"Big Bro Yu!"
Ming Yu seemed to snap back to reality, his gaze focusing on the girl beside him.
"Are you missing the time you spent living with Big Sis Mei and the others?" Higokumaru finally continued. She had already heard some things about Ming Yu from Mei and knew what changes the arrival of Jizo Mitama and herself had brought. Seeing Ming Yu like this now, she naturally felt a little guilty.
After a few seconds of contemplation, Ming Yu said calmly, "No..."
Seeing the disbelief in Higokumaru's eyes, Ming Yu fell silent for a long moment before continuing, "I don't know either..."
Was he reminiscing about the days with Kiana and the others?
Maybe, maybe not.
He himself didn't know what the answer was.
It had been nearly two months since he came to this world, and he had gradually grown accustomed to the life here. But he knew very well in his heart that there was always an insurmountable barrier between him and the people of St. Freya.
He and they were not on the same path...
This separation made Ming Yu even more clearly aware of this long-hidden problem.
Whether it was Theresa or the trio of Kiana, Mei, and Bronya, they all had the goal of fighting the Honkai and protecting the world, and they had the resolve to sacrifice for it. As for himself, he was just thinking about how to survive, constantly scheming for that purpose.
Although he currently had no plans to leave St. Freya, this was largely due to the limitations of his own abilities. When he truly possessed enough strength, he didn't know what choice he would make.
Perhaps he still missed his life in the other world, still hoped to live a peaceful and stable life, rather than always dancing on a razor's edge like in this recent operation.
Although that feeling was exciting, after the rush of adrenaline cooled, all that was left was fear.
He was afraid of death, the kind of fear that was very, very strong.
That's why he was unwilling to let go of any opportunity to become stronger. Because he knew that St. Freya could not protect him forever.
In at most two years, this place would fall into chaos with the Far East Branch's rebellion. Moreover, a world-class Honkai Eruption would destroy every paradise on earth.
In this world of Honkai, no place could be called one hundred percent safe.
Sensing the complex emotions in Ming Yu's words, Higokumaru was at a loss for words for a moment. She and Ming Yu weren't very familiar with each other; she had no idea what this person had encountered and experienced before.
To break the somewhat awkward atmosphere, Higokumaru asked with a light smile, "Now that Big Bro Yu has obtained a Divine Key, what do you plan to do in the future?"
In the Previous Era, every wielder of a Divine Key was a powerful warrior, and those people took pride in possessing one. Although the current Ming Yu couldn't compare to them, in Higokumaru's view, it was still something inspiring, something that could at least ignite some of Ming Yu's passion.
Hearing Higokumaru's words, Ming Yu thought seriously for a moment and said solemnly, "I don't know... But, I think it would be to survive~"
He wasn't trying to be perfunctory with Higokumaru; he answered the question with the utmost seriousness. Due to their connection through Jizo Mitama, their fates were intertwined; they would prosper or fall together. Moreover, Ming Yu also hoped to have someone to confide in, rather than always resorting to pretense and deception.
"Huh?" Higokumaru was a little surprised. Generally, those who obtained a Divine Key would quickly build up strong self-confidence, because the power of the Divine Key was worthy of such confidence.
But Ming Yu's answer was simply too cowardly, completely inconsistent with his spirited demeanor in the Stigmata Space. Even though they hadn't known each other for long, this side of Ming Yu was enough to astonish Higokumaru.
"Is it hard to believe?" Ming Yu chuckled lightly, raising his right hand to cover the moon. The moonlight shone through the gaps between his fingers onto his face, giving him a more somber and mysterious air.
"This world is vast, and very dangerous. Even an existence like a Herrscher is nothing but a clay chicken or a pottery dog in front of the truly strong," Ming Yu said slowly, a hint of powerlessness and loneliness in his tone. "At least, for now, the Honkai is far from the most terrifying enemy."
"Humanity's greatest enemy can only ever be humanity itself!"
Higokumaru bit her lip, wanting to retort, to use the powerful Herrschers of the Previous Era to prove him wrong. But she was suddenly reminded that she herself was now nothing more than a failed Herrscher.
Although it wasn't her intention, Higokumaru as a Herrscher was indeed defeated at the hands of humans.
Moreover, although Ming Yu's words were somewhat dejected, they carried a sense of having seen through the world, not allowing for the slightest doubt from others.
Higokumaru couldn't help but become interested in Ming Yu's past, but she didn't ask. Because she knew that such an inquiry would yield no results.
If Ming Yu didn't want to say, there was nothing she could do. And when Ming Yu wanted to say it, she would naturally know.
Speaking of which, Ming Yu couldn't help but think of Otto and Fu Hua again.
If he really wanted to be technical about it, he could have just ignored all of this.
Since Fu Hua didn't expose him immediately, it meant she had no intention of doing so. As long as he didn't actively court death in front of her, Fu Hua had no reason to want him dead. For a Celestial whose edges had been worn smooth by time, his little shenanigans were probably not something she would take too seriously.
Even if he used the name of Mount Taixu to bluff and deceive, causing Otto to misjudge once, Fu Hua's opinion of Otto wasn't that great either. At most, she would ensure Abyss Flower wouldn't be lost. However, his favorability with Fu Hua was likely gone, and she wouldn't teach him anything more profound.
After all, he was using her name to commit fraud, and the person herself found out. Not getting beaten to a pulp was already a testament to the Celestial's good upbringing.
Similarly, as long as he didn't reveal himself, the Otto situation wouldn't affect him either.
In the eyes of big shots of that level, he was just a small fry. Getting Abyss Flower this time was a stroke of great luck; otherwise, how could someone of Ming Yu's level so easily come into contact with an item on the level of a Divine Key.
Besides, in the coming years, Otto's main focus would be on the so-called "Project Sirin," and he wouldn't pay much attention to him. He wouldn't delude himself into thinking that a big shot had nothing better to do all day than to keep an eye on a small fish like him.
With that time, wouldn't it be better to conduct a few more experiments on Herrscher cores? Or play a few more rounds of "Kallen Fantasy"?
If Fu Hua didn't mention it, the Overseer would probably forget about a Valkyrie trainee like him in a few days. After all, St. Freya alone had several thousand students, and he didn't think there was anything noteworthy about himself, even with a hidden Divine Key. At most, his male identity was a bit conspicuous, but while males with Honkai resistance were not numerous in this world, they were not non-existent either, just rarer compared to females.
At the very least, the two great families of Schicksal, Kaslana and Shania, had plenty. It wasn't anything to be alarmed about if a genetic mutation or something similar appeared elsewhere.
But after careful consideration, he still chose to contact Fu Hua, sending her a message on his communicator inviting her to train together the next morning.
Although the risk factor had increased, the Celestial was not the type to kill at the slightest disagreement. What's more, in his still-unclear plan, Fu Hua was a very crucial figure. If he could win her trust, he would at least be much safer on Otto's end.
Otherwise, if Otto had a whim, remembered something, and decided to mess with him, he would be in for a world of hurt.
After all, even with Ming Yu's agreement with Theresa, if the Schicksal Overseer really wanted to deal with someone, even S-rank power would be of no use.
A few minutes later, seeing the simple word "Okay" appear on his communicator screen, Ming Yu let out a long sigh of relief.
Since the choice had been made, it was time for him to make some preparations. Regardless of Fu Hua's reasons for accepting his invitation, he should treat it with caution.
"You don't need to worry too much either. At least for the next two years, this place is still very safe." Glancing at the still-hesitant Higokumaru beside him, Ming Yu advised, "Alright, it's getting late, go get some rest."
With that, Ming Yu turned and walked back into the house, his figure gradually disappearing into the darkness.
"Two years? What will happen after that..." Higokumaru murmured, a hint of indescribable world-weariness in her eyes.