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

A display of goodwill, a subtle warning—complex messages conveyed through a seemingly innocuous arrangement.

Lin Wei scoffed. This scheming woman…

The third-floor room, the table by the window—Rita's message was clear: We mean you no harm. Don't worry about poisoned food or air. The unsuspecting people outside reinforced this point. An empty room minimized collateral damage.

A relaxed, non-hostile atmosphere had been meticulously crafted.

It didn't take a genius to understand. Anyone seeing the laughing children and sunbathing elderly outside would lower their guard.

That was the goodwill. As for the warning…

"One doesn't strike a smiling face." We've made our intentions clear. Consider the innocent civilians outside, Mr. Lin Wei. Don't act rashly.

Understanding this, Lin Wei couldn't help but feel slightly annoyed.

Lost in thought, he saw Rita returning from the kitchen. He resumed eating.

"Please enjoy."

Rita's cooking, surprisingly, was excellent, not at all what he expected from someone British. The simple food was unexpectedly delicious.

Her arrangements were indeed interesting.

Lin Wei popped a grape into his mouth, his gaze drifting to the window. From the third floor, he could see the plaza below, the classically European buildings, and the distant, misty mountains. He played the role of a recently awakened patient, feigning ignorance.

"How long have I been asleep? What about the Honkai eruption? Is it resolved?"

"It's been four days since Lady Durandal brought you back. The Honkai disaster is contained, but the damage is extensive."

Rita closed her eyes, shaking her head regretfully. "Without your timely intervention, the losses would have been far greater."

She continued, her voice sincere, "The Overseer is deeply concerned about your well-being. He'll be relieved to hear of your recovery." She watched him with keen, red eyes, observing his every move.

Despite his prickly demeanor, they'd fought alongside each other. She couldn't help but feel a certain curiosity. Of course, observation was part of her assignment.

"Another serving." Lin Wei, uncomfortable under her scrutiny, finished his food quickly and requested more. You're a maid here, Rita. Act like it.

"Certainly." Rita, unfazed, cleared the table, returning with another plate, placing it before him with practiced grace. "Please enjoy. Also, allow me to remind you that you're still weak. You should pace yourself."

"…" Lin Wei glanced at her smiling face, sighing inwardly. There's no reasoning with her. She's as stubborn as they come.

"Where are we? This doesn't look like that… floating island you mentioned." He gestured towards the window, maintaining his act.

"We are in Kolosten, a city in central Europe. Its peaceful environment and pleasant climate are more conducive to your recovery than the floating island."

"Concerned? I doubt that." Lin Wei scoffed. "If Otto truly cared, I'd be strapped to an operating table or floating in a tank, not lying in an ordinary bed."

"…It seems you misunderstand the Overseer. You're overthinking it," Rita replied, thinking, How do you know he didn't want to? It's just too risky.

This deep distrust of the Overseer… it did fit the profile.

She decided to test further. "We heard that Anti-Entropy…"

"Don't mention Anti-Entropy. It ruins my mood." Lin Wei interrupted sharply. "Let them die. I don't care!" He was still furious about the trouble they'd caused.

"…" Rita observed his darkening expression, taken aback. His anger lacked any trace of sorrow. It wasn't quite like Welt.

He's full of contradictions.

Rita's curiosity intensified. She remembered the unspoken connection between Lin Wei and Fu Hua. If that's the case…

"Do you have any plans, Mr. Lin Wei?" she asked softly.

"Plans?" Lin Wei took a sip of the remaining milk. "I plan to go home and sleep. Will you let me?"

"You jest." Rita smiled faintly, responding with polite defiance. "Lady Durandal asked me to extend her regards. I must ensure your well-being before you depart." Don't play innocent. You attacked even Lady Durandal.

"Oh, Durandal? She was here?" Lin Wei seemed oblivious to her implication, sounding surprised. "I gave her a cat. I wonder if she likes it. She also…" He almost mentioned the autograph she owed him but thought better of it, changing his words. "I think she liked the cat quite a bit."

Durandal petting the cat had been a sight to behold.

"Cat?" Rita raised an eyebrow, intrigued.

Upon returning to HQ and receiving her orders, she'd almost been scratched by a cat that leaped out as she opened the door. She'd narrowly dodged, initially thinking an enemy had infiltrated HQ. Realizing it was just a small, oddly colored cat, she'd been stunned.

The cat had stared at her, stretched nonchalantly, and then sauntered off to a cat bed in the middle of the living room, languidly flicking its long tail.

Rita had been speechless, noticing the cat had been staring at the Schicksal emblem on her uniform. What is this, a guard cat? she thought.

When she'd asked around, she'd learned Durandal had taken it in as a pet. Rita, accepting the situation, had even left out some premium cat food.

Now, she learned Lin Wei was involved. This guy… he's everywhere.

"Yeah. I was sightseeing in Manila, minding my own business, when Otto suddenly declared me 'Anti-Entropy's spy.'" Lin Wei fiddled with his glass, sounding innocent. "I didn't understand, but how could the Overseer be wrong? So, I played along. Otherwise, I wouldn't have met the renowned Durandal." He sighed dramatically. "First a spy, now a guest…or are both lies?"

He wasn't lying. Without Otto's blunder, things wouldn't have gone so smoothly. As for the parts he omitted… they weren't worth mentioning.

The conversation had subtly shifted, revealing a hint of underlying conflict.

I know you were in Manila… Rita's expression turned serious. "Forgive me, but given your presence there, and the subsequent Honkai eruption…" She didn't want to think the worst, but the coincidence was troubling.

She also remembered his reaction in Singapore. It hadn't been surprise, but uncontrollable rage…

Too many coincidences.

"Hmph, how should I know?" Lin Wei was still furious, even after all this time. "If I knew what was going on, the eruption wouldn't have happened. It wasn't a natural disaster. It was man-made."

He'd been so close. If he'd been more perceptive…

Even now, he felt frustrated and bitter.

"…I see." Rita received the answer she sought, ending the topic with a faint smile. "Would you like more milk?"

Given his attitude, peacefully persuading him to return to HQ seemed unlikely.

Better to wait for Lady Durandal's return, she thought apologetically.