On the final day, within The Deep End.
Aponia knelt before the statue, her hands clasped in silent prayer. Her expression was perfectly normal, as if she were completely unaware of the events about to unfold.
Meanwhile, Mobius led Kevin and numerous other MANTISes aboard the latest model of airship, arriving in the skies above island p-246.
In the conference room, only five members were in attendance: Mobius, Dr. MEI, Kevin, Elysia, and Klein.
On the room's projection screen, a clear satellite image was displayed. In it, Fu Li stood amidst a crowd of Domination Herrschers, holding the greatsword of Judgment of Shamash as he delivered a speech.
"Everyone, this is the mission."
As the initiator of this operation, Mobius had only revealed partial details of the mission to them after gaining Fu Li's consent.
Dr. MEI, ever the professional researcher, aptly raised her concerns.
"Dr. Mobius, this plan is too flawed. You cannot confirm whether or not this is a lie from Li."
"He is a Herrscher now, after all, not our comrade. What if that blast from the Judgment of Shamash isn't aimed at the Herrscher of Domination, but is truly fired at us? What then?"
"Simple," Mobius stated directly, her expression unchanging.
"We have brought three airships. When the battle begins, everyone on this ship, aside from myself, will depart. Prometheus will be in control."
"I trust Dr. Li. Therefore, I will personally take this ship to the front lines and serve as the bait."
Kevin remained silent, merely sitting beside MEI like a loyal guard.
Klein, as Mobius's most devoted follower and someone who also possessed the Śeṣa gene, was not at all worried that Mobius couldn't withstand a blast from the Judgment of Shamash.
As for Elysia, the only variable in this meeting, she wore a strange expression. Her slender fingers traced faint patterns on the tabletop, seemingly lost in some rare and troubling thought.
Thus, this meeting was less about seeking others' advice and more about securing the opinion of the other top-tier researcher, Dr. MEI.
"I admit, the plan is indeed feasible, and the special explosives Vill-V created are persuasive enough, but..."
Dr. MEI pushed up her glasses and glanced sideways at Mobius, her face a mask of absolute rationality and decisiveness.
"What is Li's objective? What does he truly want?"
"It's simple." Mobius shook her head and sighed.
"He wants to help us resolve the Herrscher of Domination issue with minimal cost, and in doing so, prove something to you—that Herrschers are not necessarily our enemies. He wants to leave a path of survival for Seele and Himeko."
"Of course, the most important point is that, as a Herrscher, he has become far too powerful. Even Kevin, without the Judgment of Shamash, would be no match for him."
"He doesn't want to hurt the people he cares about."
Although Fu Li's original words were that he didn't want to hurt a few familiar people, Mobius didn't reveal the whole truth, choosing instead to blur the concept.
It was a small change, perhaps insignificant, but it could strengthen their trust in him.
"Alright. Then let's vote."
Dr. MEI had always been decisive. She immediately raised her hand.
Following her, Kevin, Klein, and Mobius raised their hands in succession. Only Elysia hesitated for a moment before raising hers as well.
Glancing around and seeing no objections, Mobius's mood didn't improve. Hidden beneath the table, her hand was clenched so tightly that drops of fresh blood began to seep from it.
"Since there are no objections, this meeting is adjourned."
With those words, everyone departed without another word.
Ten minutes later, Klein returned to Mobius's side and spoke in a low voice.
"Li's younger sister, Hua, is also here. She is adamantly refusing to leave. Doctor, what are your orders?"
"...If she insists, then let her stay in a special life-saving cabin and watch. It's durable enough to withstand even a direct hit from the Judgment of Shamash."
"...Yes. I will make the arrangements."
---o---
"Brother..."
Inside the special life-saving cabin, Hua reached out, her hand gently touching the cold screen as she gazed at the figure within the frame. Her other hand was clenched into a tight fist.
Why? First, it was Himeko, and now it was her brother.
It was as if she was cursed. Every person she looked up to, every one of her idols, would become a Herrscher. First the Herrscher of Fire, now the Herrscher of Domination.
She had joined The MOTHs Who Chase the Flame to do what she could, to protect the people she cared about.
But now... what had she protected at all?
Hadn't she... failed to protect anything...?
---o---
Time passed into the dead of night.
Rustle, rustle. Shhh, shhh.
The air was thick with agitation and unease.
The sounds of bodies shuffling and hushed whispers filled the base's main plaza.
As Herrschers, they had naturally detected the airship hovering just outside the island, drawing ever closer. It was for this very reason that they had gathered here.
"Everyone, silence! Silence!"
Suddenly, a powerful voice cut through the clamor and anxiety of the Herrschers.
Appearing on the platform was the undisputed strongest individual among them: Fu Li, wielding the greatsword of Heavenly Fire.
Although most of them fell silent, a small portion of the Herrschers remained uneasy. They questioned loudly how humans could have discovered this place.
Fu Li ignored them. He simply raised the Judgment of Shamash. The fiery glow licked at the side of his face. He didn't say a word, yet the voices of dissent vanished.
Whether human or Herrscher, when faced with absolute power, they would always choose to become humble.
"Now, you may voice your opinions."
Seeing that the Herrschers had quieted down, Fu Li nodded in satisfaction and lowered the greatsword.
"I propose!" one Herrscher stood out, her eyes blazing with the will to fight. "Since these humans who don't value their lives have dared to come to our doorstep, we should declare all-out war on the damn MOTHs!"
"That's right! We should let those bastards have a taste of our power!" another belligerent Herrscher stepped forward.
"Exactly!"
"Well said!"
"I object!" Another Herrscher, who appeared much calmer, stepped forward.
"The fact that they dared to come here means they are fully prepared. Under these circumstances, initiating a battle is not rational."
Her statement was quickly met with a rebuttal from the war-hungry faction.
"Coward! Have you forgotten our fallen comrades? This will only allow them to pick us off one by one, slowly whittling down our numbers!"
"A blind attack is suicide! You have no idea how formidable the MANTISes are!"
"We are Herrschers! Are you saying we're afraid of them?"
The belligerent Herrscher strode quickly toward the calm one. From the look of it, they seemed ready to fight each other.
"Enough! The enemy is already at our gates, and you still have the mind to fight amongst yourselves!"
A sharp roar interrupted the Herrschers' actions. Fu Li stabbed his sword into the ground and proposed a compromise.
"As is tradition, whether we fight or flee... shall be decided by a vote."