In a spacious room filled with futuristic technology, several electronic screens floated in mid-air. A woman with violet eyes and golden hair, possessing both the exquisite beauty of a doll and the tall figure of a mature woman, leaned back in her office chair. She listened to her subordinate's report. As the current acting President of ME Corp, she showed no sign of facing a formidable enemy regarding the news of the invasion of the Nagazora branch's weapons research lab.
"The Nagazora branch? The company hasn't assigned any major projects to Nagazora City. There aren't even any Titans for defense there. To think it would be invaded... Check what project was originally being conducted in the weapons research lab."
Tens of seconds later, the voice of the ME Corp executive on the call became somewhat flustered.
"I am very sorry, Madam President. My clearance level is insufficient to view that project."
"Hmm?"
The woman let out a sound of surprise, then sat up straight in her chair. She began to operate her terminal, using her authority as the current President of ME Corp to access the Nagazora branch's database. But—
"Insufficient clearance?!"
Inside ME Corp, there existed a project that even the President couldn't view. The woman, who hadn't paid much attention to the invasion of the Nagazora branch, assuming it was the work of a competitor, now furrowed her brows.
As a world-renowned enterprise, ME Corp remained a behemoth even after its former president was imprisoned and its reputation damaged. But very few people knew that behind ME Corp stood an even larger organization—Anti-Entropy.
As one of the highest-ranking members of Anti-Entropy, the Executor Cocolia had previously used some means to put the former ME Corp President, Raiden Ryoma, in prison, thereby bringing ME Corp under her control to increase her own power. She knew that Raiden Ryoma, a fellow Anti-Entropy Executor, wouldn't be kept in prison for long over a mere financial dispute. Cocolia simply wanted to use this opportunity to do some things.
But the accident at the ME Corp Nagazora branch made Cocolia realize that things were not developing exactly as she had planned.
Even a project personally established by Raiden Ryoma shouldn't be inaccessible to the current Cocolia. A clearance level higher than an Executor... it could only be...
"Is it a project personally established by the Sovereign? What weapon did he commission ME Corp to secretly research? But Raiden Ryoma wouldn't forget such an important project just because he was in a tight spot. If there really was something in the weapons research lab that wasn't transferred, it should be a failed product. However, the possibility of momentary carelessness on his part cannot be ruled out."
Cocolia muttered to herself with a frown for a while, then reconnected with the ME Corp executive in Nagazora City. All expression vanished from her face, leaving her cold and emotionless.
"Transmit the photo of the violently destroyed door you mentioned."
"Yes."
Soon, the screen changed.
Looking at the photo of the alloy door, which was originally very sturdy and impenetrable even by pistol bullets, now in a miserable state, Cocolia thought for a moment and asked.
"Are the analysis results out?"
"Yes. Based on our investigation of the stress conditions, impact points, and some minute traces on the alloy door, the intruder is human. Tentatively classified as human. That human kicked this door open with just a single kick. Power of this magnitude..."
"Don't act so incredulous. Power of this magnitude undoubtedly breaks the common sense of ordinary people, but that applies to ordinary people. You are part of ME Corp. In fact, an A-rank Valkyrie wearing her armor could achieve this."
"Does Madam President mean the intruder is a Schicksal Valkyrie?"
Cocolia didn't answer. As a superior, she had no obligation to clear up her subordinate's confusion.
"I heard previously that Theresa went to Nagazora City. Is this intelligence accurate?"
"I have confirmed it. She did visit Nagazora City. Although the Nagazora City administration refused to let us view the relevant records, some cameras we installed at the branch building captured her figure."
"Can you find out who she contacted and where she went during this time?"
"I am very sorry! Because we can only install cameras in the office building, so..."
"Alright, I understand. You don't need to worry about what happens next. Continue as usual."
Cocolia's words brought an unconcealable look of joy to the face of the ME Corp executive on the other end of the terminal. She had thought she would at least face a demotion for such a major incident, but it turned out to be business as usual.
Overjoyed, she no longer needed to implement the various plans she had devised to deal with the negligent guard captain. Business as usual—that was best!
After ending the call, Cocolia closed her eyes and leaned back in her chair, deep in thought. No matter how she tried, she couldn't connect the project secretly established by the Sovereign to Theresa, the principal of St. Freya Academy. But it was undeniable that a variable had appeared in Nagazora City, and this variable might directly affect Cocolia's plan.
The [Selene]... that battleship with the potential to change the current state of the Honkai's ravages... To operate it, sufficient Honkai energy was required to drive it. Currently, the only thing capable of providing that level of Honkai energy was a Herrscher Core, and more than one was needed. So, Raiden Mei, the daughter of Raiden Ryoma who possessed the [Gem of Conquest] split from the Second Herrscher's core, must become a Herrscher. The Third Herrscher.
It was time to start planning and setting a time for the Honkai Eruption that was destined to come.
Cocolia opened her eyes again and initiated a new call, which was quickly connected.
"Mother Cocolia?"
A pleasant but emotionless girlish voice came through.
"Go to Nagazora City. Go in the capacity of my adopted daughter, under the pretext of inspecting the Nagazora branch where a malicious incident occurred. During your stay, make contact with the girl named Raiden Mei who attends Senba Academy and monitor her condition. She is the potential Third Herrscher. Watch out for your own safety."
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