Honkai: Man(Sludge) From Future

"This is for distinguishing friend from foe, not for rushing all of humanity into a new era."

After understanding the equipment Tesla had created, Einstein quickly grasped its true purpose.

If they were to use biological means or an indiscriminate attack method like mosquitoes, it would unnecessarily burden Academy City.

Moreover, Tesla had no intention of pushing Academy City's policies so aggressively, which is why she designed it as a living launcher.

"That's right. Academy City's expansion needs time, and this level of expansion requires sufficient accumulation. This time, we directly swallowed two countries with a population of twenty million and wiped out the local religious forces in one fell swoop. This was all to ensure that the rule of the Stigma takes deep root in people's hearts."

"If we were to expand blindly just for the sake of expansion, we wouldn't have enough time to build the middle layer. So, what do you think? My Stigma launcher design is pretty good, right?"

Tesla proudly showed off the device in her hand to her friend. She never thought that a spontaneous idea to miniaturize the Stigma Battlesuit would become such an important tool of governance.

What does this say? It shows that humans are naturally gifted with the ability to think of ways to target other humans.

"Have you already decided to follow Otto's idea to build the middle layer?"

Einstein felt that the idea of building that middle layer was a bit dangerous. Now, Welt was also following Otto's path of creating a private Stigma Space server.

"That guy Noldrei doesn't care what you think. As long as he holds the majority of humanity's authority, he won't worry about us doing anything out of line. Not to mention, he can still isolate the Stigma Space through the Sea of Quanta."

"The Sea of Quanta can interfere with the power system built by the Imaginary Space, which poses a huge threat to the foundation of the 'Mother of Stigmas'' rule. But even so, Noldrei isn't worried about us heading down the quantum path. He's even intentionally or unintentionally guiding us in that direction."

"Imaginary and quantum... I currently have no in-depth research on quantum. I've only simply borrowed the characteristic of material quantization for storage and carrying functions."

As Tesla spoke, she was reminded of the physics research she had put aside recently. A nostalgic look appeared on her face as she thought about when she would go back to developing her own path.

She was no longer satisfied with using things like electron manipulation for her own research applications.

The thought that even a fool like Theresa could obtain the Core of the Herrscher of Reason displeased Tesla.

"And you guys, why did you give the Core of the Herrscher of Reason to a fool like Theresa? What's the point? You should have given it to me to reshape into a stronger Herrscher! What's the use of giving it to Theresa? You might as well give it to me. At least I can use it for higher-level research."

Tesla's attitude towards the Herrscher Core was enough to make Einstein give up on the idea of giving it to her.

The Herrscher Core was not just a Herrscher Core. It also contained the will of its former hosts and genetic information similar to the effects of a Stigma.

If this was given to Tesla, she would most likely become an "ancestor" in the new era.

Especially with Noldrei being overly indulgent of Tesla's research direction, her personality had become increasingly radical within the past year. Not everyone would be willing to back up Tesla's research like Noldrei.

But Einstein couldn't bring herself to say directly that she and Welt had given up on the idea of Tesla using the core.

"Because Theresa is easier to control. And... Dr. Tesla, you wouldn't want me to become the next owner of a Herrscher Core, would you? For us, the Core of the Herrscher of Reason shouldn't be in the hands of researchers like us. The best place for it is in the hands of a fool like Theresa."

In fact, at the beginning, Welt had even tried to get Einstein to accept the Core of the Herrscher of Reason.

If Einstein could be fitted with a Kaslana Stigma Battlesuit and use the Kaslana's Honkai Energy adaptability to compensate for the Core of the Herrscher of Reason, the next second would see a battle between Einstein and Tesla.

If Anti-Entropy produced two high-level Herrschers, it meant they could easily overthrow the entire world order together.

Tesla was stunned for a moment. She had never considered the possibility that someone could replace her.

But now, Einstein was saying she could get the Core of the Herrscher of Reason and undergo Noldrei's human modification? This meant Tesla's own irreplaceability had been reduced to a minimum.

'Oh no, my best friend is going to usurp my power!'

She suddenly realized that she had done many excessive things to her good friend during this time. Her growing power made it difficult for her to accept her previous research speed.

"Einstein... we're still best friends, right?" Tesla laughed dryly, her tone much more respectful.

Einstein calmly played with the ends of her hair and said, "That depends on you, Tesla. If you can rein in your increasingly arrogant attitude, we can still be the best of friends."

"I... when have I been arrogant?"

Although Tesla realized her mistake, she was still stubborn.

"You dare say you're not arrogant? Have you considered our feelings at all in your recent actions? Fine, I'll grant that you've gotten stronger, and sometimes we might not understand how you feel. But after a whole year, you can't still say we don't understand you, can you?"

Einstein looked at Tesla and took a strong step forward. "Wake up, Tesla. You've clearly never been 'cared for' so wantonly before! As a result, you don't even realize how bad this situation is! Whatever you want to research, he gives you the best team. Whatever you need, he gives it to you on a whim. Honkai Energy, research projects, plus your research speed after becoming a Herrscher..."

"You've been completely conquered by the man from the future's sugar-coated bullets! Do you dare say you weren't angry when I threatened you just now? Didn't you feel like I was stealing your power, your things?"

Tesla's eyes darted away. She stammered, "I... I didn't? He was the one who was willing to give it to me, not like I was begging for it... Besides, it's not like I haven't helped him at all. I've given him back a lot, too."

"I guess... I guess..."

Tesla thought about it and realized that her behavior during this time had indeed become more and more unrestrained.

"S...sorry, Einstein... It's research work, you know. I can't help it. It's just how it is..."

Tesla even stuck out her tongue playfully.

Einstein held her forehead and looked at her helplessly. An eighty-year-old woman acting so coy was truly unsettling.

"If you keep this up, you'll be replaced by someone Noldrei finds and thrown away sooner or later."

Hearing her friend say this, Tesla crossed her arms proudly and said, "Impossible! Absolutely impossible! Where is he going to get so lucky as to find a second researcher comparable to me?!"