Fighter jets roared; numerous helicopters landed nearby; the headlights instantly illuminated the village.
Ryan was momentarily stunned. This was perfectly timed; he'd just been about to call Elysia, and she'd arrived. If he didn't know her, he'd suspect a plot.
"Hey, hey, hey! I heard you talking; it's impolite to ignore people."
The comms volume increased; Ryan blinked, then put the phone to his ear.
"Hey, it's too noisy here. Wait until I find a quieter spot."
As he walked, he gestured to Himiko, who took charge of the scene. Ryan headed towards the large crater in the village.
"Alright, what is it?"
"Nothing. I just called to congratulate you. I heard you defeated Adieto; you saved me the trouble." Elysia's voice was cheerful; she answered her own question. "I was supposed to be on leave, but I came to Japan for reinforcements, so I owe you one. Dinner's on me next time."
Ryan's lips twitched; he muttered a curse. Using satellite communication just to congratulate a friend was… so Elysia.
"Uh, thanks."
"We're friends; don't be so formal. Besides…"
"Besides, I want to ask why your leave is so long—over a month."
Silence hung on the other end; Ryan could almost see the pink-haired girl racking her brain for an excuse.
"Oh, don't ask. I was helping eliminate Honkai in Shenzhou; it wasn't because the food here is so delicious." Elysia's tone was coaxing, seemingly possessing a magical ability to dispel any resentment.
"I guess you're busy. I won't bother you then?"
Unexpectedly, she said this; Ryan faintly heard a voice in the background. "Miss, your face is cooking."
This Elysia; so unpredictable.
Ryan rubbed his temples, quickly calling out. "Wait! I have something important to ask."
"Important?"
In a noodle shop in Raitei City, Shenzhou, Elysia held the phone between her shoulder and ear. She clicked her chopsticks, looking at the chili-laden noodles and swallowing.
"Ryan, can you hurry? I'm busy."
So busy, huh?
Ryan bit his lip, speaking directly. "You defeated the second Herrscher."
"Yes. I dealt the final blow." Elysia skillfully used chopsticks, lifting noodles to her mouth and blowing gently. "The battle report is in the database; don't think I'm boasting."
"I'm not questioning you." Ryan took out some rations, chewing. Hearing her chatter, he felt a touch of sadness. "I want to ask about the Herrscher's attributes and how you managed to defeat it using inferior force."
Elysia's eyes flickered; she understood Ryan's request. She wouldn't refuse a friend's plea; she answered while eating.
"Herrschers are Honkai's Apostles. You can consider them manifestations of certain laws. When I defeated the second Herrscher, she could manipulate Imaginary Space, using it for evasion, counterattacks, and movement. That's why she's called the Herrscher of the Void."
Ryan nodded silently. The order of appearance determined the Herrscher's attributes or powers. For instance, the first Herrscher, the Herrscher of Reason, could create objects using Honkai energy based on her understanding of their structure, like an alchemist.
Honkai energy was the foundation, equivalent to MP, determining the power and durability of abilities. On top of this, there were various abilities. For instance, Adieto could condense it into blades.
Above abilities were powers—Honkai manifested in specific ways, altering physical laws; basically, rules.
"Even with the same amount of Honkai energy, using a power could easily increase power several times over. That's why Herrschers are so formidable."
"&%#%+*."
"Finish eating first!"
Elysia quickly swallowed, then replied with a laugh. "That's not all. Each Herrscher's appearance brings massive Honkai disasters, and they control various Honkai Beasts. It's like a boss in a game with elite troops and minions."
"Your explanation is vague. I've seen the report on the defeat of the first Herrscher. Fire Moth used massive casualties to deplete its Honkai energy; several people drained its mana before delivering a final blow."
"It was a tactic, but the casualties were horrific. Do you know why they defeated the first Herrscher?"
"Isn't that what I'm asking you?"
"Alright, alright. Don't be so impatient. Herrschers have weaknesses. As apostles, they are strong in energy and power, but their bodies are their weakness." Elysia finished her noodles, resisting the urge to eat the soup. "Even though Honkai energy strengthens their bodies, they aren't invincible. Destroy the body, and the Herrscher Core, and they're done."
Right. Herrschers are human-based; like me. Honkai energy enhances the body, but it can't make flesh withstand nuclear weapons.
Ryan stroked his chin, noticing a blind spot. Herrschers weren't divine beings and couldn't transform into blades; breaking through the Honkai energy defenses would damage their bodies.
It sounded simple, but the difficulty lay in countering the powers and breaking through those defenses.
"You… intend to fight the third Herrscher?"
Elysia's voice sounded hesitant, cautionary.
"I know the gap is huge, but the opportunity is here. I can try." Ryan mused that he had an advantage; he knew the third Herrscher her powers.
Information was key to preparation. Using foresight against unpreparedness; even Mei could only wait for the Herrscher's appearance, using massive casualties to gain intel. The world's laws were countless; theoretically, each one could become a power.
"Trying it might mean your death."
"Don't be so blunt. Was it difficult fighting the second Herrscher?"
"Very. I almost died. That's why I'm warning you."
Her tone was light, yet didn't sound like a lie. Ryan's question was intentional; he wanted to confirm something:
Elysia was still growing, or rather, reclaiming her authority? She still didn't know she was the Herrscher of Origin.
He didn't remember when she'd reach her peak, only that she'd perish instantly upon doing so.
"Why the silence?" Her cheerful voice returned, along with her quick wit. "But I'm glad you're motivated; we have another comrade to save the world!"
"I'm not as noble as you; I'll save those close to me first."
"Don't be so pessimistic. There's a saying in Shenzhou: 'When poor, one only worries about oneself; when rich, one governs the world.' Achieving that makes you a hero~~~"
'When poor, one only worries about oneself; when rich, one governs the world?'
Ryan repeated the phrase. Elysia's tone was light, yet the underlying meaning was profound.
"Understood."
"I was just joking. You took it seriously! How about calling me sensei?"
So she's pushing her luck now.
Ryan's eyes twitched. He didn't know why, but conversations with Elysia always made his blood pressure fluctuate; he now understood Mobius's feelings.
"Just kidding! Don't be angry. What else do you want to ask after I finish here?"
"Are there many people following you?" Ryan had a purpose.
"Oh, I don't care. They can watch whatever they want; I've never hidden anything. Thanks for your concern, though."
This nonchalant attitude made Ryan give a thumbs-up. Fire Moth's higher-ups had always been wary of Elysia; they constantly investigated, studied, and monitored her.
But that was understandable; they didn't know her background like Ryan did. After all, Elysia was… a gift from the heavens.
Since she didn't care, he wouldn't overthink it; his tone turned teasing. "Everything settled? I heard slurping sounds."
"It was nothing. I'm going now. I look forward to fighting alongside you."
Before Ryan could respond, Elysia hung up, patting her chest as if reassuring herself, then cautiously glancing around.
If he gossips, Mobius will call me fat again. Although…
She patted her stomach, fully reassured. She was just a little chubby.
"Boss, three more bowls of large intestine noodles, extra scallions."
"Coming right up!"
Thousands of miles away, Ryan also hung up. Elysia was truly unique; no matter how dangerous the situation, she always found happiness. How should one describe it?
Joyful world-saving.
He looked at the crater, the hundreds of soldiers, the Honkai Beast corpses being loaded onto special trucks, and the cleanup crew spraying specialized chemicals.
The remaining Honkai energy would soon dissipate. Except for the ruins, it would be as if nothing had happened.
'When poor, one only worries about oneself; when rich, one governs the world…'
I initially just wanted to survive, deliberately isolating myself. Even approaching Kevin and the others was self-serving.
Ryan chuckled self-deprecatingly. Interacting with others always led to mutual influence; like walking down a road, one was shaped by the surrounding scenery, particularly vibrant scenery like Elysia.
"Whatever. I'll do what I can; at least it doesn't contradict my initial goals."
Adieto's death had significant implications. First, it fueled illusions in Fire Moth's higher-ups; they were probably in an emergency meeting.
Second, his reputation would soar; previously, only Elysia could defeat an Emperor-Class Honkai Beast alone.
Finally, he'd taken another step towards his future.
"I've made the threads of fate even more tangled, but the timing is good. Once the third Herrscher arrives, the conflict with Honkai will be the main focus."
He changed into a fresh combat suit, walking forward, seeing Kevin holding a container of instant noodles.
"Eat faster. Once you're done, we're leaving."
The plastic fork paused mid-air; Kevin blinked. "Leaving? Where to?"
Ryan didn't waste words; he crouched, grabbed the fork, and ate a mouthful with relish.
"Naturally, we're going to clear out all the Honkai in Japan!"