Necromancer, but pre-collapse civilization

　"You've fought her in person, Hua. Don't you know how dangerous she is? Even I have to be extra careful around her."

　"As for the location... my private laboratory. Not long after the [Divine Sound] experiment, I invited you there, do you remember?"

　"..."

　The girl did not reply.

　After taking several deep breaths, she held up the pitch-black cube with both hands as if facing a formidable enemy.

　But the girl didn't realize it until the very end.

　In one corner of that black cube, there was a crack that was clearly man-made and should not have been there in the first place.

　The girl's judgment was correct.

　Mebius... she truly never consults with anyone beforehand.

Chapter 663 Growing Further Away

　Since performing the super-transformation surgery on Klein, Mebius has rarely appeared at the operating table in person like he does now.

　But since she was the one who caused this disaster, she is naturally the best person to salvage it.

　"Doctor, this isn't the first time you've made this mistake."

　Standing next to Mebius, Cang Xuan's expression was quite unpleasant.

　Just half an hour ago, Dr. Mebius deliberately destroyed the black box that sealed the Twelfth Herrscher, releasing Rin, who had already transformed into the Twelfth Herrscher.

　This is consistent with her usual way of doing things.

　Mebius never cared about the cost in order to advance his research.

　However, this time, she messed up a bit.

　Despite relying on the undead forces left behind by the necromancer and stationed around the research institute, Mebius quickly purged the Honkai Beasts and undead created by the Herrscher of Corruption.

　But the Twelfth Lawbringer still cunningly began to infiltrate and penetrate the computer system of this comprehensive research institute.

　If Mebius hadn't sought help from Vervier in time, and with the help of the expert's remote technical support, the institute's network firewall would probably have been completely breached long ago.

　However, even with Virvi's off-field assistance, if the delay goes on for too long, it's hard to say what kind of big news Ling might be able to create.

　Therefore, upon realizing that the situation was completely out of control, Hua made a decisive move and used the Eighth Divine Key - Consciousness Key - Feather Crossing Dust to engage in a battle in the realm of consciousness with Ling.

　Taking advantage of Hua's ability to hold Ling back on the battlefield of consciousness, the expert successfully expelled the Herrscher of Corruption from the research institute's network system.

　However, this victory did not come without a price.

　The fierce battle in the realm of consciousness plunged Hua into a deep coma.

　This led to the initial scene and Cang Xuan's extremely gloomy expression at this moment.

　“You must know exactly how much we paid to seal the Twelfth Herrscher. Yet you still conducted your research without anyone’s knowledge, just like before.”

　Staring intently at Mebius's profile, Cang Xuan emphasized his tone.

　“We don’t have that many costs left to pay, Doctor.”

　"And if Hua never wakes up again, the consequences... will probably be so severe that none of us can bear them."

　Under the glaring lights, lying on the operating table was Hua, who was in a deep coma.

　"Consequences? Ha, what consequences could there be? Would you kill me?"

　Mebius seemed completely unconcerned by Cang Xuan's words, even displaying a hint of sarcasm.

　"Forget it, they simply can't do it... and they won't."

　With the support of Moros, Möbius's confidence is now much stronger than it was at the same stage of his life in the world.

　Even in the original world, Mebius, who served the Fire Moth, dared to make such a bold move. Not to mention on this planet, where she holds more resources and leverage, she can act even more recklessly.

　“Just like you said, Cangxuan, we don’t have that many prices to pay anymore… and my life is no exception.”

　Mebius is not worried at all about being held accountable by the Moth of Fire.

　She was well aware of her position in Moros's heart. Given the ambiguous relationship between them, as long as it didn't involve Alicia and the others, what did it matter if she completely fell out with the Fire Moth?

　Mebius believed that Moros would be on her side.

　With the powerful support of the necromancer, even if the Firemoth...

　No matter how angry you are, you can only helplessly accept reality.

　Of course, considering Cangxuan's feelings, Mebius chose a more tactful way of putting it.

　"Moreover, in extraordinary times, we need to use swift and decisive measures... I've taught you that."

　As she spoke, she took the utensils handed to her by the person next to her.

　“Mei’s direction was wrong from the beginning… To turn this into a key of the gods is simply a waste of resources.”

　Seeing that Mebius ignored his advice, a complex and unreadable expression flashed in Cang Xuan's light blue eyes.

　"But your direction may not necessarily be correct, Doctor."

　Taking a deep breath and mustering his courage, Cang Xuan raised the question that had been suppressed in his heart for a long time.

　"I can't understand... how is it any different from completely wiping out humanity if we allow the surviving humans to be transformed into virus-like life forms like the Twelfth Herrscher?"

　"..."

　Upon hearing Cang Xuan's question, Möbius slowly turned his head and looked intently at the experimental assistant beside him.

　"Then what's the difference between everything we did before and what we're doing now?"

　"..."

　Faced with Mebius's question, Cang Xuan fell silent.

　She knew in her heart that Dr. Möbius was absolutely right.

　The essence of a Fusion Warrior is a Honkai Beast disguised in a humanoid form.

　Since the Fire Moth, and indeed all of human civilization, rely on the power of the Fusion Warriors to survive, how can it be said that transforming into a virus-like life form for survival is unacceptable?

　"You are free to deny your own existence, Cangxuan."

　Turning his gaze back to the gray-haired girl on the operating table, Mebius's tone carried an undeniable firmness.

　"But you can't deny that the concept of 'humanity' will never be confined to a fixed form."

　"Whether it's the Fusion Warriors or the Stigmata Project... we've already opened that door long ago."

　"..."

　After a long silence, Cang Xuan finally spoke again.

　"Doctor, after this surgery is over, I would like to take Danzhu... away from your laboratory."

　She really can't accept what Mebius is doing now.

　The practice of sacrificing comrades for the sake of research progress completely shattered her sense of security.

　Given Mebius's insistence on his own way and his unwillingness to change the status quo, the only option Cangxuan could make was to leave.

　"..."

　His hand paused slightly, and a barely perceptible sadness flashed in Mebius's pink-green serpentine eyes.

　However, her expression remained indifferent, as if she didn't care at all about Cangxuan and Danzhu's departure.

　"Sure, you can go wherever you want."

　She said calmly.

　"But now, just do your job as an assistant. Focus on the surgery, we still have a chance."

　"...Yes, Doctor."

　……

　……

　……

　On the operating table, Hua finally opened her eyes again, but quickly closed them again because of the operating lights.

　"How is it, Hua? Can you hear my voice? I am Möbius."

　"..."

　"Try to regain control of your body, Hua. It still belongs to you."

　"..."

　"Then, if you remember, Hua, tell me..."

　"What exactly did you see when [she] possessed you?"

　"..."

　"...a pitch-black space, there was nothing there."

　“Except for a little girl… she just sat there, always there… weeping in the void.”

Chapter 664 The Departure of Cangxuan and Danzhu

　Inside the operating room, with Hua's weak but firm reply, Mebius's tense nerves finally relaxed a little.

　Although Hua's description is full of unknowns and mysteries, at least she woke up.

　This is undoubtedly the greatest comfort at the moment.

　However, this hard-won joy did not completely dispel the gloom in Mebius's heart.

　Because she knew that she would soon have to face the departure of Cangxuan and Danzhu.

　Möbius is too clever.

　She understood perfectly that once words were spoken, they were like spilled water, impossible to take back.

　As expected, shortly after the surgery, Cang Xuan brought Dan Zhu to her and asked her to leave in person.

　Mebius showed no intention of trying to persuade Möbius to stay.

　On the contrary, she approved Cangxuan and Danzhu's transfer requests with unusual decisiveness.

　Yes, it's a transfer.

　Cangxuan and Danzhu already held official positions within the Fire-Chasing Moths.

　Although this position was specially reserved for them by Dr. May, out of consideration for Möbius, after coordinating with the other management of Moth of Fire.

　But a position is a job.

　Ultimately, it is a formal position that needs to be taken seriously.

　With this position, Cangxuan and Danzhu are fully qualified to return to the research department of the Fire Moth and continue to use their expertise and talents there.

　With the knowledge and experience they gained at the Möbius Institute, they will surely thrive in the Moth of Fire research department and achieve remarkable success.

　This was the farewell gift that Mebius prepared for Cangxuan and Danzhu.

　Möbius was always exceptionally kind and generous to those who truly earned her approval.

　Having obtained Mebius's official permission, the artificial intelligence system responsible for managing the institute's internal affairs and the stationed undead troops naturally posed no obstacle to Cangxuan and Danzhu.

　In fact, since Mebius did not revoke their original privileges, Cangxuan and Danzhu were not only able to set off in a powerful all-terrain transport vehicle, but also enjoy professional escort services provided by the undead army.

　This arrangement is absolutely necessary.

　Without the constant escort of the undead army and the safe transport of all-terrain vehicles, it would have been virtually impossible for Cangxuan and Danzhu, two beautiful and delicate girls, to safely traverse the perilous urban ruins of Brisbane and reach the nearest field airfield.

　After all, in this apocalypse, the darkness of human nature is often more terrifying than the threat of Honkai Beasts.

　However, the convenience and security measures provided by Mebius also mean that their every move will be under Mebius's surveillance before they leave the all-terrain transport vehicle.

　Cangxuan and Danzhu were naturally aware of this, but they did not feel the slightest worry or unease because of it.

　They knew Möbius's personality and style of doing things well, and understood that from the moment they were granted permission to leave, Möbius would not take any extreme actions, much less kill them.

　As it turns out, Cangxuan and Danzhu's trust was not misplaced.

　They encountered no threat whatsoever until they successfully boarded the transport plane parked at the field airfield and flew toward the Firemoth's headquarters in Tasmania.

　His fingers tapped lightly on the control panel, a complex mix of emotions flickering in Möbius's serpentine, pink-green eyes—