After clearing Type Moon, start fighting for a better world

after an hour.

On the tennis court, after taking a few breaths, Rita returned to Xiachuanhu holding the tennis racket and said, "Is this enough? Teacher."

"Well, you've worked hard, Rita. Here, have a drink and a towel, and take a break."

"Thank you, teacher."

Taking the drink and towel from Xiachuanhu, Rita wiped the sweat from her face and quickly adjusted her breathing.

Taking his eyes away from Rita, Xia Chuanhu looked towards the tennis court: "However, even I am a little surprised. I originally just wanted you to play a tennis match, but I didn't expect you to be able to defeat all the children in the orphanage by yourself. After returning to the headquarters this time, I will take the initiative to apply for the qualification of a B-level Valkyrie for you."

"Eh?"

Rita, who was drinking water, was slightly stunned.

Ragnar had also told her about upgrading to a B-class Valkyrie. After all, purely from the performance point of view, she had already met the conditions for upgrading to a B-class Valkyrie, and the only thing she lacked was actual performance. In Rita's original plan, she wanted to follow Ragnar to participate in one or two small-scale Honkai events, and then upgrade after actually destroying a certain number of Honkai beasts.

But now... one tennis match can make me a B-class Valkyrie?

"Don't be confused. Although it was just a simple tennis match, you participated on behalf of Destiny and defeated all the contestants of Anti-Entropy. You really defeated Anti-Entropy for Destiny, which is an achievement that cannot be ignored. So, I win, right? Cocolia."

Next to Xia Chuan Hu, looking at Xia Chuan Hu who was showing a smug expression to her, Cocolia sighed helplessly: "I'm not like you, with such a hard mouth. Even after being beaten like this by this little girl, I will definitely not deny my debt. I did lose the bet this time, you can make any request you want."

While saying this, Cocolia looked at Rita seriously for the first time.

(Age... about 14, right? She's about the same age as the other kids in the orphanage, old enough to be a big sister. She's pretty good-looking, and her development is a bit... well, it's understandable that she's in her growth period.)

(However, at this age, he can display the physical ability just now. As expected, Tianming's artificial stigmata is an incredible technology.)

The bet between Cocolia and Natsukawa Tora was originally just a tennis match, but Rita managed to defeat all the twenty-odd kids from the orphanage within an hour. Even Kiana and Bianca who came to join in the fun were taken care of by Rita (these two little ones didn't know how to play tennis at all). And judging from their reactions afterwards, they should have only felt a little bit tired, right?

(Anti-Entropy's research direction is how to better apply Honkai energy to mecha technology. The "that" that has been secretly developed at the headquarters in recent years seems to be the ultimate goal of this research direction. Unlike us, is Tenman's research direction combining Honkai energy with the human body?)

(In terms of efficiency and results, there is no doubt that Destiny is more superior. If it is reverse entropy, it is also OK...)

"—!"

After realizing that she was thinking about something special, Cocolia pinched her arm hard, and the pain made her wake up immediately.

(What are you thinking about? This is not something you should care about, Cocolia.)

(The thing you should focus on now is...)

"Are you thinking about something bad? Cocolia."

Xiachuanhu's voice brought Cocolia back from her self-reflection: "You don't look very well. How should I put it... It's almost the same as when I first met you five years ago. Is your [old problem] starting again?"

"...You really don't give me any privacy at all. I guess no woman would like someone like you."

Cocolia smiled bitterly and said, "Do you have time next time? It's a rare opportunity for you to come here, so let me treat you well as usual."

"Okay, but before that, let's send the children back first. We can't let them just lie on the ground after their strenuous exercise. Even if the weather has been getting warmer recently, they will still catch a cold. Rita, have you rested? Help me."

"Yes."

------------

Since the gymnasium was built together with the orphanage, it didn't take much time before all the children were sent back to their respective rooms to rest. Given children's energy, they should be full of energy again in less than an hour, right?

After asking Rita to stay and take care of Bianca and Kiana, and help with the daily arrangements of the orphanage, Xiachuan Hu went to her personal room alone with Cocolia.

"Please sit down. I'll prepare some tea and snacks for you."

After taking off her military coat and putting it on the sofa, Cocolia walked to the window in the room, took out a full set of tea sets and began to prepare.

As usual, Xia Chuanhu sat on the only two chairs next to the coffee table in the room.

Cocolia said that he could sit anywhere he wanted, but in fact, since the first time he came to the orphanage and was entertained by Cocolia, he had never sat anywhere other than this chair. And because he had extraordinary memory and observation skills, it can be asserted that this chair has never been sat on by anyone other than him in the past five years.

"Come to think of it, this seems to have become a habit between us."

Looking at Cocolia preparing black tea, Xiachuanhu chuckled and said, "Every time I come here, you will invite me to your room for afternoon tea."

"Yes, this is a treatment that only you can enjoy."

"Whether in Siberia or here, you are the only man who has ever entered my room, my master."

Owner.

This title made Xia Chuanhu hold his forehead and said, "You still insist on using this title? I've already said that my ownership over you has no actual effect. You can just treat it as non-existent or ignore it completely."

"That won't do. Regardless of your wishes, your actions have indeed saved me and many children, so let me call you this with a grateful heart. After all, this is a unique name that only I can use, right?"

While waiting for the tea, Cocolia turned around and said this.

"All you need is one word from me. I can even sacrifice my life for you."

"I don't have enough cards in my hand to require you to sacrifice your life for me, but I appreciate your kindness, Cocolia." Xia Chuanhu smiled slightly, "Then, who caused your old illness to relapse? There was something wrong with the way you looked at Rita just now."

“…This is a long story.”

Bringing the brewed black tea to the coffee table in front of Xiachuan Hu, Cocolia poured a cup for herself and him.

"To put it simply, it's a factional struggle within Anti-Entropy."

25. I hope you are a good woman

No matter what kind of organization it is, once it develops to a certain extent, different voices will definitely appear within it.

The most typical cases are [radical voice] and [conservative voice].

This is the case with reverse entropy.

"There are two factions within Anti-Entropy - the Conservatives, who are led by the founders of Anti-Entropy and make up the majority of the executive team, and stand with the leader. And the Radicals, who have only joined Anti-Entropy in recent years and are eager to have more say and power within Anti-Entropy to accelerate its development."

"In terms of power scale, the [Conservatives] currently have an absolute advantage. After all, the most important leader is completely on the side of the Conservatives."

"But the [Radicals] make up the majority of grassroots members. Even though they don't occupy many seats among executives, their influence on the grassroots is slightly greater than that of the [Moderates]."

Drinking the black tea she brewed herself, Cocolia explained to Xia Chuanhu the situation inside Anti-Entropy.

"Some time ago, about three weeks ago, the radicals contacted me, hoping that since I was trusted by the conservatives, I could join the radicals."

"Oh?"

Xia Chuanhu, who was also sipping tea, raised his eyebrows slightly.

Although it has nothing to do with destiny, and it is not something that Xia Chuanhu, who is apparently destined to be a person, can know, but because he has been in contact with Anti-Entropy for the past five years, he has been aware of Cocolia's situation in the past five years.

Five years ago, after the incident in Siberia ended, Kokolia, as the representative of Anti-Entropy, started cooperation with Tianming in the orphanage. In order to obtain more activity funds and better help the children, Kokolia began to participate in the internal activities of Anti-Entropy. Specifically, she came into contact with the operations of Anti-Entropy and started working for Anti-Entropy.

Although she was a member of Anti-Entropy before, she actually had no in-depth exposure to the content of Anti-Entropy.

Over the past five years, as a former soldier, Cocolia's swift and decisive work style enabled her to quickly show her edge within Anti-Entropy. In five years, she was continuously upgraded from an ordinary grassroots member to the highest-ranking cadre under the executive officer. She can be said to be the backbone of Anti-Entropy.

Generally speaking, people who have reached this level have already lined up in the team early on, but Cocolia has never shown any willingness to take sides. In the past five years, apart from working for Anti-Entropy, she has been busy with the affairs of the orphanage. She is one of the few neutral people within Anti-Entropy.

It goes without saying that in factional struggles, people with neutral stances are the ones who must be taken seriously, not to mention senior cadres like Cocolia whose status is second only to the leader and executive officer.

But Cocolia is not completely neutral. At least because of her good relationship with Xiachuanhu, the conservatives led by Einstein and Tesla have a decent relationship with her. Having said that, she does not join the conservatives. In fact, because she does not want to excessively use Xiachuanhu's name to benefit herself, she deliberately keeps a certain distance from the conservatives.

Xiachuan Hu was the benefactor who saved her and the children, and should not be used as a backer by her to benefit herself - this is what Cocolia thought.

The problem is that radicals don't think that way.

"I see... The radicals are trying to win you over, so you're starting to think about unnecessary things."

"terribly sorry."

Cocolia lowered her head: "I am far from mature enough to be affected by such a small matter."

"No, there's nothing wrong with it. You don't need to apologize." Xia Chuanhu waved his hand. "After all, you are also an anti-entropy person. It's not surprising that you have any thoughts about destiny. I won't say anything about you because of such a small matter. And I don't like boring psychological warfare and intrigues. It's the most relaxing to have a straightforward conversation."

"And have you replied to the radicals?"

"Not yet. I've been dragging my feet... or rather, I'm already satisfied with the status quo." Cocolia stared at the tea in her hand. "I've been fighting hard for the children. Now, regarding the orphanage, Heaven's Will and Anti-Entropy have reached a cooperation, and I've also obtained enough resources and power within Anti-Entropy to maintain the status quo effortlessly. To be honest, I don't have any further ideas."

“It was just a hunch that if I really stepped into the vortex of power struggle, I would probably not be who I am now.”

(Right intuition.)

Desire is the thing that can most profoundly change human beings.

Even if you are childhood sweethearts who have grown up together, you may still break up because of your inner desires when you grow up.

For example, two good brothers who started a company together quarreled over uneven distribution of profits. One of them encountered setbacks while his brother was promoted smoothly, which led to jealousy and dissatisfaction... Such things happen every minute and every second in every corner of the earth. It is simply one of the most classic and tacky plots.

Because of Xiachuan Hu's intervention, the current Cocolia has not become the unscrupulous and betrayal witch in his memory, but just a good mother whose heart is full of her children. However, if she personally steps into the vortex of factional struggles and begins to get involved in the battle over power and status, then she will be submerged in the vortex at the fastest speed, and be contaminated by countless malice, and even assimilated.

"...Do the radicals have anything else to say?"

Xiachuanhu asked.

"It makes you start to think about unnecessary things. In addition to trying to get you to join, the radicals should have said something else, right? For example, threatening you with this orphanage."

"...Yeah, I've expressed something similar." Cocolia looked a little lonely. "This orphanage was built with funds from the leader and the conservatives, and it was registered under my name. Although I think even the radicals can't do anything about it, the children still need to leave here and see the outside world."

(I am concerned about the safety of the children.)

After finishing the black tea, Xia Chuanhu put down the teacup and said, "I won't ask you to do anything according to my will, Cocolia. After all, my purpose of action is not to interfere excessively with the development of human beings. Whether you humans develop to the point where you can send yourself to the universe or to hell, it doesn't matter to me."

"There are only two situations in which I will take action - when humanity is facing a catastrophe due to external enemies, and when humanity brings about the destruction of the world due to its own stupidity."

If Natsukawa Tora had that intention, he could kill everyone on Earth in minutes. Of course, ruling the entire world is also within his capabilities. As for the Type-Moon world, there is a question mark. But in this world of collapse, there is no one in the world who can be compared with him.

But he would not do that. As an outsider, he would not interfere too much in the development of local people, just like one should not interfere too much in his neighbor's house affairs.

"All I can give is advice, Cocolia."

“No matter what choice you make later, don’t give up, because giving up can’t maintain anything. If it’s something you want to protect, you must keep protecting it. If it’s something you want, don’t stop until you get it.”

"As for whether you can finally realize your dream, that's up to you. It has nothing to do with me."

Cocolia: "......If you don't say the last sentence, I will be very touched, Xiachuan. Generally speaking, shouldn't you say that you are my strong support at the end?"

“Because I am a non-interventionist.”

Xia Chuanhu smiled gently: "However, if your final fate is to be polluted by those dark desires, then I will help you clean it up. Even if you die, I will prepare a good cemetery for you and visit your grave regularly."

"That's what I do - and if I have to say what I think in my heart, then I still like you now. You are indeed a good woman now, and I hope you will continue to be a good woman in the future."

“…Is that so?”

After finishing her cup of black tea, Cocolia looked at Xiachuanhu with a smile: "I will take your advice as a reference, Master. Do you want another cup of black tea?"

"of course."

26. Midnight tryst

Xia Chuanhu would stay overnight every time he came to the orphanage. Generally he would stay here for two days and leave on the morning of the third day.

It's the same this time.

After the afternoon tea time with Cocolia, Xia Chuanhu ran to the kitchen to help prepare today's dinner. After all, there were many children in the orphanage, so dinner had to be prepared early.

After a busy period——

“Huh~~~Is this the end?”

It's about nine o'clock in the evening.

After cleaning the kitchen and dining room, Xia Chuanhu returned to the bedroom that Cocolia had prepared for him. He took out a bottle of vodka from the window and sat down on the sofa.

Just like having afternoon tea with Cocolia every time he comes here, this room is also the one Xiachuan Hu stays in every time he comes to the orphanage. It can be said that it is his home in the United States. And Cocolia seems to have always cleaned the room before he came over for the past five years, and the wine in the window is also placed by her.

Xia Chuanhu didn't intend to make any speculations about her actions, but he would remember her kindness in preparing the environment for him.

By the way, Bianca and Kiana's bedroom is with the kids.

"Although it is troublesome to take care of the children, the children all had a happy dinner, so it is rewarding... It is rare to go to bed early after drinking a few glasses of wine."

If he were at home, Xia Chuanhu would definitely start writing papers or piecing together glue, but the room that Cocolia prepared for him didn't have the conditions for that, so this was one of the few times in a month that he could go to bed early. Of course, whether he slept for seven hours or half an hour, it didn't matter to him.

Even if he could only sleep for a minute, he would be fully refreshed when he opened his eyes.

"Dong dong dong~~~"

Just then, there was a knock on the door.

"Please come in."

"Yes, excuse me, teacher."