of these coincided almost perfectly with a certain person in her memory. It couldn't be anyone else.

What was that guy up to again?

Fu Hua was filled with uncertainty.

He said he didn't want to cause trouble, yet he first provoked Anti-Entropy, then contacted Bronya…

What was he trying to do? Didn't he know St. Freya was off-limits?!

Had Otto already noticed something was off with Bronya, but wasn't quite sure, which was why he had her investigate nearby?

Did he anticipate all of this, which was why he dared to act so recklessly?

Did he think she would still cover for him?

She almost felt like laughing out of anger. Once was enough, he shouldn't push his luck!

Fu Hua's thinking was always calm. These feelings of annoyance were fleeting, quickly turning into a helpless sigh.

Because she realized she was truly in a dilemma.

Continue to cover for Lin Wei? Impossible.

If she continued to let him act recklessly, if it had any serious impact on Kiana's Herrscher experiment progress, it would provoke an even more intense reaction from Otto, and the consequences would only be more disastrous.

But if she honestly fulfilled her duty as a tool, doing nothing, and truthfully reporting her findings to Otto, it would immediately lead to another kind of intense consequence.

Because Lin Wei possessed the Key of Erosion. And he was also a reckless madman!

As for what kind of collision there would be between these two madmen?

Fu Hua didn't look forward to it at all, and even wanted to avoid it at all costs, because it couldn't possibly be anything good!

"Sigh…"

Fu Hua felt like she had woven her own cocoon, and was now caught between these two guys. What bad luck.

"Wait…"

A flash of inspiration suddenly struck Fu Hua, and she realized something she had overlooked.

"Bronya said that she first contacted Lin Wei a year ago… That is, during the time he was eroded by Honkai energy, which was also the time when I went to investigate him, a little earlier than that…"

After that, Lin Wei was taken away by World Serpent and disappeared for a while.

But…

Fu Hua folded her arms, thinking carefully.

"Why don't I have much of an impression of this?"

Back then, while Lin Wei's consciousness was submerged in the Stigmata Space, Fu Hua had read almost all of his memories.

Then, before parting, she had stripped away most of the memories from this period and returned them to Lin Wei.

Even, to ensure the thoroughness of the stripping, she herself didn't remember why she had stripped away this memory afterwards.

"Did I also strip away the content of this memory?"

Fu Hua was once again filled with uncertainty.

"But… why would I do that? What exactly did I see in that guy's memories?"

She only had two criteria for stripping away memories – either they were unimportant, or they were incredibly important.

And she vaguely remembered that this memory she had returned to Lin Wei clearly belonged to the latter. It was precisely because it was important that she chose to forget it.

And returning it to him also proved the trust she had placed in him when she made that decision.

"Lin Wei, will you betray my trust?"

Fu Hua murmured to herself.

For some reason, she was reluctant to touch this word that made her feel a sting, although she also didn't remember why.

"Or is it because I'm being too prejudiced, and there's actually someone else behind Bronya's matter?"

At this point, Fu Hua found her thoughts becoming increasingly chaotic, unable to think further. So, she decided to do something.

She took a deep breath, took off her glasses and wiped them, adjusted her mood, then walked out of the dormitory as usual, turning a corner and heading out.

"Knock knock knock…" A gentle knock on the door.

"Come in."

In the office, Welt, an ordinary teacher who was diligently grading quizzes, looked up and saw Fu Hua pushing the door open and walking in.

"Mr. Welt, there's something I'd like to ask you about."

Fu Hua spoke calmly, using her address to indicate her purpose.

"I'd like to know, after Lin Wei contacted you, where is he staying now? I have some things I'd like to ask him, in person."

She had made up her mind, if Welt didn't know the answer, she would ask Bronya.

The once hesitant and indecisive young girl, after going through the ruthless trials of fifty thousand years, in addition to her usual reticence, had already learned to be proactive and take initiative.

… … … … … …

Philippines • Manila.

"Compared to that floating island high in the sky, this feeling of being close to the earth and the ocean… is just fantastic!"

The midday sun was a bit scorching. Anna took Yuno to rest on a shady beach, each holding a freshly squeezed coconut juice, comfortably enjoying the gentle breeze under the shade of the trees. Anna took a small sip through the straw.

"But the taste of this coconut juice… I'm still not used to it, hahaha…"

Anna was making fun of herself, then turned around to see Yuno silently drinking her coconut juice, almost half the cup already gone, and couldn't help but exclaim,

"Geez, you seem even more adapted to this environment than I am!"

This place was, after all, located in the tropics, with a hot and humid climate. Every time Anna went out, she would always be covered in a layer of sweat, something she had never been able to get used to. Even now, she had a small fan by her side, ready to fan herself at any time.

But looking at Yuno, she was fresh and clean, without a trace of sweat. She'd only been here for a few days!

Anna cried out that it was unfair.

Yuno seemed stunned by this topic, her small mouth releasing the straw, looking up at the dappled shade above, and softly said,

"Maybe it is? After all, it's a plant…"

After all, what coexisted with her was a plant-type Honkai beast. It wasn't unusual for her to be different from others, was it?

Anna cursed herself inwardly for possibly saying the wrong thing again. Changing the subject directly would seem too deliberate, so she just continued along with the topic.

"Yuno, did HQ and the Immortal Blades say when you need to return?"

"Mm, no…"

Yuno thought for a moment, then pointed to the communicator on her wrist.

"But probably, not too long."

"That makes sense, you're a new recruit after all, it's normal to have less vacation time! Like when I was just starting out…"

Anna put her hands on her hips, about to boast about her seniority, then her face fell, remembering her painful experiences.

"Vacation? Doesn't exist… You should just be content… Sob sob sob…"

"Is the vacation quota that small?"

Yuno was startled.

"I heard that the Japanese Branch is very lenient in managing trainee Valkyries…"

"Ah? Japanese Branch?"

Anna was taken aback. This term had a very low presence at Schicksal HQ, making her feel unfamiliar with it for a moment. She had to search her memory bank for a while before remembering that such a place did exist.

The Japanese Branch's presence was truly too low.

Its leader: Theresa Apocalypse, as the granddaughter of the Overseer, a powerful Valkyrie who had made outstanding contributions in the 2nd Honkai – such a hero, who should have been widely renowned, was almost unknown at HQ. This showed how insignificant the Japanese Branch currently was…

She could remember Theresa's existence because she was a Schariac after all, and could be considered somewhat related to her. She had heard some things from her elders.

If she remembered correctly, that place had its own Valkyrie academy, with outrageously good student benefits, but the success rate was also so low that it was unbearable to look at.

"Ahhh, Yuno, how can you be so unambitious, comparing yourself to those guys over there?"

She remembered Durandal had stayed there for a few days, then couldn't stand it and came back.

Even Durandal couldn't carry them! Wasn't that place just a typical example of misleading the younger generation?

"No, don't misunderstand…" Yuno explained,

"I just heard that among the cadets there, there's a former classmate of mine. So I know a little about it…"

"Sorry, Yuno…"

Anna remembered that the 3rd Honkai in Nagazora City was suppressed entirely by the Japanese Branch, and Yuno was one of the survivors they rescued.

It seemed her previous view of them was really biased.

Actually, it wasn't her fault. The existence and news of the Japanese Branch, along with the 3rd Herrscher they sheltered, and several other special students within, were deliberately downplayed by Otto. Few people knew about them, except for a select few.

Otherwise, the news of the 3rd Herrscher actually becoming a Valkyrie – such explosive news would have long since turned most of Schicksal upside down.

"Want to go there and see? I'll contact the Japanese Branch, I should be able to apply for it."

As Anna spoke, she opened her communicator.

Since Yuno cared about this, she was happy to help Yuno make a few more friends. Being so alone all the time was really heartbreaking.

"No need, Anna, thank you."

Yuno reached out and stopped the unsent message, shaking her head.

"There's nothing to see, it's no different anyway… so, it's all the same."

"How can it be the same?"

Anna still wanted to enlighten Yuno, but seeing her insistent look, she could only give up helplessly.

Just at this moment, a thick white cloud in the sky drifted by with the wind, blocking the scorching sun, and the originally muggy air suddenly cooled down.

Anna didn't want Yuno to dwell on those unpleasant things, so she simply stood up, stretched comfortably, and changed the subject.

"Alright, we've rested long enough! While the weather is nice, let's go play on the beach! Come on, come on, otherwise we'll have to put on sunscreen again later!"

Yuno looked at the empty cup in her hand, and then at the almost full cup of coconut juice Anna had left behind. After hesitating for a moment, she picked them both up and threw them into a nearby trash can, then started to follow Anna's footsteps.

The beach was crowded with people, men and women, old and young. The two beautiful girls walking through the crowd naturally attracted everyone's attention.

But one looked cheerful and bright, while the other's expression was stiff and indifferent. This contrast made the scene seem like it had a hidden story.

Yuno seemed a little uncomfortable being stared at by so many eyes, her whole body restless. Anna also keenly noticed this awkwardness, grabbed her hand, and quickly left.

"Let's go! Let's find a place to dive, there are fewer people there, we won't be disturbed. Let me tell you a secret, the coral under the sea is really beautiful! They… Huh?"

Anna was talking excitedly while running, but suddenly stopped, her words trailing off, as if she had suddenly seen something unexpected.

"What's wrong?"

Yuno followed Anna's gaze. There were just ordinary tourists, nothing too surprising.

"…Nothing, must have seen wrong."

Anna looked carefully again, her tone inexplicably disappointed.

"After all, there are so many people here, it's normal to be dazzled for a moment… Why are we wasting time here?"

Saying so, she smiled again, throwing the disappointment caused by the misunderstanding behind her, and pulled Yuno away again.

"Let's go, let's go diving!"

Yuno glanced suspiciously in that direction again a few times, and after confirming there was really nothing unusual, she relaxed and followed Anna, leaving the area.

… …

"…Is Anna's observation that sharp? She could spot me like this?"

After a long while, a pile of sand moved, and a head wearing sunglasses emerged from within. It was Lin Wei, enjoying a "sand bath." Using the sunglasses as cover, he watched the two girls' receding figures out of the corner of his eye, and chuckled wryly with a headache.

"This is a bit troublesome…"

"Yes, Mr. Lin Wei is always surrounded by trouble."

Yae Sakura said a little angrily, and Lin Wei could only chuckle awkwardly.

"Speaking of which, Lin Wei-kun has been carefully observing in secret for several days now."

Yae Sakura was a little puzzled.

"They're familiar people you can communicate with, why are you making things so difficult for yourself?"

"That's precisely why I have to be careful, Sakura."

Lin Wei put away his smile, and said calmly,

"How do you know that the person who appeared here is Yuno, and not someone else?"