Click… click… click…
Leather shoes on marble floors; the mirror-like surface reflected a sharply tailored suit and long, blonde hair.
Chalice, clutching documents, walked calmly to the end of the hall, knocking sharply on a massive, ornate door. Receiving a response, she turned the handle.
In the vast, almost empty office, Director Karius continued to observe the city. He favored this god-like perspective, finding infinite satisfaction in overseeing the flourishing civilization.
Lately, he'd been enjoying himself immensely. Through the Shanghai sacrifice, Fire Moth had finally escaped UN restrictions, becoming a true monster.
Under the guise of protecting humanity, they reigned supreme over all laws and governments. Wealth was insignificant; power was readily available. The subsequent purges had been successful.
"You've done well, Chalice." The Director turned, gesturing towards an opulent liquor cabinet. "The special meeting concluded; the vote to expel those individuals from the council was unanimous. This maintains Fire Moth's unity and avoids conflict."
A new power couldn't be too large, lest it disrupt the existing balance. Six seats were optimal.
Given Fire Moth's current influence, those six seats were valuable commodities, sufficient to gain even more power.
"Actually, my contribution was minimal; I merely took advantage of the situation. The evolution faction and Pureblood faction were both expendable; the only difference was which outcome better served humanity's future." Chalice remained humble, pouring two glasses of aged whisky before placing photographs on the desk.
"Those individuals are permanently silenced, cleanly done. Cocoon's handiwork."
The Director glanced at the photographs; several elderly men lay in pools of blood, each with a single, precise cut to the throat.
"Wien called for a surrender to Cocoon?"
"Apparently. Recently, using his councilor status, he recommended two individuals to join Fire Moth." Chalice placed photographs of Sakura and Vill-V on the desk, her finger tracing a line from the Fifth Research Institute to the desert battle site. "He also collaborated with the evolution faction, placing these two under Dr. Ryan's name."
"A quid pro quo. So, he did it?" The Director wasn't stupid; the clues were obvious. That devastating blow that wiped out most of Cocoon, a brutal extermination of an entire faction.
While it benefited him, it felt unsettling.
"Yes, it was very clean. No direct clues were left. Should we investigate further?"
"Your recommendation?"
"I suggest we don't. The truth offers no advantage; we lack the means to exploit him. This is not a political matter, sir."
Karius fell silent, his gaze sweeping back and forth over the photographs, piecing together the events.
Those men were killed by the 'Goushinnso Memento,' but they'd already been expelled from the council and were no longer Fire Moth members. Even a thorough investigation would only result in criminal charges, but the 'Goushinnso Memento' was linked to Ryan…
His gaze finally rested on the battle site image—the shattered mountain peaks, the ravaged earth, the lack of any intact Cocoon bodies.
A single combatant taking on a Third Herrscher, possibly even obliterating the Fifth Research Institute using a converging attack?
"My ultimate goal is to focus our strength on combating Honkai. While I don't know his intentions, Councilor Wien's proposal meets our requirements."
Consolidating the five Research Institutes, jointly developing anti-Honkai weaponry; that 'magician' is also a valuable asset.
"Indeed, sir." Chalice raised his glass in a toast. He knew the Director craved power and wealth, and wasn't foolish. If humanity perished, power would mean nothing.
To lead humanity out of its infancy, they needed to defeat Honkai first.
As expected, the Director shifted his tone. "But humanity's future requires experienced individuals in control, Chalice. They've become somewhat… dangerous."
Elysia, Mobius, Mei, and now these two newcomers. Not to mention the young progressives and Wien behind them.
They possessed combat power, political influence, and scientific research capabilities. To put it bluntly, they could easily form a new organization.
"I understand, sir. That's why I supported the council purge."
"Why?"
"Because the Second Research Institute's achievements are only effective against Herrschers; they aren't useful to us."
Chalice made his point clear. Individual power was disrupting the balance. Elysia was fine; she merely smiled through everything, but Ryan was interfering with the power struggle.
He'd eliminated the Pureblood faction; would he next target Fire Moth headquarters? And those large-scale weapons weren't protecting them.
"So you support the fused warrior project; we need superhuman strength." The Director nodded, understanding. "But don't forget, Mobius is his girlfriend, Dr. Mei is his classmate. What if they leaves some backdoors during the surgery…"
"Yes, I've made preparations. Please, come in."
The door opened, and a man entered. He wore a white coat, his gait unsteady, revealing Honkai-scarred skin.
His face was disfigured, his hair and teeth almost entirely gone. The Director instantly recognized the traces of Honkai on him; his survival was a miracle.
"Sir, allow me to introduce you." Chalice smiled, not repulsed by the man's appearance, and announced, "Dr. Damian, a scholar of unparalleled achievement in imaginary numbers and biology!"
...
"You're angry about that little incident?"
Fifth Research Institute, underground laboratory.
Mobius folded her arms, a clear expression of disdain on her face. Ryan sat opposite her, a cold smile playing on his lips.
He'd rushed back from his escape, only to encounter a smug Mobius, who hadn't given him a good look since.
"Little incident?" Ryan stood abruptly, whispering, "I worked so hard to build my image, and it's ruined! Sakura's final look wasn't exactly pleasant."
Sakura? Ha, how affectionate.
Mobius narrowed her eyes, looking particularly sharp under the dim lighting.
"Elysia said you should be more sincere with people; it earns trust."
"You remember Elysia now?"
"Didn't you tell me to learn from that woman?" Mobius tossed her hair dismissively, going to the nearby counter to pour coffee. Ryan glanced down, noticing Mobius's new outfit.
Still short boots and leather pantyhose, but the black stockings gleamed almost like they were oiled, making for a very eye-catching movement.
Legendary Mary Jane pantyhose? Judging by the garter belt visible beneath her skirt, they were the kind with a belt.
Ryan entered a scholarly research mode, still pondering a solution, when Mobius turned, a mocking smile on her face.
"What? Do you want a pair? Should I take them off now?" Her expression changed; the smile turned disdainful. "Besides, what does it matter? Just tell her those stockings belong to you."
Hey, that's even weirder. Are you dumb?
Ryan resisted the urge to shove the pantyhose into Mobius's mouth. This shameless woman was making him shameless too. He glumly stuffed them into his pocket.
"No more nonsense. Let's talk business. First, after I left, did anyone investigate?"
"Yes, the budget officer came. He was determined to find you."
Ryan wasn't surprised; his enemies weren't idiots. They'd naturally suspect him; finding his absence, they'd immediately cease operations.
"How did you deceive him?"
"Hallucinogenic drugs. I put him to sleep for a while. Such an opportunity is rare. If I hadn't covered for you, he would have cut our budget by 20%. It was unavoidable." Mobius slammed her coffee cup down, looking like he'd ruined her plans.
That simple and brutal? Typical Mobius.
Ryan finally smiled. "Good job. I have an alibi."
At least you have some conscience.
Mobius smiled, but it quickly faded. What was there to be happy about regarding that incident?
"Ahem, you're finished. Now it's my turn."
"Aren't you worried about what they'll do to me? Without evidence, they'll have to guess."
"I don't care if you die." Mobius sniffed, tossing him a white coat. "Follow me. While you were gallivanting, we made a major breakthrough in our research."
Uncaring woman. And I wasn't gallivanting.
Ryan sighed, watching Mobius's swaying backside disappear. He had to focus; he knew the fused warrior project was a cornerstone of civilization, something he needed to examine closely.
How much life can my intervention bring to humanity?