"The same... Are you sure it's really like that?"
Inside the laboratory of the Previous Era scientists, Elysia's expression was complicated. Dr. Mei, standing before her explaining a large pile of complex parameters, silently took off her glasses and wiped them.
"We cannot guarantee 100% accuracy. After all, the samples obtained from that Shoko are extremely limited, just a few strands of hair gathered when she occasionally appeared... But based on current analysis, this is the result."
"Lihua possesses a force field operating on a specific frequency band, and identical fluctuations can be detected from Shoko. While we cannot yet determine the fundamental nature of this power, we can confirm it's an extremely covert and powerful presence, far surpassing Honkai energy. In fact, if we hadn't initially assumed such a thing existed and specifically conducted numerous targeted experiments and observations, it would have been almost impossible for us to discover it by chance."
"Your earlier theory is now confirmed: there is indeed some kind of connection between Lihua and Shoko."
Although the previously proposed theory was now officially confirmed, Elysia's expression showed no hint of happiness.
After all, her relationship with Lihua was quite good now. Suddenly learning that there was actually some entity controlling her from behind the scenes left Elysia momentarily unsure how to react...
Moreover, once Otto Apocalypse and the other two learned of this result, Elysia couldn't even imagine the kind of uproar they would cause.
What worried her most was, since both Shoko and Lihua were indeed affected, the possibility Makima had mentioned earlier—which she had initially dismissed as unfounded worry—that Lee might also be under some form of control...
"Can the source of the power be determined? Is there any way to trace its origin?"
Elysia's hopeful question was met only with Mei shaking her head. "Regrettably, no."
"...Mei, have you told Otto and Makima about this?"
"For now, only you have been notified. After all, other matters are outside my scope of consideration. I am just a researcher now..." Mei's gaze lowered. "The feeling of only needing to consider the research tasks at hand... it's much better than before."
Perhaps ceasing to think is the best way for a wise person to survive... But unfortunately, the current Mei still couldn't achieve that.
Elysia, who had originally wanted to ask Mei how she viewed the potential connection between this matter and Lee, hesitated upon seeing the other's weary expression. Instead, she changed the subject: "What are Mobius and Vill-V doing now?"
"After completing the investigation you commissioned, Mobius went back to researching her revival plan. She believes that since Li could reappear in Lihua's body through the bloodline, then resurrection must be possible. As for Vill-V, she seemed to have discovered some communication that intrigued her a couple of days ago and has been researching similar things ever since."
"I understand... Regarding the results of this research, please don't tell Otto and Makima yet. There are some things I need to confirm first."
Although she didn't know what actions Otto and Makima would take, Elysia was certain that once they learned about this, the situation around Lihua and Shoko would descend into utter chaos...
So, before she figured out what she needed to know, it was best to make them wait a bit. Otherwise, she probably wouldn't even be able to get close to Lihua and Shoko amidst the turmoil...
And once she found them... Elysia silently clenched her fists. She had made up her mind. She would lay everything bare and directly ask them about Lee... and whether Lee could also appear like them.
Regarding Makima's claim that Shoko gave a warning and they shouldn't investigate further... They had already been investigating Lihua and Shoko privately for so long without anything happening.
Besides, even if there was danger, Elysia had to do it. After all, this concerned Lee.
Now that it was confirmed Lihua and Shoko were alive in this world, although the thought of Lee being controlled by some power like them infuriated Elysia, if they were truly the same, did that mean Lee could actually exist on Blue Earth too?
Not the illusion that had previously appeared through Lihua, but truly living in this world...
Elysia gently grasped the Key of Consciousness around her neck. This time, even if she had to resort to extreme measures, she would get answers!
However, just as Elysia turned to leave, Mei's voice stopped her once again.
"Right, there's one more thing... The energy fluctuations manifest differently in Lihua and Shoko. Generally speaking, the energy field on Lihua is much stronger than on Shoko. If this power is indeed the entity influencing them, then the control exerted over Lihua would be far heavier than over Shoko."
"Is that why Shoko could reveal some information to us, but Lihua couldn't say anything...?" Elysia recalled the melancholic sigh Lihua had directed at the Herrscher of Sentience, which they overheard after releasing Senti with a listening device attached.
Although Senti later discovered it and threw a tantrum, those were minor details now. This point could prove that Lihua actually wanted to tell them the truth, but she simply couldn't...
"But why is there such a difference?"
"Perhaps it's related to strength." Mei's fingers tapped lightly on the table.
"Although in terms of direct combat power, that Shoko is likely no match for Lihua, she possesses a very strange ability to grant wishes. Therefore, Shoko's actual power might be stronger than Lihua's. While this is just my speculation, perhaps the stronger one's inherent power, the greater their ability to resist the control of that force field. Conversely, the weaker one would face greater restrictions..."
"If this condition truly holds, then beings whose strength reaches a certain level might be able to break free from this power's control."
"Like Lee?" Elysia directly supplied the unspoken answer for Mei.
Lee might not be under control. This should have been happy news, but the current Elysia couldn't feel happy.
If the deceased Lihua and Shoko could be resurrected in this world due to the guidance of that mysterious power, did Lee, being too powerful, consequently lose her chance at revival...?
Controlled existence or free death... If Lee truly had a choice, what would she do?
Elysia could no longer think calmly about this question. She walked out of the laboratory, heading straight for her target.
She couldn't figure out Lee's answer, but she had already determined her own.