If they hadn't been discovered, Kiana and the others might have secretly observed for the whole day. Although the outdoor temperature was currently quite low, none of them were ordinary people. Wearing just a little more clothing would allow them to easily resist the severe cold.
Just like Himeko Murata back then—she clearly hadn't taken warm measures and stood in the cold wind late at night for several hours, her body temperature dropping frighteningly low. Yet the next day, she was still energetic, showing no sign of being sick at all.
But since they were discovered, they couldn't continue peeping.
After responding to Evan's greeting and entering the restaurant to eat a little something, Theresa and the others each found an excuse—such as taking an afternoon nap, playing game events, reading manga, or drinking beer—and took their leave.
This time, they truly left honestly and didn't continue peeping in secret.
They had some consideration of putting themselves in others' shoes. If they were the ones dating Evan, they certainly wouldn't want a large group of people observing in secret. So, it was better to leave now, to avoid becoming the victim when their turn came.
Kiana and Himeko Murata had such thoughts. As for Theresa and Bronya, perhaps they had similar intentions, or perhaps they were simply following the crowd.
Watching everyone walk away, Evan turned his gaze to Herrscher Mei, who was obviously still full of energy.
Considering the timing and atmosphere, saying something like "Let's end today's date here" right after everyone else had dispersed and they were full of food and drink wouldn't seem abrupt at all.
But whether it was abrupt was one thing; whether it was appropriate was another.
If the date partner were Raiden Mei, stopping here would indeed be just right. After all, the two of them had already visited quite a few places, and they would be physically and mentally tired—at least not as enthusiastic as in the beginning.
However, at this moment, standing in front of Evan was Herrscher Mei.
Although it was the same body, it was a different personality. For Herrscher Mei, who was born not long ago and had never truly understood the world in person, everything in St. Freya Academy was full of interest—interest that wouldn't fade after just half a day.
So, Evan and Herrscher Mei's date would continue.
Today was St. Freya Academy's rest day, and many shops were closed. This actually didn't matter; Evan wouldn't limit the date location to shops.
In winter, people generally wouldn't go out to play but would choose to stay indoors, so today's St. Freya Academy was very quiet, even quieter than on working days.
There was white snow on the quiet streets. Stepping on it, one could hear the subtle sound of air in the accumulated snow being squeezed by external force.
Evan took Herrscher Mei to the edge of St. Freya Academy, a place where they could see the sea.
The artificial lake in St. Freya Academy had long frozen over, but the sea was different. At least, this sea, which wasn't in the North or South Poles, was different. It was still magnificent, and even a tiny wave it rippled out would be enough to submerge many things if placed on land.
The sea didn't freeze due to salinity, monsoons, ocean currents, and its maximum density conditions differing from ordinary water bodies. When these things were placed in books, they were dry and uninteresting textual descriptions. But when placed before one's eyes, the vastness of its momentum was enough for both body and mind to tangibly experience.
Herrscher Mei revealed a dazed expression. Sitting by the sea with Evan, watching the tide rise and fall, the Queen who had always firmly believed in her own power discovered her insignificance at this moment.
If she used her abilities, Herrscher Mei could easily blast and kill super-giant Honkai Beasts that even A-rank Valkyries found tricky, and raze high-rise buildings that took massive manpower and resources to build to the ground.
However, she knew that if the target were the sea before her, her power wouldn't cause much of an impact.
"This world is truly beautiful."
Herrscher Mei whispered, and Evan nodded.
"Yes. Sometimes I even wonder if the Honkai is nature's or this world's punishment for humanity. For humans, who claim to be the primate of all things and the essence of the universe, are they a beneficial existence or a harmful existence to this planet?"
Evan's words reminded Herrscher Mei of the mission that had existed since the day of her birth—the mission to destroy human civilization as an apostle of the Honkai.
She looked confused. In Herrscher Mei's understanding, Evan shouldn't be questioning the meaning of humanity's existence itself.
Evan indeed hadn't finished speaking.
"Actually, regardless of interests or messy big principles, humans fight the Honkai simply to preserve their lives. They must fight the Honkai; otherwise, they won't be able to see this beautiful world anymore. Mei, let me ask you one more time: Are you willing to stand on the side of humanity? To stand with me?"
In the unseen world, Herrscher Mei suddenly had an intuition.
If she refused, she could truly obtain the power a Herrscher, the apostle of the Honkai, should have. That was the authority to command Honkai Beasts and Deadwalkers, and to autonomously trigger large-scale Honkai eruptions. The Honkai—"God"—would bestow it.
And if she accepted, what would she gain?
The goodwill of the human group?
Evan couldn't represent humanity yet. And humans who knew her identity as a Herrscher wouldn't generate goodwill, only fear and panic.
Powerful strength comparable to the authority bestowed by "God"?
Compared to the Honkai, humanity had always been the weaker side. Such fantasies should stop.
Herrscher Mei knew clearly that if she accepted the proposal of the person before her, the things she could gain were very few, very few indeed.
However, the value of chips was never measured by some immutable rule, but determined by the people making the transaction.
Spending a thousand gold coins for a smile, traveling a thousand miles to send a goose feather—since ancient times, humans have been creatures who often act foolishly like this.
Herrscher Mei felt humans were foolish. And since this body belonged to Raiden Mei, a human, that foolishness naturally affected her too.
"I—will stand on the side of humanity, because you are human."
"Only because of me? If Kiana and the others heard that, they might cry pitifully, you know?"
"Tsk. Then count them in too. So troublesome."
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