The plane flew on and on, all the way to Mobius's laboratory.
When Mobius stepped off the aircraft, the first person she saw was Klein, who was not yet ten years old.
This was a laboratory she had secretly built using her research funds, and under this black-hearted Capitalist Snake, Klein was the one and only employee.
But only here could Mobius safely hide Klein, preventing her from drawing the attention of others.
This might sound like the classic 'hiding a beauty in a golden house,' but the 'beauty' Mobius truly wished to keep hidden here, away from all prying eyes, was her dear 'little brother.'
Klein looked up, already sporting dark circles under her eyes at such a young age.
"Doctor, has the recovery of the First Herrscher's corpse been completed?"
"Half-completed, I suppose."
Mobius shrugged and wheeled over a gurney with a body covered by a white sheet. She pulled the sheet back, revealing Ashara's delicate yet pale face.
Placing a hand on it, one could clearly feel the complete lack of warmth. Without a doubt, this was the corpse of someone who had been dead for some time.
However...
"A corpse created by the Herrscher of Reason using her authority. The core is the same. While its research value is certainly not as great as the real thing, it's better than nothing." Mobius sighed, her expression a mixture of helplessness and doting affection.
As Fu Li's former older sister, she naturally understood him.
He wouldn't hesitate to strike down a villain, but when faced with someone pitiable and not inherently evil, he was always willing to give them a second chance.
"But Doctor, won't this affect our work?" Klein asked, looking conflicted. "Aren't we on a tight schedule?"
Mobius couldn't help but tap Klein's small head.
"Klein, ah, Klein. We've been through so many cycles, how are you still so silly?"
"If Ashara is tamed by Li, then she'll be just like Pardofelis was before—a living, breathing Herrscher with her own personality who is willing to be studied. Her value is far greater than that of a dead Herrscher."
"When that time comes, she will be my best research material. Heh... that little vixen..."
Doctor, you're right...
But why do you look like you're gritting your teeth...?
And I feel like Miss Sakura has been inexplicably offended somehow.
Klein looked at Mobius's somewhat gloomy expression and ultimately decided against voicing her thoughts.
Without a doubt, her Doctor was jealous.
But... actually, she was a little jealous too...
When the day comes that our memories return, I hope Dr. Li can handle it...
She herself didn't mind, but Dr. Mobius had been coveting him for so long, emmmmm...
At that very moment, far away in the Twilight Street Sanatorium, Fu Li suddenly sneezed, startling Vill-V, who was huddled together with Ashara studying her abilities.
"Li, did you catch a cold?"
Vill-V put down the mechanism constructed by the Herrscher of Reason's authority and asked with concern.
The corner of Fu Li's mouth twitched. "I don't think so. Someone must be thinking about me..."
How could a MANTIS possibly catch a minor illness like a cold?
But Vill-V asked warily, "Who?"
"Mobius." Fu Li sighed. "Ashara is only a doctor of physics, after all. Her knowledge of human anatomy is half-baked at best. Mobius probably sensed something was wrong instinctively when she started dissecting her."
"But it doesn't matter. Since this is her first time working on a Herrscher's corpse, she'll probably just suspect that Herrscher bodies are special."
After speaking, Fu Li looked at the blonde woman who had been sitting乖巧ly ever since returning to the sanatorium, only moving slightly when Vill-V asked her to demonstrate her authority.
The woman's timid expression was like that of a small kitten that had done something wrong. She did everything with extreme caution, making it impossible for Fu Li to connect her with the ferocious Herrschers of his memory.
Or perhaps, the Herrscher personality born from the Honkai had already fallen into a deep slumber.
Just then, as if she had heard Fu Li's words, the young woman glanced at him and said timidly, "I'm sorry... I couldn't construct a perfect human body. It's my fault, it's my problem. I'll study harder, Boss..."
Although she didn't say it out loud, her beautiful blue eyes clearly spelled out the words 'Don't abandon me.'
No... you're a scholar of mechanics, not biology. Why are you like this?
For a moment, Fu Li was stunned. He didn't know how to comfort this overly sensitive and insecure girl, and could only try to formulate his words in his mind.
But his brief silence made Ashara panic. She immediately reached for the textbook placed beside her.
She had to study hard! And strive not to disappoint Fu Li.
This was her last chance. If she were abandoned again, she would probably never be able to find a new purpose in life.
However, her hand was gently pressed down. She looked up and saw Fu Li's helpless expression.
"Stop studying for now. you've only just suppressed your other personality. What you need now is to relax and rest, not to add more pressure on yourself."
"Don't tire yourself out so much, okay?"
The concern in his tone made Ashara freeze. She wanted to say something, but in the end, her mouth opened and closed without a sound. She could only lower her head and let out a soft "Mm."
It had been a long time since anyone had cared for her like this.
Seeing this, Fu Li looked at Vill-V and suggested, "Vill-V, you should stop being so curious about her abilities for now, too. Why don't you take Ashara for a walk around town and introduce her to our friends at the orphanage?"
Ashara suddenly interjected, "No, I'm fine... If Miss Vill-V wants to, I can..."
Before she could finish, Vill-V slung an arm around her shoulder.
"Aiya, don't be so formal. We're all friends now. Li is right, too. I was being too curious just now and forgot the basic rules of hospitality."
She smiled magnanimously. In her eyes, Ashara, who possessed the authority of the Herrscher of Reason, was undoubtedly a genius. It was precisely for this reason that Vill-V was being relatively friendly.
Especially since she had many wonderful ideas in her head. With Ashara's help, those fantastic ideas could surely be realized quickly.
Who could argue with the unreasonable power of the Herrscher of Reason?
To be able to create things from nothing just by imagining them—how much funding would that save?!
I have to build a good relationship with her!
That way, she wouldn't have to be polite with Ashara in the future.
With this thought, Vill-V began to push the timid older sister, who was a head taller than her, toward the door, calling back to Fu Li as she went:
"Don't worry! I'll definitely help her get familiar with everyone."
---o---