Honkai, why do you only throw me into high-level battles?

Now that Lin Wei had woken up from his deep sleep and no longer needed her additional protection, Yae Sakura was unwilling to linger in the real world.

After quietly sharing a late "breakfast" with Lin Wei, she bid him farewell and returned to the Stigmata Space on her own.

For her, the "small" Yae Village in the Stigmata Space was more expansive than the real world outside.

Lin Wei understood this perfectly, and didn't try to stop her. He just proactively took on the task of washing the dishes. He never liked unilaterally enjoying the contributions of others. It made him feel indebted.

Yae Sakura didn't insist otherwise.

The soft sound of water echoed. Lin Wei took ten minutes to wash all the dishes, and wrapped up the leftovers to put in the fridge – no choice, Yae Sakura had made way too much.

She herself didn't eat much, but how could Lin Wei finish it all alone?

Well, tomorrow's meal was settled too.

After cleaning the dining room and kitchen, Lin Wei spent another twenty minutes taking care of his personal hygiene, mainly taking a shower. After all, since setting off for Coral Island, he hadn't had a proper cleaning. He'd come straight back and gone to bed, sleeping like the dead for two days. Lin Wei looked in the mirror and felt he was utterly slovenly now.

"Looking like that, it's a wonder Yae Sakura managed to hold back her laughter…"

Coming out of the shower, Lin Wei muttered to himself, toweling his hair.

As for whether Yae Sakura might have peeked while he was showering…

Lin Wei, well-versed in the art of "playing dumb," felt that some questions were best left unasked, or it might end up being awkward for someone…

After all, she was a female pervert who fed medicine mouth-to-mouth, shamelessly taking advantage of Kallen without batting an eyelid, and then looking at the other's panicked face with innocent eyes.

As for whether Yae Sakura was secretly enjoying herself at the time…

Anyway, even if you asked the person herself, she wouldn't admit it.

Just as Lin Wei's thoughts were starting to wander in strange directions again, he suddenly felt the Stigmata on his chest twitch, a jolt like being electrocuted, instantly snapping him back to his senses.

"Hiss…"

"Apologies, Lin Wei-kun…"

Yae Sakura's calm voice sounded in his mind.

"After all, I was just an ordinary shrine maiden before. Suddenly gaining such powerful strength, sometimes my body is hard to control and moves on its own. I am truly sorry."

Saying "sorry," but there was no hint of apology in her tone…

Lin Wei rolled his eyes. Annoyed into anger, is she?

However, this kind of occasional interaction was actually quite amusing, so…

She'd dare do it again!

Lin Wei laughed heartily, dried the water from his hair and body, and prepared to go back to sleep.

Damn Tesla, disturbing my peaceful sleep. I haven't slept enough yet.

Lin Wei grumbled to himself. He was just that kind of unambitious guy.

But… he couldn't fall asleep!

Yae Sakura's little jolt just now was really too refreshing!

"Lin Wei-kun seems to be awake now? I forgot to mention something just now. Ms. Anna seemed to have sent a message this morning."

Yae Sakura saw Lin Wei tossing and turning in bed, unable to sleep. She guessed that her earlier little scare had completely driven away his sleepiness, making her feel very pleased. But on the surface, she chatted with Lin Wei casually, her tone gentle and considerate.

"But you were still asleep at the time, and after thinking it over, I didn't proactively wake you. I just hope my presumption didn't delay anything urgent…"

Anna's message?

Lin Wei's heart tightened at first, then immediately relaxed – Tesla and Einstein's call just now hadn't mentioned any other incidents, especially Honkai events. This meant that so far, nothing major had happened, so there was no need to be overly suspicious and scare himself unnecessarily.

It was also based on the same judgment that Yae Sakura hadn't told Lin Wei about this at the first moment, selfishly enjoying a bit of alone time.

"Whoa! An email, making it so formal?"

Lin Wei pulled out his phone, seeing the notification of a new email message, couldn't help but click his tongue in wonder. He opened it with some curiosity, and saw a long letter full of sincere emotion.

"Durandal-level treatment, huh…"

Lin Wei finished reading it seriously, and sighed helplessly.

"Sakura, you've already put away that pendant for me, right?"

"I only took it out from your laundry and put it in a box. After all, such important things are best kept by yourself."

Yae Sakura shook her head with a smile.

"A maiden's brave act of expressing her heart, truly admirable… But judging by Lin Wei-kun's expression, you seem quite troubled by it?"

Lin Wei got out of bed, walked to the living room. A delicate small box was placed in the center of the clean tabletop. Lin Wei opened it, picked up the half-heart pendant safely nestled inside, and dangled it in his palm, twinkling with starlight-like light.

This was the first time he'd seriously, wholeheartedly appreciated this precious "gift." The more he looked, the more beautiful he found it to be.

"It's not for myself that I feel troubled, but I feel pity for her. After all, she's different from you, Sakura…"

After looking at it seriously for a long time, he finally sighed softly.

"Your and my life paths are completely intertwined, sharing life and death, and will continue to move forward together for a long time to come. But Anna is different…"

Lin Wei reached out with his other hand, summoned Pandora's Box, carefully placed the pendant into another box.

"She has her own choices and path, but by some twist of fate, she became deeply entangled with me, entrusting half of her path into my hands… And me? Heh, just the existence of the Key of Erosion alone means that I can't have a peaceful resolution with Otto, the Schicksal Overseer."

"And to deal with such a madman who might do anything dangerous, it's uncertain if I'll do even crazier things. Heh, even I myself can't predict what I'll become then…"

Lin Wei clenched Pandora's Box tightly, raised his head slightly, casting his gaze towards the distant unknown, the corners of his mouth curving into a dangerous arc. Then his expression returned to calm, and he sighed with pity.

"It's just that when that time comes, Anna… this naive Valkyrie who entrusted half her path to me, and left half her path with Schicksal, will probably face a very painful conflict and choice…"

"..."

Yae Sakura was stunned, falling silent. For some reason, she particularly couldn't stand seeing or hearing about these entangled, helpless stories, because they always reminded her of herself in the past, being constantly torn apart and crushed by helplessness and self-denial.

"You'll have a way, right? Lin Wei-kun?"

For some reason, she had inexplicable confidence in Lin Wei.

"…If possible, I hope that day never comes. Peaceful life is better than anything else."

Lin Wei said softly, putting Pandora's Box back into his body – along with the pendant protected by the Divine Key.

"But if that day really does come… if she doesn't know how to choose, then don't choose. I'll make the decision for her – just like I made the decision for you back then, Sakura. Heh, after all, guiding people in the direction to move forward, I can do it once, I don't mind doing it again."

"…Yeah, you really are unreasonable."

Hearing Lin Wei say this about himself, Yae Sakura wasn't angry, only murmured a complaint with a touch of wistfulness.

Lin Wei laughed heartily, feeling that he was really being too much, always forcibly kidnapping other people's wills with his own intentions, making them act for him, and pay the price for his actions.

Fu Hua was like that, Su was like that, Yae Sakura was like that, and those unlucky Anti-Entropy folks were like that too…

But Anna was a little different. She suddenly barged into his world in a way and at a speed that caught Lin Wei off guard.

And by the time he reacted, he found he couldn't just put that girl down as if nothing had happened.

That girl is really unreasonable…

Lin Wei smiled wryly. He felt he'd stumbled and fallen into this mess inexplicably, yet helplessly.

Oh well, take it one step at a time…

Lin Wei thought, picking up his coat, ready to go out.

"It's almost dark, what are you planning to do?"

Yae Sakura asked, a little curious.

"Go buy a new computer. Otherwise, what will I use to play games tonight?"

Lin Wei said in annoyance.

The last computer had been completely wrecked by him and Bronya working together. Its remains were still cold.

"..."

Yae Sakura felt her back twinge. Seriously, does this guy's train of thought have no warning signs when it jumps tracks?

She felt like she was being teased, and was in a bad mood, deciding to retaliate properly.

"Since Lin Wei-kun is planning to go out, that's perfect. You've rested for so long, you've become a bit lax in your training. From today onwards, you should strictly resume. You must know that a strong physique is the foundation of all undertakings."

"???"

Lin Wei looked utterly bewildered, pointing outside the window.

"Seriously, it's almost dark outside, sis!"

"Then start with a night run. Twenty kilometers, you can come back for dinner when you're done."

"Hey! I'm going to buy a computer! If I finish running, the store will be closed!"

Lin Wei still wanted to argue, but Yae Sakura didn't intend to let him off, her face wearing a gentle smile, speaking demonicly terrifying words in a clear, pleasant voice.

"Since Lin Wei-kun is so proactive, deciding to voluntarily increase his load, then let's start counting from the store onwards…"

"!!!"

Lin Wei shouted "say no" loudly.

Yae Sakura smiled kindly, silent, letting someone decide for himself.

Lin Wei retreated in defeat.

… … … … … …

On the other side, Coral Island, at a "collapse accident" cleanup site.

It was already night. All the construction teams had clocked out. Isolation tapes had been set up around a certain underground parking lot, to prevent citizens from entering and encountering danger.

The UN investigation team, who had come from afar, upheld their professional spirit and were still peering into a bottomless huge hole.

"Ms. Cleo, please step back a little. The cleanup and investigation here haven't finished yet. There might be secondary collapses at any time. Getting too close to the hole could be dangerous."

An accompanying staff member reminded her with a worried expression.

He'd just seen that slender, imposing woman in front, her originally not-very-pale face now ashen, walking around the edge of the hole, peering down, and the closer she got, the more oppressive her aura became, like a volcano about to erupt.

The woman named Cleo stopped when she heard this, and glanced back at the man. The man, being stared at by those golden eyes, instantly broke out in sweat on his forehead, feeling as if he'd just been targeted by some man-eating monster.

"Thank you for your kind intentions, sir."

Cleo suddenly retracted the terrifying aura emanating from her body, revealing an elegant and proper smile, obediently and slowly backing away from the hole.

"After all, I'm on duty. It's unavoidable that I want to learn more first-hand information. I'm sorry to have made you worry."

"No, no…"

The man waved his hands repeatedly. He instinctively felt that this woman's smile was as dangerous as a viper. He couldn't help but back away again and again.

"Thank you for your understanding, Ms. Cleo. After all… we're also doing this to ensure your safety, Ms…"

Seeing the man in front of her so frightened by her, Cleo stopped, feeling a bit bored. She still spoke in a proper tone,

"In that case, I'll go back to the hotel first. Other specialists will continue to investigate here tomorrow. Please take good care of them then, sir."

"Ah? … Ah! Yes, Ms. Cleo, please rest assured!"

The man watched Cleo's receding figure leave slowly, finally letting out a long breath after a long while, feeling inexplicably like he'd survived a disaster.

Cleo left by car, entering a hotel not far away, but didn't enter her room, instead directly taking the elevator to the rooftop terrace, strolling slowly to the edge. Holding onto the railing, she enjoyed the vastness of the ocean in the night.

The unshielded sea breeze blew her wavy long hair, making it seem to truly transform into waves.

"Come out, Gray Serpent, you're late."

After a moment, Cleo said aloud without turning her head, her tone carrying a confidence of being in control.

"Heh, late? No… Letting myself arrive a little later than the host, that's just the proper etiquette of a guest."

A thin figure in a hooded sweatshirt walked over from the other side, their voice sounding like it was being amplified through a box, it was Gray Serpent.

"Looking at your expression, you seem very disappointed? Jackal."

Cleo, no, Jackal, turned her head to glance at the leisurely Gray Serpent, frowning in displeasure, and said,

"Whether I'm disappointed or not, I just need to look at you to know—it seems, my meticulously designed first-generation 'Anti-Erosion Key System' still failed. Otherwise, you wouldn't have this attitude, and that detestable guy would be obediently appearing on my experimental platform right now."

Jackal sighed with disappointment and a touch of melancholy, and spread her hands.

"Looks like, I still need to keep improving my plan."

Gray Serpent didn't take it seriously, just said in his usual unhurried tone,

"Failure also has its value. After all, whether it's the evolution of a species, or the continuation of a civilization, so-called 'victory' always stands on a peak piled up by failures and deaths…"

"Stop your pointless chanting and get to the point."

Jackal interrupted Gray Serpent impatiently.

"Tell me, what do we do now? The losses this time aren't small. This isn't just my personal property, it's the assets of the entire organization. Don't tell me we're just letting this go…"

The more agitated Jackal became, the calmer she became at the last sentence, her tone sarcastic.

"To be an enemy of the Serpent, even Schicksal must pay the corresponding price."

Gray Serpent said calmly. He found this woman Jackal rather boring. In comparison, he still preferred talking to Raven.

"Oh? What are you planning to do?"

Jackal asked with interest. She'd been annoyed with Schicksal for a long time.

"The calm before the storm should be cherished, not discarded. It's just a few Valkyries, no need to make a fuss."

Gray Serpent said in a muffled voice.

"The footsteps of the Finality are already at the door, and we should also prepare to welcome back the Lord."

"Welcome back the Lord?"

Jackal was taken aback, racking her brains for a long time, but still couldn't understand how this matter was related to welcoming back the Lord. Her pair of golden eyes stared intently at Gray Serpent, feeling that her proud self-esteem was being scorned.

"Gray Serpent, are you hiding something from me?"