Inside a spacious, high-tech room where several electronic screens hovered in mid-air, a woman sat leaned back in her office chair, listening to a subordinate's report. She possessed golden hair and purple eyes, combining the delicate,
exquisite beauty of a doll with the tall, elegant figure of a mature woman. As the current President of ME Corp, she did not show the slightest hint of alarm regarding the reported intrusion into the weapons research lab at the Nagazora Branch.
"The Nagazora Branch? The company never scheduled any major projects in Nagazora. They don't even have Titans for security there... Check what project the weapons research lab was originally working on."
A dozen seconds later, the voice of the ME Corp executive on the other end of the line became somewhat flustered.
"I am very sorry, President, but my clearance level is insufficient to view that project."
"Hmm?"
The woman let out a sound of surprise. She sat up straight in her chair and began operating her terminal, using her authority as the current President of ME Corp to enter the Nagazora Branch's database. But—
"Insufficient clearance?!"
Even within ME Corp, there existed projects that the President herself could not view. The woman, who hadn't cared much about the intrusion and had initially dismissed it as the work of some competitor, now furrowed her brows.
As a world-renowned enterprise, ME Corp remained a behemoth even after its previous president had been imprisoned and its reputation tarnished. However, very few people knew that behind ME Corp stood an even larger organization: Anti-Entropy.
As one of the highest-ranking members of Anti-Entropy, Executor Cocolia had previously used certain schemes to throw the former president, Ryoma Raiden, into prison. By doing so, she had brought ME Corp under her control to strengthen her own power.
She knew that Ryoma, a fellow Executor of Anti-Entropy, could not be kept in prison forever over minor financial disputes; Cocolia had simply wanted to use the opportunity to get things done.
However, the accident at the Nagazora Branch made Cocolia realize that things were not proceeding exactly according to her plan.
Even a project personally authorized by Ryoma should not be hidden from Cocolia's current clearance. A clearance level higher than an Executor's could only mean…
"Was it a project personally authorized by the Sovereign? What kind of weapon was ME Corp commissioned to research in secret? Ryoma wouldn't have forgotten such an important project just because he was overwhelmed. If there really is something left in that research lab, it should be a failure, though I cannot rule out the possibility of a moment of carelessness on his part."
After muttering to herself with a frown for a moment, Cocolia re-established the connection with the ME Corp executive in Nagazora. Every trace of emotion vanished from her face, leaving her expressionless.
"Transmit the photo of the door that was destroyed by brute force."
"Yes."
Soon, the screen changed.
Looking at the image of the door which was originally extremely sturdy and capable of stopping handgun bullets and its current miserable state, Cocolia thought for a while before asking a question.
"Are the analysis results out?"
"Yes. According to our investigation of the stress points and fine markings on the alloy door, the intruder was human tentatively human. That individual kicked the door open with a single strike. That level of power..."
"Don't act so incredulous. While that level of strength certainly shatters the common sense of ordinary people, those are ordinary people. You are ME Corp staff. In reality, an A-rank Valkyrie wearing a battlesuit could achieve exactly that."
"Does the President mean the intruder was a Schicksal Valkyrie?"
Cocolia did not answer. As a superior, she was under no obligation to resolve her subordinate's confusion.
"I heard earlier that Theresa went to Nagazora. Is that intel accurate?"
"My subordinates have confirmed it. She did indeed come to Nagazora. Although the local management department refused to let us browse their records, some of the cameras we installed at the branch building captured her silhouette."
"Can you find out who she contacted or where she went during that time?"
"I am very sorry! Since we can only install cameras inside the office building..."
"Fine, I understand. You don't need to worry about what comes next. Carry on as usual."
Cocolia's words brought an irrepressible look of joy to the face of the Nagazora executive on the other end of the terminal. She had thought that after such a major incident, she would at least be demoted. Instead, everything was to proceed as usual.
In her state of ecstasy, she realized she wouldn't even need to carry out the various plans she had devised to punish the negligent security captain. As usual was best!
After cutting the communication, Cocolia closed her eyes and leaned back in her chair to contemplate. No matter how she looked at it, it was difficult to link a secret project authorized by the Sovereign to Theresa, the Headmistress of St. Freya Academy. Yet, it was undeniable that a variable had appeared in Nagazora, and this variable might directly affect Cocolia's plans.
The [Moonlight Throne], a battleship that possessed the potential to change the current status of the rampaging Honkai, required a massive amount of Honkai energy to operate. Currently,
the only things capable of providing that level of energy were Herrscher Cores, and more than one was needed. Therefore, Mei Raiden the daughter of Ryoma who possessed the [Gem of Conquest] split from the Second Herrscher's core must become a Herrscher, the 3rd Herrscher.
She had to begin planning. She needed to set a time for an impending Honkai impact.
Cocolia opened her eyes and initiated a new communication, which was connected almost immediately.
"Cocolia Mama?"
The voice of a young girl came through sweet, but lacking any emotional fluctuation.
"Go to Nagazora. Go in the capacity of my adopted daughter, under the pretext of inspecting the Nagazora Branch following the violent incident. During your stay,
make contact with the girl named Mei Raiden who attends Chiba Academy. Monitor her condition. She is a potential 3rd Herrscher. Look after your own safety."
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