A crisis doesn't always brew for a long time, giving warnings before it erupts with a bang. Just as true despair isn't a childish script caused by a sudden misfortune, it is the gathering of tiny "things" that were inadvertently ignored—forming a current that, like a river carrying away soil, breaks the heart piece by piece.
When that unobserved, tiny "thing" appears... it is already too late.
...
"I still find it strange. What exactly is the mode of existence for a Herrscher consciousness?" Vil-V would ask many questions when interacting with Mei. This wasn't because Mei necessarily knew more or was more learned, but simply because Vil-V wanted another perspective—another solution to the same problem.
"...A Herrscher consciousness can be transferred. That alone is enough to set them apart from humans." Mei eyes kept scanning the crowd. She felt something was "wrong."
Mei way of doing things meant all her actions stemmed from "analysis" and "reality." Even if groundless things were placed before her, she remained unmoved. But now, she had an inexplicable gut feeling that something was wrong. It was as if something was about to happen—an indescribable sensation enveloped her. If she had to use a metaphor, it was like a beast extending a steaming tongue from its fanged mouth and licking the back of her neck. It was spine-chilling.
She glanced at Vil-V, who didn't seem to notice anything. Mei suppressed those groundless instincts. Such things were likely natural physiological reactions from various sources; it seemed she needed rest.
"In the early stages, we believed Herrscher consciousness could be divided into 'polluted' and 'replaced' states. But I now believe those are likely just forms of expression." Time passed, technology progressed, and the understanding of certain things was constantly changing. Relentless research had made Mei intimately familiar with Herrschers, yet a vast number of mysteries remained unsolved.
"Imagine a Herrscher Core is a 'database.' After being implanted into a human body, the data overwrites the human consciousness, forming a Herrscher consciousness. Thus, a Herrscher consciousness is a 'modified consciousness' using humans as the carrier and host," Mei narrated calmly. "Except the modified consciousness can choose to manifest more of the 'human' side or the 'Honkai' side. Essentially, there may be no pollution or replacement; it is the human consciousness, just in a different form."
"Oh~ that's quite... a bold deduction." Vil-V said this, but her face showed no surprise. "I thought you'd also think a Herrscher consciousness was something inexplicable born from the Honkai."
"I heard you say you enjoy detective fiction, right?"
"Of course. Please call me Great Detective Vil-V."
"Then you should be familiar with unreliable narration—for instance, making two different time points seem like the same one, or two different locations seem identical. Similarly, there is a type of supernatural phenomenon disguised as science," Mei smiled slightly. "In fact, those myths in history can be seen as unreliable narration. So-called 'gods' were natural phenomena, given a change in terminology to create the effect of divinity."
She pushed up her glasses, a cold glint flashing. "And in my view, the Herrscher consciousness... no, the Honkai is the same."
The powers used by Herrschers that seem like miracles can actually be explained through science. What they can do, humans can also do through technology. In that case, the act of modifying human consciousness... perhaps humans could do that too. Turning a Herrscher consciousness back into a human...
Suddenly, "it" came. Mei eyes widened. An indescribably magnified "thing" had arrived at her side.
"Is there something else?" To be honest, Lin biggest headache was seeing Elysia. His second biggest headache was Elysia leaving, only to return shortly after.
"Lea... qui..." Lin suddenly looked up, his colorless vision sweeping quickly across his surroundings.
"What is it, Lin?" Elysia, who had been planning to tease him, asked in confusion when she saw him react like a cat with its fur standing on end.
"No..." Lin frowned. He didn't perceive anything wrong. The surroundings were normal—people were dancing, drinking, and chatting. Was it a hallucination just now? It felt like someone had stood by his ear and whispered something.
"Oh... I want you to meet three people," Elysia smiled. "And then, I hope they can become your team members."
"...I am currently a member of the Chrysalis Squad." Correct. Even after the Project Soldier surgery, Lin remained a member of the Chrysalis Squad; that wouldn't change. Normal soldiers could not join the Chrysalis.
"It doesn't matter, it doesn't matter. You'll leave the Chrysalis sooner or later anyway~" Elysia smiled confidently. "After you leave, let them become your team members."
"...What are you plotting?" Lin realized something was wrong. Whenever Elysia appeared normal, it was when she was at her most abnormal.
"Uh... nothing," Elysia spread her hands innocently. "I just thought you were lonely, so I'm bringing three children to your team."
"..." Lin sharp gaze scrutinized Elysia. After a long silence, he spoke. "You want to join my team through this method?"
Crap, he saw through it.
Lin stared down coldly at Elysia, who was starting to break into a cold sweat. "The 'children' you mentioned... you wouldn't be one of them, would you?"
Why is he so sensitive in this area of all things!
"I refuse."
"Wait a minute! Teacher Lin! There really are two children who want to see you!"
Lin raised an eyebrow, about to speak.
"Qui... no..." A shudder like an electric shock ran through his entire body.
Since Lin lost his sense of touch, most of his physical reactions had vanished. This feeling... what was it? Wasn't he still at the ball? Why did it feel like something was approaching?
"Lea..."
"Lin..."
"..."
Fragmented sounds drifted into his ears. Under Elysia strange gaze, Lin kept shaking his head, trying to dispel the voices.
"Do not believe Lin." A clear, cold, and harsh voice slammed into Lin ears.
What? At this moment, amidst the noisy ball, a pair of evil, blood-red eyes slowly opened. As if mocking someone, they narrowed.