Fu Hua caught Senti mid-fall, hearing her murmurs.
This kid... Why so hung up on labels?
"Wow, Hua. You hit your daughter that hard?"
"She's not my daughter. Just a Herrscher born from my body."
Fu Hua frowned. A 50,000-year-old maiden like me? No way.
"Heehee~ But she did come from you. Therefore—your child!"
Elysia donned a detective hat, pointing dramatically.
Female parent + birthed entity + childlike tantrums = daughter.
Fu Hua's eye twitched.
The math is mathing... wrong.
"Elysia, stop teasing. Poor Hua's already reeling from sudden motherhood."
"You're not helping either, Chang Yuan."
Fu Hua realized—this couple was tag-teaming her.
"Let's get Senti to recovery. She'll be calmer when she wakes."
...
Senti's eyelids fluttered open—
To see the woman who'd beaten her.
"You... Why save me? We're supposed to be enemies!"
"...You know the truth. Why cling to lies?"
"Tch. None of your business."
Sitting up, Senti crossed her arms, looking away.
The moment her Edge of Taixuan had faltered, doubt crept in.
Why couldn't she be Fu Hua? She had the memories, the body—everything.
"I understand your aversion. You have an adult's wisdom... but a child's fears."
"You crave validation yet push it away. You want to prove you're not a monster... but you don't need to."
"We accept you as Senti—our ally. Not a villain. So please... help us. Help yourself."
Fu Hua forced a smile, extending a hand.
"...Little Senti."
Senti stiffened.
Since when was the old fossil this... smooth?
(Unbeknownst to her, the group had coached Fu Hua during her coma.
Otto, veteran of Teriri-taming, was the lead instructor.
Kevin? Banned from teaching. His only childcare experience was mixing baby formula.)
Hearing Fu Hua's sincerity, Senti peeked sideways.
"...Old timer. You really need me?"
"O-Old timer?! Fine... Yes. We do, Little Senti."
"...Hmph. Only a little help! And not for you! I just... hate evil! And the Honkai! That's all!"
Grumbling, she placed her hand in Fu Hua's—
Effectively joining them.
Fu Hua exhaled in relief.
That went... better than expected.
"Ahem! Conditions first: I might flub the acting. And after this... you owe me one favor. Nothing crazy!"
She held up a finger.
The group nodded instantly.
Whatever it is, Fu Hua can handle it.
(Fu Hua, oblivious: Why do I feel chilly?)
"Sooo~ Do I trash HQ first? Then attack Bronya?"
Fully recovered, Senti vibrated with destructive energy.
Totally not because Otto backstabbed Fu Hua in the script. Nope.
"My friend, must you enthusiastically wreck my base?"
Otto sighed. (Repair costs: pocket change. Annoyance: priceless.)
"Who's your friend? Call me senpai! I'm older!"
"By appearance, soul, or consciousness? I surpass you in all, my friend."
"Ugh! Fine! Then I'm blowing up your gaming server! Drown with your loser scores!"
"...You've grown cruel. I preferred you naive."