LGHTNOVELBOOK Chapter 389: Ren and Mei
Since parting ways in Nagazora City four months ago, Raiden Mei and Kiana had walked divergent paths.
The separation had been agonizing for Mei, who had once relied so heavily on Kiana. Countless times, she'd yearned to search for her, but her own sense of duty kept her moving forward alone.
She often wondered what their reunion would be like.
Now, faced with that familiar figure, Mei felt a surprising mix of shock and unease. She didn't understand her own anxiety, yet it was palpable.
"Ki…Kiana?"
She spoke the name, but hesitated to approach. Longing urged her forward, but rationality held her back.
As those familiar eyes met hers, she realized she had changed.
The months apart had forged her own path. Leaving Kiana had been like a child leaving its mother's embrace. She'd grown rapidly, healing from past traumas.
She was independent now.
She no longer relied on Kiana as she once had.
This realization, that her feelings for Kiana might have shifted, brought a wave of confusion, leaving her unsure how to react.
Thankfully, Ren didn't try to deceive her with Kiana's appearance. Such a deception would be an insult to both Kiana and himself. "Raiden Mei," he said directly. "We meet again."
His deep voice snapped Mei out of her thoughts. She realized instantly that this wasn't Kiana.
"Thank goodness," she murmured, relieved. She wasn't ready to face Kiana. This revelation eased her tension.
"We meet again..." As her confusion subsided, her usual rationality returned. Her gaze swept over Ren, settling on the familiar mark on his wrist.
"Obsidian Concord."
"Your memory serves you well. Did you enjoy the gift we sent two days ago?"
"Hmph. You have a strange definition of 'gift.' If an attack qualifies, then the destruction of an organization must be a party." Mei scoffed. She knew the attack was orchestrated to push her towards World Serpent, but the lack of warning still irked her.
"Apologies. Informing participants of their roles would have jeopardized the true objective. Regardless, the outcome is favorable. You can now seamlessly join World Serpent as an executive and seek the answers you need."
"Answers?" Mei glared at Ren. "You claimed the Obsidian Concord is a group of people saved by Kiana, helping each other. Yet, I still don't understand your structure. You value each member, yet Liuli has been missing for months, and you haven't searched for her. I suspect you're using me, sacrificing me to achieve your goals."
Mei's accusations were valid. As the supposed leader, she hadn't participated in any group activities. Communication was limited to an online forum. Anyone would question the organization's legitimacy.
Ren wasn't offended. He landed lightly on the platform, approaching Mei.
"You're right. The Obsidian Concord exists to achieve certain goals. Helping you join World Serpent is part of that, acting as a bridge between our organization and theirs." Ren was candid. "We're using you, and you're using us, aren't you?"
"..."
"But don't doubt this: every member of the Obsidian Concord was saved by Kiana. You, me—we all serve her. We simply have our own needs. After all, the Honkai… it never truly vanished."
Mei remained silent, tightening her grip on her katana. She looked into Ren's eyes, seeing a starlit sky shrouded in gray mist.
Murky, blurred, yet undeniably pure.
The Honkai was an inescapable topic. Mei herself was a Herrscher born from it.
Her tone softened. "If we're using each other, let's be clear about our goals. Also, I don't like you appearing as someone I care about. However you're doing this, stop impersonating Kiana."
"Naturally. But don't misunderstand. This body is based on her, to shield her from unnecessary trouble. Like in ARC City, I drew Schicksal's attention away from you. I can make adjustments so you don't confuse me with her."
So the Obsidian Concord diverted the troops? Mei thought. A member capable of impersonation was a valuable asset.
When Seele escorted Kiana to Anti-Entropy, she'd altered her appearance, even infiltrating their base disguised as Kiana. If this was part of the Obsidian Concord's abilities, everything made sense.
"Enough small talk. We have an agreement with the Lord of World Serpent. Don't worry about your identity being exposed. You'll also have access to World Serpent's core." Ren held out a pink crystal flower, spinning slowly in his hand.
"Take this. It's the key to the Elysian Realm. It belonged to a girl named Elysia. But remember, don't be fooled by her harmless appearance."
Ren's memory wasn't complete. Unaware of the Elysian Realm's later events, he couldn't vouch for Elysia's true nature or intentions. If she was a Herrscher, Mei could be in danger.
"A crystal flower?" Mei paused, pulling a similar flower from her pocket. She'd found it in Pardo's box, though hers was just ordinary crystal.
"Yes, the Elysian Realm, secrets of the past… and the answers you seek."