Honkai Impact 3rd: The Girl Who Chases the Flame

"you also……"

Planck was about to reply when he suddenly paused, released Einstein, walked over to Melutina, and gave her face a good rub.

"Impossible! Envious! Jealous! Medie! That's cheating! How come your face is so smooth, without even a freckle!"

Planck grabbed Melutina's face and said indignantly,

"Also, why do you still have a bit of baby fat even now? That's too unfair!"

"Mmm mmm mmm (Let go)..."

Melutina expressed her dissatisfaction in a slurred manner.

"You'll get used to it. After all, Bishop Otto won't get old, will he?"

Einstein shook his head.

"Although, in my opinion, the reasons for the two seem to be quite different."

"Whatever happens, Emma, ​​you've become too irritable lately."

Melutina rubbed her cheeks.

"People become like this when they reach middle age. Why don't you just find a handsome young man who is seduced by your looks and marry him?"

"You're so long-winded, Medie. These days, good-looking young men won't be interested in highly educated women like me."

Planck shook his head, then his brow furrowed.

"Besides, what does it mean to be tricked?"

"Haha, let's go check out your discovery first."

Melutina glanced away and changed the subject.

"...To be honest, what is a great discovery for us may not be for you."

Planck gave her a deep look.

"Actually, I'm really curious to know what you left Otto?"

“There’s nothing left to him; I’m not the one who left him the inheritance.”

Melutina shrugged.

"The inheritance I received is still safely in my hands."

(Note: Project Fireseed is divided into two parts, one in China and the other in Europe. The key is in the hands of Cangxuan and Melutina. Cangxuan's part has already been obtained by Otto through Fu Hua.)

"Then I can look forward to it, for example..."

As they were talking, Planck suddenly pulled Joyce aside.

"Hey handsome young man over here?"

“Oh, Professor Planck, that’s spot on! This guy is definitely the top candidate.”

Melutina smiled.

"Hmph~, I see, then I understand."

Planck and Melutina exchanged glances for a second, then Planck looked away and said,

"Alright, let's not delay any longer, friends."

……

"What are your thoughts on Destiny's recent actions?"

Planck drove the car, glancing at the people in the back seat.

"...It sucks."

"Want to slack off..."

"Otto, hurry up and die."

The three PhDs expressed their dissatisfaction to varying degrees.

"Aren't you guys being a bit too direct?"

Planck had only intended to test these guys' attitudes toward Destiny, but he hadn't expected them to be so outspoken.

As the most senior and accomplished professor in the North American branch of Destiny, Planck keenly sensed the unusual behavior within the branch and the change in Otto's attitude.

The possibility of war was growing, which worried Planck...

Some felt a sense of relief.

At that moment, she realized that the conflict between herself and the concept of destiny was irreconcilable.

"Hoo hoo, Erwin, how many cats have you killed lately?"

"Dr. Linnaeus, please don't speak as if I were an animal abuser."

Schrödinger pushed up his glasses.

"However, for scientists today, human experimentation is not a big problem. Animals... are outdated."

"I suppose some people are less valuable than cats, like Otto or something."

Melutina shrugged.

"Okay, this should be the consensus in the scientific community."

Schrödinger nodded.

"I don't know when it will be written into the law."

"Let's start by implementing American laws."

Planck clapped his hands.

"Nancy will definitely agree."

"As far as democracy is concerned, if true anonymous voting could be achieved, Otto would have been digging potatoes in Siberia long ago."

Dr. Tesla gave a wicked smile.

"There are no potatoes for him to dig in Siberia."

Dr. Einstein chimed in.

"Everyone has a really bad impression of that guy named Otto..."

From Joyce, who knew nothing.

"Well, Joyce should also be careful not to swear in public. But if you meet someone from Destiny, maybe swearing at them in private will help strengthen your friendship."

The Finn patted Joyce on the shoulder.

"Alright, friends, our destination is just ahead."

Planck stopped the car, turned his head,

"I hope you won't be surprised by what happens next."

Chapter Three: The Star of Eden

"..."

The moment they saw the true face of the ruins, almost everyone was stunned, and the shouts of the Finns echoed throughout the underground ruins.

The only person who didn't understand the value of this relic, Walter Joyce, turned to look at another person who didn't react.

No...that's not the case.

Though brief, Joyce noticed a crack in the beautiful mask; her lovely face remained fixed on the ruins, as if…

It's like looking at your enemy, or rather—

The past that I thought I had escaped.

In the end, all of this turned into a single tear that flowed down her cheek. She said nothing and wiped it away with her hand.

She looked at the mysterious object and spoke in a voice that was almost a groan, which only Joyce could hear.

"Eden's Star..."

"Meddy? Hey, Meddy!"

Planck was the first to notice her unusual behavior and quickly walked over.

But Melutina just shook her head, covered her mouth, squatted down, and continued shaking her head.

"Dr. Linnaeus..."

Joyce was somewhat taken aback, but he knew what this reaction meant.

She wanted to cry, but couldn't.

"Idiot, if you didn't want to come, you should have said so earlier. Calm down, calm down..."

Planck put his arm around her and gently patted her back, hoping she would calm down.

"No, I'm sorry, Emma, ​​I didn't expect it to be..."

Melutina shook her head again, covering her mouth, her voice not very clear.

"No, I just didn't expect..."

"Joyce, take Dr. Linnaeus away."

Einstein shifted his body slightly, silently blocking Melutina's view.

"Okay, okay..."

Joyce hesitated for a moment, then reached out her hand. Planck picked her up and threw her into Joyce's arms.

"Don't get any funny ideas, she's not your soulmate."

Planck gestured towards Einstein with his chin.

"..."

Joyce wasn't sure if he should take it as a joke, but he certainly didn't mean it that way.