"The voltage isn't too high... no, it's not relatively high. Otherwise, even rubber soles would be punctured."
Mikael analyzed quietly.
Then, under the astonished gazes of the others, he poked the black mud with his index finger.
After a mont, he withdrew his finger, a wisp of smoke escaping his lips.
"Not bad. An ordinary person wouldn't be able to withstand it, but a Herrscher's physique isn't significantly affected. Even the numbness is negligible."
Mikael didn't believe Śeṣa was only capable of this. He poked the mud again. Although subtle, he could feel the numbing sensation diminishing.
Hiko had squatted down beside him at so point. Seeing him withdraw his finger again, she asked, "Any discoveries?"
"Whether this black mud is a dium or... pure electricity... I can't confirm yet. The only certainty is that the voltage is decreasing over ti. At its current strength, combat boot rubber soles offer sufficient protection."
"So... you an we can advance safely?"
"No." Mikael shook his head. "The black mud didn't appear out of nowhere. Common lower-level Honkai beasts don't possess this kind of power..."
"It's the Herrscher!" Hiko blurted out, looking around anxiously. But the only sounds in the dark night were the inhuman roars...
"Not necessarily. An Emperor-class Honkai beast, or even a higher-level one, is also a possibility."
"Emperor-class..." Hiko pondered, recalling the battle at Ruruye in her mind, trying to gauge the strength of an Emperor-class Honkai beast. Humanity had encountered too few of this level, let alone the even higher level Mikael had hinted at.
And clearly, soone shared his view.
"An Emperor-class Honkai beast couldn't do this," Mobius, appearing seemingly out of nowhere, declared. "Good news. Communications aren't fully restored, but we can transmit text ssages. The 3rd Eruption has been confird, and the location—Shanghai. But not just Shanghai."
Mobius stared intently at the back of Mikael's head, as if wanting to dissect it with a scalpel and examine the knowledge stored within.
"In Shanghai, but not just Shanghai? What does that an?" Hiko couldn't help but consider the worst-case scenario.
"Yes, the Honkai energy readings in Shanghai have exceeded 4000 HW. We can confirm the Herrscher erged here. Unfortunately, the entire eastern coast of China, including the Japan, is affected. Squads 2 and 3 are reinforcing Arc City and Nagazora City, respectively... As for the other locations, hmph..."
Mikael had been ntally prepared, but he still sighed.
Sotis saving one person was harder than saving the world, yet sotis it was incredibly easy, like with Carole. It had given him a false sense of hope, as if he could actually stop the wheels of the 3rd Eruption.
"Alright, Mobius, let's return to the matter at hand."
Mikael waved his hand dismissively. His attitude irked Mobius, but after rolling her eyes, she seed to realize sothing and gave him a thoughtful look.
"The Honkai energy in Shanghai is primarily concentrated in two individuals, one in the eastern city and one in the western city. The eastern individual has a reading of 2700 HW, while the one in front of us reads 1100 HW. Currently, no known Emperor-class Honkai beast has exceeded 1000 HW. Honkai energy of that magnitude collapses into a single individual—a Herrscher."
"So... does that an there are two Herrschers in this eruption?!" Hiko wiped nonexistent sweat from her brow.
Mobius glanced at Mikael. "There are two Herrschers... Phamas is probably in a eting right now, explaining Mikael's... situation to those stuffy strategists."
Hiko clenched and unclenched her hand on Surtr.
Mikael, however, seed unconcerned. "Only one Herrscher erges per eruption. Of course, two simultaneous eruptions are possible, but the energy readings wouldn't differ so drastically."
"And what's your insightful explanation?" Mobius asked curiously.
Mikael glanced at her. "Before you ask, please show the satellite images from headquarters..."
Mobius pouted. "There aren't any! You overestimate human communication technology. With such strong electromagnetic interference, transmitting text ssages is already a feat."
"Uh... then I'll just say it. When a Herrscher erges, if the Honkai energy concentration is high enough, there's a chance of a secondary collapse. Another individual is chosen, granted power second only to the Herrscher. This is the companion Honkai beast. Emperor-class at minimum, with no upper limit. Fire Moth should add a new Honkai beast classification—how about Judgnt-class?"
Mobius was about to reply when her expression changed. She looked towards the western sky.
Behind the clouds, giant anti-gravity engines had been roaring for so ti. Now, the sword-like silhouette of the Fire Moth One finally broke through the clouds, appearing above Squad 5.
Mikael's brow furrowed deeply, but he only glanced at the sky, making no other move.
Mobius and Hiko then noticed that Mikael's index and middle fingers were pressed against the ground. They quickly understood his purpose—he was using vibrations to track the companion Honkai beast's movents.
"It's underground, about a few dozen ters deep. It's not moving, as if... waiting for sothing," Mikael said softly.
Mobius's face paled.
She held out her phone. On the screen was a short ssage from headquarters:
Retreat.
Mikael seed to have anticipated this.
"Wait!" Hiko exclaid. "The voltage in the black mud is decreasing. We can rescue the survivors in this area first, and then..."
She didn't finish her sentence. The Fire Moth One above had clearly received its orders. Except for the 680mm railgun at the bow, the other railguns slowly rotated, aiming directly below. Blue light sparked between the rails—yes, after the Honkai energy reactor upgrade, the Fire Moth One could now deploy all its railguns.
Mikael shook his head, putting his hands in his pockets. "There's no ti. Now that we've confird the Herrscher is in the eastern city, we can't waste any more ti here. Moreover, the Honkai beast is underground. If we enter its territory and provoke it, with the black mud covering the ground and the possibility of more appearing..."
He didn't need to elaborate. Hiko understood.
But...
She looked at him intently. She wasn't foolish. She understood Mikael's thoughts.
Wasn't it because he'd heard the Herrscher was in the eastern city and was worried about Elysia?
But she couldn't bla him. Firstly, headquarters hadn't given them a choice.
Secondly, Mikael's points were valid. Objectively, they had no other option.
Finally...
Mikael... your hands are shaking...
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