"The Honkai energy properties and structure are no different from the records in the database."
Cold sweat continuously ran down Einstein's forehead and into her collar. She made everyone else stay away. She alone rapidly typed on the keyboard, observing and analyzing the Herrscher of Reason's core in the detection vessel from multiple perspectives. The conclusion was that this core was completely identical to the First Herrscher's core.
Had another major Honkai Eruption, also caused by the Herrscher of Reason, occurred in a place they didn't know about?
No.
Because along with the Herrscher Core, the metal humanoid and the metal vessel restraining the Herrscher of Reason's core were also discovered.
Herrscher Cores cannot be directly exposed to normal space. They require special containment vessels to maintain their form and confine the endless Honkai energy. The seemingly inconspicuous vessel structure was ingeniously designed, astonishing even Einstein. The technology contained within the metal container, no more than fifteen centimeters in length, width, and height, was superior to the Fire Moth's containment technology.
The metal material used for both the vessel and the mechanical humanoid belonged to the same type. From structural analysis, it showed a 99% similarity to the Soulium Mei was currently testing, essentially being a large block of stable, pure, and reusable Soulium.
Einstein had a hypothesis regarding the technology of the humanoid and the vessel.
Before the birth of human civilization, another civilization existed on Earth. They were more prosperous and more advanced than current humans, but they also encountered Honkai.
The two civilizations' historical trajectories might be highly consistent. After discovering Honkai, they began to deal with it. Soulium and containment technology were products of fighting the Honkai, but even with technology developed to this extent, they could not avoid the destruction of their civilization.
"Wait a minute, the structure of these two..."
Just as Einstein was about to proceed with the next step of the investigation, she discovered that the mechanical humanoid and the Herrscher Core seemed to be...
Soulium is a metal that perfectly adapts to Honkai energy, which is why it was chosen as the material for Divine Key manufacturing. After countless cycles of life and destruction, and millions of years of environmental changes, a fusion trend had emerged between this Herrscher Core and the humanoid, which was now completely empty internally.
But this was still abnormal. Soulium, unless deliberately processed, should maintain its original state without being eroded. Unless... someone intentionally fused the two.
"The Herrscher of Reason's Core still contains consciousness." She swallowed. Even the most composed person would be shocked by this result. "It wants to revive through fusion with the Soulium..."
The Herrscher of Reason's Authority is to reproduce any object after thoroughly "understanding" and "explaining" it. Her ability, like the Herrscher of Death, leans toward abstract concepts. Theoretically, she could reproduce all human technology and replicate it ten or a thousand times over to strike back at humanity.
Fortunately, she was the first Herrscher to appear. Due to the dual negative factors of Honkai not having fully analyzed this generation's civilization and the Herrscher of Reason herself lacking much knowledge reserve, humanity didn't pay a particularly heavy price to kill her.
However, the consciousness inside this Herrscher of Reason Core was completely different. Its autonomy far surpassed the well-behaved First Herrscher Core. Einstein even suspected that if the vessel hadn't restrained it, it would have already used its authority to reconstruct a body.
Even with the Soulium restraining it, it still hadn't given up, using its weak authority and consciousness to erode the humanoid over thousands or even millions of years, leading to a connection between them akin to body and consciousness.
No wonder the core's shape was identical to the First Herrscher Core, but the color was slightly different...
However, Lady Luck was still on humanity's side. They discovered it before the Herrscher of Reason from the previous civilization could revive using the Soulium. Not only could they gain another Herrscher of Reason Core, but they could also take over the legacy of the Pre-Civilization. This Soulium could be used to manufacture Divine Keys.
"Hoo..." Einstein wiped her sweat. Her curly blue hair was now ruffled like a bird's nest. She answered the external communication: "You can come in."
"Transport these to the headquarters for safekeeping. They must be transported separately. Do not open the Herrscher of Reason Core's vessel, and do not allow this Soulium body and the core to get too close."
...
"Pass me the A4 drill bit."
Mobius put down her pliers and beckoned to Lin, who was standing nearby. Lin picked up the A4 drill bit and placed it in her palm.
She was dissecting a small Honkai Beast with a fibrous exoskeleton. The Fire Moth's armor was mostly inspired by the Honkai Beast's shell. These purely defensive carapaces often proved to be practical in unexpected ways.
Lin asked casually after handing over the tool, "What do you think of marriage?"
"Wait a minute." Mobius impatiently dismissed Lin words. She hated being disturbed when she was focused on research.
Although the subject of her "most hated" thing could change at any moment, right now, what she hated most was...
Huh? Wait a minute.
Mobius suddenly froze for a few seconds. She seemed to have overlooked something significant. She suspiciously put down her tools and asked Lin, who was standing still: "What did you just say?"
"Nothing. You finish your work first." Lin also felt it was inappropriate to discuss unimportant matters in a serious setting.
Mobius convinced herself she must have misheard, and after thinking for a moment, she finished the remaining task.
No way. No matter how much this guy changed, he wouldn't be completely insane, would he?
She convinced herself, then took off her gloves and protective gear with a sneer, asking, "What did you say just now?"
"..." Lin pinched the lower edge of his helmet, looking at Mobius for a few seconds, then suddenly spread his hands and said, "Never mind. It's too much trouble."
"..."
Trouble?
Mobius stared blankly at Lin, who fell silent after saying those words. She didn't know what expression was beneath the helmet, but this sentence was like lighting a fuse, making her expression gradually turn sour.
"What is 'too much trouble'? Do you think I'm difficult to deal with?"
"Yes. I felt that discussing this with you would lead to an ideological debate. I don't want to waste time on something where neither party can convince the other of their philosophy."
"..."
Lin was right. The previous debate on "How to smell stockings" became widely known. Baseless rumors flew everywhere, making her even more reluctant to leave the office. Only a guy like Lin could walk around the headquarters nonchalantly, ignoring such gazes.
"Besides, you probably aren't interested in this matter either."
Lin finished calmly. Seeing that his work was no longer needed, he left Mobius's laboratory, leaving Mobius to frown, still wondering what exactly the matter was.