Like a network, information was transmitted across the entire world without delay.
Peddlers, merchants, newspaper editors, and even MANTIS in training paused for a moment, then continued with their work.
These were like chess pieces buried within human society, and it was also Honkai exploiting Ryan desire to preserve human civilization as much as possible, because the more people there were, the better this Herrscher could hide, and the greater her destructive power.
These were countless individuals from different social strata and regions, lurking and learning, utilizing human strategizing to its limit, with a series of plans devised for the subsequent encounters of each individual.
For example, the Lafayette Incident: the Fire Moth would certainly investigate every survivor, but the Herrscher cleverly packaged herself as a hero. Even if there were clues, they were intentional.
As long as she was caught and imprisoned, a new plan would begin. A certain editor would 'righteously' condemn, a prestigious officer would lead an entire fleet in rebellion. Even if high-ranking MANTIS were sent, they couldn't just kill everyone, could they?
Even if suppressed, the Herrscher would only lose a body, while the suspicion, anger, and hatred created would take an unknown amount of time to mend.
"If only you had descended earlier, controlling those council members and concentrating all power to kill him, and we just had to watch."
On the rooftop, the Herrscher of Death sat on the railing, her slender bare feet swinging back and forth. She loved the view before her.
Buildings were crumbling, outer walls covered in vines, and the roars of Honkai Beasts could be heard from time to time.
Calling it hell wasn't quite accurate. Besides the complete lack of civilized prosperity, countless towering trees filled the city, giving it a natural beauty.
"One could only say that human got ahead of us. Perhaps this is fate's arrangement," said a blonde woman in a red evening gown, whose figure was explosive. If the British branch were to take a look, they would immediately recognize her as the mistress of a media tycoon, a criminal on the wanted list.
"The effect wasn't as good as imagined. Several public opinion storms were suppressed, and three 'mes' died. Humans are also strengthening their vigilance."
"How terrifying! It's like they've already prepared. This is no longer just a matter of quick reactions," the Herrscher of Death slowed the swinging of her feet slightly, resting her head in her hand. "You're not invincible either, are you? There are only a thousand individuals. One less when one dies. Sigh, if only I could multiply infinitely."
"Then you wouldn't be needed," the blonde woman said calmly, without sarcasm. "A full-scale attack isn't effective. The destruction it causes isn't worth the losses. I'm going to change direction."
"Exposed?"
"Impossible. Every time I act, I've calculated it perfectly; everything seems very natural. And with those human traitors, I can hide behind the scenes even better."
Every Herrscher is an actuary. Dozens of clones indeed caused a lot of chaos, but with Prometheus and Aponia as two trump cards, these unsettling actions were generally ineffective. She had decided to raise the rating.
"That's your business. Do you need me and her to help?"
"Of course. Ten times the cost must yield a hundred times the gain. Some humans must be eliminated before I can better carry out my work." The woman snapped her fingers, and the air warped. The rooftop became like an art exhibition, with a series of photographs appearing.
There were men and women, old and young, and the Herrscher of Death had seen the first few people on the list.
Aponia, Mei, Coleman, and others were all on the list; they were the ones causing major obstacles.
The Herrscher of Death carefully examined each avatar. She also knew that this fellow Herrscher was not good at direct combat, but she was excellent at probing intelligence, setting trends, and formulating various self-serving schemes.
But humans were truly difficult to deal with. These were simply bug-like abilities, yet they could still persevere and even get ahead.
"They're not easy to kill. This one might be simpler." The Herrscher of Death pointed to a girl with wine-red hair. "You should have investigated her information thoroughly."
"Yes, she has a deep connection with him. Many plans can be launched."
"But similarly, that cunning human will also guess. Do you want to try dying once?" The Herrscher of Death sounded sarcastic. They were almost traumatized; Ryan was even slipperier than an eel, always failing to gain anything and losing more instead.
"This time is different. The Fire Moth is reallocating forces back to headquarters. I've already entered the command center; this is real. I even got the plan. If they complete their reorganization, it will be even harder to act in the future."
The Herrscher of Death narrowed her eyes. The greatest advantage this fellow Herrscher brought was information. Even if she hadn't infiltrated the central database, Mei orders weren't exactly secrets.
Could it truly be an opportunity?
She hesitated, asking with some curiosity, "Send a copy of the plan. I want to see what they're up to."
Bang—
As soon as she finished speaking, the rooftop door was kicked open. A woman with fiery red hair walked in, making the air feel hotter.
She dragged a greatsword, glanced at the avatars projected by Honkai energy, and said bluntly: "No need to wait. Our mission will be completed by us. Without killing him, everything is indefinitely far off."
"So certain? It seems we need to re-plan. I have an idea." The Herrscher of Domination didn't retort; she wasn't familiar with Ryan to begin with. "How about controlling one of these key targets first? If we can hide a chess piece beside him, wouldn't the success rate increase significantly?"
This was interesting. Honkai energy resistance would prevent her domination, but just like drug resistance, increasing the dosage would suffice.
The Herrscher of Death and the Herrscher of Fire exchanged glances, instinctively stirring. Whether to eliminate Ryan first or destroy civilization first, these two missions were already intertwined. As long as that man lived, civilization would be difficult to eradicate.
"We can try. Who do you think is the easiest?" The Herrscher eyes scanned the avatars one by one, finally stopping on the face of the girl with wine-red hair.
"Her."
"What a master of rhythm! You making it impossible for me to identify."
Ryan sat on a roadside chair in Donggong City, looking through accident reports on his info terminal.
It turned out that missile was fired from the Lafayette, then instantly destroyed all evidence. The enemy might be dead, or hidden among the surviving crew.
The Supervision Department and Intelligence Department had already begun a joint investigation, but this investigation was doomed to be futile, because even Ryan couldn't be sure.
Including the hero first mate, everyone couldn't clear themselves of suspicion. Ryan pinched the bridge of his nose.
"This Herrscher just wants us to be suspicious, essentially exploiting human instincts."
"Are you sure this is a Herrscher? I've searched all abnormal incidents, and the range of suspects is quite large. Some people are also implicated with Calis, more like sabotage by spies." Mei was overwhelmed, holding a phone in one hand, guiding a simulator with the other, and signing papers nonstop.
"I'm sure."
"Okay, then I'll arrange it based on the fundamentals of fighting a Herrscher."
There was no questioning, just absolute trust in Ryan judgment. This was also a benefit after the Fire Moth was brought under control.
In the past, any decision required evidence, and even Caleus couldn't act recklessly. If a few more council members were controlled, the chaos would be enough to dismantle the Fire Moth on the spot.
That's why Mei was glad Ryan acted quickly enough. If it had been delayed even half a month, this Herrscher would have penetrated deep into their bones like a virus, requiring drastic measures.
"If we use authority as a basis for thought, then one point is very interesting: this Herrscher clones are spread across every social stratum, even MANTIS. I ask, why doesn't she control all MANTIS?"
"Authority also has limits—limits of quantity, limits of ability. I deduce that Honkai energy adaptability should be the main obstacle," Ryan replied calmly. He was a 'Herrscher'; he knew these monsters too well.
"That logic makes some sense. I'll include it as a clue and have Prometheus calculate it later." Mei signature blurred as she scanned lines ten at a time. "So you think It will control Eden?"
"Either kill or control. The latter threat is greater, since everyone close to me is at 'Spring Sakura Villa.' If It dares to go there, it's a dead end. If Eden is controlled, the trouble will be immense."
Mei couldn't refute this. Leaving aside Eden reputation, based on the previous underground attack, it was very difficult to detect controlled individuals. If Eden became one of them, it wouldn't just be trouble; Elysia would be the first in danger.
This also corroborated Ryan thoughts on authority; Eden Honkai energy resistance was quite strong.
"Then I won't hold you responsible. Go ahead and do it. I hope it's not too late now."
"It's not late. Fu was probably pre-empted by me, but it's hard to say. You know what to do." Ryan eyes were cold. In terms of creating suspicion, the Herrscher had succeeded.
Fu might have already been controlled, and the subsequent missile attack was just a script, intended to deliver a bomb right next to them. If that were truly the case...
Crack.
A piece of the long chair was crushed in his hand, turning into powder.
Mei was silent for a moment, but didn't offer comfort. She simply stated, "Then Eden might also be controlled. You're walking into a trap."
"I have to try. If It wants my life so badly, It should come take it personally. I'm better at reasoning face-to-face." Ryan also fell silent. This Herrscher, a master of manipulating minds, was truly terrifying. If following the original world line, the Eighth Herrscher would be It.
Including Mei and Mobius, none of them would escape, not to mention this was a mutated version. But then again, without him, the Eighth Herrscher should have been the Herrscher of Sentience.
The scope of this problem is getting increasingly out of control.
He glanced at the overcast sky and pulled his thoughts back: "No matter how difficult the problem, you have to find a way to solve it. By the way, how is your side progressing?"
The Eighth Herrscher was far from the End, so It couldn't abandon everything to deal with It.
"Very smoothly. I even used a simulator to probe the deepest consciousness of the participants. Perhaps It hasn't permeated to this extent, or perhaps I lack the ability to discover it."
"What about Mobius? I heard she was in the first batch to participate?"
"Her?" Mei looked up, through the thick glass, and saw the woman climbing out of a silver 'coffin.' The latter was covered in sweat, her long hair plastered to her face, and her expression was still somewhat dazed.
"She's suffering. She probably just added another harsh entry for you."