The commotion caused by the Fourth Herrscher was nowhere near as significant as that of the Third Herrscher. Apart from some capsized fishing boats, there weren't many casualties.
But beneath the calm, undercurrents were brewing.
All of Fire Moth's intelligence analysts and psychologists gathered to analyze the new characteristics displayed by the Herrscher and try to understand why she had suddenly appeared and disappeared without a trace.
So far, mankind had dealt with three Herrschers, and each encounter had been a life-or-death struggle. Either the Fire Moth destroyed the Herrscher, or watched as she spread from cities to continents, eventually bringing humanity to the brink of destruction.
That's why Edwin found it odd that this Herrscher had no interest in nearby Shenzhou Island. She appeared and disappeared with no clear motive.
Unfortunately, the psychologists couldn't see beyond their narrow perspective. They believed the key to understanding the situation lay in battle, and since they couldn't determine who the Herrscher was fighting against due to strong interference, the mystery remained unsolved.
Just like the man who escaped in the southern wilderness—there are plenty of monsters in this world besides humans and Herrschers.
Fire Moth wasn't foolish. Their agent found Ryan on the third day. He was vacationing on a beach in Hawaii, wearing beach shorts, with no signs of fighting.
The instantaneous Honkai energy from that battle reached 3000HW. There was no way he could have escaped unscathed. After the disguised agent was thrown into the sea by Ryan to swim, Fire Moth was forced to cease surveillance.
"I'm not as gentle as Elysia."
Ryan squatted on the pier, watching the buoy rise and fall on the sea, his eyes regaining calm beneath his sunglasses.
With his extensive experience as an assassin, it was impossible for him to be monitored. Although the higher-ups were suspicious, they couldn't act without concrete evidence. Of course, these trivial matters weren't Ryan's concern.
"It's been three days and the Herrscher hasn't appeared, which means she can't locate the target. So, the previous ambush was predicted?"
This was good news. Ryan didn't want to be hunted down by the Herrscher around the world, and he didn't want to involve others either.
But the problem still wasn't solved. He noticed that the world line was beginning to distort, and the old pattern of fighting Herrschers one by one, like in EVA, would change.
If they can run away, they might form an organization—a world-destroying group made up of Herrschers and Honkai beasts—that could rise from being enemies to a hostile force.
He turned his head to look at an internal document with a blurry photo attached.
"The Fourth Herrscher's companion beast has already appeared. It hid itself to avoid scaring me away. Is it planning to join the Herrscher of Wind?"
This was the beginning of an organization, but when thought through carefully, it wasn't so unacceptable.
The later generations might have Herrschers to cling to, so why wouldn't the previous civilizations allow people to unite and destroy the world? But compared to the emotional drama of traitors, this group of Herrschers was purer.
They didn't even have a sense of companionship; they simply united to work toward a common goal. As for this targeting, Ryan could understand it.
"It's like an exam. Now, a student from another class sneaks in, brings cheating tools, and slaps the invigilator twice. I can't stand that."
Ryan shrugged, put away his fishing rod, and walked back with the empty bucket.
He had to endure the difficulty of hell, or he had already mentally prepared for it. Otherwise, according to his plan, not only the Thirteen Heroes but even the One Hundred and Eight Heroes could have been produced in advance.
If everything went smoothly, all the Herrschers would have been eliminated before the Herrscher of Constraint appeared, and the collapse would have been too easy.
When you encounter a problem, solve it. No matter what happens, it can't be worse than the original world line.
Behind the beach was a holiday villa. Through the gate, he could see a swimming pool. As he pushed open the glass door, he saw Sakura already chopping vegetables and cooking.
As a professional, Sakura had perfectly forged all the entry and exit records and receipts. As for why the two of them stayed together?
Ryan said: Who says heroes can't be lustful? Then the agents were suppressed.
"You're back?" Sakura lowered her head, chopping vegetables, and watched Ryan put the bucket next to her. "Looks like the harvest wasn't that great."
"I don't know how to fish, I just went to see if anyone was watching me." Ryan casually put on an apron and picked up a kitchen knife to cut the carrots.
Sakura tilted her head slightly, remembering Ryan's misconduct from earlier, but now there was no trace of it. This man was cunning, and no one knew what he was thinking.
"Is it bad?"
"Usually, it's bad, but that's what makes it challenging. It's just a matter of improvisation." Ryan didn't even look up. He had already started making plans. While blanching the carrots, he asked, "Has the experiment started at headquarters?"
Sakura walked over, added some salt and oil, then casually answered, "The first batch of volunteers is already undergoing surgery. Although they're all low-level Honkai beasts, it proves the Mantis Plan is feasible. The Fire Moths are hunting high-level Honkai beasts, probably preparing for the second step."
Ryan grinned. The Fire Moths had finally started to feel the pressure. They didn't know the Herrscher of Wind was targeting them, but the characteristics she had revealed frightened them.
Those who understand tactics and retreat strategically are the natural enemies of armies.
In the past, there were always signs before a Herrscher appeared. The Fire Moths would mobilize a large number of troops to besiege her, and both sides would fight to the death. But now, when the Herrscher restrains her Honkai energy, she isn't much different from a human.
"It's a good thing only an existential crisis can wake them up."
"Then how long do we have to wait?" Sakura scooped out the blanched carrots with a colander, mashed them with eggs, and stirred them. But Ryan snatched it away.
"Let me do it. Give me some salt and pepper."
"Okay." Sakura tossed the seasoning bottle, and Ryan, who was two meters away, reached out and grabbed it without even looking up.
"Wait until Fire Moth creates the Mantis, and then lower your guard. Don't daydream all day and suspect me."
"Can the factor of a lower-level Honkai beast be used?"
"Of course they can. Don't forget that humans' greatest advantage is their use of tools. Even if their physical strength is only enhanced, they can use a lot of heavy equipment." Ryan put down the basin and started kneading the balls with gloves. "But it's still too difficult for them to deal with the Herrscher. Once they get a taste of success, they'll implement the second step, and then they won't be able to avoid me."
"Why?"
"Because no matter how we study the upper-level Honkai beasts, we need powerful individuals to handle them, and those individuals are in my hands."
Sakura glanced at him and felt that Ryan seemed to have grown a devil's tail and horns. No wonder he didn't let her go to the operation. The Mantis operation could only fuse one factor at this stage. It turned out he was preparing to make her a stronger superior warrior.
"Are you sure I can succeed in the experiment?"
"Of course. I had Mobius test your cells. The success rate of fusion is very high."
This was an open-book test for Ryan. His only headache now was how to find suitable materials for Sakura, Kevin, and Hua. Should he follow the original world line or change it completely?
Sakura didn't think too much about it, but her breathing became heavier. She longed for strength, especially after seeing Ryan's fighting power.
"So, when can I have the surgery?"
"Are you in such a hurry?"
"Well, the only thing that can protect Ling in the future is power."
You still speak so simply and directly, but I can understand your feelings.
Ryan chuckled quietly and was about to tease her, but his hand paused while stirring the meat. He happened to look up and saw Sakura looking at him.
In an instant, the girl grabbed the long knife leaning against the table, unsheathing it with the sound of metal scraping, but she didn't pull it out in the end because Ryan pushed it back.
"Don't be nervous. They're not enemies."
Sakura didn't listen to him. She instinctively sensed a terrifying aura coming from the sky, a feeling much like when the Herrscher appeared before.
Who?!
She raised her head and saw a pink figure descending into the courtyard, looking around with curiosity.
What a beautiful woman. Hmm, why does she look so familiar?
"She's here as expected." Ryan's voice was tinged with helplessness, but a faint smile appeared at the corner of his mouth. He patted Sakura's shoulder and told her to put the knife away. "Go make some tea; this is not an enemy."
Elysia?
Sakura recognized the woman immediately. But seeing her sneaky look, she felt the reality didn't quite match the rumors.
Within Fire Moth, Elysia was practically a goddess, even more famous than Ryan, but her appearance didn't align with what was expected.
"You'll get used to it. After a while, you'll realize she's just an ordinary girl."
"She is a very beautiful girl, Ryan. Don't forget to add the adjective, okay?" Elysia tiptoed into the room, looking around, clearly satisfied with the villa's decor.
She circled the room twice and suddenly appeared in front of Sakura, causing the assassin to instinctively lean back, staring at the beautiful face before her.
"You are…"
"Hi, I'm Elysia, just call me Ellie. Sakura, you're pretty too, and our hair color is similar. It feels so nice to touch."
Elysia ran her hands through her pink hair and squinted in satisfaction, leaving Sakura at a loss.
"How do you know me?"
"Mei told me about you and praised you very highly."
It was Dr. Mei. No, why does she look so familiar?
It was their first time meeting, but Sakura didn't feel disgusted by Elysia's familiarity. She just looked at Ryan, puzzled.
"You'll get used to it. Elysia gives people a very unique feeling. Even I can't explain it."
"Hehe, this is the charm of Super Elysia." Elysia patted her chest lightly, then tiptoed into the kitchen, her eyes gleaming at the table full of ingredients.
"Hey, you're cooking! I'm not bragging, but, dear Ryan, have you forgotten something?"
Elysia seemed a little angry, which confused Ryan. It took him a moment to realize what she meant.
He remembered promising Elysia he would cook for her in the Far East. With such a clear hint, what else could he say?
"Would you... like to stay for a quick meal?"
"I've been waiting for you to say that." Elysia lightly skipped back into the living room, sitting comfortably on the sofa and stretching, looking as if she was waiting for a grand meal.
Sakura was stunned by this action and cast another puzzled look.
Ryan spread his hands, once again answering for the third time:
"You'll get used to it."