Accompanying the rumbling sounds, crushed rock mixed with dust continuously fell, settling on the Herrscher of Death's dark blue short hair.
Invisible energy waves swept in from all directions, compressing the soil and shattering flesh, enough to kill any organism except Honkai Beasts. Once the remaining creatures died out, wouldn't the truly hidden enemy be exposed?
The Herrscher of Death had never directly faced Elysia, so she naturally didn't fear death, yet a look of surprise still appeared on her face.
What fast reaction, what strong resolve.
This high-tech detector certainly hadn't been made on the fly. This meant the enemy had been preparing to catch the 'mouse' for a long time. The resolve was even more astonishing. The Earth was humanity's own home, and those towns had been built slowly over thousands of years, yet they were all destroyed without a second thought.
"Of course. To force 'Us' to this extent, they must be difficult to deal with. What is this level of resolve compared to that?"
Thinking about it, the situation suddenly became self-evident, and failure seemed normal. What was that human saying?
It's not that we didn't try hard, but that the enemy was too strong.
"It was expected. Dr. Ryan's greatest strength is preparing three steps ahead for every step he takes. Just like when he usurped Fire Moth, he probably prepared a core team even before joining."
The man's heavy breathing echoed in the cave. The Herrscher of Death listened, her expression mocking. She didn't understand mockery, but felt this was the appropriate reaction at the moment.
"Damian, are you kissing up to him in a delusion of being forgiven?"
"Speak properly, Herrscher of Death. You've been trying to learn all these years, but you just can't get it right. Perhaps you should consider the Authority of the Herrscher of Human Ego; it might make you more lively."
The two sounded like they were sparring, yet there was little sense of tense hostility. Because no matter how much the Herrscher pretended to be human, she couldn't become one, and no matter how much Damian embraced the Honkai, he was still human.
It was a philosophical stand-off. After trading barbs, a brief silence followed.
The Herrscher of Death didn't care about Damian's motives or ideals; she only cared that he was a friendly force helping her. She then asked, "What is he thinking? Does he just want to watch a good show?"
"In fact, he provided assistance. Otherwise, we wouldn't have been able to hide for so long. Dr. Ryan would have noticed the clues long ago and set traps for us." Damian paused, seeming to hold back the rest of the sentence.
"It's not enough. The fact is, we failed. The Herrscher of Human Ego is still alive. We only killed some worthless trash."
A Herrscher would not be deceived. She only knew that the mission had not been accomplished, the Herrscher of End could not descend, and the initiative was still in human hands.
Not only that, Ryan was tightening the noose. A giant net was closing in, leaving them nowhere to hide. The vast Earth was gradually becoming devoid of sanctuary.
"No, the Herrscher of Human Ego has actually died already. Sometimes you all are too rigid." With an elegant cadence, the blonde middle-aged man walked through the falling dust into the cave. There was little tension on his face.
"Of course, it's not your fault. 'He' has never transmitted explicit information. Herrschers can only act on instinct, and understanding 'destruction' is already the limit of that instinct. To find more methods requires an emotion called 'desire.'"
"With 'desire,' one learns to explore. By exploring, one learns to hypothesize and verify, and ultimately comprehend His will. Of course, 'He' doesn't need us to comprehend it. At the moment of selection, we only need to demonstrate our proper value."
The Herrscher of Death stood quietly, like a puppet. She didn't know the purpose of this long speech from her 'kindred,' and even her expression of curiosity was feigned.
Herrschers naturally didn't need to comprehend anything. They wouldn't hesitate even to commit suicide on the spot. Was this 'desire' his attempt to interfere with the selection?
Calis immediately felt bored. If Herrschers were considered a type of organism, their evolutionary stage was too low. Only by unraveling Fate and allowing future Herrschers to possess human emotions would they avoid being so boringly like puppets on a string.
As for the problems this might cause, that was outside his consideration.
"So, what exactly does 'He' intend? And what does it mean that the Herrscher of Human Ego has died already?"
"Don't be impatient. I just feel that the Honkai is more akin to a god. Of course, the things in human mythology cannot be considered gods. They are merely a symbolization of human wishes—at best, an idealized human."
The Herrscher of Death tilted her head. She didn't know why Calis was dodging the question. She felt that 'the human heart' was too troublesome, and the Herrschers' method of communication was the most efficient. She listened intently to this strange comrade.
"A so-called god is a being of supreme intelligence that, no matter how much you struggle or what predicament you face, will always choose a path that develops in its own favor from the very source." Calis gently spread his hands, seemingly convinced, though his smile looked utterly false, concealing certain information.
"Fire Moth calls this targeting, but I see it as the manifestation of mastering supreme destiny. No matter how the process changes, the conclusion has already been written. Humanity can delay it with effort, but they cannot tamper with it."
He looked at Damian, who was encased in crystal. Their eyes met, showing a hint of fanaticism and a touch of disdain for the 'pure' Herrschers.
"Haven't you realized it yet? Dr. Ryan's timely arrival—that variable—and your desperate self-destruction silently altered the trajectory of destiny, but it did not affect the final outcome."
"Dr. Ryan constrained the Herrscher of Human Ego. Almost in that instant, the Beast, which was a contingency plan for world destruction, gained a different value. It will be qualified to bypass the necessary option. It will be able to transform into the Cocoon—"
"And bloom into the splendid flower named End!"
What a hassle.
Ryan put down his pen, rubbing his smooth chin. The white paper on the desk was covered with meaningless symbols—casual notes he had jotted down.
During the time the net was closing, he reviewed all his years of experience fighting the Honkai. The more he looked, the more his head hurt.
There was no experience to draw from, because the enemy he faced was not human. Driven by some underlying logic, it created countless possibilities. Every victory had multiple layers of meaning, and only one thing was certain.
"The Honkai is like the Imaginary Tree—every choice I make causes new branches to sprout and infinitely extend."
"At every turning point, 'He' summarizes past failures. At least this method looks more like infinite evolution until the limit of capacity is reached."
He somewhat understood why the core of the Fire Moth Plan was Prometheus. If they didn't create a 'personality' for the Cocoon of End to form a cognitive pattern, no one would know what targeted move 'He' would make next.
When a cognitive pattern was established, the thirteen Herrschers of the Previous Era would bring about the 'cause' of End, leading to the almost identical 'effect' in the Current Era.
"That cause is uncertain in my timeline. Perhaps 'He' truly has the ability to bypass the necessary option and bring down End. Actually, that's not the worst. As the resistance becomes fiercer, the Cocoon will approach its limit, even if I can equally strengthen myself. But what about Fire Moth? They don't have a path of fate. Even if they find a way, they can't match the speed."
"Also, 'He' should have found my weakness by now. Will the Fourteenth Herrscher use someone close to me as a host? Will 'He' engage in a psychological gamble?"
The pen spun in Ryan's hand. He hadn't solidified the Cocoon of End with Prometheus, so its strength and methods were always variables, which was why he was tangled up in the question of 'sooner or later.' Both options seemed to have their advantages, and he also had to consider whether the Earth could withstand the increasing destruction.
"Forget it. This is something I can't control. At least I forced Calis to prepare a big gift. If the Honkai is ready to overturn the table, that guy is more anxious than I am, so it counts as a safety net."
Ryan forced himself to be optimistic. He felt that words like 'God' were too crude to describe the Cocoon of End; Cthulhu felt more appropriate.
"Unimaginable, indescribable, unpredictable?" He shrugged. From another dimension, wouldn't his confrontation with such an existence make him look even more amazing?
Knock, knock, knock.
The door was conveniently knocked. Ryan burned the draft paper into ash, stood up from the desk, and saw Elysia's head peeking in, furtively looking left and right.
So, what was the point of knocking?
Ryan didn't know how to complain. He pulled a bottle of beverage from the cabinet. "What are you peeking at?"
"Hehe, I rarely enter a boy's room. What if I see something indecent? Wouldn't you be embarrassed, Ryan?"
"First, this room actually belongs to Division Chief Edwin; I'm just borrowing it. Second, you've been in my room at least ten times in the Elysian Realm. Did you really think I didn't know?"
"Huh? When did you know?"
I'm the former agent and assassin, for goodness sake. Did you really think you could hide from me with those amateur skills?
Ryan thought so, but he couldn't bear to tease Elysia further. He simply spread his hands. "Mobius told me. It seems she's been against you for a long time."
"Hmph hmph hmph. Super agent and mad scientist are natural enemies. A winner will be decided one day. Oh, who were you talking to on the phone?"
"I forgot to tell you, I was just on a call with Mobius. Maybe she heard that."
Elysia was instantly startled, even flustered. Then she saw Ryan's sly smile and pouted, turning into a big mushroom.
"You tricked me again! I'm ignoring you!"
"Hahaha, sorry, sorry. Mobius is arriving soon anyway, so I wasn't entirely lying." Ryan quickly admitted defeat, then showed an amused smile. "It's easy to get me to stop teasing you: tell me about that plan."
"No way! You're so smart, you can guess it yourself."
"I don't have the mental capacity to guess right now." Ryan, whose mind was full of plans and conspiracies, shrugged. He finally decided not to dwell on it. He'd just treat it as Elysia's surprise.
"By the way, why did you come looking for me?"
"To deliver intelligence, of course."
"Where's Sakura? Isn't that her job?"
"She and Hua went to practice. Besides, being a secretary is easy. I can do it too." Elysia magically produced a pair of glasses and put them on, picked up a few files from the desk, and held them to her chest, trying hard to mimic Sakura's expression.
"How do I look? Don't I look professional?"
"I don't think so. For one, you're dressed too lavishly." Ryan looked her up and down, slowly shaking his head:
"Where in the world is there a secretary wearing a gorgeous long dress, delicate hair ornaments, and looking as radiant as an angel? You'd completely overshadow the boss! I'd be carrying your bag more than anything."
Elysia's face instantly twisted in a conflicted expression. She couldn't tell if Ryan was complimenting her or teasing her. She felt slightly indignant.
She had pleaded with Sakura to let her try. How could the smart and all-knowing Elysia be unqualified? She still wanted to supervise Ryan's work, after all.
"Then tell me what to do," she said, putting her hands on her hips.
"You really want to try?"
"Of course! I finally begged—no, Sakura's commission must be completed perfectly."
Her curiosity is as strong as ever. Sometimes she's like a child.
Ryan instantly saw through who was begging whom. He thought about it. Since they were still in the middle of the 'Egg-Laying Operation,' there shouldn't be anything urgent. Indulging Elysia's curiosity wouldn't hurt.
"Alright, you can work with me today, but before that, go change your clothes. First, you need to learn to be discreet."
"Change, change into what?"
Ryan made a 'wait' gesture, taking out a black and gray skirt from the closet. Elysia was momentarily bewildered, not understanding why there were women's clothes in the room.
Did these belong to Mr. Edwin or Ryan? Their kinks are strange.
Before she could think further, Ryan tossed the clothes to her. Elysia looked and saw a professional outfit with black stockings. The small blazer had the Fire Moth emblem on the chest—it was a standard issue item.
"Are... are you secretly wearing these?"
"Of course not! This is the standard Fire Moth uniform. Don't you see the emblem on the chest?" Ryan felt a surge of blood to his head, wanting to open her skull and see what was inside.
I'm not a pervert. Why would I collect women's clothes? What is she thinking?
"Oh, sorry, I guessed wrong." Elysia stuck out her tongue and tilted her head. "Then, should I go change?"
"You can change in the room. As a gentleman, I won't peek."
"No being pervy!" Elysia's face flushed slightly, and she turned and ran.
Tsk, she didn't fall for it.
Ryan wore a look of regret and slumped back into the swivel chair. Then, he paused slightly, realizing that the heavy melancholy in his heart had vanished, and his mind had slowed down.
He suddenly realized that saving the Herrscher of Human Ego, risking unknown dangers, was more than just patching up a regret. The world was sinking into the abyss, all around was pitch black, yet whenever he looked up, he could always see a sliver of light.
He crossed his legs, no longer needing to force optimism. He spoke to himself silently.
"With Elysia around, it's truly hard to feel despair."