---o---
[Under the protection of Himeko's squad, the three of you, as survivors of the Third Honkai Eruption, were assigned to a shelter established by The MOTHs Who Chase the Flame.]
---o---
"Hey, Commander Xuan! These three little ones are people I just rescued. I'll trouble you to take care of them, okay?"
Inside the shelter, Himeko winked at a man in a black suit, gesturing towards the three people behind her.
"Hey, Himeko, how many times have I told you? Stop shoving these civilians our way. We're also very…"
The leader of the Xuan Branch, who was busy commanding things in the rear, was about to impatiently scold Himeko for bringing more civilians when he turned his head and saw a handsome face that was, to him, like that of a demon.
His hand trembled imperceptibly. He was about to call out that Lord's name when he saw the young man place a single finger to his lips in a hushing motion.
Dammit, what is this monster planning now?!
Although he was cursing internally, his years of experience in dealing with people allowed him to react quickly. He forced a smile and said:
"Himeko, it's not that I'm criticizing you, but even though this is the rear, it's still very dangerous. Er… how about this? I'll send someone to personally escort them to a safe place."
"Eh…? Well, in that case, thank you?"
Seeing how accommodating Xuan had suddenly become, Himeko was momentarily taken aback.
She had never realized before that her direct superior could be so easy to talk to. Wasn't he always the type who disliked rescuing civilians?
But since he had said so, she could only entrust the three to him for the time being.
"Alright, Li. As the oldest of the group, remember to protect them. Wait for me to come back, understand?"
After making arrangements for the three of them, Himeko cheerfully headed back towards the still-active battlefield.
For her, nothing was more exciting than discovering promising new recruits.
She could tell at a glance that all three of them were prime material for soldiers. With her training, they would surely become no weaker than she was.
"...…"
Watching Himeko's retreating figure, Xuan finally let out a sigh. After ordering someone to prepare a helicopter, he found an opportunity to pull Fu Li aside.
"Heh… My Lord. I was not aware of your presence here. What are your orders?"
As someone who had attended the founding celebration of The MOTHs Who Chase the Flame, he had naturally been injected with the toxin, and thus did not dare to defy Fu Li's commands in the slightest.
However, Fu Li merely gave him a detached glance and said coldly:
"From now on, just treat me as an ordinary survivor. I may join the Fifth Squad later. Remember, do not expose my identity. Understood?"
"Yes, understood."
Although he said this, Xuan's attitude remained utterly deferential.
[After settling your identity matters, you returned to the helicopter and accompanied Hua and Carole to a shelter in the far rear.]
[There, you were assigned a single room, while Hua and Carole were given a double room.]
[Once settled, you went to Hua's room to comfort her and Carole.]
---o---
"Why… why did it turn out like this…"
"I entered a new school for the first time… I made so many new friends for the first time… Two happy things came together, and should have brought a dream-like time of happiness… But why did it turn out like this…"
Inside the shelter room, Hua hugged her knees, burying her head in her arms, endlessly questioning herself in a hoarse voice.
As for Carole, she was completely devoid of energy, lying on the sofa like a soulless husk.
"Sigh…"
Stroking Hua's somewhat messy hair, Fu Li sighed.
He was not a savior, after all. Although he had put the anti-Honkai agent in the school's water supply, in the panic, his classmates had only cared about fleeing like headless chickens, completely unwilling to follow his lead.
"It's okay, Hua. It's all over now."
Knowing the girl was in desperate need of comfort, Fu Li sighed and pulled a satellite phone from his pocket, placing it in her hands.
"You have to pull yourself together, Hua. I know you must be worried about Uncle Mu and Auntie Lan. This is a satellite phone I borrowed from one of the guards."
"A satellite phone?"
Hearing this, a sliver of awareness returned to Hua. She took the phone and quickly pressed the dial button.
Beep… Beep… Beep…
Please pick up! Please!
Listening to the ringing tone, Hua's heart felt as if it were being gnawed by thousands of ants. Worry, fear, and anxiety tore at her soul.
[In this strange atmosphere, Hua, like any ordinary girl, sensed that her destiny was about to undergo a massive change.]
[On a day as ordinary as any other, Himeko knocked on your door.]