Schicksal Headquarters, Bishop's Office.
At that moment, the monitors at the Schicksal headquarters were filled with countless red alerts.
"Your Excellency, the Fourth Divine Key was activated three hours ago."
Amber, who was also one of Otto's experiments along with Theresa, and currently wears a mask, stood behind Otto and reported.
"The God Key created a hurricane on the East Coast of North America, which was heading towards Houston. However, just now, the Divine Key's emergency braking device was activated, and the hurricane disappeared before reaching the coast... Your Excellency, was this part of your plan?"
"Me? Why would you think that?"
Otto looked at the screen in front of him with a calm but slightly helpless expression.
"The key to the Fourth Divine Key has disappeared, and the related data as well; not even I can control the Fourth Divine Key anymore."
"How is that possible!?"
Compared to the serene Otto, Amber found it difficult to maintain her composure.
"Your Excellency! We must contact Anti-Entropy immediately, otherwise, what just happened will be interpreted by them as an attack against Anti-Entropy."
Amber, Otto's secretary, is now in a panic.
She knew the current situation.
Only five years had passed since the Second Honkai War, and both Schicksal and Anti-Entropy were in a desperate situation.
Schicksal's elite combat power had been practically annihilated, and they had reached the point of having to lower the requirements for Valkyrie promotion.
The two strongest fighters of Anti-Entropy are gravely injured and likely won't recover in five years.
If we were forced into a full-scale war at this moment...
"Haha, Amber, what are you thinking?"
Otto looked amused.
"Do you think they would believe me if I went to explain to Anti-Entropy now that it wasn't me? I know perfectly well how little credibility I have."
"..."
This type of self-awareness is not something to be happy about.
Sure, if the former leader of Anti-Entropy were still alive, he might try to explain it, but forget about that capricious princess, Nancy Edison.
Instead of wasting efforts on explanations, we should quickly discover the truth and clear our names... but suspicions persist...
A glimmer of confusion finally appeared in Otto's eyes.
"I tested her idea with Feather Dust... and I also left another Plan B..."
...
"Hey, aren't you going to sleep?"
"Do I look like a ghost eager to sleep?"
Tian Shi looked at Himeko.
"You should go to sleep."
"Can you leave first?! Stop sitting in a girl's room with that serious face!"
Himeko roared.
"Don't worry about me, I'm waiting for a call... Well, if it doesn't come before midnight, it means there's no problem."
"A call?"
Himeko frowned, not understanding what Tian Shi was talking about.
But the next instant, Himeko's phone rang.
"Professor Welt?"
"That's for me."
Tian Shi put on an expression that suggested he was expecting it, and said.
"I'll take it."
"Baffling."
Himeko muttered something, but still obediently handed over her phone.
"Hello."
"Hello! Himeko? Put the phone down... Ah, is that you, Alliance Leader?"
It was clear from the sound that Welt was extremely anxious.
"What happened? Tell me slowly."
Tian Shi's calm tone instilled confidence in Yang.
"Okay... okay,"
Yang said on the other end of the phone, taking a deep breath.
"You see, Schicksal's Divine Key suddenly attacked us. Originally, we planned to use the 'silver bullet' to try to take it down, but we were prevented. Now the whole plan has been delayed and my godfather and the others don't know what to do."
Tian Shi walked silently towards the door and only continued his response when Himeko was out of earshot.
"Tell him to ask Ryusuke Murata; tell Joyce to ask. Also, transfer Reanna to my side and have her lead an emergency medical staff team."
"Huh? Ryusuke Murata? Is he pretending to surrender?"
"No, not really, but if we really have to say it... anyway, you should ask him yourselves; that would be more direct than if I told you."
"The emergency staff..."
"You are not the one doing the work, so just do as I say. If I explained everything step by step, it would already be daytime!"
Why are you so worried, being just an office worker?
The good thing is that this is an internal mobilization; the United States holds all the cards against Anti-Entropy, so it shouldn't take too long.
"What... what are you talking about, something urgent?"
"Welt Yang burned his own house down,"
Tian Shi said without expression.
"Huh?"
"They say he added too much chili."
"Are you lying to me?"
Himeko felt very annoyed upon realizing she had been fooled.
"What if I told you that Welt Yang was violated by a despicable woman?"
"If it's false, I hope it's real."
Himeko's face showed interest.
You get very excited about this kind of thing, huh?
"Here's your phone back."
Tian Shi looked at Himeko and then returned her phone.
"You are very stingy."
Himeko shrugged, but since she hadn't heard clearly, she didn't pay much attention to it.
This is very problematic...
Tian Shi sighed to himself.
How could he tell Himeko that she would receive news of her father's death in two days?
It's not even about madness; it's still uncertain whether Ryusuke Murata himself will survive this month.
Furthermore... it is difficult to say whether it is good or bad for Himeko to see her father, whom she has always admired, in such a state of madness.
Ryusuke Murata is beyond redemption.
...
Thump, thump, thump!...
A few hours later, before dawn, there was a knock on the door of Himeko's apartment.
The door opened, and there stood a dazzling blonde Valkyrie.
"It's been a long time, Reanna."
"Yes, it's been a long time, Alliance Leader. Why did you call me suddenly this time...?"
Although she could not see Tian Shi's figure, Reanna knew it was him just by his voice.
"Saving people."
Tian Shi expressed it succinctly:
"Did the emergency medical team arrive?"
"We brought them. The most veteran emergency doctors of Anti-Entropy are all here. Who is in danger?"
"Himeko Murata, Ryusuke Murata's daughter, fainted in her sleep half an hour ago... it sounds strange, but she did indeed faint."
Fainting in a dream is truly strange.
However, in reality, Ryusuke Murata was using his daughter as bait to attract the attention of the celestial beings in order to achieve his own goals.
"Understood."
Reanna knew that this was no time to reminisce.
"Prepare for an emergency!"
An emergency rescue team made up of dozens of people emerged from the darkness, entered Himeko's room, and carried her out in their arms.
"What is her current condition?"
"Report! The patient's body is being eroded by a mysterious energy distinct from Honkai!"
The chief doctor in charge of the examination quickly reached a conclusion.
"This situation is unprecedented; there's simply no way to know where to start!"
"Alliance Leader, this..."
"Wait a moment, how is Joyce doing now?"
"Joyce has reached an agreement with Ryusuke Murata; I never expected there really to be someone from outer space..."
As the specifically responsible executive for combat operations, Joyce simultaneously forwarded almost all the information he received to Reanna.
"Ryusuke Murata and Joyce have already boarded the spaceship and are preparing to attack that 'scout planet'."
"Those two... they should have left Ryusuke Murata behind."
"We believe that, being someone linked to the Hughes and knowing the Celestials better than anyone, he should accompany them... Is there a problem with him?"
"The problem... no, it's nothing. You have already learned enough about the Celestials and the Hughes Clan thanks to him. As for him... I can only say that I arrived too late."
Things had reached a point of no return.
Ryusuke Murata, who had used his daughter as bait, was beyond redemption; his heart had long been corrupted.
If the simulation had started from Himeko's birth, Tian Shi might have completely reversed the situation... no, he might even have avoided it entirely.
Unfortunately, it is too late now and Tian Shi has no room for maneuver; in fact, Otto hasn't had any room for maneuver since yesterday either.
Now it's a one-man show by Ryusuke Murata; it's a shame that this is a fireworks show.
Stop him once it's over.
...
One day later.
"Theoretically, the Ark Project only requires 80% of the current national strength of the United States; it is both luxurious and cheap."
Tian Shi looked at the information Reanna had brought him and put it aside, finding it uninteresting.
Ryusuke Murata's story ended quite uneventfully.
Faced with a Herrscher of Reason who has almost fully developed his abilities and a Divine Key that he has completely mastered, Ryusuke Murata, despite stealing the "Outer Key" of the Hughes clan, still cannot defeat Joyce.
In the end, all that remained of Ryusuke Murata was the Ark Project he had discovered and his understanding of it.
The resources needed for an Ark Project are equivalent to 80% of the national strength of the United States, which is 80% of the United States.
It is not surprising that Ryusuke Murata set his sights on Anti-Entropy.
Although Schicksal's resources are much greater than Anti-Entropy's, Schicksal may not be able to raise such a large amount of capital all at once.
After all, although Schicksal spans Europe-Asia, it is too complex and the degree of control varies.
On the contrary, Anti-Entropy has completely turned the United States into its own backyard, which makes it easier for them to raise capital.
But obviously, Nancy, unless she was stupid, would never have accepted something like that.
You haven't even managed your small plot of land well, the battle hasn't even officially started, and you're already thinking about outer space and escaping?
Furthermore... being able to do something doesn't mean you can handle it.
"Let's put this plan aside; it's useless to keep it. By the way, did he say if the previous civilization implemented it?"
"I don't know."
Reanna thought about it; the information Joyce had given her did not mention that aspect.
"That means it didn't happen,"
Tian Shi said seriously.
"I said it was not implemented in the previous civilization."
"Understood."
Reanna nodded and then looked towards the room.
"Speaking of which... is this really the right thing to do? I think that child should know the truth. Joyce recorded everything, and you can show it to her whenever you need it."
"Do you think we should show it to her?"
"I don't know."
"For us, there are only two options: let her see her father's depraved and pathetic state, or describe a father who failed in his mission."
Tian Shi also looked somewhat melancholic.
"I have opted for the second option; perhaps someday, when the time is right, I will give her the video."
"I trust your decision."
After a moment's thought, Reanna could only nod.
"Madam Reanna, the patient has woken up!"
The doctor in charge of Himeko's care reported hurriedly.
"I'm going to take a look."
Tian Shi turned and entered the room.
Himeko had already sat up when he arrived.
"Good morning, Tian."
"Good morning, Himeko."
Tian Shi greeted her naturally.
"Do you want an apple?"
"No... could you bring me a glass of water, please? I'm a little thirsty."
Himeko replied with some apathy.
"Seriously... am I in... a hospital? What happened?"
"You were unconscious while you slept,"
Tian Shi replied while pouring water.
"Huh, unconscious while sleeping? That's not funny... Thank you."
Himeko took the glass of water from Tian Shi's hand.
"Can't you tell a credible joke?"
"It's true, you've probably been unconscious for a day and a half."
Tian Shi started peeling the apple himself.
"By the way, your father..."
"Dad?"
Himeko, who had recovered some energy after taking a sip of water, suddenly had a bad feeling.
"Look, this was delivered to my mailbox yesterday."
Tian Shi took out a letter.
"What... what is this...?"
Himeko let out a dry laugh as she opened the envelope.
"By the way, I think I had a nightmare before, I dreamed of my dad... How is that possible?"
[To Himeko:
By the time you read this letter, I will no longer be in this world, in any way. I no longer care if my actions were right or wrong; I cannot turn back, because this is the path I chose. But I won't impose my beliefs on you; a brighter future awaits you. Hold on to your dreams and change the world as you wish; I know you will do better than me.
Written by an incompetent father]
"Hey... Tian, is today April Fool's Day? Or have I been asleep for a year?"
Himeko forced a smile that looked more like a grimace.
"Would you like an apple?"
"That's not what I'm asking!"
"So you want me to be the villain and destroy your illusions?"
Tian Shi asked in a calm voice.
"Shall we eat an apple?"
"I'm sorry, I got a little emotional."
Himeko squeezed the letter tightly in her hand, trying hard not to cry.
"I had a dream before... I dreamed that my dad was in a sea of fire, and no matter how much I called him, he didn't answer... when I finally managed to grab him, all that was left was a piece of his clothes."
"..."
Tian Shi was speechless.
"I need to ask permission to go home and check my father's belongings."
Himeko took a couple of deep breaths and silently put the letter away.
"Also, I want to follow in his footsteps."
"It's good that the daughter follows in her father's footsteps."
Tian Shi did not stop her.
Himeko was much stronger than her father and, furthermore, the most crucial part of the data had already been recovered by Anti-Entropy.
"So... how about you eat the apple first?"