Shu: Silence… As Long as I Don't Speak, I Win

Looking at Natasha standing before him, nervous yet resolute, Shu remained silent.

He felt that Otto was truly inhuman sometimes.

For someone like Natasha to say such shocking words in front of him, in full view of everyone, must have been due to some misunderstanding.

With a little thought, it was clear that Natasha's eagerness to distance herself from the children, even going so far as to offer to "agree to any of Shu's conditions," was because of her brother.

She hadn't yet realized that Vakh was no longer the Vakh she knew, or perhaps she had, but hadn't fully grasped the specific relationship between Herrschers, Fire Moth, and humanity.

She probably thought Herrschers were traitors born from humanity, defectors to the Honkai side who gained immense power…

But Herrschers weren't traitors to humanity… at least, not the current ones.

Shu didn't believe Otto hadn't had the chance to explain this to Natasha. He deliberately left this problem to him.

"You really don't have to…" After a moment of silence, Shu just opened his mouth when a piercing cry erupted from among the children, drawing everyone's attention.

Shu followed their gaze and saw Lyle huddled among the children, wailing dramatically.

Well, it's fake. I didn't sense any genuine sadness…

Watching Lyle cry while simultaneously pinching Adam's leg hard, Shu's eye twitched.

"Don't hurt Teacher Natasha!!" This was clearly a premeditated plan, orchestrated behind Natasha's back, to sway public opinion and awaken Shu's compassion.

Adam, his face pale, looked down at his bruised thigh, sniffed, and started wailing along with Lyle.

"Waaah! Teacher Natasha~!!"

Natasha: "…"

Shu: "…"

Everyone: "…"

That's too much. Even if Natasha was fine, you're going to make her cry.

Even Li Sushang can tell you're faking it…

The two wailed for a while, then realized they were in an awkward, isolated position.

Crying paused, we have a traitor in the ARC City Little Bunnies!

Two teary eyes turned to Sora, who sat quietly without any reaction.

Sora's face flushed slightly as he turned his head away from the two.

Didn't you see that Shu's attitude is good? You two are still causing trouble…

Did I really used to play with these two?

Seeing the hundreds of pairs of eyes staring at them, Lyle and Adam couldn't bring themselves to continue wailing, only looking at the silent Shu with watery eyes.

We worked together for a while, we even shared a confinement room, you wouldn't make things difficult for Teacher Natasha, would you…?

Shu watched the farce with an impassive face. Heaven knows how much he was complaining internally, but at least on the surface, he had passed the test.

"You really don't have to do this… Our enemies are only the Honkai and the Herrschers. You are, at most, victims." With the drama over, Shu continued what he hadn't finished saying.

"Fire Moth will protect these children…" Shu looked at the relieved Natasha, his expression carefully neutral. "Once the ninth and tenth underground floors are cleared, you can take the children to choose two houses to live in."

"…Thank you." Natasha whispered her thanks, then walked back silently.

She didn't mention joining Fire Moth… She knew she was skilled, a top-ranked mercenary even on [Spiderweb].

But she also understood that she couldn't compare to Shu, whether it was his incredible abilities or the mutated creatures he casually killed, creatures she struggled against. Each instance challenged her worldview.

Did someone with "no special skills" like her really have the qualifications to join Fire Moth?

Even if she was on that "talent recruitment list"?

But these children…

Natasha made up her mind. When Fire Moth announced recruitment, she would do her best to pass the assessment, at least to contribute something to Fire Moth…

Actually, we would welcome you if you joined…

Shu slightly raised his hand, then lowered it.

Forget it, these matters should be discussed after Fire Moth overcomes this Herrscher hurdle…

With that, Shu simply said a few words, then turned and left. Kiana and the others quickly followed.

They were also busy. More than half of the mechs on the eighth floor hadn't successfully awakened, and there was even a Titan mech that had awakened but decided to stay.

These mechs could only be inspected and controlled by Kiana and the others.

As soon as they left, the cafeteria erupted.

"Oh my god! Captain Shu's aura is so strong!!" One woman exclaimed, clutching her chest. "He didn't even speak, and I couldn't breathe!"

"Why didn't we notice Captain Shu had such a powerful presence before?" Another person also seemed shaken.

"Before, we only heard that Captain Shu was amazing. This time, we saw it with our own eyes, and it turns out we weren't praising him enough!!"

"Exactly! I thought Captain Shu was just the kind of expert who could take on a hundred, but I didn't expect him to be a one-man army!!"

"Even a hundred thousand people wouldn't be able to fill the crater Captain Shu carved with that one sword strike! And it was just one strike!!"

"Ah~ I wish I was there… Captain Shu must have looked so cool swinging that sword!"

Actually, it wasn't that cool…

Natasha, the only one present who had witnessed Shu's sword strike up close, recalled his appearance at the time.

Anyone could see that Shu was forcing himself, but even while struggling, he could achieve such a feat. How terrifying would he be at his peak?

Natasha couldn't imagine.

Outside the cafeteria, Shu finally relaxed his tense expression.

"Did you hear? You're a big hero in everyone's hearts now~" Kiana nudged Shu with her elbow, teasing him with raised eyebrows.

"Do you want this big hero title?" Shu rolled his eyes. He wasn't afraid to be himself around familiar faces. "Do you also want to try stopping breathing for thirty minutes?"

Fire back at everything!

"Ugh! No way!" Kiana turned her head away, muttering, "Who wants to be like you…"

Kiana's strange reaction surprised Shu. He looked at her questioningly, but she pushed him.

"Come on! Go get some rest! We still have things to do. Mei, let's go!"