Chapter 51: Bronya Appears, but "Fool" Otto Isn’t Buying It
Chapter 51: Bronya Appears, but "Fool" Otto Isn't Buying It
Seeing the red text float across the screen, Hokuto couldn't help but sigh.
Yeah… this is definitely Dark Seele.
If it were the usual Seele, she'd probably hesitate and stutter before even thinking about asking. But her other self? She just went ahead and did what Seele never dared to do—straight to the point, no nonsense.
『Hokuto:』 "Ahem, alright then… Let me explain. What's the first thing that comes to mind when you hear the word 'paramecium'?"
『Your Great Inventor:』 "Paramecium is a small, cylindrical, unicellular organism. It is a type of protozoa and one of the most well-known single-celled organisms. The most common species is Paramecium caudatum. It measures about 180 to 280 micrometers in length and has a lifespan of about 24 hours. However—"
『Hokuto:』 "—WAIT, HOLD UP. No, no, no. That's not wrong, but also not the point!"
Hokuto quickly cut off Otto before he could launch into a full-blown biology lecture.
『Hokuto:』 "The reason for the nickname is… well, remember back in Chapter 3? Kiana kept suggesting the dumbest plans, and someone in the chat said even a paramecium wouldn't believe her ideas."
『Your Great Inventor:』 "…That's it? That's the entire reason?"
『Embrace Your Power, Seele:』 "Heh… interesting. Then from now on, I'll call her Paramecium."
『Embrace Your Power, Seele:』 "Or maybe just 'Bug-Bug.' Sounds cuter."
With that settled, Hokuto refocused on the game.
—
The next mission began.
As the battle phase started, alarms blared, red warning lights flashing across the screen.
Well… not that it mattered.
Even with the enemy reinforcements, they never stood a chance.
With Bronya's mechs and heavy artillery, combined with Kiana and Mei's teamwork, the enemies were absolutely obliterated before they could even get a proper attack in.
Normally, after a performance like that, Seele would immediately start showering Bronya with praise.
But this time…
She was silent.
Hokuto glanced at the chat list—Seele was still in the stream, but she wasn't saying anything.
Ah… so when Dark Seele takes over, the main Seele falls completely silent?
That was a bit disappointing. Hokuto had been looking forward to watching the two Seele personalities talk to themselves like some kind of comedy skit.
『Embrace Your Power, Seele:』 "Why aren't we moving? Someone here was reaaally interested in the outcome of this little farce~"
Seeing Dark Seele's blood-red text appear in the chat, Hokuto didn't waste any more time.
Next cutscene—start.
—
Onscreen, Theresa and Kiana's conversation played out.
[Ziggy!]
[Huh? Theresa, what are you talking about?]
[Ah… Sorry. Your back just reminded me of when I fought alongside your father.]
[Wait—! You fought with my dad? Tell me more!]
Theresa sighed dramatically.
[He was an absolute idiot. Never listened to commands. Always ran straight into hordes of Honkai Beasts like some kind of lunatic. Not to mention—his memory was awful. This man couldn't even remember his own warship's security codes.]
[Hey! That totally sounds like Dad!]
[But… well, I guess he wasn't all bad.]
…
[Anyway, this isn't the time for chit-chat. I'll tell you more later when this mission is over.]
[Promise!]
With that, the mission ended.
『Hokuto:』 "Alright, onto the next one."
—
New mission began.
Onscreen, Theresa and Himeko were discussing their next move.
[We're out of options. The ME Corp building is completely locked down. We should retreat for now.]
『Embrace Your Power, Seele:』 "Oh? They're just going to give up? Hah. How boring~"
Before Dark Seele could finish her taunting message, Kiana's portrait suddenly appeared.
[No! I won't give up! I don't care if I have to do this alone—I'm going in to save Mei!]
『Embrace Your Power, Seele:』 "Hah. Adorable. I wonder if she'll still be this naive the next time someone betrays her."
『Hokuto:』 "She will."
『Embrace Your Power, Seele:』 "…What?"
『Hokuto:』 "No matter how many times it happens, Kiana will always believe in her friends. It's just who she is."
Just as Hokuto finished speaking, Himeko's voice rang out in the game.
[Wait! We can't trust her. Last time, she got controlled, and that's how Mei got captured. Why would she suddenly appear now?]
And then—
[Major Himeko, please trust me. No matter what happens… I will save Mei.]
Silence.
For the first time, all three viewers sent the same message at once:
『…』
『Hokuto:』 "Any thoughts?"
『Embrace Your Power, Seele:』 "Hehehe… how cute."
『Embrace Your Power, Seele:』 "So cute, I almost want to see her get betrayed again, just to see how long she can keep this faith."
『Hokuto:』 "And if it happens? She'll still believe in people."
『Embrace Your Power, Seele:』 "Why?"
『Hokuto:』 "Because that's the Kaslana way."
At that moment—
A green text message appeared.
『Your Great Inventor:』 "Is this girl being controlled again?"
Otto's calm, analytical response stood out against the emotional reactions of the others.
He wasn't convinced at all.
Hokuto smirked.
Well… looks like our 'Fool' isn't so easy to fool.
End of Chapter 51