The TV screen switched to Seele's side.
She lay on the ground, gradually waking up: "I... where is this...?"
A very gentle voice came from beside her: "Can you still speak?"
Seele supported herself to sit up and looked at the pink-haired girl behind her: "Who are you?"
The other introduced herself: "My name is SAKURA. What's your name? Can you remember?"
Seele nodded: "My name is Seele."
"Seele, right?" SAKURA helped Seele up: "I won't hurt you, but I want to ask you one thing. Have you seen the girl in this photo?"
SAKURA removed the pendant from her chest. This small device projected an image in the air.
It was a photo of two people—one was the girl in front of Seele who called herself SAKURA, and the other looked similar to her, about the same age, also with pink hair, but with a very cute smile.
Seele examined it carefully and gently shook her head: "I haven't..."
SAKURA was somewhat disappointed: "You haven't seen her? How could that be? She should be locked up here too."
Then she pressed further: "Think again—has anyone been here recently, or been taken out? Please, I have to find her."
"I don't know... Where is this... How did Seele..." The series of questions made the confused Seele feel inexplicably afraid, and she involuntarily shrank back.
SAKURA also realized she had put too much pressure on the other and quickly lowered her voice: "Don't be afraid. I don't blame you. What... what did the people here do to you? How many innocent children have they captured exactly?"
"..."
"I'm sorry, Seele. It was my fault just now."
"Come with me. I'll take you out of here."
SAKURA extended her hand to Seele kindly.
Her movements were very light, as if she was very concerned about having scared the other earlier. She signaled for Seele to follow and left the cell first.
Seeing this,
Many viewers also felt a bit relieved.
At first, everyone thought Seele might get tragedied again—after all, when Kiana became a Herrscher, an important person was tragedied. Now with Bronya becoming a Herrscher, what if it happened again?
But when everyone saw Seele was safe, they all relaxed.
And SAKURA was actually quite nervous at this moment. It was her first time acting in a TV drama, and she was always worried about giving the viewers a bad impression.
Now she was secretly checking online reviews on her phone, as well as the chats in the official fan group.
"Have you guys noticed? The two new characters today are both so gentle. Seele is literally my wife, and SAKURA is super gentle too—and that pink hair is so pretty."
"Yes yes yes, that's what I thought too. For a moment, I thought the director changed people. This SAKURA and Seele don't seem like something the dog director could write."
"That's simple—because my bro Kalpas is at the company, the director gets threatened every day and has to revise the script. Rest assured, no more tragedy."
"I really like SAKURA. She's truly the gentle big sister image—I liked her at first sight."
"Yes yes yes! Acting is great. If only there was such a gentle sister in the real world!"
"..."
SAKURA felt a bit relieved reading these comments.
Actually, she hadn't really acted much—she just treated Seele like her own real little sister.
She noticed Hessian looking at her.
She smiled at him and continued watching the TV.
On the TV.
Seele looked at the surrounding environment with a familiar feeling—it was like a prison... no, a base?
And dark Seele's voice also rang in her mind: "Hm, you're finally awake."
Seele quickly asked: "What happened? Why are we here?"
Dark Seele said: "Playing dumb. Who do you think caused us to miss the chance to get the core because of their willfulness?"
Seele immediately said: "You wanted to hurt big sister Bronya. Seele will never agree."
Dark Seele said helplessly yet indulgently: "Yes yes yes, all up to you. But what do you plan to do next? Without the serpent's help, we can't leave the Sea of Quanta at all."
Seele frowned tightly: "Something's strange. Before meeting that person, we were drifting in empty space, but this place is different from there."
"This feels more like the worlds we experienced with big sister Bronya—more like a... world bubble."
Dark Seele confirmed her guess: "You're right. We didn't actually dissipate in the Sea of Quanta—we accidentally entered a world bubble."
"In that case, there must be a way out, just like big sister did."
Seele nodded: "Big sister Bronya... must be looking for Seele right now too. I can't just wait—Seele has to go to big sister."
After deciding.
She left the room, preparing to follow SAKURA and see the situation.
As soon as she stepped out.
SAKURA made a shushing gesture to her, signaling to be quiet.
She herself stood at the corner of the wall, warily watching the mechanical guards patrolling the hall.
"Wait a bit longer. We can't go out yet."
Seele instantly understood—SAKURA was not from this base; she was an intruder.
She whispered: "Where are we going?"
SAKURA said: "Bypass these guards, take the elevator to the archives. I have something to investigate. They're gone—let's go."
She didn't forget to remind Seele to stay close.
When they reached the archives, the only path was blocked by mechanical guards—they couldn't bypass it anymore.
After thinking, SAKURA said: "I have a way. Stay close to me, keep your head down, and don't make a sound."
As soon as the two got closer.
The mechanical guards blocked them and issued a warning: "Warning! Ahead is a restricted area. Please present your identification."
"SAKURA, ID number: CM-004"
"...Verifying identity... Verification passed. Good evening, warrior of Fire Moth."
"We caught an escaped test subject." SAKURA patted Seele, having her cooperate by lowering her head: "She won't talk. Dr. MEI told me to check the archives—which level she escaped from."
"Access verification failed. You do not have permission to access the archives."
Sigh...
SAKURA sighed, directly drawing her blade and taking care of the mechanical guards.
Now she could only force her way through.
She quickly eliminated all the surrounding guards and brought Seele into the archives.
Looking at the files here, even Seele was shocked.
To find out where this was, she also operated as she had seen in books before, seeing if she could pull up files.
Fortunately, a record appeared:
The disaster caused by the 11th Herrscher was far more severe than we anticipated. One could say Fire Moth suffered the heaviest losses in this incident. We lost too many fusion warriors; the remaining personnel can no longer maintain the troop structure.
For strategic reasons, they will temporarily be assigned to various armed teams until new forces fill the current gaps. We hope that fusion warriors and ordinary humans coexisting won't cause unnecessary trouble.
It's truly ironic—with an external enemy threatening humanity's survival right in front of us, humanity's largest anti-Honkai organization still has to deal with internal conflicts.
Fortunately, although there were some opposing voices, most accepted the proposal. The newcomers are also growing quickly and will soon become combat strength.
"We believe the reborn fusion warrior troops can once again become the backbone of Fire Moth."
From this intelligence, Seele also confirmed one thing.
SAKURA should be a fusion warrior, a member of the Fire Moth organization.
But what she didn't understand was why SAKURA would intrude into her own organization's base?
Seele couldn't figure it out and decided to ask SAKURA directly.
And SAKURA had been staring at her pendant in a daze until she noticed Seele's gaze, then proactively asked: "What's wrong, Seele?"
Seele said: "Nothing. I just feel like big sister SAKURA is very familiar with this place."
SAKURA gently comforted: "Are you worried? Don't be afraid. I was indeed once a member of Fire Moth, but now they are my enemies. So I won't hurt you, nor will I take you back."
Seele continued asking: "The person you're looking for—the child in the photo—is she your family?"
Mentioning her, SAKURA showed undisguisable worry: "She's my little sister, my only family. Her name is RIN, locked in this base just like you."
"Fire Moth imprisoned her, but she's innocent."
Seele then understood why SAKURA went to the confinement area.
SAKURA continued: "She was supposed to be locked in your room, but when I arrived, there was only you."
"Speaking of which, we've been hurrying all this time—I haven't asked about you yet."
"Let's deepen our understanding of each other. Earlier in the confinement room, when you passed out, you kept murmuring a name."
"Who is Bronya?"
Seele also decided to be honest: "Big sister Bronya is my family—my most important family."
"She's like you—very strong, very gentle. She would risk her life for Seele and always worry about Seele's safety."
"As long as she's there, unhappy things seem to disappear."
SAKURA quickly asked: "Where is she now?"
Seele was a bit sad: "We got separated. Big sister Bronya is outside. Sister must be worrying about Seele right now too."
"So Seele can't just wait. Seele has to leave here and return to big sister."
"All this time, she's been protecting Seele. Seele... doesn't want to cause big sister more trouble."
SAKURA said softly: "No, she wouldn't think that. You would never be trouble to her."
She made up her mind: "Seele, I'll take you out of here."
"Fire Moth has imprisoned too many innocent children like you and RIN. You should be free. The outside is dangerous—once we're out, come home with us first. After settling down, we'll go find your big sister together."
She carefully chose her words, hoping to gain Seele's trust.
"By the way, have you seen cherry blossoms?"
Seele shook her head: "Cherry blossoms... Seele has only seen them in books."
SAKURA's voice became even gentler: "Near our home, there's a square with a few cherry blossom trees. In spring, they all bloom together—the entire square is filled with dancing petals."
"In this world full of disasters, it's hard to see such a heartwarming sight."
"Cherry blossoms are RIN's favorite. I think you'll like them too."
"So, let's leave here together, okay?"
SAKURA's gentleness made Seele trust her very much.
She nodded forcefully: "Mm!"
She agreed to SAKURA.
And just at that moment.
The files finished loading, showing the information SAKURA wanted.
Her little sister RIN had been transferred to underground level 33.
SAKURA took Seele and infiltrated deeper into the base underground.
Suddenly.
A white figure blocked the two.
It was Kevin.
"That's far enough, SAKURA."
SAKURA faced him directly: "Step aside, Kevin. I know exactly what I'm doing."
Kevin said coldly: "I know too—that's why I have to stop you. SAKURA, stop before it's irreversible. Your actions are equivalent to betraying humanity."
"Betraying humanity?" SAKURA laughed coldly and argued: "RIN is innocent! She hasn't done anything. You can't arbitrarily deem her a threat, let alone imprison her!"
Kevin said: "Special Honkai energy reactions were detected in RIN's body. Without doubt, she is the 12th Herrscher."
SAKURA continued arguing: "What does a Honkai energy reaction prove? You and I both have Honkai beast factors in our bodies, yet we are fusion warriors protecting humanity."
"RIN has no symptoms. She can control that power—she won't hurt others."
"You... you can't take away her life."
Kevin comforted: "SAKURA, I understand your feelings, but the 11th Herrscher's ability exceeded everyone's imagination. No one could have predicted the disaster would come in that form—we can't afford another such loss."
"RIN's case is special, but she must be monitored. Please believe Dr. MEI will make a wise judgment."
Hearing Dr. MEI, SAKURA calmed slightly: "I don't doubt Dr. MEI's character, but I can't trust Fire Moth. Kevin, you know what kind of eyes those people have always looked at us with."
"I don't care what happens to me, but now that RIN is in their hands, I absolutely won't sit by."
"Step aside...!"
SAKURA's hand was already on the weapon at her waist.
Kevin still tried to persuade: "SAKURA, Fire Moth needs you—we need you. I won't hurt you, but I absolutely won't let you pass here."
SAKURA said faintly: "Kevin, although we've fought side by side for so long... you probably haven't once seen my true ability, right?"
The blade flashed with cold light, the greatsword burst with flames.
The two were at swords' points, as if space itself had frozen.
Kevin held the greatsword of flames, slowly walking toward SAKURA.
One step, two steps...
—Then, the person in front vanished.
"...What?"
Kevin instinctively turned, only to find the two who should have been in front were now behind him. They ran deeper into the passage without looking back. At the same time, the alarm sounded inopportunely.
"Intrusion alarm?"
"It's not them—it's from other levels. Bad...!"
Kevin had a bad premonition, and MEI's communication came: "Kevin, where are you? I need you to engage immediately."
Kevin quickly asked: "MEI, what's going on?"
MEI answered: "The Herrscher has awakened."
And on the other side.
SAKURA was still running with Seele. Seeing Kevin hadn't pursued, she relaxed slightly but was also puzzled—perhaps because of that alarm just now?
"Big sister SAKURA, ahead!" Seele exclaimed.
SAKURA snapped back and noticed countless zombies had appeared in the passage ahead.
"Zombies? How are there zombies here?!"
"These zombies are the people from the base! What exactly happened?"
"Ugh..." Seele suddenly showed a fearful expression, the stigmata power in her body going out of control.
SAKURA quickly supported Seele, constantly calling her name: "Seele! Wake up, Seele!"
"Woo... big sister... SAKURA... What's wrong with Seele..." Seele looked around in pain. The zombies just now had all been completely killed by her power's rampage: "What... did Seele do?"
SAKURA held her shoulders and comforted: "There was some abnormality with the stigmata in you—possibly related to the commotion earlier. But it's okay now—we're safe."
"Seele, don't blame yourself for having power. One day, it will become part of you."
"But... Seele isn't as strong as big sister." Seele lowered her head dejectedly, but felt a warmth spreading from the top of her head.
She looked up and found it was the warmth from SAKURA's palm.
"Everyone has things they want to protect—it has nothing to do with strength or weakness. Even the weakest person can find ways to protect their precious treasures. They don't want to lose them no matter what—they'll protect them at all costs. Have you ever had such thoughts?"
"In that moment, you are the strongest person in the world."
Seele looked at SAKURA in front of her and asked: "Big sister SAKURA, is that the feeling you've always had while protecting RIN?"
SAKURA showed a smile: "Isn't that how big sisters and little sisters are?"
Seele nodded forcefully: "Seele will always remember these words."