"So, I'm going to World Serpent with Seele…" Lynelle's mouth twitched involuntarily at Kevin's words.
So Kevin was still hung up on Elysia's promise… but then again, that was just like him.
And honestly, at this point in time, if Lynelle wanted to go to World Serpent, there really wouldn't be any issues.
In the original storyline, around the same time as the Sirin incident, there was an investigation into The Eye of the Deep, followed by the events of A Shooting Star Streaking Across the Night and the Elegy to Yesterday.
But as everyone knew, this Kiana wasn't drifting around aimlessly. Instead, she was growing up under the guidance of her sister and mother.
If not for Kiana's baffling metabolism—the kind that never gained weight no matter how much she ate—Lynelle seriously wondered if she'd have steadily put on pounds these past few months.
Besides, since Jackal had already met an early end, and World Serpent had mostly cleaned up the loose ends with Heliopolis Shenzhou Pharmaceuticals, even if Rita were to investigate again, she probably wouldn't find anything amiss.
That meant the only confirmed upcoming plot was Otto's experiment with the Imaginary Tree—and that event was still at least two months away.
"Hmm…" After a moment of silence, Lynelle sighed reluctantly. "Theoretically, it does seem like I could go… but I'd better ask Seele for her opinion first."
"Alright, I'll wait for your update."
Kevin's tone noticeably shifted.
Once the communication ended, Lynelle turned to Seele beside her.
Since Kevin's call was telepathic, Lynelle had pulled Seele into the link so both Seele and her other self could understand the situation clearly.
"Seele, you heard what Kevin said… What do you think? Are you willing to go to World Serpent to address the issues with your body?"
"Well, I…"
"Of course," Lynelle stepped forward and gently stroked Seele's smooth hair.
"If you don't want to, Kevin definitely won't force you. After we leave the Sea of Quanta, I'll find a way to preserve the Gem of Serenity and then contact Anti-Entropy for you."
"Anti-Entropy's research on Herrscher Cores might not be as advanced as World Serpent's, but given Welt's precedent, they'll likely help you safely integrate the core… However, they might not be as equipped to handle the dynamic between you and your other self. Even Mei hasn't fully resolved her own split personality."
"So…" the other Seele interjected, "this Mei you mentioned—does her other personality ever lose control? And if so, how does St. Freya handle it?"
"Uh…" Lynelle averted her eyes awkwardly. "Probably… by knocking her out?"
"Huh?"
"Trust me, that was just a one-time thing." Lynelle patted her chest reassuringly. "With St. Freya's current combat strength, they can definitely make you fall asleep on the spot."
"That sounds even worse!"
The other Seele sighed. "Let me be clear—this is just my personal opinion, but the final decision rests entirely with Seele. I'll abide by whatever she chooses."
"As for me… I'm not too keen on going to Anti-Entropy."
"Oh?" Lynelle sounded surprised. "Why is that?"
"Because I know my own limits," the other Seele replied, her tone tinged with unease.
"Before, I've been influenced by memories left in the Stigma. If Seele were the ideal candidate for the core, I'd trust her completely. But if it's me… I can't guarantee I'd always resist the core's corruption."
"If the core ever went out of control, the Herrscher of Death's power could spread, causing catastrophic and unpreventable damage… Even for Bronya's safety, I can't afford to…"
Lacking confidence in herself?
No, it seemed more like she cared too much about everything Seele held dear. This mindset suggested she was afraid of burdening Seele.
Lynelle easily grasped the other Seele's concerns but didn't comment further.
From a purely rational standpoint, she also felt that training at World Serpent might be more beneficial for Seele.
The only question was whether Seele could steel herself to part ways with Bronya just when they were on the verge of reuniting…
"So, what does Seele think?"
Lynelle turned her gentle gaze toward Seele, who had now switched back.
"Don't worry, Seele. Neither I nor your other self will go against your will… I once heard a saying that feels fitting for you now."
"When you have the chance to choose, don't let yourself regret it."
"Don't… regret it?" Seele lowered her head slightly, her knuckles whitening as she clenched her fists.
After a moment, she whispered, "Lynelle, if I go to World Serpent… how long would it take before I can leave?"
"If you aim to fully explore the Elysian Realm, it might take around five months," Lynelle recalled.
"But most cadets don't stay that long—the average is just over a month. Besides, you only need to resolve the issues with your Herrscher Core."
"So… if we're lucky, about two months. Of course, if you want to stay longer and uncover the secrets of the Previous Era, Kevin probably wouldn't object."
"I see…" Seele finally looked up. "Lynelle, I've decided."
"I'll go to World Serpent first to resolve the Herrscher Core problem… I've already waited four years in the Sea of Quanta. Even if I go to World Serpent, it'll just be a short time compared to those four years. I don't want to meet Bronya-oneechan with this kind of burden."
"And… if I can fully master a Herrscher Core, Bronya-oneechan would be happy, right?"
"Of course! Though your Bronya-oneechan might become so motivated she'll try to rescue you from World Serpent herself."
Lynelle pinched Seele's cheek affectionately.
"My dear little Seele, to help you, I've even revealed my biggest secret… When we get back to St. Freya, you'd better put in a good word for me!"
"Huh? Is it that serious?" Seele gasped. "Then… maybe I shouldn't go to World Serpent after all…"
"Don't worry, it's not as bad as you think in some ways, but in others… it's pretty serious."
Lynelle sighed "dramatically." After all, this trip to the Abyss had thrown too many curveballs.
She hadn't planned on going to World Serpent initially, so she hadn't made any arrangements with Kiana and the others in advance. Plus, she had kept quite a few things hidden…
Just thinking about how Kiana, Sirin, and Wendy—who hadn't seen her in two months and had already experienced "joint operations"—would react when she returned to St. Freya made Lynelle's legs go weak.
'I'll need to hydrate properly beforehand,' Lynelle reminded herself.
"Anyway, since you've decided, I'll let Kevin know…" Lynelle paused thoughtfully.
"Oh, and before we leave the Sea of Quanta, try not to let your other self take over, especially when we're departing. Close proximity to the core might trigger a reaction."
"Okay, Lynelle. I'll let my other self know."
--+--
"Kevin, I'm back~"
Returning to the cherry blossom tree, Lynelle found Kevin seated beneath it once again. For countless days and nights, he must have sat there just like that, reminiscing about the irretrievable past.
This time, however, his eyes seemed a bit brighter.
"I've talked it over with Seele. We'll go back to World Serpent with you," Lynelle announced, hands on her hips.
"But don't you dare keep Seele there too long! It's been four years since she last saw her sister. A few months should be the limit… Once her physical issues are mostly resolved, I'm taking her with me."
"Fine. World Serpent does not restrict its members' comings and goings," Kevin replied flatly. "Especially when that member is you."
"If you wished, the position of Lord—"
"No, no!" Lynelle waved her hands dismissively.
"I don't want to be the Lord of World Serpent. That would just complicate everything… Besides, I'm no leader. Even if I took the role, would anyone respect me? So, you just keep being the Lord, alright~"
"If you truly wanted it, she would have silenced all opposition. No one is more qualified to inherit her position than you, her daughter…" Kevin sighed resignedly.
"Never mind. I suppose it's to be expected. In the past, Elysia once pestered me for the title of 1st Herrscher. She returned it after a few days out of boredom. You and her are likely alike in that regard."
"Well… at least I wouldn't complain about how Black Abyss White Flower look?" Lynelle tilted her head.
"By the way, how do you plan to whisk us away in front of Bronya? Just so you know, I don't want my identity exposed to them yet."
"Shall I knock you out and make it look like I abducted you?" Kevin suggested after a moment's thought.
"That was my original plan for Miss Seele anyway… If she becomes too emotionally agitated, it could disrupt our exit coordinates from the Sea of Quanta."
"You'd better watch out, or Bronya might go berserk on you…" Lynelle grumbled. "Especially since you've already snatched me away from her once. If you do it again…"
"Consider it motivation for her to grow stronger." Kevin remained unmoved, having endured far greater despair than this.
"Alright then, you handle it as you see fi—"
Before she could finish, Lynelle's speech slowed, and her body swayed unsteadily—as if she were about to collapse. No, she was already falling.
"Lynelle?!"
Kevin's eyes sharpened. Moving faster than sight, he caught her before she hit the ground.
"What happened… Did she faint? And this sensation inside her body…"
Kevin's brow furrowed deeply. He instantly activated his Chimera form, manifesting several healing-class Honkai Beast factors.
But then…
"Hmm, good. It seems… you do care about this little pink mouse after all."
The Lynelle in his arms suddenly lifted her head, but her pink eyes now gleamed with a sinister, ink-green light.
"My little lackey~"
"You… Mobius?"
A flicker of surprise crossed Kevin's eyes, but it soon gave way to understanding.
After all, this was the daughter Mobius had openly claimed she "didn't care about at all."
Combined with Lynelle's Authority of Corruption—which Mobius had extensively researched—it was only natural that Mobius would plant safeguards on Lynelle. If she hadn't, Kevin would have doubted this was the real Mobius.
"It seems your eyesight hasn't deteriorated much despite all this time, little lackey."
"Lynelle" flashed a "benevolent" smile. Though it was the same face, when Lynelle smiled, it was either gentle or teasing.
With Mobius in control, however, her smile felt like being sized up by a predator.
Not that Kevin was bothered—he'd long grown accustomed to it. He merely frowned slightly. "So… you're the Mobius from the Elysian Realm?"
"Hmph. What, do you think I'm different from the original who's still missing?"
"No… I was just reflecting on how much you care about Lynelle too." Kevin shook his head lightly. "No matter which Mobius it is, your tastes remain… distinctly Mobius-like."
"…" Mobius fell silent for a moment, then turned her face away slightly. "First of all, I don't care that much about this little pink mouse. She's free to run around as she pleases—in that regard, she's just like that traitor… And I have no interest in constantly cleaning up her messes."
"?"
As he watched Mobius stubbornly deny the obvious, Kevin felt as if a question mark had materialized above his head.
As a MANTIS, Kevin knew full well how difficult it was to project consciousness from the Elysian Realm.
For Mobius to go through all that trouble just to add an extra layer of protection for Lynelle, only to claim she didn't care…
Well, that was just typical.
"Also…" Mobius continued when Kevin didn't respond.
"While I'm not concerned about her safety, she is crucial to Project Ember… So, you'd better protect her properly."
--+--
T/N: I have a Patreon! Webnovel will get 3 Chapters Every Day, and advanced chapters will be uploaded on Patreon.
It may not seem worth it now, but maybe in the future. Who knows!
[email protected]/AspenTL
If you guys wanna check it out.