Bronya summoned a world map displaying tech exclusion zones, human-reclaimed territories, population distribution, and strategic deployment routes—all these data points came under her scrutiny.
Hera examined the map while traversing through the war-torn cityscape, eventually entering an area enclosed by golden chains.
There, a massive dragonoid crouched atop a tall pillar, its body covered in icy-blue scales. Its long, blue tail, adorned with sharp protrusions, carved deep grooves into the concrete pavement as it swayed back and forth. The creature exhaled snowy-white frost from its mouth filled with menacing teeth, emanating an intimidating aura.
Standing on the dragonoid's shoulder was a saintly maiden clad in black nun robes. With her hands clasped before her chest and delicate eyelashes gently closed, she appeared to be offering prayers for the departed.
Before this peculiar duo, numerous straight chains anchored into the ground, restraining a colossal twisted metal monster that emitted mesmerizing golden light.
"Hmph!"
As Hera approached, Siegfried, still in his dragonoid form, snorted disdainfully. The heavy sound shattered nearby debris, and he closed his eyes, remaining silent to suppress his hostility toward her.
Theresa jumped off Siegfried's shoulder, her nun's habit gracefully billowing through the air. Facing Hera, after a moment of shifting expressions, she finally managed a gentle smile.
"Grandpa, as you requested, we've captured a sample. Now it's up to your wisdom."
"Well done, just as I'd expect from my little Theresa!"
Hera walked over to Theresa, leaned down, and gently embraced the tiny nun with doll-like charm. As he stroked her soft, pure-white hair, a doting smile graced his face.
For an instant, Theresa stiffened before regaining her composure. She gently pushed Hera away, saying,
"Grandpa! This isn't the time for such antics; please be serious!"
"Oh, my little Theresa has become less adorable now! In the past, when I hugged you like this, you always enjoyed it so much!"
"...Siegfried is still here, and if you don't want your Soulium body scrapped, kindly get to work promptly. After all, the whole world awaits your results."
"Alright, for Little Teresa's sake." Hera gently pinched Theresa's cheeks, smiling faintly as she glanced at Siegfried with eyes devoid of emotion.
The MANTIS genes within the Kaslanas could be traced back to Kevin himself, undoubtedly giving them exceptional genetic foundations. With Zeke's long-term modifications and enhancements, this dragonoid form possessed extraordinary strength beyond conventional norms, capable of wielding Herrscher-level power when wielded effectively.
However, brute force alone, unless on par with Kevin's insurmountable level, held little significance to Hera. Compared to these brutes, she and Zeke had already ventured onto a different path altogether.
Hera shifted her gaze towards the colossal monster towering hundreds of meters high, stroking her chin with keen interest in her eyes.
"So this is a living aggregate... Its information structure indeed differs from the norm, resembling a proliferating infection state? From a physical perspective, does it propagate through radiation, fields, or particulate spread? Or perhaps even more intriguingly, akin to meme propagation?"
After murmuring to herself, Hera suddenly disintegrated under Theresa's watchful gaze, transforming into countless golden specks that drifted like wind-blown particles into the massive creature's body.
"Hm?"
This spectacle widened Siegfried's blood-red eyes. Scratching his head with sharp claws, he muttered grimly,
"This guy just keeps getting weirder... I suspect even in a one-on-one duel, I might not stand a chance against him."
"There's no need to doubt that. Grandpa's wisdom exists on another level compared to ordinary mortals, and this wisdom grants him unimaginable power. Siegfried, let me warn you again: unless Zeke gives his approval someday, it's best not to confront Grandpa... Be patient—for your own sake, for both Kianas, and for this world."
"I still can't fully grasp this era, but for my daughters, I'll do everything in my power to protect this world—including temporarily setting aside my grievances with Otto. Moreover, he agreed to investigate Kiana's condition and assist her. While I don't trust Otto, if Welt and young Zeke vouch for him, we have little choice but to give it a try."
"Kiana... Ahh, we have no idea what her condition is right now. Only Zeke and Grandpa can help her. Trust him; ever since Zeke appeared, I've sensed that he's changed significantly."
Theresa sighed softly, trying to convince both Siegfried and herself.
Cecilia, I'm sorry... In the end, I still turned out to be utterly useless.
Lowering her gaze, Theresa concealed her sorrow and disappointment.
Sensing something amiss, Siegfried closed his eyes once more, quietly waiting. Perhaps he too was reminiscing about Cecilia, apologizing to his departed wife?
"Clank! Clank!"
Amid their silence, suddenly, the tense golden chains emitted a sound.
Both looked up just in time to see the massive creature restrained by those chains shudder unusually.
Moments later, the solid mechanical construct crumbled abruptly, disintegrating from the chain's grip into scattered pieces that piled high like a mountain of mechanical debris on the ground.
Then, the golden specks circled around Theresa before reconvening before her, gradually revealing Hera's figure.
Hera appeared with a smile, holding a glass sphere slightly larger than her palm containing a restless gray substance swirling within it.
Theresa frowned as she gazed at the peculiar gray mist in Hera's hand.
"Is this...the true form of that monster?"
"Just a part of it. From the perspective of Information Origin Theory, corruption is fundamentally information pollution. The essence of such monsters is merely the contamination of specific informational entities. This represents a portion of the vast informational entity comprising that creature. However, from a physical standpoint, its composition is difficult to determine. Currently, it seems more akin to a fluid structure, with density remarkably elusive and unstable microscopic properties requiring further in-depth study... Hmm, considering it as the true form isn't incorrect either."
Noticing the growing confusion on Theresa's face, Hera eventually halted her analytical explanation.
In his desire to make Theresa more like Kallen, Otto had focused on training her as a warrior and allowed her scientific interests to develop naturally—now, Hera briefly repented for that decision.
Hera patted Theresa's small head, still smiling warmly. "For now, let's leave it at this. Grandpa has important matters to attend to, so you two continue clearing aggregates according to the original plan. See you next time, little Teresa."
With those words, Hera vanished without a trace.
Left behind, Theresa exchanged glances with Siegfried. Without speaking further, they swiftly departed from the ruined city, heading toward their next battlefield.