Chapter 89

"Okay, okay, don't worry, I'm still very friendly to children."

"Then, I will send someone to your place to take those children away immediately. Remember not to do anything underhanded, Cocolia, the 'Alliance Leader'."

After saying these words, Gray Serpent deliberately severed its contact with Cocolia.

Meanwhile, the Jackal gave the Gray Serpent a cold smile.

"Gray Serpent, you're actually planning to take those brats in? You don't really think Cocolia cares about their lives, do you?"

"Haha, how could someone who uses adopted daughters and sons for human experiments care about the lives of the children?"

After saying that, the Gray Serpent spoke to the Jackal.

"If we don't ask that woman for something, she'll start to feel something's wrong."

"This woman is brainless in some ways, but when it comes to scheming and plotting, she is very sensitive to details."

"If I don't ask her for something, she'll definitely think we're not serious about working together and will definitely try to sabotage us in the dark."

"Although we are not afraid of Cocolia, it's not a wrong choice to pay money to avoid trouble if it can be avoided with a little money."

"A bunch of brats..."

At this moment, the Gray Serpent, wearing a mask, spoke in a very regretful tone.

"They are not suitable to be my experimental subjects."

"Alright, stop thinking about making use of waste materials and continue preparing for the Stigmata Plan."

After making a few calculations, the Gray Serpent spoke to the Raven and the Jackal.

"The internal split of Anti-Entropy is inevitable. And according to the intelligence I've gathered, some people within Schicksal have reached their limit of dissatisfaction with Otto."

"If we can get in touch with him, then as long as we can obtain a gem and the Abyssal Eye, the return of the Venerable Lord will be inevitable."

"After the Venerable Lord returns, we won't have to be so passive anymore. By then..."

"—The entire world, guided by our World Serpent, will defeat the Honkai."

Schicksal Headquarters - Third Research Institute

Inside the Third Research Institute, an elderly man with not much white hair was deep in thought as he looked at the data report in front of him.

"Um, this person..."

"Just call me Maki."

At this moment, Dr. Mags, the chief scientist of the Third Research Institute, looked at Lin Yu's medical examination report and asked Lin Yu a question.

"Did you experience any abnormalities after receiving the HSN Serum injection?"

"It's strange... I can't quite describe that feeling."

Thinking back to the feeling he experienced when he received the serum injection in Changkong City early yesterday morning, Lin Yu felt he couldn't describe the sensation.

"I feel a little... weak? Well, I guess I can't really say weak."

"In short, after I used about 20% of that serum, those Honkai Beast didn't want to approach me anymore."

"And what about the remaining 80%? Can it calm down the Herrscher of Thunder?"

After saying those words, Dr. Mags looked at the other vial of serum beside her and felt that something was amiss.

HSN Serum is a serum developed by Dr. Mags after her granddaughter Rin died due to the failure of the artificial Herrscher experiment.

After witnessing her granddaughter's death, Dr. Mags felt that her past sins were too heavy, so she approached Otto and applied for the development of this serum.

To Otto, he claimed that he developed the serum in order to weaken the power of Honkai Beast and Herrscher, so that the Valkyrie of Schicksal would have a higher chance of winning against Honkai.

But only Dr. Mags knew that he wanted to inject the completed serum into the Valkyrie so that after they lost their powers, their physical condition would be adjusted to that of an ordinary person.

Admittedly, doing so would indeed cause the Valkyrie power.

However, the Valkyrie's power has already been shortened to varying degrees due to the Artificial Stigmata. If the Valkyrie could lose those powers, they could naturally regain the lifespan they were meant to have.

Once Dr. Mags learns that her actions have been exposed, Otto will certainly not let it go.

However, he had already begun planning to contact potential buyers and run away with the gems.

The reason he hasn't fled yet is mainly because his serum development project is not yet finished.

Otherwise—only a fool would want to see Otto's punchable face.

As for Dr. Mags's current doubts about her own conclusions, the answer is quite simple.

He developed the serum, and he certainly knew who this concentration of serum could target.

Even a single injection wouldn't completely neutralize the power within A-rank Valkyrie, let alone the Third Herrscher is far stronger than A-Class Valkyrie...

Haha, let alone suppress it, it's more like tickling an itch.

"The serum is one of the reasons why the Herrscher of Thunder calmed down, but it is not the main reason."

At this moment, Lin Yu activated his (Cold Face) ability and spoke to Dr. Mags without changing his expression.

"The main reason was that Mr. Siegfried Kaslana was fighting with the Herrscher of Thunder and even used the Flame-Chaser's Judgment to injure her, which gave me the opportunity to use the HSN Serum to deal with the weakened Herrscher."

"Otherwise, with your syringe... it would be disintegrated the moment it hits the Herrscher of Thunder."

"Ha, that makes sense."

After nodding slightly, Dr. Mags wrote down Lin Yu's words.

It seems my dosage calculation was correct. In that case, I don't need to worry about the serum being too strong and killing the Valkyrie.

The next step is to consider mass production and how to persuade the Valkyrie to use these serums.

Sigh, Lin...

Looking at the young man before her, Dr. Mags, recalling her granddaughter, suddenly revealed a bitter expression.

If you were still alive, you might also want to meet the man who could defeat the Herrscher.

After all, you are so kind, and you so willing to dedicate your strength to fighting against the Honkai.

"That..."

Looking at the old man who often seemed lost in thought, Lin Yu asked cautiously.

"If there's nothing else, may I leave now?"

"Young man, sit down."

Looking at the boy before him, Dr. Mags gave Lin Yu a kind smile.

"As the hero who will resolve the Third Honkai Outbreak, you don't need to be so anxious."

"You've already worked very hard; you can definitely relax a little."

No, no, no, old man, you're mistaken. I have no desire to work hard at all.

I simply don't want to get too involved with you, a traitor who will inevitably betray the organization—lest Otto think I have ulterior motives because of our good relationship.

Your brain is definitely good at scientific research, but your brain in other areas...

Why did you have to go and cooperate with Cocolia, someone who bombed Changkong City? I have no idea how you could have such an stupid idea.

"And besides..."

Looking at the report in front of her, Dr. Mags continued.

"The values from your physical exam do not match the values in the organization's database."

"Minor differences in physical attributes don't matter, but in terms of Honkai Energy resistance, your resistance is much higher than that of ordinary agents and some Valkyrie."

"It's obvious that your sworn sister has done a lot behind the scenes to keep you in line—she even modified your data."

Hearing these words, you felt a moment of emotion.

She changed my data just to make me feel safer— Rita cares about me, so I'll forgive her for those little things!

It's not that you're angry, it's that your narration says I'm angry, but I'm not actually angry.

[I should definitely be gentler with this kind of older sister in the future, even in that area... hehehe.]

I don't want to talk anymore.

Seeing Lin Yu remain silent, Dr. Mags was not annoyed, but simply patted Lin Yu's shoulder gently.

"Perhaps you think fighting the Honkai is important, but as someone who's been through it, I have to give you some advice."

Cherish the people in front of you, and don't regret it later because you've taken a foolish action.

"... I understand, Doctor."

Seeing Lin Yu get up, Dr. Mags said to Lin Yu.

"Don't worry too much about your sister. Modifying an agent's data isn't a big crime, especially since she's one of Bishop Otto's favorites."

"Bishop Otto ... ha, that guy isn't too harsh on his favorites."

He would do that, at least when it's not necessary.

"Understood. Well then, I'll take my leave."

Watching Lin Yu leave, and recalling his expressionless demeanor, Dr. Mags was already used to these young people wearing that expression within Schicksal.

Many of the members within Schicksal are vengeful spirits who joined Schicksal after losing their families due to the Honkai, seeking revenge against the Honkai.

Dr. Mags has seen far too many vengeful spirits like Lin Yu, who are single-mindedly fighting against the Honkai.

Even more heinous than himself, he personally exploited the vengeful hearts of those young people, causing them to commit irreversible acts.

Looking back now, I realize that the reason Lin died in that experiment...

—No matter how you look at it, this is the price I paid for my sins.

I'll be patient with Otto for a while longer. Once the serum is in mass production, I'll find a chance to run away with the gems.

Once I, a key figure in the Artificial Herrscher Project, left the organization with the Artificial Herrscher Project's core items—the three gems— Otto...

—At least this will save a few A-rank Valkyrie from being harmed.

After leaving Dr. Mags's sight, Lin Yu proceeded to the next location according to the itinerary.

After waking up yesterday, Lin Yu originally wanted to leave the Schicksal Headquarters as soon as possible.

However, at that time, Otto stated very decisively that Branch Leader Theresa was not yet in a good condition, and that there was no need for him to leave in a hurry. He suggested that Otto could go to the Far East Branch with her later.

And today, the person who invited Lin Yu to meet was none other than Theresa Apocalypse, who had already awakened and adjusted her condition.

After gently knocking on the door, Lin Yu heard a "Come in" and then turned the doorknob.

Inside the room, Lin Yu looked at Theresa, who had changed into a nun's habit, and couldn't help but admire the Black Abyss White Flower's strength and power.

In the original story, Theresa, who was knocked out by Yuno 'Herrscher's Poison, developed a high fever afterward and needed Yae Sakura to use her Stigmata to suppress the poison.

Theresa, who hasn't obtained that Stigmata, is still alive and kicking, which is clearly because the Black Abyss White Flower is indeed powerful.

"Lin Yu —is it alright to call you that?"

Now fully awake, Theresa looked at Lin Yu, who was expressionless, and spoke softly to him.

"Thank you for saving me."

"I wouldn't dare, and saving Branch Leader Theresa on the battlefield is what I should do."

"... You're so boring."

At this moment, Theresa looked at Lin Yu, who was expressionless, and said to Lin Yu with a hint of helplessness.

"You were quite appropriate with me when you were scolding that child before."

"Relax, relax. I don't want to treat my savior like a subordinate."

"However, I will be a student at the St. Freya Academy in the future. If I am too presumptuous, I feel that it will affect Branch Leader Theresa's reputation within the academy."

Even though you slack off at work and embezzle public funds, I can't be too lenient with you while I have to maintain my public image.

Otto was able to find out what the Far East Branch had done so quickly, which means he must have planted more than just Fu Hua as a backup plan.

Not to mention Fu Hua, I even think that Otto watches the surveillance footage from the Far East Branch every day at high speed.