Keqing gently shook her head, casting aside those irrelevant thoughts. She was not here to pry into other people's private matters.
"I am merely here on behalf of that person to negotiate. I have no understanding of your past affairs."
She deliberately avoided the topic of Kallen and Sakura, making it clear that she had no intention of intruding on others' privacy.
"That person?" Einstein sharply caught the key detail.
The Kiana Kaslana of the Finality Empire?!
"Exactly."
Keqing nodded. "Your current situation is very dangerous. Perhaps I can offer some assistance."
Einstein fell into thought.
If the Finality Empire and the Will of Ruler wanted to intervene in this world, whether to destroy or save human civilization would be effortless.
So what exactly was this about?
"What kind of assistance can you provide specifically?" Einstein asked cautiously.
The true threat in this world was not the Honkai, but Sirin.
The reason Black Kallen had not acted recklessly was precisely because of the existence of the Will of Ruler—Sirin.
And the person before them, who claimed to be an envoy of the Finality Empire...
Had been sent by that Divine Emperor Kiana Kaslana!
Einstein had no choice but to speculate about her intentions.
"That depends on what you need," Keqing replied, deftly tossing the question back.
"We want to move to a habitable planet in another universe," Melin Cavendish suddenly interjected.
Einstein frowned and glanced at Melin Cavendish. What was the point of relocating?
However, considering how much information the other party lacked,
she said nothing.
"A habitable planet?" A clear voice rang out.
Ai appeared beside Theresa like a ghost, curiously observing Keqing.
Her database contained very limited records about the Finality Empire.
She only knew that it was a parallel-world faction founded by Kiana Kaslana.
"Ai-chan? Why are you here?" Theresa looked slightly flustered.
"Am I not allowed to come?" Ai said with a faint, ambiguous smile.
"N-no... that's not what I meant..." Theresa hurriedly explained.
"No need to explain," Ai said calmly, waving her hand. "You all have the right to keep your own secrets."
She turned to Keqing and gave an elegant bow. "Ai Hyperion, a sentient mechanical lifeform of the Fleet of Fog. A pleasure to meet you."
Then her sharp gaze shifted to Melin Cavendish. "Do you think changing universes will let you escape fate? What can you change by associating with those vermin?"
"Fate?" Melin smiled lightly. "I only believe in my own choices and efforts."
"What if your choices are part of fate itself?" Ai countered.
"So what?" Melin remained composed. "I have already made my efforts and my choices. Even if it is fate's arrangement, I will not regret it."
Keqing could not help but glance at Melin again. This person had quite a strong mindset.
"Everyone," Einstein interjected at the right moment, "why don't we move somewhere else and continue this discussion?"
"That works," Keqing nodded.
...
Chiba Academy, inside a classroom.
The Herrscher of Dominance Kiana, who sat by the window, slowly opened her eyes. Her gaze pierced through the glass and looked outside. Nothing happening in the entire academy could escape her perception.
Would Keqing become a variable?
She turned to look at the Herrscher of Fire, Angelia Schariac, beside her and thought to herself: In the end, she is not truly "me."
In truth, she had long known that her identity had been exposed, but it did not matter. Disguise had never been her goal.
Exposure was part of the plan as well!
"Come with me."
As the class bell rang, she suddenly grabbed Angelia's hand.
"Huh?" The Herrscher of Fire Angelia had not yet reacted before being pulled out of the classroom.
As Herrschers, they had the privilege of not attending class.
Raiden Mei frowned as she watched their departing figures. Recently, their relationship seemed to be growing increasingly close...
She stood up and followed, only to watch helplessly as the two of them vanished into thin air at the corner.
"Theater of Domination..." Mei stopped in her tracks, bitterness rising in her heart. "Why are you avoiding me?"
At the same time, inside the Theater of Domination.
The Herrscher of Dominance Kiana pressed the Herrscher of Fire Angelia against a violet crystal wall. The two were extremely close.
"Y-you... what are you doing?" The Herrscher of Fire Angelia's heartbeat quickened, both nervous and expectant.
"Angelia," the Herrscher of Dominance Kiana looked directly into her eyes, "you like Mei, don't you?"
The sudden question made Angelia freeze instantly.
The Herrscher of Dominance Kiana chuckled softly and pressed a finger against her lips. "Don't be nervous. Mei is so gentle and beautiful. Who wouldn't like her?"
"You... don't mind?" Angelia's voice trembled.
"Of course not," the Herrscher of Dominance Kiana's breath brushed against her cheek, "because I don't just like Mei... I like you too."
Angelia's face instantly turned as red as a ripe apple.
"Let's play a game," the Herrscher of Dominance Kiana's voice was filled with temptation.
"W-what game?"
"We switch identities. You become me, and I become you. Sounds fun, doesn't it?"
"But..."
"It's just a game. We can switch back anytime," the Herrscher of Dominance Kiana continued to coax her. "This way, you'll be able to get closer to Mei..."
Under the temptation of being able to get closer to Mei, the Herrscher of Fire Angelia finally nodded.