Chapter 104 Kiana: Let me use a baseball bat to give his head a good, hard kiss!
「 "So, why are you helping me copying?" Stelle asked.
"You cover for me, I need to go to the Seat of Divine Foresight to report..." Cloud Knight requested.
"Alright," Stelle nodded. Their goals aligned, so working together wasn't an issue. However, Stelle was curious about one thing: "Why do you transcribe so fast?"
Cloud Knight waved his hand.
"Heh, it's nothing... I used to do clerical work for 150 years, so I'm used to transcribing."
"..."
Both looked up. Green Hibiscus was still supervising those who were transcribing, muttering.
"Take your time, still your mind, and transcribe the text. Allow the beautiful enlightenment of Thousand-Handed Merciful Medicus' Salvation to permeate your being."
"We're finished," Stelle and Cloud Knight said, handing over the transcribed scriptures together.
"Both of you are finished? So fast? Let me check..." Green Hibiscus was astonished and quickly took the transcribed scrolls to examine them carefully.
"Hmm... Hmm... Yes, it would appear you are finished — a fast and accurate transcription. It seems you are destined for immortality."
"So, can I join the Disciples of Sanctus Medicus now?" Stelle asked.
"Calm down, calm down," Green Hibiscus said unhurriedly.
"The initiation is divided into two steps — you and the Cloud Knight have completed the first. Now... only the second remains."
"Sure... but can it wait till tomorrow? I'm supposed to be on duty right now — they'll get suspicious if I don't head back soon."
"No need to worry, the second step is very simple and can be finished quickly."
A fierce glint flashed in Green Hibiscus's eyes as he chuckled, "The Disciples' initiation is governed by the following principle — never accept who you suspect, and never suspect who you accept. So... it's time for you two to battle it out. Whoever survives will officially become a disciple." 」
「 .....」
〜Baki world〜
"Despicable!"
Retsu Kaioh, who had witnessed the entire initiation trial, couldn't help but roar in anger, startling Tokugawa, who almost dropped his teacup.
Beside him, Hanayama Kaoru—the second-generation leader of the Hanayama-gumi, a Japanese yakuza group—also exuded an astonishing aura, his fists trembling in his pockets.
It was precisely because of his strong sense of loyalty and righteousness, and his proper conduct, that Hanayama Kaoru earned the respect and admiration of his subordinates. He also used the same standards to regulate his subordinates, upholding the organization's principles... which led to the current glory of the Hanayama-gumi.
The Sanctus Medicus would actually employ such shameless individuals—based on this alone, Hanayama Kaoru was the first to despise this group.
"This Cloud Knightis also a talented individual. Why doesn't the Sanctus Medicus take him in as well? Is it not a pity to let him die by Stelle's hand?"
Retsu Kaioh was angry, but the Medicine King's Secret Tradition's method of squandering talent utterly perplexed him.
"...Heh heh, it's clearly a 'pledge of allegiance',"
Guo Kaihuang chuckled.
"Pledge of allegiance?"
"In ancient times, if someone wanted to join bandits or horse thieves, they would take a person's head as a pledge of allegiance,"
Guo Kaihuang explained.
"Having blood on your hands... not only shows sincerity but also makes it easier to integrate into the group."
"After all, once you've killed someone and committed murder, you can't go back. Only bandits and horse thieves will accept that person."
"If Stelle kills this Cloud Knight, he will commit murder on the Xianzhou... Compared to two newcomers, the Sanctus Medicus needs someone with blood on their hands and complete loyalty."
"But, but... that Cloud Knight..."
Retsu Kaioh knew that Cloud Knight couldn't possibly be Stelle's opponent and would surely die if they truly fought, so he couldn't help but worry.
—
「 "Why?" Stelle asked, puzzled.
"Transcribing scripture allows us to ascertain your devotion, but determining whether or not you'll be loyal to the organization requires a stronger guarantee..."
Green Hibiscus said, spreading his hands with a helpless expression. "...Sorry, there's nothing I can do about it. I didn't write the rules."
"W—Whoa, whoa — you're kidding, right?" Cloud Knight suddenly panicked.
"We came here to lengthen our lifespans, not shorten them! You can't just make us fight like this!"
"We aren't forcing you to fight — by all means refuse if you wish..." A fierce glint appeared in Green Hibiscus's eyes as he said coldly, "But we won't possibly be able to let either of you leave." 」
「 .....」
〜Honkai: Impact 3rd World〜
"How can Stelle endure this?! Quickly smash his head with a baseball bat! He's really getting on their nerves!"
"Let that guy know who's in charge of this part of Xianzhou!!"
During lunch, Kiana waved her chopsticks, imagining them as two baseball bats, swinging them with gusto.
"Eat first,"
Mei sighed helplessly, reaching out to gently tap Kiana's head, coaxing her like a child.
"Only after you've eaten and passed the afternoon test will you have the strength to deal with Green Hibiscus."
"If I could make a move, I would have hit him with a stick when that guy told me to transcribe books,"
Kiana said stiffly, chewing her vegetables.
"That Cloud Knight brother is so nice; if he were really hurt by Stelle, I wouldn't be able to sleep at night!"
Mei looked up at the light screen, pursed her lips, and smiled.
"But if Kiana really went, wouldn't it alert the enemy?"
Kiana pouted.
"I just can't stand seeing bad guys get away with things in front of me..."
"Green Hibiscus dares to recruit in a bustling market, so he might have a backup plan. What if the Sanctus Medicus has hidden talents, and there are experts protecting him..."
Kiana tried to pick up a scrambled egg with her chopsticks, but it slipped away.
She pouted and continued to try harder.
"So what if there are experts? I'll beat one if one comes, and two if two come!"
After speaking, the young girl raised her lake-blue eyes again and put on a pitiful expression.
"And, since I've already made a move, Mei definitely won't let me fight alone, right?"
So that's what she meant. Mei smiled slightly and used her chopsticks to lift the scrambled egg from the girl's lunchbox.
"Of course, I wouldn't leave you alone."
Kiana finally picked up the scrambled egg, her mood greatly improved, and put it in her mouth, smiling.
"I knew it, no matter what, Mei, you'll always be by my side."
—
「 "I... Fine, fine—" Cloud Knight nodded tremblingly.
"Then let me prepare myself mentally first, that's fine, right? I've never done anything like this before..."
Green Hibiscus was noncommittal, allowing him and Stelle to prepare themselves.
The two walked to a corner, both instinctively lowering their voices.
"Listen... I have an idea that will let you join the Disciples of Sanctus Medicus, and let me get the heck out of here in one piece."
"You and I fight, and I lose to you — I pretend that you finished me off. Then, you pretend to help them remove my body by dragging me out of here... This way, both our goals can be achieved!"
"Oh, uh... I've seen your skills... Please don't mess up and actually kill me..." 」
「 .....」