The Vixen's Gambit: Tonight We Hunt

"..."

In Lihua's secret base, Otto fell silent after hearing her plan.

"Lihua, are you going to… rebel against Schicksal?"

"I'm not rebelling against Schicksal. I'm creating a better Schicksal."

Hearing Otto's accusation, Lihua immediately stood up and started pacing. "As everyone knows, Schicksal is filled with corrupt officials who exploit the people! They're letting them live in misery!"

"Lihua, why are you talking like a Shenzhou person?" Otto couldn't help but laugh at Lihua's serious expression, earning a glare from her.

"Don't interrupt!"

"For Schicksal, for the people, for the whole world, we should get rid of all these leeches in Schicksal!"

Lihua clenched her fist. "We'll figure out how to gather them all together, and then at a signal, we'll send 800 axe-wielding men to take them all out, and the world will be clean!"

"Did someone in the higher-ups make you angry recently?"

Otto suddenly asked, causing Lihua to be confused.

"No. Why do you ask that?" Lihua had no idea what he meant.

Otto chuckled. "I thought someone must have made our Lihua angry, so you're planning on teaching them a lesson."

What the heck? Did this guy think I was planning on destroying a part of Schicksal's leadership just because I'm mad?!

This is unacceptable!

"Hey, don't treat me like a child. I'm one year older than you!"

Lihua stomped toward Otto, intending to show him her condemnation with an angry glare.

But when Otto stood up from his chair, Lihua suddenly realized— What the heck, how is he so tall?!

Wasn't he a little kid following me around? How did he suddenly become taller than me?!

Otto found Lihua's surprised expression amusing.

Lihua was older than him by a year. Also, girls developed faster when they were younger, so she was always taller than him. She used to act like an older sister to take care of him.

But now, they were both adults. He was already 24 and had long surpassed Lihua. She probably still unconsciously thought of him as the little kid who followed behind her. That he needed her protection and guidance.

Times have changed, Lihua. Now it's my turn to protect you.

You've been acting like a child from the beginning, and you still haven't changed.

Otto's head started to hurt whenever he thought about Lihua's actions.

She always pretended to be hurt or sick to get his attention. Wasn't she just like those kids who would fake illness to get others to care about them?

She was the same with other things. If he hadn't been funding her, her hospital and organization would have never been able to operate. And she would have never been able to do things such as yelling at the envoys sent by the higher-ups, or sending the white gloves connected to powerful individuals to the court.

If he hadn't been protecting her, Lihua would have probably… He wouldn't tell her those things. Lihua had said that he was her hero. And a hero was always supposed to protect the princess.

But by the same token, a hero couldn't just watch the princess go into danger.

Otto had always let Lihua do whatever she wanted in the past because he was confident that he could protect her.

But this time, what she was planning was too dangerous. Opposing Schicksal… Otto didn't think that Lihua knew what it meant.

Just take the box he was close to completing. The Honkai energy weapon he was making with it could easily destroy half of a city. Lihua's secret Valkyrie squad wouldn't be able to fight against something that powerful.

If everything went according to plan, it would be fine. But if anything went wrong, Lihua could die. That's why Otto would never let Lihua play with fire.

Don't worry, Lihua. Since you care about those civilians, I will make sure things go according to your wishes. I will eventually get rid of the leeches of Schicksal. Just give me time to take control of Schicksal.

For now, please be patient.

"I can't, Lihua."

Otto, now standing, looked down at Lihua, who was much shorter than him. "This is not a game. I can't agree to this."

Ugh. I thought that Otto would agree since it would benefit him… It seems I'm not Kallen, so I can't get him to risk anything for me.

Should I try to use Kallen as an excuse?

Thinking that, Lihua said, "But people are suffering, if Kallen knew this, she would--"

"She would also refuse." Otto said without hesitation.

That was right. Kallen was also a Kaslana. She valued people, but not if it conflicted with what she held dearest.

She wasn't like you, Lihua. Not everyone in the world was as selfless as you. They would always care more about those who were close to them.

Though it was hard to admit, that Kallen was just like him, placing Lihua above everything else.

Especially after what happened with the Red Immortal when Lihua almost died. Kallen had become much more protective.

In essence, she was no different from him. He wanted to climb higher and use his power to protect Lihua. Kallen wanted to become stronger and protect her with her own power.

He was willing to resort to any means to climb higher. Kallen was willing to do anything to become stronger.

The research on that box was very dangerous and could bring misfortune to humanity. Kallen already knew he and Schicksal were secretly studying it, but she didn't do anything to stop it.

Because if the box could lead to a new weapon, then she could become stronger and protect Lihua better.

Kallen was willing to take a risk to protect the people, but she would never let Lihua do the same.

"Then I'll figure out another way…"

Looking at Otto's firm gaze, Lihua knew there was no chance of changing his mind.

She overestimated herself and thought that Otto would help her because they were friends.

That was right, she was planning on a rebellion. Otto, a high-ranking member of Schicksal, had no reason to risk his life for her.

"Goodbye, Otto…"

Otto wanted to call her back for a moment when he saw Lihua leaving in disappointment, but his rationality stopped him.

This is for her own good.

As long as he waited a little longer, the new Honkai weapon would be ready. Then, his achievements and position in Schicksal would be unquestionable. Not even his father could stop him from becoming the next Archbishop.

Don't worry, Lihua, I will fulfill everything you desire once I become the Archbishop.

For now, please be patient.