Three years. For some, it would be enough to change their whole life, but in the greater scheme of things, it's but a moment. Even with such major events as the fourth and fifth eruptions, the world continued without much change. For me, there also wasn't much change; my daily life focused on my research and furthering my plans, but for those around me, the metamorphosis was much greater.
Mobius and Elysia aside, Kevin and Mei got rid of their remaining youthfulness, becoming truly people standing above thousands. Kevin mostly got rid of his naivete, turning into another ace warrior with fame on the battlefield almost equal to Elysia, and his hero-like personality made him a good face for Fire-Moth's image. Mei, meanwhile, leveraged her wisdom and family influence, joining the board of directors where she and Mobius worked together to prepare everything for the implementation of my plan.
Those three years also proved enough for our respective research to progress into advanced stages, becoming core programs of Fire-Moth. Mobius' Project Soldier aimed at evolving humans by using Honkai, and while the success rate of even simplified procedures was only 20%, the strength of the real MANTIS that Mobius is trying to develop is worth even the greater risk.
Mei's Project Prometheus, attempting to utilise Quantum and Imaginary energies in the fight against Honkai, proved partially successful; sadly, she is still unable to have people utilise those energies, but she managed to create an AI able to use those two energies to assist other research and predict the behaviour of Honkai. She also came up with the theory of Herrschers being 4th-dimensional beings, drawing power from other dimensions through their cores.
Her theory allowed me to finally make some progress in my own field, starting a successful side project to my Project Holy Blood, Project Stigmata. Using unique aspects of my blood and knowledge of Imaginary energy, and through my own experience of existing beyond three dimensions, I managed to create a dimension existing beyond the real world, from which I can draw Imaginary energy.
I anchored this small dimension to my own spirit through the use of modified runic magic that existed due to Honkai energy, creating a mark on my body that resulted in the name Stigmata. Sadly, I was unable to replicate this with an origin other than my blood, so the wider implementation had to wait until I managed to make a breakthrough.
Vill-V meanwhile finally got permission to work on her Project Divine Key, using Herrscher cores to create tools to assist humanity. Of course, her main priority was still upgrading the armaments used by Fire-Moth, but she already managed to create the first Divine Key, the Key of Revelation, transferring all knowledge into it. Because using the Divine Keys required a lot of energy, it finally landed in my hands as my Stigmata let me use it without any issues.
Vill-V made this thing into a somewhat messy device, giving it some strange powers such as mimicry, but its main functions of deconstruction, analysis, and reconstruction were inherited directly from the first Herrscher, designated as the Herrscher of Reason. Thanks to that, not only did my research become much easier, but I also gained some strength; though Honkai still rejects me, my body is still that of a mortal human, making me a glass cannon. Due to this, I was forbidden from entering the battlefield, as in Mei's words: 'Your mind is worth more than that bit of strength'.
Even then, when Prometheus predicted the location of the next Eruption, I traveled there personally to once again witness the eruption and use the Key of Revelation to find a breakthrough in my research. Sakura accompanied me as always, while Nuwa stayed in the lab to take care of everything there, as, due to the prediction, the whole Fire-Moth was in a state of emergency.
Waiting for the shit to hit the fan, I decided to work in the local hospital, working with those ill with terminal illnesses such as sensory deprivation illness that appeared a few years ago. This led me to the current situation.
-"Dr. Eno."-A delicate girl called out to me when she saw me enter her room.
-"Hi there, Veliona. How are you?"
-"It's OK."-She smiled, but I could see the sadness hidden in that smile.
-"Let's deal with today's tests, and then we can play something."-I also smiled and took her hand to measure her sense of touch.
Ten minutes later, I had all the data recorded, and it showed how bad her current state was. Taste, touch, and vision had degenerated to below 20% of normal, with only hearing remaining above 50%. Looking at the still somewhat cheerful girl, even I couldn't help but feel pity for her situation.
-"So, what would you like to do today?"-I sat beside her bed.
-"I'd like to eat something delicious and hear a story of King Arthur!"
-"Sure, Sakura, would you mind making something to eat?"-I turned to my faithful guard.
-"Of course, I can't let you into the kitchen after all."-She giggled lightly, thinking of my dark past.
-"You…"-I shook my head.-"It was just an accident."
-"I know, but it still resulted in the order that Mei, Mobius, and you can't enter the kitchen."
-"Sigh. Where were we?"-I turned to Veliona to change the subject.
-"When Artoria recruited the knight Lancelot."
I nodded and continued the story from that point. When Sakura returned, we ate together before it was time to leave. As I was to close the doors, Veliona called out to me.
-"Doctor, if I won't be there tomorrow, would you be sad?"
-"Veliona, I promised you I would tell you the whole story of King Arthur, so of course I would be sad."
-"I see."-She nodded and looked at her clasped hands.
Taking one last look at her, I left the room. Outside, Sakura handed me a terminal on which a message from Prometeus appeared.
[Confirmed the host of the next Herrscher: Veliona.]
Seeing that, I closed my eyes for a moment before turning to Sakura.
-"How long?"
-"The operation is to happen in thirty minutes."
-"Then give me a moment."-I took out the Key of Revelation and activated my stigmata to draw Imaginary energy, causing the golden cube to glow with golden light.
I focused carefully and watched how a small pendant slowly took shape above my palm. First, a small crescent-like shape appeared, above which a small glass sphere also emerged. Surrounding it, two spiked brackets, one curving up, the other down, filled with opposite forces of Quantum and Imaginary. After it solidified, I cut open my palm and let my blood fill the glass sphere. After looking at the pendant for a moment, I walked back into the room and looked at Veliona.
-"Eh? Doctor?"
-"I forgot something."-I smiled at her and handed her the pendant.-"Here, something to cheer you up."
-"This is?"-She took it into her hands.
-"If you feel troubled, just hold this in your hands, and you'll feel better."
-"Thank you."
I smiled and left the room once more.
Half an hour later, I watched from afar as the operation to defeat Herrscher before it could even appear began, but soon after, a dark cloud appeared from the hospital, bringing death to all who stood in its path. It was only after Kevin appeared that they managed to overpower the newly born Herrscher; at that moment, an anomaly occurred.
During one of the attacks, the glass orb of the pendant hanging on Veliona's chest broke, spilling my blood, resulting in all Honkai energy around her disappearing for a moment. Then, the Quantum and Imaginary energies momentarily fused with my blood and Herrscher core, causing Veliona's almost destroyed personality to separate from the Herrscher.
As what remained of the pendant dissipated into the air, a red mark appeared on Veliona's chest, looking the same as the pendant before. Seeing this, I smiled a genuine smile, happy not only that I was able to prove my theory, but also that that shy girl would have a chance to someday live once again. With second Stigmata in existence, my future progress will be much smoother.
Three days later, I returned to my lab, where I gathered Mobius, Mei, and Vill-V to discuss my success.
-"Beings that could leave a mark on existence, huh?"-Mei looked at the data I gathered.-"That's the trick behind the core of Stigmata."
-"That makes sense. Both your blood and host of the Herrscher match that requirement, but how do you plan to make more of those?"-Vill-V spun around in her chair.
-"I plan to divide Stigmata into two categories: normal and True Stigmata. The first category will be the Stigmata created with a 'human' origin, while the second will be with Herrscher origin."-I handed a document outlining my plan to Mei.-"I'll need to access the cores to make the second ones, but even then, I can't be sure if anyone can use them; those might prove useful only for future generations."
-"I'll have it approved. As for the human origin, I have an idea, so you can leave it to me."
-"Great. True Stigmatas need the use of my blood, but normal ones should be manageable without it. I'll give you all my documentation later in the evening."
-"Great and all, but why have you called me here?"-Mobius looked at me, unhappy with being dragged from her lab.
-"It's because I think that our plan should proceed."
-"Took you long enough."
-"Indeed, but with everything we gathered, Fire-Moth will fall into our hands for sure."
-"How do you plan to divide the power in the future?"-Mei asked me.
-"Three main departments will have seats: research led by you, Mobius, and me; military by Kevin, Himeko, and Ato; logistics by Su, Blanca, and our main investor."
-"That should be feasible. What about the United Nations?"
-"The current state of the world proves that fight aganist honkai far surpasses the need for sovereignty of nations."
-"They won't accept that."
-"That's why I'll need to make a blade aimed at humans."
-"Coocon?"-Mei raised her eyebrow.
-"Yes. Sakura is prepared to take it over and deal with a few more 'obstinate' politicians."
-"Just deal with them cleanly."
-"That's for sure. We can't lose the will of the people, or this fight will be lost."
-"The investor is currently in Australia, but I can arrange a meeting in a week or so."
-"Please do so."
-"Right, I've got everything ready for the procedure."-Mobius changes the subject.-"The trouble is that only those with pseudo-immunity to Honkai can attempt the operation, and the Honkai genes also need to be a match for them."
-"The fact that you brought that up means that you have someone in mind."
-"Yes. I checked everyone in the database with pseudo-immunity and tested the Honkai genes we possess. Only me, Kevin, Sakura, and Elysia are a match."-Mobius listed the candidates.
-"Who is best for the first trial?"
-"By looking at all the factors, Kevin or me."
-"Kevin it is then."-Mei decided after hearing that.
-"His heart will break if he hears that."-I teased.
-"Sigh."-Mei shook her head.-"I know his feeling, but we all know that there is no time for such matters; just look at you two, Eno, Mobius."
-"So you don't plan to respond?"
-"I've made it clear."
And so, we talked a little about some random stuff before leaving to deal with our tasks. Only Mei remained in my lab, reading the documentation on how to create a Stigmata.
-"Eno."
-"Hmm?"
-"Do you think that it's too cold of me to reject him like that?"
-"While I'm a realist, I still believe that in matters of relationships, emotions are more important than reason."-I looked at her.-"If you don't share his feelings, then that's it."
-"Is that so?"-She looked at me before returning her gaze to the document in her hands.-"I guess comparison steals more than joy."
I raised my eyebrow, but didn't comment on her slight hint. Without Empathy, understanding what women had in their minds was a task I didn't dare to attempt.
During the next week, I worked on creating True Stigmatas with cores of previous Herrschers, managing to complete them before I had to leave for Australia. After arriving down under, Sakura, Elysia, and I headed directly for the Opera, where our meeting with the investor was scheduled. There, after being guided by the guards, we entered a room where the brightest star of the era waited.
-"It's a pleasure to meet you. I'm Eden, the main contributor to Fire-Moth."-She smiled and shook our hands.
-"It's an honor, Miss Eden."-I responded with a smile.
-"Long time no see, Eden!"
-"I'm glad to see you too, Ely."-She smiled at the pink creature.-"So, how can I help you, Sir Eno?"
-"Before I explain our purpose, I hope you can read this."-I passed her a dossier filled with how the board of directors acted and all the dirt I had on them.
Eden took it and started reading, her brow furrowing more and more as she read. After twenty minutes of reading, even the smile on her face couldn't remain. When she turned the last page, I could see real anger in her eyes.
-"This is enlightening. I understand that Sir plans to make some changes in your organization."
-"We do. Here's our proposal and some documents for context."
Eden took those too, and read through them quickly but carefully.
-"A rather drastic measure, but after reading through the first set of documents, I also think it'll be a necessary step. I'll need a few days to confirm everything you've shown me; I hope you don't mind."
-"Of course."-I nodded in agreement.
-" To not make your trip a waste, how about staying for the concert?"-She smiled again, though the sharpness in her eyes remained.
-"It'll be an honor."
-"Miss Eden!"-A panicked voice called out to her from the outside.
-"Please excuse me."-She stood up to communicate with her personnel.
Minutes later, she returned with worry on her face.
-"I apologise, but the concert might have to be postponed. I just received information that my accompanying musician has fallen ill and was admitted to hospital."
I was about to express my condolences when Elysi blurted something that made me freeze.
-"Then why don't Eno play in their stead?"
Her words made everyone look at her and me, a question visible on their faces.
-"Eh? Don't you know? Eno is good with music."-Elysia tilted her head in genuine surprise.-"When I took him around the city during our trips, he would often play for the children in the orphanages."
Sakura shook her head.
-"Eno~"-Elysia hugged my arm.-"Please~!"
-"Sigh. I have nothing better to do, so if Miss Eden doesn't mind, I can indeed help you."
-"This… Would you mind playing here first, to see our compatibility?"-She asked nicely, trying to not sound doubtful of my abilities.
-"Sure."-I nodded and approached the piano that was standing to the side.