Presumably, no one could have guessed that in the year following the Stargate invasion of the Tenth Branch and the dispatch of the Thirteenth Squad for reinforcement, the entire Earth... would not experience a single Honkai outbreak.
It wasn't just the large-scale eruptions; even minor outbreaks and abnormal phenomena caused by Honkai energy seemed to have vanished, as if the world had been isolated from them.
This eerie tranquility and harmony represented a peace that had never existed during the previous era of continuous large-scale outbreaks occurring almost annually. While it allowed everyone's nerves to relax slightly, the development of Fire Moth during this period of peace was nothing short of astonishing.
"The number of MANTIS has exceeded two hundred." Ato walked out of his room in his pajamas, casually poured a cup of hot coffee from the nearby machine, and sat down with his terminal across from Lin, who was also eating breakfast. "Headquarters has truly developed at a lightning pace while we've been out here."
Lin carefully cut a piece of steak, dipped it into a bizarre green liquid beside him, and placed it in his mouth.
"..."
"Hmm? What is it? Are you eating something?"
Ato hadn't noticed before, but he now realized there was a pungent smell in the room, seemingly originating from the sauce Lin was using. After swallowing a piece of steak, Lin remained silent for a few seconds and then stopped using the sauce.
Curious, Ato dabbed a bit with his pinky and put it in his mouth...
"Cough—!"
His face instantly turned flushed, then shifted to purple. He bolted into the bathroom, frantically rinsing his mouth with water.
Lin continued his breakfast calmly, unbothered by Ato jumping up and down in the bathroom.
This was yet another "by-product" from Mobius. According to her, Lin sensory loss might not be a true loss of senses, but rather a weakening to the point of near-uselessness. Thus, she wanted to test him with this "one-hundred-times concentration mustard juice."
Clearly, he still felt nothing.
The only thing he could perceive was that Mobius was currently very bored. Having finished all the necessary work over the past year, she actually had time to manufacture such things to prank Lin.
However...
Two hundred MANTIS...
Although the subsequent MANTIS did not reach the Herrscher-level heights of Kevin or Aponia, they were generally on par with or even surpassed Lin in various aspects. This meant that weapons and equipment previously considered "suicidal" for ordinary soldiers would no longer be restricted by a soldier's physical constitution.
Furthermore, the suspended Divine Key Project had left behind crucial Soul Steel standardized weaponization technology, leading to exponential growth in weaponry and various sciences.
The most critical point was—Headquarters had finally been remodeled into a floating fortress. Anti-gravity technology and Honkai energy conversion technology had been successfully applied to the base's reconstruction. Since Lin and his team had not been ordered to return during this year, they had yet to see the vastly changed Headquarters.
Lin could, however, directly observe the changes in Mobius.
Literally observe. Since Lin arrived at the Tenth Branch, Mobius had unswervingly demanded at least one video call per day, citing the need to monitor his body for abnormal changes.
Consequently, Lin witnessed a truly bizarre phenomenon: Mobius, who looked like a girl of fifteen or sixteen yesterday, had transformed today into a loli-stature of about twelve years old...
The specific reasons had been explained by her, but thinking about how Doctor Mobius—who was significantly older than him—had turned into this form still left one with complicated feelings.
"Lin, are you finished with breakfast?"
At that moment, a pink-haired girl poked her head through the door, looking at him with a beaming smile.
Lin swallowed the last bite of steak and set aside his knife and fork.
Every day after breakfast, he would lead the team in training, then eat lunch, followed by free time in the afternoon. He could find some novels to read, be dragged out shopping by Elysia, or whip the habitually lazy Pardo into shape. After dinner, he would write the daily report, have the video call with Mobius, and finally sleep.
Was this what a peaceful life felt like?
"Well then, everyone, the Great Magician's performance for today has concluded. I hope that next time, we shall have the chance to meet again on a grand stage!"
The girl flipped her top hat, and countless playing cards shot out from within, showering the air like a paper rain that concealed her figure.
After the applause and gasps of surprise subsided, she vanished behind the curtain of cards.
Without the concealment of light or stage mechanisms, as if by true magic, she disappeared from beneath the spotlight.
"Utterly perfect."
A man in a well-tailored suit clapped enthusiastically. He was completely captivated by the magic of this passionate, uninhibited, and artistic girl, his face overflowing with an appreciative smile.
"This is the first time I've seen her perform. I only now realize there are truly people in this world who can push magical techniques to the limit, making them appear like genuine supernatural phenomena."
"Eh? Have you seen her perform many times?"
"Indeed. I noticed her when she began performing on the Mu continent a year ago. Every time she appears somewhere and announces a performance, I travel overnight just to watch her."
After a brief chat with the person next to him, the man hurried toward the backstage. This time, he happened to catch the girl carrying a briefcase and humming a tune as she walked out. He rushed forward to block her path: "Hello, Miss Vil-V. It is a pleasure to meet you."
"Oh? Hello." With one look, Vil-V saw through the man's attire, appearance, and temperament; he was clearly of quite high status and rank.
"I have been observing your performances for a year now. I am deeply captivated by your artistry and personal charm. Might I have the honor of inviting you to dinner, so that I may learn more about you and your genius magical concepts?"
The man's smile was appropriate and polite, perfectly fitting the image of a gentleman from the Mu continent. Generally speaking, no one would refuse an invitation from such a gentleman.
After quietly listening to his words, Vil-V narrowed her eyes and offered a smile. She removed her top hat and replied with equal decorum: "I am delighted that you enjoy my magic. However, I am sorry; I believe I cannot join you for dinner to discuss my craft."
The man's smile stiffened. "May I ask..."
"Well... there are three reasons. One: I perform magic simply because I want to 'perform magic.' I believe if one has enjoyed the egg, why bother meeting the hen that laid it? Two: It is not a 'genius-like concept,' but a 'genius concept.' Three..."
Vil-V smiled politely, but her eyes held a mischievous glint. "In my entire life, I will only have dinner with one member of the opposite sex. I do not wish for him to have any misunderstandings or overthink things, even if he doesn't know. As for you, you can try to eat at the table next to us on the day he and I dine together at a French restaurant."
Having said that, Vil-V picked up her briefcase, gave a casual wave, and walked away with a cheerful stride, leaving the man standing there, completely stunned and at a loss.