[Over the next three months, you settled all affairs in Twilight Street, most importantly ensuring the safety of that mischievous rascal, Pardofelis.]
[Secondly, you assigned Sakura to protect the Sanatorium. This was partly for her to observe the situation there firsthand, and partly so she could help move things.]
[During this time, Sakura was recalled to the MOTHs once. When she reappeared, a pair of pink ears had sprouted on her head.]
[In the final month before your departure, you informed Kalpas of the plan to move.]
[Kalpas initially threw a tantrum, frequently hiding from you, but you eventually caught him and had a talk in his room.]
[You told him that a home is more than just a place to return to; a true home is wherever one's family is.]
[After that night, although Kalpas still acted annoyed, he began to quietly help pack the children's toys and clothes, as well as other items of special significance.]
[Regarding your departure, Godfather Anderson clung to you for a whole night, unwilling to let you go, before sending you off with lavish gifts, including all the daily necessities for the children, beautifully described as presents for them.]
[The following evening, your informant reported that Godfather Anderson had secretly invited the leaders of all factions to an extremely extravagant party outside Twilight Street.]
[According to the photos taken, several gang bosses who were usually at each other's throats were seen embracing each other, crying and drinking heartily, having the time of their lives.]
[Ten days before leaving Twilight Street, Aponia came to you, wanting to go with you to see their new home—The Deep End—ahead of time.]
---o---
Tap… tap…
The crisp sound of footsteps echoed here, resounding emptily in the pure black space.
At the end of the viscous darkness, countless sinister and cold figures stood like specters, exuding an aura of chilling despair.
—Perhaps they were despair itself.
At this moment, however, they merely watched the two people in their midst with fear and vigilance, as if they were not the last glimmer of light in the utter darkness, but an existence more sinister than darkness, than death…
…than any accumulation of terrifying words could describe.
This was the deterrent power Aponia had gained after becoming a MANTIS.
"Who are these people? They look… as if they are in great pain."
Suddenly, a voice as gentle as a butterfly's wing sounded out. Aponia's voice seemed to carry a magical quality, dispelling the omnipresent darkness.
The dark figures seemed to recoil in fear, taking an unconscious step back.
They were like woodlice in the dark encountering a flameless yet scorching fire, a purely instinctual fear.
"Their composition is complex. There are so-called 'monsters,' as well as 'heroes of the past' who now stand against humanity."
Even though this wasn't his first time here, Fu Li still felt a sense of melancholy.
"But Sister Nia, I can tell you're not afraid of them. On the contrary, you want to look after them, don't you?"
"…Yes." Aponia nodded gently, acknowledging Fu Li's observation.
In response, Fu Li could only shrug helplessly. He knew that Aponia could not let go of her pity… or perhaps, her desire to protect these people.
Even if the methods required might be a bit extreme.
Suddenly, Aponia asked with a hint of worry, "Priest, isn't this environment a little unhealthy for the children?"
"Of course not. You can rest assured about the paradise Vill-V has built," Fu Li said with considerable confidence.
"That woman always loves a dramatic reveal. The more terrifying the darkness up ahead, the more brilliant the light that follows."
"Is that so?" Aponia nodded thoughtfully. She said no more, only using her peripheral vision to observe these so-called 'sinners.'
Gradually, the path around them narrowed. After a few dozen more steps, specks of light began to flicker, and the space ahead suddenly opened up.
"This is…!" Aponia covered her mouth in astonishment.
Appearing before her was a vast plaza with flowers, water, butterflies, and even some amusement park facilities.
And in the center of the plaza stood a white, palace-like, spire-topped church—an upgraded version of the one from Twilight Street.
Just then, Aponia reached out and caught a piece of paper that was fluttering down from above.
"What's this?"
Aponia paused for a moment, then looked at the contents of the paper.
...
Welcome, viewers from afar! Are you astonished by this [Grand Magic Show]?
There is no need to hold back your applause and amazement.
After all, this is a treasure of art created by the greatest magician of the Twilight Era, the creator of all escape magic, the greatest genius of this century—Vill-V!
Unfortunately, due to certain matters, I am temporarily unable to get away. So, I wish you a pleasant time!
PS: While you're at it, tell Li not to forget the research funds he promised me~
...
"Ah, this is Vill-V's invitation letter." Fu Li nodded, feeling a bit emotional. "She's actually showing some restraint this time. Not bad."
"You call this restraint?" The look of surprise on Aponia's face faded, replaced by one of curiosity.
"That's right. If you'd seen her other 'magic shows,' you'd realize that this is actually very mild."
Fu Li nodded and expertly led Aponia through the area.
Although they were in an enclosed environment, for some unknown reason, the sunlight and air here were no different from the outside world.
Aside from the fact that the children might not be able to leave freely, this could be described as an excellent place to live and retire.
"It's beautiful here, and very nice," Aponia praised sincerely.
If Vill-V had seen her expression, she would have undoubtedly put on an exaggerated performance of 'You have excellent taste,' before bragging about herself some more.
Although, she did have the capital to brag.
"Then let's go and bring the children here. This will be their new home, a new safe harbor."
Seeing Aponia's satisfied expression, Fu Li also felt relieved.
[After the tour, you and Aponia left The Deep End.]
[Before returning to Twilight Street, you handed three vials of your blood, prepared in advance, to Mobius, hoping she could select a compatible gene.]
[After that, you notified the upper echelons of the MOTHs to prepare a professional operating room, one with absolutely no one within a three-kilometer radius.]
[You returned to Twilight Street with Aponia. Seeing the children after so long, you smiled and told them you were taking them to their new home.]
[The children trusted you completely and agreed without hesitation.]
[After that, you chartered an entire plane, sent the bill to Godfather Anderson, and left Twilight Street with them.]
[You brought the children back to The Deep End, entrusting them to the care of Kalpas and Sister Vera, before taking Ania to Mobius's laboratory.]
---o---
"Oh? Li, you're back?"
Hearing the sound, Mobius turned her head. As her gaze landed on the source of the noise, her serpentine eyes narrowed sharply.
The newcomers were indeed Fu Li and Aponia, but between them stood a pink-haired little ball of fluff wearing a cone hat, who was rather conspicuous.
Looking at them like that, they seemed just like a family of three.
For some reason, Mobius felt as if her hair had turned a shade greener.
However, Fu Li clearly didn't notice. He raised a hand in greeting.
"Long time no see, Mobius. Have you selected the fusion gene for this child?"
"I have." Though annoyed, she knew business came first.
Mobius picked up a tablet, manipulated it for a moment, and then handed it to Fu Li, explaining:
"Emperor-class Honkai Beast [Malphas]. A crow-type Honkai Beast named after the 39th demon of the 72 Pillars of Solomon. It possesses the ability of telepathy."
"According to the genetic analysis, this is the most compatible Honkai Beast for Ania. The only drawback is…"
At this point, Mobius wiped the crimson blood from her hands, a mocking smile playing on her lips.
"According to the data, when that Honkai Beast was alive, it could indeed read human thoughts and control them."
"But because the brainwaves of a MANTIS are so complex, they have essentially transcended the category of human. Therefore, its mind-reading is useless against a MANTIS."
"I see." Fu Li nodded, his face showing no disappointment.
"That's fine. We'll go with this one."
Inside the lab, Aponia looked at the harmonious pair, then at the extremely complex experimental data on the tablet, and a thousand question marks seemed to pop up above her head.