Honkai Impact 3rd: The Girl Who Chases the Flame

Page 41

Thanks to the Fire-Chasing Moth, Kevin and I finally escaped the disaster, and I became a member of this organization.

If I could turn back time, I might not have had the same courage to make the same choice when faced with this situation.

Just as Dr. Möbius had hoped, my scientific talent blossomed and took off, sweeping across the world at an unstoppable speed, almost like riding a roller coaster.

However, I couldn't feel happy at all.

Unlike Dr. Mebius, I have a very low sense of obligation to the world. She was only focused on what she had to do, and how many people died was not within her consideration.

I'm not Velvi either. Well, after I started calling her "Doctor," I stopped. She's a one-of-a-kind genius, but she's especially good at making a mess of things.

As my popularity grew and my dissatisfaction with the higher-ups increased, I found myself getting closer and closer to the center of power.

I don't consider myself a politically astute person, but the ruling class of that time always made foolish suggestions that even monkeys wouldn't make.

I dare say that if they had continued down this naive path, humanity would have perished countless times over.

But proposing solutions that could shape the future of humanity means I'm no longer just a scientist. I understand that, but I have no choice.

Did the world choose the plum, or did the plum choose the world?

I don't know the answer to this question, and only history can judge the outcome.

If you want freedom, you shouldn't strive for an excessively high position.

This is the path that a true wise person would never want to take.

I was forced to choose between miracles and reason, weighing the minority and the majority on a scale. I was just a mortal, yet I tried to perform the duties of a god.

I can control all the countries, societies, economies, and even all human order and laws in the world; they are all under my control.

He's practically a god walking on earth.

If I had to describe my current authority, this is it.

This authority is so heavy that it almost crushes every bone in my body.

I want to appear more confident than anyone else, spouting bold statements that I myself don't believe in every day.

I don't even need to worry about anyone wanting to replace me, because nobody wants to take over this authority.

Because it means that he (or she) will bear the future of the entire world on his (or her) shoulders.

I can only do what I believe is right, step by step, even if it means suppressing my own emotions.

That's just how this era is; nobody did anything right, and nobody did anything wrong.

It's just that everyone is on a dead end.

…………

Moth Chasing Fire Headquarters

“Dr. Mei…I’ve heard some unpleasant rumors lately.”

When May awoke from her brief sleep, she saw her secretary walk in, looking as if she wanted to say something but hesitated.

"Go ahead."

Mei got up and poured herself a glass of water.

"I heard that Miss Alicia, Miss Sakura, and... Qianjie have all disappeared."

The secretary, looking rather displeased, said...

"I'm very sorry, I overstepped my authority by viewing their communication records... and even discovered the Deepest Design, which was sent by Dr. Möbius."

"...Don't worry about it, you did the right thing."

Mei said "Oh" and picked up the sandwich on the table.

With a strange expression on her secretary's face, May looked at the newspaper on the table while munching on a sandwich and making herself a cup of coffee.

Because her movements were so natural and casual, the secretary didn't even realize that making coffee was supposed to be her job.

"Hmm...the fashion these days is really strange."

Mei casually commented as she looked at the newspaper.

She didn't look like a world leader; she looked more like an uncle going to work every day.

"...Um, Doctor, are you alright?"

"Huh? I'm fine. Oh... you mean that thing just now?"

Mei realized what she was talking about and said "Oh" again.

"Let me think, Alicia, Sakura, Qianjie, Mebius, and Velvi? Hmm... I should also add Kevin."

"...You, you don't mind? They're going to... break them out of prison!"

"I know."

"Then, then you..."

The secretary got stuck.

"I sent Sakura to rob him."

Mei nodded calmly and turned her gaze back to the newspaper.

"...Huh?"

"Hmm... well, putting aside other people, do you really think Sakura would go with them?"

Mei looked helplessly at her secretary, who had been with her for many years.

“My friendship with Sakura predates yours. If it weren’t for her, I might have died in an assassination attempt long ago.”

"But with so many people, won't that affect your status...?"

The secretary still spoke with concern.

“I’d love for them to turn against me. Do you think I’m doing a good job? If they really rebel, who will be the next ‘me’? Alicia or Mebius?”

Mei pouted.

"This roundabout way is just to shut some people up. By pretending that I'm reluctantly giving in, I can shift all the blame, right?"

"Yet you used the Chains of Anubis to torment... Miss Melutina."

"If it weren't for Melutina, I would have tortured that person until he could no longer use his powers."

Mei put down her empty cup and sighed.

"Don't treat me like a good person, and I'm not qualified to be one. It's just that Melutina... is a bit special. Most of the time, like you and what they imagine, I'm a ruthless leader."

I will not hesitate to use any cruel, even despicable, means to achieve my goals, even if it is indiscriminate killing of innocent people in the name of righteousness. As long as I determine it is necessary.

"..."

The secretary was speechless for a moment.

"This is also an option. If no one helps Sakura and her prison break fails, then I will keep Melutina locked up inside until she becomes critically ill, as originally planned."

May gradually returned to her leadership role.

"Unwarranted sympathy will bring disaster. Since I have chosen this path, I will go all the way. I do not believe in miracles; I am a scientist, not an idealist."

But if they believe, let them believe; it's a beautiful path. I understand them; each of them sees themselves in Melutina.

That weak, desperate, trembling self, who could only lock herself away inside. And yet, this child has emerged from the shadows; who would want to send her back into darkness?

"In that case, I have no questions..."

"Wait a minute."

"Hmm? Do you have any further instructions?"

"Withhold all of Mebius and Vervier's funding for next quarter."

Chapter Thirty-Nine: Omens

"Eden, Eden..."

"Hmm... wait a minute, let me sober up a bit..."

When Eden woke up on the sofa in her villa, she had barely opened her eyes when she saw someone shaking her.

"Ah...it's Mei...how come you...have become more numerous..."

A moment later, Eden squinted his eyes and smiled brightly.

"...How much did you drink?"

Mei pressed her forehead and handed her the freshly brewed hangover tea.