The Vixen's Gambit: Tonight We Hunt

Otto was grateful for his decision to travel by land. If he'd flown, he would have missed Lihua.

Now, with the woman he'd longed for standing before him, the emotions he'd bottled up for 500 years should have poured out—theoretically.

But only silence hung between them.

Aside from Lihua's initial "Follow me," neither had spoken.

Otto followed, not asking where they were going, content to watch her white hair sway with each step. Just knowing she was alive and real was enough.

But honestly, the silence gnawed at him.

He'd accessed Earth's internet, knowing his world's events were portrayed in a game, including Lihua's death. Though he resented it, Lihua's story was a minor chapter. While those events held immense personal significance for him, in the game, they seemed to exist only to justify his actions, to flesh out his character—his villainous deeds were the main story.

Mad, scheming, despicable… from the perspective of Kiana and the other victims, his portrayal was predictably negative.

He didn't deny his actions, but… Lihua had been in this world for a while. She couldn't have not noticed.

And knowing what he'd done, how would she see him?

Otto Apocalypse was undoubtedly a villain, the kind Lihua despised. If she'd seen him like this back in Schicksal, she would have brought him to justice.

In her final moments, she'd wished for him to become a savior, to create a better world. He'd not only failed, but actively pursued a darker path, amplifying his villainous deeds, just to bring her back.

Lihua wouldn't approve. He knew that… but as long as she lived, even if she hated him, it didn't matter.

Yet, facing her now, knowing she knew everything, he felt uneasy.

Not caring… easy to say, hard to do. Even with logic dictating the necessity of his actions, he craved her approval.

Maybe she'll praise me, thank me…

But that was impossible, wasn't it?

They arrived at a deserted park. The cheerful birdsong only emphasized the quiet solitude.

"This scenery reminds me of the outskirts of Kolosten, so I come here sometimes…"

Finally, Lihua spoke, her voice light, gesturing at the greenery. "The trees are different, though, and instead of a chapel at the center, there's a restroom… good thing those old fogeys aren't here. They'd consider a restroom in a chapel's location blasphemous."

"Though I suppose Schicksal doesn't have any fogeys left, does it?"

The eloquent Otto was speechless.

"I know everything you've done."

Lihua stopped, turning to face him. Otto's heart clenched, a bitter taste rising in his throat.

It was coming, the condemnation of his actions—

"Are you tired?"

…

Tired?

Of course, he was tired.

Tirelessly pursuing every possibility of reviving his beloved, developing civilization and technology to combat the Honkai, uniting humanity, dealing with Schicksal's internal factions, monitoring the Previous Era survivors and Anti-Entropy… He was often grateful for his Honkai-resistant body; a normal human couldn't handle the strain.

No one ever asked. Who cared how overworked a villain was? Even Otto had long since stopped counting the hours.

But now, someone did.

Not criticizing his madness, not praising his achievements… while everyone focused on his sins or contributions, only she cared if he was tired.

"N-no… I'm not tired…"

Otto smiled, but it was strained. He regretted giving his body so many human-like functions. Why give himself the ability to cry?

Crying from a single word of comfort would be embarrassing, like a child…

…Yes, like a child.

When the world ignored him, Lihua had seen him, cared for him… and she still did.

Just three words of concern, but it felt like validation for everything he'd done for five centuries.

"I just…" Otto lowered his head slightly, trying to keep his voice steady. "I missed you so much…"

…That should do it.

Seeing Otto on the verge of tears, Lihua inwardly sighed in relief. He'd clearly recognized her. Her efforts to embody his idealized image of her had paid off.

The danger of being dissected as a fake was averted!

But now that Otto's handled, how do I face the others? If she forgave Otto, she couldn't condemn Kallen and Eleanor. But how could she explain that to the victims, the protagonist group? She couldn't have them fight it out amongst themselves!

It seemed apologizing and atoning with them was the only option. They were the protagonists, beacons of positivity. With enough sincerity, they'd surely give her a chance…

…Damn it, I didn't even do anything, why am I the one taking the blame?!

If she'd been resurrected after their actions, it would make sense. But she was newly summoned by her main body! Their actions had nothing to do with her—yet she was still the scapegoat.

Lihua suspected she had a hidden "scapegoat" trait. Why was she always taking the fall?

For Unit 3, for her main body, now even for Otto and the others…

Don't tell me I have to clean up Unit 2's mess, or Units 4 and 5's in the future?!

( ˘︹˘ )

You kidding Right?

Right? 

...

ehehehee HEHEHE EMMMM!!!!

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