On an empty street.
Two girls, one large and one small, one pink and one white, sat on a bench by the roadside. Before them on the street lay scattered aircraft wreckage still emitting black smoke.
"I'm very sorry, Miss Elysia. I was too rash."
Kallen hugged her small head, her little face full of shame.
Mistaking Elysia for Lucius and crashing her aircraft—just thinking about it felt extremely embarrassing!
However, amid the shame, Kallen also felt somewhat puzzled. She carefully observed Elysia who'd fallen into contemplation after hearing her words, watching her barely perceptible habitual movements.
Similar, really very similar...
Almost exactly the same as the Elysia Lucius had pretended to be earlier. Even some habitually formed small movements were nearly identical. If the two were mixed together, she felt she absolutely couldn't distinguish them.
So how exactly did Lucius act like Elysia so perfectly?
While Kallen pondered, Elysia also returned from contemplation.
She somewhat distressedly rubbed her forehead—the place Kallen had just crashed into. However, she quickly adjusted her state, recovering that approachable appearance.
"It's fine Meeting a cute girl in such an intense way is quite a romantic experience, isn't it?♪"
"However, Miss Kallen, you must have mistaken me for someone else?"
Hearing this, Kallen smiled somewhat awkwardly but didn't reveal Lucius's matter. Although wanting to beat him up thoroughly, this wasn't reason to betray him.
Before understanding what relationship Lucius had with this Elysia, she wouldn't reveal Lucius's information.
However, what Kallen didn't expect was that after seeing her expression, Elysia seemed to confirm something.
"Miss Kallen, you must have mistaken me for... Lucius?"
"..."
"Seems Miss Fairy guessed correctly!♪~"
Kallen noticed Elysia's face still wore that approachable smile, yet had a feeling that made her heart uncomfortable.
Just as she pondered how to respond to Elysia, she heard Elysia suddenly ask: "Miss Kallen, you're also Mu's victim, right?"
Kallen wanted to say no, but couldn't lie against her conscience, so could only remain silent. However, she didn't know her expression had already revealed everything.
Thus, Elysia said with resentment in her tone: "Truth be told, Miss Fairy here is also Lucius' victim..."
"...Huh?"
Kallen was puzzled when she saw Elysia suddenly grasp her hand, saying sincerely: "Miss Kallen, as fellow victims, I think we need to unite and give him a small lesson."
"So Miss Elysia, you really know Lucius?"
"Of course. I'm his childhood friend—grew up together, that kind♪~"
Although Elysia's tone was extremely gentle, whether or not it was an illusion, Kallen felt she seemed to be grinding her teeth.
However, by now she could roughly confirm Elysia truly was acquainted with Lucius.
Thus, certain curiosity suddenly arose, making Kallen unable to resist asking: "Since you're old acquaintances, why does Miss Elysia want to teach him a lesson?"
Hearing this question, Elysia first fell silent, then said with a somber tone: "Probably because he ruined my life..."
So what exactly was your original life like?
Kallen really wanted to ask, but seeing Elysia's expression, she wisely didn't speak.
The resentment on Elysia's face came and went quickly. Soon she recovered that flawless smile, tightly gripping Kallen's hand, inviting extremely sincerely:
"I understand Lucius very well. He has terrifying intuition. Catching him is very difficult. Precisely because of this, we should unite~"
"Miss Kallen, I can feel you also really want to teach him a lesson, right?"
"Of course! I definitely want to beat him up!"
After confirming Elysia knew Lucius and was similarly full of resentment, she felt she'd gained a fellow sufferer teammate and briefly explained being thrown out repeatedly like Pikachu.
After finishing, she saw Elysia fall silent. After a long while, she said in an extremely complex tone: "To think... so similar to me."
"Huh?"
Elysia didn't explain further but invited Kallen in a been-there-done-that tone.
"With Lucius' superhuman intuition, one person can't catch him. So we should unite..."
Ultimately, after exchanging contact information, Kallen and Elysia separated.
Although according to Elysia's experience, after being discovered Lucius would immediately flee far away, Kallen still prepared to wander nearby following her intuition.
Watching Kallen walk away, Elysia's mood was quite pleasant.
"Met another cute girl. What a happy day♪~"
Lightly humming an unknown tune, Elysia took out her communicator.
She prepared to send a safety message to headquarters, then return to Fire Moth base.
However, after entering Fire Moth's internal network, she discovered an extra message in her mailbox.
Elysia opened it. Her face then showed a strange expression.
Because the title read:
—Elysia Fan Support Club Awaits Your Joining
...
After the clash between Binding and Corruption authorities in Austria's sky ended, United Government high-level held a secret meeting.
The topic they discussed this time was...
"Second Fire Moth?"
"Even elected a leader, attempting to subvert United Government rule?"
An elder slammed a fist on the table, saying extremely angrily to other attending high-level: "How dare they be so bold! This is no ordinary rebel. Must use heavy fists!"
Someone asked: "In your view, how to use heavy fists?"
"Hmph, naturally arrest and execute their so-called leader. Remaining core members must also be cleaned up. Even those blindly following fools must be punished to ensure no one dares have ulterior motives again."
After hearing her words, 'Nicholas' who'd been sitting in a corner with hands clasped supporting his chin in contemplative pose suddenly snapped his fingers. A huge portrait projected before everyone.
"This is their leader. Do we really want to use heavy fists?"
Everyone looked and discovered this was a large photo of a pink-haired girl. Her identity—no one present didn't know.
Because this person was precisely—Elysia.
Seeing this, the atmosphere fell silent. Even those just clamoring to purge Fire Moth quieted down.
After a long while, someone weakly asked: "Can our forces defeat this woman?"
"..."
After these words fell, everyone looked at him speechlessly, like looking at an idiot.
If they truly had winning odds, they'd have already captured this strange woman for research. How could they let her remain in Fire Moth?
A 'human' who could overturn Herrschers—she doesn't really think her disguise is good, right?
The reason for pretending not to know was completely because they lacked confidence in victory. Plus she hadn't shown any harm, so could only leave it like this.
Seeing everyone fall into silence, 'Nicholas' said: "Since can't act, then recruit her. I recall after Himiko's resignation, Fifth Squad Captain position is still empty. Might as well transfer her there as captain."
"Just a captain position—will she agree?"
Someone expressed doubt about 'Nicholas's' proposal. After all, to win over someone, must at least give a 'high position.' The so-called anti-Honkai squad captain position—isn't that just Keeper of Horses?
"Well said." 'Nicholas' looked at him: "In that case, extra benefits come from your pocket."
Hearing this, everyone fell silent.
If United Government and Fire Moth paid, naturally no problem. But if paying themselves—absolutely cannot, even if Earth destroyed tomorrow!
"Besides, can give her some nominal titles. Should be able to stabilize her."
"What if she doesn't accept?" Someone raised objection.
Regarding this, 'Nicholas' sneered: "If she refuses the toast, can only make her die."
"'Nicholas,' you know we've done assessments. With our current armed forces, controlling her is almost impossible..."
"Can't do it now doesn't mean can't later."
"Oh?"
Everyone was attracted by 'Nicholas's' confidence, involuntarily casting curious gazes.
Seeing the atmosphere properly set, 'Nicholas' slowly stood. Some naturally imposing aura suddenly appeared, making everyone focus attention on him.
"Everyone, don't you think our controlled power has fallen behind this era? That lightning controller in Far East, the one just appearing in Austria, even this Elysia—we're helpless against all of them."
"I think it's time to change this passive situation."
For a moment, the atmosphere became somewhat quiet.
Until someone asked: "Nicholas, what will you do?"
"Herrscher. We need our own Herrscher. Only thus can we reverse the current unfavorable situation!"
"I propose launching the Artificial Herrscher Plan, reviving the Second Herrscher we killed whose body remains intact. She'll be the sharpest blade in our hands."
"Previously, I've already conversed with Dr. Mobius. She already has a complete plan."
Hearing Mobius's name, quite a few people secretly nodded.
"If it's this crazy woman, perhaps really possible..."
A Herrscher controllable by United Government and Fire Moth—most people were tempted.
Therefore, the plan to revive the Second Herrscher passed extremely smoothly.
Then 'Nicholas' said:
"Everyone, professional matters should be handled by professionals."
"In the foreseeable future, Honkai intensity will continuously rise. But with United Government's current system, it's very difficult to promptly suppress Honkai disasters. This is why Fire Moth was organized."
"But this is ultimately just a compromise method. If encountering larger-scale Honkai disasters, relying only on Fire Moth's possessed power cannot efficiently suppress them, inevitably causing huge losses."
"So I suggest adding emergency law regarding Great Honkai periods. According to Honkai intensity, grant United Government's subordinate anti-Honkai organizations greater authority. In most critical times, can fully assume entire United Government functions to coordinate entire human civilization's power, ensuring more people's survival."
'Nicholas's' proposal just emerged and was vetoed by many high-level.
As mature political creatures, they believed this so-called 'Honkai Disaster Period Emergency State Law' was just this old Nicholas's tool for grabbing more power.
After all, he'd now basically controlled Fire Moth's former Europa branch. Oh... now it's provisional Schicksal Organization. Provisional Schicksal Organization naturally also belonged to United Government's subordinate anti-Honkai organization.
If truly passing this law, wouldn't that mean as long as Honkai intensity was sufficient, his Schicksal Organization could assume United Government authority?
How could they watch Nicholas use Schicksal Organization to erode United Government authority? So must oppose!
'Nicholas' naturally anticipated the current situation, thus saying: "Simultaneously, given Fire Moth's increasingly bloated organizational structure, I propose splitting and streamlining Fire Moth."
Seeing many high-level still unmoved, he added another sentence.
"Given physical reasons, I may be unable to participate in upcoming Fire Moth splitting meetings."
Everyone heard his subtext.
—After eating Europa branch, I'm already full. Won't act against other branches.
Thus, many immediately smiled, saying one after another: "That's right. To respond to Great Honkai, United Government and Fire Moth must change. We indeed should give United Government's subordinate anti-Honkai organizations more authority. This is to better protect people's interests."
The reason they changed their tune so quickly was naturally seeing benefits they could obtain.
Just like current Nicholas had already turned the cut-out Fire Moth Europa branch into his private army, as long as passing the law splitting Fire Moth, combined with the law granting anti-Honkai organizations more authority, they could also extend hands toward Fire Moth's other branches, turning them into private armies.
These two resolutions were equivalent to opening a warlord separatism loophole. Perhaps in not many years, the globe could stage a regional military governors battle royale.
But no choice. 'Nicholas' had already cut off a piece of meat. If they didn't act, after he gathered more troops, they'd be in trouble.
As for future matters—leave them to posterity to solve!
...
Simultaneously.
Austria, inside a city tavern—voices were clamorous.
At the tavern's highest, most prominent place hung a large photo of Elysia.
Below, a white-haired, blue-eyed youth with a highlighted streak on his forehead stood on a table, loudly denouncing United Government and Fire Moth's old bastards to New Fire Moth members surrounding him.
"Recruit? Recruit what bird! This is those old bastards' method to disintegrate us!"
Lucius looked at everyone before him, asking: "Can the pittance they offer buy our great ideals?"
"I think... not impossible..." Someone showed interest in conditions the old bastards offered.
Mu calmly looked at him, lightly waving his hand. Several people wearing Elysia armbands rushed from the crowd, dragging him away without explanation.
"Wait, what are you doing?!" The dragged person continuously struggled.
Lucius said coldly: "Loyalty not absolute is absolutely disloyal. Take him to understand Elysia's greatness!"
Regarding his actions, people present didn't show resistance but rather some excitement.
After the blind troublemaker was dragged away, Lucius showed everyone a video—the scene of Elysia crashing.
"Look, United Government assassinated our great Elysia."
Seeing this, everyone was in uproar.
"How dare these old bastards!"
"Blood debt repaid in blood! Avenge great Elysia!"
"Heaven punish Moth rebels! Kill kill kill!"
...
After learning Elysia was elbowed into crashing, the atmosphere completely exploded.
At this moment, Lucius lightly raised his hand:
"Everyone, rest assured. These vermin can't kill Elysia. She's currently safe and sound."
"But United Government and Fire Moth's old bastards have already given their answer. Even for Elysia, they're unwilling to share power—let alone us?"
"So-called recruitment is just dividing us. The ultimate purpose is eliminating us all!"
Crimson feathers fell one by one, igniting fury in some people's hearts. Emotions being contagious, soon most people's hearts were filled with anger.
"Must make them pay!"
"Remove old bastards, make Fire Moth great again!"
"Elysia is the people's choice!"
Watching the ignited crowd, Lucius couldn't help pulling his raised head into a plan-succeeded smile.
Very good. Push these anti-human mid-level and low-level bastards out to fight the old bastards. Then both sides die in conflict. He peacefully assumes human governance. This is so-called win-win.
Lucius originally thought himself a person with strong endurance. But after experiencing Black Death's shenanigans, he discovered he'd had enough of these leg-dragging vermin.
For disliked things, naturally must find ways to make them disappear. He decided to take all these old bastards away.
Honkai Disaster Period Emergency State Act.
Fire Moth Optimization Act.
Second Herrscher Revival Plan.
These were all Lucius's arrangements, purpose being speedrunning United Government in one go, grasping human governance in hand, ensuring these vermin wouldn't create shenanigans.
The 'Honkai Disaster Period Emergency State Act' would grant Fire Moth more power, even giving it authority to take over United Government. In original history, Fire Moth could also achieve this, but that was because Honkai's relentless pressure caused United Government to concede. Now it was due to high-level interest collusion.
But he created this thing not to let these vermin switch careers to warlords, but paving the road for Fire Moth to legally assume United Government authority. However, even Fire Moth was just cannon fodder.
Next he'd revive the Second Herrscher, pushing humanity into desperate straits, thus triggering wartime law, forcing United Government to legally hand authority to Fire Moth.
Then the entire world would become a military government temporarily controlled by Fire Moth. Surely a moment resembling Humanity Stars Shining, so this time the next step plan was needed.
That was after Fire Moth seized power, purge Fire Moth internally, purging vermin marked on the list.
Although Fire Moth was rotten throughout, saying all were vermin wasn't entirely accurate. Or rather, in an organization without systematic collapse, normal people were the majority.
What he had to do was promote true humans up.
But the first step was eliminating vermin and subhumans, making room for true humans.
Lucius wasn't afraid of these vermin causing trouble—rather worried they'd scatter and hide.
If these vermin exploded and scattered everywhere when provoked, cleanup would be extremely troublesome. If they saw unfavorable wind and directly hid, that also buried future problems.
Therefore, to solve these vermin and subhumans, there was the so-called New Fire Moth and leader Elysia.
Ancient siege warfare emphasized surrounding three sides leaving one open. Rather than searching one by one, better to give a path, letting these vermin and subhumans gather themselves.
Using these anti-human people's dissatisfaction that United Government and Fire Moth old bastards wouldn't give benefits, then utilizing Elysia's reputation in Fire Moth to gather these restless low-level and mid-level bastards.
Then, concentrated annihilation.
As long as I attract all vermin away, what remains aren't the usable ones?
Next, also eliminate the relatively much fewer old bastards, obtaining a Fire Moth that's temporarily usable after slight cleanup.
Old bastards and small bastards fight each other, both die. He can only tearfully loot Fire Moth's corpse.
Then without these vermin obstructing, Fire Moth having assumed United Government authority could fully merge into Schicksal.
Newborn Schicksal solves 'Second Herrscher' threatening all humanity, saving all humanity from danger—could truly assume United Government authority in legality, righteousness, and capability.
At this time, 'Nicholas' would be useless. Directly throw into Black Dolphin Prison, then create opportunity for Otto to rise, completing new-old Schicksal transition plot point.
With Otto's age, naturally couldn't become Archbishop. But no problem—wasn't there himself?
Then could also appoint Kallen renamed Theresa as Executive Vice-Archbishop, throwing her in Schicksal Archbishop position to ruthlessly exploit.
Speaking of which, what comforted Lucius was that during this period, little Otto had been very obedient, extremely quiet, giving him a feeling of controlling NPCs.
But Lucius felt very good. Probably shouldn't have shenanigans like MEI again. After all... he really didn't want to raise another son.
So even with many choices, Lucius still decided to use the seemingly full-of-holes so-called 'future self' as the identity facing Otto.
However, seeing Otto's obedient appearance, obviously he'd worried too much.
At this moment, a voice pulled Lucius's attention back to the tavern.
"Lucius, will Elysia really come today?"
Lucius lowered his head, saying matter-of-factly to the questioner: "Of course. She's similarly full of dissatisfaction toward Fire Moth's old bastards. Long decided to participate in our great cause!"
This was a lie. Elysia fundamentally didn't know she'd become the so-called 'Second Fire Moth's' leader, United Government's current number one rebel.
Based on Lucius's understanding of her, she absolutely wouldn't agree to his plan.
Could even say if letting her know what he'd done... then he'd most likely be dead for sure.
But no problem. Elysia was just a signboard. Anyway, Elysia wasn't necessarily Elysia.
Hehe... as long as Elysia doesn't know, doesn't that equal nothing happened?
Thinking of this, Lucius became happy.
He scanned these anti-human vermin he'd gathered during this period using Elysia's name, suddenly discovering a problem, thus asking: "Speaking of which, I feel our members seem to have increased. Did we recruit more people?"
"Of course. Our personnel are rapidly expanding." The cadre responsible for propaganda work said proudly.
Lucius pressed: "Won't be discovered by those Fire Moth old bastards?"
"Impossible, absolutely impossible." This cadre proudly clenched his fist: "We use sufficiently covert methods to recruit members. Those old things out of touch with the times absolutely cannot discover."
Lucius felt curious, couldn't help asking: "What method did you use?"
The cadre smiled confidently, taking out a communicator to show Lucius an interface. On it was an extremely exquisitely made poster of Elysia. Several large characters prominently written on it:
[Elysia Fan Support Club]
"How could those old bastards disconnected from the times possibly understand this?"
Lucius thought about it—made sense. Sometimes generation gaps were quite hard to cross.
Thus he patted his shoulder:
"This indeed isn't easily targeted. Not bad, keep it up."
"You all wait here. I'll go out to meet Elysia."
...
Outside the beer hall, after Lucius exited, he turned into a nearby alley.
After ensuring no surveillance around, as blood mist appeared on his body, he transformed into Elysia's appearance.
Taking out a mirror, looking at the flawless face on the mirror surface, Lucius tested his voice.
"Hi♪~"
"No no, Elysia isn't like this."
"Ahem... Hi♪~"
"Mm, this is right♪~"
"Very good. Extremely, even ninety percent like Elysia."
Who said Elysia must be Elysia?
His appearance same as Elysia, actions same as Elysia, reactions to people could also be same as Elysia—he could equally be Elysia!
After adjusting his state, Lucius prepared to return to the beer hall as Elysia's identity.
But at this moment, chill suddenly rose in his heart. Even the pink hair began fading.
"Bad, very bad... this chilling feeling, could it be?"
Lucius looked left and right, quickly meeting gazes with a white figure not far away.
Precisely Kallen whose ahoge atop her head trembled—following the feeling Binding authority gave, she'd felt her way here.
When Lucius looked at Kallen, Kallen also saw 'Elysia' in the alley.
The two's four eyes met. The air seemed to transmit awkwardness.
"...Lucius?" Kallen asked.
Lucius didn't hesitate, turning to run.
"Don't run! I definitely want to beat you up!"
Kallen exasperatedly chased.
But the fleeing two didn't notice that across several streets, a pink-haired girl looked puzzledly toward their chase direction.
"Strange, did I hear Miss Kallen's voice?"
Elysia carefully distinguished for a while, finding nothing abnormal.
She thought it was an illusion. After smiling, she cast her gaze toward the communicator screen in hand.
Meeting her eyes was a large photo of herself giving a thumbs up. A line of large text appeared below.
—Make Fire Moth Great Again!
The very bottom was this poster's signature.
—Elysia Fan Support Club.
"So this is people's fan organization?♪~"
Elysia didn't doubt. After all, her charm was just this great!
A fan organization taking her as idol—she was quite interested in this. Surely if she, this idol, suddenly appeared, everyone would be especially surprised, right?
"Address... eh, just nearby?"
Elysia compared the address above, locking her gaze onto a roadside beer hall hanging a 'Temporarily Closed' sign.
---
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