Standoff / Suffering Here, Reunion There

The cloaked man somehow repaired Lin's body and even reinserted the Pseudo-Herrscher Core into his body.

With the suppression gone, the Pseudo-Herrscher Core began to clash with his consciousness once more. Logically, Lin should have been unable to hold on and could transform into a new Herrscher at any moment, but another unexpected thing happened—

The cloaked man not only stuffed the Pseudo-Herrscher Core back into Lin's body, but also stuffed the Herrscher Core from the Oath of Judas into it as well.

Yes, Lin now has two cores in his body, just like the Herrscher of the Void he encountered in the World Bubble.

However, this Herrscher Core did not erode Lin's body and consciousness, and the Herrscher consciousness within the core remained unmoved, existing within Lin's body as if it were just an ordinary gem.

However, one must be careful that the Herrscher consciousness within the Pseudo-Core does not reappear if it is stimulated, as it could be troublesome if it were to control the Herrscher of the Herrscher Core like the Herrscher of the Void did.

So now they're in a strange stalemate. Even though Lin was just one step away from being devoured by the Pseudo-Core's consciousness, and even had two cores in his body, he was still able to maintain his original consciousness.

However, it remains to be seen how long this situation can last. Once the Pseudo-Core's consciousness finds an opportunity, or the Herrscher Core consciousness awakens, Lin will instantly transform into Herrscher capable of destroying humanity.

After briefly considering his situation, Lin got up and walked in one direction.

As dawn broke, Lin finally arrived at what appeared to be a gathering place.

He looked up at the house with its three entrances exposed to the wind, and then, recalling the ruins he had seen at the beginning, fell silent.

Lin could imagine the impact the sinking of the entire Mu Continent would have on human society.

For many, the impending doomsday is likely meaningless.

Let's check first to see if we've survived the Tenth Honkai War.

"It's finally over."

Dessidobia breathed a sigh of relief, having completed another task.

"Well, we can go back now." Even the usually stern Kosma showed a faint smile. Although they hadn't found the strange Tenth Herrscher, thankfully nothing major had happened afterward.

"Kosma, let's have a get-together after this is over."

Dessidobia gave a complex smile, a mixture of melancholy, nostalgia, and sorrow... Kosma saw all of this, but he didn't know how to comfort his childhood sweetheart.

Everything has changed. Since the Ninth Honkai War, everything has been different.

People who once gathered together and laughed have unknowingly changed; some have become the names of cemeteries, while others have become more indifferent and solitary.

It was as if the warmth of that day was just an illusion.

"When the time comes, Kosma, you'll have to come with me to choose a gift. This time, it's all up to you."

The girl felt incredibly happy just thinking about choosing a gift and giving it to her friend.

She wanted others to remember her, so that no matter what she became or where she was in the future, they would think of her when they saw the gift.

Transcending time, it has only transformed into a wisp of longing, lingering in their hearts.

"Me?" Kosma scratched his messy hair sheepishly; asking him to choose a gift was really putting him in a difficult position...

"By the way, how's your harmonica practice going? Hehe, come and play for me."

Dessidobia's quirky smile made Kosma smile slightly. Sometimes he felt very tired, and when he heard the news of Hen and Lin's deaths, he felt as if a knife had pierced his chest.

He could do nothing but commemorate and remember.

Kosma took out the slightly damp harmonica, put it to his lips, and gently played it.

Dessidobia hummed a little tune, closed her eyes, leaned on Kosma's shoulder, and listened to his playing. Gradually, she relaxed.

In a Honkai world, even a moment of peace is precious.

Chapter Seven: Standoff

"Griseo, call her Mobius, sister."

"Aunt Mobius."

"It's Sister Mobius..."

"Grandma Mobius."

"..."

Mobius waved her hand expressionlessly, letting Griseo play by herself. She was in a good mood today and wouldn't hold it against her, but she was determined to find out which guy taught Griseo to shout like that.

Klein and Danzhu, who were not far away, couldn't help but cover their mouths and chuckle. Every day, Mobius could make them tremble with just a flick of his eyebrow. No matter who came to this laboratory, they would tremble at the sight of Mobius. However, she couldn't do anything about the innocent Griseo.

"Klein, come here."

Klein had originally planned to tease Griseo with Danzhu and the others, had no choice but to come over after hearing Mobius's order.

"What's wrong, Doctor?"

"You were with Griseo yesterday, weren't you?" Mobius glanced at Griseo, who was sitting in a chair, her expression vacant, and beginning to draw. "Has Bianca been here?"

"Huh? Now that you mention it..." Klein paused for a moment, "It seems that Senior Bianca has indeed never come to see Griseo."

Mobius's heart skipped a beat, and she asked again, "Did Griseo go back to sleep last night?"

"No, she slept in my room."

"I understand, you can go ahead and get busy."

Mobius showed little emotion. After briefly giving instructions, she left, sat in her mode of transportation, and walked coldly down the corridor to Bianca's room.

Who was Bianca to Mobius?

... No, it's not really about who he is. If everything needs to be defined by relationships, then Bianca is just a former assistant director who has been with Mobius for a period of time that is neither too long nor too short.

Mobius once admired Bianca. In her opinion, if it weren't for that bastard Hen who tricked Bianca away, Bianca would have reached the same level as Mobius. Moreover, Bianca had helped Mobius a lot, and even her personality suited Mobius's taste very well.

More importantly, Bianca recommended Klein to her laboratory, and for that alone, Mobius would forever remember the kindness of that family.

Among those who could understand her, Klein was one, Bianca was another, and that bastard... well, he was half a bastard too.

It's ridiculous, isn't it? Mobius actually used words like "favor" and "gratitude"—probably the only time in her life she ever did.

There was no wind in the corridor, but she felt a chill seep into her collar.

A narrow passageway, infinitely long, stretching as far as the eye can see.

Even if the road is a kilometer long, you will eventually reach your destination.

Mobius arrived at Bianca's room. She gazed at the room, which now had a new door, raised her hand, and knocked.

"Knock knock..."

The dull knocking echoed in her heart, each knock feeling as if it were striking her own heart.

This time, someone opened the door very quickly.

Bianca remained the same as before, her eyes somewhat vacant, and she seemed a little surprised to see Mobius arrive.

"Let me in," Mobius said calmly.

Bianca made way for her, Mobius steered the vehicle into the house. She walked to the center of the room before exhaling a thin puff of white mist. Looking at the family photo of Bianca on the table, the smile of the man she initially disliked was frozen in the picture, yet it evoked mixed feelings in her.

Before Bianca could speak, Mobius asked, "How did it go?"

"...fine."

"Did you spend the whole day in your room trying to calm yourself down yesterday?" Mobius smiled sweetly, like a real twelve or thirteen-year-old girl, without a trace of pretense.

Bianca nodded numbly. "Mm."

"Why don't you come and see Griseo?"

"... She's with the doctor, so I don't think we need to worry."

"Bianca, you're not like that." Mobius stopped smiling, lowered her head, pondered for a moment, then raised her head again. "I've always thought that if you hadn't left the lab and hadn't been so bound by useless emotions, you could have worked with me to find a way to evolve humans into more perfect beings. After all, you're someone who can understand me."

"But you're just like that idiot, you could have gotten the answer in the most rational way, but you still let your emotions control you."

A hint of confusion gradually rose in Bianca's eyes. She looked at Mobius with bewilderment, not understanding why she would suddenly say such a thing.

"When Hen took you away, I actually cursed Hen and 'love' to the bone, which made me truly realize that humans are still imperfect and that emotions still control our thoughts."

"So, I have only one question about why you didn't come to pick up Griseo or visit her yesterday." Mobius's serpentine eyes were like daggers, sharp enough to pierce through anything at any moment. "Did you suppress your emotions overnight?"

Bianca's confusion deepened. After hearing Mobius's words, disbelief filled her eyes, and her initial dullness gradually disappeared under the influence of these emotions.

"Doctor, but didn't you tell me to adjust my condition on my own? That's why I've been quietly staying in my room by myself." Bianca looked helplessly at the green-haired girl who was as dangerous as a viper. At this moment, she finally revealed her fangs and was truly the infamous "Mobius."

Bianca's thoughts, which had been stuck in a rut, started working again at this moment. Her reaction and intelligence were not bad, and she immediately understood what Mobius was thinking, "Doctor, do you think I am the Tenth Herrscher?"

"That's right."

Mobius answered without hesitation.

But in reality, after seeing the change in Bianca's expression, Mobius also hesitated.

There must be Tenth Herrscher in the headquarters of the Firemoth, and most likely more than one. It is unknown how Mei plans to arrange things, leaving these Tenth Herrscher unattended and not regularly checking everyone's Honkai Energy reactions.

Mobius believed that Bianca was very likely the Tenth Herrscher, and her unusual behavior had alerted her.

"But Doctor, isn't your thinking just wishful thinking that takes reason into account when emotion outweighs reason?" Bianca bit her lip. She looked blankly at the photos on the table, her gaze softening as she scanned the faces of Hen and Griseo in the photos.

"Will I necessarily do what you want...?"

"..."

Mobius looked at Bianca in silence. She knew all too well the look in her eyes; she could never be mistaken.

Clear and resilient, it has never changed even after leaving the laboratory.

"I..."

"Besides, I clearly visited Griseo, so why are you saying I didn't go, Doctor?"

"...What did you say?"

Chapter Eight: A Place of Suffering, A Place of Reunion

What is this world like?

"A flush toilet."

"..."

The green-haired woman's murderous gaze snapped the helmeted man, who had been idly joking around, back to reality. He changed his words and said, "A vortex."

"No matter when or where you escape to, you will be dragged back to the very beginning."

"No matter how strong you are, there will always be a moment when you see your most vulnerable self."

"Screaming and struggling in the whirlpool, with nowhere to escape."

Mobius and Bianca were at an impasse. Could this former assistant, close friend, and confidante be the Tenth Herrscher? If she was the Tenth Herrscher, then what should he do?

Can we save her?

Is it possible to turn a Herrscher back into a human?

Even if it can't be done, it has to be done...

But is the person in front of me Bianca?

The light in her eyes was exactly the same as Bianca's; Mobius couldn't possibly mistake her.

The simplest solution would be to take Bianca for a Honkai Energy reaction check, but what Bianca said only made Mobius more confused.

If Bianca isn't the Tenth Herrscher, then Klein has been deceiving himself.

One of the two must be the Tenth Herrscher, who devoured the flesh of the person most important to Mobius, and now wears her skin while licking her foul fangs, feigning innocence.

"PhD!"

Just then, Klein's urgent shouts rang out from outside the door, startling Mobius.

Klein stood outside the door, her worried gaze falling into Mobius's eyes. The green-haired doctor's lips trembled slightly. "What... are you doing here?"

"Your expression was strange when you left, so I..."

Are you the Tenth Herrscher?

Just then, Bianca gritted her teeth and stared at Klein outside the door. Klein was stunned for a moment, glanced at Mobius, and immediately understood what had happened. He also stared at Bianca warily. "Doctor... Senior Bianca, is she... the Tenth Herrscher?"

Mobius clutched her head, the constant noise assaulting her brain. Her eyes were blank, and the harsh accusations from the two men made her want to escape.

Who deceived her?