Continent, city of Giza.
Here, the underground laboratory built by the World Serpent Organization was concealed beneath an international company founded by "Jackal."
Just like Kamijou Medicine was in the city of Tenkyo.
However, the latter's reputation within China had been a complete disaster.
And today...
—You're saying that with just a few hundred yuan a month you're really...? What are you trying to do?
From the first shot until now, less than ten minutes had passed.
Hundreds of "Billy Domination Dolls" had already completely overrun the site.
Naturally, not a single living being remained.
There was no doubt that the reason Ling sent this group of Domination Dolls here wasn't to seize vital information, nor to launch an assault on the World Serpent base.
He only wanted to lure certain people in.
For that reason, after a fierce battle, these hundreds of "Billy Domination Dolls" simply rested in place.
Some had even gathered to play cards.
Despite the corpses strewn across the scene, the hellish setting was filled with laughter, as if it were all just a comedy.
When Raiden Mei and "Raven" arrived, this was exactly what they saw.
Human-like figures clad in red leather, mechanical lifeforms in appearance, who more resembled a gang of thugs using Jackal's company as a party hangout.
The air was heavy with the stench of blood.
And just as they approached...
—Hey, the master is coming —said one of the dolls, standing up and walking toward them.
The other "Billys" also turned their heads in unison to look.
In an instant, hundreds of mechanical heads twisted at the exact same time, synchronized as if they were one.
A terrifying sight.
—...
Raven instinctively took a step back.
She couldn't help but draw her "Seven Thunders of Purifying Sin."
At that moment...
—You...
Raiden Mei stared at the approaching mechanical figure… According to the reports, this was an individual transformed into one of the Herrschers.
In the era before civilization, Herrschers of Domination could communicate with each other through "quantum entanglement," a long-range form of communication that could not be intercepted.
In other words: whatever she said here, Ling Ke would also hear.
However...
—First meeting, Mei —he said.
—I have something very important I'd like to discuss with you… alone.
In that moment, Raiden Mei seemed to return to that night years ago.
Back then, her father had not yet been imprisoned for financial crimes, and she was still the eldest daughter of ME Corp, surrounded by flattery and praise.
After a childhood kidnapping, she always traveled to and from school in a special vehicle arranged by her family.
One day, after the usual chauffeur dropped her off at home, a young stranger with black hair suddenly appeared at the door.
He made no suspicious movements.
Even when she, mistaking him for her father, opened the door with innocent excitement, he didn't step through.
Instead, he smiled kindly and reminded her:
—Be more careful next time. You shouldn't open the door to strangers so easily. It's not safe.
Then, he introduced himself and told her his name.
Afterward, he talked about "Honkai"… and specifically warned her that a woman named "Cocoria" was planning to target Raiden Ryoma… her father.
He asked her to please pass this information to him.
And then, he simply left.
As if sensing her nervousness and fear, he scratched his head, never even crossing the threshold.
Just before leaving, he said:
—Make sure to stay safe!
But later...
—Why did he just call me "Mei"? Were we really that close? —That thought bothered her for a long time.
Gradually, doubt turned to suspicion.
In the end, she made a decision any rational person would… even if it was completely wrong.
She called the police.
In the following months, her father was busy, never came home, and became unreachable.
Nothing unusual.
Until… everything that young man had said came true.
Her last memory: the face of a young man bathed in sunset light, wearing a sunny smile.
—Don't frown —he said—. I hope the next time we meet… you'll be happier.
Present time.
—Buzz!
As a "Billy Domination Doll" approached, a spatial portal opened beside it.
Almost by instinct, Raven assumed a combat stance.
Raiden Mei also tensed her body.
But in the next second...
—It's been a long time, Miss Raiden Mei —said a voice.
On the other side of the portal, a dark-haired young man sat on a beautiful throne, legs crossed. With one hand supporting his cheek, he smiled as he looked at her.
But now...
That smile held no light.
That tone no longer felt familiar.
Even the way he addressed her, using her full name.
His pupils lacked focus, and the smile on his face seemed like he was merely wearing a human mask.
He was no longer the same "him" from her memories.
Though her spirits had improved recently, in that moment, Raiden Mei felt a chill down her spine.
—I… —she opened her lips slightly— I'm sorry...
Perhaps it was just an illusion, but it seemed that upon hearing those words, the corner of the young man's mouth on the other side of the portal trembled slightly.
As if he couldn't completely control his expression.
After a moment of silence...
—A verbal apology is the emptiest gesture in the world, Miss Raiden Mei —he said—. Of course, I neither need nor care for your apology.
Ling maintained his smile.
Seeing his face, Raiden Mei felt a swirl of emotions.
But that emotion did not last.
—To me, you're nothing more than an experimental subject now —said Ling Ke.
—Yes, Miss Raiden Mei, let's conduct an experiment.
—You don't need to suffer like I did, with endless physical torment.
—This will just be a simple social psychology experiment.
And without waiting for her answer, he slowly rose to his feet.
Gracefully, he raised his arms like a human scale.
—Kiana Kaslana… or should I say: K-423.
Raiden Mei's heart skipped a beat.
Ling continued:
—You once said she meant more to you than the entire world.
—So then...
He looked at her, smiling faintly.
—Don't worry. I won't be so cruel as to place "the world" on the other side of the scale.
—Instead… there's another chip.
Ling narrowed his eyes.
—How's your father?
—!!!
Raiden Mei's eyes widened.
Ling's smile deepened.
—How fair.
—One side weighs "a person."
—Make your choice, Miss Raiden Mei.
—Pick a side… and I'll pursue the other with everything I have, day and night, without rest.
Ling leaned forward slightly.
—Who do you want to save?
—Your father… or the love in your heart?
Raiden Mei remained silent.
Seeing that...
—Hm? Why hesitate?
Ling feigned surprise.
—Didn't you say Kiana was more important than the world?
—Logically, your father is just a small part of the world. You should be able to choose easily...
—Enough! —shouted "Raven," unable to take any more.
She interrupted Ling.
She was about to say more...
—You?
—Hm? Miss Raven?
Ling looked at her with disdain out of the corner of his eye.
—You want to play a sociological game with me too?
—!!!
Just from that sentence, "Raven" understood something clearly.
He knew everything about her.
That wordplay...
—How does he know about the "children"?
Now, with her greatest weakness completely exposed, Raven dared not utter another word.
Her only concern now was the safety of her "children."
And as for Raiden Mei...
—I know —she said.
Standing before the spatial portal, she raised her right hand.
In her palm appeared a violet tachi.
With unusual calm, she brought it to her neck.
Then, staring directly at Ling Ke...
—This is my choice. Is that okay?