Starting from the Collapse World, I became the behind-the-scenes boss

Chapter 157 Wendy in Queenstown

That afternoon, while Peggy and Theresa were engrossed in a new round of work, Shihen, led by Wendy, also headed to Queenstown.

Warm sunshine, rows of houses, brightly lit shops... these are all scenes from Queenstown in the past.

But for Queenstown today, suffering and ruins are the main themes.

After all, even though the Oceania branch's base is quite a distance from Queenstown, it is still the core area of ​​the Fourth Honkai Impact.

The Honkai energy concentration that surged in an instant was enough to send more than 90% of people to meet their maker.

The remaining 10% will also have to endure the various ailments caused by Honkai energy erosion, and it will take a considerable amount of time before they can return to normal life.

Of course, given that Queenstown is right next to the Oceania branch, it was also among the first areas to be included in the post-disaster reconstruction efforts.

Debris clearing, house reconstruction... on this land that has almost become scorched earth, new life and vitality are constantly emerging.

"Sorry, Hen, I let you see something bad."

Looking at the ruins that still make up the vast majority of the area to be rebuilt, Wendy muttered to herself, her hands behind her back, looking extremely embarrassed.

For her, the Herald of the Wind, this scene was undoubtedly proof of her sins.

“I’ve already told you, Wendy, you don’t need to feel too guilty about this.”

He patted the girl's head and said with a gentle smile, "Besides, I never thought it was a bad thing."

No matter what kind of disaster they have suffered, the survivors are still trying to live and try to build the tomorrow they want with their own hands.

Isn't this a fantastic sight?

"..."

Upon hearing this, Wendy was stunned as she looked at the survivors bustling about in the distance.

"Let's go together, Wendy."

Suddenly speaking, Shihen very naturally grasped the girl's delicate and soft hand, "Let's go see the real, present-day Queenstown."

Although the Queenstown mountain area, which was less affected by the collapse, still retains some nice scenery from a sightseeing perspective, Shihen has not forgotten the real purpose of his trip.

"Well, let's go together."

Upon hearing the boy's words, Wendy was taken aback at first, then nodded vigorously, took the boy's hand in return, and walked ahead as if she were really leading the boy on a sightseeing tour.

"..."

Seeing the green-haired girl suddenly become more proactive and more vibrant, Shihen couldn't help but shake his head and smile. He didn't refuse, but instead cooperated with the girl's steps, letting her lead him forward.

Before long, they approached the camp where the survivors were located. Wendy belatedly realized what she had done and quickly blushed as she released the boy's hand.

This seems to be their first date?

Noticing the gentle, smiling gaze of the boy beside her, Wendy unconsciously felt a sweet warmth fill her heart.

But then she remembered what Queenstown looked like, and Wendy quickly suppressed the joy rising in her heart, glancing around at her surroundings.

The next second, Wendy's eyes lit up when she saw a middle-aged man carrying construction debris. She stepped forward and said, "Uncle Sam!"

Faced with Wendy's enthusiasm, Sam looked at the pretty girl in front of him with a confused expression.

Sam squinted at the girl for a while before a hint of surprise appeared in his eyes. "You are... Miss Wendy?" he asked.

"It's me, Uncle Sam."

When Wendy realized that the other person recognized her, her smile immediately brightened.

"I'm so sorry, it's been so many years, I almost didn't recognize you."

Sam put down the bricks he was holding and laughed, his wrinkles instantly crinkling together.

"Uncle Sam, you've changed a lot too."

Looking at the middle-aged man in front of her, who was clearly much older than she remembered, Wendy's smile froze slightly.

"Haha, even the world is changing, so it's not a big deal for me to change a little, right?"

As if sensing the girl's feelings, Sam's laughter became even more hearty. "And, Miss Wendy, you've become even more beautiful in the years we haven't seen you."

As he spoke, Sam's gaze swept over the girl, and a hint of satisfaction appeared on his face, much like a father looking at his daughter who had suddenly grown up.

"Is it someone I used to know?"

With a smile, Shihen asked, his gaze sweeping over the middle-aged man in front of him.

"Yes, Uncle Sam used to own a restaurant in Queenstown that could cook really good steaks."

Every time I have a task... every time I have a holiday, I like to go there and order one.

Wendy explained with a smile, and then quickly corrected herself, considering Sam's ordinary identity, before pointing to the boy and introducing him, "Uncle Sam, this is Shihen, he is... a friend I met elsewhere."

"..."

Upon hearing Wendy's words, Sam's gaze toward the boy immediately became scrutinizing.

Even if Wendy only introduced the boy as a friend, would normal friends meet up in Queenstown at this time?

Although, in reality, there was no relationship between him and Wendy.

He had cooked steak for the girl so many times, and watched her gradually become familiar with him in Queenstown. He had practically watched her grow up, so he had to be extra careful.

"Hello, Mr. Sam."

As if oblivious to the man's gaze, Shihen smiled and extended his hand to the dusty man in front of him.

"Hello, Mr. Shihen."

Seeing the boy's actions, Sam immediately smiled and suddenly found the boy much more pleasing to the eye.

"By the way, Uncle Sam, who are you now...?"

Unaware of the undercurrent between the two, Wendy glanced at the bricks at Sam's feet, a hint of worry showing on her face.

In her memory, Sam had always been a highly skilled chef who rarely got even a speck of oil on his body, let alone the dusty state he was in now.

You mean this?

As you can see, Queenstown is in this state now. I just wanted to find some materials from the ruins, as a way of contributing to the camp.

Sam patted the bricks on the ground and said with a proud smile, as if he had cooked a perfect steak in the kitchen.

Seeing this scene, Wendy felt even more heartbroken. Her eyelids drooped slightly, and her emerald-like eyes were filled with a layer of shimmering mist.

Unaware of the girl's current mood, Sam continued, "More than half a year ago, there was a disaster that I think was called the Collapse. The entire Queenstown was wiped out in an instant, and many people died inside."

However, it's good to see that Miss Wendy is safe and sound.

But thinking about it, it makes sense. You haven't been to the store in a long time, and you probably weren't in Queenstown back then either..."

Listening to Sam's rambling story, Wendy suddenly raised her head, looked directly into the man's eyes and said, "Uncle Sam, actually... I've been in Queenstown all these years."

Moreover, that disaster happened because of me!

Chapter 158 Domination Emerges, Wendy's Round Continues

"..."

Upon hearing the girl's words, Sam was taken aback at first, then shook his head vigorously and said, "How could that be? Miss Wendy, you must be joking, right?"

Although it had been three or four years since he last saw Wendy, he had always had a very good impression of this humble and polite girl.

Therefore, he simply refused to believe that this gentle and kind girl was the culprit behind the destruction of Queenstown.

Shihen glanced at Wendy, who had suddenly revealed herself, and a hint of surprise flashed in his eyes.

But after thinking about it, he didn't stop her, and let the girl continue to do as she pleased.

Recognize yourself, accept yourself... If Wendy can't even face her own cause and effect, then there's no point in talking about becoming a Herrscher again.

As he thought about it, Shihen silently grasped the girl's hand, expressing his support without a word.

Giving the boy a grateful look, as if drawing new strength from his concerned gaze, Wendy took a deep breath and continued to explain, "Actually, the essence of that disaster was..."

Without directly revealing Destiny's name, Wendy explained the causes and consequences of the Fourth Honkai Impact to Sam in a relatively tactful way, without shirking her own responsibility in the matter.

After listening to Wendy's story, Sam remained silent for a long time before wiping his hands on his clothes and gently placing them on the girl's head, saying, "Miss Wendy, these past few years must have been very difficult..."

Even in the girl's explanation, she had only suffered some bad treatment.

Thinking of Wendy's former adorable appearance, Sam could hardly imagine what kind of torment could have driven this incredibly kind girl to such a state.

Thinking this way, even knowing that Wendy was the most direct culprit in the destruction of Queenstown, he couldn't bring himself to hate the girl.

"Uncle Sam..."

Hearing the man's words of comfort, Wendy's eyes immediately welled up with tears.

"Although I don't understand a lot of things, I believe that Miss Wendy, you certainly didn't want things to turn out this way."

Sam smiled, a mix of emotions flashing in his eyes: hatred, regret, sadness, resentment… but ultimately, only deep pity filled his face. “George, the baker, is dead, and Susan, the milkman, didn’t survive either…”

I can't say anything on behalf of those who died, but Miss Wendy, you must have done a lot of work in the hopes that the world could become a better place, right?

As he spoke, the man narrowed his eyes slightly, and his face, which was already showing many wrinkles, revealed a gentle and kind look that suggested he had seen through the ways of the world.

He always believed in the adorable, elf-like little girl in his memory, and was convinced that the destruction of Queenstown was not Wendy's intention.

"Of course."

Finally speaking, Shihen's face was full of seriousness and solemnity, "Whether it was before this disaster or now, Wendy has never given up the fight."

From beginning to end, she shouldered the most dangerous and greatest mission on this planet.

From any perspective, the Valkyries who fight against the Honkai are a group worthy of respect.

"Miss Wendy, you..."

Upon hearing the boy's words, Sam's face also showed a hint of emotion.

Wendy has always been somewhat vague when introducing herself, never exaggerating.

But in retrospect, this is clearly a biased view.

Recalling the white behemoth he had narrowly encountered in Queenstown, Sam tried to imagine the girl fighting against it, and couldn't help but give the boy a deep look before saying, "Mr. Shihen, I'm entrusting Miss Wendy to you."

Even though I don't know exactly what happened to her, I know she is definitely a very good child.

Please...please, please don't let her get hurt again!

Speaking seriously, Sam looked straight at the boy, his eyes as heavy as if they held a mountain.

"Uncle Sam! What are you talking about?!"

Upon hearing this, Wendy's face immediately turned red.

Even Theresa hasn't mentioned this kind of thing yet.

If he were to say something like that suddenly, Hen would definitely be very troubled...

"That's a given."

Without the slightest hesitation, Shihen immediately nodded in agreement, "Although I don't have the power to protect the world like Wendy, I can at least protect them."

No! I will definitely do it!

As he spoke, Shihen's still somewhat immature face showed no trace of frivolity, but rather revealed a maturity that had weathered many storms.

The next second, as if in response to the boy's words, two Anti-Entropy personnel in uniform jogged over and respectfully greeted, "Lord Alliance Leader, Miss Wendy!"

As they shouted, the two anti-entropy employees showed obvious fear on their faces.

Originally, they had only discovered the boy's whereabouts, and since the alliance leader had come to inspect in person, they thought they should at least give him a greeting.

But now... they just feel like they've stumbled upon something not so good.

After all, every Anti-Entropy employee knows that although their third-generation leader is not a Herrscher, he is a man who can even conquer Herrschers.

However, the girl currently accompanying the boy is clearly not Kiana, who has been the subject of the most discussion.

Even their hair colors are completely different!

For a moment, both of them couldn't help but worry that they would be expelled the next day for stepping out of the dormitory with their right foot first.

"...Mr. Shihen, what's going on?"

Sam was stunned by what he saw.