By the ti i returned to Fire Moth HQ via transport helicopter, it was already the early morning of the second day.
Although ti zone differences were a factor, they had undeniably used up a solid two hours.
"Take Kalpas to the First Science Departnt imdiately."
"Yes, Doctor."
"There isn't enough ti..."
i feigned contemplation. Driven by a biological self-preservation instinct, her eyes subconsciously darted towards Evangeline.
But she couldn't ignore the possibility that this might alert the other party prematurely. So, she forced her rational mind to suppress this instinct, pretending to stare at her feet in thought.
"Michael can only hold out against the Eleventh Herrscher for 69 hours, and the Blank Key is less than 70% complete... Forget it. We don't have that much ti. We have to take a gamble!"
Was the supposed 69 hours the real number? i had serious doubts.
It wasn't that she thought the number was inflated, making the situation more urgent—quite the opposite. Although Michael's explanation was perfectly scientific—sothing about energy loss during transfer, sothing about the Eleventh Herrscher's Authority having an advantage in energy absorption and conversion...
The result being that, with their Herrscher Core output basically equal, Michael couldn't break the light curtain barrier and could only engage in this stalemate until his stamina was depleted and his body could no longer sustain full-power Honkai Energy output for an extended period.
However, even though Michael hadn't said it explicitly, i felt he likely had other ways to resolve the Eleventh Honkai Eruption. The reason he wasn't doing so was simple—
Before this, the plan to use the Blank Key as bait at P-21 to lure the individuals of the Tenth Herrscher into an attack, then wipe them out in one fell swoop, had already been established. But compared to the original 'script,' Michael's presence as an extra variable ant that even though P-21 was isolated in the Pacific, it was still within his support range.
This created a highly unfavorable situation: knowing Michael could reinforce P-21, whether the Tenth Herrscher would commit to an all-out attack beca questionable.
However, as the saying goes, 'when you're drowsy, soone offers a pillow.' Undoubtedly, the Eleventh Herrscher was that pillow. As the Tenth Herrscher's teammate, it had 'tied down' Michael, making it impossible for him to support P-21.
This seed advantageous for the Herrschers, but for humanity, it beca the key factor allowing the plan to proceed.
Of course, there was one other elent—a major threat to both the Tenth Herrscher and the plan itself—that needed to be rendered 'inoperable'.
But doing so would be akin to fighting with their backs against the wall.
i bit her lip lightly, clenched her fist, then exhaled slowly. With her usual composure, as if the life-and-death experience of the past few hours hadn't left a trace of fatigue or fear, she issued orders:
"Number 17, have Vill-V imdiately pack up the samples, resources, and data for the Blank Key experint. Also, activate the Second Divine Key..."
"Are we using the Second Divine Key? But what if sothing unexpected happens during its two-hour charge ti?"
Evangeline, the Herrscher's puppet, was the first to voice her doubts, as if such 'heartfelt words' would make her seem less like an individual manifestation of the Tenth Herrscher.
But undoubtedly, this performance was trying too hard. Never mind that i and Michael already suspected her; her behavior alone was enough to raise eyebrows.
However, assuming i and Michael would put all their eggs in Evangeline's dubious 'basket' would be underestimating them. After all, Fire Moth wasn't without confird Herrscher individuals of its own.
So, i turned with practiced naturalness, her gaze fixed on the tip of Evangeline's nose—a focal point that avoided making the other person feel ignored, yet didn't feel like overly intense, offensive scrutiny.
She explained in a slightly weary voice:
"Flying to P-21 from here takes at least three hours. Michael's ti is limited; we must save every second. Also, the Second Divine Key's teleportation might cause irreversible harm to ordinary soldiers like Aldemir's unit, so they'll still travel by transport aircraft. We'll go ahead."
"Uh, but doesn't that leave a three-hour defensive gap...?"
Evangeline pursed her lips, lost in thought. She sensed she'd missed sothing important, only realizing it four or five seconds later, covering her mouth as she reminded i:
"Ordinary people... But, Dr. i, you're..."
Those soldiers are ordinary people, but isn't Dr. i one too?
"We don't have ti to worry about that!"
Seeing Kevin lift his head weakly, also intending to dissuade her, i imdiately declared:
"My Honkai Energy adaptability is high. It's a risk I can take."
And so, there were no further objections.
i continued issuing orders through Number 17:
"Have Hua and Sakura also report to Vill-V's location on standby, ready to leave for P-21 with us imdiately... Actually, never mind. Sakura will remain at HQ to handle ergencies. Mobius still needs to deal with Kalpas first... Looks like we can only take Hua. Finally... the orders for Aldemir's unit need to be modified..."
"Please state the modification, Doctor."
"Change their mission designation from 'Guard Duty' to 'Escort Duty'."
MANTIS deploynt records are stored in Anti-Entropy's internal system, accessible only by Michael and i.
But the deploynt of Aldemir's unit, composed of ordinary soldiers—while based on i's 'executive authority' and bypassing 'Council' approval—has records accessible to a fairly large number of personnel.
Therefore, their mission objective must be 'classified' to maintain 'logical consistency'.
Otherwise, the Tenth Herrscher, pooling its collective intelligence, might discover this logical inconsistency.
But why an escort mission?
"Doctor, regarding the escort target...?"
Number 17's voice held a hint of hesitation. Despite being an AI, if you were to list the individuals in the world who understood i best, it would definitely be... hmm, second...? Maybe not... third...? No... perhaps fourth...? Alright, it was definitely one of the top five individuals who understood i best.
Because of this, seeing the possibility deduced by its established models, Number 17 wasn't surprised, but couldn't claim to be entirely 'unshaken' either.
"Yes. Convene the Council mbers, primarily those old n originating from SEELE. Order Aldemir to escort them to P-21. The official reason will be to request they discuss the ongoing global disturbances in an undisturbed location. Attach so of the illicit evidence we obtained in Rheinland."
"Understood, Doctor."
For Number 17, privy to nearly all the inside information, it wasn't hard to see i's move was intended to eliminate dissidents under the current circumstances—
From the Tenth Herrscher's perspective, the information they'd receive was: Blank Key incomplete; Michael tied down by the Eleventh Herrscher; and i had prematurely used the Second Divine Key's phase teleportation ability, which had a two-hour cooldown.
During this window, P-21's defenses would be incredibly weak. Kevin, the most capable fighter, hadn't recovered from the weakening effects of the Binding barrier; Vill-V had to leave the Second Divine Key at HQ, aning she couldn't bring her usual assortnt of strange 'gadgets'; Aponia's psychic power was occupied sealing and soothing the darkness in The Deep...
As for Hua? Did that young girl even pose a threat?
Based on this analysis, the two hours when the Second Divine Key was unavailable presented the perfect opportunity to attack.
If they attacked, Aldemir, being one of their individuals, would surely participate... As for the council mbers, they were like chicken ribs [basically useless, but a minor hassle] to the Herrscher; they likely wouldn't mind killing a few extra people incidentally. It was just a pity about the soldiers.
But for Evangeline and Kevin, i had a different, yet logical, explanation:
"With us away from HQ, the Tenth Herrscher might try to use these destabilizing elents to cause trouble. Directly placing them under house arrest at HQ would invite criticism. So, until we finish developing the Blank Key, defeat the Eleventh Herrscher, and can fully focus on the Tenth, it's better to keep them close under supervision."
With that, all preparations were complete. The bait had been cast. If one looked closely, there might still be room for minor adjustnts and optimization.
However, going too far would be counterproductive. In the drama about to unfold, although i and Michael were guiding the plot to so extent, they didn't dare consider themselves 'directors.' Ultimately, they were rely actors performing on the stage.
And as perforrs, they had to rember the principle of not overdoing it.
For i, her performance needed to appear rushed, aning it couldn't possibly be perfectly arranged down to the last detail.
Although... many of the lines she'd just recited, including points of emphasis and repetition, had been ticulously rehearsed over the preceding days and nights.
...
"Oh? Kalpas? Hehehe... Hahahaha! What a rare guest!"
Mobius snapped a sharp blade into its handle, twirling it casually between two fingers as if it were a harmless pencil.
She waited for a long while but received no answer from the man—no roar, no fury, not a sound.
She nodded with satisfaction, though she was more accustod to Kalpas's usual wild and untad deanor.
But this way, the upcoming surgery would be a bit easier.
"Klein, help get him onto the operating table."
Her voice echoed into the darkness, seemingly receiving no response... of course, the person corresponding to the na she called didn't exist in this intrinsic world at this mont and shouldn't have responded.
But... she wasn't calling that Klein.
Half a minute later, accompanied by strange chanical whirring sounds, a figure erged from behind her—one far too short to reach the operating table.
"Doctor, are we still not using Operating Table One?"
Mobius paused her hand as she searched through files.
"Hmph..."
Her attitude left 'Klein' puzzled, so she asked again:
"Doctor, the other operating tables..."
"Why are you so keen on using that table?"
Mobius asked without looking up, scrolling through docunts on her tablet.
"According to the work protocols you established for upon activation the day before yesterday—'Always prioritize work efficiency'—I believe your refusal to allow to use Operating Table One has reduced my work efficiency by 0.98%..."
"Enough..."
Mobius was about to get angry, but after a few seconds of frustrated sounds, her anger subsided, and she asked calmly:
"And how much do you think arguing with about this issue right here has decreased your work efficiency?"
"Uh... Work efficiency decreased by... Okay, Doctor, I understand..."
Green sparks flickered around Klein's body. Using magnetic levitation technology, it maneuvered the gurney carrying Kalpas into Operating Room Three.
Mobius didn't follow imdiately. Instead, she spent a long ti looking through a pile of files. Only after an hour, when Kalpas's weak yet furious curses could already be heard from the operating room, did she put down the heavy tablet and stretch lightly—
"Just as I thought. Even after the permission updates, none of Kalpas's dical checkup records can be found... A pity. Spaxi was responsible for the checkups, and he's notoriously tight-lipped... Did Kalpas simply not have any checkups, or did my dear old friends i and Michael delete the records...?"
She knew this so-called truth likely had... well, not zero impact on defeating the Honkai, but probably a negligible one, otherwise, i and Michael wouldn't have bothered hiding it.
The concealnt was likely a form of protection for his identity, perhaps to prevent him from being ostracized—'You don't need to know what he is; he looks human, and that's enough.'
But this was what drove Mobius mad—she was like a child receiving a Christmas present. Even if she could guess its weight by holding it, she'd still be itching with curiosity, unable to resist trying to figure out exactly what was inside.
And this ti, it was the perfect opportunity.
"Quiet down!"
Mobius walked into the operating room, twirling the scalpel.
"Tsk... How pathetic, Kalpas... Never thought I'd see you like this."
His upper body was bare, securely chained to the operating table by Klein.
This level of restraint should have been easy for him to break, but... well, his muscles strained, yet he couldn't break the chains.
At this mont, Kalpas was far weaker than when he'd been taken down from the cross after countless years.
After all, back then, he could still fight Michael and casually kill an Emperor-class Honkai Beast.
Now, re chains were enough to subdue him.
However, though subdued, he wasn't obedient.
Mobius smirked and sneered:
"Aren't you worried? According to the report Kevin uploaded, you passed out the instant you touched the light curtain."
"What's there to worry about?"
Kalpas craned his neck, feigning indifference.
"Oh? You think Michael can easily handle the Eleventh Herrscher? Hahahaha... Hahahahaha!"
"What are you laughing at? Don't you know how to talk, Mobius!"
"Haven't you wondered why Kevin only felt extrely weak, while you fainted outright and still haven't recovered?"
"..."
"If Michael were to touch that light curtain... the best-case scenario would be the sa as yours..."
"Let go! Let go...!"
Kalpas began to struggle violently.
"Tch! Klein, gag him!"
"Ah... Oh..."
"Listen quietly, Kalpas. You can't fight that thing in your current state. But I can enable you to do it. Only I can—all you need to do is pay a small price, tell so insignificant truths..."
"Mmph! Mmph!"
"Looks like we have an agreent... Prepare for the ta-Morph surgery..."
Mobius began sterilizing the scalpel.
"Ah, right! I just rembered sothing—the entity you'll be fusing with has quite a connection to you. That's right, it's the one you killed yourself: the Maheśvara-class Honkai Beast, Asura... Hmph, I can just imagine how frustrated that woman will be when she learns soone else has fused with the ICHOR of an Maheśvara-class Honkai Beast."
Mobius curled her lip disdainfully, and then, as if that wasn't enough, added a couple more cold snorts.
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