"Doctor..."
"Yeah, I'm in, little one."
"…Doctor, my brother is no longer here."
Klein reminded her helplessly... Although talking about this at this time might make Mobius unhappy, this fact is unavoidable, and Klein must say it.
"Ah... well, let's just leave it at that."
Mobius paused for a long time before nodding. She did not dwell on this topic too much. She looked like she did not want to admit it and wanted to avoid the facts, which made Klein sigh.
"Just tell me what you want to say, Klein… Of course, if it's just some trivial things they brought up, or if Elysia asked you to pass on some weird ideas, forget it. I don't have the heart to deal with those."
"…It's Dr. Mei. She wants to speak to you privately about her findings, and…Doctor."
Klein pulled out a piece of bubble wrap from her pocket and handed it to Mobius.
"If you feel unhappy, just relieve some stress... I have a lot of them here, always ready. If you feel unhappy, just tell me, Doctor."
"...Um."
Mobius shook the bubble wrap in her hand, glanced at it casually, and then put it aside. She had no intention of pinching it... But she still nodded at Klein and showed a smile that was no different from usual, but with a slightly dangerous hint.
"You are really getting more and more used to your position, Klein~ It seems that the little guy has trained you very well~"
"Doctor..."
"Okay, I won't tease you anymore... As for Mei, what did she want to talk to me about?"
"It seems to be about the Honkai beasts that have evolved before. Maybe Professor Mei has discovered something again."
Klein guessed so.
"...oh?"
Mobius raised her eyebrows, and a beautiful arc appeared at the corner of her mouth.
"Then it seems we have to meet... Where? When?"
"Dr. Mei said she has an experiment to do later, so she will come to see you at three in the afternoon."
"Okay, then I'll wait for her here... Oh, by the way, Pardofelis."
Mobius turned her head and looked at Pardofelis, who was squatting in the corner and drawing with Griseo.
"I'm here, I'm here! Doctor, what do you want me to do?"
Hearing the words from the master of the laboratory, Pardofelis carefully put down Griseo in her arms, patted her head to signal her to stay still and play by herself first, and then ran to Mobius quickly with her clothes stained with a lot of blue paint, waiting for her instructions.
"Take this report to Vill-V, and then go tell Mei on the way. I'll expect her this afternoon."
Mobius stuffed a stack of documents into Pardofelis' arms and told her what to do next.
"Okay! I promise to complete the task!"
Being very experienced in this, Pardofelis hugged the documents tightly in her arms. After confirming that Mobius had no other instructions, she bowed politely and then ran out of the laboratory quickly, bringing up a gentle breeze.
As for the contents of the document? Pardofelis didn't care. She wouldn't read it... she couldn't understand it anyway.
She just needed to follow the instructions and deliver the message to the designated person.
…
Meanwhile, in the engineering department, Vill-V and other colleagues are working hard... Right now, they are completing a brand new "Divine Key."
The scorching temperature turned the entire engineering department into a furnace. Everyone inside was sweating profusely, but the sweat evaporated and disappeared in a flash, leaving only the feeling of heat.
With every breath, you can feel the fiery heat, and sparks fly, as if they are sucked into the respiratory tract along with the air, making it feel like even breathing is painful.
Chapped lips make people want to lick them from time to time to moisten them with saliva, but after doing so, they find that even the saliva in their mouths has become scarce, and it has become difficult to secrete saliva as if as long as they open their mouths slightly or stick out their tongues a little, the remaining saliva in their mouths will be instantly dried up.
But no one present complained about it, and no one even looked distressed. The only expressions on their faces were surprise and excitement.
And their emotions became more and more intense as Vill-V performed a certain operation on the side, causing the "Divine Key" in front of them to change its form, and the heat around them quickly subsided.
When the sword blade made purely of fire and energy disappeared, leaving only the hilt, and then successfully separated into two guns, and the scorching temperature also completely disappeared, everyone couldn't help but cheer.
"Ha! I told you! This design is a piece of cake for me!"
Vill-V picked up the pair of guns, struck a few poses in a funny and cool way, and said proudly.
"In this way, a 'Divine Key' with the main function of controlling fire is completed!"
"This should be able to deal some damage to those things in the sea. After all, it is fire, and they should be very afraid of it."
"They were very resistant to the 'lights' of the Irine team before. This kind of physical flame should be more effective, right? What's more, this is essentially the movement of molecules. If it extends outward, the destructive power will be terrifying."
"No matter what, this weapon has been made. Hmm... maybe we can use it to explore the ocean? At least we can deal with the Herrscher in the sea to a certain extent, right?"
For a moment, the place became noisy again, but this is just part of daily life, so it doesn't matter.
"But who should use this weapon?"
A man suddenly asked a soul-searching question.
"After all, when it is truly unfolded, the heat and flames it brings are simply not something that ordinary people can withstand..."
"We just placed it there without directly using its power. If it were really released... that kind of high temperature and energy would probably burn the holder to death, right?"
"If we only use the dual guns in this 'weakened form' to fight... it would be better to switch to regular high-powered weapons."
"..."
This question really stumped people.
"Why not... give it to those 'armed puppets' that Dr. Einstein is researching? After all, they are made of 'Soulium', so they should be able to withstand this level of high temperature, right?"
"Don't say that. Dr. Einstein had thought of using 'armed puppets' to replace frontline combat personnel. At least they had to assist in combat... Oh my god, in the end, I didn't expect that those 'armed puppets' actually became conscious and turned from weapons into people. I heard that they protested several times, saying that they didn't want to become consumables in war."
"…What do you mean by robot awakening? But this has already involved the level of mechanical life, right?"
"Who knows? Anyway, the 'Armed Doll' itself is also powered by Honkai energy. Maybe this situation happened because of Honkai energy? Well... I can only say that it is really worthy of Honkai energy."
"So how did you deal with it in the end? I've been working on that terrain-changing machine lately, trying to change the terrain of the coastal areas. I don't have time to pay attention to these things... Can you tell me about it?"
"Deal with it? It hasn't been dealt with yet. Dr. Einstein is negotiating with the higher-ups. Let's see how to deal with those 'armed puppets' in the end... But in my opinion, either leave them alone or discard them. After all, those puppets don't want to go to the battlefield. Forcing them to go is useless and will only hinder the war."
"Besides that... the 'Armed Doll' technology will most likely be sealed. After all, since this has happened, there is no need to invest resources in this project."
"Hasn't the top management ever thought about persuading those puppets?"
"I have tried. It was because they were unwilling that Dr. Einstein went to negotiate... Besides, if I asked you to go to the battlefield and die, would you do it?"
"…If I have to, I don't mind."
"Tsk, you are very conscious."
The man curled his lips.
"I don't really want to do this anyway. My life is precious. If I can realize more weapons and designs, I can save more people... I can't die."
"Just brag, no matter how powerful you are, can you be more powerful than Vill-V?"
"...You are being ridiculous. How can I compare myself to her? If I compare myself to her, I will be looking down on her!"
"You are so shameless..."
As that person said these "self-deprecating" words as if it was a matter of course, the others also cast contemptuous looks at him at the same time.
"Alright, relax everyone... This weapon has already been chosen, so there's no need to worry about the user."
Vill-V, who had already placed the two guns in the designated container, spoke up.
"It's Kevin. He will hold this weapon... Later on, we'll have to rely on him to be the main force in the fight against the Herrscher in the sea."
"Kevin... that's true. His own [ability] is related to ice and snow, so it should be able to offset the high temperature of this weapon. But... is it really okay to let someone else use it?"
Someone asked this.
"Will the top management agree? After all, the previous 'Hibernation of All Things' has never been officially used. Now... even if the top management asks us to make this weapon, will they really use it?"
"Yes."
Vill-V's tone was as confident as ever.
"They will definitely agree."
She seemed to be making some kind of prophecy for the future.
"Oh, right... I just happened to put the name on it, so that others wouldn't call it by some messed up name."
After saying that, Vill-V wrote "The Seventh Divine Key: Holy Judgment of Shamash" on the report.
"OK, what's next... huh?"
Vill-V was just about to continue with the next task, but she suddenly frowned, realizing that someone seemed to have come to visit the Engineering Department... She moved her fingertips slightly, picked up the device in her hand, opened the door of the Engineering Department, and brought the visitor to her.
"Wow, Sister Vill-V, it feels so magical every time I come to your place..."
Standing obediently on the mobile plate, Pardofelis looked around curiously, but she quickly retracted her gaze and took the initiative to hand the documents in her hand to Vill-V.
"This is the document the doctor asked me to give you."
"Oh... so that's why you came here, Pardu."
Vill-V looked through the documents and noticed some familiar encrypted messages, so she nodded happily and said with a smile.
"I feel like you're almost like a messenger with all the back and forth you're doing~"
"Hey, there's nothing wrong with that. I'm just running errands for the doctor. That's what I'm best at!"
Pardofelis patted her chest and said with a hint of pride.
"Okay, the documents have been delivered. Next, I have something to do with Dr. Mei... Ah, Sister Vill-V, could you please send me out?"
"You can walk out by yourself, right? The route here isn't very complicated anyway."
"…Sister Vill-V, swear that you won't change the route. If you swear, I will go by myself."
"I don't!"
"..."
"Haha~ Okay, I'll take you out."
Vill-V seemed to be in a good mood. After laughing twice, she used the device to input instructions and sent Pardofelis back to the door.
Then, Vill-V smiled again and flipped through the documents in her hand.
"Brother, you're ready. Hmm... I just happened to be ready too. I guess I'm still pretty punctual~"
Vill-V muttered to herself in a voice that only she could hear, and then she picked up the container containing the "Holy Judgment of Shamash" and seemed to be preparing to go out.
"Then... it's time to negotiate with the Fire Moth. Otherwise, if we miss the deadline, the situation will be very bad."
"I can't do a bad job of showing my part in this scene…"
…
"Tell me, Mei, what new discoveries have you made?"
In the afternoon, Mei arrived on time in Mobius' laboratory, and Mobius sat leisurely in her seat, speaking slowly with her usual smile.
"Dr. Mobius, before that, I would like to ask...what is your opinion of these Honkai beasts?"
Mei's tone was full of seriousness, even faintly questioning.
"How do I see? I see with my eyes and with instruments."
"Dr. Mobius, I wish you to stop joking."
"How else do you want me to answer? You know me well, so you can naturally come up with my own answer. If that's the case, why did you specifically ask me?"
Mobius slowly turned her chair and turned herself toward the table, while reaching out and pulling out a special container that looked like a test tube from not far away.
"Do you still want to hear me say it myself?"
Mobius gently shook the container in her hand, showing Mei the "thing" inside.
Inside was a blue substance that looked like some extremely viscous liquid, but also like living moss, constantly climbing and spreading on the inner wall of the container.
"Look, Mei, this creature, this Honkai beast... How beautiful and powerful it is. Even though its body is dead, its remains are still able to move... No, it is not dead at all, and is even gradually recovering over time."
Mobius's gaze remained on the container, on the "thing" inside it.
"Not only that, even if there is only this little remnant, it seems to have its own consciousness. If it finds that the surrounding environment is not right, it will adjust itself and 'evolve' to adapt to the current situation and environment... Don't you think this is great?"
"Moreover... as long as enough energy, sufficient Honkai energy, even if there is only a little bit of its body left, it can be restored to its original state, just like... me."
Mobius narrowed her eyes slightly, and her snake-like tongue gently stretched out and licked her lips.
"No, they do even better than me. They can even preserve the organs and even certain postures that they have deliberately 'evolved' to adapt to the environment, instead of just returning to their original appearance... They are always moving forward and 'evolving'. Don't you think this is beautiful?"
"...Dr. Mobius, I remember that 'Fire Moth' has warned you not to conduct dangerous experiments in private."
Mei frowned. Mobius's answer was not beyond her expectations, but judging from Mobius' words...she seemed to have achieved some results.
"I know, so I haven't done any dangerous experiments. All my experiments are done within the safety limit, and my conclusions are based on this."
Mobius slowly put the container back in place while casually answering Mei's questions.
"As for your concerns, I also understand... Don't worry, I know very well what can be done and what cannot be done, and I also know very well what I want."
Mobius turned her pupils, which were identical to those of a snake, and looked at Mei.
"You can put aside your worries, and ask them to put them aside as well... Although I am excited about the characteristics they have shown, I will not do anything out of line because of it."
"I hope so."
Mei did not comment on this.
"Hehe...Okay, tell me, what is your real purpose, Mei?"
"...I found that their remains were emitting a kind of pheromone. I still can't figure out the specific content, so I wanted to ask you. After all...you have focused on studying this type of Honkai beast before."
"Oh~ this, you brought it here, right? Let me see it."
Mei handed over the documents she was carrying.
"...Mei, inform the people above... No, forget it, I'll go with you."
Mobius was silent for a while, then spoke with a serious expression.
"Let them be alert. These remains are just a cover. The pheromones they emit are for marking. There may be big movements in the sea in the near future."
Mobius stood up first and walked out... Obviously, the situation was very urgent, so urgent that Mobius chose to walk out of the laboratory and find the people from "Fire Moth" to explain the situation.
"..."
Mei, on the other hand, followed Mobius in silence, her gaze on her gradually slowing down.
'The information I deduced was correct... and there was nothing wrong with Mobius' attitude... It seemed like I could rest assured for the time being' Mei thought to herself.
"...Um?"
Before leaving the laboratory, Mei subconsciously turned her head to look in the direction of Griseo and made a somewhat puzzled sound.
"Dr. Mobius, come to think of it... during the previous [Sleeping Sickness] incident, Griseo was affected, right?"
"That's right. Blanca was like that before, but... fortunately, Griseo did not feel any discomfort, and the same was true for Blanca."
"Is that so..."
Mei glanced at Mobius, who turned around and noticed the smile on her lips... Mei didn't know whether it was a smile she had before she turned around or a smile that appeared after she turned around and saw Griseo.
But thinking carefully about Mobius' attitude towards Griseo, Mei felt... it should be the latter. After all, Mobius still cares about the people she likes, especially a child like Griseo.
Moreover, the report submitted by Irine's team seemed to mention Griseo, and it seemed that she was found in an area very close to the sea. It can be said that Griseo almost got into trouble in the [Sleeping Sickness] incident... but fortunately, she was rescued in time.
'In that case... then there shouldn't be any problem' Mei looked at Griseo again, or rather the painting that Griseo was drawing, then retracted her gaze and left quickly with Mobius.
rustle—
As for Griseo, she just sat obediently in Pardofelis' arms, slowly applying color with the brush and then painting on the canvas.
On the canvas, there is a vast ocean, with azure and dark blue as the main colors. In addition, there are dark rain clouds... and on the side of the picture, there are rocks and cliffs.
It seemed that Griseo was describing a coast, and judging from the lighthouse-like building on the cliff, this seemed to be a coastal defense area.
Afterward, Griseo dipped the paintbrush in some white paint and used the brushstrokes to outline the shape of the waves on the cliff, depicting the waves hitting and washing the cliff.
Then, Griseo paused for a moment, as if she was thinking about how to paint next... But it seemed that she had no inspiration, or she was simply tired, and Griseo slowly put down her paintbrush.
"Are you tired, Griseo? Do you want to take a nap with me? Ah... But it's already afternoon, so we can have dinner after a short rest."
Pardofelis rubbed Griseo's little head and asked in a light voice.
"No need, Sister Pardu..."
Griseo shook her head and stared at the painting in front of her in a daze.
"It's Brother Nozomi..."
"...Um?"
"Brother Nozomi... is coming back."
"Ah?"
Pardofelis didn't quite understand.
"Brother Nozomi is coming back..."
Griseo's tone was very calm, yet it also contained a hint of excitement.
"Very soon, right away..."
Hope you enjoy~