“What’s wrong?” Zane looked at Bronya with a slight smile.
“N-nothing.
My hand just slipped.” Bronya’s face grew even paler.
She quickly grabbed her chopsticks, lowered her head, and started eating her noodles as fast as she could.
She didn’t even realize she was holding both chopsticks upside down.
“…?” Kiana narrowed her eyes.
She had a strong feeling this midget was hiding something.
“Who is Cocolia?” Raiden Mei asked, still confused.
“Wasn’t your father arrested for financial fraud?” “Yes.” Mei’s expression tightened.
“Even though I never believed he would do something like that.” “Cocolia framed him.” “Ah?” Mei was about to defend her father, but the sudden news left her frozen.
Her eyes slowly widened until tears filled them and began to fall.
“I knew it.
I just knew it…” Her voice trembled.
“He’s so clumsy.
How could he ever pull off something like that?
Wuuuuu…” She sniffled, slumped over the table, and hid her face in her arms.
Soon, her tears had soaked her sleeves.
“HEY, MOVE OVER.” Silver Wolf shot Kiana a look.
“What for?” Kiana raised an eyebrow.
This brat was just as annoying as that twin-drilled shorty.
“A beautiful girl is crying right now.
This is the perfect chance for the old man to step in and win her over.” Silver Wolf crossed her arms and spoke like she was giving important tactical advice.
“If he doesn’t do something now, when will he?
He should gently pull her close and say, ‘Everything is going to be okay.'” Then she winked.
“If he gets lucky, maybe tonight they could…
hehe.” Kiana rolled her eyes so hard it looked like they might turn white.
Give up her seat to Zane?
Not in this lifetime!!
She would never hand Mei over to him!!
Raiden Mei’s shoulders twitched.
She sat up straight and wiped her tears away with the back of her hand.
Her cheeks turned red, and the dull look in her deep-purple eyes faded, replaced by a small spark of life.
Her tearful gaze flicked toward Zane for an instant before darting away in panic.
“Thank you.
Please…
tell me the truth.” All the girls turned to stare at Silver Wolf, not saying a word.
Are you trying to find your dad a girlfriend, or are you just here to cause chaos?
Evanescia narrowed her eyes.
She had a strong feeling it was the latter.
“…” Zane gave Silver Wolf a blank look.
“The truth is a bit of a long story,” Zane said.
“Right now, there are two major organizations publicly fighting the Honkai: Schicksal and Anti-Entropy.” “Your father and Cocolia are both Executors in Anti-Entropy.
Unlike Schicksal, Anti-Entropy operates more like a loose alliance of warlords.” “Since the Second Eruption in 2000, their leader, Welt, has been hiding and recovering from serious injuries.
Cocolia’s ambitions have only grown since then.” “She wants to seize control of all Anti-Entropy.
Her first step is eliminating any strong competitors.” With every sentence Zane spoke, Bronya’s face got even paler.
Mother…
“Mei, your Stigmata awakened when you were eight years old.
To seal it away, your father implanted the Gem of Conquest inside you.” “Why seal it?” Zane continued.
“Because a Stigmata awakening grants tremendous power, but it is also notoriously easy to lose control.
Your father likely only wanted you to grow up healthy and happy.” Mei felt a loud buzzing in her head…
Memories of practicing kendo with her father flashed before her eyes.
[Mei, let me ask you.
Why exactly do you study kendo?
Why do you swing that bamboo sword?] [I’m sorry.
I…
I don’t know.
Did you teach me kendo so I could become a great warrior?
So I could fight and protect others?] [No, of course not.
As your father, my only wish is for you to grow up healthy and happy.] [I taught you kendo because I hoped this skill might help you one day.
Even if you fall behind, I want you to have the willpower to stand back up, fight back, and grow through hardship.] Thinking about her father’s gentle words, Raiden Mei’s eyes filled with tears again.
He had only wanted her to live a normal life.
When she looked at Zane, her eyes softened.
He was tall, handsome, and somehow made her feel safe.
For a moment, he reminded her of her father’s protection.
“Cocolia targeted you because you are a natural-born Stigmata carrier.
She wanted to capture you and experiment on the Gem of Conquest.” “Your father embezzled funds from Massive Electric to forge a katana called Plasma Kagehide.
It has the power to freeze a Herrscher.” “He was terrified that your Stigmata might awaken again and that you would lose control.
If that happened, he planned to use that blade to freeze you and keep you safe.” “Unfortunately, Cocolia used that against him.
Your father went to prison, and Massive Electric fell into her hands.” The more Zane talked, the paler Bronya looked.
Under the table, her small fists clenched so tightly her knuckles turned white.
She knew Cocolia was exactly that kind of person.
Capturing Mei, researching Stigmata, experimenting on the Gem, and searching for Seele all fit with Cocolia’s growing hunger for power.
And Bronya had willingly served as her blade.
All for Seele’s sake…
“Mei, who do you think ordered those classmates to bully you?” Zane gave her a knowing smile.
Thump.
Mei’s heart skipped a beat.
Nearby, Bronya almost ground her teeth together.
She was behind that too?
Cocolia, is there any line you won’t cross?
“Was it…
Cocolia too?” Mei asked.
“Bingo.” Zane nodded.
“She wanted to force you to accumulate negative emotions.
It was a calculated move to trigger another Stigmata awakening and make the Gem of Conquest turn you into a Herrscher.” “!!” Raiden Mei gritted her teeth, her fists trembling.
Suddenly, everything made sense.
“THAT COCOLIA WOMAN IS HORRIBLE!” Elysia said, her face flushed with anger.
“She sacrificed millions of innocent people and artificially triggered a Honkai Eruption for her own selfish desires.” She turned to Mei, her voice softening.
“Mei, please don’t blame yourself for this.” “She’s right, Mei.
This isn’t your fault,” Furina said.
“Cocolia is the one responsible,” Miyabi added.
None of them had met Cocolia, but the girls all felt a strong dislike for her.
One by one, they tried to comfort Mei.
“If my Zane hadn’t shown up in time, Mei probably would have been taken away by that woman,” Evanescia added with a sweet smile.
Zane stopped for a moment.
My Zane?
Where did that come from?
Silver Wolf shot Evanescia a dirty look.
This woman was definitely trying to become her stepmother.
Annoying…
“Thank you, Zane.” Raiden Mei nodded with determination, her tears replaced by resolve.
“I won’t drown in guilt anymore.
I’ll use my power to do whatever I can to help.” When she looked at Zane again, there was a gentle look in her eyes, though she didn’t seem to notice it herself.
“…” Evanescia caught the look and smirked.
Oh my.
Looks like Mei was starting to fall for him…
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