Necromancer, but pre-collapse civilization

　He suddenly realized that Vivi's surprise was not just a gift, but also a manifestation of her deep care and unwavering support for him.

　In this way, she silently filled in the gaps in his knowledge, ensuring that he would not be hindered by any disadvantages in the fierce competition with the Moth of Fire.

　"Thank you, Vilvi. I appreciate your kind gesture."

　Moros said, moved.

　At the same time, he couldn't help but pull Vilvie into his arms, pressing her body tightly against his chest.

　At that moment, time seemed to freeze, leaving only the melody of their intertwined heartbeats.

　Moros felt the familiar and warm presence in his arms, and gently inhaled the faint fragrance emanating from Vervi's hair, his heart filled with peace and contentment.

　As a necromancer, he was used to loneliness and indifference, but at this moment, he was willing to let down his guard and immerse himself in this rare warmth.

　Just as Morros was meticulously touring the interior of the spaceship that Velvi had personally planned and built, across the vast ocean on the continent of Mu, Dr. May was also gathering a group of fusion warriors willing to stand by her side.

　"Currently, reports of an escalation of collapse events are frequently coming from around the world. The frequency of these events has more than doubled compared to last month, and this trend continues to intensify without any sign of slowing down."

　In what was formerly the Second Research Institute, now the First Research Institute under the Firemoth organization, Dr. Mei solemnly announced to the digital fusion warriors present through advanced virtual projection technology.

　"Based on my speculation, the next Herrscher is coming soon."

　Within the vast system of the Firemoth, Dr. May is not only an outstanding scientist, but also the soul of the Fusion Warriors.

　Compared to the floating fleet tightly controlled by the Moth of Fire Council, and the Poison Chrysalis Force which only gained partial control despite borrowing Sakura's power, these fusion warriors, who underwent a brutal super-transformation surgery and were reborn as humanoid Honkai Beasts, are Dr. Mei's sharpest sword and her strongest support.

　Unfortunately, among all the Firemoths, only Dr. Mei is capable of performing the Super Transformation Surgery. This technological monopoly gives her unparalleled influence in the training and command of Fusion Warriors.

　Although Parliament has begun training new researchers to learn the technology, it will obviously take some time before they are truly capable of working independently.

　Therefore, at this stage, Dr. Mei has effectively taken sole control of the training and command of the fusion warriors.

　Every decision she makes and every action she takes has a profound impact on the future trajectory of the Moth of Fire.

　It was precisely because of this influence and strength that Dr. Mei was able to solidify her position in the Council of the Firemoth and ultimately stand out to become the indispensable commander-in-chief in this era's civilization's fight against the Honkai.

　Getting back to the point, as soon as Dr. Mei finished speaking, a murmur of whispers filled the conference room.

　But this sentiment didn't last long.

　A sudden chill, like frost on a winter morning, instantly enveloped the entire conference room, drawing everyone's attention back to Dr. Mei.

　This chill transcends a simple psychological feeling; it is a real and tangible existence in the physical world.

　The super-transformation surgery, a miraculous technology, granted Kevin superhuman strength, but also left indelible scars on his body.

　For the rest of his life, he must endure loneliness and never again be able to embrace the person he loves most.

　However, it is undeniable that the power granted by the super-transformation surgery is real.

　Even without the Seventh Divine Key, the Key of Destruction, Judgment of Heavenly Fire, Kevin is almost unmatched among the Fusion Warriors, with only Thousand Tribulations and Alicia able to contend with him.

　The complex relationship between the three, and the power they each wield, was enough to shake the foundations of the Firemoth Council and even overturn the entire organization's power structure.

　However, Dr. Mei chose a different path.

　She knew that the struggle for power was often accompanied by endless conflict and destruction, and what she sought was a more stable and long-term future.

　Therefore, she rejected the temptation to seize power through violence, and insisted on guiding Zhu Huo with wisdom and strategy.

　The moth moves towards a brighter future.

　As for Kevin, he trusted May more than he trusted himself.

　He knew that if he chose to overthrow the parliament by force, it would be an uncontrollable storm with unpredictable consequences, and it would very likely put his beloved Dr. May in a difficult situation, making her bear a burden that should not belong to her.

　"What we are about to face is not just a new Herrscher."

　Dr. Mei's voice echoed in the conference room, carrying an undeniable firmness.

　"The power of the Honkai is expanding at an alarming rate. What we need is closer unity, more precise planning, and powerful weapons to counter it..."

　As Dr. Mei spoke, the projection screen at the back of the conference room slowly lit up, displaying a series of detailed statistical charts.

　These charts are the culmination of Dr. Mei and her team's tireless research day and night.

　They all point to a shocking conclusion—

　"The next Herrscher will be born on the continent of Mu!"

　These words instantly made the atmosphere in the conference room extremely tense.

　Confronting the Herrschers head-on is an inescapable mission and responsibility for these Fusion Warriors.

　Although we now know the approximate location of the next Herrscher's arrival, giving the Firemoth enough time to assemble its forces, the true effectiveness of conventional troops, even the Firemoth's prized floating fleet, is questionable in the face of increasingly powerful Herrschers.

　Without knowing the Herrscher's powers, these regular troops can mostly be regarded as servants with taunt skills, basically just to attract the Herrscher's attention, and then be taken away by the Herrscher's wide-range AOE.

　This profound sense of helplessness and powerlessness is the key driving force behind the Moth Chaser's accelerated progress on the Fusion Warrior Project.

　Regardless, as an organization dedicated to fighting the Honkai, the Flame Chaser must possess a force capable of confronting the majesty of the Herrschers.

　"However, we are not unprepared."

　Dr. Mei's tone carried a hint of barely perceptible joy.

　"Just yesterday, our research made a breakthrough. The weapon that can help you master the power of the Herrscher—the Divine Key—has been completed."

　This is the core reason why Dr. Mei convened this meeting.

　She needs to make sure that her most trusted swords and shields know about the existence of the Divine Key.

Chapter 439 The Key of God and Kevin's Problem

　The essence of the Divine Key is an anti-Honkai god-slaying weapon powered by the Herrscher core and constructed with Soul Steel.

　Even though human civilization on this planet lost the wisdom and power of Velvi, the torch of human civilization was not extinguished.

　Dr. Mei, a leading figure in the scientific research field, possesses talent and wisdom comparable to, and even surpassing, that of Verviers in some areas.

　It was she who skillfully utilized the Herrscher Core, a miraculous creation within the Tree Sea system, and poured all her efforts into forging the Divine Key, this miraculous weapon of god-slaying.

　At this moment, as the virtual light and shadow gently unfolded, amidst the interplay of light and shadow, the magnificent figure of a divine key gradually appeared in the vision of the fusion warriors.

　The Third Divine Key - The Key of Judgment - The Seven Thunders of Purification!

　Since the Herrscher Cores of the First Herrscher - Herrscher of Reason and the Second Herrscher - Herrscher of Void play an indispensable role in promoting the progress of civilization, Dr. May, after careful consideration, decided not to transform these two Herrscher Cores into Divine Keys specifically for combat, so as not to diminish their potential contributions in a wider range of fields.

　Furthermore, the Herrscher Cores of the Fourth Herrscher (Herrscher of Wind), the Fifth Herrscher (Herrscher of Ice), the Sixth Herrscher (Herrscher of Death), and the Seventh Herrscher (Herrscher of Flame) have all fallen into the hands of the necromancer, further limiting her options.

　Therefore, with limited resources, Dr. Mei ultimately focused on the cores of the Third Herrscher - Herrscher of Thunder and the Eighth Herrscher - Herrscher of Consciousness as valuable materials for creating the Divine Key.

　Faced with the unprecedented challenge of creating the Divine Key, she carefully considered the options and decided to prioritize the use of the Herrscher of Thunder core, which is less difficult to construct, to ensure the steady progress of the Divine Key project.

　Under the guidance of Dr. Mei's outstanding scientific research capabilities, and combined with the extraordinary power of the Herrscher of Thunder's core, the Seven Thunders of Purification were born.

　This is a god-slaying weapon with a variety of weapon forms.

　Its power, output, ammunition type, and performance can display a variety of styles on different battlefields and in the hands of different wielders, and can almost perfectly adapt to the needs of all fusion warriors.

　What is particularly noteworthy is that when the Seven Thunders of Purification are fully unleashed, the terrifying attack they release is comparable to the full-force strike of the Herrscher of Thunder.

　In theory, any Fusion Warrior who wields the Seven Thunders of Purification will experience a significant boost in combat power.

　Of course, this compatibility is more of a perfect theoretical concept.

　Unlike the [Relic] series weapons that are generally issued to Fusion Warriors, the Divine Key exhibits unique compatibility due to the Herrscher Core contained within it. This characteristic is undoubtedly extremely unfriendly to wielders who have not achieved a high degree of compatibility.

　Even under less than optimal conditions, this group of fusion warriors can now wield the Seven Thunders of Purification, unleashing power comparable to or even surpassing...

　Its power surpasses that of the [Relic] series weapons.

　However, this expedient measure actually goes against the original design intent of the Divine Key, and is a pointless waste and burying of its unique value and infinite potential.

　Compared to the [Relic] series of weapons, which are expensive but can be mass-produced, the Divine Key, as a masterpiece crafted with the Herrscher core as its core, is rare in the world for its complex manufacturing process and high cost.

　Each Divine Key is unique, its rarity and value far surpassing that of ordinary weapons, making it a true priceless treasure.

　Therefore, in order to fully explore and showcase the ultimate value of the Seven Thunders of Purification, a divine key born specifically for battle, Dr. May decided to search among the existing Fusion Warriors for a rider who could perfectly match it.

　This was precisely her original intention in presenting the Seven Thunders of Purification to all the Fusion Warriors.

　Dr. May hopes that the Fusion Warriors who fight alongside her can adjust their mindset in advance and be in the best condition to meet the upcoming compatibility test, thus gaining an advantage in the competition.

　Yes, the upcoming Divine Key compatibility experiment is not Dr. Mei's exclusive event.

　With Dr. May having already outshone the Fusion Warrior Project, how could the members of the Firemoth Council possibly turn a blind eye to the God Key, a weapon designed to slay gods?

　Under pressure from the Moth of Fire Council, Dr. May finally made a concession and decided to fully open the compatibility experiment of the Seven Lightning of Purification to the council, so that the fusion warriors under the council members' command would also have the opportunity to participate in the selection of the holder of the Seven Lightning of Purification.

　Fusion warriors are human too, and naturally have their own desires and pursuits.

　Faced with the various temptations offered by the politicians, not all soldiers were able to stay true to their original aspirations. Many chose to accept the politicians' olive branches, hoping to satisfy their own desires.

　Although these fusion warriors recruited by the councilors may lack individual strength, in terms of numbers, the Firemoth Council is no less formidable than Dr. May's team.

　This struggle for the Seven Thunders of Purification is not only a contest of the warriors' own power, but also a clash of wisdom, will, beliefs, and even the forces behind them.

　Dr. Mei was keenly aware that while she could gain an advantage in this fierce competition by relying solely on her own strength, she would find it difficult to achieve an overwhelming victory.

　Perhaps it's time to seek some external support and assistance...

　While pondering to herself, Dr. Mei maintained the composure and calmness characteristic of a researcher, and continued to guide the meeting in an orderly manner.

　Just as the discussion reached its most crucial point, a calm and powerful voice, like a cold winter wind, pierced through the noise of the conference room. It was the person she deeply loved, and her strongest support—Kevin.

　His questions were direct and incisive, hitting the core of the problem.

　"Should we evacuate the civilians ahead of schedule?"

　Kevin's question seems reasonable. Since they know that a Herrscher is about to be born, wouldn't evacuating civilians in advance reduce the losses?

　Unfortunately, after gaining a deeper understanding of the complexity of the Herrscher's descent prediction mechanism previously explained by Dr. Mei, it is not difficult to discover that this proposal actually hides huge risks and uncontrollable factors.

　"Civilians must not be evacuated!"

　Dr. Mei’s tone was firm and resolute.

　If Kevin hadn't been the one asking the question, she would have almost suspected that this was a divisive tactic within the Firemoth Council.

　But since it was Kevin, she was willing to explain patiently.

　“Evacuating them in advance might lead the Herrschers away from the predicted arrival location. At that time, it would be secondary to disrupting our original plans. If we allow the Herrschers to act freely without the intervention of the Moths of Flame, it will only cause more serious consequences.”

　After hearing Mei's explanation, Kevin closed his eyes and let out a long breath.

　In fact, the moment the question slipped out, he already had a vague premonition of the answer.

　Even in order to reduce civilian casualties, they cannot evacuate civilians in advance.

　This seemingly contradictory decision is actually a reluctant compromise.

　Before their transformation, the Herrscher's original body is no different from an ordinary civilian and is almost impossible to detect.

　The evacuation operation will only evacuate the Herrscher's physical body as well, causing even more unpredictable and tragic consequences.

Chapter 440 Armed Dolls and Charon-class

　Just as Dr. May was calming the turmoil in the hearts of the Fusion Warriors, her trusted external ally—the necromancer—had already fully grasped all the functions of this spaceship and its complex control mechanism thanks to Virvi's detailed and passionate explanation.

　"So, this warship is actually a masterpiece of collaborative control between artificial intelligence and armed puppets?"

　With curiosity in his eyes, Moros asked Vervie for confirmation without any hesitation.

　"Yes, my spellcasting ability is insufficient to forge such a massive warship into a purely magical creation. Therefore, I chose this unique path, allowing artificial intelligence and armed puppets to work together to steer this starship across the sea."

　Velvi naturally paid attention to the sensational armed puppet rebellion on the Mu Continent.

　She knew that the realm of science and technology was vast and boundless, and never belonged to any one person.

　Given the right combination of ability, resources, and time, anyone has the potential to create their own technological miracle.

　Armed puppet technology is a vivid example of this.

　As a pioneer in this field, Vervier was the first to ignite the flame of life for these chibi-style creatures, giving them unique forms and functions.

　However, within the Moth of Fire organization, which brings together countless elites, there is no shortage of exceptionally talented scientists.

　Dr. Einstein, the head of the research department of the Moth Chasing Fire on the Mu Continent, is one of them.

　Through tireless efforts and exploration, he also successfully developed an artificial life form—the Armed Doll—that could replace conventional human troops and fight against the Honkai disaster.

　However, Dr. Einstein's armed puppets gradually developed self-awareness through the baptism of actual combat. They were no longer willing to be expendable in the war, but bravely stood up and launched a protest.

　Ultimately, through the mediation of developer Einstein, the armed puppets won their freedom.

　However, this also made the members of the Firemoth Council aware of the potential risks of the armed puppet technology, so they listed it as a taboo and strictly prohibited its manufacture.