Amen

After the Eighth Herrscher's defeat, the Fire Moth held a celebratory banquet, as usual.

Lee stood outside the ballroom, observing.

Some of the people inside bore visible non-human traits, side effects of the MANTIS surgery. Even those who survived couldn't escape these imperfections.

This was the designated area for MANTIS . Though they fought to protect humanity, their fusion with Honkai beast genes, turning them into monstrous hybrids, made them pariahs, even at celebrations. They could only gather amongst themselves. The other venues weren't welcoming.

And Lee, the artificial Herrscher, wasn't even welcome among the MANTIS . Was she a Divine Key, a living corpse, or something else entirely? Even Lee wasn't sure… She was definitely not human, barely even a living being.

The word "Herrscher" evoked strong revulsion, especially among the warriors.

Lee wasn't bothered. Partly because she genuinely didn't care, and partly because…

A horn beeped. A long, black limousine pulled up beside her. The window rolled down, revealing Ato's smiling face. "Lee, have you been waiting long?"

"I just—"

Suddenly, Pardofelis' cat-eared head popped out of the window. "Big Sis Lee, it's so spacious in here! And they have ice-cold drinks!"

"Pardo, be careful! Don't distract Ato while she's driving." Lee patted Pardofelis' ear, then got into the car.

Why worry about being ostracized when there was a rich benefactor to entertain her? Why dance with people who disliked her when she could celebrate at a luxurious estate?

Ato's spacious car could easily fit seven or eight people. Several were already waiting inside.

"Yo, Lee, long time no see~"

Seeing the blue-haired man, Bianka, and Griseo, Lee shook her head. "Ato, we saw each other last week."

"Well, a Honkai Eruption happened since then. We almost didn't make it…"

"I thought you'd be drinking with the others. You decided to join us with Bianka and Griseo?"

"Haha, I'm quitting drinking…"

Ato chuckled, then his usual cheerful demeanor faded, replaced by a rare somberness.

If Aponia hadn't arrived in time, his wife, Bianka, would have died in this eruption. And his daughter, Griseo, was forced to undergo the MANTIS surgery. Though she survived, she was now… different, no longer able to live a normal, carefree life.

"So, I've decided to spend more time with my beloved Bianka and Griseo." Ato quickly recovered, forcing a laugh. "After all, I'm fighting for them. Can't lose sight of what's truly important."

"Ato…" Bianka's eyes were filled with love and gratitude.

"Bianka…" Ato gazed at her lovingly.

So cheesy!—Griseo, sandwiched between them, made the same "are you serious?" face as Pardofelis.

Lee frowned slightly. "Griseo, can you come here for a moment?"

"What is it, Big Sis Lee?"

Looking at Griseo, her tone and expression mirroring Pardofelis', Lee glanced at the cat-eared girl.

"It wasn't me, Big Sis Lee! I just spent some time with Griseo in the car, and she became like this!" Pardofelis frantically defended herself.

"It seems to be a side effect of the surgery. Griseo now… absorbs the personality traits of those she spends time with…" Ato sighed, patting Griseo's head. "We're not sure about the other side effects yet."

"It seems to be an empathic sensitivity…"

Looking into Griseo's bright eyes, Lee gently cupped her face, her own blue eyes flashing crimson. Simultaneously, Griseo's eyes, previously mirroring Pardofelis' mischievous gleam, regained their childlike innocence.

"Big Sister Lee…"

"There we go, the adorable Griseo is back~"

Lee pinched Griseo's cheek, then hugged her, as Ato and Bianka looked on, their faces filled with relief. "I've added a mental filter. Her consciousness won't be so easily influenced by others anymore."

The Herrscher of Sentience's abilities are so useful for mind manipulation!—Lee was even more convinced after this practical demonstration.

With this power, her plan should be foolproof—

Suddenly, she felt a tug on her arm. Pardofelis was looking at Griseo with a pleading expression.

"Big Sis Lee…"

Lee sighed, pulling Pardofelis into the hug—thankfully, her artificial Herrscher physique, though not as powerful as her Herrscher-slaying days, had enhanced her strength. Otherwise, she might not be able to lift both of them.

"You're still as popular with children as ever, Lee."

"Indeed." Looking out the window, Lee smiled, her expression unreadable. "So, I have to work harder to protect them."

"No matter what…"

The banquet at Ato's estate was… chaotic.

Though Lee's survival offered a glimmer of hope, the atmosphere was tense. When they arrived, Su, armed with the moral high ground, was verbally eviscerating the science trio, leaving Kevin and Elysia trembling, Aponia praying, and Kosma and Ato speechless.

He used to be so gentle and polite… now his words are sharper than knives.

Lee somehow managed to mediate, de-escalating the conflict.

But a while later, she saw Vill-V approach Su, and then both of them, like villains plotting a scheme, exchanged sinister smiles.

Though unaware of their target, Lee offered a silent prayer for them.

Amen~

Su's issue was resolved, but there was another, more formidable individual still absent…

Looking at the now harmonious—or at least, non-violent—gathering, Lee thought of a certain someone still imprisoned.

Right, I should get Kalpas out in a few days.