Sakura was simply frantic with worry.
In truth, Kalpas's reminder was unnecessary. When it came to the color "dark gold," the Flame-Chasers were practically developing a collective PTSD; how could they possibly not recognize where it came from?
"Rin..."
Sakura had clearly put something together.
Under her sister's disbelieving gaze, Rin, who had just stepped out of the spatial gate, slowly turned to the side, yielding the very center position.
Vmm.
The contracting halo of light slowly dissipated.
A man she had never seen before, accompanied by a woman with a curious expression on her face, appeared in the conference room. He was tall, slender, and upon closer inspection, faintly handsome, but his face, which could only be considered average when compared to the Flame-Chasers present, entered everyone's eyes.
"You!?"
Before Elysia could even recover from her shock, Kevin was already gripping the crimson greatsword that was on the verge of igniting. Ordinary people don't remember the faces of beasts, and Fusion Warriors, unable to sense an aura, are similarly unable to remember the differences in appearance between Honkai Beasts, especially when the latter lack distinctive "parts."
However, even with his wings retracted, his armor shed, and dressed in human clothing, Kevin would not forget an opponent he had once fought. Kevin's judgment didn't come from the strange man, but from the woman standing opposite Rin.
Thus, even with his brain, he, along with Elysia who had seen a rough outline and a "blurry glimpse," could determine the identity of the newcomer.
"Bai."
"Black Emperor."
The same low voices emerged from Elysia's and Kevin's mouths in unison.
"Elysia."
Lu Xing looked down at himself, confirming that all of Xiao Zi's "accessories" had been cleared away... there was no doubt, they had just been out shopping.
Then, looking past everyone in the conference room, he looked directly at the Pink Elf.
"As you wished."
"I have come in my human state to ask you to fulfill the conditions we agreed upon."
"Oh, right."
Without waiting for Elysia's reply, Lu Xing produced a test-tube-like device, about thirty centimeters long, out of thin air and tossed it to Mobius, who was not far away.
"I do appreciate your eagerness to join the 'big family'."
"However, this thing..."
Everyone's eyes focused on the device in Mobius's hands.
"I personally suggest you continue researching it. After all, compared to the MANTIS conversion rate, the complete success rate is..."
"Far too low."
Eating hotpot and singing songs, suddenly hijacked by missiles.
That was Lu Xing's actual experience, except...
Not even a hypersonic missile flying at Mach 20 could possibly breach the Monarch's defenses. The instant the missile exploded, Lu Xing froze its internal payload from thousands of meters away, then used the Authority of the Void to grab the main component of the "Stigmata Project" directly.
In other words—
"The lives of twenty million humans."
"A 'budget' that exceeds the original estimate by more than sixty times."
"I've already presented such a grand welcoming gift. You're not going to turn me away at the door, are you, Elysia... sister?"
"Hmm?"
"Ah, I see."
Lu Xing feigned a moment of hesitation, then turned his gaze to Hua, Kalpas, and Kosma, who were perplexed by the word "sister." Among everyone present, Pardofelis, the latest to join, could only be described as completely dumbfounded. The big boss and the regional boss being siblings... news like this could no longer be described as merely "explosive."
"Sister," Lu Xing continued, speaking to himself. "It seems that among your companions... there are still some who don't know about your identity as the 'Herrscher of Origin'?"
He paid no mind to the undisguised shock of the others. Those who didn't know about Elysia's Herrscher identity were trying their best to remain composed; those who vaguely knew were trying to process the meaning of the word "Origin."
"No, wait."
"That doesn't seem quite right," Lu Xing added, as if remembering something.
"The remaining 'Authority of Origin' is no longer enough to support you in manifesting 'that' form, sister. Your companions in the Flame-Chasers should probably use the title you gave yourself, isn't that more appropriate?"
"What was it again?"
"Oh, the 'Herrscher of Human'."
"Black Emperor!"
Sakura interrupted Lu Xing's "narration."
"First you lure and deceive my sister, and now you come to 'expose' Elysia's identity... With your power, you could annihilate us head-on. Is this game-like provocation really that interesting?"
A sharp gaze locked tightly onto Sakura.
The pressure did not come from Lu Xing, but from Xiao Zi, who rarely spoke主动 when near the Monarch, especially in a slightly formal setting.
"Provocation?"
"No, there is no need for that," Lu Xing said, shaking his head.
"I am merely stating facts."
"Everyone has their own secrets, and keeping a companion's secret is also a form of kindness... There should be quite a few among you who think this way."
"But for a race that is about to be 'fused,' these secrets will inevitably grow into sources of resentment."
"Also..."
CLANG!
The blade was sheathed!
Immense pressure was applied to the end of the hilt, and the Mimic Seven Thunders of Retribution in Sakura's hand was forcibly pushed back into its scabbard!
"Displaying hostility in a situation like this," Lu Xing said, "is neither wise nor justified. If you still consider Mei and Elysia to be the leaders of the Flame-Chasers, then you should not make such an unwise move."
"Or perhaps..."
Lu Xing's gaze swept over Kalpas and Kosma, who also held hostile intent.
"Are you, in fact, trying to drag your companions who see you as family into the abyss along with civilization?"
"..."
"Very good. You all look much more clear-headed now," Lu Xing said, looking at the silent members of the Flame-Chasers.
"Rin."
"You may release the restriction on Sakura. And while you're at it, kick out a certain someone sitting in the unauthorized audience seats."
"Yes, Monarch."
BANG!
Sakura's body was freed from the "pressure" and she could move again.
That's right, the suppression did not come from the Monarch. The source of that power was Rin, who used the "Authority of Erosion" given to her by the Monarch to control her sister's Armed Automaton body and forcibly sheathe the tachi.
"Rin..."
Sakura was still reeling from the shock that her gentle, obedient sister had been brainwashed into being completely subservient to the Monarch, even willing to act against her—
"It seems," Lu Xing said, "that the smart ones are quick to understand."
"Vill-V, as the creator of this body, why don't you explain to your companions what just happened?"