V2/Chapter 82: The BOSS has entered the second stage.
The plan of the Herrscher of Domination is very simple and can be summed up in two words: steal the home.
When Kevin and others appeared in their field of vision holding the Herrscher Core, the Herrscher of Domination realized that this would be a difficult battle, but they did not give up directly at that time. It was not until the enemy opened fire at full power and roamed directly into the Herrscher Legion that they completely gave up the possibility of a frontal push.
However, it was precisely because of the powerful strength of Kevin and others that the Herrscher of Domination seized the perfect opportunity—the top combat forces of the Fire Moths were all gathered here, and all the Herrscher cores were brought with them, so who else could be guarding the Star Light?
Even if your defense is impenetrable, we can just go around it!
Just like that, after forming a team specialized in infiltration operations, the Herrscher of Domination quietly split into two parts.
The main force remained in place to attract the energy of the fusion warriors. In order to prevent the woman using the core of the eighth Herrscher from noticing that someone had left, the Herrscher who had mastered the power related to consciousness had to do her best to interfere with the other party, so as to complete this most critical escape.
After the infiltration team successfully used the ability of space teleportation to enter the Star Light, they quickly found Ai Yue's location.
And then... then it became like this.
"This is not right!"
Recalling the plan all along, the female individual who had not found any loopholes at all, the First Born Herrscher, showed an incredible expression, "How could you have such ability? Obviously, all the Herrscher Cores are now on the battlefield..."
There are individuals in the infiltration team who are good at playing with minds, so if you want to quietly drag all of them into the illusion, it is impossible without a true Eighth Herrscher Core.
You know, it was only after the Herrscher of Domination confirmed this that she dared to directly send a small team to infiltrate the experimental base. Otherwise, even if the number of people was doubled, it would be no different from delivering food.
Faced with this question, Ai Yue just smiled faintly: "If you don't create such an illusion, would you dare to show your head?"
Ai Yue's plan is also very simple, which can be summed up in six words: lure the opponent to steal the base.
When he first infiltrated the realm of domination, he realized that although the Herrschers seemed to be a legion of 10,000 Herrschers, they were actually not much different from the previous Herrschers, and there was still a real main body hidden among them.
You know, with the self-awareness displayed by these individuals of the Herrschers of Domination, their character flaws mean that this group of people is actually unable to truly unite. Once a situation requires individual self-sacrifice, they are likely to collapse, run away, or even surrender.
Unless these personalities belonging to the original owners of the bodies are actually just a disguise to conceal their identities—the real personalities of these people had died the moment they became Herrschers and were transformed into something like puppets, but even they themselves did not realize it.
And this may be the truth about "domination."
Through a power like quantum entanglement, the perception of the Herrscher of Domination can be extended to every corner of the world through the Honkai disaster. In this way, she can dominate those individuals eroded by the Honkai and reshape their original spirits into one of her own avatars, thereby completing the "reproduction" of the Herrscher of Domination.
In this way, the Herrschers of Domination can advance as a group even when their individual qualities are uneven and can continue fighting without fear of casualties. After all, in essence, they are all just one person.
Ai Yue's goal is to find the most special individual, that is, the first Herrscher of Domination, so revealing a flaw and attracting the opponent to use decapitation tactics is the easiest and quickest way. At this time, the opponent will surely not be able to resist taking action personally.
"Illusion?"
The Herrscher of Domination couldn't help but widen her eyes. "Impossible! The spiritual power outside is definitely at the Herrscher level! How could it be possible without a Herrscher core?"
"In fact, it can be done."
Ai Yue smiled even more broadly, "Of course, in the information you obtained, there is no detailed information about Aponia, right?"
The key point of this plan is to make the Herrscher of Domination convinced that all nine Herrscher cores held by the human side have been used on the front battlefield. Only in this way will they dare to use the decapitation tactic.
That's why Ai Yue assigned a Herrscher core to Vill-V and sent her to the front battlefield.
The key to the plan lies in Aponia—it can be said that if there is really a human who can exert abilities comparable to the Herrscher level, then at present only Aponia can do it. After all, in the original plot, she suppressed the existence of the Eighth Herrscher and Su at the same time with her own strength across half the earth.
More importantly, few people in the entire Fire Moth knew about Aponia's outrageous ability. Therefore, except for a few people, even the files that staff members of Klein's level could access only stated that "Aponia is a psychic perception fusion warrior." Therefore, even if the Herrscher of Domination obtained the internal information, she had no idea of Aponia's true strength.
Based on Aponia's terrifying personal strength, Ai Yue only used the core of the Herrscher of Domination and made slight improvements to it, and created a device that could imitate the energy fluctuations of the core level of a genuine Herrscher of Domination, successfully deceiving the perception of the Herrscher of Domination.
That's why we have this scene before our eyes.
"Humans are so despicable!"
After hearing Ai Yue's explanation, the Herrscher of Domination naturally understood everything and couldn't help but reveal a contemptuous expression, "But it's useless even if you catch me. Even if you kill my body, my spirit will still awaken in other individuals!"
This is the confidence of the Herrscher of Domination.
Ai Yue's previous speculation was not wrong, but it was not entirely correct. The Herrscher of Domination did not simply transform others into her puppets, but split her own consciousness through her power and parasitized other individuals. This was why she did not reproduce endlessly but only gave birth to ten thousand individuals in total—because her limit was here. If she continued to split, her power would become difficult to maintain.
And these ten thousand Herrschers are the extension of her power and spirit. Unless they are all killed, the Herrscher of Domination can still exert her full strength.
It can be said that although the woman in front of him is indeed the first Herrscher of Domination, she herself does not have any special characteristics compared to other individuals.
"I see. It seems my inference is still flawed."
Ai Yue said thoughtfully, "I thought that as the first individual, you might have the ability to recycle the spirits and powers of other individuals after their death and continue to reproduce, but now it seems that I was wrong."
After saying this, he smiled again: "So I don't have to worry about the possibility that if one of you escapes, you can continue to split and reproduce to produce 10,000 new Herrschers, right?"
The Herrscher of Domination changed her expression instantly: "You are trying to trick me!"
"Yeah, what's wrong?"
Ai Yue showed a matter-of-fact expression, "After all, your situation is quite special. It's hard to prescribe the right medicine if we don't understand it clearly."
As he said this, he took out another finite glove and put it on his hand. He looked at the Eighth Herrscher core embedded in it and glanced at the Herrscher of Domination: "Although you seem to have no research value, but since you are here, why not try the 'Mental Plague' I carefully developed? This thing may not be effective for ordinary people, but for those of you who are mentally connected..."
Ai Yue didn't finish his words but showed a meaningful expression.
Obviously, the "Mental Plague," a virus that can spread and infect the mind, is absolutely deadly to the Herrscher of Domination.
"Don't even think about it!"
The Herrscher of Domination also realized the seriousness of the problem. She just glared, and all the Herrschers of Domination, including herself, began to become weak in an instant. It was obvious that their spirits were extracted by the power.
But in the end, she still managed to say something cruel: "I didn't want to use this trick, but you forced me to do it!"
After saying this, she lost her breath.
Only Ai Yue was left standing up leisurely, sighing: "Young people nowadays are really not easily frightened."
As for "not wanting to use it"... Le, what tricks can't a person who is about to die to use? It's just that she thought she still had a chance to steal something.
Now that the easiest route to victory has been blocked by Ai Yue, the Herrscher of Domination will naturally start fighting for her life.
As soon as Ai Yue finished his work, Aponia's voice appeared in his mind: "Ai Yue, what's the situation?"
"I'm fine, it's just a pity that the most convenient method doesn't work. I still have to fight head-on."
Ai Yue watched the drone carry away several bodies for disposal and then said, "What's going on on the battlefield?"
"Something unusual has happened. Did the Herrscher open some special... barrier?"
Aponia's tone was as calm as ever, but it didn't match what she said at all. "Kevin and the others have been swallowed by the barrier. It will soon be my, Elysia's, and Daisy's turn. What should we do?"
"That's the Domain of Domination. Just go in. Don't be afraid."
Ai Yue said, "Also, pay attention to the situation of the Herrscher Core. After the Herrscher of Domination opens the Domain of Domination, she may usurp the power of other Herrscher Cores. Leave the rest to me."
"I see."
Aponia's voice also began to become unclear, as if she was really separated from Ai Yue by a world so that even the mental link could not accurately convey her meaning, "I will...end...you are not allowed..."
Ai Yue did not hear clearly the last sentence of Aponia, but he felt a chill, as if someone was staring at him.
Never mind, let's get down to business.
Ai Yue turned on the drone's camera and saw that the area that was supposed to be a battlefield had become deserted. Both the Herrschers of Domination and the Fusion Warriors had disappeared completely, leaving only the Honkai Beasts still fighting with the drone swarm.
This scene was proof that the Herrscher of Domination had unfolded her Domain of Domination and was pulling everyone into it.
This skill did not appear in the pre-civilization-related content of the original plot but is an ability used by the Herrschers of the current civilization. Relying on this technique, they can seize the power of the Herrschers trapped in the realm of domination, which can be said to be very powerful.
However, due to the great differences between the Herrschers of the previous civilization and the current civilization, Ai Yue was not sure whether they could actually use this trick. But out of caution, he still made a countermeasure plan for this possibility, which came in handy now.
On the other side, Kevin and others have been swallowed up by the suddenly opened Domain of Domination. Out of caution towards unknown areas, they gathered together again to guard against enemies who might attack from unknown corners.
"The communication system is down, and we can't connect to anyone."
After repeated attempts, Vill-V finally confirmed this fact, "So where is this place? Is it no longer on Earth?"
In fact, this thing had lost its function the moment the Domain of Domination was opened, but Vill-V had only just given up on repairing it now—after all, it wasn't broken at all.
"This is the Domain of Domination, part of the power of the Herrscher of Domination."
Mobius, who had been here before, was probably the only one who knew something about this place. "I don't know more... Don't look at me, you should contact Ai Yue; he must know more."
"Before coming in, I contacted Ai Yue,"
Aponia took the initiative to speak, "He said that we should be careful of the Herrscher of Domination who might attack the Herrscher Core. The other party may be able to seize the power of the Herrscher Core."
"In that case, let's put it away for now."
Kevin made the most cautious decision. He put the core into his belt, and the flaming sword went out, replaced by a layer of solid ice. "At the moment, it seems that there is no problem without relying on the Herrscher core."
Others followed suit.
"There are probably less than 3,000 Herrschers left at this time."
Dystopia said, "Although we have eliminated almost half of them, there still seem to be quite a few left. Is this really okay?"
For Kevin, without the power of the Herrscher Core, it was just a matter of losing a useful weapon, but for others, the power of the Herrscher Core was still very important.
"Don't worry, it will be fine."
Kosma said in a firm tone, "This is our first battle; we will not lose."
"Although I know your theory is totally unrealistic,"
Dystopia sighed, "Thank you for comforting me though."
"There are many enemies, but they are not strong enough."
Sakura said simply, "And as long as we stick together, there will be no problem."
"Don't worry, just believe in everyone's strength."
Elysia also smiled, but she suddenly became serious halfway through her words, "We will definitely... wait, there are unidentified units approaching, and there are a lot of them!"
"Is it the Herrscher of Domination?"
Ato asked.
"Yes, but it doesn't seem to be..."
Elysia frowned as if she was struggling to describe it. "It's so strange. It seems like I've never felt this feeling before."
Soon, everyone saw the "unknown unit" described by Elysia.
It looked like a group of puppets, moving slowly, with threads extending towards the sky from the joints of their bodies, and finally disappearing into the darkness.
Controlled by silk threads, their movements are twisted and weird, and combined with their bodies that are no different from humans, they give people a grotesque sense of horror.
Elysia couldn't help but glance at Aponia: "Aponia, I can now understand your usual feelings."
Aponia just shook her head. "That's not the same... Be careful, they're going to attack."
Before she finished speaking, the puppets suddenly changed their lazy movement style and began to pounce on everyone with strange movements and speed!
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