"Commander, here's the latest intelligence from the Intelligence Department."
At almost the same time, on top of a towering building, Carius briskly entered the office, placing a report on the desk.
The ruling structure of Fire Moth hadn't hurriedly moved underground, as that would give the media something to chew on, spreading rumors about "human guardians fleeing first," and other nonsense.
Of course, there was an elevator in this office that could take one straight down to the underground city.
Carius, lifting his gaze from a thick pile of documents, didn't bother looking at the report on the desk. He gestured toward the liquor cabinet, then took off his glasses, rubbing his swollen head.
Controlling Fire Moth came with immense power, but it was also a tough job, with the pressure immense.
"The Far East branch sent a report. Their forces are stretched to the limit. The Honkai Beast have even breached Tokyo, causing widespread destruction."
Carius froze for a moment while adding ice to his glass. He responded casually, "It's a common occurrence. Just dispatch reinforcements. We'll have to deal with the media, though."
"The problem is, there are no soldiers to send. The China branch is nearing its limit. The Pacific Ocean is filled with Honkai Beast, and the First and Fifth Fleets can't assist," Carius said, standing up and stretching his stiff back as he reached for the glass.
"The fall of Neon City is just a matter of time, but thanks to their efforts, I've figured out the true identities of two delegates. As I suspected, they're from Neon's oldest family."
"Should we revoke their delegate status once Neon falls?"
"Don't joke about that." The Commander glanced at his subordinate and shook his head gently while swirling his drink, "Forget about losing the territory. Their influence remains. If we handle it like that, I'll be the first to die."
Humanity was losing territories daily, and there were bound to be some unfortunate individuals caught in the crossfire. If everything was too pragmatic, who would still dare to support Fire Moth?
He took a sip of his drink, his expression becoming thoughtful. "This ambush isn't ordinary. It's a threat aimed directly at me. Politics, filthy as ever."
"Threaten? Should we conduct a covert investigation?" Carius's elegant face showed anger, "They're using millions of lives as hostages."
"No need. Just send reinforcements. We need to take this seriously, but these reinforcements will come from other areas. At least those areas won't hold it against me when they fall."
This was about shifting the conflict between the delegates, ensuring no one else followed the same path. A brilliant use of power, skillfully turning their plans upside down.
"Your wisdom is unparalleled." Carius bowed slightly, genuinely impressed, but then he shifted the conversation. "Don't you want to take a look at the Intelligence Department's monitoring report?"
Carius glanced at the report on the desk but had no intention of reading it. He already knew it contained nothing substantial.
"Don't underestimate Dr. Möbius. The Intelligence Department has been monitoring them for a long time, but hasn't found a single truth. Their tricks aren't even worth acknowledging."
"But they're dangerous, even reckless," Carius frowned. Möbius had directly summoned Ryan for a small meeting, showing a clear lack of respect.
Of course, the recorded conversation in the Intelligence Department was filled with discussions about the Virtual Space.
"But they are indispensable talents. They are the key to dealing with the Herrschers," Carius sighed deeply, looking visibly troubled.
You couldn't touch them, yet you couldn't let go. Ryan and Möbius, they always made him feel uneasy, like gazing at something far above them.
When you needed them, they'd cooperate, but when not needed, they'd coldly brush you aside. He didn't want to be discarded like garbage.
"Tell Dr. Damian I need to strengthen the Parliament's direct forces. We can't let the young ones be swayed by manipulative individuals."
"Yes, I'll increase the investment immediately," Carius said with a smile, which seemed to mock the Commander's sincerity. He paused as though remembering something important. "By the way, the Intelligence Department also received a piece of secret intelligence. It's from those people. Based on your stance, I'll decide whether to destroy it."
Carius pulled a thick folder from his briefcase, and his expression turned slightly strange.
"Those people? Oh, the irredeemable lunatics? What absurd reasoning makes you think so highly of them?" The Commander glanced at the report, unimpressed, but then extended his hand to flip through it.
At first, the contents seemed unrelated to theology, just a research report. Carius wasn't interested, but as he read, his demeanor became serious.
Curing all diseases, even reversing cellular aging, restoring them to their youthful state?
At first, it looked like a poorly crafted scam, but as he reached the end, his initial skepticism turned to shock.
"They... have connected with the Herrschers!?"
...
Sundown Alley. Sundown Alley.
Ryan kept muttering the name, and the pen in his fingers left a lingering shadow, nearly overworking it.
Thanks to Fire Moth's powerful intelligence system, they had identified several suspected locations, just as he had guessed. "Sundown Alley" was merely a nickname, not found on any map.
However, by adding terms like 'Unregulated Abandoned Zones,' 'Recovery Centers for Corruption Illness,' and other features, Möbius was able to track down some clues. Then, handing them over to Vil-V for further identification, the results weren't difficult to confirm.
Southern Europe, not far from the Mediterranean, had been a no-man's land before the fall, and Honkai Energy reactions had been detected there long ago.
"It should be here. Indeed, a place with a rich history. Aponia and Vil-V special abilities are likely due to long-term exposure to Honkai radiation," Ryan tossed the pen aside. He had noticed this place long ago but hadn't had time to investigate. He wanted to test whether fate was really stubborn.
Kalpas had encountered him long ago. Would he still be in Sundown Alley? If so, their conversation probably wouldn't be pleasant.
Ryan stretched his wrist. Kalpas was someone who liked to communicate through fists, ignoring verbal exchanges. Dealing with him would be tricky. Aponia was also dangerous—if he fell into her trap, it would be disastrous.
Wait, Aponia likely wouldn't have her constraints yet, but she must possess similar abilities by now.
This was going to be a tough mission. Should he take it on now or leave it for later? But since the Herrschers were currently hiding like turtles, he had nothing else to do.
Thud.
As he was lost in thought, a water cup was suddenly placed heavily on the table. Ryan leaned forward, noticing it was filled with tea.
"You've switched to tea? And you've put too much tea in. What are these flower petals? Did you just pick them from the break room?"
"Are you going to drink it or not?!" Möbius immediately frowned and reached to pour it out.
"Drink it. Stop being so fierce," Ryan slapped her hand away, took a sip, and immediately felt the bitterness. Still, it helped wake him up.
"How did you suddenly start making tea? Don't tell me Sakura reminded you..."
"None of her business. Someone gave this to me. I was afraid it would expire, so I decided to use it. Got a problem with that?"
Ryan chuckled to himself. Who would give her something? Wasn't she supposed to be the 'nest of demons'?
He glanced around the cluttered lab, where documents and unfinished machines were strewn about. Nuwa was busy huffing and puffing, organizing them, only to slip and send papers flying everywhere.
This was Möbius's new lair. Due to inter-departmental collaboration and the fight for funding, her reputation had become worse, so she deliberately placed the Fifth Research Institute in a remote area.
"Are you laughing at me in your mind?" Möbius squinted at Ryan, as if reading his thoughts.
"No, I just think it's a bit lonely here. With only a few of you, it feels more lively in a desert."
"I've left the ordinary researchers to Mei. After all, those people are clumsy. Core research? I'm the only one who handles it. Why keep so many around?" Möbius squinted, looking a little smug, though she was also complaining.
Originally, the members from several research institutes had been integrated, managed by the Comprehensive Affairs Office. This had reduced personnel and improved efficiency.
Most importantly, Möbius now covered their salaries, so no extra expenses came out of her pocket.
"Yes, yes, you just keep exploiting the honest people." Ryan took another sip of tea, watching Nuwa struggle to collect the papers. He slowly stood up, stretching his shoulders.
"What are you doing?"
"Well, there's nothing to do today, so I'll help out a bit. I'll tidy up your lab."
Möbius didn't thank him, instead becoming more vigilant. "Just so you know, I'm not paying you for this."
"Tch, that's your scope."
Ryan laughed disdainfully, then rolled up his sleeves and began moving the heavy equipment.
He didn't even need to touch them. Using electromagnetic force, the equipment moved by itself. At first, Möbius was worried he might damage her treasures, but then she realized Ryan control was so precise that it didn't affect anything inside.
She relaxed and sat on the desk, legs crossed, taking off her stockings and spinning on her chair. She occasionally sipped from her coffee cup while watching the people around her work.
Sometimes, she would exchange a few words with Ryan, joking that she wasn't a laborer but a researcher.
Watching all this, Möbius's snake-like pupils softened. She began to experience what Ryan had described to her in the East: the sensation of being alive.
This peaceful life was quite nice. Time flowed by without her noticing, and it wasn't as wasted as she had thought. Recently, she had learned to watch movies, to daydream, and to appreciate this simple beauty.
She hadn't thought about setting traps for him anymore.
Möbius quietly watched Ryan arrange the instruments, Nuwa and Fuxi sorting materials, while Klein installed computers. Occasionally, they would chat and laugh together.
'If this slow-paced life could continue, and if Ryan stayed in this lab forever...'
Her expression turned strange, and she suddenly realized that all these changes had been influenced by that man, just like how another man's slap had once carved its mark in her soul—though the difference was whether it was positive or negative.
Why him? Why him, specifically? It seemed like, aside from his inquisitive nature, there were many other things involved.
"Doctor, why don't you let the robots help out?"
Möbius snapped out of her thoughts, answering casually, "Because that bastard Vil-V charges an arm and a leg for the rent. No extra expenses for me."
Heh heh heh.
Poverty breeds ambition, causing a burst of laughter, filling the lab with a lively atmosphere.
"Don't laugh. The first rule in my research institute is saving. Every penny must be spent where it's needed!" Möbius emphasized seriously, no longer the terrifying figure that rumors portrayed.
"Well, Dr. Möbius, can you help out? I remember you're a Fused Warrior." Nuwa complained, placing the files on the table, only to accidentally knock over a cup of milk tea, spilling it everywhere.
Möbius looked at the wet floor, her expression softening. "Nuwa, you want me to help? And when did you secretly buy milk tea? What happened to the punishment?"
"Uh... I'll go grab a cloth!" The girl turned and ran, only to crash into the corner of the desk, crying out in pain.
This fool. When will she ever be reliable?
Möbius covered her face, a small smile peeking through her fingers, as she pushed away the influence Ryan had on her.
This atmosphere made her happy, and she began to understand Ryan words from the East:
That so-called sensation of being alive.