It has already been mentioned that Ling Ke, due to representing the Law of "Unity," trusts no one, and has never released the power he has held from beginning to end...
Because of this, his learning ability has increased tremendously.
And that increase, multiplied by thousands, continues to grow as the number of Puppets under his command increases, making his learning speed all the more absurd.
It is with this advantage that...
Today, he has not only taken time to learn a wide variety of practical knowledge and skills across different fields, but has also delved into medicine, astronomy, geography, special warfare, and the arts… all studied and practiced. In addition, he has skillfully mastered the use of two corresponding powers: the "Law of Reason" and the "Law of the Void."
Today.
—Miss Rita, let's play a game!
At the Schicksal headquarters, inside Rita's private chamber.
A Puppet of Domination, remotely controlled and directly synchronized by Ling Ke himself, with an appearance identical to his own, smiled and said:
—Of course, you have no right to refuse.
Upon hearing this, Rita did not respond.
The only thing she wished to do at this moment —and was doing— was to buy time.
The messages had already been sent.
At the very least, Lord Yolandele had received the information.
Soon, she... and more, would come.
Therefore...
—Before coming, I carefully selected ten cities.
The "Puppet of Domination·Ling Ke" activated the power of the Law of Reason and the Law of the Void on its own, projecting a translucent image into the air.
It was a virtual globe.
At that moment, ten red dots were flashing continuously on its surface.
—Skydome, Hot Springs, Sydney, Ankara, the Holy City... Derry City, and... Manchester.
Upon hearing the names of those ten cities, Rita slightly flinched.
She knew all of them.
—Exactly.
The "Puppet of Domination·Ling Ke" explained from the right:
—Just as you imagined, Miss Rita, nine of these ten cities are related to anti-Honkai operations in which you participated.
—One could say they still exist today precisely because, at the time, you put in more or less effort in their defense.
—And the tenth city, aside from those… Manchester, is your hometown.
The "Puppet of Domination·Ling Ke" synchronized Ling Ke's facial expression, a faint smile rising at the corners of his lips.
—Then, allow me to formally present the rules.
—Today's game is very simple.
The "Puppet of Domination·Ling Ke" pointed his finger at the virtual globe suspended in the air:
—The ten mentioned cities will be the targets of our next full-scale assault.
—Of course, since this is an endless war, we'll massacre them without hesitation.
Rita furrowed her brow.
But before she could say anything, the figure before her continued:
—And you, Miss Rita...
—Will now have to answer some questions from me.
—If your answer satisfies me, the corresponding question will allow one city to be spared from this catastrophe.
—Naturally, since it is a reward I'm granting you, you yourself may choose which city will be forgiven... and which one will not.
Rita's heart sank.
Accustomed to the darkest corners of the world, she instantly understood what Ling Ke was trying to do.
This was, without a doubt, another form of torture—one that "kills the heart."
She could see that the purpose of this so-called Q&A game wasn't about right or wrong answers at all, but rather that, under the imposed condition... she had to decide which city would be saved.
Because Ling Ke never said he would ask exactly ten questions.
And if the number of questions was fewer than the number of cities, each decision from Rita wouldn't only mean choosing whom to protect... but also whom to "abandon."
Just like at the beginning, when—part of the research team in Changkong City—she chose to ignore the instinctual judgment of her heart...
That later affected many things and eventually led to the birth of the person now before her—someone who once held hope.
—Then let's begin with the questions!
The "Puppet of Domination·Ling Ke" didn't wait for a reply and immediately posed the first question.
Rita remained composed.
In that moment, she did her utmost to calm the violent turmoil in her heart and sat quietly at the edge of the bed.
As if it were a private conversation with an old friend.
And in that very atmosphere...
—First question: Miss Rita, do you think you're a good person?
—
Rita was expecting this.
She knew Ling Ke would never ask typical questions with only one correct answer.
This was pure psychological torture.
To this, she replied:
—No!
Ling Ke, she thought, wanted to hear that answer from her own lips.
Moreover, it was the conclusion she had reached after reflecting on herself.
Throughout all these years, as an assassin bearing the codename "Dark Rose," she had done countless dirty jobs for Otto. Her hands had long been stained with blood and were no longer pure.
Even in her public role as vice-captain of the "Immortal Blade" squad... every time she heard the blonde girl say with a smile that she trusted her so much, it made her chest tighten.
However...
—That's not the answer I wanted.
The "Puppet of Domination·Ling Ke" shook its head, expression regretful:
—In my eyes, Miss Rita, you are without a doubt a good person.
—?
Rita was stunned upon hearing this.
She only heard:
—You dwell in darkness, but long for the light.
The "Puppet of Domination·Ling Ke" laughed softly:
—Personally, those eight words are without a doubt the most fitting description of you.
—
Rita didn't reply.
She fell silent, watching the dark-haired youth seated on the nearby sofa.
He simply smiled, with no intention of waiting for her reaction or offering further explanation, and continued:
—Second question.
—To save others is love; not to save is duty... Miss Rita, do you agree with this phrase?
—
Without a doubt, in the current situation, this was the heaviest question for her.
Because the one asking was Ling Ke.
The one who was once ignored when he pleaded for help.
So her answer was:
—I don't know.
She truly didn't know how to respond.
Deep down, Rita envied those who could say "yes, I agree" without hesitation.
Because such people could live in peace.
But if she were on the other side, the one needing to be saved...
Could someone really offer such a clear-cut answer?
In desperate situations, how many people hope there's a compassionate figure who will extend a hand?
Perhaps, like Ling Ke back then.
All he needed was a ray of hope.
Maybe that alone would have been enough for him to endure... and not fall into the abyss.
To still "believe that there are beautiful things in this world worth fighting for."
But now...
—Alright, understood.
The "Puppet of Domination·Ling Ke" nodded.
—You don't know... is also a valid answer.
He laughed:
—And to be honest, I liked that answer.
—Now then...
He pointed to the floating virtual globe in front of him:
—Choose, Miss Rita.
—Which city will you save?