I've already said this isn't a life simulator!

Xi Wang smiled and, together with Kevin and the others, bowed to the crowd. A gentle breeze blew, and the curtain slowly fell.

Thus, Xi Wang's "concert" came to a perfect end.

Chapter Sixty-Eight: So-called "Trust"—Fragile and worthless (5312)

"Hey, Dr. Mei, did you see that? Did Xi Wang just put his arm around Kai... Oh, has he already left?"

The observer, still on duty, turned around to remind Mei, only to find that she had already disappeared. In the end, he could only smile helplessly.

"Ha... I suppose so. If Dr. May could touch Kevin again, she would definitely be the most excited one."

"Ugh...it's finally over. As expected, Xi Wang's voice is still so beautiful...Sigh, it's a pity I couldn't go to see it live. Hmm? Who was it?"

"Hello, I've come to see Dr. Mei to collect some observation data on Xiwang as agreed... Oh, is Dr. Mei not here?"

“Oh, Congressman Wright? It’s really kind of you to come all this way to pick it up… Dr. May just left, you know, something very happy happened just now. Here… well, I’ve tidied it up for you, take it.”

"I understand. I came so early to collect the data while Dr. Mei was still here, so as not to disturb their time together. But I was still a step too late, haha... Anyway, thank you very much."

"It's okay, I was just tidying it up as I was doing it."

"Well then... I'll be leaving now. Thank you again for your help, goodbye."

"You're welcome, goodbye."

The observer watched Wright leave with the observation data before turning his gaze away, making a copy of the data, and sorting it out, all the while muttering to himself.

"I don't recall Dr. Mei having any agreement with the other members of 'Firemoth' to share data... Oh well, it'll all be made public eventually anyway, so it doesn't matter."

…………

………………

On Xiwang's side, everyone seemed a bit nervous and excited.

"Kevin!"

Panting, Mei burst into the stage's rest area, her gaze immediately falling on Kevin and Xi Wang, who were surrounded by the crowd.

She had intended to appear calm and walk, but halfway through, her pace unconsciously quickened, faster and faster, until she herself didn't even realize she was running.

Her figure was different from the others. Everyone else had already finished enjoying Xi Wang's "concert" and were preparing to go home to rest or return to their respective posts, but she... was moving against the flow of people.

Seeing her hurried appearance, everyone was surprised but also understood, after all... they had all seen how Xi Wang hugged Kevin.

They knew, and had learned from Su, that Xi Wang... had been trying to use his "song" to reduce the side effects on the fusion warriors. This was an idea he had long ago, and now it had yielded results and was actually effective... This was indeed something to be happy about.

Therefore, no one stopped Mei along the way. Almost everyone who saw her would pause for a moment, then give her an understanding smile, and step aside to make way for her so that she could get to Kevin's side more quickly, just like... at this moment.

"plum……"

"Kevin..."

In the passageway that everyone had made way for, the two lovers, who had not been able to touch each other for a long time, slowly approached each other. Their eyes were filled with a little tension and fear. Finally... at the same time, they bravely reached out their hands and carefully tried to... touch each other.

She touched his palm; it was cool, not the bone-chilling cold, just cool.

He touched her fingertips; they were warm, not fiery, just warm.

Finally, they embraced each other and wept with joy.

They finally... touched each other again.

With the help of... Xiwang.

"Ha... I knew it!"

Xi Wang took a breath, took the water glass handed to her by Eden, smiled, looked at Kevin, and said softly.

"Kevin, there's no need to be so nervous."

After drinking the water in his cup in one gulp, Xi Wang stopped panting, and his tone returned to its original gentleness and lightness. He then looked up and gave Kevin and Mei a smile.

Cheer up, cheer up!

“...You seem very tired, Xiwang.”

"Well, there's no way around it. Using 'water' to amplify the power of 'wind' is still a bit of a burden for me right now... But don't worry~ It's okay, I succeeded~"

Xi Wang winked at Mei, answering her question.

"I...I don't know how to thank you..."

"You two getting along well and living well is the greatest gratitude you can give me~ Kevin, you have to treat Mei well, okay? She's usually very tired, um... if you really want to thank me in some substantial way..."

Xi Wang put down the water glass and then opened her arms to Kevin.

"Just give me a hug~"

“…Is that all that’s needed?”

"hug me!"

"........."

"What are you hesitating for, Kevin..."

With a hint of exasperation, Hen gently shoved Kevin from behind, and Mei did the same, giving him a light push as well.

"........."

Looking into Xi Wang's eyes, which were like stars in the night sky, and into the expectation and hope in her gaze, Kevin remained silent. His lips moved slightly. He had so much gratitude to express, so much thanks to convey, but... at this moment, he was at a loss for words and remained silent.

After hesitating for a long time, he could only go along with Xi Wang's wishes, gently hug her, and express his simplest and most sincere gratitude.

"Thank you, Xiwang."

"Humph~?"

Xi Wang hummed softly, then tightened her arms slightly, allowing Kevin, who was still somewhat "shy," to truly hug her (although in reality Kevin was not yet used to being able to hug others and habitually kept his distance from people).

"Kevin feels cool all over, that's nice... Okay~ Now it's your turn to play by yourselves~"

She gently patted Kevin's back, separated from him, then grabbed his shoulder, helped him turn around, and pushed him back to Mei's side. As for Xi Wang herself, she took light steps and returned to Eden's side (Sakura wanted to accompany Rin).

"Wishing everyone a pleasant evening! Well... goodnight in advance!"

"Wait, Xiwang."

Mei suddenly spoke up.

"You haven't said... if you need any help with anything, have you? The 'concert' is over now, aren't you going to tell me?"

"Ah... regarding this, could you please postpone it a little longer? Tonight's scenery is exceptional, Dr. Mei, wouldn't it be better to enjoy it to the fullest?"

"...Okay, but I hope that later... you can give me a definite answer."

"Well, I will."

Xi Wang nodded and agreed with a smile.

--------

Unfortunately, you won't live to see that day; the "Fire-Chasing Moths" have already begun their operation.

[First, there is an irrefutable "evidence"—"The Moth Chaser" reviewed Kevin and Scar's squad's combat footage, yes, the same squad that went to sea to find you.]

Then, unsurprisingly, they produced footage of Kevin wielding "Judgment of Heavenly Fire" and attacking "you," stating that Kevin, currently "humanity's strongest warrior," must have discovered something, which is why he directly swung "Judgment of Heavenly Fire" at you.

Considering everything you've done before, and the orca-like Honkai Beast beside you that is most likely a "symbiotic Honkai Beast," the conclusion isn't hard to guess—Kevin must have identified you as a "Herrscher," which is why he attacked.

The subsequent scenes further confirm this—after your figure was engulfed in flames, a large number of Honkai Beasts leaped out from the sea, destroyed the team's aircraft, and attacked Kevin and the others.

[“Moth Chasing Flames” believes that this is your subconscious counterattack, controlling a Honkai Beast. This is one of the hallmarks of a “Herrscher,” as is the giant orca Honkai Beast that goes berserk as soon as it sees you injured… Without a doubt, that is your “symbiotic Honkai Beast.”]

Although Kevin and Hen's team later denied this, and only gave evasive answers when questioned, it didn't matter. "Moth Chaser" understands. After all, you have a good relationship with them. It's normal for friends and family to want to "protect" you when they become "Herrschers," especially since you acted as if nothing was wrong. This makes it even more heartbreaking. "Moth Chaser" understands.

However, everything must be judged by facts.

Then, "Moth Chasing Flames" produced the battle records from the "Ninth Herrscher Extermination Campaign," especially the final stage, where you suddenly displayed combat power that was practically overwhelming the "Ninth Herrscher"... This was clearly abnormal, because your abilities as a Fusion Warrior were almost entirely focused on "Song," making it impossible for you to possess such immense power.

[Okay, although Mebius argued that this might be the effect of "artificial collapse," that's not right either, because after "artificial collapse," Fusion Warriors either continue to maintain a clear sense of self (i.e., normal "artificial collapse") or fall into madness (i.e., in extreme cases, an unavoidable "artificial collapse," which can be understood as "going berserk"). Neither of these can explain your situation.]

If your "man-made collapse" had failed, if it had been a "rampage," then your comrades should have been the first to suffer; they would have become your primary targets once you descended into madness... But you didn't.

[Okay, so you can say you have a strong will and only want to fight against the Herrschers, but why are you acting so "calm"? There's not a trace of madness or "going berserk" about you. More importantly... why are you still in "human form"?]

[You should know that any fusion warrior who undergoes "artificial collapse" will exhibit obvious "inhuman" signs, which are immediately noticeable. But apart from your hair turning completely white, you haven't shown any abnormalities, which is clearly unreasonable.]

Secondly, it's incorrect to say that your "man-made collapse" was successful and that you still maintained a clear sense of self. After defeating the Ninth Herrscher, when the Mu Continent was falling, you didn't immediately try to save your comrades. You only saved four people—Eden, Sakura, Hen, and Alicia. Moreover, judging from your expression at the time, it was clear that you only wanted to save these four people and didn't care about the lives of others.

[This is clearly abnormal. Given your attitude towards everyone, you should have done everything in your power to save the lives of your comrades from the very beginning, and might even have tried to save Mu Continent... You would never show such indifference to the lives of others. Therefore, "Moth Chasing the Flame" deduces that this is not "you" at all.]

Although you ultimately saved the others, this doubt cannot be erased.

Finally, "Moth Chaser" presented the wavelength data from your body during the "concert"—clearly, the near-Herrscher-like reaction from you has become even more pronounced.

Therefore, "Moth Chasing Flames" judges that you are now inevitably becoming a "Herrscher" and are an object that needs to be "slain." You must be "slain" before you become a "Herrscher" and cause greater destruction.

This statement was undoubtedly met with opposition from everyone, but the "Moths of Fire" understood. They believed that you were working hard to resist the corruption of Honkai and to avoid falling into the trap of becoming a "Herrscher." Whether it was saving your comrades in the "Ninth Herrscher Incident" or killing the Honkai Beasts that attacked Kevin and the others at sea, it all proved that you were fighting against Honkai.

However... the facts are the facts, cold and cruel. The data detected at the "concert" has confirmed that you are gradually becoming a "Herrscher," and this is unavoidable.

Furthermore, "Moth Chasing Flames" emphasized to the others that during the "Ninth Herrscher incident," you... initially had no intention of saving your comrades. Was that cold and ruthless attitude really you?

[...Yes, everyone remembers that at the beginning, you only saved four people, and your attitude towards the others could even be described as indifferent, and there was also a hint of disgust and...hostility. That was clearly "not you," and this issue cannot be hidden.]

[Plus, the conflicted look on your face later clearly showed you were fighting against the Honkai, and you "reluctantly" saved the others before running away... Could this be explained in another way? For example... you've become a "Herrscher," but your own consciousness is still resisting, and the "Herrscher," in order to control your body and memories, left to avoid being discovered?]

Finally, once the Herrscher is familiar with your body and memories, and has mastered your power, it will sing again, allowing the "Fire Moths" to return, all in order to lurk among humanity and wait for an opportunity to cause even greater destruction.

Kevin initially discovered the problem, which is why he attacked you. However, unexpectedly, the "Herrscher" managed to withstand the attack and, true to your nature, saved everyone, thus gaining their trust and successfully infiltrating the group.

[...No, the so-called "saving everyone" might just be a staged performance. You know, "Herrschers" can control Honkai Beasts, so why would those Honkai Beasts be hiding there? Why was the place where you met so peaceful at first, but then Honkai Beasts immediately appeared to attack after you were attacked... This is obviously abnormal.]

[Furthermore, the power you displayed in the "Ninth Herrscher" incident was water, and even your "symbiotic Honkai Beast" resembled an orca, while the Honkai Beasts that attacked Kevin and the others were all marine-type... It's hard not to have some doubts.]

[Maybe it was all an ambush you set up from the beginning? To trick people into "rescuing you," and then gradually whittle down the "Fire Moth" forces. You just didn't expect that the first person you encountered was the "strongest warrior," Kevin. So you decided to turn the tables and stage a whole thing to gain everyone's trust and then infiltrate the "Fire Moth" ranks.]

[Think about it carefully, your initial questions were quite significant. For example, why did your "song" become a vehicle for the spread of the "Herrscher's" power during the "Eighth Herrscher incident"? Why weren't you affected by the "Eighth Herrscher" yourself? Why...]

【Why……】

More and more questions arise, more and more doubts emerge, and the suspicions in one's heart grow stronger. Small problems that were once deliberately ignored and that no one cared about before are now becoming increasingly glaring, and people's attitudes towards you are beginning to waver.

[No one even noticed that they initially tried to distinguish you from the "Herrscher," but in the end, they merged the two and simply called you "you," as if they had already accepted that you had become the "Herrscher," that you were the "Herrscher."]