"A Herrscher Core?"
The object was indeed a Herrscher Core, but after carefully assessing his physical condition, Welt Yang felt no discomfort.
Logically speaking.
If his Herrscher Core had been removed, even if he wasn't dead, he shouldn't be this "comfortable." Although his movements were restrained, he could still feel the Honkai energy within his body and his control over the Authority of Reason.
"It is a Herrscher Core."
The silver-grey gem slowly rotated in her palm.
"I just swapped it out for one with a higher compatibility for you, 'Professor'... No need to thank me. After all, this was a transaction I made on my own initiative."
"..."
The scene before him was bizarre, but there was one thing Welt Yang was absolutely certain of:
"You're from a parallel world?"
"That's right," Himeko answered without any hesitation.
"Creating, and even replacing, a Herrscher Core... In the world you come from, have you already solved the problem of the Honkai?"
As the man who inherited the name of Welt, his first thought, even in such an uncertain situation, was not for his own safety.
"Rather than 'solved'..."
The gem in Himeko's hand slowly dissipated into the air. The power of Origin it contained had already been absorbed by the Emperor at the origin point of time.
"It's more accurate to say that we and the Honkai have long been inseparable."
"If I had to find a somewhat similar example... it would be like the 'Fusion Warriors' of the Previous Era, or like you yourself, 'Professor Welt' of the Current Civilization."
"..."
"What is your purpose for coming here?"
"Hey, hey~" Himeko said, her tone a bit languid.
"Professor, you're the one who's been captured, so why am I the one answering all the questions?"
"A captive should act like a captive!"
"..."
"Well, it doesn't matter if you don't talk."
Seeing Welt Yang fall silent again, Himeko didn't continue to "tease" him. As the Head of the Eighth Chamber, her professor's knowledge and understanding of the Authority of Reason made his combat prowess no less than that of a legion commander specializing in warfare. She didn't need to do anything; she just had to wait a little while for the professor to solve all the mission objectives...
That's impossible!
She had finally gotten a chance to come out. It would be such a waste to do nothing.
Don't be fooled by Himeko's position as the "St. Freya Academy First Year Science Officer." It didn't mean she couldn't fight. Among the Emperor's three foundational races, the Mechanical Species possessed a rather pure attribute of a "mechanical matter civilization."
Beep!
"Looks like it's my time to shine."
A faint stream of light flashed across the surface of her crimson-gold bracelet.
"'Professor Welt'."
"Since you've already met 'aliens,' you might as well witness more 'civilizations' on behalf of your student."
The room, so dark that not a speck of light could be seen yet they could see each other clearly, began to shrink rapidly.
Welt Yang quickly lost his perception of the "box's" interior. In its place was an incredibly vast external field of vision.
"That is..."
Between the dark, deep space and the brilliant river of stars, a fiery red meteor was flying straight towards a golden sun.
"The Sky People's Scout Star."
"Before you make your move, Professor Welt, let me go scout the path ahead!"
---o---
At the same time, Anti-Entropy Headquarters.
"The emergency shutdown procedure was successfully initiated."
"The system will be forcibly locked for seventy-two hours. During this time, we need to find a way to crack the system and cancel the Fourth Key of God's attack plan," Einstein said, standing before the control console, to a Tesla who was wiping sweat from her brow.
"My apologies to you both."
"I never expected Bishop Otto to have designed a trap within the key. Activating it immediately triggers the attack plan..."
"This isn't your fault, Dr. Murata," Tesla said to Murata Ryusuke, who was also drenched in sweat from the effort.
"Besides, thanks to the detailed information you provided, we were able to find the emergency shutdown procedure in time."
"Nest-head, what's the success rate for cracking it?"
Tesla slumped heavily against the back of the sofa, tilting her head up to ask Einstein behind her.
"Not high."
"The Fourth Key of God is, after all, a creation of the Previous Era."
"And it's been modified by Bishop Otto. Its programming logic is quite different from what we know. Even I can't guarantee our chances of cracking it," Einstein said, her eyes fixed on the key.
"Moreover."
"If something goes wrong and it reactivates... this time, the entire American continent could be targeted."
"Tch."
Tesla twisted her head and grimaced.
"That damn blonde pervert! We finally get a period of peace, and he immediately starts causing trouble!"
"If I ever get my hands on him, I'll shave off all that blonde hair and throw him directly into a nuclear reactor!"
Tesla shot up from the sofa with a thump—the onomatopoeia referring to the sofa's springiness.
"Don't think we can't do anything about him!"
"As long as the Fourth Key of God is still in low-earth orbit, we have its coordinates. We can shoot it down with the Silver Bullets."
"..."
"Please, let me help," Murata Ryusuke interjected from the side.
"Regarding the coordinates... I was the head of research for the Fourth Key of God, after all. I can definitely be of assistance."
"And..."
"This disaster will affect too many ordinary people. My daughter lives here, and I will not allow her to be harmed in the slightest!"
Hearing Murata Ryusuke's words, Tesla and Einstein exchanged a look.
"Alright!"
"The Silver Bullets are all at the launch base in New Mexico."
"Dr. Murata, you'll come with us!"
Tesla was the first to turn and rush out of the conference room. Seventy-two hours sounded like a long time, but for Anti-Entropy, it was far from sufficient.
Thump.
As for Einstein, who was the last of the three, she had just picked up her coat from the rack...
"Something feels off."
Her curly bangs hung down her forehead. Her nose tickling slightly, Einstein gently brushed them aside.
"I'm afraid this matter isn't as simple as it seems... I should notify the Sovereign as soon as possible."
---o---
At the same time, Tianming Headquarters.
"Your Excellency."
"The Fourth Key of God activated three hours ago."
Standing beside the large chair, Amber spoke to the side with a clear and serious voice.
"The Key of God created a hurricane on the East Coast of North America, and it's moving towards Houston."
"However, just a moment ago, the Key's emergency shutdown was activated. The hurricane dissipated thirty-five nautical miles off the coastline."
"Was this part of your plan?"
"No."
The wine glass, filled one-twelfth of the way with a red liquid, was gently set down.
"This was not my doing."
"The key that controls the Fourth Key of God has gone missing, and even the relevant data has been erased from the Tianming database. Even I cannot control the Fourth Key of God."
There was no trace of nervousness in Otto's voice.
"How can that be!?"
"Your Excellency, we must contact Anti-Entropy immediately. Otherwise, that hurricane will definitely be seen as an act of aggression against them!"
"Hahaha, Amber, what are you joking about?"
"Do you really think anyone would believe me if I went to explain to Anti-Entropy that Tianming wasn't behind this?"
"I have some self-awareness about how low my credibility is."
"The most important thing right now is to find the truth of this entire incident."
Otto, who had been leaning sideways against the back of the chair with his head propped on his hand, slowly sat up straight.
"Besides myself."
"The only one who understands the Fourth Key of God best is that man."
"However, I've observed his thoughts with Fenghuang Down and found no intention of betraying me."
"Now..."
"I can only hope my other safeguards will be effective."
---o---
At the same time, New Mexico, Silver Bullet Launch Base.
Vmmm!
Anti-Entropy troops stood guard over the facility.
However, the surrounding environment, filled with puddles and grasslands, made it an excellent breeding ground for mosquitoes, snakes, and scorpions.
Bzzzz!
Smack!
A red insect danced in the air.
Annoyed, a guard snatched the source of the noise from the air. Just as he was about to crush the insect—
"Huh?"
Not only did it not get crushed, but it felt a little hard against his hand.
"What is this?"
In the guard's palm was a red-and-black mechanical lifeform with writhing tentacles.
Before the guard could react...
Pfft!
The red insect burrowed directly into the guard's body through his palm!
"Ah... Ahhh!!!"
---o---
Several hours later.
"We're here."
"This is the control center."
Tesla and Murata Ryusuke walked at the forefront, flanked by a fully armed security detail.
"The equipment and facilities are top-tier. Although the system is a bit different from what Tianming uses, it should be enough for you to lock onto the Fourth Key of God's position."
In front of a massive metal door, several identity verification methods were operating simultaneously.
Amidst the mechanical voice announcing "Authentication Successful."
"When the time comes, I'll blast it to pieces myself!"
"..."
"Hey, Ryusuke."
Murata Ryusuke was quietly watching Dr. Tesla's actions.
Meanwhile, the Shoggoth's voice echoed in his mind. The creature, its existence completely concealed, was perched right next to Murata Ryusuke's collar.
"Something's not right here."
"I can't sense the guards' thoughts."
The Shoggoth had barely finished speaking.
Click-clack.
The guards flanking them simultaneously raised their firearms and aimed at them!
"Watch out!"
Rat-tat-tat-tat! xN
Murata Ryusuke shoved Tesla through the newly opened metal door. Amidst a spray of crimson, his entire body dove to the ground.
"Hide inside the control room! I'll draw them away!"
Then, clutching his injured left arm, he dashed towards a corner!
"Hey! Wait!"
Before Tesla could finish her sentence.
Clang-clang-clang! xN
A metal bracer on her left arm deployed a cyan, spherical shield, blocking the hail of bullets. Just like Einstein's Eins robot, Tesla had her own auxiliary combat system. This "Sine" armament was powerful enough for her to take on an A-rank Valkyrie.
Murata Ryusuke was "clearly" unaware of Tesla's combat prowess, otherwise he wouldn't have even gotten scratched. Just as the shield was deployed, the control center's main door immediately sealed shut.
Clack, clack, clack.
Leather boots stepped onto the hard metal floor.
"Can you stop them?"
The blood seeping through his coat had already turned a dark shade. Whether from an artery or a vein, the color of Murata Ryusuke's blood was clearly different from that of an ordinary human.
"No can do."
"Their minds are locked down. I can't interfere at all."
The Shoggoth shook its head vigorously.
"There's no other way."
The enemy was closing in—
"We can only do this..."
"Make it quick. Your body can't control this power for long."
The Shoggoth on his shoulder responded to Murata Ryusuke's expectations.
The furry creature opened its mouth wide. Deeper within its ferociously sharp teeth was an eyeball redder than blood, and in the center of that eye, a pitch-black vertical pupil.
Hiss.
Blood vessels writhed like earthworms across the surface of his skin.
"Everyone..."
He darted out from around the corner.
In the next moment, severed limbs and blood instantly covered the entire corridor.
"I'm sorry."
SPLAT!!
---o---
"What is this?"
In the spreading pool of blood, an insect that had been writhing for some time was now struggling to balance its levitating body.
Then, it was snatched up by Murata Ryusuke, who had returned to his human form.
"..."
"The Sky People."
"That's right, this is definitely technology from the Sky People."
The Shoggoth sitting on Murata Ryusuke's shoulder recognized its origin.
"This must be their latest model. It's my first time seeing it."
"It seems the Sky People have become more cautious than before. These reconnaissance robots were likely deployed ahead of time by the [Scout Star] to infiltrate the target planet and gather intelligence by controlling the natives."
"If the reconnaissance robots have already discovered this place..."
"Ryusuke."
"Get to the control room, quickly! Their target is most likely the Silver Bullets!"
The Shoggoth's judgment was correct.
The changing situation in the cosmic sea had caused the Sky People's methods to evolve significantly from when they destroyed the Shoggoth's home world. Before, for civilizations they detected to be far weaker than themselves, they would simply use a Scout Star to directly impact the planet, then send in troops to occupy and dismantle it.
---o---
Clank.
In front of the control room.
The heavy alloy door had clearly been forced open by some kind of explosion.
"Dr. Tesla."
"It's good to see you're alright."
Although he couldn't see her face, Tesla, who was in front of the console, had clearly not been controlled by the Sky People's reconnaissance robots. The Shoggoth could vaguely sense her thoughts... though, of course, only "vaguely."
"Don't be ridiculous."
"A few hundred more of these things wouldn't be a match for me."
Tesla turned around.
"It seems their minds were controlled by something."
Amidst a screen full of red "Locked" warnings, Tesla spoke slowly.
"It's probably the work of the Tianming Bishop and his Fenghuang Down again."
"What's most infuriating is that before I even got here, they had already installed a virus I've never seen before into the main computer. The launch system has been completely destroyed. Rebuilding it is not something that can be done in a mere seventy-two hours."
"We were..."
"One step too late."