Cocolia, We Can't Rely on Taixu Mountain!

"It has been launched and is now in full operation. It will be available in 30 seconds."

"Then tell me, where exactly is my Gem of Serenity? Is it the Titan, the escaped fighter jet, or is it still in headquarters at all!"

Amber did not respond, but watched the signal search system start-up progress bar, and quickly located the gemstone signal once it was usable.

"Found it. The energy reaction appeared 180 kilometers to the southeast, coinciding with the trajectory of the fleeing unit."

"So, the Titan BT attack was a feint?"

Otto stroked his chin, his anger still burning, but his mind had completely calmed down.

After a moment, he narrowed his eyes and said:

"Amber, do you believe it?"

"Lord Otto, I..."

Amber hesitated, unsure how to respond. Everything had happened so fast; she'd been running around like a headless chicken under Otto's orders and hadn't had time to think things through. But based on her previous intelligence analysis of Cocolia, that bold yet meticulous woman certainly didn't seem like the type to act rashly.

"I don't believe it. Execute the destruction order, wipe out both sides, then search the seabed!"

Otto made a decisive decision.

The Titan who swaggered away with the fake Magi might actually be doing the opposite, carrying the Gem of Serenity in the real world.

The flying unit that escaped during the chaos of the pursuit carried the energy signature of the Herrscher Gem. Otto initially suspected it was a decoy, but he couldn't rule out the possibility that it was also a psychological tactic, and was actually the real thing.

But perhaps both sides are fake, and the gem is actually still at headquarters, waiting for things to calm down before being moved. Or perhaps the gem has already left headquarters, but has gone via a more covert route?

Otto couldn't tell. It had nothing to do with strategy; it just came too suddenly.

"It seems that this grand inspection has been a lucky accident. The entire Schicksal clan needs a thorough clean-up."

Regardless, Cocolia's ability to extend her reach to Schicksal Headquarters is undeniably skillful. However, it also reveals the loosening of Schicksal structure.

(Stan & Yae Sakura: "Achoo!")

He had initially been indifferent to Durandal's actions, but now it seemed he needed to take them seriously. His plan had reached a crucial stage nearing completion, and at this juncture, the seamless coordination of those within Schicksal was of paramount importance.

Otto considered it for a moment, then set aside that thought for the time being and instead gave the order to Amber:

"Seal off the headquarters port. Until this is over, no one is allowed to leave Celestia except for those who enter. Have people search every corner that Magi might have come into contact with. If the gem is still there, find it for me."

After Amber bowed respectfully to accept the order, Otto flicked his sleeves, put his hands behind his back, and walked out of the command room.

The next step is to contact Rita lives far away in St. Freya.

Otto didn't hold out much hope that he could find the Gem of Serenity along these routes.

What is certain is that no matter how the gem was taken away, it would eventually end up at the East Sea Base, and through Cocolia's hands, be delivered to her laboratory.

Therefore, keeping a close eye on everything at the East Sea Base is crucial.

"Cocolia, you executed the raid very cleverly, but can you handle what happens next?"

Otto sneered, ready to elevate Cocolia from the "interesting" list to his death list.

At the same time, at the East Sea Base, the setting sun slowly sank into the sea through the floor-to-ceiling windows of the restaurant.

"The way to celebrate~~"

"I'll be waiting~till we make it~~"

Cocolia sat in the afterglow of the setting sun, swirling the hot water in her cup, leaning lazily against the soft chair, her beautiful eyes filled with a dreamy look, humming a soft and gentle melody, elegant and beautiful, like a masterpiece exuding an artistic aura.

Chen Tianwu, who had been invited to the dinner party, moved the IV drip bottle beside him and whispered to Xing next to him:

"Is Lady Cocolia always like this?"

"Oh, do you think it sounds bad, or doesn't look good?"

"No, no, no, very elegant. Rumor has it that many people in the base have secretly written love letters to her, and it's true."

"What?! Is that true? They want to be our fathers? Who are they?"

Xing's nonchalant expression changed, and a fierce glint appeared in her narrowed eyes.

Chen Tianwu chuckled awkwardly and remained silent.

That's how it is in single-parent families; children can have all sorts of attitudes toward their elders' marriages and relationships, which is not surprising.

But considering Xing's temper and destructive power, and to prevent any deaths in the base, Chen Tianwu decided to stop the conversation and started coughing while holding the portable IV stand.

"Cough cough cough!"

"Tch! Pretentious!"

Xing pouted, too lazy to watch the little lovey-dovey Theater between Chen Tianwu and Chen Tianwen, and instead walked over to Cocolia was humming a song.

"You're in a good mood? You can even shake a glass of water?"

"... Don't you know why I'm shaking plain water instead of red wine?"

"You're getting a year older every year, and Mom will be thirty soon. They say that when you reach middle age, you should put goji berries in your thermos. I'm already being very considerate by not putting goji berries in yours. Red wine? Dream on!"

Anzu crossed her arms, glanced sideways, and looked down on Cocolia with disdain for her lack of self-awareness.

At this age, still sitting in an office all day, working overtime and staying up late every day, and if other aspects of her health aren't good, Xing suspects that in a few years she, the beautiful single mother, will age prematurely.

"Cough!"

Cocolia choked, then the alluring filter shattered, and like a brat whose embarrassing past had been exposed, she shouted:

"I'll always be as young and beautiful as eighteen, I don't need goji berries or beauty products!"

"That's just something to fool outsiders. Why are you trying to impress your daughter? Don't panic. I've prepared a complete skincare plan. I won't let you become a haggard, out-of-shape woman so quickly."

Anzu's expression softened, and she stroked Cocolia's head with a look of pity.

Cocolia felt a vein throbbing on her forehead; her process of sorting through Maki's memories had been completely disrupted.

But there's nothing I can do. I can't bear to hit or scold my precious daughter. Besides, she's providing for me now, so I feel guilty if I criticize her.

At the next table, Chen Tianwu watched as Cocolia looked aggrieved as Xing patted her head, then looked at Chen Tianwen, Rosaliya, Liliya, and Ninti, who all seemed used to it, and smiled contentedly.

That's fine.

In this way, even if he eventually dies in that experiment, Chen Tianwen will have a good ending. He will die without regrets and won't be afraid of being spanked by his parents in the other world.

"Ring ring~~"

Just then, the slightly shrill sound of a communicator echoed through the restaurant.

Cocolia raised her hand and glanced at it.

"Gray Serpent, huh? It certainly has a keen sense of smell!"

But before she could answer, another communication request was sent to her phone. It was a signal from North America, undoubtedly a greeting from the three elders of Anti-Entropy.

Cocolia smiled, knowing that the new show had finally begun, and those who were supposed to be her partners were starting to appear one by one.

Chapter 185 Cocolia, Great Void Mountain is unreliable!

"Cocolia, I'm sorry to bother you at this time, but I heard that Schicksal and your Iron Pilot had a lively chase in front of Schicksal Headquarters..."

On the other end of the communication signal, flanked by his superior, Skyfire, and colleague, Jackal, Gray Serpent carefully considered his words before politely asking:

"Excuse me, but did you take anything from the headquarters of Schicksal?"

"Well, it's nothing, just a little trinket, not worth mentioning."

Cocolia drank her water and smiled dismissively.

The degree of cooperation with allies represents the effectiveness of Gray Serpent's work.

Therefore, under the gaze of the Skyfire and the scrutiny of the Jackal, the Gray Serpent felt a kind of workplace pressure. He coughed lightly, exuding the calm aura inherent in a cyborg life form, and said composedly:

"It must be the Gem of Serenity."

It's actually quite easy to guess. Cocolia is searching for, the item that would make Otto go to such lengths—the only thing Gray Serpent could think of is the Gem of Serenity stored at Schicksal Headquarters.

Cocolia responded with a disdainful eye roll.

"None of your business."

"Ahem! Mom, there are children around, watch your language."

Xing clenched her fist and put it to her mouth, her face stern, and reminded him without looking away.

As the eldest daughter in the family, in addition to taking care of her younger sisters' basic needs, Xing was also responsible for their manners, upbringing, and family environment.

Although, sometimes the one who speaks most elegantly and gently is actually the eldest sister herself.

Cocolia glared at the disrespectful housekeeper, stood up, took the communicator to a corner, and then coldly sneered without any embarrassment:

"Let's be frank, everyone. I know you can probably guess what I took, but I advise you not to try and take it from me. I know there's something fishy about the X-10 experiment, but as far as the results are concerned, it did bring the hope I needed. For that, I genuinely consider you an ally, and I've never owed you anything. But this time..."

"I understand. Jackal has analyzed the experimental data you recently shared with us. If we use a Herrscher Core as a test subject, you might actually be able to obtain a perfect solution to Honkai Sickness. I completely understand your determination, but the question is, can you stop Otto?"

Gray Serpent tried to use a tone of consultation with a friend when raising the most crucial question.

If Otto gets serious, the East Sea Base seems to have no chance of resisting.

"Cocolia, if the target is an item of the level of the Gem of Serenity, your leader can't intimidate Otto, and your Ninti and Iron Pilot Yu's column are even less effective. You need help."

"Your reward is giving me the gems, and then I'll just consider it all for nothing, right?"

"Don't get agitated. We're allies, and everything can be discussed. Of course, I won't forcibly take your gems. What I mean is, we can cooperate to resist Schicksal, and then allocate the right to use the gems according to our respective contributions. The Herrscher Core isn't that fragile; it can withstand the use of both of us."

The Gray Serpent remained calm and composed, subtly demonstrating its confidence and self-assurance.

As long as Lord Skyfire draws his sword, everything will be alright.

Gray Serpent, even with his mask on, knew that Cocolia had undoubtedly invested a tremendous amount of effort in planting the nails at Schicksal Headquarters and forcibly taking the Gem of Serenity. Meanwhile, all he had to do was trouble Lord Skyfire to go out and intimidate Otto; he didn't need to do anything else, essentially getting everything for free.

This wave of World Serpent is pure profit.

Cocolia looked hesitant, and after a moment's hesitation, she said:

"Great Void Mountain owes me a great debt of gratitude for Ji Lin and the Book of Cang Xuan."

"Cocolia, do you really expect Great Void Mountain to help you succeed?"

"Is Great Void Mountain unreliable?"

"Of course they can't be relied on! They've been working with Otto for much longer, and now you're hoping to use personal connections to get them to stand up to Otto? Don't get yourself into trouble."

The Gray Serpent patiently and skillfully coaxed him.

Cocolia became increasingly hesitant.

"If I can't rely on Great Void Mountain, who can I rely on? You?"

"Yes, me, us!"

"I'll use the gems first. I'll only use them for experiments. Once the experiments are done, I can give them to you directly. That's my condition."

"No problem!"

The Gray Serpent replied decisively.

To reiterate, this World Serpent is pure profit, and we absolutely must take it!

So Cocolia says now is what it is.

As for who will ultimately own the gem, we'll find out when we see Skyfire's sword.

The Gray Serpent was full of confidence.

Cocolia, looking relieved, smiled and raised the glass of cool water in her hand:

"Gray Serpent, chatting with you makes me feel so open and cheerful. Do you know why?"

"Why?"

"Because our hearts are pure, there is no scheming or backstabbing; we are all sincere."

"Yes, yes, it's all from the heart!"

Gray Serpent raised his wine glass and toasted Cocolia from afar.

After the call ended, both of their expressions changed.

Gray Serpent: "Hmph! Female fox!"