"Looks like the results are pretty good."
Watching the girl finally calm down again, Mebius nodded in satisfaction.
Although this trip to the Terra world was primarily meant to test the effectiveness of the improved monster cells and the limit-breaking serum, that didn't mean Mebius would leave her test subjects without any safeguards.
The improved monster cells worked exceptionally well in this world. For someone like Talulah, who already possessed tremendous strength and whose Draco bloodline carried enormous latent potential, the boost in power after consumption could only be described as absurd.
Naturally, there was a price.
Anyone who consumed these modified monster cells would be unable to disobey any command from Mebius or An Xora. This was not psychological control, but a fundamental genetic law, engraved at the deepest level of their existence. Moreover, the life and death of every individual who had consumed a monster cell modified by Mebius rested entirely on a single thought of hers.
As a result, scenarios such as someone consuming the improved monster cells and then turning against her were absolutely impossible.
A biting cold wind swept through the room as FrostNova acted, extinguishing the flames that had been ignited by Talulah's earlier outburst.
"Now it's your turn."
When Mebius's gaze shifted over, Patriot and FrostNova exchanged a look with Talulah, who had not spoken a single word since earlier. After hesitating for a moment, the two followed Talulah's example and picked up the monster cells from the floor, swallowing them.
Instantly, two powerful surges of aura erupted.
Unlike Talulah's explosive flames, FrostNova was now surrounded by an extremely cold gale. The freezing wind swept away the lingering heat left behind by Talulah, and ice rapidly spread across the walls, ceiling, and corners of the room.
However, compared to Talulah's earlier display, FrostNova's changes were far more restrained. After all, compared to a Draco with near-limitless potential, FrostNova—whose race was merely Cautus—had far lower innate potential and a much lower ceiling.
In contrast, the changes on Patriot's side were far more dramatic.
The already towering Patriot grew nearly one-third taller after consuming the improved monster cell. His heavy protective armor was torn apart by his rapidly expanding physique, and the throat that had once been nearly ruined by Oripathy suddenly let out a thunderous roar.
At that moment, whether it was the ordinary Reunion members resting in the village or FrostNova standing beside him, everyone who heard that roar felt an instinctive terror deep in their bones.
The red glow flickered faintly within Patriot's skull-like eye sockets. He hadn't felt this healthy in who knew how long. That unknown flesh they had been forced to eat had not only restored his body, which had been on the verge of collapse, but had also drastically increased his strength.
Something so precious—why hadn't they used it themselves?
And if his body could be restored like this, then FrostNova…?
Thinking of this, Patriot turned to look at her and, sure enough, saw that her complexion was noticeably rosier than before. However, the girl was clutching her chest, looking uncomfortable—clearly shaken by facing Patriot's overwhelming aura up close.
"Sorry."
Even though he could now speak normally, Patriot still chose his words sparingly as he offered his apology.
"It's fine. Just be more careful next time."
Seeing the old stubborn man finally restored to health, FrostNova naturally had no intention of blaming him for losing control for a moment.
At that time, Talulah also stood up from the ground and looked seriously at Mebius.
"We did exactly as you said and ate what you gave us. According to our agreement, you can't lay a hand on the other Reunion members anymore."
Unlike FrostNova and Patriot, who hadn't yet fully realized the implications, Talulah was keenly aware that while the benefits of what they'd been given were immense, the cost was equally terrifying.
Recalling how she had been rendered utterly incapable of resistance by a single sentence earlier, it was obvious that Mebius possessed a means to control them completely.
"Don't worry, my dear little lab rat," Mebius replied with a smile that didn't seem fake at all.
"I always keep my promises. From now on, you can proceed as usual. All I need is for you to occasionally cooperate with me in some experiments."
Seeing her expression, Talulah reluctantly chose to trust her—for now.
After cooperating with Mebius on a few additional tests and experiments, the three each left behind a vial of blood as genetic samples and were then dismissed.
"Master, what do you think of Talulah?"
After the trio left, Mebius suddenly asked An Xora a question that seemed to come out of nowhere.
"She's responsible, loyal, willing to shoulder burdens, and actually steps up when things go wrong," An Xora replied calmly.
"I think Talulah's a solid person."
Mebius rolled her eyes helplessly.
"You know that's not what I meant."
"Then why ask all of a sudden?" An Xora asked, genuinely confused.
Why was Mebius suddenly probing his preferences? As a manifested clone, she should already know his tastes inside out.
"Heh. I'll be direct, then. Do you remember the rating system introduced when the system updated?" Mebius said.
"Appearance, strength, status, authority—women with higher overall scores give you more points."
"Now then, since we've conveniently run into Reunion and already have Talulah firmly under control… does Master have any interest in personally cultivating a Terra Empress?"
An Xora immediately understood.
So Mebius was proposing a 'female emperor cultivation plan' in Terra?
The waters of this world were deep, but with Mebius's support, carving out a few nations on the surface level wouldn't be particularly difficult.
Talulah herself was also an exceptional candidate. Once the Black Snake parasitizing her was dealt with, she would effectively hold strong claims over Ursus, Yan, and Victoria—a born revolutionary, practically tailor-made for rebellion.
And since Mebius's role as a researcher made her ill-suited to constantly appear in public like Seele or Makima had in the Jujutsu world, supporting Talulah from the shadows while letting her stand as the figurehead made perfect sense. It would allow An Xora to develop influence in Terra while comfortably farming points from behind the scenes.
Of course, if he found it troublesome, An Xora could always manifest another clone to take charge on the surface.
But since Mebius's methods had already eliminated any future risks—no need to worry about Talulah pulling something stupid—An Xora figured that, since he had nothing better to do, he might as well play along.
To be honest, back when he played Arknights in his previous life, he'd fantasized more than once about jumping into the screen and beating the living daylights out of Terra's native powers.
Maybe Mebius knew that too—that was why she made this suggestion in the first place.
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