Dojo

Changkong City, somewhere

Throughout this area, the Honkai Beasts and Meele that should have been running rampant all lay sprawled across the ground.

Though these creatures could be said to have died the moment they were corrupted by Honkai Energy, seeing them lying motionless on the ground was still chilling.

If the people here had not all been elites from the special organization Anti-Entropy, the mountain of corpses and sea of blood before them might have scared them too badly to move.

"Lady Cocolia!"

Inside Anti-Entropy's temporary base, a researcher held a report, adjusted his glasses, and addressed the superior before him.

"Based on the information you provided, we did indeed detect a massive Honkai Energy surge near Senba Academy in Changkong City."

"If your deduction is correct, Raiden Mei, the Third Herrscher implanted with the Conquest Gem, should already have awakened."

"Mm. Thanks for the effort."

After accepting the report from her subordinate, Cocolia, an Anti-Entropy executive, examined it.

Some time ago, Cocolia had manipulated her colleague Raiden Ryoma into carrying out Project Mei.

Following that plan, Raiden Ryoma implanted the Conquest Gem into his daughter, Raiden Mei.

Then Cocolia seized the opportunity and framed Raiden Ryoma, getting him arrested on the spot.

Because of that incident, ME Company publicly announced that Raiden Ryoma had been arrested for economic crimes.

After accomplishing this, Cocolia immediately became the de facto leader of Anti-Entropy's reformist faction and ME Company.

For the sake of her plan, Cocolia had sent her other adopted daughter, Bronya, to infiltrate Changkong City.

At the same time, she had used the Conquest Gem inside Raiden Mei as a catalyst to directly trigger the Third Honkai Outbreak.

According to her plan, once Raiden Mei had completely become a Herrscher, Cocolia only needed to capture her to obtain the activated, complete core of the Third Herrscher—the Conquest Gem—and use it as the core powering the Moonlight Throne.

And judging by the situation, at least the first stage of her plan had already...

"Hmm???"

However, upon seeing the report in her hand, Cocolia's expression immediately darkened as she looked at the researcher before her.

"A massive amount of Honkai Energy, something only the Herrscher of Thunder could possibly unleash, disappeared from Senba Academy two minutes later?"

"What does that mean?"

"Th-this... it means exactly what it says."

After being glared at by Cocolia, the researcher immediately pulled out a handkerchief to wipe the cold sweat from his face and hurriedly explained.

"Lady Cocolia, we did detect a massive surge of Honkai Energy that appeared to indicate the Third Herrscher's awakening. But it did not last long before disappearing."

"As for where the Herrscher of Thunder is now... sorry, we are unable to track her..."

"Useless trash!"

After hearing the researcher's words, Cocolia slapped him away on the spot.

Cocolia had originally been an Anti-Entropy operative with a military background. Even though she now held a high position, that did not mean her physical abilities had weakened much.

That furious slap sent the researcher flying. After rolling four or five times, his eyes rolled back and he fainted on the ground.

"Didn't I tell you to make sure the crystal chips were implanted during Raiden Ryoma's operation?"

Having vented her anger, Cocolia glared viciously at the other researchers like an enraged lioness.

"Th-they failed, ma'am!"

Like prey caught in a predator's sights, the researchers immediately dropped to their knees and scrambled to defend themselves.

"The electromagnetic field around the Third Herrscher was far too powerful. Once she awakened, it directly molecularized our nanocrystal chips."

"It wasn't a failure of ours. There was nothing we could do!"

"A bunch of good-for-nothings!"

After kicking that researcher away, Cocolia immediately connected to a secret communications channel.

"Bronya? Have you completed the infiltration?"

"Yes. Bronya is ready, Mother."

Hearing the utterly flat tone through her earpiece, Cocolia felt a sharp pang in her heart.

But she quickly suppressed those feelings and continued issuing instructions in an indifferent voice.

"Good. I'm assigning you a new mission now."

"Prioritize your own safety while searching for Raiden Mei. The moment you find her, notify me immediately."

"Yes. Bronya will definitely complete the mission, Mother."

After saying that, the girl on the other end of the line took the initiative to cut off communications.

Cocolia glanced at the subordinates around her and said irritably,

"Don't just stand around either. Everyone, move out!"

"Changkong City has already drawn Schicksal's attention. We have to bring the Third Herrscher back to Anti-Entropy before those Schicksal bastards arrive!"

That night

After escaping from Senba Academy, Gu Yu, guided by the local Raiden Mei, found somewhere to stay along with Kiana.

Ever since Raiden Ryoma had been framed, many people who should not have been there had appeared near the apartment Raiden Mei rented.

Therefore, Raiden Mei brought the two of them to the place where Raiden Ryoma had secretly met with her before his arrest—the Beichen Yidao-ryu Dojo.

"Come in. There shouldn't be any Meele here."

After looking around, Raiden Mei quietly stepped into the dojo.

"Hey, this place is clearly pretty nice. Why is there nobody around..."

"Alright, Kaslana, let's not talk about that right now."

The moment Kiana spoke, Gu Yu immediately noticed a subtle change in Raiden Mei's expression.

Then he remembered something.

This dojo was where Raiden Mei had learned swordsmanship from her master, the Homu Sword Saint—who was also her father.

After her father was arrested, Raiden Mei had discovered the Homu Sword Saint's true identity because of the mascot costume inside the dojo.

Though some time had passed since Raiden Ryoma's arrest, Raiden Mei was still an underage girl.

Even if Kiana had saved her heart, she could not possibly forget that wound so easily.

If Kiana, that little girl who could not read the room, kept talking, Gu Yu was somewhat worried...

—Raiden Mei, who had suffered such severe stimulation today, might not be able to take it.

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