The Vixen's Gambit: Tonight We Hunt

"Don't worry, she'll come around…" Otto wasn't concerned about the seemingly existential crisis Fu Hua was experiencing.

Having lived so long, he believed his old friend had some mental fortitude—and if she didn't, she'd just forget.

Heh, forgetting painful memories, such a gentle yet cruel shackle.

Sometimes he wondered if such shackles would have made his own life easier—no, he probably would have died long ago. Forgetting Lihua would have removed his reason for living.

But he'd rather endure a thousand times the pain, even forget himself, than forget her. As for Fu Hua… sadly, she wasn't given a choice.

"Let's leave her be. There's something more interesting I want to discuss…"

Otto's smile widened, but he, Kallen, and Eleanor had subtly formed a triangle, surrounding Mei. "This is important, so I hope you'll answer truthfully—it's for everyone's benefit, isn't it?"

"Grandpa, are you looking for a fight again?!"

Theresa's nervous voice highlighted the tense atmosphere, dividing the group once more.

"Theresa, do I seem like a bad person? I simply want an answer, and she… must answer." Otto's smile was sincere, but it held no warmth, only cold determination. "Miss Raiden Mei, I have no wish for further conflict. I ask you sincerely: where is Lihua? How is she?"

"Playing dumb is pointless. We heard you—you did say Lihua, right?!" Eleanor's gaze was fixed on Mei. Since hearing that name, her attention hadn't left Mei, even during the fight, fearing [Lee] would kill her and she'd lose her only lead to Lihua.

But Mei remained silent, seemingly lost in thought.

"Mei, this is really important to me." Kallen looked at the silent Mei, her expression earnest. "Please tell us."

Kallen's plea finally made Mei meet their gazes.

Unlike Otto and Eleanor, Mei owed Kallen a debt. Back in Nagazora, when she'd become a Herrscher, if Kallen hadn't spared her, she wouldn't have made it to St. Freya, let alone survived. She might have ended up as a research subject at Schicksal.

She couldn't refuse her savior's request—though it felt good to know something everyone else was desperate to learn.

No wonder there are so many cryptic people. Spilling all your intel at once robs you of this feeling of control… sigh, I'm too kind.

"Lihua is here. She arrived long before us. She's at her residence—"

Suddenly, Mei's face paled. She'd overlooked something crucial.

"No! Lihua's still at home!"

Lihua was weak. She couldn't even forcefully activate the Ark of Dawn like Elysia or Mei. Even with the Divine Key, without knowing how to use it, she lacked even basic mental protection, easily controlled and sent home by [Lee].

Lihua had contacted Mei, who, using the Ark of Dawn's basic functions, had freed her from [Lee]'s control, but couldn't provide lasting protection.

Mei had then left with the others to fight [Lee], leaving Lihua at home—and now, [Lee] had escaped!

Where would she go? Mei didn't know, but judging from her personality, she wouldn't let Lihua, who'd given the Divine Key to Mei and the others, go unpunished!

Even injured, dealing with Lihua would be easy!

-----

Is the farce over? No, it's just the beginning…

Watching the news report, with footage of the city overlaid with images of the ravaged battlefield, Lihua remained calmly seated on her sofa.

Normally, someone who'd just offended a powerful being should be running, not waiting to be found—but Lihua was indifferent. So what if she kills me? She was afraid of creepy lesbians and lunatics, but not death.

Not that she wanted to die. If she did, Otto and the others would cause even more chaos, and she'd have to be summoned again and clean up the mess.

But running away now, after upsetting the kid—ahem, elder, would traumatize her… tsk, my moral standards seem a bit high. Is this why I'm always the scapegoat?

"You're here."

Though she hadn't heard anything, the faint scent of blood and dust confirmed a visitor.

"Why didn't you run?" [Lee]'s voice was dark. Even without turning around, Lihua could picture her expression.

"Because I'm not afraid." Lihua replied calmly. This was only because [Lee] was simple. If it were Elysia or Mobius, those creepy lesbians, she'd be long gone.

"Not afraid… why aren't you afraid? Don't you feel any guilt?!"

Lihua could practically hear [Lee] grinding her teeth. "I was so good to you… so good! You didn't want me to kill those Previous Era people, so I spared them. You were weak, so I gave you the Divine Key—I've never been so good to anyone! Why did you give the Ark of Dawn to them?! Why did you… betray me?!"

[Lee]'s voice was ferocious, as if she'd pounce and tear Lihua apart, but Lihua heard mostly hurt, like a child whose deepest secrets, shared with her parents, had been mocked and ridiculed.

Betrayal by someone you considered a friend was more painful than any physical wound.

But what could Lihua do? Let [Lee] rule Earth?

This one was a child at heart. Though Lee's memories drove her, making her feel she had a mission, it didn't change her inherent personality. Narcissistic, self-righteous, dramatic, reckless, craving praise, hating criticism… if she ruled Earth, it would be worse than the Shadow Kingdom in three months!

"Lee… I know what I did wasn't noble. It's normal for you to hate and resent me. But even if I could do it again, I wouldn't change my actions."

Lihua stood up, turning to face [Lee].

One in a pristine white dress, the other battered and bruised—though the latter could crush the former at any moment, there was no fear in Lihua's eyes, only sincerity.

"Lee, the world is complicated. We can't solve everything with force—at least, we can't."

"Your actions will only destroy this already fragile world… This world isn't a toy. Everyone has their own will; they won't be manipulated into someone else's ideal." Lihua looked at [Lee] calmly. "Besides, everyone has flaws. The perfect world you envision never existed—clinging to such a dream will only lead to disappointment."

"Stop, Lee. This world doesn't need a tyrannical ruler…"

"Enough! What are you trying to say?! Because the people of this world aren't perfect, because they won't obey me, I should abandon my ideals?"

[Lee] slammed a hand down. "Why?! My ideals are correct! I'm more noble! Why should I compromise?!"

"You're wrong, Lihua… I'll prove you wrong! I'm right—and if I'm right, then humanity should change for my ideals, not the other way around!"

…?

Humanity changing for your ideals? That was a tall order. Human nature was ingrained in their DNA. Civilization had developed for millennia; she'd never heard of a single person's ideals changing all of humanity.

But looking at the impassioned [Lee], Lihua felt a sense of foreboding. This one looked like she was about to do something drastic—

"If humanity can't obey me and create a perfect world—then I'll redefine humanity!"

Wait, when did you go study under Mobius?!