"We can't wait any longer."
This was the interior of a certain Flame-Chaser base.
Due to the attack by the Eighth Herrscher, the Flame-Chasers' old base had been exposed and could no longer be used as an important research facility.
A new base, built within the Eurasian continent and capable of simultaneously meeting the needs of four important experimental projects, had become the current main gathering place for the Flame-Chasers (Fusion Warriors).
Incidentally, the Flame-Chasers' headquarters was located on Mu Continent.
However, there were no experimental facilities there; it was only a headquarters in a political sense. The upper echelons of the Flame-Chasers and the supervisory officials from the United Nations were mostly concentrated there.
"Two days..."
"In just two short days, more than twenty comrades have lost their lives, and the capitals of three countries have been destroyed by the flames of war!"
"Since the Eighth Herrscher incident, we have never suffered such losses."
Kosma slammed his hand on the world map, which was covered in red.
At this moment, he was not the taciturn "Daybreak" who kept all his words hidden in his heart. With Griseo still alive, Kosma was still the hot-blooded youth who had sworn a heroic oath.
"I am well aware that we are short-handed."
"But at a time like this, if we still choose to remain silent at a time like this, then what is the meaning of us joining the Flame-Chasers!?"
"Pat."
A sturdy hand clapped heavily on Kosma's shoulder.
"You're right."
Griseo walked out from behind Kosma.
"I agree with Kosma."
"Griseo..."
"It's hard to say if we can save humanity, but if this continues..."
"Bang!!"
Griseo's fist also slammed down hard on the table.
Among the red dots covering the map, several had already been marked with black crosses—a symbol that the traces of civilization and humanity had been completely erased from that location.
Griseo's voice was unusually heavy:
"How much do we have left?"
"The things we need to risk our lives to protect?"
Aside from Kevin, the gazes of all the Fusion Warriors present were focused on Dr. Mei.
She was not the nominal leader of the Flame-Chasers (Fusion Warriors), but she was undoubtedly the irreplaceable core of the entire team. Whether in tactical planning or technological research, Dr. Mei's opinions and ideas usually played a decisive role.
"Qianjie has gone to North America."
Meeting everyone's gazes, Dr. Mei slowly began to speak.
This was not part of her arrangements, but Qianjie's actions could indeed be useful to some extent—both in terms of the war situation and the reputation of the Flame-Chasers... All they could hope for now was that Qianjie wouldn't go too far.
As for more...
"Hah."
Dr. Mei let out a soft sigh.
In Dr. Mei's view, the wave of Honkai Beasts sweeping the world was not terrifying.
A dozen or so Emperor-class Honkai Beasts, and the harm they and their subordinate legions could cause, was estimated to be between 11 million and 90 million casualties. This level was completely acceptable—no, it was within the scope of the plan.
Putting aside the initial surprise attack, it wouldn't be long—not more than twenty days, to be precise—before humanity's existing forces could defeat the Emperor-class Honkai Beasts one by one.
The estimated time required to eliminate all the legions was only about ninety days.
The above was a conclusion based on existing conditions and absolute rationality.
However... while Dr. Mei did indeed possess absolute rationality, she would not build it upon the foundation of trampling on humanity.
The original purpose for establishing the Flame-Chasers...
Dr. Mei looked at Elysia beside her. The smiling expression on Elysia's face gently smoothed Dr. Mei's furrowed brow.
"Hah."
With a second deep breath.
"Elysia, I'll leave the matter in South America to you... with your strength, the Honkai Beasts won't be much of a problem. The main thing is to keep an eye on Qianjie."
"In terms of public opinion and reputation... we can't afford any more problems."
"Elysia, roger!"
Elysia gave Dr. Mei a slightly mischievous salute, then turned and quickly departed.
"Griseo, Kosma."
"I'll leave Yingzhou to you two."
"To be able to take out Shenzhou's main fleet in thirty minutes, that Honkai Beast legion is likely much stronger. With the two of you as a team, I can rest a bit easier... If conditions permit, head north to support the war on the Korean Peninsula. The Honkai Beasts in that direction are advancing too quickly, and Shenzhou is struggling to fight on multiple fronts."
"Understood."
"Leave it to us."
Griseo and Kosma nodded in unison. Kosma, finally able to see action, even pumped his fist forcefully.
"Wei'er, Qiaona, Mila."
"The three of you, go to Africa and help. Try to stop them on land—no, just slowing their advance will be enough."
"The fleets from Great Britain and Shenzhou will cut off the Honkai Beasts' retreat from the sea. The battle will be mainly about stalling for time, waiting for support from other fronts!"
"Understood!" x3
Among those present, this three-person team was not strong. Even combined, they could barely hold their own against the others.
The task Dr. Mei assigned them was also the easiest of all.
"Kevin..."
"I'm going to the North Sea."
"Four Emperor-class beasts are nothing. I'll be back soon."
Kevin wanted to say more, but in the end, he suppressed the urge to pour out his feelings. This place was both the rear and the battlefield; it was not the time for sentimentality.
"Before that..."
Kevin's gaze, still tinged with worry, swept past Dr. Mei.
"Leave Mei to us."
"Don't worry, nothing will happen."
Sakura nodded lightly.
Protecting Mei's safety was her primary mission to begin with.
His good friend, Su, also gently tapped Kevin on the shoulder. Both Dr. Mei's "Project Stigma" and Mobius's "Project Consciousness Transfer" required Su's abilities for assistance.
While this prevented Su from being deployed as a combatant, it also greatly enhanced the security of the base.
"I'm counting on you."
As Kevin was the last to leave, the remaining combat power in the base consisted of only Su, Sakura, Vill-V, and Mobius... This was the situation Dr. Mei worried about the most.
The Honkai Beast attacks seemed to lack any pattern.
But this was only on the surface. From their inherently chaotic actions, Dr. Mei could still see the problem. The near-simultaneous attacks on the continents meant that these Emperor-class Honkai Beasts, which possessed a certain level of intelligence, had likely reached some kind of consensus.
If that were truly the case...
It should be known that uniting forces is far more reliable than fighting separately. The current situation, conversely, gave humanity the possibility of defeating them one by one.
Or perhaps...
Dr. Mei's brow furrowed slightly.
...it gave the Honkai Beasts the possibility of defeating them one by one.