Chapter 218 Kongming's Confession Under the Flower Sea! Protecting You is My Duty!
["According to the laws of the Empire, upon the passing of the late Emperor, the Crown Prince shall inherit the throne."]
["However, the Crown Prince passed away in his prime. By law, the throne should have been inherited by the Second Prince."]
["Who knew that you, a traitor, would disregard the late Emperor's kindness and conspire with Prime Minister Rita to usurp the throne? You secretly altered the decree during the mountain collapse, seizing the throne for yourself and holding the world in your grasp!"]
["You have been well-read since childhood and are versed in military strategy and statecraft. You should have supported the monarch and aided the country. How could you commit such an act that violates the laws of nature and human ethics... such a beastly act is intolerable by heaven!"]
["Fortunately, the Second Prince is wise. Having seen through your treacherous schemes, he has raised an army to suppress the rebels as the Great Hall began to tilt, eliminating harm and stabilizing the country, saving the masses from fire and water..."]
In front of the two armies, Jackal indignantly denounced Kongming's actions. However, listening to these words, the audience in the livestream was suppressing laughter, nearly on the verge of breaking. Subsequently, a retort from Kongming caused the viewers to lose it completely, bursting into laughter!
["I originally thought that as the Junior Preceptor, even if you lacked world-shaping talent, you would at least have some insightful discourse before these thousands of soldiers. Who knew you would speak such nonsense! Since Yama descended upon the world, I have devoted myself day and night to studying the method of sealing the beasts. Prime Minister Rita has also exhausted herself for state affairs—this is known to everyone in the palace. And in this time of national crisis, Mr. Jackal, what have you and the Second Prince achieved? During the Western Region Rebellion five years ago, you were saved by my Royal Grandfather in a deserted city. Because of your extraordinary talent, within months, you were appointed as Junior Preceptor, enjoying position and salary to this day. Now, in this time of national peril, you should have remembered Royal Grandfather's holy grace and prioritized the nation. How dare you forge a pack of lies and raise these barbarian troops under the guise of punishing a traitor, placing the Second Prince in a position of disloyalty and unrighteousness?"]
Jackal was exasperated and tried to argue back, but Kongming cut her off directly!
["Silence! You shameless scoundrel!"]
["Disloyal and unrighteous, slandering to ruin the nation, enjoying salary for years without contributing a single achievement... Mr. Jackal, when you pass away, with what face will you meet the late Emperor in the Nine Springs?!"]
["I have never seen a person so thick-faced and unscrupulous!!" ]
Kongming's tirade scolded Jackal until she was red in the face, unable to find a single word to refute!
"No! This—this is impossible! My Auntie could never be this eloquent!!" Watching the plot, Kiana clutched her head and cried out in shock. "Auntie, you shouldn't possess such earth-shattering wisdom!!"
Hearing Kiana's shouting, Theresa leaned her head on her hand, feeling mentally exhausted. Truly my own niece! she doesn't hold back at all when it comes to belittling her aunt!
[LMAO, I also think this Kongming is a bit too smart.]
[I reasonably suspect that Theresa's IQ was completely drained by her parallel world counterpart, Kongming!]
[To be honest, seeing Kongming with Theresa's face speaking so formally and eloquently makes me feel like my mind is glitching!]
[LMAO, this Kongming is too cultured. I suggest stripping Theresa of her identity!]
[What do you mean? Are you saying our Principal is uncultured? I think you want to be flattened by Judah!]
The atmosphere was filled with joy, but Theresa—the real person—was seeing her face turn darker by the second. No, no! This Kongming is also my character, okay? Why do you keep comparing her to the Theresa in the main story! You guys basically view her as the 'Teri-stupid' from the main plot! Dammit! I have a wise side like Kongming too! Who are you looking down on!!
Despite her curiosity, the stream had to continue. In the game, Jackal, who was outmatched in the verbal sparring, was defeated. In her frustration, Jackal's true objective was exposed: she wasn't on the same side as Kiana. The one who wanted to usurp power from the start was Jackal herself! Kiana had merely been working from the inside with Kongming, putting on a play to force the traitor to reveal her hand! It had been Kongming's strategy from the beginning!
[This—this is impossible! Kongming has such terrifying wisdom! This is too scary!]
[Isn't the key point that Kiana is actually this smart too? This 'inside-out' play to make the traitor self-destruct was acted so well!]
[Wait, wait, everyone is 'bullying the Tuna' too much! Kiana was always smart! Think about it, she was separated from Siegfried so young and wandered alone for so long. If she were a total idiot, she wouldn't have survived!]
[True, Kiana definitely isn't a fool. Look at what she did in Arc City; it shows that if Kiana wants to do something, she can do it well!]
[Then why was she like a single-celled organism (Tuna) at St. Freya Academy?]
[Nonsense! If I had a Mei to raise me, I wouldn't use my brain either!]
[So Kiana was ruined by Mei's pampering?]
[Mei: The sky is falling; I'm in World Serpent and I'm still taking the blame! Holy crap!]
[Mei has become a 'Useless Person Maker,' hasn't she?]
[Heh! If a person as gentle as Mei took care of me, I'd be happy to become a useless person!]
[Stop dreaming, kid. Go to sleep; you can have everything in your dreams!]
Initially, the chats were surprised by Kiana's "wise-fool" performance in the plot, which Kiana found quite satisfying. That's right! As long as this Lady wants to do it, there's nothing I can't achieve! I'm just too lazy to say it! But as the topic derailed, Kiana's smug expression vanished, replaced by a "grumpy cat" face.
"Kiana's situation is easy to understand." Theresa wouldn't miss this chance. Since Kiana had laughed so loud earlier, it was Theresa's turn. "After all, Kiana is the typical 'external brain' type. As long as there's someone beside her to strategize, she will absolutely not use her own head."
Su Mu couldn't help but look at Theresa twice, feeling surprised. As expected of Theresa, she knows Kiana so well?
"That's why I said before, Bianca making you go out and be independent was the right choice. You rely on Sirin way too much! What kind of older sister lets her younger sister take care of her every day!"
Kiana's gaze shifted guiltily. she wanted to argue but couldn't find the words.
"And ultimately, the people around Kiana spoil her too much... she had Mei at school, Sirin at home, and at the firm she has Bronya and you, Su Mu! You and Bronya really need to reflect! What kind of Company President does nothing but act as a mascot!"
Kiana felt deeply ashamed. Theresa's every word hit her right where it hurt, leaving her speechless.
"Theresa, Kiana is also working hard to change."
Just then, Kiana felt a large hand rest on her head. Su Mu smiled as he patted her head and looked at Theresa.
"Leave professional matters to professional people. A man and a woman together make work easier. Kiana is actually very capable. Although in the eyes of others, as the President, she indeed seems like a mascot... But for the whole company, Kiana is the true soul! If being a mascot can gather so many capable people around her, then I believe that is Kiana's own charm."
Kiana's face turned red instantly. she thought Su Mu would take the chance to join Theresa in criticizing her. she didn't expect him to stand by her side and even praise her in front of Theresa.
Theresa looked at Su Mu in surprise, then let out a helpless sigh. "Just keep pampering her; she's going to trip up eventually."
Su Mu said with a smile, "Even if she trips, it's fine. she'll just get back up. And even if she can't, doesn't she have everyone by her side? You wouldn't just stand by and watch Kiana struggle, would you, Theresa?"
Theresa shook her head. "Sigh... I really can't win against you. I didn't expect you to have such a high opinion of her. I thought you viewed her as a troublemaker."
Su Mu replied seriously, "I don't think those are mutually exclusive. Just like a coin has two sides, besides being a troublemaker, Kiana is the Kiana everyone loves, the President Kiana the players adore."
"Stop, stop talking..." Kiana reached out to cover Su Mu's mouth. she was both shy and indignant. How does this man say such embarrassing things with a straight face! Honestly, I'm dying to find a hole to crawl into, so why is he so calm!
"Can't even praise you now?" "I—I know I'm amazing in your heart! So stop saying it! It's embarrassing!"
Watching Kiana pummel Su Mu with her small fists, Theresa was momentarily dazed. Neither Kiana nor Su Mu noticed the slight curve of her lips, yet her eyes held a hidden loneliness.
Yes... I really am a fool, worrying about how to report to Grandpa. These two don't need me to matchmake them at all. To each other, they are already very important people, aren't they?
Theresa realized that husband and wife aren't the only ones who can be called family. she should have realized it sooner. From the moment Su Mu told her he wanted Kiana to have the capital to live with integrity and according to her own will, his relationship with Kiana was already beyond "just friends." How should she describe it? A brother-sister... no, a father-daughter feeling?
Heh. Theresa smiled with relief. she had watched Kiana grow up. she knew very well—when had this child ever had such a relationship with the opposite sex?
"That dummy probably hasn't even realized it herself." As the saying goes, the onlooker sees clearly while the player is confused. "Su Mu has already taken a very important place in her heart..."
One day in the future, when Kiana realizes her feelings, will she regret it? After all—Su Mu already has other girls by his side. I really look forward to seeing the day Kiana shows frustration, self-reproach, and regret—
Theresa thought this, then startled herself with the madness of the idea. she smiled bitterly. I'm actually jealous of my own niece. This really isn't what an elder should be doing.
Though her thoughts were long, in reality, not much time had passed. Theresa pulled her gaze back to the screen, forcing her mind to go blank so she wouldn't overthink.
In the subsequent plot, since Jackal's true face was exposed, Kongming's plan to seal the beast continued. The Captain and Kongming finally arrived at the location for the final formation. As night fell, the Captain sat by the campfire, chatting with Xiao Te. The atmosphere was harmonious and leisurely. Xiao Te told the Captain that after helping him complete the task, she had to stay there—this too was part of history.
Before that, Kongming, who had gone out to clear her head, had not returned for a long time. Worried about her safety, the Captain followed her footsteps into the forest.
[I followed Kongming's footsteps, groping through the pitch-black forest.]
[Perhaps because it was too quiet, a fragment of memory surfaced in my mind.]
[On a similar night, I followed her footsteps similarly, with the same unknown and darkness ahead.]
[I don't know how long I walked... perhaps so long that I forgot the meaning of moving forward.]
[And the thing that led me out of that darkness back then was a light.]
[A faint light that wasn't dazzling, but was quite warm.]
[As it is now.]
At the end of the darkness, Kongming's beautiful silhouette appeared. Amidst the pure music of the BGM "The Day You and the Stars Disappeared"...
Kongming lifted a lit sky lantern, the light illuminating her face. Under the starry sky, the girl lighting a lantern by the lake was like a dream. It was a masterpiece of a scene. This beautiful visual instantly struck every viewer, leaving them dazed. Similarly, the Captain in the game was stunned by the sight and couldn't help but sigh:
["So beautiful..."]
[Kongming noticed the Captain's arrival. Under the light of the lantern, the girl's expression was incredibly gentle.]
["It is beautiful, isn't it?"]
["It's just a pity that the materials I have were only enough to make this last lantern."]
[Kongming's gaze softened as she shared a memory.]
["In the past, every Mid-Autumn Festival, no matter how busy Grandpa was, he would always make ninety-nine sky lanterns with me to release at midnight."]
["Grandpa said Grandma left before I could remember things. But she didn't forget me; she turned into the stars in the sky and has been watching over me."]
["So, on Mid-Autumn, a day for family reunions, we use these lanterns to send our thoughts to the horizon, to Grandma's side."]
["I told Grandpa more than once that no matter how far these lanterns fly, they can never reach the distant stars."]
["But Grandpa always believed these lanterns could bring our thoughts to Grandma."]
["'These are vessels for thoughts, they will surely carry words to the infinite distance'... Grandpa always believed that... always."]
That gentle voice seemed to brush against the Captain's heartstrings. Gazing at the beautiful girl, the Captain blurted out:
["Mhm, they definitely can."]
["Eh?"]
["Even if these lanterns can't reach the stars, the thoughts within them can surely be sent further than the stars."]
[The Captain's words left Kongming silent for a moment.]
["Even so... Mr. Assassin, the thoughts in my heart probably cannot reach your home via this lantern, can they?"]
[A trace of sorrow appeared in her eyes.]
["After all... that is a 'Future' that even I cannot touch..."]
Kongming's words left many in the livestream stunned. After a moment, they realized: Kongming already knew the Captain was someone from the "Future"! And not only that.
["That expression... heh, I guessed correctly, didn't I?"]
["I'm sorry..."]
["Why apologize, Mr. Assassin? If it weren't for you, I would have perished in that Sea of Quanta long ago, wouldn't I?"]
["No, I would never let that happen..."]
["But that is the 'Story that Should Have Happened,' is it not? To me, it might not be a perfect story, but it's what was meant to be..."]
["I said I would never—"]
Though the Captain interrupted her, everyone knew what her next sentence was. Dying in that forest was meant to be Kongming's... ending to her story. she had realized this and understood that the Captain before her was there to save her.
["Mhm, I understand... I have always understood."]
["After all, Mr. Assassin, that is the kind of person you are."]
["Perhaps you haven't even noticed... Mr. Assassin, your eyes always hold a kind of stubborn persistence."]
["It is the look of someone who has lost precious things and struggled countless times for them."]
["But it is also the look that makes me feel most at ease."]
["No matter the desperate situation, you will always stand before me, believing in me, supporting me, protecting me."]
["Even on that day facing General Durandal, you did not hesitate to fight with your life..."]
[A smile appeared on Kongming's face. she watched the Captain, her eyes filled with gentle light.]
[The Captain smiled helplessly: "But you called me off..."]
["Heh, did you expect me to watch you go to your death?"]
["Ha? how would we know who wins without trying..."]
[Suddenly, a wave of intense dizziness hit the Captain. While the scenery became blurred, his legs lost the strength to support him. Using his last strength to lean against a tree trunk, the Captain fell like a doll with its strings cut.]
Facing the Captain's collapse, Kongming was not surprised. she faced him and slowly explained that this too was within her expectations. Early that evening, she had asked Yae Sakura to make drugged cherry blossom cakes. This was the payoff for the foreshadowing of Kongming finding Yae Sakura.
As for why she drugged the Captain: for no other reason than she, too, wanted to protect her important person!
[Sigh... it was said before that sealing the beast is extremely dangerous. One mistake and it's the end.]
[Kongming doesn't want the Captain to go into danger with her.]
[To Kongming, the Captain is an important person? Doesn't that mean... Kongming to the Captain...]
[After all, she saw the Captain risk his life for her several times. Anyone would be moved by someone willing to die for them, wouldn't they?]
[Although I love Kongming, what about Luna Vow? The Captain is two-timing, isn't he?]
[Wait, no... is the MC actually that much of a playboy?]
[The thought of two identical Theresa-clones fighting over him makes me want to laugh...]
[Wait, Old Thief, this isn't right? When did the Honkai 3rd plot start leaning toward a harem/love-triangle drama?]
[Terrifying detail, brothers! Look, the ones clearly into the Captain now are Luna and Kongming, right? Both are Theresa-clones. Doesn't that mean—]
[Holy crap! Old Thief, you're playing for real! If this isn't fanboying with company funds, I'll eat noodles through my nose!!]
Many fans in Theresa's livestream felt they had discovered a new world and began accusing Su Mu of "shameless" operations! The subsequent plot further solidified the belief for some that Su Mu was a die-hard Theresa main!
["Sealing that beast is my duty as a 'Monarch,' but protecting you... that is my duty as 'Kongming'."]
["Mr. Assassin..."]
["In the future you come from, I... must have already become one of the countless stars in the sky, haven't I?"]
["When you return to that future of yours... Mr. Assassin, if you still remember me... if you can still remember me..."]
["Mr. Assassin, please... release such a sky lantern for me too..."]
Kongming expressed her feelings in her own way. This scene instantly turned many in the livestream into "Iron-Blooded Kongming Fans"! Protecting you is my duty as Kongming... Please release a lantern for me... Is this how cultured people confess!
[Kongming! My Kongming, waaah!!]
[Kongming, take me with you! I don't want to stay in a world without you for a second!!]
[Damn, after all these years, she's the first girl to say she wants to protect me!]
[Old Thief, you can write a good plot! you can! Why didn't you bring this out sooner!]
[Wait, wait, wait? What about Luna? Where's my Big Luna? You bastard Old Thief, have you forgotten about Luna?]
[Luna? (Emotionless) I'm joining the Kongming faction now, haha!]
[Wait, am I the only Principal main here??]
Poor Principal. Luna took a chunk of fans, and now Kongming took another. Though they are all Theresa characters, they are three different people in the story. With this confession, Kongming won big because she protected her important person. The Captain won because he was confessed to. The audience won because Kongming struck their hearts. And the Old Thief won biggest because the Starlit Astrologos banner was open and generating massive revenue! only Theresa herself lost!!
"Luna, Kongming... fine, fine, playing like that, are we?" Theresa felt like spitting blood. According to the lore, the character in the game that most matched her real self was the Principal from the main story. These two parallel versions appearing was like giving the Principal a heavy beatdown!
"Su Mu, you're definitely doing this on purpose! Luna, then Kongming... where are you putting Auntie?" Kiana stood up for Theresa, though her look suggested she was just enjoying the show.
"Where am I putting her?" Su Mu countered righteously. "Whether it's Kongming, Luna, or the Principal, they are all Theresa! Luna shows another possibility of Theresa. Kongming does the same. To me, they are all Theresa; there is no hierarchy of worth!"
Su Mu's bold statement left the viewers dumbfounded.
[Whoa? The Old Thief is this cool?]
[So he means no matter which Theresa it is, he loves them all the same?]
[Is he... confessing in the livestream? This isn't right?]
[And the real Teriri is also Theresa! The Old Thief is confessing to Teriri's face!]
[Wait, Kiana is right there? The Old Thief is too brave!!]
Su Mu's righteous rebuttal left the viewers amazed. Many Theresa fans felt inferior in their devotion! Old Thief, you are the true Iron-Blooded Theresa Main! I name you the strongest!!
The fast-scrolling chats were all within Theresa's sight. Su Mu's words left her completely flustered. Is he... is he confessing to me? Is he really confessing to me? Theresa covered her face; she felt it burning. she didn't dare look up because Kiana would definitely see her extremely red face!
Saying things like 'no matter which Theresa' is so embarrassing... Does this little brat have zero shame? And in front of Kiana too... what if Kiana misunderstands? she might tell Cecilia, Siegfried, even... Grandpa...
Just the thought of Siegfried finding out made Theresa want to vanish. she knew his personality—he'd laugh at her mercilessly, practically holding a public execution for her liking a younger guy! And most importantly... she was supposed to be matching Kiana and Su Mu... As an aunt, she couldn't...
While Theresa's brain was close to overheating:
"Wow, looks like Su Mu really has something for Auntie." The mischievous Kiana looked at the chats and wore a look of surprise. "Su Mu, tell the truth. This Captain in the story is based on you, isn't it?"
Su Mu wanted to say no, but then thought Kiana wasn't entirely wrong. But he wasn't just a Captain; he was an "Old Captain's Ghost"! The ultimate evolved form! don't compare him to a newbie! He was a Warrior of Love who kept the Honkai in the sun and the love in the dark!!
"Hey, Auntie has plenty of flaws, but she is a charming woman. It's normal for you to be moved..." Kiana patted Su Mu's shoulder with a grin, laughing internally!
Previously, Kiana worried Su Mu would be snatched away, which would prevent her from getting revenge for the system-rebate issue. Now, if Su Mu ended up with her aunt, she could keep him close! ...Wait, scratch that! If he ended up with Auntie, wouldn't he legitimately become her Uncle? she'd be under his thumb forever! And the age gap was huge; they were from different worlds!
Kiana was breaking into a sweat. Even as a "Tuna," she was a woman and curious about gossip. she had wondered why Su Mu, surrounded by beauties, had no girlfriend. (This was from Kiana's limited perspective. Everyone else assumed he and Bronya were just workaholics discussing work during commutes.) Now, Kiana felt she had found the truth—
Finally, Theresa's logic reached its breaking point. "I can't... can't think anymore..." she lifted her head, her eyes misty. As her gaze met Su Mu's, her string of reason snapped. she reached out toward him—
However, at that moment:
"Su Mu! You jerk!" Kiana suddenly jumped between them, arms spread wide, looking wary! Giving Auntie's character so much screen time, even designing a confession under a flower sea... Su Mu, you were targeting my Auntie from the start! If you become my Uncle, I'll never have a peaceful day again! This absolutely cannot happen!!
Facing Su Mu, Kiana said loudly with a firm tone: "I shall protect Auntie!!"
With Kiana's outburst, Theresa snapped back to her senses. Wait, what am I doing? This is in front of Kiana— she bit her tongue; the pain helped her regain logic. "Just a bit more, just a bit more..." she was drenched in cold sweat. she had been suppressing her feelings for so long. The result was that sudden loss of control. In that moment, she had wanted to throw caution to the wind and hug him.
"Ugh..." Since childhood, she had never had a male get this close. To have such special feelings for a man was a first. The suppressed desires combined with surging love were like a whirlpool she couldn't escape. she realized she wasn't just "Idol Teriri" or the next CEO of Schicksal. stripping away those labels, she was just a girl craving love.
"Sorry... I need to go to the bathroom." Theresa stood up and practically fled from her office.
Su Mu and Kiana looked confused. "You scared Auntie away, didn't you?" "Wasn't it because of your nonsense... Kiana, what's in your head all day?" "Eating time, hitting beans!" (Chinese meme).
Kiana was unbothered. she sat in Theresa's chair and turned the mic back on for the stream. after clearing her throat: "The streamer had to step out. It's my turn to sub-stream now!" she seamlessly continued the game, though she felt the chair was a bit... sticky? Did Auntie spill her bitter gourd juice on the chair again? Honestly, she's an adult; stop leaking juice everywhere!
END OF CHAPTER
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