Lierre's sudden disappearance left everyone present somewhat at a loss.
In their understanding, Lierre was just an ordinary person who would be panting for breath after carrying a heavy object to the second floor.
Furthermore, Mobius and Pardofelis, whom she had summoned while at Schicksal, were only B-rank Valkyries. Currently, the only one capable of taking the lead was that young girl from the Schariac Family.
Compared to the combination of Cecilia, Joyce, and Cheng Lixue, the difference was like night and day.
If people with ill intentions found Lierre and her companions first, and if they were no match for their opponents, they would inevitably fall into danger.
Theresa was angry precisely because of Lierre's extreme capriciousness and her failure to take her own life seriously.
Seeing the troubled looks on several faces, Raiden Mei thought for a moment before speaking:
"The reason Lierre chose to leave Schicksal headquarters might be that she has her own plans. Given that she was able to silently lead people away from the airtight defenses of headquarters, it's clear we don't need to worry about her safety in the short term."
Raiden Mei's words caused the heavy atmosphere to relax considerably.
"Mei is right. Even though Lierre likes to court death, I don't believe she would intentionally engage in suicidal behavior without sufficient confidence."
Theresa let out a long sigh. She then thought of the intelligence Otto had sent her, as well as Otto's speculation regarding how Lierre had left headquarters.
That device bestowed with the name of a Divine Key, the device built by Lierre—Divine Blessing of the Ten Directions!
Isolating cause and effect, stopping time, opening space...
Schicksal's understanding of this Divine Key was currently limited to the manual Lierre had left behind. Naturally, the person who truly knew all of its capabilities was Lierre herself.
Otto guessed that Lierre's ability to silently lead people away from headquarters might have relied on unknown capabilities of the Divine Blessing of the Ten Directions that they were unaware of.
"Don't worry, she isn't as weak as we think; don't be fooled by her appearance. For now, I'll send people to find a way to search for traces of Lierre. Once we find her, I must ask her face-to-face for her reason for running away!"
As she reached the last sentence, Theresa clenched her fists and emphasized her tone through gritted teeth.
She swore she would never fully believe a single promise from Lierre again!
Previously, Lierre had patted her chest and guaranteed she wouldn't offend Schicksal; in fact, she had indeed succeeded in that.
However, Lierre's actions today were no different from directly offending Schicksal.
They said knowledge has no borders, but people are the exception.
Destroying what one cannot obtain was hardly a rare occurrence.
The value Lierre displayed now had reached the level where whoever obtained her would soar.
Allowing such a talent, who could support an enemy at any time, to wander around outside would likely cause even a power as strong as Schicksal to suffer several nights of insomnia.
Therefore, Theresa had to find Lierre as quickly as possible before Schicksal made the decision to eliminate her.
Elsewhere.
Between sky and earth, mountains and lakes, cities and countryside, pure white flames burned slowly. Everything inside, whether human or animal, was completely still.
Currently, only three people were able to move freely within the Fuzetsu.
The cat-eared girl ran back and forth in wonder. One moment, she was staring at a motionless pedestrian and making faces; the next, she was perched in a tree, watching a bird frozen in mid-air with Wings spread; and a moment later, she was happily petting a cat by the roadside.
At this moment, Pardofelis was like a curious baby, possessing a intense interest in every plant and tree under the Fuzetsu.
Compared to Pardofelis, Ana and Mobius were much more reserved.
Ana didn't understand much, only marveling in her heart at the power of this Divine Key ability.
Mobius feigned composure on the surface, but her heart felt as restless as if a kitten were scratching at it. She wished she could immediately return to Schicksal headquarters to thoroughly research that machine under the sea.
However, being proud, she would never lower her head to beg Lierre.
It certainly wasn't because she knew it would be useless and that Lierre wouldn't agree.
"Boss, where are we going next?" Pardofelis ran quickly to Lierre's side and asked curiously.
"Next, we're going to Oceania. For the sake of one person." Lierre raised her right hand, and a small white flame danced in her fair, delicate palm.
The scene ten meters ahead transformed instantly. Two cities with different architectural styles merged together; one part was in daylight, while the other was in night.
Lierre and her companions were currently in the daylight.
"Lady Lierre, is this also part of the mission?" Ana couldn't help but ask.
The reason she had followed was that Lierre told her a top-secret mission required the cooperation of the Fire-Moth Valkyrie squad. The day the mission was completed would be the day humanity defeated the Honkai!
Hearing that had made her blood boil.
Initially, Lierre said that resigning from the post of Acting Overseer of Schicksal was just part of the plan, so Ana hadn't doubted her.
Now that she had calmed down, Ana suddenly felt uncertain, feeling as if she had accidentally boarded a pirate ship.
After Lierre clenched her fist to disperse the flame, she didn't answer directly: "In Oceania, you will witness with your own eyes the birth of the Fourth Herrscher, the Herrscher of Wind. And the Herrscher Core belonging to the Herrscher of Wind—the Gem of Desire—is at the Oceania Branch."
"A Herrscher." A cold glint flashed in Mobius's eyes, but it vanished quickly.
Mobius had specifically looked up a lot of data on the First and Second Herrscher while at Schicksal. Aside from being unclear about the Third Herrscher, she already understood the uniqueness of the first two Herrschers.
The Herrschers of this era were different from the Herrschers of her own era. The Herrschers born in this era possessed something they shouldn't have had—humanity!
Elysia...
Mobius thought of that annoying woman, and her gaze unconsciously drifted toward the back of Lierre's figure in front of her.
Whether the decision to have Gray Serpent bring the Signet of "Ego" was correct...
Pardofelis stole a glance back at Mobius. Seeing that her eyes were practically pinned to Lierre, she couldn't help but swallow.
She actually quite liked this new boss; in other words, she simply couldn't bring herself to hate her.
Because Lierre was the great benefactor who had resurrected her. Hearing that she might be able to reunite with Sister Ellie and the others in the future made her so excited she couldn't sleep just thinking about it.
Then again.
It had been over half a year since Pardofelis was summoned. She noticed that Sister Snake had been using Sister Ellie's social style, trying to get close to the boss.
But every time, it seemed Sister Snake didn't gain the upper hand.
Once, she had shockingly stumbled upon Sister Snake wearing a pink dress for the first time ever, walking into the boss's room in the middle of the night.
At that time, due to being too shocked, Pardofelis accidentally made a noise. She would never forget the cold look Mobius shot her.
The next day, Mobius came looking for her. She thought she was dead for sure, but who knew Sister Snake only spoke some grand principles that made her head spin.
Fortunately, her head wasn't too stupid. She knew Sister Snake was telling her some grand principles about sacrificing oneself for science and forbidding her from spreading rumors.
From this, Pardofelis deduced that Sister Snake definitely wanted to become true friends with Lierre!