Schicksal was in complete chaos.
Since the unprecedented explosion of unknown energy in deep space the previous night, almost all of Schicksal's nearby satellite sensors blew out. In less than 0.1 seconds, the energy output surpassed the records of the Second Herrscher, approaching the levels of the Finality Herrscher of the Previous Era as recorded in Void Archives.
The data continued to climb vertically until the very last moment before cutting out. It was hard not to suspect that this was not even the limit of that energy source.
From last night until now, Schicksal Headquarters had not slept. Anti-Entropy across the ocean likely fared no better.
Initially, Schicksal suspected that the long-missing First Herrscher, Welt, quietly pulled off something massive. They first thought a new Herrscher was born, but Herrschers require a host, and the astronauts in the space stations were all accounted for. Thus, suspicion fell on the unaccounted-for First Herrscher. With such terrifying power, it was hard to imagine what he might do next.
No matter how calculating Otto was, he could only move step-by-step to strengthen defenses worldwide. Information remained too scarce to make any effective deduction.
However, he knew clearly in his heart that this was not something Welt could achieve. Either the Honkai underwent an incomprehensible change, creating a new type of Apostle that didn't require a human host... or there were visitors from beyond the heavens. The latter possibility existed. His database recorded a few related cases.
Otto leaned toward the second possibility, especially since that energy didn't resemble Honkai energy at all.
At Schicksal Headquarters, Otto looked up at the sky. 'An external factor... I hope it brings some interesting changes to this world.'
"Rita, tell Durandal to stop her Honkai clearing operations. She needs to stand by at Headquarters. We might be in big trouble."
The maid behind him bowed and silently walked out of his office. Currently, Schicksal's overall adjustments followed the assumption that the unknown entity was a Herrscher. Although Otto's thoughts differed from his subordinates, he didn't bother correcting them. He had his own plans.
★ ★ ★
Across the ocean, Anti-Entropy Headquarters was even more lively.
"How many times do I have to say it? That wasn't Welt!"
Dr. Tesla felt like her head was about to explode as she emphasized to the projections of the various Executors. "Welt isn't in space!"
"That is an unknown entity! We must be on high alert!"
"But if that wasn't the Sovereign, doesn't that mean there's another Herrscher?" someone asked worriedly.
"No, not a Herrscher," Einstein said with a frown. "At least, not a Herrscher by our definition. There are no Honkai energy signatures at all. If this is a Herrscher, it's catastrophic news for humanity."
"There are no hosts in outer space for a Herrscher to be born. That would mean the underlying logic of the Honkai... at least the logic we summarized... has changed. Testing every single change would cost countless lives."
"So, from today on, we must enter a state of emergency. We must ensure that wherever a change occurs on Earth, we can provide support immediately!"
"No problem on my end."
"South America is fine."
"Nothing here either."
The various Executors nodded. This concerned their survival, so they took it seriously.
"I have a problem," Cocolia spoke up at that moment. "At a time like this, where exactly is the Sovereign?"
She looked at Tesla and Einstein. "Shouldn't the Sovereign come out to lead? Why hasn't he appeared? Or is it that the injuries from the Second Honkai War still haven't—"
"Cocolia!" Tesla exploded. "Welt's whereabouts aren't for you to pry into!"
"Oh? Is my request wrong?" Cocolia narrowed her eyes. "As the Sovereign, shouldn't he stand up during such a crisis?"
"If his injuries haven't healed, then say so. Otherwise, if we expect a powerful Herrscher to back us up and a half-dead patient shows up instead, what then?"
"Forget Welt. What about you, Cocolia?" Einstein stopped the fuming Tesla and looked coldly at Cocolia. "The embezzlement case of Raiden Ryoma—you've investigated for so long. Are there results?"
"Naturally," Cocolia nodded. "I was shocked by what I found. Billions of dollars from ME Corp vanished... Raiden Ryoma practically hollowed out the company!"
"Since the investigation is done, go back to Siberia!" Einstein nodded. "Crisis is upon us. Everyone needs to guard their own defense zone!"
"I can't!" Cocolia laughed mockingly. "I only found the funding gap. I haven't found where those funds flowed to yet!"
"You talk about a crisis, but that energy burst has been over for a whole night and nothing happened. I don't think this is urgent. And you, Dr. Einstein, want to transfer me just as I'm about to catch Raiden Ryoma's tail?"
She leaned toward the screen. "Could it be that those funds flowed to North America?"
Einstein snorted, and the gazes of the surrounding Executors became meaningful. Cocolia wanted to use a distraction to disrupt Einstein's rhythm, but Einstein was not so easily handled.
"I welcome you to North America to audit the books, Cocolia," Einstein smiled. "If you come, every account at Headquarters will be open to you. Whoever you find, we'll handle them by the organization's rules. How about it?"
Cocolia's expression darkened instantly.
Audit North America? Please. Investigating Raiden Ryoma was her limit. This was a border zone between Anti-Entropy and Schicksal, away from the core of Anti-Entropy's power. She indeed found something; Ryoma's biggest backer, Welt, vanished, and Tesla and Einstein were honest people she could push around. So she dared to stir up trouble.
The other Executors also tacitly allowed her to challenge the power center to test Welt's condition.
But to investigate North America? Cocolia felt she would have the life to get on the plane, but not the life to get off. North America was the heart of Anti-Entropy, where various factions intertwined. If she dared to reach out, those people would truly dare to blast her.
What if she actually found something? Anti-Entropy expanded too fast, leading to a mix of good and bad people. Welt didn't care for management, and Einstein and Tesla focused on science. Over the years, various factions grew under this tree.
Einstein wanted her to audit precisely because she wouldn't interfere; she would even provide support. But Cocolia lacked the courage.
"I think Dr. Einstein is right. Cocolia, finish up in the Far East and return to your Siberian defense zone. Business first."
"Yes, business first."
"Leave the Far East for Schicksal to guard. Isn't there an S-rank Valkyrie there? Siberia can't do without you."
Sure enough, as soon as Einstein mentioned auditing North America, everyone supported her and condemned Cocolia's disregard for the big picture. They couldn't let this topic continue. They spoke of humanity's righteousness, but their hearts were full of schemes.
"I'll talk after I find where that stolen money went," Cocolia insisted. "I never leave things half-finished!"
She only opposed Einstein to test Welt's status and see if he was watching Nagazora City, since Raiden Ryoma was one of his men. She didn't expect Einstein to corner her like this.
Seeing she couldn't be persuaded, the others dropped it. The meeting of Anti-Entropy's top brass ended unpleasantly.
On Einstein's side, she frowned at Tesla. "Contact Siegfried. Tell him to watch Cocolia. I feel her goals aren't simple."
★ ★ ★
In Nagazora City, Cocolia spoke to Bronya: "Keep a close eye on Raiden Mei. Our time is short. We must move quickly!"
Meanwhile, Raiden Mei was lowering her head, avoiding the burning gaze in front of her.
"Mei, what a coincidence," Kiana smiled as she approached. "You're having lunch here too?"
Raiden Mei looked up at her. It was the new transfer student. She often noticed the other girl watching her. Initially, she thought Kiana was just curious after hearing the rumors. And after curiosity, the suffering usually began. Soon, this girl would likely join the others in bullying her.
After all, the Far East was that kind of country. If everyone else did it and you didn't, you weren't part of the group. And being an outsider meant you would become the target.
It started with the cold shoulder, then gossip and rumors, then physical acts: insulting words written all over the desk, hidden personal belongings, water or worse poured into the shoe locker, glue or even thumbtacks on the chair...
Mei experienced all of it lately. Every time, she endured. She ignored the gossip, wiped the desk clean, found her hidden things in the trash, kept spare shoes in her bag, and carefully cleaned the glue and tacks.
She lived this way for months. Raiden Mei thought about resisting, but every time she wanted to reach out, their mockery echoed in her mind.
Your father is an embezzler. That's billions of dollars!
In the Far East, shame culture was prevalent. Mei, influenced by it, lost the courage to fight back. But the fire of anger in her heart burned hotter... one day, it would break through the walls built by logic and environment, burning the whole world.
Mei looked at the over-familiar girl. She lowered her head again. Kiana wasn't from the Far East. That was why she still dared to strike up a conversation. But one day, she would understand the rules of survival in this country. Just like those former friends of hers.
When her father was taken away, a lost Mei called her friends for help. But the next day, they came to school with different faces. They were no longer the people she knew. No one listened to her, and she met only strange looks everywhere.
Mei grew used to it.
But Kiana didn't care about any of that. Having permission from the girl's guardian, she boldly approached.
"Oh? You're eating bread too?" Kiana pulled out a squashed piece of bread and waved it. "What a coincidence, me too."
"..." Mei remained silent, turning her back.
"What flavor is yours? I'm tired of this one. How about we swap halves?" Kiana didn't give up, moving in front of her again.
Finally, Mei grew annoyed. "Don't come near me," she said softly. "You'll get hurt."
"I think I can probably take you in a fight," Kiana said confidently. 'Maybe if your aunt were here, but you? I could take ten of you with your thin arms and legs!'
"Not by me," Mei shook her head. "By this society. Not fitting in is a cardinal sin here. I am a sinner."
'That sounds so chuunibyou...' Kiana thought, her mouth twitching.
"It's not that serious," Kiana said casually. "I heard there might be more to that incident."
Mei looked up, then lowered her head without a word. She heard such words before. Back then, she rushed to an address provided by someone claiming to have clues. But there was nothing there except a group of people waiting to mock the daughter of a criminal.
That night, Mei returned home devastated. That night, she lost her very last friend.
Kiana saw her silence and knew she hit a nerve. No matter how hard she tried after that, Mei didn't respond. Until lunch ended, there was no reaction. Kiana watched her leave the rooftop.
"No way," Kiana slumped onto the rooftop after Mei left. "Is picking up girls this hard?"
"It's actually okay," Xia Yu appeared quietly. "Good progress."
"Sister Acheron, you call this good?" Kiana couldn't help but complain. "She didn't say a single word to me later! Do you know how awkward it is to talk to yourself?"
"You can't think like that," Xia Yu stroked Kiana's head. "Think about it. If she really hated you and didn't want any interaction, why did she stay and listen to your rambling all afternoon?"
"Mei is afraid of losing. She's afraid you are with those people, so she doesn't dare reach out to you."
Xia Yu said meaningfully: "Do you know? People who choose to jump off a building, as long as they don't jump immediately, are waiting for someone to talk them out of it. They still have hope for survival; they just need someone to pull them back."
"So she didn't leave immediately because she still has expectations of me? She's calling for help!" Kiana's eyes lit up.
"A student worth teaching," Xia Yu smiled and nodded.
"Sister Acheron!" Kiana grabbed Xia Yu's arm, shaking it. "But it's no use if Mei won't talk to me. How do I take the next step?"
"Simple. Just do what you are best at," Xia Yu recalled what she sensed happening in Mei's classroom, a cold glint flashing in her eyes. "Go back to class."
"The cold Sister Acheron is back," Kiana noted. Seeing her face return to that indifferent look made Kiana curious; she just saw Acheron smile. "Why can't you smile more?"
"This is the price of power, Kiana," Xia Yu stroked her head. "I hope you never have to know. Alright, go to class."
"Mhm, then I'm off, Sister Acheron," Kiana smiled, then ran down the stairs.
She went back to her class and entered the room. She saw Raiden Mei wiping insulting words off her desk. Nearby, a small circle of girls giggled, whispering insults.
At that moment, Kiana understood. She understood what it meant to do what she was best at.