You Have a New Job (Continued)
"It's so hot, it's unbearably hot! Why is it so hot this year?"
At the local Anti-Entropy factory, department managers are inspecting the factory's operations. Some people are pulling at their collars as they walk to alleviate the stuffiness of walking through the un-air-conditioned area.
"There are hot seasons every year, but this year it's come too early. It's said to be due to the major battle in the Mariana Islands, which forcibly disrupted atmospheric circulation. In short, this summer will be exceptionally long, and the winter will be exceptionally cold. Be prepared for disaster relief; you know our principles."
"Isn't the Red Queen keeping an eye on things?"
"Then we need to be on high alert. Hmm, I'm thinking of writing a draft disaster relief plan when I get back and submitting it; there might be a reward."
"I really envy your youthful mindset. I just hope that one day I won't be reported for having some problem and then the law enforcement team will come knocking on my door."
"If you don't do anything wrong, you don't need to worry so much. At least so far, the Red Queen has been fair and reliable, and Lady Cocolia is also keeping an eye on things."
The group chatted about recent events, walked through the factory area, and then saw the tram returning at the gate.
"I must say, compared to the base's higher-ups who responded with nothing before, they are much stronger now. I remember the suggestion to provide return tools to improve efficiency was submitted just yesterday, right?"
"Stop nagging, let's talk inside. It's so hot outside, hurry up... wait a minute, why is it suddenly so cool? This place shouldn't have air conditioning, right?"
"Click!"
"Boom! Boom! Boom!"
The sound of machinery operating could be felt by everyone through the slight vibrations of their feet on the ground.
"It's the Titan Legion!"
"Why would the Titan Legion stationed at the base be mobilized? And even fighter jets?"
"Snow, it's snow, it's snowing from the sky, how is this possible?"
"The Red Queen? The Red Queen, what on earth happened!?"
The response they received was not from the car or the factory's audio equipment, but from a police siren that echoed throughout the entire base.
"Beep—"
The highest level of alert—a voice etched in the hearts of all members of the Anti-Entropy working here.
That means Honkai has occurred, and it's happening nearby, the most dangerous kind, enough to destroy a city.
"Warning! Warning!"
"All combat personnel, all combat personnel, all combat personnel, combat orders will be issued in one minute. Please remain steadfast in your mission."
"Non-combat personnel shall enter the nearest shelter or vehicle/equipment and be subject to unified protection and allocation."
"Warning! Warning..."
The Red Queen, or in other words, the AI management system Anqi, repeated commands in a cold, childlike voice.
There was a moment of silence, and then the people who had practiced beforehand began to move about in a hurried but orderly manner.
"Boom!"
The mighty Titan Legion emerged from underground, above ground, in jungles, and in high-rise buildings, row upon row, converging into a gray-black torrent of steel, silently and heavily marching toward the metropolitan area.
In the sky, countless fighter jets, drones, floating weapons and other technological creations covered the sky, blocking out the sunlight, and rushed towards the city like a flood.
At the same time, in the Anti-Entropy Base, or rather the entire city, extreme cold air enveloped everything, ice crystals grew in countless places, and thick snow covered everything.
"Gah~~"
On the other side of the distant sky, Otto had just picked up the black tea that Amber had brewed, taken a sip, and revealed a serene smile.
The beacon has been fully integrated into the Chikai Ichijo, and the startup of the Zero Rated Power is just around the corner.
Otto knew it wouldn't be long before he could peel back the last layer of mist and accurately see the end of the five-hundred-year journey.
"Bang!"
"Mr. Otto, something terrible has happened!"
It was quite unusual to see Yae Sakura forcefully push open the door, her face showing a hint of impatience.
Otto gave a gentle smile.
"Take your time, there's no rush. What happened, Sakura?"
"Eastern Europe... Great Honkai has occurred in Eastern Europe. In a very short time, it has become comparable to the energy that the Herrscher of Thunder unleashed in Changkong City."
"Ah, the Herrscher."
Otto turned his head to look at the blue sky outside the window, his face showing a blank expression of disinterest.
He had already completed the puzzle; all that remained was to follow the predetermined steps.
He has absolutely no interest in things like Herrscher or Herrscher Core right now.
"Furthermore, almost at the same time, a similar level of Great Honkai reaction also occurred in North America... Herrscher are about to be born, and there are two of them!"
"What?"
Otto put down his teacup and sat up straight.
This news is quite interesting.
This is unprecedented. Even with a six-core Sirin, she is still essentially a Herrscher. Two Herrscher appearing simultaneously, across countless eras—this is probably the first time this has happened.
Then, he leaned back again, picked up his teacup, and continued with his indifferent expression, seemingly unconcerned with worldly affairs.
"Yes, it's quite novel to have two at once."
But he'd really seen enough Herrscher already, and they weren't of any value to his plans. He only had one Delta under his command, so he had absolutely no interest in her.
"Mr. Otto, cheer up! Don't act like you've just been playing 'Kallen Fantasy' for three days and three nights and are now completely exhausted and in sage mode! The world is waiting for you to save it!"
"Pfft!!! How did you know..."
"Kallen Fantasy? Please, we're in the internet age now. Even if you force the game company to change the settings, you can still find things like 'Final Boss Yae Sakura Strategy Video' by searching."
"..."
Otto's eye twitched, and he mechanically turned his head to look at Amber. On the flawless lower half of her small face, he caught a few pixels of a smile playing at the corners of her mouth.
"Ahem! Let's not get into those digressions. The issue of the Herrscher is not to be taken lightly. Yae Sakura, listen to my command!"
"Yes!"
"I order you to take three elite Valkyrie squads and head immediately towards Eastern Europe. I will have Delta provide support. You must ascertain the situation on the ground as quickly as possible, and once Delta joins you, eliminate the Honkai threat in one fell swoop!"
"Yes! Then, shouldn't we inform Durandal and Senior Fu Hua? And what about North America..."
Yae Sakura asked hesitantly.
Otto shook his head.
"North America is a problem of Anti-Entropy; they'll naturally ask for help if they can't handle it. But if we forcibly intervene before they ask, that's a different matter. In short, let's ignore it for now. Just like the Titan Legion wouldn't land in Eastern Europe before we asked, that's an unspoken agreement. There's no time now; we can discuss other issues later. Go to the rocket launch tower first; Amber will make the arrangements with the Valkyrie squad accompanying you. Depart immediately!"
"Yes!"
At Otto's stern command, Yae Sakura, in a very Valkyrie, pounded her chest in salute and then ran off quickly.
"Phew~~"
Having finally managed to get away with it, Otto wiped the cold sweat from his forehead.
Then he turned his head and looked at his trusted secretary with a forced smile:
"Amber!"
"You didn't say you wanted to erase online traces."
"Ha?"
"It doesn't say that Sakura-sama must be prohibited from accessing related information."
Amber spoke with righteous indignation, displaying a cold expression without the slightest hint of guilt.
Otto had been watching her for a long time, but he had no way to deal with Amber. Not to mention that she now possessed the method of using Yae Sakura to persecute the Archbishop, which made things even more hopeless.
Amber's lips curled up a few pixels more.
"Speaking of which, is this enough, Lord Otto?"
"Huh? What did you say?"
"The arrangements for suppressing the Herrscher."
Amber spoke in a clear, melodious voice.
Otto, however, sensed the worry about Yae Sakura.
He smiled contentedly, then sipped his tea and said:
"Times change quickly, but my Schicksal hasn't changed either. When dealing with Joyce, I had to go into battle myself, and finish her off with the fission bomb. When dealing with Sirin, the only cards I could use were Cecilia, codenamed 'Herrscher Killer,' and my old friend who was barely clinging to life. Now it's different. Herrscher are nothing. I have plenty of cards to play, so there's nothing to worry about."
"It would be safer to recall Durandal or Lady Fu Hua."
"But there's no need. Durandal needs to protect K423, which is far more important than a mere Herrscher. As for old friends... she never liked the pitiful and hateful Otto Apolcalypse anyway, so let's save the little bit of kindness for when it's more needed. Taking this opportunity to examine what Delta is hiding, and letting Sakura familiarize herself with her new power, is also a worthwhile gain."
"Yes."
Seeing that Otto had made up his mind, Amber respectfully lowered her head and then prepared to go out to summon the Valkyrie squad that would serve as a supporting role.
"Ring ring~~"
Just then, the archbishop's private phone suddenly vibrated on the table, ringing pleasantly.
"Hey, old friend, is there something you need from me all of a sudden... Ah? But I'm already... Okay, okay, but you'd better hurry, or I can't guarantee anything. Even the safety of Europe has to Schicksal first, don't you think?"
After hanging up the phone, Otto still had a bright smile on his face.
"Amber, the insurance you requested has arrived. Can you relax now?"
"Lord Otto? But didn't you say we should save on favors?"
"This isn't about expending favors, it's about lending favors; the situation is different now. Hmm, Herrscher born from an old friend, hehe, this is going to be interesting!"
The unprecedented simultaneous appearance of two Herrscher, Delta's personal possession, and Fu Hua's Herrscher... so many interesting things have come together.
Now, even Otto, who had previously been indifferent, had no choice but to sit up straight and focus intently on the entire process.