Honkai Impact: I, The Herrscher of Ice, Am Loved By Players

Chapter 186: A Five-Star General Once Said...

Chapter 186 - 186: A Five-Star General Once Said...

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"What leads you to say that, Miss Rita?" Jeanne replied composedly. Ultimately, she believed there were no decisive flaws in her guise. Otto's plans were typically meticulous and reliable, and Rita likely wouldn't find any concrete evidence against her.

In other words, Jeanne felt secure and undaunted.

"You may have hidden exceptionally well, but it seems you've forgotten something crucial," Rita said slowly. "While you became intimately familiar with me, with us, we also grew equally acquainted with you."

"I indeed don't possess solid evidence, but my intuition tells me—you are Ana."

"Miss Rita, without evidence, this is merely baseless accusation." Jeanne spread her hands, sounding somewhat exasperated.

She had anticipated that Rita might uncover some detail or find tangible proof, but never did she expect Rita to resort to such an unsubstantiated approach.

At this point, Jeanne was indeed at a loss for how to proceed.

After all, she couldn't convince Rita that she wasn't Ana without incriminating herself further. Any attempt to prove her innocence would only entangle her deeper in the so-called self-incrimination trap, playing right into Rita's hands.

"Evidence, you ask? Naturally, I have some. But before presenting it, Miss Ana, shouldn't you explain your actions first?" Rita continued with a smile, her demeanor making it impossible to discern her true intentions.

"What do I need to explain? Your conjectures cannot be considered facts, and thus, there is nothing for me to clarify," Jeanne replied calmly.

"Miss Rita, instead of trying to extract information from me, why not present your evidence? If you intend to pass this test through such means, then, Miss Rita, please accept my apologies."

As Jeanne spoke, her aura grew stronger, and her Binding Domain expanded around her.

If her guess was correct, Rita likely didn't possess any solid proof. After all, they had witnessed Ana's death firsthand; who could anticipate her phoenix-like rebirth in such a manner?

Proving that someone completely deceased is actually alive is even more challenging than faking one's own death to deceive everyone.

"Oh dear, don't rush! Since you require evidence, I shall provide it."

Rita smiled faintly; indeed, she had some evidence, but none of it was decisive. She always believed that Ana wouldn't leave so easily and must have found a way to escape, continuing her plans.

Thus, behind the scenes, she conducted extensive investigations and gathered certain information.

"As far as I know, Ana previously established several enterprises, and rather than collapsing with her disappearance, they continued to thrive and grow significantly."

"Is that so?" Jeanne squinted, smiling mildly.

These developments were all due to Bai Zhi's actions. As merely a new clone, these matters had no connection to Jeanne herself, and thus, she remained unperturbed.

Moreover, this couldn't serve as convincing evidence. Just recently, she had arranged for Gray Serpent to take over these businesses, integrating them into the New Stigma Project.

"Well, that sounds like good news. If they truly exist, I won't hesitate to claim them."

"...," Rita observed Jeanne's composed demeanor, slightly frowning. This reaction seemed different from what she anticipated. Essentially, she still lacked any definitive proof, and the clues she had collected were ambiguous and inconclusive.

Some clues supported her theory, but others presented contradictions.

Moreover, based on Schicksal's records, Jeanne indeed appeared to be Ana's clone. If Jeanne truly was Ana, then who could be responsible for certain other events?

For a moment, Rita felt somewhat bewildered.

Naturally, the mastermind behind all this deception was Ana herself.

She had anticipated the possibility of exposure long ago, which led her to create multiple clones. Attempting to deduce through scattered evidence would reveal intricate connections between several individuals and Ana.

If one were to definitively identify any single person as Ana, inconsistencies would arise.

Who could imagine that these various individuals, these clones, were actually fragments of Ana? Her method of controlling these clones drew inspiration from ancient mythology novels she read in her previous life, making it virtually flawless.

It can only be said that unless Rita concludes that all clones are aspects of Ana and provides proof, her investigation remains futile.

However, achieving such certainty is beyond anyone's capabilities.

In reality, Ana's avatars extend far beyond the few known on the surface. Even among Anti-Entropy's re

"Are you alright, Rita?"

"I'm fine, Lady Durandal." Rita nodded and then turned towards Ana in the distance, a hint of concern in her eyes.

"She..."

"I already know about her situation."

Before Rita could respond, Durandal interjected, causing Jeanne's eyes to flicker with concern. She had overlooked the Kaslana factor amidst all her calculations.

Rita's original body possessed traces of Kaslana bloodline, and she even awakened it later on. Consequently, the Stigma's will was aware of her existence and knew some of her recent activities, although much information abruptly ceased at a certain point.

However—on the Kaslana side, there was also Siegfried!

Siegfried truly faced misfortune. Although Ana's warning prompted him to leave Entropy Headquarters this time, it didn't mean Kevin hadn't noticed him.

In the end, after various twists and turns, Kevin still managed to capture Siegfried and cast him into the stigma space for trials. Perhaps this was his predetermined fate.

Combined, these two sources provided Durandal with significant insights about Ana.

Fortunately, all information related to Ana abruptly ended during the Herrscher of Winter incident. However, based on the data from earlier periods, many conclusions could be drawn.

Now, it was crucial to observe Durandal's reaction and actions.