"So, what you're saying is, Lihua has been hiding things from us all along, all her actions were dictated by the entity behind her, and her being by our side might have been entirely an act?"
In a conference room shielded by the most advanced technology from both Blue Earth and the Honkai world, impenetrable by any other means, Otto Apocalypse calmly stared at his reflection in his teacup, questioning Makima seated opposite him.
"Hard to say," Makima stated expressionlessly.
"Bullshit! That's a blatant, naked slander! Let me tell you, don't jump to conclusions about Lihua when you don't even know her!"
Hearing this again, the teacup in Otto's hand shattered instantly. He could no longer maintain his composure, slamming his hand on the table and leaping to his feet. "Perhaps someone is using Lihua from behind the scenes, but that absolutely does not give you the right to insult her!"
Seated off to the side, Kallen and Eleanor looked somewhat bewildered as they watched Otto spewing a stream of vulgarities.
It was the first time in all the years they'd known him that they'd seen him this enraged—so furious that he completely lost his composure and started cursing outright, and at an ally no less.
This was a man who, even when beaten black and blue, would grit his teeth, suppress the trembling fury, and act as if everything was perfectly under control.
However, they could understand.
Makima claiming everything about Lihua was an act was tantamount to dismissing their past relationship and all of Lihua's stated sacrifices and efforts as mere scheming... Honestly, the fact that the three of them were still sitting here listening to Otto curse, instead of jumping up and fighting Makima, was already a testament to their restraint.
Otto's outburst had no effect on Makima. After all, who would care about a stray dog barking at the roadside?
To Makima, aside from those she cared about, other humans were frankly not much different from livestock. As long as she could achieve her goal, whatever noises those other animals made were irrelevant.
"I am merely drawing a simple inference based on the information Shoko personally told me. If you can refute this conclusion immediately, you should provide evidence, not vent your emotions." Makima didn't even bother to look up at the agitated Otto. "We can wait for you to calm down before continuing the discussion. If you want to rush over and question that Lihua right now, I have no objection either, but since she never mentioned this to you from beginning to end, I doubt you'll get an answer."
"Don't be hasty, Otto. Anger only dulls your wisdom. Aren't we sitting together right now precisely to uncover the truth?~" Elysia, sitting in a corner, clasped her hands together and smiled, though a trace of melancholy was hard to hide in her eyes.
After receiving the invitation from Otto and Makima earlier, informing her of a discussion about a very important matter possibly related to Lee, Elysia had thought long and hard before ultimately bringing Mobius along to participate.
After all, besides the few trapped in Divine Keys, her only active companions from the Previous Era were Fu Hua, Kevin, and the science trio.
Bringing the first two felt like they lacked the intelligence and would likely cause major problems. Compared to Mei and Vill-V, who often flaunted their world-shattering intellect, Elysia ultimately felt that Mobius, whom she had known the longest, seemed slightly more reliable.
Unfortunately, the current situation wasn't quite aligning with her image of Mobius eloquently holding court and grasping the situation.
"Mobius, don't you have anything to say?" Elysia leaned close to Mobius's ear and whispered.
"What's there to say? Just two idiots showing off, claiming their toy is better than the other's." Mobius glanced coolly at the other two groups, too lazy to speak.
When something doesn't concern you, it's easy to play the calm, rational observer. Sitting here now, she understood that feeling all too well.
To her, Otto and Makima's argument was nothing more than two people trying to prove their favorite was better—like overzealous fans insisting their idol was superior.
The passion was theirs. Mobius just felt bored.
After all, Otto had his Lihua by his side, and Makima had already met her Shoko, but her Lee was still just a ghost within a bloodline... Whether someone was pulling the strings behind the person she loved deeply was indeed a terrifying and worthy question to explore.
But for the current Mobius, whether there was manipulation or not, finding her Lee first was more important.
Even if someone really was pulling strings behind the scenes, they could've at least tossed out some proper bait first... Sure, Lihua and Lee were technically related, but this so-called "fish food" felt off. It had the right scent, sure—but it wasn't what she actually craved. And worst of all, everyone was fighting over this measly scrap.
And she couldn't even win the fight...
Coincidentally, my 'Project Dawn' hasn't made any progress yet. But if what these people are saying holds any truth, then maybe—just maybe—there's an unconventional path to bringing Lee back after all.
"Let's put aside the issue of whether your Shoko and Lihua's actions are an act for now." Mobius silently looked towards the two groups opposite her. "If what you're saying is true, then what is the purpose of all this?"
"That entity behind the scenes influences your Lihua and Shoko... If it's been like this since you first met them, then based on the results, this entity probably holds no hostility towards you. At the very least, neither Lihua nor Shoko seem to have done anything to harm you, right?"
Correct. This was the point Mobius couldn't comprehend so far.
Although the suspicions and evidence presented by Otto and Makima were logical, the motive alone baffled Mobius. Every action must have a purpose. If someone was truly controlling Lihua and Shoko from behind, what was their goal?
To give these affection-starved individuals a warm home, only to tear it down later and watch them suffer for entertainment?
That answer was so absurd, it was like imagining Kevin—that gorilla—suddenly growing a brain!
"But after coming to this world, the situation changed," Makima stated impassively. "Shoko appeared before me personally to warn me that continuing the investigation would be dangerous."
"Then how do you know this action wasn't orchestrated as well?" Mobius countered, effectively shutting down Makima's intended point, and sighed wearily.
She understood now. Makima talked a good game, but deep down, she was exactly the same as Otto, completely incapable of harboring even the slightest suspicion towards the person she liked.
This whole thing feels like it's going to be very troublesome...
As for Lee—please, everything about Lee is completely genuine, okay?! Lihua and Shoko might be controlled, but Lee? Impossible! Her feelings were so gentle yet fiery, how could they possibly be fake!