With Otto's projection gone, the trail leading to him vanished once more.
However, by analyzing the electrical fluctuations of the projection signal, Einstein managed to uncover some clues.
"That direction—the church over there. He has to be inside!"
Once Tesla pinpointed Otto's location, she urged everyone to move quickly.
But out of caution, the group split into two teams. That way, even if one encountered resistance, the other could still reach Otto.
On the bridge leading to the church, Li Sushang stood ready.
The moment she spotted her master, Fu Hua, her grip on her sword tightened.
Deep breath.
"Raksha asked me to stall you here. So unless you defeat me, I won't let you interfere with his plans."
"You're one of Otto's accomplices? Fine. Bring it on—we're not afraid!"
"Well said! This humble one is Li Sushang, head disciple of the Supreme Freedom Sect. I ask for your guidance in battle!"
She raised her sword, introducing herself with practiced formality.
Then Fu Hua stepped forward.
"Kiana, go after Otto. Leave her to me. We have... history to settle."
"Be careful, Class Monitor! If we deal with Otto fast enough, we'll come back to help!"
Kiana nodded, not wasting time. She and the others rushed past Li Sushang without resistance.
Once they were gone, Li Sushang finally lowered her sword, looking at Fu Hua with pleading eyes.
"Master... Now that they're gone, can you, uh... go easy on me? Or maybe skip the fight altogether?"
"No. This is a good chance to see if you've been slacking off."
Fu Hua's refusal was immediate.
Li Sushang had talent—real talent. In some ways, she even surpassed Cheng Lingshuang, Fu Hua's most gifted disciple from centuries past.
There was no way Fu Hua would let her waste that potential.
"Pleeease, Master? Just a little mercy?"
"No. Cutting corners leads to regrets. I won't hold back."
"Uwaaaah—!"
What followed was a one-sided beatdown.
Li Sushang was soon on her knees, utterly defeated—destined to be dragged away by Fu Hua... or rather, have her ear yanked as Fu Hua scolded her mercilessly.
From that day onward, Li Sushang's training would intensify a hundredfold.
She had it coming.
Meanwhile, Kiana's group reached the church—only to find a golden barrier blocking their path.
Without hesitation, Kiana slashed at it with her Flamescion greatsword.
But the barrier merely rippled like water, completely unharmed.
Undeterred, she tried teleporting past it using her spatial authority—
—but the space inside was too distorted. No entry.
"What is this thing? It's blocking Herrscher powers!"
"...It resembles something from the Second Eruption. Though that one was gear-shaped."
"Einstein, you're not suggesting this is the Herrscher of Binding's power, are you? Our detectors didn't pick up any new Herrscher signals!"
Tesla immediately grasped Einstein's implication but rejected it.
Their equipment would've detected a Herrscher's emergence.
"I didn't say it was a Herrscher. But the barrier's properties mimic the Binding authority—it suppresses Honkai energy."
Einstein shook her head calmly.
"So what now? If we can't break through, how do we stop Otto?"
"...The Moonlight Throne might work. It converts Honkai energy into other forms. Perhaps it can destabilize the barrier."
"Wait—that could work! Then what are we waiting for? Call the Hyperion and blast it!"
Tesla immediately contacted Schicksal's engineer, Nagamitsu, to position the Hyperion for a strike.
A beam lanced from the Moonlight Throne—piercing a small hole in the barrier.
But it repaired itself instantly. No time to slip through.
"Not enough output? Nagamitsu! Maximum power—even if it burns out the Moonlight Throne!"
Seeing the attack had some effect, Tesla ordered an overcharged shot.
The second beam dwarfed the first—shattering the barrier completely.
Yet before cheers could erupt, the barrier reformed.
"Impossible! How?!"
Tesla's face paled.
"Good news and bad news, Doctor Tesla. Good: the Moonlight Throne can break it. Bad: one Moonlight Throne isn't enough."
"Tch! So we just wait for Otto to finish whatever he's doing?!"
Despair crept in. Where would they find more Moonlight Thrones on such short notice?
Even if they started building now, it'd take months. By then, Otto's plans would be long complete.
"Doctor Tesla... Perhaps it's two pieces of good news."
Bronya stepped forward.
"Hah? How? Unless you've got spare Moonlight Thrones lying around—"
"Don't forget Bronya's identity."
"Wait—you're suggesting Reason's authority? Constructing them? Can you handle that?!"