We Will Surely Defeat the Honkai

Mei, Vill-V, Mobius—these three undoubtedly represented the pinnacle of human intellect. Such beings, of course, wouldn't quarrel over trivial matters like emotional issues—probably.

In any case, the topic they were currently arguing about was vitally related to the future of human civilization.

The scene of the three people arguing was not like a marketplace, with back-and-forth bickering and insults. Instead, it was quiet, like an academic discussion.

But this quiet discussion was already too heavy for the other MANTIS warriors, who hadn't received much education, to bear. Moreover, beneath the calm exterior, there was a hidden crisis, surging like a volcano.

"Mei, sometimes I really wonder whose side you're on."

In the conference room, Mobius sat in a chair with a smile on her face, but her snake-like eyes showed no joy. "To consider something like mass suicide as a last hope... Are you scared out of your wits by the Herrschers, or are you a Honkai spy?"

"Verbal disputes are unnecessary. The Stigmata Plan is undoubtedly one of the most feasible options right now and deserves serious discussion," Mei said expressionlessly.

Mobius's attacks seemed to have no effect on this iron-hearted scientist. "I understand that such a plan may be difficult for you to accept, but you should also understand that there are many ways to redefine humanity."

"Mobius, [humanity] has always been the cornerstone on which [civilization] is built. As long as [civilization] can continue, it doesn't matter whether [humanity] is an animal, a plant, or even a microorganism."

"Civilization? Compared to the miracles created by specific individuals, is this thing really important?" Mobius argued with Mei, refusing to yield an inch. The differences between the two on this issue were too great to be reconciled.

Given the slim hope of survival for the current civilization, Mei proposed an extremely radical plan.

If the current humans could not defeat the Honkai, then they should change the definition of the concept of [humanity], create an existence that could defeat the Honkai, make them [human], and continue civilization.

And Mobius was firmly opposed to this concept. She believed that even if they could not defeat the Honkai, they should try to preserve as many lives as possible, rather than using this method of changing the definition to create a new [humanity] and then declaring victory for humanity.

To be honest, Mobius was actually somewhat conflicted in her heart. Originally, she wasn't so opposed to changing the definition of humanity. Because what she had always pursued was the evolution of humanity.

So when humans evolved beyond their current form, it would obviously no longer be appropriate to use the current definition of humanity to explain the humans after future evolution.

But for some reason, she now strongly disliked what Mei was saying.

Treating the miracles created by individual humans as something insignificant and throwing them aside, grandly talking about the greater good and truth of humanity...

"Sigh, Mei has a point. After all, it's normal for humans to be unable to realize their potential. The kind of special existence you're talking about is too rare," Vill-V, sitting in the middle, scratched her messy hair and pondered. "Compared to rare cases, the continuation of civilization is indeed more important."

To this, Mobius just glanced coldly at this person who had just been maintaining neutrality. "The miracles she has created over the years to protect humanity are wiped away so lightly with just a few words?"

"..." Vill-V was silent, and then resolutely turned to look at Mei again. "I thought about it again, and Mobius is right. The reason human civilization is splendid is because of the miracles created by so many people. If we erase the brilliance of civilization for the sake of its continuation, wouldn't that be putting the cart before the horse?"

"The miracles that have already been created will not disappear, they will only be integrated into the next stage of civilization. After all, compared to the form of life, the [truth] represented by life is the more essential existence." Mei pushed up her glasses. "For example, it doesn't matter who is [Mei]. [Mei's talent] is what's truly important."

"I don't think so? For me, [Mei's talent] doesn't matter. The person [Mei] is what's truly important to me."

A light and cheerful voice came from the doorway. The three of them looked over and saw Lee walking in with a smile. And beside the door frame behind her, many heads were peeking out to observe the situation.

"Lee, how are you feeling?" Vill-V looked at Lee, who looked no different from before, but the worry in her eyes was still hard to hide. "I told you that your nervous system hasn't fully adjusted yet. You should rest for a while longer to adapt, instead of coming out so soon..."

"Sorry, but I've always been restless~"

Lee smiled and found a chair to sit down, looking at Mei and Mobius, who had just been engaged in a verbal battle but were now silent.

"During this period of recuperation, I also looked at those finalized plans. The Stigmata Plan, the EMBER Project, the VALUKA Project, the Ark Plan... they are all very impressive ideas."

"It's just that there's one thing I don't quite understand..."

Lee turned her chair, her gaze sweeping not only over the three scientists, but also over the warriors outside the door—who were also humanity's last hope.

"Why are the plans we're discussing always assuming that our civilization has already failed?"

Lee's question puzzled everyone.

Humanity had already lost. Although it had not yet been exterminated, it was only a matter of time—probably only until the next Herrscher appeared. Even Pardofelis could feel this fact.

Lack of resources, collapse of order, less than 10% of the population, and most of them were old, weak, sick, and disabled.

How could such a civilization possibly survive the next Herrschers?

Therefore, all they could do was prepare for failure in advance, consider how to preserve their strength, or even... leave traces of civilization.

Thinking that perhaps Lee had been recuperating during this time and didn't know the situation outside, Su opened his mouth to explain the current situation to her. "Lee, now—"

"There's no need to tell me specifically, Su. I know what's going on outside," Lee smiled at him. "The current situation of humanity is indeed difficult, but have we really reached the end of the road? I don't think so. The potential that humans burst forth in desperate situations is the reason we have continued to this day."

"When encountering dangerous predators, they learned to use tools in desperate situations. When facing epidemics, they learned to research herbal medicines in desperate situations..."

"I probably haven't told everyone the story of my elder, have I? He was the principal of my junior high school. He came from a poor background, his parents died, and he survived by picking up trash and doing odd jobs for others when he was a child. He couldn't afford to go to school, so he eavesdropped outside the classroom and practiced writing with branches on the ground. Through perseverance and intelligence, he finally succeeded in going to school, and even managed to attend university by winning scholarships."

"When he graduated, he was tricked into signing an unfair contract and owed a huge debt... But he didn't give up. In the end, through his own efforts, he successfully became the principal of our junior high school, and even planned to pay for my high school tuition so that I could attend Chiba Academy."

"My principal was an ordinary person. He had no resources, and the desperate situation he faced was probably even greater than the pressure on humanity today. He didn't give up. He ultimately created a miracle, so what reason do we have to give up?"

"I disagree with all these plans. We will not lose," Lee's eyes were full of determination. "We will surely defeat the Honkai!"