After explaining everything, Chang Yuan looked at Dr. Mobius with bright eyes.
"So what does all this have to do with me? I couldn't care less whether they lived or died."
After listening to Chang Yuan's lengthy explanation, Mebius showed no interest in it.
Whether those councilors lived or died, it made little difference to her.
"But if I want to bring them all under control, it'll be difficult to invite them all over with my status. Dr. Mobius, however, can do it."
Only then did Chang Yuan reveal his true purpose.
Mebius finally understood exactly what Chang Yuan intended to do.
He wanted to use her status to summon all the councilors, then catch them all in one sweep.
"Why do you think I'd help you? You should know that if I reported what you've done, I might receive even more funding."
Mebius looked at Chang Yuan with interest as she asked.
"Because Mebius, you don't like them either. More importantly, I believe Dr. Mobius isn't that kind of person."
"...Don't talk as if you know me so well."
Staring into Chang Yuan's eyes, Mebius spoke in a cool tone.
Chang Yuan was not surprised in the slightest. After all, everyone knew that Mebius's mouth was the hardest substance in the entire Honkai world.
She was someone with a sharp tongue and a soft heart.
"Then, Dr. Mobius, I'll tell you everything about the true nature of Honkai. In return, I hope you can help me."
"Go on. If it's truly useful, I won't mind giving you a hand."
Resting her cheek on one hand, Mebius watched Chang Yuan.
She wanted to see what earth-shattering nonsense this guy could come up with.
"Alright. The true nature of Honkai is..."
Over the course of more than ten minutes, Chang Yuan carefully explained everything he had learned from the story about the nature of Honkai.
From the Imaginary Tree above to the Cocoon of Finality being from a higher civilization below, though he still chose to conceal Airi's identity for the time being.
After all, Airi had yet to gain everyone's recognition. Revealing her identity now would inevitably make others wary of her.
After hearing Chang Yuan's explanation, Mebius lost the teasing look in her eyes and became silent and grave.
Chang Yuan did not disturb Mebius.
Only after roughly three or four minutes did Mebius speak again. "Is everything you said true?"
"I can guarantee it with my life. At least ninety-nine percent of it is true. The remaining one percent is because nothing in science is absolute."
Faced with Mebius's second question, Chang Yuan remained utterly certain.
"...This world really is plagued by disaster after disaster."
After hearing the nature of Honkai explained, Mebius could not help but feel despair for the future.
Yet she still would not shrink back because of it.
"So, you were the ones who took the Second Herrscher's core?"
"That's right. I gave it to an unparalleled genius, and she used it to create the first Divine Key. That Divine Key is currently in Airi's hands."
"...What a genius. With your help, the Divine Key was born ahead of time. Then what are our chances of defeating Finality?"
At Mebius's question, Chang Yuan fell silent. After a long while, he answered, "I don't know. It may still end up like the future I saw. At most, there may be more surviving humans."
After saying that, Chang Yuan looked at Mebius. "That's why I've already shared many suggestions from the future this time. I hope you can use them as a foundation to create new possibilities."
"...Tch. Out of nowhere, I've been saddled with the burden of saving the world. As expected, humanity should adapt and evolve, or it'll be eliminated sooner or later."
Rubbing her temples, Mebius spoke with some irritation.
Before learning the true nature of Honkai, she could still relax somewhat and believe that they could defeat Honkai in the future.
But after learning its true nature, the pressure had multiplied. Leaving aside whether higher civilizations would interfere, the Cocoon of Finality alone was enough to cause them endless trouble.
"So, Dr. Mobius, I hope you can help me. Only by gathering the world's wealth and uniting the strength of the entire world can we possibly defeat Honkai."
"...Fine. When the time comes, I'll invite them all to the conference room. What happens afterward is up to you."
Mebius readily agreed to this small favor.
However, she had only agreed to invite all the councilors to the conference room. Everything after that would be up to Chang Yuan himself.
"That will be enough. Then I'll have to trouble you, Dr. Mobius. Oh, and I also believe humanity should evolve, but that evolution should be kept within reason."
"If humanity loses its essence during that evolution, then it won't be human evolution. Humanity will simply vanish into the river of history, replaced by a new species."
After saying that, Chang Yuan turned and left.
Only after he had gone did Mebius curl her lips.
"An arrogant guy who thinks he understands me. Hmph."
Muttering to herself, Mebius began considering what excuse she should use to invite all the councilors over.
Meanwhile, Chang Yuan felt completely at ease after leaving, because they all had a bright future ahead of them.
As long as they removed the cancerous growths, gathered the strength of the entire world, and gave their full support to Mebius, Velvie, Mei, and the others.
Perhaps a miracle could happen then, and Airi might not need to sacrifice herself.
Even if they ultimately could not defeat Finality, they still had to let Mei and the others uncover the true nature of the Origin Herrscher's authority within Airi.
Then they could sacrifice themselves in Airi's place, creating humanity for future Herrschers.
"Mebius, I hope you move quickly. Even if it's only a few days, every moment is crucial when facing the future."
Chang Yuan muttered to himself as he walked.
Until a hand landed on his shoulder.
"Ah Yuan, what are you thinking about? I called you for so long just now, but you didn't answer me."
"Hm? Oh, Airi, it's you."
Following the hand on his shoulder with his gaze, Chang Yuan saw a pink-haired girl pouting at him with an extremely displeased expression.
With that signature pink hair, there was no need for him to wonder who she was.
"So tell me, what exactly were you thinking about just now? I called you so many times, but you never answered me."
She was a little angry now, the kind that would not get better unless Chang Yuan coaxed her.
"I was thinking... if we defeat Honkai someday, where should we go afterward? Should we settle down somewhere, or continue traveling?"
Before you continue