The next morning, Mei looked at Kiana, who was sleeping on her chest.
Reaching out, Mei gently ruffled Kiana's hair, a soft smile gracing her lips as she felt the texture beneath her fingers.
Through her other self, Mei had already learned about the events of last night.
The person who attacked last night was clearly targeting her, the third herrscher.
In other words, last night's attack was all because of her.
She gently released Kiana, got out of bed, and then pulled the covers up to tuck Kiana in.
Standing by the window, Mei gazed at the damaged ground outside, her heart heavy with conflicted emotions. Should she truly continue to live here?
Just as Mei was lost in self-doubt, she heard a cold laugh.
"Coward, if you're too afraid to face it, then give me control of your body."
"I can't let you out; you'll destroy everything."
"Tsk, don't forget, I am you. What I can do, you can do too. What exactly are you afraid of?" The voice sounded particularly impatient.
"I..."
"Stop with the self-deprecation! Can't you think about it? Who here has ever cared about your identity?!"
Subsequently, the other Mei fell silent, no matter how much Mei tried to call out to her.
Although the other Mei didn't respond to her, her words of comfort had already taken effect.
Mei clasped her hands over her chest and softly said, "Thank you."
"Hmph."
Hearing the response, Mei changed her clothes and headed downstairs.
After descending the stairs, Mei ignored the damaged wall and walked directly into the kitchen.
Seeing Fu Hua already in the kitchen, she greeted, "Good morning, Squad Leader."
"Hmm, good morning." Fu Hua glanced at Mei, confirming that Mei had returned to her usual self, the one who often spent time with them.
"Last night, I caused you trouble, Squad Leader." Mei stood beside Fu Hua, helping her prepare the breakfast ingredients.
"It's fine, it's good that Mei is alright."
"If it weren't for you, Squad Leader, I might have already been captured," Mei said with a self-deprecating laugh.
"No, Mei could have handled it even without our help."
"Mei, you need to face your own power. Escaping is not the solution."
Upon hearing this, Mei's movements paused for a moment. "But Squad Leader, I'm really afraid I won't be able to control myself."
"Mei, power is always your own, and besides, didn't your other self come out to help us last night?" Fu Hua covered the pot in front of her, then turned to look at Mei.
"Is that so... I... I'll try to communicate with her."
Regarding Mei's situation, Fu Hua didn't have many good solutions; it was primarily up to Mei herself to figure things out.
After all, the other personality within her was still a part of herself.
Mei, deep in thought about this issue, remained distracted even during mealtime.
After finishing her meal, as Mei was about to clear the table, Kiana reached out and grasped Mei's wrist.
"Kiana, is something wrong?"
"Mei, is something bothering you?" Kiana asked Mei directly.
"No, Kiana, if there's something, wait until I've cleared the table first." Mei then looked at the dishes on the table.
"Mei-jiejie, Bronya can handle these." Bronya immediately summoned Project Bunny, which began clearing the table.
Seeing this, Kiana directly pulled Mei into the living room.
"Mei, what's wrong? You were acting strangely during dinner." After sitting on the sofa, Kiana pouted and asked Mei.
"Kiana, I'm really fine..."
"Mei is lying. During dinner, Mei accidentally spilled the porridge twice. Mei definitely has something on her mind." Before Mei could finish speaking, Kiana retorted.
At the same time, Kiana reached out and cupped Mei's face, making Mei look directly at her.
"Mei, what exactly is wrong?" Kiana asked very seriously.
"Kiana..." After a moment of silence, Mei said, "Kiana, should I be keeping my distance from all of you?"
"What are you saying, Mei? Didn't we say that no matter what happens, we'd always be together?"
"Don't forget, Mei, I'm the one who brought you out of Nagazora City. No matter what happens, I will never abandon you!" Kiana said with utmost sincerity.
"And, I only proved to my dad last night that I can be your Kaslana Knight, who will protect you!"
"Your dad?" Mei asked, hearing the unusual title. Had the Academy Principal already told Kiana about her father?
"Yeah, didn't I go to train with Aunt last night? And then, during the training, I saw my dad! Even though it was just a program simulation, it was really lifelike!"
"And then, when my dad heard that I wanted to protect you, he was going to give me a good beating, but I still managed to convince him in the end!" Kiana said, tilting her head up, looking like a proud Little Kitten.
"Pfft, really?" Mei looked at Kiana like this and burst out laughing, then immediately hugged her.
After a while, Mei released Kiana, then gently tapped Kiana's cheek.
"Thank you, Kiana." Mei said, looking at Kiana, whose face was a little red.
"Ah, this... that..." Kiana now didn't dare to look into Mei's eyes.
"Are you shy now? Kiana, aren't you going to be my Knight?" Mei said with a light chuckle, looking at Kiana like this.
"Th-that's of course! I'm going to be Mei's Knight, so Mei, you can tell me anything that's bothering you! Your Knight will solve your problems!" Kiana stammered.
"Yes, yes, my Knight." Mei hugged Kiana close.
The few people peeking from outside the living room exchanged glances. As expected, Kiana's words were more effective for Mei. However, yesterday's situation had also given them a warning.
That is, Mei's identity as the third herrscher would still be coveted by some.
Anti-Entropy?
It just depends on how much compensation Theresa can pry out of Anti-Entropy's mouth.
After all, this was the Far East Branch of Schicksal, and Anti-Entropy's First Herrscher came here to launch an attack, even attempting to take their Valkyrie.
The person who attacked last night wasn't caught; there must have been someone assisting them, Himeko thought.
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