Soon after, Mobius descended from upstairs.
Accompanying her, aside from Nuwa who had gone to fetch her, was Klein.
"Go on, what do you need from me?"
Mobius removed her black-framed glasses and handed them to Klein, who stood nearby. Then, she settled into the seat opposite Durandal, appearing perfectly composed.
Klein accepted the glasses, carefully placed them into their case, and kept it on her person. This way, whenever Mobius needed them, she could provide them immediately.
"Dr. Mobius should know why I'm here."
Durandal got straight to the point: "I hope you will join the Flame-Chasers organization."
"And the reason?"
Mobius extended a hand without a word, and Klein, understanding immediately, passed her a nail clipper.
Right there in front of Durandal, Mobius began trimming her nails.
Though the other party tried her best to appear indifferent, the more she did so, the clearer it became to Durandal that she was actually very interested.
"The reason, naturally, is that the Flame-Chasers can offer you research projects that Fire Moth cannot."
As she spoke, Durandal produced a small box made of Soulium.
This Soulium box was one she had asked Connie to purchase during their trip to the Mu Continent. She had ordered twenty in total, figuring that should be enough.
Durandal didn't open the box immediately.
Instead, she explained, "Inside this is the Herrscher Core of the Second Herrscher. It's different from the First Herrscher Core you handled at Fire Moth... To be specific, if it were exposed and coincided with another Honkai eruption, there's a chance it could give rise to a second Second Herrscher."
Mobius's nail-trimming halted for a moment. She then raised her eyes to look at Durandal. "Do you understand what you're saying?"
"Of course I do."
Durandal promptly put the Honkai alloy box away. She had no intention of handing over the Second Herrscher's core to Mobius for research just yet.
As she had said, this core was 'alive.'
Not only could it select a new candidate to become the Second Herrscher during a Honkai eruption, but it could also achieve the same result through artificially induced Honkai outbreaks—much like what Cocolia would do in Nagazora and Singapore fifty thousand years later.
Precisely because of this, Durandal wouldn't entrust it to anyone for research until the time was right.
Especially not Mobius. She believed the doctor wouldn't hesitate to engineer a Honkai outbreak herself if it meant studying the Second Herrscher.
"Because I understand, I cannot give it to you yet. However, there is something else for which I hope you can produce research results as soon as possible."
This time, Durandal took out a test tube filled with a dark red liquid.
"Blood?"
Mobius frowned. "Whose blood is this?"
After a pause, she asked, "Yours?"
Durandal nodded. "Correct, it's my blood. Additionally, I will provide you with samples of my hair."
"I want you to research how to mass-produce warriors capable of fighting the Honkai. It might be difficult, given you have no prior technical foundation in this area."
"But perhaps it will be simple, because you possess remarkable talent in such fields."
What Durandal wanted Mobius to study were, of course, the Schariac Holy Blood, the Stigmata themselves, and even the unique cellular organelles within the Kaslana lineage that differed from those of ordinary humans.
If the research could eventually support the mass production of a batch of A-Rank Valkyries for the Flame-Chasers, then the organization would be much better prepared for the coming Honkai eruptions.
Furthermore, regarding the Schariac Holy Blood, if its effects could be diluted to a level usable by ordinary people, wouldn't it be possible to create vaccines and specific treatments for so-called 'Honkai sickness'?
In short, Durandal mused that she was practically a treasure trove.
To this Previous Era civilization, she was probably more alluring than the legendary Tang Sanzang!
"Aren't you afraid I might use your blood to develop drugs or other things specifically targeting you? That sort of thing isn't the least bit difficult."
Mobius cautioned.
"I'm not afraid. I'm willing to accept that level of risk."
Durandal shook her head. She had considered this possibility, but she chose to trust.
She trusted that her own strength wouldn't be easily compromised by mere blood and hair samples, and she trusted that Mobius could distinguish between what was important and what was not—that she wouldn't target a high-level combat asset like herself while the Honkai threat loomed.
"Very well."
Mobius looked at Durandal and held out her hand.
Seeing this, Durandal promptly handed over the test tube.
She also took out a sample bag containing several strands of golden and white hair and passed it over as well.
"I'll take these. When will the laboratory be ready? I can't conduct the experiments you're requesting here."
Mobius didn't mention joining the Flame-Chasers, but the implication was clear.
"Vill-V has taken charge of designing and constructing the Flame-Chasers headquarters. You can find a time to discuss your requirements with her in detail."
"I'll instruct her to prioritize the planning and construction of your laboratory. Additionally, I will coordinate with the Nagazora municipal government. If your experiments require volunteers, they will provide the necessary authorizations and organize recruitment."
Durandal had already made preparations and laid out everything she had in mind.
Mobius: "..."
"Alright, I'm tired. I'll go see Vill-V tomorrow."
Clearly, Mobius was giving the cue to leave.
Upon hearing this, Durandal didn't linger. She stood up and took her leave.
Walking out of the villa with Elysia, a familiar voice once again echoed in Durandal's mind.
[Zzzzt... Zzzzt...]
The Gnius signal was still terrible, likely because this world lacked the three major telecom operators.
[Detected that the Savior has organized ten individuals to combat the Honkai together.]
[Progress towards final success has advanced. Reward: Seventh Divine Key · Key of Destruction · Judgement of Shamash. Please choose the delivery location for the reward.]
This time, Durandal chose to have it delivered into the wardrobe in her own room.
The Seventh Divine Key, huh?
I wonder if I can save Himeko, who becomes the Seventh Herrscher...
Well, regardless of whether I can save her or not, the upcoming Third Honkai Eruption might present a good opportunity to get to know—or perhaps 'recruit'—her, along with Hua.
Also... since I've already set Mobius to researching the Schariac Holy Blood and Stigmata, whether to initiate the MANTIS project is also worth considering.
There were still many, many matters ahead. No need to get overly excited just because I successfully recruited Mobius and the others now.
Alright, fine, I am quite pleased. After all, with this, the Flame-Chasers have expanded from the original six members to fourteen.
--+--
PS: Original six: Durandal, Elysia, Connie, Eden, Vill-V, Kevyn.
New additions after expansion: Mobius, Klein, Fuxi, Nuwa, Ato, Blanca, Griseo, Emile.
Fourteen in total. Shouldn't have missed anyone.
--+--