So, That's How We're Playing It?

Lee had a pretty good idea what the Herrscher of Dominance was up to.

Most likely, it was inciting hatred against her among ordinary people, then provoking them to try and kill her.

After all, it was well-known within Fire Moth that she never attacked humans, and an entity like the Herrscher of Dominance would certainly be aware of this.

But not attacking humans didn't mean she'd stand there like an idiot and let them kill her.

Controlling them and preventing them from attacking her wasn't exactly difficult for her current abilities.

Although she didn't usually use her phone much, the recent situation had turned Lee into a hardcore internet surfer. She lay in bed every day, phone in hand, refreshing forums like Soyo waiting for Sakiko's reply. [Reference to the anime BanG Dream! It's MyGO!!!!!, where Soyo constantly checks her phone for a message from Sakiko]

And the hottest topic right now, without a doubt, was the live broadcast of people surrounding the Fire Moth Asia Branch, protesting and demanding that Fire Moth immediately deal with Lee.

Judging from the footage, the scene was quite chaotic. Although Elysia was maintaining order, her words were completely useless in the face of terrified and panicked citizens. The crowd could turn into a direct assault on the defenses and besiege the branch at any moment.

Lee silently opened her messaging app. Apart from concerned texts from friends who weren't at headquarters, there were messages from Su and Elysia, sent not long ago, telling her not to show herself and to let them handle the situation.

Although Lee appearing and explaining things might have some effect, it was more likely to further ignite the public's anger, potentially even leading to attacks on her.

Seeing Elysia being cursed by the crowd, even pelted with garbage, and looking somewhat sad, Lee turned off her phone with a blank expression and stood up.

Although not getting involved might be the safest option, when had she ever been someone who prioritized safety?

Joining the fun was the main point!

Besides, Blue Star's [Reference to Earth] public opinion warfare was far more advanced than the Previous Era's. As someone deeply influenced by it, Lee had also mastered many related techniques. No matter what tricks the Herrscher of Dominance was planning to play today, she was determined to go head-to-head with this Herrscher.

"Everyone, please calm down and listen to me! There's a detailed report on this matter on Fire Moth's official website. You can take a closer look."

In front of the crowd, Elysia dodged a rotten egg thrown at her and earnestly pleaded, "The person Lee eliminated a few days ago was indeed a Herrscher. Fire Moth's anti-Honkai medicine, [Holy Blood], is..."

"You're just covering it up! We only demand justice!!" The bespectacled man at the front shouted, clenching his fist angrily. "Hand over the murderer and stop the medicine infection!"

"Yes, hand over the murderer!"

"She must be held responsible for the medicine!"

"Everyone, calm down. Those things online are just rumors. You can't trust them..."

The crowd, following the leader's call, became agitated again. Elysia's voice had absolutely no effect. In fact, if Elysia hadn't used the open space in front of the headquarters to demonstrate her skill of blowing up a huge crater with a single arrow before the crowd surrounded them, the restless mob would probably have already charged.

And looking at the angry faces before her, Elysia felt powerless for the first time.

Honkai could be cleared, Herrschers could be eliminated.

But how could she resolve the invisible and intangible anger and hatred in people's hearts?

They just didn't want to die.

They just wanted fairness.

But the situation that ultimately arose was so complicated.

...She couldn't solve it.

Just as Elysia felt tired and unsure of what to do, a familiar yet calm voice suddenly sounded behind her.

"Elysia, go and rest. I'll handle this."

"Lee?!" Elysia turned around in surprise. Standing behind her was Lee, her long hair tied up. Without a second thought, Elysia quickly lowered her voice and said, "Didn't I tell you not to come? Go back quickly. I can handle this!"

"It's okay... If it can't be avoided, then no matter how difficult the problem is, it must always be faced."

Lee shook her head, took the microphone from Elysia's hand, and walked to the front of the agitated crowd.

"[Quiet.]"

In an instant, the previously tumultuous scene fell silent. Only countless pairs of terrified eyes stared at Lee.

"Since you want to ask questions, then let your leader ask them," Lee said, her gaze earnest. "I will answer any questions directed at me. I won't avoid them—but I hope you won't avoid my questions either."

As the person involved, going head-to-head with the haters was a helpless move, and certainly not the best strategy. But there was no other way now. With the Herrscher of Dominance stirring things up, if she continued to let it fester, the attacks on Fire Moth would only become more intense.

Might as well just have a live confrontation and expose the Herrscher of Dominance's sneaky actions. It would be even better if she could catch a few of the Herrscher's followers.

"Mr. Glasses, you seem to be the leader. I'll trouble you," Lee looked at the man who had been inciting the crowd but now had a pale face, and invited him. "Let's talk openly on stage, shall we?"

"Talk, talk then!"

Although he looked terrified, the man walked onto the stage with trembling legs and glared at Lee. "You're just a murderer who kills at will! You put the label of Herrscher on anyone you dislike and then kill them!"

"Let me explain. The reason I—" Lee was about to explain the situation clearly. She could even use the system to redeem the recording she had used to prove her innocence to Rin, claiming she always carried a body camera.

But at that moment, she suddenly discovered a subtle fact.

"Herrscher?" Lee looked at the masked man in front of her, her eyes suddenly turning dangerous.

She wasn't mistaken. The killing intent was very faint, but it was exactly the same as that of the Herrscher a few days ago—this leader was one of the Herrscher of Dominance!

Just as expected—?

Suddenly, Lee saw the man's face contort in terror. Blood flowed from the corner of his mouth, and he collapsed in agony.

Wait, buddy, I haven't even done anything yet, and you're already down?

"He..." Elysia rushed to the man's side, examined him, and then turned to Lee with a pale face. "He bit his tongue and killed himself."

Almost instantly, the crowd surged—because of Lee's command, they couldn't speak, but that didn't stop people from scrambling to flee the scene.

What a joke! The murderer was really going to start killing people!

Didn't they see that the leader was killed just because he was dissatisfied with her? And he was labeled a Herrscher!

"...It's okay. He was a Herrscher."

Lee sighed softly, walked to the man's corpse, and pierced his chest, preparing to extract the Herrscher core—but the next moment, her expression turned serious.

Nothing?

This guy was clearly a Herrscher!

After a moment of thought, Lee immediately understood the reason—as everyone knew, Herrscher cores were hot-swappable.

This member of the Herrscher of Dominance had probably taken out the core and given it to another companion before coming to cause trouble, then deliberately committed suicide, pretending to be forced to kill himself by Lee's control.

Although Lee herself knew what was going on, how could others believe it?

Looking at Elysia's stiff expression, Lee was truly speechless.

Alright, alright, you Herrscher of Dominance, I was prepared to play with public opinion, but you're going with this, huh?

Then don't blame me for flipping the table!