The operation continues? And it's just him and that fatty?
When the news reached Mobius on the bridge of the airship, she was a little in disbelief. Aside from a bit of sourness, she quickly calmed down.
This was a forced option. The Herrscher of Binding had a more powerful collaborator. Without even having to stand on the front lines, she could manipulate everything from behind the scenes.
The existence of the Herrscher of Fate had been confirmed and had been doubly verified by Ryan and Aponia. A team of a hundred experts was already analyzing it. From the current situation, Ryan's decision was extremely rational.
They couldn't let the Herrscher of Binding go back. If it wasn't for the unexpected appearance of Elysia this time, she would have rampaged across the Mu continent. By the time Kevin arrived, she would have probably disappeared again. This kind of sparrow-like tactic was impossible to guard against.
With the help of the Herrscher of Fate, she could cause a terrifying amount of damage at a suitable time.
Because of Elysia's appearance, the Herrscher's plan went awry. The Twelfth Herrscher had to expose herself in advance to go and assist the Herrscher of Binding. There was an important reason for this: her Authority was not afraid of being exposed. It was very difficult to fight against the manipulation of invisible fate.
"If the Herrscher of Binding returns to the behind-the-scenes, we won't be so lucky next time. She can launch an attack from any location, and the current Fire Moth is very fragile." Kevin, who was bandaged, walked over. He was extremely unlucky.
The shuttle suddenly disintegrated at a height of tens of thousands of meters. Although it couldn't kill the few of them, they were all injured. They also suffered from turbulence during the fall and were smashed by the debris. It was as if they couldn't even drink cold water without getting their teeth stuck.
But when Pardofelis came to the rescue, that bad luck suddenly disappeared, and the return journey was relatively smooth.
Mobius's lips twitched. Considering that Mei was not far away, she managed to not laugh out loud. She tried her best to maintain a straight face and pointed to the world map on the big screen.
"The 'Wandering Humans' plan is in progress. We need to transport all the remaining one billion people to three world bubbles. I didn't expect the Fire Moth to have a day when we'd be short-staffed."
There were dozens of blue dotted lines on the big screen, converging on Neon or South Shenzhou, and from there, they would go to the Abyss City. This was the largest group migration activity in human history. All the ships had been concentrated, and a steel city had been built on the sea.
While building and transporting, with the constant harassment of Honkai Beasts, the military forces serving as guards suffered heavy casualties. Even with the various large-scale war machines provided by Vil-V, ordinary people were still as fragile as floating duckweed in this war.
But no one could complain. Driving a hover-vehicle was better than being given a rifle and told to fight for your life. All the remaining fleets of the former United Nations were also put into use, and the remaining factories were operating at full capacity to produce weapons.
"The casualties are very high. Mei has already disbanded the large fleet and switched to node transportation." Kevin looked at Mei, who was commanding in the front, and his eyes were filled with heartache.
This group migration was too complex. From the arrangement of every ship carrying tens of thousands of people to the construction of a transitional government in the world bubble, every single thing required Mei's personal attention. She hadn't closed her eyes for five or six days.
He could go to the front lines and fight desperately, but he couldn't help with these things.
"Don't worry. She's enjoying it. Completing this plan in a few months is a miracle to begin with." Mobius comforted him in a rare display of comfort. She put her hands in her pockets. "The preparations were rushed, but the situation forced us to launch it early. The bottom line is to safely send away at least 50% of the population."
Five hundred million people? That was a lot, and also very few.
Kevin was silent. He couldn't ask for too much. Besides Mei, every person in the Fire Moth was giving their all. For example, the city ship that Vil-V had built using anti-gravity technology and a Honkai energy engine could transport millions of people at once. And Mobius had created a harmless sedative gas that could make the people on the entire ship fall into a state of hibernation for a short period of time, avoiding the consumption of a huge amount of resources and the problem of crime during transportation.
In addition, the military was selflessly escorting them. This time, there was no need for precepts or mobilization. Everyone knew that this was the only chance for their families to survive. The earth was about to turn into scorched earth.
"So the Herrscher of Binding must not appear. She only needs to take a trip around the Pacific Ocean, and tens of millions of people will die, and the entire plan will collapse." Kevin said coldly, appearing extremely calm.
"We're lucky. Just as we started secretly transporting people, she appeared and went directly for Ryan."
"Perhaps this is a diversion to find out our real purpose."
Oh, this Kaslana actually got smarter. She was also talking like a scholar.
Mobius showed a strange smile. In an instant, she had a familiar feeling and understood that this Kaslana was imitating Ryan. However, what he said was not wrong.
There was no doubt that the Herrscher had succeeded. Mei had hurriedly started the all-out migration plan and had to fight for time.
"So that guy jumped out again to be a hero, as usual, firmly attracting all the hatred to himself. Seriously, does he think he's the guardian of civilization? He has to take on the biggest burden every single time."
"Ryan is, indeed!"
"What did you say?"
"I said Ryan is, indeed, the guardian of civilization. There's no doubt about it."
Mobius's mouth slightly opened. She looked at the young man with a determined expression. After a few seconds, she suddenly laughed.
"He's not here, so stop flattering him. Civilization belongs to all of us. It's not fair for him to fight alone. The Herrscher of Binding is being held back by him, but don't forget that there are still three Herrschers who can cause trouble."
To be more precise, only the Herrscher of Death could cause trouble on a large scale. The Herrscher of Domination's hundreds of Domination clones couldn't stir up any trouble, and the Herrscher of Fate had no actual killing power.
"I know what I should do." Kevin gave Mobius a deep look and turned to leave.
He and all the MANTIS had to suppress their anger. While waiting for the analysis results of the Twelfth Herrscher's Authority, they had to be ready for battle and be ready to support Ryan at any time. To put it in a simple way:
Even if everyone died, they had to keep the Herrscher of Binding on the outside.
As soon as Kevin left, Mei quietly walked back, taking off her glasses to wipe the lenses.
"Thank you for giving Kevin a psychological treatment. I've never been good at that."
"Your little boyfriend wants to imitate Ryan. It's a shame he can't." Mobius couldn't help but laugh, and then she was given a cold glare by Mei, so she had to close her mouth. "I originally thought the battle in South America was the biggest test, but this time the pressure is even greater. It's a good thing Elysia is on our side."
"Just as you said, civilization doesn't belong to Ryan alone. This great self-salvation comes from the collective efforts of every small part."
"You're giving me a formal speech?"
"No. Just as you, despite your sourness, are still here."
Mobius immediately stopped talking. She was in the final stages of a man-made collapse. Although Ryan was helping, ever since the Third Herrscher, the attacks had come in wave after wave, with almost no time to breathe.
It had only been three years, but she was under a lot of pressure. She looked at the message that had been sent back.
After testing, Aponia and Pardofelis seemed to be able to form a kind of barrier, but the range was limited. They simply moved everything to this second airship and maintained a certain distance from the front.
"Let Elysia be proud this time. I can help with other things, but only this one, only she and Ryan can do it."
...
So the Authority of the Herrscher of Human is 'Link.'
At the same time, Ryan walked in the abandoned town and saw the words 'Toulouse' written on a sign swaying in the wind.
Except for the people who were truly unwilling to leave, Europe had already evacuated to the Mu continent. The huge city was empty. The roads were filled with abandoned vehicles, the glass of the shops on both sides was broken, and various items were scattered everywhere.
This place was like a ghost town. The hustle and bustle of civilization had gone silent. Vines grew along the walls, and moss covered the stone steps. Fortunately, the Honkai Beasts had been drawn away several times, and this place had become a pure land outside of the battlefield. Besides being too desolate, there was no danger.
With her white dress blooming like a flower petal, the girl held her hands out and walked wobbly on the curb. Her hip-length pink hair swayed from side to side, adding a sense of liveliness to this silent place.
They had crossed the entire Atlantic Ocean and chased her to the French region. The Herrscher of Binding had long since disappeared in a suddenly appearing hurricane, but Ryan was not in a hurry at all.
According to Elysia, her Authority was called 'Link,' a link between hearts. Because it was also a mysterious thing, Elysia spent a lot of time explaining it so Ryan could understand.
"The effect it shows is to link to the Herrscher, to hinder her Authority, and to roughly locate her direction. This link cannot be cut and will continue to affect her. It can also link to MANTIS who have opened their hearts and use their abilities."
This was similar to the 'Domination' Authority Ryan understood, but it was fundamentally different. It seemed more mysterious and more advanced.
No wonder the Herrscher of Binding couldn't defeat her in a short period of time. No wonder she couldn't plant a Herrscher personality. No wonder she could undo fixed fate.
The puzzle that had troubled Ryan for a long time finally had an answer. According to the results of his and Mei's discussion, even if civilization was restarted countless times, the appearance of a being like Elysia would be a one-in-a-billion probability. It was unique, and this was the only case.
After countless restarts, a genius like Mei would definitely appear. A super warrior like Kevin also had a chance. Even a transcendent being like Kalpas would occasionally drop down.
But only Elysia was special. I knew why similar beings could not be observed in any parallel world.
Looking at the girl in the distance who was wholeheartedly enjoying the adventure, the skirt swaying to reveal her fair thighs, she seemed to be dancing in the desolate autumn wind. Her light steps carried no sense of heaviness brought by a special fate.
Ryan didn't know how to describe this scene. He could only interlock his fingers and raise them to his chest.
Amen.
Ryan once thought he understood Elysia very well, but after a few years of being with her, he felt more and more that he actually knew nothing about her.
She bravely revealed her Herrscher identity and stood on the stage, and then immediately betrayed her identity when facing a peer, firmly standing on the side of humanity.
Her life went through a drastic change in a single day. Forget about getting purified or getting corrupted; there wasn't even a trace of heaviness. This psychological resilience made Ryan admire her a little.
She was a flawless person who followed her 'True Self.' Nothing in the world could bother her in the slightest.
Ryan had asked her just now if she had thought about being suspected or if she was afraid of being targeted as a traitor by so openly standing on the stage. Elysia's answer was so simple that Ryan was left speechless.
"This is the dance party you designed for me. I just need to trust you and follow my own thoughts. As for the outcome, who can foresee the future?"
She was even simpler than that Kaslana. She was naturally not suited to plotting against others, but she was very lucky. She only needed to live simply.
Because of his comprehensive thinking and planning for everything—
I happen to be an expert in this area.
"Ryan, what are you muttering about back there? You must be saying bad things about me, right?" Elysia suddenly turned around, with her hands behind her back, and walked backward.
"I have so many things to consider. I don't have time to say bad things about you." Ryan answered casually. He didn't know if comparing her to Kevin counted as saying bad things.
"My Authority is to 'link' to hearts. I know everything you're thinking, you know."
The man's expression immediately froze. A gust of autumn wind just blew by, and her white skirt lifted, allowing him to catch a glimpse of a snow-white color. He subconsciously felt that Elysia's Herrscher outfit was different from what he had imagined.
The one-piece suit had become a revealing short skirt, and the white boots had been replaced by white thigh-high stockings. He could vaguely see the lace garters. Only the pair of bells, which looked like a magical girl's staff, hadn't changed much.
"Oh, I was just kidding. Look how nervous you are."
At this time, Elysia lightly chuckled with her hand covering her mouth. Ryan, whose eyes were twitching, didn't notice the shyness hidden in her smile. He thought to himself, 'I specially changed the style as a thank you gift to you.'
But I can't say such embarrassing things out loud.
Her light purple eyes with pink pupils turned lightly. The girl returned to her graceful state: "Ryan, I'm a little bit nervous, you know."
"It's okay. The people of the Fire Moth have all seen you fighting desperately. That's the best opportunity to show your stance. No one will doubt you now. Even if they do, Mei will solve it."
"I'm not talking about that. I've never cared about what other people think or do."
"Hmm? Then what are you talking about?"
"It's just that, it's just that I feel like it's just the two of us in this city." Elysia used her exquisite black leather shoes to kick a stone on the ground and said a bit hesitantly, "Do you think this is like a special date?"
Ryan was slightly stunned, and then he covered his face. With his intelligence, there were not many people in the world who could confuse him, but Elysia was definitely one of them.
"Please be serious. We are in the middle of a battle."
"I've always been very serious. The Herrscher of Binding is still in the southeast direction and hasn't moved. I haven't messed up anything." Elysia said indignantly. She simply quickened her pace and ran into the desolate park in front.
Ryan watched her run away and shook his head helplessly. This Elysia really didn't know what nervousness was. You would think that chasing a Herrscher would be about tense muscles and being fully armed, but she always managed to turn it into a harmonious and friendly light comedy.
"I really can't with you. This can also be considered a kind of skill, I guess."
Ryan followed her into the park. It had been desolate for several months, and it was full of weeds and wildflowers. He saw the girl swaying on a wooden swing, and he didn't feel any anger or dissatisfaction.
Elysia had another characteristic, which was that when it came to playing and fooling around, she never messed up the important things. In a way, she was even more reliable than Kevin. If she said the Herrscher hadn't moved, then she definitely hadn't.
"I apologize. I shouldn't have blamed you just now."
"Hmph, it's rare to see you begging for forgiveness. I'll forgive you." Elysia squeezed her legs together and swayed more vigorously. "It's just that I'm a little bit nervous being alone with you."
Ryan smiled when he heard this. He walked over and felt the pink hair brush against his cheek. "It's not our first date. What is there to be nervous about?"
"Oh, it's different from before." Elysia didn't know how to describe it. Following her 'True Self,' she explained, "Before, I only spent time with people I liked, but I liked everyone; I only put my heart into things that were interesting, but everything was interesting. Even during that time in Britain, I was very calm."
Oh, that time they went to Eden's concert. It felt like it was a long time ago.
Ryan remembered the past. He recalled that he and Elysia had taken wedding photos as models, which Mobius had held against him. It was also the first time he had met Eden.
"How is it different now?"
"Now..." Elysia closed her eyes, her cheeks slightly red. "Now I will spend more time on people I like more, and put more thought into things that are more interesting."
It was a bit like a tongue twister. Ryan was confused, but he quickly understood. His pupils slightly contracted.
He looked at the girl who was like a flying flower, and a look of surprise appeared on his face.
A single word made all the difference. What was this feeling of finally achieving a positive result?
Ryan's mind was wandering. Elysia, on the other hand, didn't think too much. It was as if she had just said something she truly felt. This made it hard for people to figure out her attitude.
From his perspective, the view was excellent. The rounded, fair hemispheres rose and fell with gravity, just as full of life as their owner. Her skirt spread out, and her straight legs were vaguely visible, making him purse his lips.
"Ryan, you're definitely thinking lewd thoughts again." She suddenly spoke.
"I'm not. Wait, tell me honestly, are you observing my mind?" Ryan was very alert and immediately felt that something was wrong.
Sure enough, he saw Elysia freeze for a moment, and then she stuck out her tongue.
"So I was right?"
"I couldn't help it. I'm not very skilled with my Authority yet. Besides, you've long since lost all your dignity, Ryan."
The first half of the sentence made Ryan nod slightly. Elysia was a newly born Herrscher, so she had to take time to master her Authority. But the second half of the sentence was not right.
He leaned forward slightly and touched her slightly curly pink hair. His smile was extremely gentle: "So, my dear Miss Elysia, what kind of image do I have in your heart?"
As soon as he finished speaking, the pink hair scattered. The smooth feeling lingered on his fingertips. Elysia jumped off the swing and landed a few meters away. She then put her hands behind her back and leaned forward.
"Ryan... most of the time you're very mature and reliable. You're especially handsome when you're being responsible, but in essence, you're still a boy going through puberty."
These words left a certain person stunned for a moment. It wasn't until the girl turned and ran away that Ryan's blood pressure surged.
Isn't this just calling me a pervert??
"Don't run! Wait for me!"
Heh heh, only a fool wouldn't run.
Elysia ran even faster, quickly escaping the park and running down the desolate street. Her eyes were curved in a smile. The empty street made her laugh lightly. Her eyes, filled with joy, looked north along the vine-covered street, and her vision seemed to change.
It was a dark place, with hideous Honkai Beasts surging around. A kneeling figure looked up. Her purple eyes seemed to meet Elysia's gaze, and they were filled with confusion, disgust, and anger.
It seems my joy has been successfully transmitted to you. So what will you do?
Will you follow the call of your heart and become a cute girl like me, or will you fiercely resist, stop wasting time, and come out to deal with me?
Elysia was full of anticipation. Even though she knew Ryan wasn't afraid of the opponent wasting time, if the Herrscher of Binding didn't die, many people would die every day. Most of the Fire Moth's fighting force would be tied down, so there was no spare capacity to provide escort.
They are all people I like. Even if I put myself in danger, I cannot let the humans I like die for nothing. That is the lives of hundreds of millions of people.
Elysia didn't understand what it meant to give up or pay a price. If there was a chance to help, why should the humans she liked die for nothing?
She secretly glanced behind her, at the 'enraged' man. She vaguely understood Ryan's thoughts. In his and Mei's eyes, there was never perfection. They only cared about the ratio of outcome to cost, which was why he was so at ease with her nonsense.
'But I'm a girl who pursues perfection. Besides--'
Elysia looked forward. There seemed to be a figure flashing next to a dilapidated abandoned car. There was a bit more anticipation in her eyes.
"What if that Herrscher suddenly comes to her senses?"
...
The Authority of Human transcends the body and even the soul. It is a link between one heart and another.
This Authority was useless in Ryan's hands, or rather, it would have a counter-effect. Using his heavy thoughts to interfere with a Herrscher would, in a way, be a kind of 'evolution.' It was estimated that a Herrscher would instantly evolve into a scheming mastermind.
But Elysia was different. She always followed her 'True Self,' and was always optimistic and proactive. That little bit of narcissism was more like a catalyst, transmitting all her full emotions to the person she linked with.
In this previous civilization, this was a kind of poison to a Herrscher, a poison more fatal than the Herrscher of Death.
Huff, huff, huff.
Heavy panting echoed in the tunnel. The Honkai Beasts that had been attracted surrounded the Herrscher of Binding. She had no wounds on her body, and her clothes were not damaged. Her Honkai energy was still powerful, but she gave off a feeling of being severely wounded.
That 'traitor' actually had this kind of Authority. A feeling she couldn't explain filled her body, as if it wanted to fill her empty heart. She pondered here for a long time and finally figured out what this thing was:
Happiness, laughter, and hope...