Schicksal Headquarters.
Negotiations broke down.
This was the first item mentioned in the intelligence handed to the Immortal Blades by the intelligence department this time.
After learning that Dr. Magi had left Schicksal with the Gem of Serenity, the Schicksal intelligence department immediately dispatched several anti-personnel A-rank Valkyries to hunt down Dr. Magi.
It was just regrettable that those Valkyries all lost contact in the end.
Several hours later, the intelligence department searched and found their battered corpses.
Although these Valkyries lost contact at the time, these intelligence department Valkyries had made certain preparations before the operation.
The equipment they carried recorded the video and audio of the scene at that time.
And one of them had even made contact with Dr. Magi before dying, placing a tracker on him.
Although that tracker was later discovered and discarded, this information was enough for Schicksal to confirm that the country Dr. Magi was currently in was Singapore.
Of course, those high-level officials in Singapore flatly denied that they had joined forces with Anti-Entropy, and very righteously rejected Schicksal's proposal to send personnel into Singapore.
For the intelligence department Valkyries and Rita reviewing these materials, this was undoubtedly a 'breakdown of negotiations'.
After that, Otto Apocalypse, who valued the Gem of Serenity incomparably, had issued orders to dispatch the Immortal Blades, the Far East Branch's former S-rank Valkyrie Theresa Apocalypse, and the active A-rank Valkyrie Himeko Murata to move out together to retrieve the Gem of Serenity from Singapore.
Only now, looking at this intelligence, Rita couldn't help but frown.
She had no doubts about the intelligence her companions in the intelligence department exchanged their lives for.
The person Rita truly felt something was wrong with wasn't the enemy, but her direct superior, Otto Apocalypse.
The four great doctors left behind after the death of the Second Herrscher corresponded to the cores of the Thunder, Wind, Death, and Flame Herrschers respectively.
And any one of these gems was a top-tier treasure for Schicksal.
Although Dr. Magi was one of the high-level researchers in the research institute, with his authority and his ordinary old man's physical fitness, trying to steal the Gem of Serenity and then travel a long distance sounded incredibly bizarre to Rita.
It wasn't like she hadn't seen Dr. Magi.
In terms of research related to the Honkai, Dr. Magi was definitely a powerhouse who could rank in the top five within Schicksal.
But in terms of physical fitness and combat ability... unless he was some hermit expert who knew Chinese Kung Fu, Rita felt she could incapacitate him with one move.
The Gem of Serenity being taken away by Dr. Magi inevitably involved a high-level figure actively acting as a mole.
And a mole who could allow the Gem of Serenity to be successfully taken away... thinking about it carefully, besides Otto, only Amber at HQ was left who could do such a thing.
But considering her boss's true personality, Rita felt the probability of Otto actively pushing for this to happen was higher.
Her boss had used A-rank Valkyries for artificial Herrscher experiments more than once. His desire to create an artificial Herrscher who could control the Herrscher's power wasn't even a secret within Schicksal's high command.
Dr. Magi's granddaughter, Lin, was hoo... well, probably 'persuaded' by Overseer Otto to actively participate in the Gem of Serenity fusion experiment.
The experiment naturally failed; otherwise, there wouldn't be this matter of Dr. Magi running away with the gem.
Thinking about it now, when Overseer Otto chose Lin to be the experimental subject, maybe he had already started setting this up.
Lin was so easy to hoodwink. If she successfully fused with the Gem of Serenity, Schicksal would immediately gain a Herrscher-level powerhouse.
If Lin failed, Overseer Otto could also make Dr. Magi dissatisfied with Schicksal from that moment on, leading him to leave Schicksal with the gem to defect to Anti-Entropy.
Originally, this matter was just a messy operation up to this point. After all, Dr. Magi was precious talent for Schicksal, and the Gem of Serenity was Schicksal's most precious treasure. Losing both at the same time would definitely be a huge loss for Schicksal.
But just a few months ago, Rita learned about the incident in Nagazora City.
Anti-Entropy's Executor Cocolia actually triggered a large-scale artificial Honkai and caused the birth of the Herrscher of Thunder.
Although the Herrscher of Thunder's whereabouts are unknown to this day, Cocolia succeeded regardless.
That was very terrifying.
Combining this with the fact that Overseer Otto had long ago sent a senior to infiltrate Anti-Entropy and mix into Cocolia's team, perhaps Overseer Otto's plan had been calculating Dr. Magi from the moment he learned Cocolia intended to trigger the Honkai and create a Herrscher.
Now that Cocolia had succeeded, Overseer Otto 'gave' Dr. Magi a chance recently.
And because Overseer Otto only gave the chance recently, Dr. Magi could only find the opportunity to leave Schicksal with the gem recently.
Everything, absolutely everything, was under Overseer Otto's layout.
Cocolia had already succeeded once, and it was very likely she would succeed a second time.
And in these few months, Overseer Otto had already adjusted [Bright Knight: Excelsis] for Lord Bianka... No wonder he didn't give Dr. Magi that chance immediately back then; he was stalling for time.
Now that Lord Bianka's Godsbane Battlesuit was adjusted, Lord Otto let Dr. Magi go at this timing.
And our side is already poised for action. When the time comes, as long as the Herrscher of Death is truly born, we have three S-ranks plus an active A-rank, combined with the full power of the Immortal Blades and the mech squads; suppressing Anti-Entropy and the Herrscher of Death won't be difficult.
And at that time, Lord Otto can announce to the outside world that Anti-Entropy actively guided a large-scale Honkai, and Schicksal was forced to enter Singapore, a neutral country, to suppress the Honkai.
Once the label is slapped on, not only will no one internationally condemn Schicksal's action of entering a neutral country openly, but it will also make Anti-Entropy's reputation even worse than it is now.
And the price is everyone in the entire nation of Singapore...
Hah, for Lord Otto, it's very cost-effective, isn't it?
Anyway, Singapore has also leaned towards Anti-Entropy and is already our Schicksal's enemy.
In the enemy's home, using the enemy's technology to create a Herrscher and then suppress it, finally using this operation to slap a pile of labels on the enemy while washing oneself clean.
Our Schicksal is truly winning big.
But... what about the lives of those millions of people?
Although maintaining her usual calm and breezy expression, Rita, who had deduced the general direction of events, felt only incomparable helplessness at this moment.
Although she leaned more towards anti-personnel missions than anti-Honkai beast missions, she ultimately considered herself a Valkyrie who protected the world and the people.
But now, she had to watch millions of people in Singapore be sent to the netherworld because of her boss's plan...
Even if reason told her she couldn't act recklessly at such a time, the sense of responsibility in her heart constantly tortured the girl's body and mind.
She wanted to stop this Honkai from happening, but after a little thought, she discovered with incomparable sorrow that she simply couldn't do it.
Schicksal S-rank Valkyries... apart from the retired Lord Theresa, there were currently only three S-rank Valkyries in the entire Schicksal.
And among the three, Rita had never seen the legendary [Jade Knight]. It could be said that in the entire Schicksal right now, she was the No. 2 among active Valkyries.
But, so what?
She couldn't stop Anti-Entropy's actions alone, nor could she jump out to block the plan Overseer Otto intended to execute in secret.
After all, she knew very well that compared to Bianka, whose potential had no visible limit, she was a 'dispensable' person to Schicksal.
Rita Rossweisse was a useful tool to Otto Apocalypse.
But when Otto sensed the possibility of this tool hindering him, would Otto show leniency to Rita?
Rita didn't want to guess the answer; after all, she knew it in her heart.
The Overseer who could choose to watch millions die, how could he let go of a subordinate who tried to hinder and betray him?
Even if she risked her life, she couldn't stop Otto's atrocity.
Then compared to risking her life, Rita ultimately chose to survive and use her power to protect the people and things that were incomparably important to her.
Only, even if she didn't intend to act recklessly, the thoughts in her heart wouldn't vanish because of it.
And as the thoughts in her heart intertwined, a question couldn't help but appear in Rita's heart.
Which side does Otto Apocalypse, the head of the world's largest anti-Honkai organization [Schicksal], actually stand on in this war of the century?
To let an artificial Herrscher be born, you would rather sacrifice millions of lives...
Lord Otto, are you really on the side of humanity?
"Rita, what's wrong?"
Seeing Rita's constantly furrowed brows, Durandal, who had completed her preparations, asked Rita in confusion.
"Is something wrong with this report?"
"...It's nothing. I was just thinking why Singapore's high-level officials wanted to join forces with Anti-Entropy."
"Hmm... indeed a bit strange. Clearly, after the Nagazora City incident, everyone should have been guarding against Anti-Entropy a bit."
When Nagazora City was mentioned, Durandal instantly remembered that man she couldn't forget.
Big Brother, will you come?
No, that's not right... his identity hasn't been confirmed yet.
Aaron, will you appear in Singapore this time?
If you appear in Singapore, then... this time I must catch you, and then ask clearly about the matters between us!
.................................
Anti-Entropy Headquarters
Inside Anti-Entropy Headquarters, Siegfried took the Soulium box from Einstein's hands.
After examining it slightly, Siegfried stored this Soulium storage box with incomparable caution.
"Is the intelligence accurate this time?"
"Yes, confirmed. Although Cocolia kept it from us, we've always had our people in her team. If nothing unexpected happens, this guy wants to create the Fourth Honkai Eruption in Singapore."
After letting out a slight sigh, Einstein spoke with incomparable helplessness.
"When Cocolia first entered Anti-Entropy, she wasn't this extreme... I can't be bothered to mention past events. Anyway, we can at most provide behind-the-scenes support this time. The key to seizing the gem lies with you."
"Heh, rest assured."
Moving his new arm, Siegfried smiled and gave a thumbs up.
"Leave this matter to me."
"En, Tesla and I will interfere with the movements of those Titans then, and at the same time help you find the location of the Gem of Serenity. But considering Schicksal should also make moves this time, you have to be careful of Schicksal's Valkyries."
"Schicksal's Valkyries..."
After speaking the first half of the sentence meaningfully, Siegfried didn't continue.
The Valkyries in Schicksal who could make things difficult for him, besides Theresa, were the other two S-ranks.
Theresa would inevitably go easy on him if she saw Siegfried, and as for the other two S-ranks... he was actually eager to meet those two S-ranks.
He hadn't forgotten that matter Aaron told him.
His eldest daughter, whom he thought was already dead, had been saved by Otto, given a new face, and turned into the Valkyrie 'Bianka'.
Although the other party changed her appearance, many things wouldn't change.
As long as he met that Valkyrie, Siegfried could confirm whether there was any problem with the intelligence Aaron gave him.
Of course, after confirming this matter... Siegfried felt he still had to do what he had to do.
As long as he confirmed his daughter was still alive and safe, Siegfried would be satisfied.
He hadn't forgotten his main mission this time—of course, it was to snatch the gem!
Millions of human lives in Singapore all depended on that gem.
As an old unlucky guy whose family was broken and decimated more than a decade ago, Siegfried knew deeply how big of a blow a broken family was to a person.
He didn't wish for countless people to suffer broken families because of his mistake caused by missing the timing to seize the gem due to his selfish desires.
There were many opportunities to recognize his daughter. If he delayed this mission because of his selfish desires, leading to millions of people being blown to death by Honkai Energy in front of him, Siegfried felt he would feel guilty about this for a lifetime.
"Excuse me, can you bring me along for this mission?"
In the corner of the room, a person wearing a cloak spoke in an emotionless tone.
"Mr. Siegfried, I am very strong. I won't drag you down."
"If possible, please let me participate in this mission. After all..."
"This is the only thing the current me can do for this world."
.............................