"The 3 million-plus years should correspond to Nagazora City's population of over 3 million people, one year for each person. If Sirin hadn't successfully stopped this Eruption... Cocolia's sentence might have been in the tens of millions." Chen Li voiced his speculation about the sentence.
"Looks like Cocolia will be cleaning up trash until she dies." Watching Chen Li casually turn a person into a slime and hand down a sentence of over 3 million years, Siegfried could only think it was utterly terrifying.
"Speaking of which, I once left several thousand slimes behind in the Previous Era. Don't you major factions know about their existence?" Chen Li asked, looking at Siegfried and Raiden Ryoma with some confusion.
Raiden Ryoma and Siegfried looked at each other.
Neither of them had ever heard of such a thing.
"I remember I even specifically increased their sentences. I wanted to see if I could meet them again after 50,000 years and find out what they were being used for," Chen Li said.
During the Second Eruption, Chen Li didn't have time to ask about these things. Now that he had turned Cocolia into a slime, he happened to remember.
"Have you ever drunk nutrient fluid?" Gray Serpent suddenly spoke up.
"What nutrient fluid?"
"The special-type nutrient fluid produced by Shencheng Pharmaceutical. It refreshes the mind, replenishes stamina, and sustains life," Gray Serpent said.
"Oh, the special-type nutrient fluid. I've had it. What about it?" Siegfried instantly recalled.
Shencheng Pharmaceutical was a world-renowned medical company headquartered in Europe. It had close ties with Schicksal, which had always supplied the raw materials for its medicines. After the Second Eruption, the founder of Shencheng Pharmaceutical invented several drugs to combat Honkai energy infection and had been providing free medical services to cities affected by the Honkai around the world, benefiting countless patients.
The nutrient fluid Gray Serpent mentioned was one of Shencheng Pharmaceutical's specialty products.
Siegfried had drunk it. The effect was truly excellent.
It was just that the texture was a bit slimy.
"That stuff is indeed very effective. Anti-Entropy uses it as well," Raiden Ryoma also nodded.
"Don't you think the mucus left behind by the slimes after they clean up trash looks a lot like that special-type nutrient fluid?" Gray Serpent crouched down and slid his finger through the special mucus left on Raiden Mei's floor by the Cocolia-slime.
"Are you saying..." Raiden Ryoma and Siegfried exchanged a look.
"Shencheng Pharmaceutical is a subsidiary of the World Serpent. Ever since the new civilization was born 5,000 years ago, the World Serpent has used its power to gather these slimes. We then provide them with trash for them to decompose, leaving behind this nutrient fluid, which we then preserve. It was only after the Second Eruption, when the appearance of such a fluid would no longer seem out of place, that we began to sell it," Gray Serpent explained.
"BLEGH!" Raiden Ryoma and Siegfried both began to dry-heave simultaneously.
Evidently, both of them had consumed this particular nutrient fluid.
"Does your World Serpent have any humanity at all? Selling us slime mucus that's been stored for 5,000 years!" Siegfried was so angry he raised his Sword of Flames.
"Damn you, World Serpent!" Raiden Ryoma, lacking a proper weapon, once again brandished a household chair.
"Gentlemen, please don't be angry. It's useless to be angry. What's drunk is drunk," Gray Serpent said faintly.
"You!"
"Alright, everyone calm down. Actually, the nutrient fluid left behind by slimes after decomposing trash can indeed be collected. It's a genuinely high-quality nutrient fluid. Transforming trash into a gift for the world is the sole value of these sinner-slimes in this world." Chen Li stepped forward, attempting to be the peacemaker.
The role of slimes in the world was that of a decomposer.
Although Chen Li explained, the expressions on Siegfried and Raiden Ryoma's faces still looked as if they had eaten something unspeakable.
However, Chen Li's words did manage to calm them down a little.
"Indeed, you mustn't misunderstand. What you drank were the diluted leftovers. The truly good nutrient fluid is consumed internally by us at the World Serpent," Gray Serpent added after seeing the two calm down.
What good stuff could the masters of Schicksal and Anti-Entropy possibly get to drink? It's merely what the World Serpent has left over.
"Damn you, Gray Serpent!"
"I'll blow you up!"
"..." Chen Li suspected Gray Serpent was doing this on purpose.
"Alright, stop arguing for now. Let's get down to business. Gray Serpent, have you notified someone to bring the Third Divine Key?"
"I have," Gray Serpent nodded.
"Good, then I'll start summoning people." Chen Li snapped his fingers.
He had organized an event when he went to the Akame ga Kill! world to help the Empire be reborn, so of course, he had to organize one now that he was in the Current Era.
Because Yakumo Yukari was so useful, and she was really eager to make progress, Chen Li had given her a solo mission.
The rest of the people were on a group mission.
Doors shimmering with brilliant light appeared one after another beside Chen Li, and his friends emerged from them in a steady stream.
"Have you gotten the Void Archives?" was the first thing Mobius asked upon her arrival.
"Sirin is still on her way to Schicksal HQ," Chen Li said.
"Then why did you summon me now? I didn't accept the mission to collect Divine Keys," Mobius said with a frown.
"Here, there's a new surprise." Chen Li pointed to Gray Serpent.
"Lady Mobius, it has been a long time. Or perhaps, it is our first meeting," Gray Serpent greeted Mobius respectfully.
"Excuse me, is there a game console here?" a blonde girl asked, running up to a completely clueless Raiden Mei.
"Huh? Yes."
"Can I borrow it for a bit? Thanks."
"Okay."
"Gabriel! Can't you do something productive for once?"
"Well, do you want to play together? Kaguya."
"I was originally planning to look for a Divine Key, but if you insist on inviting me, I suppose I can play with you for a little while."
"Give it a rest. We're all just here to mooch the participation award. The pot shouldn't call the kettle black."
"I'm just saying, one of you is an angel and the other is an immortal. Finding a Divine Key shouldn't be that hard, right? Why are you settling for the participation medal that's only worth 1 Star Stone?"
"Lazy."
"I'm not lazy. Here, here, I'll give you all an immortality buff! There, you can all go feed now." After sharing her immortality aura with her group mates, Kaguya Houraisan chose to play games with Gabriel.
This is how we supports operate. We just apply buffs, and the rest isn't our problem.
With this, Kaguya Houraisan would at least get a huge sum of 2 Star Stones!
"Chen Li, are you really weak, pitiful, and helpless? And why didn't you summon anyone when we were facing Cocolia?" Raiden Mei asked, a bit confused.
"Just because my teammates are strong doesn't mean I am. Besides, the Third Eruption was your main stage, Mei. How could I let others steal your spotlight? Just tell me, did you have fun or not?"
"Emmm..." Raiden Mei recalled the scene of herself standing atop a mountain of broken mechs, holding a blade wreathed in lightning, looking down like a queen at the stunned teachers and students of Senba Academy who had rushed over because of the commotion. Then, without a word, she sheathed her blade and flew into the sky on wings of lightning. Raiden Mei's body couldn't help but get excited again.
That was an absolute blast!
Her only regret was that she was too excited at the time to know what to say, so she left without a word.
Wealth and honor not flaunted in one's hometown is like wearing brocade in the dead of night!
After becoming a Herrscher who was second to none except for a few people, if she couldn't show off in front of the teachers and students who had looked down on or even targeted her, then she might as well not have become a Herrscher at all!
As for the consequences?
According to Chen Li, Schicksal would take care of it.
---o---
"Chen Li, I'm going to look for my sister," Sakura said, stepping out from the crowd.
"Go ahead. Borrow this Curio." Chen Li temporarily lent the [Mengyin Shen] to Sakura.
"Jizo Mitama! I'm coming!" Sakura clenched the pink heart in her hand, then flashed through the window, leaving Raiden Mei's home.
Sakura could feel something calling to her from afar!
"Use the main door..." Raiden Mei's words trailed off as she saw the girl had already vanished.
Tragic. Now I have to find someone to pay for a new window.
"I'm heading to the Elysian Realm for further study," Mobius said as she walked over.
"Huh?"
"The memory-body of Mobius has been in the Elysian Realm for 50,000 years. She must have a lot of interesting research, and none of it is recorded in the Void Archives. I need to make a trip," Mobius explained.
"Go and come back soon. Be careful. You should know yourself. Out of your 100-pound body, at least 98 pounds are rebellious bones. Scam her if you have to, don't be shy." Chen Li handed the Compulsory Transaction Gold Coin and the slapping glove to Mobius.
There's certainly no guilt in scamming yourself.
"Mm." Mobius nodded, then put on the glove and slapped her hand out without the slightest hesitation.
Mobius vanished on the spot, and Chen Li seemed to hear the angry curses of a more childish-sounding Mobius in his ear.
"I'm going to research the Moonlight Throne! Where's Cocolia?" Next up was Vill-V.
According to the Baidu search Vill-V had conducted, at this point in time, the Moonlight Throne should be in Cocolia's hands.
"..." Chen Li pointed to the slime that was currently mopping the floor.
"..." Vill-V stared at Chen Li, dumbfounded.
Seriously, bro!
"Lady Vill-V, I can take you there," Gray Serpent volunteered.
Gray Serpent had cooperated extensively with Cocolia, so he also knew where the Moonlight Throne was.
After a brief discussion, the two of them left.
"I'll be troubling you."
"Is there not a single one of you who wants to help me find the Divine Keys? Do you all just want to mooch the participation award?" Seeing that everyone had found something to do, Chen Li couldn't help but sigh.
"Don't worry! I'll help you! I can go to London to find the Second Divine Key, the Cosmic Juggernaut," Big Herta stepped forward.
Big Herta was quite familiar with the power of the Herrscher of the Void, and since it was known that the Second Divine Key was in London, she could find it with ease.
"I can have my body in London provide assistance," Gray Serpent said.
This was a second Gray Serpent who had just arrived.
"I think you're just purely interested in other World Bubbles, aren't you? But go for it!"
"Then I'm going to find Sirin. She's closer to London right now." After saying goodbye to Chen Li, Big Herta used her Friends Circle terminal to teleport away.
---o---
1st Divine Key (Void Archives): In Otto's hands. Sirin is in charge of retrieval. Gray Serpent offered to lead the way, as he has a spy in Schicksal.
2nd Divine Key (Cosmic Juggernaut): Big Herta is in charge of retrieval. Gray Serpent will assist.
3rd Divine Key (Seven Thunders): In the hands of the World Serpent. Gray Serpent has already been notified.
4th Divine Key: In Schicksal's hands. Gray Serpent said he could help steal it; he has a spy on the research team for the 4th Divine Key. The slapping glove allows one Gray Serpent to find another, give them a Friends Circle terminal, and with the teleportation function, half a day is all that's needed!
5th Divine Key: Modified into a cryo-pod by Vill-V. Gray Serpent will help collect it. Slapping glove plus terminal, half a day is enough!
6th Divine Key (Abyss Flower): In Durandal's hands. Sirin is in charge of retrieval.
7th Divine Key (Judgment of Shamash): Right here, in Siegfried's hands.
8th Divine Key (Fenghuang Down): In Fu Hua's hands. Gray Serpent said he could go steal it because St. Freya Academy also has one of his spies.
9th Divine Key (Star of Eden): In Anti-Entropy's hands. Raiden Ryoma said he would handle negotiations, but Gray Serpent said stealing it would be faster because the World Serpent also has spies in Anti-Entropy.
10th Divine Key (Swords of Xuanyuan): There are too many. Gray Serpent said he could help retrieve some of the surviving ones from Mt. Taixu.
11th Divine Key (Oath of Judah): In Theresa's hands. Gray Serpent said he could help because Theresa is on her way to Nagazora City aboard the Hyperion, and there is a Gray Serpent spy on the Hyperion too!
12th Divine Key (Jizo Mitama): Sakura has gone to retrieve it.
After calculating everything...
"This team of yours, which is strong enough to fight the Herrscher of Finality, has a combined contribution to the Divine Key collection that's less than Gray Serpent's alone?" Upon realizing this fact, Chen Li took a sharp breath.
Seriously, guys!
"You overpraise me, my lord," Gray Serpent #2 said humbly.
"..."
"This Gray Serpent guy is really good at being a spy," Raiden Mei whispered to Kiana on the side.
"For real. It feels like the whole world is a giant sieve," Kiana nodded.
"Don't say that. We can fight. We just haven't had the chance," Kaguya Houraisan said, waving her hand.
"Herrschers and their accomplices! You have been surrounded by Schicksal's Far East Branch! Drop your weapons and surrender immediately!" Suddenly, a deafening voice came from outside the house.
"Theresa's voice?" Siegfried was taken aback.
"Alright, the owner of the Eleventh Divine Key has appeared. Who's going?" Chen Li looked at his mighty generals.
"I'll do it! Queenie the Sprite told me that if it's a fight against this Theresa, she's willing to help unconditionally and grant me full access to all her powers! I can finally have some real fun!" Kiana said, raising her hand.
"Don't be ridiculous, that's your great-aunt," Siegfried said, tugging on Kiana's sleeve.
"Huh? Great-aunt? Never heard of her."
"She's your mother's best friend," Siegfried explained.
"So you're saying that during the Second Eruption, our whole family ganged up to beat up Sirin?" Kiana grumbled.
"Er... you could say that."
"I will go!" Kaguya Houraisan slowly stood up.
"You're finally willing to move?" Chen Li was surprised.
"I have General Gabriel, who can slay Theresa!"
"Huh?" Gabriel was completely bewildered.
"Go, Gabriel! Go and give that nun Theresa a little angelic shock!" Kaguya Houraisan grabbed Gabriel by the back of her collar and was about to throw her out.
But Kaguya first felt herself being lifted by the back of her own collar. She turned her head and saw Chen Li.
"Kaguya, let me see what your limits are."
"Ah?"
"Don't worry, I'll put a shield on you."
"Chen Li, don't do this, I'm scared." Seeing Chen Li even hand over the main body of the Friends Circle, Kaguya Houraisan became even more terrified.
She was afraid Chen Li would stuff her inside the terminal and kick her out like a soccer ball.
"Tch, forget it. I have General Siegfried, who can slay Theresa!" Chen Li looked at Siegfried.
"Huh? Me? Theresa is my brother-in-arms, my beloved family and friend! She's Kiana's great-aunt! It's not appropriate for me to go, is it?"
"I have a Curio here called [The Revival Games]... As the name implies, it can resurrect any living being."
"I have observed that Schicksal is corrupt and Anti-Entropy is inept! The rising star that can fight the Honkai can only be the World Serpent! Your subordinate is willing to go!" Siegfried's expression changed in an instant.
"Dad, that's not what you said a moment ago."
"Silly child, your old dad needs this to save your old mom," Siegfried whispered.
"Oh, then you'd better work hard. Because you're not the only one who wants to revive Cecilia," Chen Li said.
"Who else? I didn't think anyone else remembered Cecilia..." Siegfried was deeply moved.
"It's Sirin. She thinks Cecilia also has a certain mature charm. She not only wants to revive her own mother but also wants to revive Cecilia along the way. You can never have too much motherly love, right?" Chen Li shrugged.
"DAMN YOU, SECOND HERRSCHER!" Siegfried grabbed his Sword of Flames and smashed through the window.
No, I have to hurry!
Sirin is going to steal my wife!
"What? My mom wants to revive my mom, and then steal my mom?" Kiana was flabbergasted.
"???" - Raiden Mei.
Raiden Mei, who had been out of the loop the entire time, couldn't understand a single word Kiana was saying.
Are you even speaking a human language?
What do you mean, your mom wants to revive your mom, then steal your mom?
How many moms do you have?
---o---
"Theresa! The Herrscher has been subdued! Come on down! And Raiden Mei's house has lots of bitter melon juice! And lots of limited-edition Homu dolls!"
Siegfried began to choose his strategy.
Siegfried chose: [All's Fair in War].
I'm sorry, Theresa. For Cecilia's sake, I have to do something despicable to you.
Siegfried could tell Chen Li wasn't a bad person, so to save Cecilia, this was a necessary sacrifice!
Siegfried felt that if Theresa were in his shoes, she would do the same thing.
"What? Is that so? I'm coming down right now!" Theresa was overjoyed.
---o---