Inside the dimly lit room.
All the spotlights followed Mr. Li and Elysia's steps, moving slowly. The setting was less like a hearing and more like a tribunal for passing judgment.
Hidden in the pitch-black shadows, twelve empty chairs were arranged in a circle. Faceless, virtual images only began to materialize upon them after the heavy doors, which required two people to pull open, had closed.
"Mr. Li."
"The Flame-Chasers and the Fusion Warriors are not a 'bound' relationship. You do not need to participate in this meeting."
"If you insist on joining..."
"We don't mind adding a seat for you."
The hearing had not yet begun, but a formal, articulate voice had already sounded from above one of the chairs.
Evidently, regarding this hearing, the speaker held no hope for the Flame-Chasers and, out of goodwill, wanted to extricate Mr. Li from the situation. Whether it was out of self-interest or personal sentiment, the speaker was clearly an ally trying to help.
"Thank you."
Mr. Li nodded lightly.
"I appreciate the kind sentiment, but I'm afraid I cannot accept."
"Since I have taken this position, I must be responsible for everything concerning the Flame-Chasers—whether it be positive or negative."
"..."
"I've said my piece."
The brief exchange ended.
This "long-planned" hearing soon began.
Internal strife was a specialty that human society was forced to taste. However, the convening of this meeting was not entirely humanity's fault.
The Flame-Chasers had suffered continuous, enormous losses. This, combined with the appearance of Fusion Warriors after their Artificial Honkai Eruptions—a state far removed from humanity, or rather, a complete transformation into the form of a Honkai Beast—led to a critical situation. With social conflicts intensifying and external pressures mounting wildly, the upper echelons of humanity suddenly received news that "the leader of the Fusion Warriors might be a Herrscher."
Regardless of whether the source of this information was reliable, no one could possibly remain idle. If this intelligence was indeed true, then it was highly probable that all of humanity would be destroyed at the hands of a Herrscher disguised in the human form of "Elysia."
They didn't just show up and arrest her...
It wasn't that they didn't want to, but that they would most likely be powerless against her. By revealing Elysia's Herrscher identity to the public while a large portion of the Fusion Warriors had not yet been "brainwashed" by her, they could at least win over some of them... Yes, the Fusion Warriors they regarded as venomous scorpions were also their only lifeline at a time like this.
And this was the main reason for holding today's hearing.
"The orphanage underwent a full screening of all personnel back then."
"Elysia's name was clearly on the list. She was, by all accounts, human. Before undergoing the Fusion Warrior surgery, there were absolutely no traces of Honkai Energy activity."
"Although it may be disrespectful to our departed colleagues, our Honkai Energy detection devices at that time were not as precise as they are today. There is no need for any of you to refute this. I was involved in the entire process, from the research and development of the devices to that full-personnel screening."
"To be precise,"
"I was the lead researcher for this project."
"If I am to be held responsible for the erroneous judgment resulting from a misreading, as well as the wasted manpower and resources, then I am willing to accept the verdict from the deliberating committee."
...
"An increase in Honkai Energy levels is not a unique case."
"Even an ordinary Fusion Warrior's energy level will continuously increase as their adaptation strengthens through training."
"Furthermore, 'Maheśvara' was rated as a Dharma-Ending-class Honkai Beast, just like 'Vishnu.' The two are different species, so their methods of evolution will naturally differ. It is not hard to imagine a being improving itself through means other than devouring and evolution."
"Moreover,"
"The Flame-Chasers also have special methods to strengthen Fusion Warriors. I apologize, but a public occasion such as this is not suitable for demonstrating these technologies."
"If any of you have a need to 'observe,' you are more than welcome to use this opportunity to submit an application to the Flame-Chasers... Of course, I would recommend a personal visit. After all, given the base's defensive measures, this current method of communication certainly cannot perform its proper function."
...
"This is slander!"
"We indeed cannot explain it from a scientific standpoint."
"But according to existing intelligence, not a single one of the vessels for the Tenth Herrscher's advent was a Fusion Warrior. As one of the first Fusion Warriors to undergo the surgery, it is impossible for Elysia to have been a vessel for the Tenth Herrscher's descent!"
"On the other hand, those of you who proposed this hearing..."
A chaotic clamor arose—
"I am not doubting you yourselves; everyone here is fighting for humanity's sake."
"But!"
"This does not rule out the possibility that the aide who proposed this to you is not as 'pure' in identity as one might imagine."
Amidst the renewed sounds of questioning—
"This is Elysia's surgical record."
Mr. Li held up the still-sealed surgical file that was on the table before him.
"Codename CM-002."
"To prove Elysia's innocence, the Flame-Chasers are willing to make this surgical data concerning a Fusion Warrior public."
"Please do not question the authenticity of the experiment."
"In the initial Fusion Warrior surgeries, with the exception of Kevin, whose operation was performed jointly by Dr. Mei and Dr. Mobius, all others were personally handled by Dr. Mobius. As a scientist, Dr. Mobius's authority in the field of biomedicine would never have been questioned by any researcher, even when the continent of Mu still existed."
"..."
A long silence echoed above the council seats.
"Mr. Li."
"The file in your hands, could you allow us to take a look?"
"The scanning and transmission protocols will all use LZ-02 to ensure no data is leaked... Any leaker will be considered our common enemy."
A somewhat aged female voice spoke from the westernmost chair.
"Of course."
Mr. Li had no reason to refuse.
He forcefully tore open the clip of the special paper file and placed the documents on the heavy wooden table in front of him. A spherical, silver robot flew out from the wall, slowly positioned itself above the file, and a milky-white light flashed from it and was gone.
"..."
"..."
An even longer silence than before descended upon the meeting.
"Mr. Li."
"Can you confirm the authenticity of this file?"
It was the same aged female voice that spoke first.
"Naturally."
Although he felt the atmosphere was somewhat strange, Mr. Li answered truthfully. While he was acting partly to protect Elysia, all his statements were indeed based on facts.
"The file came from Mobius's laboratory."
"The Doctor is very busy, so the file was delivered into my hands personally by Dr. Mei's assistant, Klein. Dr. Mobius once publicly acknowledged that Klein has the authority to represent her in any situation."
"..."
"Is that so."
The female voice sighed softly.
"As a researcher, Mr. Li, you are naturally outstanding. But as a leader of an organization... you are far too trusting of others."
"THUD."
Behind the wood-paneled wall, a heavy alloy wall slammed down with a roar!
"Click."
The projection on the chair gently placed down the virtual file in its hand, its non-existent gaze slowly shifting to Elysia.
"'Ms.' Elysia..."
"It appears you... never underwent the Fusion Warrior surgery at all?"