Kosma and Sakura were the last to arrive at the rendezvous point. Naturally, the higher-ups reprimanded them severely. Even though Silas was the fastest-growing warrior within the Fire Moth, in principle, civilians were not allowed to be involved in fighting the Honkai.
Silas remained expressionless as he calmly explained the reasons, he had long prepared and immediately asked Kevin and the others if they were willing to join the Fire Moth.
After seeing Kevin, Kosma, and Dystopia agree one after another, and with Ato stepping in to smooth things over, the leaders could say no more—only requiring Silas and Elysia to submit their self-criticism reports on time.
Still, Kevin and the others were not allowed to participate in the battle against the Third Herrscher. They were only permitted to assist from outside, under Ato's command, handling the Honkai beasts. After all, officially, they were not yet formally trained soldiers—and Dystopia was not even that in reality.
After the communication with the leaders ended, Dystopia pulled Kosma aside, fiercely upset at his decision to run into Changkong City alone and leave her behind while he entered the danger zone.
Kosma could only silently endure as Dystopia pulled his ears and pinched his face.
Standing beside Silas, Elysia said, "Seeing this scene suddenly makes me miss the time when Kosma had horns—it felt pretty good."
"Dystopia and Ato… they are two very important people in Kosma's life," Silas said, crossing his arms. "Their successive deaths during the incidents with the Eighth and Ninth Herrschers dealt a heavy blow to Kosma."
Kevin recalled Kosma's departure in the previous life and his reproaches toward him, and said, "Their deaths… were necessary sacrifices."
"Necessary…" Silas's gaze fell. His mind flashed to the Binding Tragedy. If he had to choose again now, he would still agree to the extreme evil plan. To defeat the Finality, there was no avoiding it.
But even if most of the MANTIS survived, could they really win against the Finality? Having personally experienced the End's power, he knew very well that no matter how many fused warriors survived, they were no match for the Finality.
"Silas, tell me—can we win this time?" Kevin asked. "We know the fate that awaits us and the nature of our enemy, but even so…"
"We'll hold until Finality descends. Then… no force on earth will matter. If the Chimera Project can be implemented earlier and smoothly this time, then maybe there's a glimmer of hope," Silas said. No matter how much he thought these days, with current technology, aside from improving individual combat ability through the Chimera Project, he could not think of any other way to defeat the Finality.
Kevin looked at Silas and was about to speak when Silas continued, "But Mobius is resolute this time—no matter what, she won't agree to let me carry out the Chimera Project alone. However…"
"She's right," Kevin said. "We should look for other methods, instead of making you bear all this alone."
Silas met his eyes. "What if it is necessary?"
"If we still can't defeat the Finality, then it's not necessary—just wasteful." Kevin said, staring at Silas.
Elysia had been silently listening. She and Silas had discussed this issue before, and Silas had said, "It's like the question you asked Kevin—if pulling the trigger on me could save the majority, what would you choose?"
Her answer was similar to Kevin's: "But it's not certain, it's only a possibility. If it's just a possibility, I will never try."
Silas was silent for a moment, then looked toward the direction of the Herrscher's birth in the center area. "If we don't try, we'll never know the outcome, even if there's only the slightest chance…"
"Silas, what exactly are you fighting for?" Kevin asked bluntly. He'd always questioned this. He knew his own role clearly—it was only because Mei needed him to do it that he did.
But Silas? What was he fighting for?
Silas looked at Elysia and said, "Elysia, regarding your answer, I think I can give mine now. Before you decide to sacrifice yourself, do you have absolute confidence that your power will succeed?"
Elysia was taken aback. After all, she was trying, but sacrificing herself and watching others sacrifice themselves… the feeling was ultimately different.
"If we cannot change your will, then this time, let me carry out the plan," Kevin said.
Silas was the first person to execute the Chimera Plan, and after him, Kevin was the second to follow that path. This time, Kevin planned to execute the Chimera Plan alongside Silas.
"We'll discuss it with Mobius later," Silas said, lowering his head to look at the data on the instrument. "It's time to prepare for battle."
"Well then, Kevin, we'll be off first~" Elysia waved at Kevin, then, along with Sakura, followed Silas into the core area.
In fact, according to later archival records, the Third Herrscher born during the Third Eruption didn't bring much loss to the Fire Moth. Instead, her accompanying Honkai Beast, Śeṣa, caused considerable trouble for the Fire Moth until after the Sixth Herrscher incident, when Mobius finally eliminated it.
"Speaking of which, this should be my first meeting with the Third Herrscher… Oh, there she is." Silas looked up and saw the Third Herrscher standing on top of a building in the distance.
He suddenly felt powerless to complain. Standing so blatantly—are you afraid no one will notice you? Are you sure you are not that pufferfish from the next era?
He wished the later Herrschers were as arrogant as the Third. The later ones either hid after birth to develop before causing Honkai outbreaks, or had special powers like the Eleventh Herrscher. After all, inside the Divine Prayer Barrier, all Honkai energy-driven instruments fail, and ordinary people die if they enter.
But this Third Herrscher, like her power—lightning—immediately proclaimed her existence to the world upon birth.
"Squad Four, target spotted, moving into position."
"Squad One, target spotted, moving into position."
"Squad Seven, target spotted, moving into position."
Similar responses echoed one after another in the comms channel, and Silas more or less figured out how the Third Herrscher met her end in his previous life.
He found a suitable location, set up his rifle, loaded a special anti-Herrscher round, and took aim.
His sniping skills were the best among the three of them, which was why he was assigned to take the shot at the Third Herrscher. Meanwhile, the nominal squad leader, Elysia, was over there discussing the Third Herrscher's fashion sense with Sakura…
Their conclusion: not great. Didn't fit Elysia's aesthetic.
Speaking of which, shouldn't the two of you be checking where Śeṣa went? Or maybe keeping an eye out for nearby Honkai beasts…
Sakura drew her blade—then sheathed it.
One charging-class Honkai beast vanished just like that.
Never mind, then…
"Squad Sixteen reporting! We've spotted a serpentine Honkai beast—its Honkai energy level… has already surpassed Emperor-class!"
Oh. Śeṣa had appeared.
"Squad Seventeen reporting! We've also spotted this Honkai beast—might be unable to rendezvous."
"Squad Twenty-One reporting…"
Silas locked onto the Third Herrscher in the center of his scope, then opened the comms. "Squad Two, sniper in position."
He waited for the order. It was better to fire simultaneously in such situations—if someone fired early and missed due to unforeseen factors, it could alert the Herrscher. In addition, to avoid drawing her attention, other squads were clearing Honkai beasts in the area to serve as a distraction.
Through his scope, he watched the Third Herrscher continue unleashing her power. If one of those lightning strikes hit, it would be almost certain death… but seriously—setting aside your pitiful accuracy—are you really just going to stand there like a target? At least close the distance if you can't hit!
I dub you the most embarrassing Herrscher of the Previous Era. The first two don't count—they're not up for discussion.
Originally, he thought the Fifth Herrscher, who was torn apart barehanded by Kalpas, was the most shameful. But after seeing how strong Kalpas really was, it didn't seem that bad… at least the Fifth didn't get mowed down by gunfire like the Third.
As Silas muttered to himself, he followed the order and pulled the trigger.
"Target hit. Requesting permission to move in and recover the Third Herrscher," he reported.
Elysia stared at where the Third Herrscher had fallen, momentarily dazed. "Even though I think her taste is questionable… this ending is a bit too…"
Suddenly, the comms crackled with urgent voices from another squad:
"Target Honkai beast exceeded projections—requesting backup! Requesting backup!"
"Squad Two acknowledges. We're heading over now," Elysia replied. Seeing Silas glance at her, she explained, "Well… I still don't like seeing a girl take a dozen bullets and fall from the sky, you know?"
Silas packed up his sniper rifle and slung it over his back. "Then let's go. Time to meet Śeṣa."
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