Clear Conscience

Outside the city of Mullstein, the military base of the Mu Continent.

Lionel calmly watched the king's somewhat gloomy face on the screen, and once again issued his orders, proceeding with the next deployment. "Hen, prioritize the recovery of the experimental subjects from Mullstein City. Then, the Armed Doll Black Abyss Unit and the Heavenfire Force immediately enter Mullstein City. The Black Abyss Unit will search for the Ninth Herrscher, Annal, and the Heavenfire Force will suppress the Ninth Herrscher's Companion Honkai Beast."

The king stared at Lionel for a while before finally saying, "Lord Lionel, your performance lately has been increasingly disappointing."

Lionel remained silent.

The king's gaze passed over Lionel and landed on Brian behind him, Brian bowed slightly.

Then the king cut off the communications.

Brian looked at his superior, who had his back to him, and tightened his grip on the token. He couldn't help but ask, "Commander Lionel, if you do this, what will happen next...?"

"No matter how this situation turns out, I will resign afterward. I might... no, I should say I will definitely face a military court." Lionel's tone was quite calm, without the weariness Brian had expected, only tranquility.

Brian opened his mouth. The meaning behind the king's look was very clear: he was urging him to take over command of Lionel. However, Brian hesitated.

Although he felt that Lionel was taking the Honkai too seriously, it was within his understanding. After all, Lionel's excellence was undeniable, and excellent people are always prone to getting stuck on minor details and making a mountain out of a molehill.

However, the current situation is not suitable for changing generals on the eve of battle. Moreover, this is the first time that Mu Continent has fought against the Herrscher head-on, while Lionel has commanded battles against the Herrscher before. Therefore, it would be very unwise to take out the token and replace Lionel at this time.

The Fire Moth has forcibly intervened in this Herrscher extermination campaign, but that doesn't mean the Mu Continent will cooperate with the Fire Moth. Even Brian finds the act of implanting the Herrscher Core of Herrscher of Reason into a little girl's body for Pseudo-Herrscher experiments quite despicable.

Moreover... the King's repeated actions of bypassing Lionel and directly issuing orders to Hen were inherently procedurally flawed.

"Brian, you are the adjutant I promoted myself, and I acknowledge your abilities. If command is transferred to you, even if something unexpected happens along the way, I believe you can handle it." Lionel said, turning and walking past Brian, picking up the combat equipment that was placed to the side.

"Lord Lionel..."

"You don't need to hide the token you're holding anymore. After tomorrow, I won't have the chance to command operations anymore." Lionel said calmly as he methodically put on his Honkai -specific combat gear. "Since I can no longer continue, this position... must be filled by someone else."

When did you arrive...?

"I knew from the beginning." Lionel lowered his eyes. "But... I never thought His Majesty would have this intention... Lord Brian, the command of the troop operations on the outskirts of Mullstein will be handed over to you."

"And you, Commander Lionel? Where are you headed?"

"I am always a soldier of the Mu Continent, and naturally I will fulfill my duty as a soldier of the Mu Continent." Lionel put on his equipment, looked at Brian, and said, "I will personally lead the Black Abyss Unit to subdue the Ninth Herrscher. I swear on the honor of the Mu Continent, I will bring back the Herrscher Core of the Ninth Herrscher. I entrust the command to you, Lord Brian. Can you do it?"

Brian stared blankly at Lionel. He suddenly realized that anyone could doubt Lionel's stance, but he alone could not, and he absolutely could not doubt Lionel.

Yes, how could he think that way... As Lionel's second-in-command, wasn't he the one who saw Lionel's every word and action the most?

He personally oversaw and repeatedly reviewed the combat methods of the Armed Doll troops and the coordinated operation between the Armed Doll and soldiers. Lord Lionel had been diligently fulfilling the task that His Majesty the King had given him when he was recalled from the Fire Moth.

Brian was certainly grateful to His Majesty the King for raising him from a commoner to a high-ranking official, but he was also grateful to Lord Lionel for trusting him and promoting him. After all, while Lord Lionel's position as his adjutant would certainly be His Majesty's eyes and ears, it might not necessarily be him.

Lionel possessed the arrogance of a noble family from the Mu Continent, but he never held prejudice against those with talent.

No... not only could he not doubt, but even if it was disrespectful to say the thought out loud, Brian believed that the King should not doubt Lord Lionel either.

Brian Lionel saluted and said, "I will obey your orders, Commander Lionel. I will certainly not fail your trust. Well then... I wish you good fortune in battle."

"May the glory of the Mu Continent endure forever." Lionel clenched his right fist and placed it on his heart.

Just like when he first joined the army and swore an oath to the king on the podium.

"May the glory of the Mu Continent last forever," Brian said, but at that moment, a slight wavering arose in his heart.

He watched Lionel depart. When Lionel decided to personally go to the front line against the Herrscher, Brian already knew the commander's thoughts and fate.

Lord Lionel... is prepared to defend his dignity and honor as a soldier of the Mu Continent with his life, even though the king no longer trusts him, he is willing to choose death to prove his innocence.

He has never betrayed Mu Continent, nor could he ever.

Brian recalled that when he accompanied Lionel to inspect the well-organized Black Abyss Unit and Heavenfire forces, he had asked Lionel why he worked so hard. Lionel simply replied, "To be true to myself, to be true to the Mu Continent, and to be true to His Majesty the King."

I've heard that Lionel was allowed to enter and leave the palace by the king since he was a child, and he practically grew up under the king's watchful eye...

If that's the case, then Your Majesty, why do you question Lord Lionel, whom you've watched grow up?

Brian withdrew his gaze, stopping his wandering thoughts. He was the Present the commander of the outer garrison of the Mullstein the Mu Continent, and he didn't have much time to think about these things.

This is a responsibility entrusted to him by a soldier, and he must fulfill it.

The Mu Continent Palace.

The king slammed his hand heavily on the desk. Although the video communication was interrupted, he could still hear the conversation inside the military camp, including the conversation between Lionel and Brian.

"What is he thinking? Does he even know what he's saying?!" the king muttered through gritted teeth. "Personally leading the campaign against the Ninth Law, then handing command over to Brian... Are you trying to protest me, Lionel?! Do you even see me as your king?! You think you... are wronged, huh...?"

After saying this, the king took a few deep breaths to calm himself down. He felt the Present even breathing was becoming increasingly difficult, a feeling that constantly reminded him that he was getting old and probably couldn't sit on this throne for much longer. But what could he leave for his children?

It is a court where ministers constantly quarrel over their own interests, and a Fire Moth that can now rival the Mu Continent.

He didn't think he had done anything wrong. He was the king of this country, the one who held supreme power, but... why did things turn out this way in just a few short days? The Fire Moth, an agency under the United Nations, was gradually gaining power and could challenge the authority of the Mu Continent. Beifengge, whom he had personally promoted, rebelled at the drop of a hat. Even Lionel, whom he had watched grow up, had learned to disobey him...

He intended to groom Lionel as a regent to assist the next king, but he later discovered that Lionel was too stubborn and outstanding, stubbornly believing in what he thought was right, and not putting the king's interests first. Such a minister... he worried that his children would not be able to control him and would instead be restrained by him.

Moreover, Lionel has always been unusually attentive to his half-sister, Rovoc, who is the Present leading a project within the Fire Moth Rovoc has refused to return to the Mu Continent. Furthermore, Beifengge is his close friend; he shouldn't be unaware of Beifengge's betrayal...

Moreover, and most importantly, Lionel's attitude toward the Fire Moth was rather ambiguous; he never wanted to completely break with the Fire Moth.

His own thoughts and actions were not wrong. Even though there were so many doubts about Lionel, he still allowed him to continue to serve as the highest person in charge of the Honkai Organization. Wasn't that a demonstration of his trust in him? It was just that the simulated law experiment was too complicated. In order to ensure that there was no possibility of leakage, he bypassed Lionel and took the lead directly.

Isn't that normal?

What is Lionel complaining about? What is he protesting?

The king was unaware, or perhaps he was aware but unwilling to admit it, that he had long lost the sharpness and pride he possessed when he first ascended the throne. Time had eroded his ambition, to the point that the Present he only wanted to maintain the status quo, indulging in the glory he had once created, becoming suspicious and distrustful. After being "tricked" by Mobius, "betrayed" by Beifengge, "rejected" by Davien, and then "disobeyed" by Lionel, he the Present felt that everyone was challenging his authority and questioning his commands.

"I am still the king of this country... I was the one who pushed for the establishment of the Fire Moth, and I promoted Beifengge and Lionel. If I can push for the establishment of one Fire Moth, I can establish a second one. This continent has never been indispensable to you..." The king muttered to himself as if to prove that he was right.

He looked down at his palm again, then made a fist. "Only what you hold in your own hand is truly safe. Even without Lionel, without Maple, the Honkai... isn't necessarily that intimidating. By now, Augustus should be there."

Mu Continent Honkai Observation Center.

Dr. Einstein stared intently at Captain Leander of the Royal Guard standing before her, and after a long pause, she spoke, "Captain Leander, what brings you here with the Royal Guard? Or does His Majesty have some decree that you need to convey in person?"

Leander glanced around the observation center, his gaze finally settling on Blanca and Griseo beside her. He then chuckled and said to Dr. Einstein, "It's nothing. His Majesty the King feels that this campaign involves too many things and is too important. To avoid unnecessary trouble, he sent us here to take a look and gather more detailed intelligence before submitting it."

"Is that so..." Dr. Einstein said thoughtfully, his gaze sweeping over Blanca and Griseo in a subtle way. "Then we can only leave it to you."

Einstein couldn't understand why the King would send the Royal Guard here at this time. However, considering the situation on Lionel's side, the King probably harbored some suspicion towards everyone the Present, or more precisely, towards everyone who hesitated to obey his orders.

The so-called gathering of more detailed intelligence was just an excuse. Leander's real purpose was to monitor Griseo and Blanca, putting pressure on Hen from the other side. In addition, based on the intelligence analysis obtained so far, the Fire Moth Fusion Warrior who were detected entering the Mu Continent were led by Feng. Feng was the first to Mullstein. Other Fusion Warrior such as Elysia, Lilith, Kevin, etc. also broke through the outer defense line of Mullstein set up by the Mu Continent and entered Mullstein not long ago.

While those who appeared were indeed the top combatants of the Fire Moth, one of them, Kosma, was nowhere to be found...

The king's move was partly to put pressure on the Scars, and partly to guard against the unseen Fusion Warrior suddenly attacking the area and forcibly taking Blanca and Griseo.

After all, even Lionel could be suspected, so even if Hen wasn't keen on participating in the power struggles, his past experiences and relationship with the Fusion Warrior Fire Moth would inevitably lead to suspicion about his stance, especially since the Present of the pseudo-law experiment were in Hen's hands.

"Your Majesty... perhaps you really are getting old..." Dr. Einstein sighed softly to himself. "Hmm?"

Suddenly, Einstein noticed something was wrong with the internal network of the Mu Continent. An IP address from a research institute was frequently accessing some of the Mu Continent's research projects and data. Because he had been paying close attention to Mullstein's frontline situation, he hadn't noticed this anomaly.

This was clearly an internal hacking attack...