The Vixen's Gambit: Tonight We Hunt

"What?! Lee went to fight the Herrscher of Ice alone?!"

Kevin was flooded with anger, worry, and fear, but most of all, panic.

Did "I'll handle it" mean she was going alone?

He'd assumed Lee could convince the higher-ups to cancel the suicide mission, but what if she couldn't?

Knowing Lee, she wouldn't just stand by. She'd take on the risk herself, as always.

It's my fault… If I hadn't been so weak, so reliant on her, she wouldn't have to risk her life protecting those soldiers!

If something happens to her because of me…

"I'm going, too! The Herrscher of Ice is way stronger than the others. It's too dangerous for Lee to go alone!"

The commander calmly poured himself some tea. "It's dangerous, which is why we need intel. We can't risk losing both our strongest fighters."

"You should be grateful, Kevin. Even if she fails, she'll weaken the Herrscher. You can finish the job."

"What about Lee?!"

"Lee… she's a hero. I respect her. But heroes must be prepared to make sacrifices, right?"

"You—!"

Rage consumed Kevin. This guy's acting like Lee's supposed to sacrifice herself just because she's a hero?!

He clenched his fist, ready to teach the fat pig a lesson, but a cool voice stopped him. "Kevin, the troops are ready. Elysia already left. You shouldn't be here."

"…Mei?"

Mei stood in the doorway, calm as ever. "The aircraft is ready. You should go."

Kevin glared at Mei, then ignored the commander and left. He had a chance to help Lee; he didn't need to waste time arguing.

"Dr. Mei, I thought you approved of this plan." The commander leaned back in his chair, his eyes narrowed. "And personnel deployment isn't your concern."

"If there's even a slight chance of success against a Herrscher, sacrificing some soldiers is acceptable. But losing a valuable asset like Lee is not."

The commander's glare didn't faze Mei. She adjusted her glasses. "The Herrschers are getting stronger. Assets like Lee will only become more important."

"Are they?" The commander scoffed.

The Herrschers were strong, but hadn't caused any unacceptable losses yet.

They had Kevin now, stronger than Lee. Elysia and others were getting stronger, too. If Lee could handle the Herrschers so far, future ones shouldn't be a problem.

Lee, the "hero" who refused to align with any faction, was the real problem. They'd used her to boost morale, but her popularity had grown out of control, a threat to the higher-ups.

Mei's ambition was obvious, but unlike Lee, whose motives were unclear, Mei's goal was power, and her methods were acceptable to the higher-ups. She'd successfully joined their ranks.

But even with her newfound power, protecting Lee, who many saw as a threat, was a tall order.

"Dr. Mei, I know you were classmates. I understand if you want to protect her." The commander smirked, taking a sip of tea. "I have high hopes for you… If you want her to live, pray she isn't the one who kills the Herrscher. Her growing fame is giving a lot of people sleepless nights."

"Thanks for the tip."

Mei said nothing more, turning to leave. She'd only come to get Kevin.

Fire Moth's infighting is ridiculous. Sending their best fighters to die over petty rivalries… So shortsighted, prioritizing power over humanity's survival.

But what about Lee…

Walking down the empty hallway, Mei frowned, thinking of how to save Lee from this pointless political game. Not just for humanity, but for Lee herself. She didn't want Lee to die.

For once, logic and emotion agreed, but even the genius Mei felt frustrated facing such selfishness.

They feared Lee's strength and popularity, a combination that made them feel threatened. Her strength was inherent, unchangeable. So, they had to target her popularity.

First, shift the credit for defeating Herrschers to Kevin. The less attention Lee gets, the better.

But…

Going after the Herrscher of Ice alone… Why is she so reckless? Whether she wins or loses, she'll…

Mei clenched her fists. She could only hope Kevin got there in time, that things would turn out okay.

[Mei, you have a call~ Mei, you have a call~]

Lee's custom ringtone, potentially mortifying for anyone else, played. Mei calmly answered.

"What's the situation?" she asked, trying to sound calm despite her racing heart.

Is she hurt?

"I'm fine! We had a little scuffle, but she's down for the count, so I win~" Lee's voice was cheerful. "I was too late, though. Someone already beat the Herrscher. But Mei, guess what? I found someone who wants to come home with me!"