After assigning a brief combat plan, Lumine and Tore stepped to the forefront.
Unexpectedly, the Fatui did not employ the artificial ambushes Lumine had imagined, but instead used a large group of monsters infected by the Scarab's energy as sentinels.
Lumine casually eliminated a few monsters that had spotted her and muttered to herself.
"Using an infinitely producible energy source and monsters to create a natural barrier, that scoundrel Scarab is quite clever. If one were to force their way through, few would truly be able to..."
Tore, standing beside her, nodded in agreement.
"Indeed, but I never expected Ying to sneak into the Fatui's manufacturing plant. In my impression, she was always a bit foolish, appearing kind and approachable."
Hearing Tore refer to her little sister in such a way, Lumine cast him a displeased glance. If she could, she would have retorted.
After all... at the very least, she was the only one allowed to speak of Ying like that!
Although she couldn't find a good reason, Lumine didn't forget her intention to test Tore and directly changed the subject.
"Mr. Tore, you seem to be quite concerned about my little sister. Don't tell me... you have some feelings for her..."
Lumine deliberately drew out her words, making it sound like a joke. In reality, she was observing every flicker of expression on Tore's face. Though she had no concrete proof, Tore's presence was highly suspicious. Lumine's intuition told her he harbored some ulterior motive. But most importantly...
If he dared to say yes, she'd get rid of him on the spot...(ᗜ˰ᗜ)
Hearing Lumine's teasing, Tore was slightly taken aback, clearly not expecting her to be so direct.
She really cares for her sister... In that case...
"Heh heh... Ying is cute, lively, kind, and beautiful. Who wouldn't like her?"
As soon as he finished speaking, Tore felt a chilling aura emanate from beside him.
She's really angry, huh... It seems Ying is the best and most effective way to deal with this Honorary Knight...
With that thought, Tore smirked sinisterly, intending to continue using Ying as a topic to provoke the Honorary Knight's reasoning, making her subconsciously forget about probing his identity.
"The first time I met her, it was pouring rain. I saw her walking alone by the roadside, and out of pity, I brought her back to my makeshift shelter. The way she thanked me with a smile was truly unforgettable~"
Brought her home?! Smiled at him?!!
Lumine's clenched fists began to tremble, not out of alarm, but because she was desperately suppressing the urge to punch the guy beside her who was trying to snatch her little sister.
Haa... Calm down... calm down. Ying just wanted to thank this bastard for helping her find shelter from the rain... You can't lay a hand on Ying's benefactor because of this... Although, I suspect he orchestrated even this event himself...
Suppressing her anger, Lumine took a deep breath and said through gritted teeth.
"Is that so... That's truly... thank... you..."
"Hahaha, it's nothing. Don't mind it. Besides, sharing a room with such a lovely girl was my honor."
"Crack!"
Lumine's teeth chattered with rage at Tore's words, and the aura around her grew even colder.
This guy is simply asking for a beating!!!!!
Just as Lumine was about to ignore the topic, a familiar and loathsome voice suddenly came from ahead.
"Yo? Isn't this the legendary Honorary Knight? Long time no see, it's truly been a while~"
"Scarab?!"
Seeing Scarab appear before her, Lumine's brows furrowed, and a sense of foreboding welled up in her heart.
Could it be that Ying she...
"Hehehe... Meeting you for the first time and you're already eagerly calling out my name?"
Lumine didn't want to chat with him.
"Stop with the nonsense! Hand Ying back to me at once!"
"Oh? So it's really to save Ying. I'm actually quite curious, curious as to how you managed to learn so quickly that I've captured her."
Saying that, Scarab instinctively glanced at Tore beside Lumine.
This guy... letting his clone take Ying was one thing, but bringing her sister and me here as well? What does he really want? Is he planning to team up with me to take her down because he can't beat her alone?
If that's the case, then the sudden arrival of his clone just now can be explained...
With that thought, Scarab clicked his tongue in annoyance. Although he couldn't be entirely sure of his guess, he was certain this guy wasn't just here for the show.
But since they were on the same side, despite his displeasure, Scarab still went along with the act.
"Heh heh... Tore, oh Tore, you've interfered with me so many times. Sometimes I truly wonder, what did I ever do to offend you..."
Listening to Scarab's words, which hinted at his previous actions, Tore didn't pay them much mind. Instead, he continued to respond with words designed to provoke Lumine.
"Can't be helped, perhaps it's fate's arrangement that I have such a connection with that girl (^_^)"
Lumine's expression darkened further. Although she didn't retort, if she could, she'd want to take both of them down right now.
"Mmmph..."
Scarab knew how important Ying was to Lumine. But just as he was about to speak again, he suddenly felt a chill from behind him, startling him into a swift leap into the air.
The moment he jumped, the black sword in Paimon's hand precisely struck the spot where Scarab had just been.
"Tch..."
Seeing that his surprise attack had failed, Paimon clicked her tongue in dissatisfaction, quickly rushed back to Lumine's side, and said with a hint of regret.
"What a shame. If I had known, I would have used my full strength from the start..."
Scarab looked at Paimon with a sinister expression. This was the second time she had almost put him in a dire situation.
"Tch... I was wondering how I would get revenge for our last encounter. I didn't expect you to deliver yourself to my doorstep."
Seeing Scarab's audacious words, Paimon replied with a mocking tone.
"Tsk~ You escaped last time, but this time, you won't be so lucky."
"Hmph... Don't speak too soon. Don't forget, Ying, whom you treasure so dearly, is still in my hands. If I wish, I can separate you from her at any moment~"
"Oh? Is that what you think?"
Paimon didn't take Scarab's words seriously. After all, others might not know, but she had a five-minute conversation with her host earlier. She knew Ying could break the power that afflicted the opponent. While her host might not withstand a war of attrition against sheer numbers, she wouldn't be easily defeated in a short period.