By the time Mei returned to Fire Moth HQ via transport helicopter, it was already the early morning of the second day.
Although time zone differences were a factor, they had undeniably used up a solid two hours.
"Take Kalpas to the First Science Department immediately."
"Yes, Doctor."
"There isn't enough time..."
Mei 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 time. We have to take a gamble!"
Was the supposed 69 hours the real number? Mei 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—something about energy loss during transfer, something 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, Mei 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 meant 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 became questionable.
However, as the saying goes, 'when you're drowsy, someone 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 seemed advantageous for the Herrschers, but for humanity, it became the key factor allowing the plan to proceed.
Of course, there was one other element—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.
Mei 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 immediately pack up the samples, resources, and data for the Blank Key experiment. Also, activate the Second Divine Key..."
"Are we using the Second Divine Key? But what if something unexpected happens during its two-hour charge time?"
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 Mei and Michael already suspected her; her behavior alone was enough to raise eyebrows.
However, assuming Mei and Michael would put all their eggs in Evangeline's dubious 'basket' would be underestimating them. After all, Fire Moth wasn't without confirmed Herrscher individuals of its own.
So, Mei 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 time 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 something important, only realizing it four or five seconds later, covering her mouth as she reminded Mei:
"Ordinary people... But, Dr. Mei, you're..."
Those soldiers are ordinary people, but isn't Dr. Mei one too?
"We don't have time to worry about that!"
Seeing Kevin lift his head weakly, also intending to dissuade her, Mei immediately declared:
"My Honkai Energy adaptability is high. It's a risk I can take."
And so, there were no further objections.
Mei 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 immediately... Actually, never mind. Sakura will remain at HQ to handle emergencies. 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 deployment records are stored in Anti-Entropy's internal system, accessible only by Michael and Mei.
But the deployment of Aldemir's unit, composed of ordinary soldiers—while based on Mei'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 Mei 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 Mei 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 members, primarily those old men 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 some 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 Mei'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 Mei 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, meaning she couldn't bring her usual assortment 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 members, 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, Mei had a different, yet logical, explanation:
"With us away from HQ, the Tenth Herrscher might try to use these destabilizing elements 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 adjustments and optimization.
However, going too far would be counterproductive. In the drama about to unfold, although Mei and Michael were guiding the plot to some extent, they didn't dare consider themselves 'directors.' Ultimately, they were merely actors performing on the stage.
And as performers, they had to remember the principle of not overdoing it.
For Mei, her performance needed to appear rushed, meaning 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 meticulously 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 accustomed to Kalpas's usual wild and untamed demeanor.
But this way, the upcoming surgery would be a bit easier.
"Klein, help me get him onto the operating table."
Her voice echoed into the darkness, seemingly receiving no response... of course, the person corresponding to the name she called didn't exist in this intrinsic world at this moment and shouldn't have responded.
But... she wasn't calling that Klein.
Half a minute later, accompanied by strange mechanical whirring sounds, a figure emerged 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 documents on her tablet.
"According to the work protocols you established for me upon activation the day before yesterday—'Always prioritize work efficiency'—I believe your refusal to allow me 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 me 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 immediately. Instead, she spent a long time 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 medical 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 Mei 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, Mei and Michael wouldn't have bothered hiding it.
The concealment 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 time, 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 moment, 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, mere 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 extremely 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 same as yours..."
"Let me go! Let me 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 me some insignificant truths..."
"Mmph! Mmph!"
"Looks like we have an agreement... Prepare for the Meta-Morph surgery..."
Mobius began sterilizing the scalpel.
"Ah, right! I just remembered something—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 someone 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.