Sensing the malice in the Principal's eyes, Ming Yu's movements as he enjoyed his food slowed a fraction.
Looking at the fiercely cute Principal, Ming Yu shrugged helplessly and then threw himself back into the battle for food with Kiana. Although Mei had cooked a table full of dishes, considering there were two Kaslanas present, the situation was still not optimistic.
Besides, was it his fault that HQ was sending someone?
As long as Theresa was at St. Freya, that doting grandpa with the blonde granddaughter complex might even sneak over himself using an alt account. What did that have to do with him?
So, although the Far East Branch was the furthest from Vienna, HQ's control over it was by no means weak. Or perhaps, it was just its control over Theresa personally that wasn't weak?
But it didn't make much difference to Ming Yu; either situation was something he couldn't resist. He just needed to lie low and develop.
Whether Otto was acting out of concern for Theresa or because of the importance of K-423, it was enough to make him place numerous pawns within St. Freya and the Far East Branch. Ming Yu didn't believe for a second that Fu Hua was Otto's only spy.
In matters like this, one could never be too careful.
Otto might accept "one of Fu Hua's slightly talented disciples," but he would never allow someone who could potentially affect his plans to run wild. And an unknown Divine Key was more than enough to have a significant impact on his plans.
Fortunately, according to the consensus reached between Ming Yu and Theresa, as long as he didn't flaunt Jizo Mitama too much, Theresa would help him suppress any news about the Divine Key.
On the matter of hiding the Divine Key, the two of them had a common interest. Ming Yu was unwilling to hand the Divine Key over to Schicksal, and Theresa also wanted to keep it at the Far East Branch.
And for those unfamiliar with Divine Keys, identifying one is a very difficult task. Without careful study, it's impossible to reach a definite conclusion. Fu Hua had been at St. Freya for so long, yet Theresa hadn't discovered the Fenghuang Down and Grips of Taixu on her, had she?
This was especially true for a Divine Key like Jizo Mitama, which did not exist in any current records, making identification even more difficult.
Therefore, in theory, it was impossible for Jizo Mitama to be recognized by an ordinary person. But it was never a bad thing to be a little more careful. It's better to be safe than sorry.
Seeing that Ming Yu was ignoring her, the Principal viciously bit a large chunk of meat off a chicken leg, as if it were Ming Yu himself.
When Kiana heard Theresa's words, she became angry, her dissatisfaction written all over her face. She muttered, "Hmph! Damn Theresa, she doesn't believe in my abilities. Sooner or later, I'll show you how amazing this young lady is!"
Ignoring Kiana's little tantrum, Theresa said to Mei, "Mei, the person coming from HQ this time will also check on your condition. You need to prepare in advance. After all, Nagazora..."
"Ah~" Mei was a little surprised to hear Theresa's words suddenly, but she quickly recovered and showed a calm smile, responding, "I understand."
Although Theresa didn't spell it out, Mei knew exactly what she was referring to.
The Third Honkai Eruption occurred in the Far East region under Theresa's responsibility. The entire city of Nagazora became a restricted zone, millions of lives were lost, and Mei herself had transformed into a Herrscher and fought the Hyperion head-on.
These things were impossible to hide. Besides, Theresa had no reason to hide any of it for her.
She, Raiden Mei, was the Third Herrscher after all.
Theresa chose to trust her and let her enroll in St. Freya High School. But Schicksal HQ would not necessarily think the same way.
Perhaps, in the eyes of those people, she was just a demon in human skin, an existence that must be eliminated, Mei thought with a bitter smile.
Even so, Mei didn't object. In her opinion, Theresa had already done more than enough, and she had no right to demand anything more from her.
Noticing Mei's mood suddenly plummet, Theresa felt a little helpless inside. It seemed this child still hadn't gotten over it.
"Don't overthink it, it's just a routine check-up," Theresa explained, a gentle smile on her face. "I've already informed HQ, and they haven't expressed any objections. As long as we can ensure stability, HQ will find it acceptable."
Theresa's words undoubtedly gave Mei a sense of reassurance. She had already been prepared to be taken into custody or even executed, but she never expected the outcome to be like this.
If she could live, of course she wouldn't choose to die. Moreover, she had reasons she had to live for, and things she had to investigate.
Smiling sweetly at Theresa, Mei replied, "I understand."
Glancing at the relieved Mei and Kiana beside her, Ming Yu couldn't help but sneer inwardly. He didn't think that guy Otto would be so kind.
Assuming the worst of the Overseer, Ming Yu naturally thought of Project Sirin.
Did Otto know about Mei's importance to Kiana, and that's why he allowed the Third Herrscher to remain at St. Freya, so she could later serve as a sacrifice for Project Sirin to awaken Kiana's consciousness? Ming Yu pondered.
Or, did he just want to see the results of a Herrscher created by a 'Gem'?
Ming Yu wasn't sure how Schicksal's experiments with the Gem of Desire were progressing. But seeing Anti-Entropy create the Third Herrscher with a Gem of Conquest, Otto should be getting restless too.
But what would Otto do?
Looking at the joyful Mei, Ming Yu secretly calculated the Overseer's next move in his mind.
Meanwhile, lost in thought, Ming Yu didn't realize that the changes in his expression had been caught by Bronya's eyes.
Seeing that Ming Yu wasn't curious about the cryptic conversation between Theresa and Mei, Bronya faintly understood that Ming Yu seemed to know Mei's secret of being the Third Herrscher.
But Mei had not revealed her identity many times in Nagazora. Ming Yu was not present during the first few times, and on the last night, he had already fainted beforehand. Logically, he shouldn't know about this.
Even she, a core member of Anti-Entropy, was only able to confirm Mei's identity before she revealed her powers thanks to Anti-Entropy's intelligence network. So, how did Ming Yu know Mei's identity?
Looking at Ming Yu's face, she could confirm that she had never seen him in Anti-Entropy. Although the possibility that he belonged to another faction of Anti-Entropy couldn't be ruled out, judging by Ming Yu's attitude towards her, that option could also be basically eliminated.
If he could find out about the Third Herrscher's identity from Anti-Entropy, then there was no reason he wouldn't have her file. But his attitude towards her was no different from his attitude towards Big Sis Mei and Kiana.
Considering Theresa and the others' attitude towards Ming Yu, the possibility that he was from Schicksal could also be ruled out.
Although it couldn't be confirmed yet, Ming Yu, who possessed such an intelligence network, could not possibly be the ordinary person he claimed to be.
Looking at the young man on the other side of the table, Bronya's heart grew more curious about Ming Yu's identity.