The Vixen's Gambit: Tonight We Hunt

When Lihua and Otto returned to the villa, it was pandemonium.

Kallen and Eleanor, having arrived first, were frantic. The villa held evidence of Lihua's presence, but she was gone… judging from the signs, she hadn't left long ago.

We were too late! Lee got to her! Consumed by this dreadful thought, they were anything but calm. If not for the lack of a clear direction and the others holding them back, they'd have charged off after [Lee].

So many people… this is a headache. Seeing the crowd inside, Lihua felt exhausted. The thought of dealing with them made her want to quit, but she had no choice.

"Kallen, Eleanor, what are you arguing about?"

"Where the hell did that slowpoke Otto wander off to?!" Eleanor snapped.

Though reluctant to admit it, Otto was the smartest and most tech-savvy among them. His help was essential to finding Lihua and rescuing her from that imposter.

They'd all left the press conference at the same time. Even the dazed Fu Hua had stayed with the group. But Otto had vanished, and he was still missing.

Without Otto, even if they found [Lee], fighting her would be difficult.

…Wait, who's talking? Eleanor suddenly noticed something amiss.

Everyone else was already here. Who was coming in from outside? She doubted anyone from this Earth would dare approach them now… and that voice—!

Eleanor whirled around, facing the entrance.

The figure wasn't unfamiliar. She'd just fought an enemy with the same appearance. But despite the identical looks, Eleanor instinctively knew—this was the real one, the one she'd longed for.

A wave of emotions washed over her. She'd imagined this moment countless times, rehearsing the words she'd say.

But her carefully crafted speeches were useless. Her heart ached, and her mind raced, wanting only to utter that name.

"Lady Lih—"

"Lihua!"

Kallen zipped past her, launching herself into Lihua's arms. Eleanor froze.

Hey! I saw her first!

Kallen, of course, didn't care what Eleanor thought.

Yes, they'd worked together for years, friends, allies against Otto… but in Lihua's presence, those things were trivial.

Nothing could stop Kallen Kaslana from reaching Lihua—not death, not anything.

She held Lihua tightly, her face buried in her neck. Not to take advantage, but to feel Lihua's warmth, her heartbeat, her breath…

This was real, not a dream.

"You're a grown woman now, no more charging around like that…"

Lihua patted Kallen's hair, knowing she wouldn't let go anytime soon.

"Eleanor, have you gotten taller?" Even while comforting Kallen, Lihua didn't forget the stunned Eleanor, smiling gently. "You've become such an elegant lady—if you could just watch your tone and language, you'd be perfect."

Eleanor was the youngest of the 500-year-old group, though the age difference was meaningless now… but when Lihua died, Eleanor was still a girl. Now, she was a mature woman.

And more importantly—her energy recharge rate had increased!

Her affection was still maxed out, but the recharge rate had gone from 500% to 900%!

This was the first time Lihua had seen a change in recharge rate. The most likely explanation was Eleanor's change in status.

Eleanor's initial 50% recharge rate per level was probably on par with a minor chapter boss in a story… now, she was a major character.

One of Schicksal's Big Three, one of the strongest modern Valkyries…

This is interesting. I'll have to remember this.

…

Lihua shared the joy of reunion with Kallen and Eleanor. Otto stood behind them, occasionally adding a cheerful remark.

Mei and her long-lost companions also had much to catch up on, their reunion in this other world a fascinating topic.

But the joy was theirs. Fu Hua only felt lost.

Yes, everyone had met the people they wanted to see… Mei, tricked into a trial by Elysia, and the long-dead saint of Schicksal.

Everyone had their miracles, but what about her?

Perhaps she'd met hers too, only to ruin it herself.

Fu Hua looked around the luxurious villa. Many details hinted at an occupant who enjoyed life's pleasures. She knew Lihua lived here, but this didn't seem like her style… so, is it Lee?

Fu Hua wasn't sure. In her memories, Lee was simple, even austere, unlike the evidence here.

Had she changed, or was this not the real Lee?

Or worse, a Herrscher possessing Lee's body…

Fu Hua looked at her hands. She'd attacked [Lee], who seemed genuinely hurt by the "betrayal."

If she was real… had she failed her again?

The sun set, and a crescent moon hung in the sky.

While everyone else celebrated their reunions, she was alone… what would Lee think, seeing this moon?

-----

Fu Hua's worry was misplaced. [Lee] couldn't see the moon.

Because she was standing on it.

On the lunar surface, [Lee] looked at the desolate landscape, scowling.

"The moon… Whatever, better stay here for now, just in case."

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This is the end of the chapter dump. The next chapter is I Paid Myself, if you want Support me There is: [email protected]/R_Arven

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