Honkai, This Is My Vengeance

"Dominator Doll · Hanabi" didn't shame Kevin Kaslana too much.

Now, seeing the latter let out a sigh from deep within... Although she beat around the bush and avoided the important issues, she merely chuckled softly and fell silent.

Apparently, she... even the Ling Ke behind her now focused more on Raiden Meii and Mei, as well as the situation of Kevin's trio during this period.

Speaking of which, why did Ling Ke conclude that Raiden Mei at that time was incredibly foolish?

You have to know that, as someone who once held deep hatred in her heart, she actually believed in the power of "love."

But that in no way meant she still yearned for it.

However...

"The power of 'hatred' is formidable. If 'love' cannot match it, how could it ever be worthy of being its polar opposite?"

In short, though Ling Ke would not walk the path of "love," she wouldn't deny its potential either.

But — "The current Raiden Mei is different!"

In Ling Ke's view, what she displayed was not "love" at all.

Rather, it was like—

"She's still running away."

"It's merely a deceptive approach."

Yes.

What Raiden Mei was doing now was not the so-called steadfastness of heart.

At this point, Ling Ke didn't even need to rely on the power of "omniscience" to gather information. Just by observing her "accidental entry into the void," the aura of self-destruction within her grew stronger and stronger, as she gradually advanced toward that most brutal of endings...

It was obvious that her essence was still as fragile as cheap, decorative glass.

As if the truth in her heart was this:

"If I make that decision, Kiana definitely won't blame me."

To be honest, just from this perspective, in Raiden Mei's heart, Kiana truly was more important than the world.

Although in this form, such longing for beauty seemed a little twisted and extremely odd.

It was as if Raiden Mei had returned to how she once was.

Unconsciously treating the ever-reliable Kiana as a shield — a reason to flee without guilt.

And—

"Though she now appears to have regained faith, she hasn't truly calmed down from start to finish."

"Otherwise..."

Ling Ke curled the corners of his mouth slightly. "How could she have failed to notice that the café was full of suspicious things?"

"I deliberately left so many flaws, and gave plenty of hints."

—

Outside the World.

Inside that café.

Raiden Mei was explaining the "future" to May and Kevin.

This included not only information related to the coming Great Collapses, but also the extinction of the Previous Era, the birth of the current civilization, the complete destruction of this current one, and why the Previous Era received a "second chance." All sorts of things.

May and Kevin listened intently.

Of the two, Kevin had softened after being stared down by Raiden Mei earlier.

And now, he was very concerned about the "future" Raiden Mei spoke of.

As for May... well, after Raiden Mei dropped the key information, she couldn't tell if this girl was speaking nonsense or not.

Because some theories, though vaguely worded by Raiden Mei, left traceable clues.

That was all.

"...We had no resistance in front of the 'Ruler who Governs.'"

"Back then, he sought revenge not only by slaughtering indiscriminately, but by 'violently attacking our beliefs.'"

"So he turned back time more than 50,000 years, letting this era return and receive a 'second chance.'"

"And according to him, everyone born after those 50,000 years — including me — if they want their era to come again... this era must go down the same path of destruction."

"But now, I believe there must be another way."

"Let the two eras coexist."

"So, I want to work together with you — advancing and retreating together."

"Because you'll have the strongest combat strength and intelligence of this era in the future."

...

Raiden Mei said a lot all at once.

But when she finally finished all her words — which were already significantly simplified — neither May nor Kevin responded immediately.

Because both were trying hard to digest the flood of information in their minds.

Raiden Mei waited patiently.

In truth, she didn't want to talk about such highly sensitive and crisis-laden topics in such a public place.

However, she hadn't yet gained May's trust.

It was almost impossible for the other person to willingly go somewhere more suitable for these discussions.

And—

"The environment in this café is quite noisy."

Raiden Mei actually felt somewhat grateful for that.

In such a noisy environment, others nearby, even if they caught fragments of their words, didn't take them seriously. They continued chatting with their friends... or family.

She even overheard murmurs like, "Is this a role-play?" and "Maybe it's some sort of script."

It was fine.

Not exposed.

"Huh?"

Kevin suddenly made a sound. "Why haven't we gotten our foamed lattes yet?"

"Wait here, I'll go ask at the counter."

Kevin left the table.

At this point, May was still deep in thought, and Kevin had seemingly reached his conclusion ahead of her. Clearly, instead of analyzing everything...

He simply wasn't suited for mentally exhausting discussions.

Also—

"Anyway, we've got Mei here!"

"So let Mei explain it to me!"

That was probably what Kevin was thinking right now.

To be honest, seeing Kevin's behavior, watching him rush off toward the counter, Raiden Mei found herself at a bit of a loss for words.

She always felt that Kevin, back then, might not have been able to stay close...

Just like Kiana, who still lived peacefully at St. Freya Academy — skipping class, dozing off, drooling during lectures when someone mentioned food...

Clearly...

She always talked about "the glory of the Kaslana household," and had to endure cruel fate...

"...But it wasn't until the tragedy really unfolded before me that I realized I'd wasted too much time and too many chances to improve."

"Maybe this is what they call: You won't cry until you see the coffin."

A sarcastic voice reached her ears.

"!!!"

Raiden Mei suddenly stood up in shock.

She was so tense in that moment that she even... drew her dagger without hesitation.

Her eyes snapped to the source of the voice.

This sudden commotion startled May at the same table as well.

The latter, having her thoughts interrupted, turned her head and saw the blade that had instantly appeared in Raiden Mei's hand.

That look.

"Is what she said... true?"

Facts before her eyes.

Supernatural forces truly existed!

Then—

"You're far too careless, Raiden Mei."

Not far away, at another table, "Dominator Doll Hanabi" sat, facing Raiden Mei's stare, a mischievous smile on her face.

"You used to follow Raven when World Serpent was doing dirty work... Even back during your 'newbie days on the road,' you didn't act this badly."

"At least back then, those of you who'd been overprotected were growing."

"Why are you regressing now?"

"I'm disappointed!"

She had just finished speaking—

Ding~

Ding~

Ding~

Before Raiden Mei could react, "Dominator Doll Hanabi" casually picked up a small spoon and tapped the side of her coffee cup twice.

Next moment—

"!!!" ×4

Raiden Mei, May, and Kevin... even the Kevin Kaslana at the same table as Hanabi, all wore stunned expressions.

Because, right inside this café—

At that moment, a flurry of illusory swimming fish emerged in the air, and everyone around them twisted like smoke and light...

Then... everything turned into Hanabi.

"You..."

Raiden Mei gripped her weapon.

In her sight—

"Hehehe~"

"Hello~"

"Ahahahaha!!!"

Whether it was an employee holding a loyalty card...

Guests at tiny tables...

Or even — Kevin Kaslana seated with "Dominator Doll Hanabi."

In that instant, they all transformed into double-tailed maid Sakurahitomi girls.

Unsurprisingly, Kevin Kaslana, now "transformed," looked at his delicate hands and the short skirt revealing his thighs...

He had "trembling eyes."

He had clearly experienced Hanabi's twisted taste firsthand.

Meanwhile—

Clatter~

Young Kevin, who had been returning with three intentionally delayed lattes, suddenly dropped his tray in shock.

He rushed to Mei's side in a few steps and shielded her—

Without hesitation.

Just then—

Buzz~

A space portal opened nearby.

Under the astonished eyes of "Thunderbolt Mei," May, and young Kevin—

What appeared on the other side was a grand palace overlooking a theater.

Inside, Ling Ke sat lazily on a throne with an extremely high backrest.

He crossed his legs, then stood slowly, and step by step — under Raiden Mei's stunned gaze — walked out from the "absolute safe zone" she had believed to be his.

As he entered the café—

"Do you like the scene I arranged?"

Ling Ke gestured around and introduced: "This is the famous scene of Professor James Moriarty, the first supervillain in history—

"I've always loved this scene, especially... the complex expression on a player's face the moment a secret is revealed."

Pointing at Raiden Mei, he smiled meaningfully:

"Just like yours now."