Manipulating someone emotionally by exploiting their lack of self-awareness isn't a glorious tactic, especially when Ren was using Kiana's identity to deceive. If this fell into the wrong ears, he'd inevitably be labeled a manipulative scumbag.
But in reality, compared to other methods of denial, deception was actually the gentlest approach for Senti.
After all, she was a Herrscher, and hadn't experienced more than a decade of growth like ordinary girls. All her life experiences and values were based on Fu Hua's memories. Losing those would inevitably lead to endless self-destruction.
What she needed at this time wasn't some grand lecture on "independence" or "being yourself," but the simplest form of acceptance.
Just like a newborn child, she instinctively grasped at everything around her to confirm her own existence. Ren, using Kiana's identity, wove a well-intentioned lie for her, granting her this most precious acceptance.
So, for Senti, what the truth actually was wasn't important.
Besides…
Ren glanced at Senti not far away. The girl, who had just gained a sense of identity, was giggling foolishly like a child.
If he told her "You're not the real Fu Hua" at this moment, she would probably be the one who suffered the most.
Lies don't hurt; truth is the swift blade.
Compared to the original storyline where Senti was constantly denied by Fu Hua, defeated by Kiana, and ultimately could only leave dejectedly, even forcing a smile as she returned her body to Fu Hua, Ren's method was far, far gentler.
"By the way, Kiana, how are your injuries?" After a while, Senti, who had been happy for quite some time, finally remembered that Ren was still heavily injured, and asked with concern.
It was clear that she had indeed already immersed herself in the role of Fu Hua.
"Not a big problem."
The power of the Sword God was indeed formidable. Even Ren, amplified by hundreds of puppets, found it a bit difficult to handle. But for him, as long as he didn't suffer injuries at the consciousness level, recovery was just a matter of thought.
Of course, now wasn't the time for immediate recovery. If he was going to put on an act, he had to commit. He still had many things he needed this body to do.
He gently lifted the clothes on his arm. Soaked in rainwater for so long, the wounds on his skin had turned slightly white, looking particularly gruesome. Cracks of Honkai energy, like spiderwebs, spread across his skin, appearing rather horrifying.
"You… doesn't it hurt?" Seeing the terrifying wounds on Ren, the guilt in Senti's eyes deepened, but her authority was only over consciousness. Fu Hua's martial skills didn't include healing methods, so she could only pace anxiously.
"It's fine." Ren gritted his teeth and took out a familiar roll of bandages from his pocket, using his teeth to wrap it around his wounds. Of course, the bandages had minimal effect on injuries of this level. Their only purpose was probably to slow down the bleeding so he wouldn't lose blood too quickly.
Senti wanted to help, but she couldn't control the strength in her hands. Not only did she fail to bandage properly, she even tore open Ren's healing wounds.
"Sorry." Senti, who was supposed to be the composed Fu Hua, was no different from an ordinary child in front of Ren.
Ren didn't speak, just gestured for her to stay aside. Just as he was halfway through treating his wounds, the low rumble of a motorcycle engine quickly approached from the distance.
In the torrential rain, Bronya sped all the way. She only breathed a sigh of relief when she saw Ren still standing unharmed.
After confirming that 'Kiana' was alright, she noticed Senti standing nearby. Her expression suddenly changed, and she immediately summoned a new Glock, aiming it at the other party.
"You've already won, isn't that enough? Leave Kiana alone!" Although she had been defeated several times in a row, Bronya was clearly not one to back down. Even if she was a little scared, she still immediately made her stance clear.
"I…"
I'm not a bad person, Senti wanted to retort, but the injuries on Ren's body were indeed caused by her.
The previously arrogant Senti had only wanted to do things her own way, like a mischievous child. But now, she had realized how much trouble her actions had caused others, and could only lower her head and admit her mistake.
"Don't worry, Class Monitor won't do that kind of thing again. I apologize to you for what happened earlier on her behalf." Ren's voice came. Bronya looked over and saw him wink at her.
She wasn't stupid. She knew there was something more to this, and silently lowered her weapon.
Temporarily putting aside her hostility, Bronya walked over to Ren's side. Seeing the injuries on his body, she also frowned deeply.
"I'll try to heal your injuries with the Herrscher of Reason's authority, but it might not work." Her future growth path now had a direction, but Bronya's current strength was still only at the level of an ordinary Herrscher.
Delicate operations like healing cells were still some distance away from Welt's level.
"It's fine."
"Then I'll try." She glanced at Senti, and after confirming that the other party posed no threat, she spread out her hand.
The Herrscher of Reason core in the mud turned into specks of light and disappeared, then gathered in her hand. She grasped it tightly, then carefully used her authority to scan and understand Ren's body.
Why doesn't it feel like a normal human body?
Bronya, who had finished scanning, was a little puzzled, but compared to the complex flesh and blood body, Ren's puppet body was much easier to repair.
Not long after, with Ren's deliberate cooperation, most of the injuries had been repaired. The rest could only heal on their own.
After finishing, Bronya breathed a sigh of relief, looked at Ren with a complicated expression, and said, "Kiana, there are some things I want to talk to you about alone."
"Okay." Ren asked Senti to stay where she was, and the two of them found a quiet place alone.
He roughly guessed Bronya's thoughts. Sure enough, after the two met alone, the girl's expression became much more serious.
"You, you're not the real Kiana, are you?" Without any roundabout probing, Bronya spoke directly.
"Oh? What makes you say that?"
"Your aura is too different from hers. She is one of my best friends, and she would absolutely never show this kind of expression."
Ren didn't hide it either. With a playful smile on his face, he replied, "Since you've guessed it, why do you still dare to question me to my face? You've already witnessed my strength, the current you is no match for me."
"So it's true." Facing Ren's threat, Bronya wasn't afraid, but instead showed an expression as if she had expected it.
"Three months ago, Kiana came to Anti-Entropy for treatment due to Herrscher core erosion. At that time, a woman who looked extremely similar to her brought her. She called herself Liuli, but actually, the Principal and the Doctor had already analyzed her identity long before that."
"So the moment I met her, I attacked, but the other party's strength far exceeded my imagination. In the end, because of my recklessness, not only was everyone on the Hyperion annihilated, but even the Anti-Entropy base was destroyed."
Ren's expression was calm. "So what does this have to do with me?"
"Back then, I was still very weak and naive, and didn't record much useful information. But now, I confirm that I've seen her again." Bronya looked up, staring intently at Ren.
"Miss Liuli."
"Or perhaps, I should call you… Herrscher of Sentience?"