After All, I'm a Professional

The matters in ARK City would be handled by Vill-V. Their current top priority was the completion of Project Avalon—

"Dr. Ein has already spoken with me. Femirin will remain there for a while longer."

"Did something happen?" Jiang Qiao asked.

"No, simply that the data collection is not yet complete." MEI explained calmly in response to Jiang Qiao's question.

Although Femirin had gathered a considerable amount of data from the concert Jiang Qiao and Eden held for hundreds of thousands of people, given her role in Project Avalon—to contend against the will of over eight billion people—this was clearly insufficient.

Yssring's judgment and recommendation were to continue Femirin's development for a longer period. And preferably in Mu.

Mu was the most prosperous and densely populated continent in the world, while Fire Moth's headquarters were located in the still-developing North American region. For more efficient development, it was clearly more suitable to keep Femirin in the former.

MEI had no objections to this. After all, while the physical connector for Project Avalon was nearing completion thanks to Vill-V's tireless work, there were still many shortcomings and preparations to be made. Furthermore, Vill-V was currently occupied with diplomatic affairs, so the project couldn't commence immediately.

"So... is this the Herrscher born from this Honkai eruption?" MEI's gaze fell upon Seele, her expression serious.

"Y...Yes..."

Feeling the emotionless, rationally scrutinizing gaze, Seele became nervous. Although she now understood her situation, and Wendy had explained to her what Herrschers and Honkai were on the plane, she felt even more anxious and uneasy... No, perhaps not feeling anxious would have been the strangest thing.

After all, Herrschers were humanity's enemies.

Although, due to deliberate concealment, the 4th squad was unaware that Miss Green Seele within their ranks was actually a Herrscher, and everything that happened in ARK City had been explained as the result of "a newly developed special weapon within the organization."

However, the terror and hatred on the faces of the 4th squad members when they heard the title "Herrscher" was clearly visible.

Many of them were survivors of previous Honkai eruptions. Like Schicksal in later eras, those whose families had been destroyed by the Honkai and the Herrschers harbored irreconcilable hatred and found it impossible to coexist with them.

Moreover, the conflict between humans and non-humans was also a difficult problem to resolve.

For example, the white-haired Tuna—even within the relatively tolerant Anti-Entropy, the rank-and-file personnel would show expressions of fear when they saw her, avoid her path, and gossip behind her back...

If Wendy and Seele's identities were exposed, the outcome wouldn't be much better, perhaps even worse. The Previous Era's attitude towards Herrschers was far more extreme than that of later times.

"Herrscher of Death... Creation and Withering... the authority to rewrite genetic blueprints..." The hovering platform glided to the girl's side. Sitting upon it, Mobius propped her chin in her hand, her serpentine eyes fixated on the nervous blue-haired Wendy, her gaze filled with unconcealed, burning intensity.

Dr. MEI had dabbled in biology; the original MANTIS warrior technology was actually a joint research project between her and Mobius, though the latter took the lead and was responsible for most of the work.

For Mobius, a specialist in the purely biological field, the Herrscher of Death's ability to freely rewrite genetic blueprints held an irresistible allure.

Her own genetic research and experimentation were limited by human methods, relying on crude, foolish cutting and pasting. But with the Herrscher of Death... Seele could accomplish without any materials what Mobius would need months or even years to achieve.

"Jiang Qiao~" Mobius's gaze shifted to Jiang Qiao, her voice laced with a touch of intimacy—a demeanor unimaginable for the infamous Dr. Mobius. But the Snake didn't care; she only sought answers, a possibility, or perhaps... help from Jiang Qiao.

She didn't elaborate. Their long acquaintance had fostered an understanding between them, and Mobius believed that even without explicit explanation, this man understood what she sought.

As expected, Jiang Qiao, having guessed Mobius's thoughts, gave a slight nod.

This pleased and excited Mobius. She smiled at Seele and said, "Little one, you can continue to be human—as long as... you are willing to give up this power~"

"Give up... power?" Seele was bewildered.

"Yes, as long as you give it up." The Snake's seductive words echoed in Seele's ears, leaving her incredulous. From what she had gleaned from the 4th squad members and Fire Moth's data, the identity of a Herrscher wasn't something one could choose to take on or discard at will.

Once a Herrscher, always a Herrscher—at least for original, initial Herrschers, this was difficult to change.

But if she could, Seele would naturally prefer to remain human. She wasn't particularly strong-willed. Even though few knew of her true nature, the knowledge that "I am actually a Herrscher" was, in itself, a torment for an ordinary person.

Especially when those around her harbored such hatred for Herrschers. No matter how much she tried to convince herself, "How could I possibly be a Herrscher?" she would still feel apprehensive and afraid... afraid of her identity being exposed, afraid that the gazes of those around her would change from friendly to hateful and furious.

Only by filling her fearful heart with other thoughts could she find a moment's peace, could she prevent herself from dwelling on the fact that "I am actually a Herrscher."

Of course, not thinking about it, forcing herself to become more "simple," might also be a method?

After all…

Running away might not solve the problem, but as long as one kept running, wouldn't one avoid facing the problem?

Seeing Seele nod, Mobius smiled. "Hmph, in that case, come to my lab." Her voice was tinged with impatience.

Unlike this little one who clung to her human identity and feared the gazes of others, Mobius didn't care what others thought of her.

The power of a Herrscher… it was something she yearned for.

It was only because the original Mobius lacked the confidence and the means that she had settled for the MANTIS warrior technology.

Although it granted her the "immortality" she sought, its incompleteness made it difficult to call it a success—at least, Mobius didn't consider it one.

This was why, despite already being a MANTIS warrior, Mobius still attempted to obtain the Herrscher of Corruption's consciousness virus at great risk, after witnessing the Herrscher's existence.

But even now, Mobius wasn't confident in achieving the transformation from human to Herrscher on her own. This was the reason why her current main research project, "Making the Herrscher of Dominance like other Herrschers, thereby completing human evolution," had yet to bear fruit.

The material "███" from Jiang Qiao had given the Snake some ideas. But with the authority of Withering and Creation, Mobius was certain she could achieve her goal.

"Are you coming too, Elysia?" Mobius looked at Elysia, who was trying to follow her, a strange smile playing on her lips.

"Hmm~ Aren't you going to welcome me, Mobius?"

Elysia naturally wouldn't not follow. Mobius was about to take Bad Jiang Qiao away! It was because she had overslept and wasn't paying attention that Mobius managed to whisk Bad Jiang Qiao off to the lab before. Now that she was awake, how could she stand idly by and watch Mobius drag Bad Jiang Qiao away?

Well... although Elysia didn't think anything would happen between them even if she didn't go, a certain ominous premonition compelled the pink-haired Flame-Chaser to remain vigilant. At least while she was by Bad Jiang Qiao's side, she couldn't let him be abducted by another woman!

"Hehe, I don't mind."

"But are you sure you want to come? To watch me..." Mobius leaned against the hovering platform, propping her cheek on her hand. She gazed at Elysia with a smile and a strange tone, whispering, "Obtain this~ power that belongs to a Herrscher?"

"Are you alright with that~ Elysia?"

The girl's body stiffened for a moment, but the smile remained on her face. "Look at what you're saying, Mobius~ It has nothing to do with me, why would I care?"

"I'm rather curious, in fact~"

"Hmph, suit yourself. Come if you want." With that, Mobius piloted the hovering platform away.

Elysia, who followed behind, was unusually quiet—at least compared to her usual self. Normally, she would chatter incessantly, not like now, where she didn't even greet acquaintances within the organization.

Finally, she stopped at the entrance to Mobius's lab.

"Would you like me to accompany you for a walk?" A clear voice rang out beside her—Jiang Qiao's calm inquiry.

It was understandable that Mobius would be extremely eager for that power, but even a slight delay wouldn't matter much.

After all, this was a consequence of her own actions... Well, compared to MEI and Vill-V, Mobius was indeed more straightforward.

Be it her behavior or personality... that duplicitous demeanor sometimes caused minor troubles for others.

Elysia remained silent for a moment. Jiang Qiao, receiving no response, continued with a hint of emotion in his voice, "Mobius's lab is quite monotonous, making waiting rather tedious."

"Fairy Ely probably doesn't like that kind of atmosphere, either, right?"

Jiang Qiao looked at Fairy Ely, who had been following him. The fairy, clutching her wand, wore her usual vacant expression, which then transformed into a lovely smile.

"That's right~ Dr. Mobius's lab is stuffy, it's not suitable for a fairy like me..."

"So I'll stay outside~ Eh—look, it's little Griseo!"

Following Fairy Ely's gaze, by the corner of the lab wall, a little girl with sky-blue hair, dressed in a snow-white children's dress, stared blankly at them with wide, watery purple eyes.

Griseo, daughter of Ato and Blanca, Flame-Chaser of [Stars].

Born in the years between the First and Second Eruptions, she often came to Mobius's lab to play because her mother, Blanca, was Mobius's assistant, and Ato, a warrior of the organization and a squad leader, was often stationed elsewhere. Perhaps because of Blanca, or perhaps because she simply liked children, Mobius was also fond of this well-behaved little girl.

"Little Griseo, why are you here?" Elysia put on a smile again, crouched down, and pinched the girl's soft, chubby cheeks. "Awwww, so soft, so cute!"

—Logically, Blanca had transferred to the medical logistics department, so Griseo shouldn't be here.

"Mmm... Mmm... Mmm... Mommy is busy... No one to play with me..." Griseo mumbled indistinctly, her cheeks being squished like dough.

"Oh dear... this is..." Elysia beamed, her face full of affection for the child. She seemed to recall something and turned to shout at Jiang Qiao, who was still at the lab entrance, "Bad Jiang Qiao, you go in first~ I want to play with little Griseo."

What Bad Jiang Qiao… Herrschers or whatever~ Nothing was as delightful as little Griseo!

Jiang Qiao smiled wryly and, leaving Elysia and Fairy Ely behind, entered Mobius's lab.

"Hmph, you're slow." Mobius's slightly dissatisfied voice reached his ears from within the lab.

"If you were more direct, more forceful, that annoying woman would be easier to deal with."

"Perhaps," Jiang Qiao replied, unconcerned. "But aren't flowers meant to be cherished? Especially... a fragile crystal flower? You know, Mobius, crystal~ is very fragile."

"Tch, I couldn't care less—but if you continue to delay and waste my time like this, I won't hesitate to be 'rough'."

"?" Jiang Qiao's gaze fell upon Mobius's 'wheelchair,' a flicker of curiosity in his eyes.

… Miss Small Fry always seemed to possess an unusual confidence.

Even when asked if she needed "help," she would stubbornly insist—"I'm fine."

Noticing his gaze, Mobius's cheeks flushed slightly. She pressed her thighs together and glared at him.

Seele, standing beside them, looked bewildered... as if she didn't understand at all.

—However, this didn't stop Mobius from strapping her onto the operating table.

"Um..." Bound to the operating table, Seele stared at the restraints on her body and the somewhat sinister atmosphere around her. Her small face paled, and she asked in a tiny voice, "What are you going to do?"

She had a bad feeling about this.

Subconsciously, Seele thought of the horror movies she had occasionally seen.

"Hee hee~ Don't you think this adds to the ambiance?" A soft, serpentine voice slithered into the air—emerald eyes glinting with amusement. The 'older girl' lightly brushed her dry, somewhat thinning green hair, the result of excessive late nights, and moistened her lips with a quick swipe of her tongue.

"After all—'I'm' a professional~"

"Tch." Not far away, the black-haired young man leaning against the mobile platform—or perhaps, at this moment, he should be called 'Jiang Qiao (Mobius)'— curled his lip in disdain.

This familiar feeling... how disgusting. It was like looking in a mirror...

The reason he disliked this guy, besides his identity as [Elysia] was that he acted so damn ███!

It was a pity... Mobius had absolutely no power to discipline him—in fact, she had been beaten into submission, her heart fluttering in disarray.

Honestly, if it weren't for her interest in this body, Mobius wouldn't want to swap with this guy at all.

Rubbing her fingers against the fragmented, blurry colors that faintly swirled around them, the Snake sneered.

Of course—she was also impatient… even a fragment of this authority was so exhilarating, what would the complete form be like...

She glanced at her own body.

—To evolve a human into a Herrscher, the first requirement was a Herrscher core.

After all, the 'Imaginary Singularity' contained within the core was the heart of a Herrscher's power.

And it was best if it was unowned—because the Herrscher core itself was merely a vessel for Honkai energy, a manifestation of the authority.

Newly born Herrschers possessed an Imaginary Singularity within their bodies that served as the core, even without a physical core. This was why they could ignore distance and condense a core directly, as long as Honkai energy was available.

As for owned cores... the most obvious example was Old Yang.

Not only was his control over the core poor, but if he ever ended up vying for control of the core against a nascent Herrscher, he would suffer the same fate as a certain white-haired Tuna—getting completely trounced.

Welt Yang's inability to defeat Sirin was due to this; he was constantly being toyed with by the Hare and those wooden puppets.

After securing a core, the next hurdle was compatibility.

Old Yang survived not only because he possessed sufficient aptitude, but also because the Herrscher of Reason core was inherently the least dangerous of all Herrscher cores. Coupled with Welt's own strength and the support of 300,000 people's will, he managed to remain unscathed.

But with other cores—Dr. Magi's granddaughter [Lin] was the most classic example, being completely obliterated by the Gem of Serenity.

Wendy's compatibility was slightly better, but she still ended up crippled. Although she later gained control of the core, it was more accurate to say that 'she was controlled.' She was a complete half-baked Herrscher.

And after overcoming these two stages came the incredibly deadly Will of the Honkai...

Regarding this stage, Jiang Qiao's assessment was—attempting this in the Previous Era was no different from courting death.

The Will of the Honkai trials faced by Herrschers in later eras were essentially watered-down versions with modified rules.

But the Herrschers of the Previous Era had no predecessors to pave the way. Attempting to resist the Will of the Honkai with one's own will was equivalent to directly confronting the Imaginary Tree.

Even if it wasn't the End-of-the-World level, it was still beyond human comprehension.

However...

—Just because humans couldn't do it, what did that have to do with Jiang Qiao?