[After the meeting, the entire MOTHs organization began to operate on overload.]
[Kevin and Eden were in charge of reorganizing the army. Aponia was responsible for placing precepts on the MOTHs' soldiers regarding the 'protection of humanity's kindling'.]
[Vill-V was in charge of preparing the Moonlight Throne. Kalpas, Kosma, Sakura, and Hua were responsible for clearing out Honkai Beasts.]
[Su was in charge of 'Project Everlasting Sand', while Griseo was sent into space.]
[And you, Mobius, and Destoria were in the laboratory, performing surgeries on those willing to undergo the super-variant procedure.]
"Hah... This must be the seventh surgery today."
Returning to his office, Fu Li took off his bloody gloves and tossed them into the trash bin, rubbing the bridge of his nose wearily.
Even for MANTISes like them, the frequency of more than ten surgeries a day was starting to take its toll.
Due to the generally poor quality of the remaining hosts, only a little over 100 new MANTISes had been created in the past three months, and not a single one had reached the strength of their predecessors.
Although they could be called powerful compared to ordinary soldiers, even Pardofelis could easily defeat more than ten of the new MANTISes at once.
It was rude to say so, but those MANTISes could truly only serve as kindling for the future. Facing the Herrscher of the End would be nothing but suicide for them.
"Dr. Li, are you tired?"
A cup of coffee was offered at his side at the perfect moment. Klein, who had also just finished a surgery, asked with concern.
"Ah, Klein. Thank you for your hard work."
Looking at the coffee, which was made exactly to his liking, a look of satisfaction appeared on Fu Li's face. He had just taken a sip when he felt a pair of soft, boneless hands on his shoulders.
"K-Klein? What are you doing?"
"You looked too tired. I'm just giving you a massage."
Although Klein's voice was as lifeless as ever, the pressure of her massage was just right, sending a pleasant, tingling sensation through Fu Li's entire body.
"Then... I'll be troubling you...?"
"It's no trouble."
Feeling the gentle and firm pressure on his back, Fu Li felt his whole body tremble slightly, and a comfortable purr-like sound escaped him.
Seeing Li looking so relaxed, a rare smile graced the corners of Klein's mouth, and a pleased light flashed in her pale green eyes.
For someone as efficiency-focused as her, this kind of troublesome rest was something she had only ever done for Dr. Mobius, and now, for Li.
Perhaps this is what they call, 'one generation plants the trees, the next enjoys the shade'?
Mobius, who was currently performing surgery, suddenly frowned. Under the glare of the surgical lamp, she felt as if something had just appeared on top of her head.
"Mmm... Thank you, Klein."
After enjoying Klein's massage service, Fu Li felt his entire body relax. He thanked her, a little embarrassed.
"It's nothing. By the way, Dr. Li, is there anyone you like?"
Suddenly, Klein sat down in the chair next to Fu Li and asked, as if by chance.
Fu Li thought for a moment. "Someone I like? There are many. Dr. Mobius, for example, and Eden, Aponia, and Hua. And of course, that includes you."
"Basically, as long as they're my comrades, it's hard to say I dislike any of them. If I had to say, I like all of you very much."
Fu Li found the question a bit sudden, but he still spoke his mind.
"...That's not it." The corner of Klein's mouth twitched, and she clarified, "I'm not talking about that kind of 'like'. I mean the kind where you want to get married and be together forever."
"The 'like' of wanting to be together forever?" Fu Li shook his head and said with a smile, "You're talking about romantic love. I'm sorry, but I don't have many thoughts about that right now."
"Perhaps, after all my comrades are safe, I'll have the mind to consider such things."
Is that so?
So that's what Dr. Li thinks. To save everyone? As if to bear the fate of the thousand in my place?
The light in Klein's eyes dimmed slightly, but a faint smile slowly appeared on her lips.
This was her Li, the Li who always cared about everyone.
"Phew, alright then. Thank you, Klein. I'm going to go continue with the surgeries."
Having rested enough, Fu Li stood up and stretched, gave a wave, and headed towards the operating room.
"Mm, goodbye."
Smiling and waving farewell, Klein's gaze swept over the date on the computer screen. The hand hidden in her pocket tightened.
There's only one month left. The End is about to descend again, isn't it?
In the end, she still doesn't have the courage to confess to Fu Li, does she?
Is it because of Dr. Mobius? Or something else?
No, it was neither. It was because she was afraid. Just as she used work to numb her fear of the Honkai, she was now afraid of being rejected by Li.
She didn't have Mobius's wisdom, Eden's brilliance, Aponia's gentleness and magnanimity, or Hua's tenacity and courage.
Someone like her... was just too ordinary, wasn't she?
A soft sigh echoed in the laboratory.
Klein stood up and took her hand out of her pocket. A pendant with a heart-shaped charm was placed on Li's desk.
Many people had come to the laboratory during this time, and quite a few had given gifts to Dr. Li.
It was better to let her feelings sink to the bottom of the sea like this, just for now.
She still had time. She still had time to hone her courage. Perhaps after a few more cycles, she could muster the courage to confess.
After leaving the gift, Klein put on a new pair of gloves and also headed towards the operating room.
[You once again threw yourself into the busy work of performing surgeries. In the final week before the arrival of the Herrscher of the End, a total of 164 new MANTISes were created.]
[At the same time, the MOTHs' final selection process was completed, and the secret transfer of the chosen people began.]
[As the plan commenced, you could clearly feel that some members of the MOTHs' high command were becoming restless.]
[Their backlash was quite fierce. Although you 'cleaned them up' in time after receiving Dr. MEI's approval, an accident still occurred.]
[You can't wrap fire in paper. News of the 'Kindling Project' was intentionally leaked from within, and those who were not chosen rioted, just as expected.]
[They shouted 'The lives of ordinary people matter too!' and frantically attacked the few remaining MOTHs bases.]
[Initially, you adopted a gentle policy, explaining the absolutely fair and just selection criteria of the Kindling Project, but they simply refused to listen.]
[Some even put forward the view that 'Those MANTISes aren't pure humans, what right do they have to board the ark to the new era?']
[Fortunately, you had already anticipated the current turbulent situation. The branches that were attacked were merely targets to attract attention.]
[There is a secret base within the already dilapidated Mount Taixu. The chosen people and all of humanity's remaining important weapons are being kept there.]
[With three days remaining until the arrival of the Herrscher of the End, you obtained the Core of Corruption from Dr. MEI.]