The Honkai energy reactor let out a rhythmic roar as it operated, continuously supplying energy to the entire building.
Every indicator on the real-time monitoring screens was flashing red, a constant reminder to anyone standing there that the reactor's status was critical and at risk of leaking at any moment.
Once Honkai energy leaked, the consequences for anyone nearby would be irreversible.
According to the data, the reactor's operational power had reached a staggering 2400 HW.
Generally, a Herrscher is born during a Great Eruption of over 1000 HW.
Therefore, this Honkai energy reactor was the very trigger for the Third Honkai Eruption.
"This is what we came here for. Someone deliberately turned this reactor into an unstable bomb. If the Honkai energy leaks, there will be countless casualties, and all of Nagazora will become a forbidden zone for life," Lierre explained to Raiden Mei and Kiana.
"Auntie, what do we do now! If we don't dismantle this bomb soon, Nagazora is in serious danger!"
"Miss Lierre, please, you must find a way..."
Kiana and Raiden Mei frowned, both looking at Lierre's back.
Ultimately, the two of them were just high school girls; they were completely helpless in the face of such an emergency.
Lierre's various absurd displays throughout their journey had given them the subconscious illusion that she could do anything—even solve the crisis of this Honkai energy reactor.
"This thing is beyond repair. Moving it carelessly will only detonate the bomb early. However, since I dared to come here, I naturally have a solution... But before that, how much longer are you going to watch, Cocolia?"
Lierre suddenly looked up toward a surveillance camera swiveling on the wall.
In the next second, a piercing alarm suddenly blared, and all exits to the underground laboratory slammed shut.
"We've been discovered?"
"Why now of all times?"
The sudden turn of events made both Kiana and Raiden Mei tense.
They moved toward Lierre in a defensive stance, gripping their weapons tightly.
Then, Cocolia's voice echoed through the underground laboratory.
"Hehehe, my subordinates just reported to me that Raiden Ryoma's daughter entered the ME Corp building in the middle of the night. At first, I didn't think much of it, but I never imagined I'd nearly make a major mistake."
Far away, in a base belonging to the Anti-Entropy reformist faction thousands of kilometers away.
Cocolia's gaze swept across the three people on the monitor, finally locking onto the smallest figure, the blonde girl.
She had just reviewed the surveillance footage.
When she saw that the security system Anti-Entropy prided itself on was treat like child's play in the girl's hands, she realized the child was anything but simple.
Furthermore, the girl had called her by name, which meant she knew far more than Cocolia had imagined.
Could she be from Schicksal?
Cocolia's interest was piqued. She planned to capture Lierre for a thorough interrogation and peel away her secrets layer by layer.
"Deploy the Titan mechs hidden in ME Corp. Ignore Raiden Mei and the white-haired girl for now; capture the blonde girl first. I want her alive!"
Cocolia beckoned a subordinate and issued the new order.
"Yes, Lady Cocolia!"
The subordinate immediately withdrew.
Meanwhile, back in the underground laboratory.
Cocolia's voice rang out once more.
"Little girl, I saw your excellent performance just now. I'm very interested in you. I'm sure you know what Anti-Entropy does, so I'd like to invite you to join us. We can discuss the terms in person.
As for this malfunctioning Honkai energy reactor... hehe, don't worry. I'll send someone over to deal with the mess."
Cocolia's tone was gentle, almost pandering, without a hint of hostility.
"Evil by nature, Cocolia—save it. I know all about the foul things you've done. Do you need me to list them for you one by one?"
Lierre raised an index finger and continued, "For instance, how you framed Raiden Ryoma and sent him to prison. Or, how you plan to use this Honkai energy reactor to artificially trigger the Third Honkai Eruption and pin the blame on him."
Lierre spoke casually, but the words hit home.
Cocolia's end went silent for a few seconds. It seemed she hadn't expected Lierre to know so much.
Raiden Mei's body trembled, her eyes widening slightly.
Lierre's words struck her heart with an unprecedented impact.
"What kind of scheme are you playing, you wicked woman! To be so insane... if you have the guts, come out and stop hiding! I'll definitely show you what's what!"
Kiana angrily brandished her baseball bat, scanning the surroundings as if trying to find Cocolia's figure.
Initially, she thought Cocolia might be a good person—a helper Auntie had specifically sought out. She never expected her to be such a rotten-to-the-core villain.
"Heh, since that's the case, I'll stop acting. Since you insist on being uncooperative, I'll just have to take some forceful measures to 'invite' you over."
Cocolia emphasized the word "invite" with a heavy tone.
Her words were essentially a backhanded admission to the things Lierre had mentioned.
Hearing this, Raiden Mei slowly lowered her head, her falling bangs obscuring half her face and hiding her expression.
Beneath her bangs, her pale violet eyes grew deeper. Deep within her pupils, the phantom of an exquisite cross flickered alongside purple lightning!
A section of the underground laboratory doors slid open, accompanied by the heavy, thudding sound of footsteps approaching from the distance.
One after another, mass-produced Titan mechs, standing two meters tall with bodies gleaming with a metallic luster, stormed in.
The single mechanical eye in their heads swept over the three people in the lab. After locking onto Lierre, the eyes suddenly glowed with a deep blue light.
"Target confirmed. Commencing capture!"
With the target identified, twelve Titan mechs charged toward Lierre, their heavy footsteps making the ground tremble slightly.
Kiana looked at the weapons mounted on the Titan mechs, then glanced at the baseball bat in her hand. After a quick comparison, she swallowed hard.
"Auntie, Mei, these mechs look like trouble. Should we retreat for now?"
At that moment, Cocolia's voice came through again: "Retreat? Ridiculous. Where could you possibly run to now? Surrendering might save you from a bit of physical pain."
"You!"
Kiana was fuming at her words.
"Good niece, there's no need to get angry at someone like that. Don't forget we have an ace up our sleeve. She won't be arrogant for much longer."
Boom!
A sudden crack of thunder exploded nearby. Black smoke began to billow from the surrounding precision instruments, and the lights on the ceiling flickered rhythmically.
Raiden Mei was surrounded by lightning, and the purple cross deep within her pupils was incredibly striking.
She stared at the charging Titan mechs, her right hand slowly drawing the Tachi at her waist.
"Users of electricity really aren't suited for fighting in a place like this. Mei, you don't need to worry too much. I'm here."
Lierre withdrew her gaze from Raiden Mei and turned to look behind her.
The Honkai energy reactor was becoming increasingly unstable, liable to detonate at any moment.
But to let Raiden Mei properly vent the fury in her heart, Lierre had to take care of the aftermath.
"I'll leave the rest to you, Cecilia."
The crest of the Schariac Family suddenly blazed to life behind Lierre!