I am a former Flame Chasers

"Really? Sula City was destroyed in an instant, and Elysia didn't catch up?"

It was late at night in the Western Hemisphere. Ryan had just finished his third cup of coffee on the balcony.

Mei had initiated the call. Even with multiple encryptions, it was still risky. Something must have happened for her to take such a risk.

Then Ryan received the bad news, which made his head hurt.

It was one thing to lose a high-level fusion warrior; after all, warriors are meant to sacrifice. Including the Thirteen Heroes, Ryan couldn't guarantee who would survive longer than their counterparts in the original world line.

"I had originally prepared Kevin and Elysia, but the battle started so suddenly and ended so quickly. After checking the surrounding area, I'm sure the Seventh Herrscher has already left," Mei's voice was flat. This kind of emotional control was unique to her.

The worst-case scenario wasn't just a powerful opponent, but also a cunning one. If this Herrscher was anything like the others... no, there were fewer stubborn Herrschers now.

Ryan rubbed his temples, realizing he had encountered a problem. He also sensed that the method of the Honkai had shifted.

This seemed to be using a super Herrscher as a replacement for a child.

From the description, it seemed like the Herrscher of Flame. In the original world line, the Herrscher of Flame marked a major turning point. Before her arrival, humans could still hold their ground, as most Herrschers were city-destroying powers. After her, however, the destructive power of the Herrschers reached a continental scale.

Ryan also noticed a hidden danger. Starting from the third Herrscher, their mutation was linked to him. This seventh Herrscher could be even more powerful than in the original world line.

"There's another update. I've checked the data. The global honkai energy movement is becoming increasingly active," Mei suddenly added, delivering more bad news.

Ah, this...

Ryan rubbed his eyes harder. This was even worse news, indicating that honkai energy was accumulating at an increasingly faster rate. Putting aside the collapse disease for a moment, the more immediate impact was that the time between the arrival of Herrschers would keep getting shorter.

"So you can't beat me in a battle of wits, so you're resorting to force," Ryan mused.

"Well, I can see that. It makes me wonder what the world would be like without you," Mei's tone wasn't joking—she really seemed to think about it.

Without me, not only would countless cities and warriors have been lost, but the Seventh Herrscher would have brought humanity to a desperate point. If it weren't for your 'special advantages,' the world would have already been doomed, Ryan thought.

He couldn't help but admire the strength of the former civilization. In terms of persistence, the Fire Moths in the original world line were certainly more resilient. Mei had fewer resources at her disposal back then, and she was still a researcher.

They had managed to hold on until the end, leaving a legacy for the post-civilization.

Reflecting on this, Ryan felt a wave of calm wash over him. He realized that even without his intervention, the former civilization had lasted until the end. He hadn't done everything perfectly, but he knew he'd made the right calls. Things could've been worse.

"Without me, there wouldn't be fusion warriors. Even if the Seventh Herrscher's strength were halved, humans still couldn't beat him. Maybe they'd have to rely on someone with the 'protagonist halo,'" Ryan added with a chuckle.

"You sound confident, like a savior?" Mei teased.

"I don't dare call myself a savior, but I don't drag my feet when it comes to action. I also foresaw the current dilemma."

"Is that why you decided to use drastic methods?" Mei paused, then finally understood Ryan's reasoning. "You're right, I chose a more stable approach, but it was too naïve. I shouldn't have gambled against Honkai."

"You didn't agree, but you still helped, so there's no need to apologize," Ryan reassured his old friend. "Fight Honkai with all your strength. I really don't want to keep playing detective games with these idiots. Just put them all on the enemy's side."

Mei's lips moved. She wasn't sure how Ryan would execute his plan. He had to ensure the Fire Moth's stability and silence the idiots, all while overthrowing everything without becoming a traitor. Logically, it seemed impossible. She suppressed her curiosity and said calmly, "The strength of the Seventh Herrscher is valuable for your plan. Her appearance proves that no city in the world is safe anymore. No matter how strong the fortress is, it might not hold out until reinforcements arrive. Letting the upper-level fusion warriors guard various places is like sending them to their deaths."

"So?"

"So, the troops should be concentrated to protect the most important places and people. The central server of the parliament has already been compromised. In this life-and-death moment for humanity, Senator Zhuhuo must take responsibility."

Of course, he had to take responsibility. At the very least, he needed to find a way to control the situation. Every time a city was destroyed, valuable assets were lost. But more importantly, they needed to save their own lives. Mei's words were only part of the truth.

Wasn't the underground fortress built for this purpose? With the help of numerous fusion warriors, New York was the safest place on Earth.

And the positions of those parliament members didn't matter. This was the most crucial interest for most of them.

"It seems the Seventh Herrscher has helped me and greatly accelerated the progress," Ryan sighed slightly. "I actually owe the Herrscher a thank you one day." "When you're all sent out, the time must have come."

"This doesn't include me. In any case, they still need a hostage who is weak enough, which isn't easy to arrange," Mei replied sarcastically. Mei was the key player—she was far too important, both to the parliament and to Ryan. Without Kevin by her side, she was just an ordinary researcher. Not even the fusion warriors could protect her—just a few agents could take her down. At most, Vil-V had given her some self-defense tools.

"Because you're so important, the Fire Moth will be sure that I won't take action as long as it's within my control?" Mei teased.

"Of course, the lives of those people combined are not as important as yours."

"So, are you going to endure or play some tricks?" Mei's tone was calm, as if it didn't matter to her.

"Magic tricks can only fool idiots. But don't worry, I've already prepared a backup plan. Take some time to find Mobius. She'll give you a gift—a gift that can solve our current dilemma."

A gift that could break the situation?

Mei was a little curious, but concealed it well.

"Okay, then I'm looking forward to your gift."

After hanging up the phone, Ryan looked out at the dark night, inhaling the cool air, and a faint smile appeared at the corner of his mouth.

"I didn't expect it, did you? From the moment I joined the Fire Moth, I began planning to be the second in command—not, no, to optimize the organization and reduce internal friction. Then the Herrscher came to help."

The Seventh Herrscher had greatly accelerated progress. As Mei had said, whether it was for humanity's sake or to save their lives, the congressmen would go to the underground fortress in New York. There would be defenses, and they would be strict, but guess what?

The one in charge of the construction was Vil-V. I know far more about the emergency exits and escape routes in the underground fortress than you do. The foreshadowing has been laid for a long time.

"Is there a clue to the matter?"

"Well, there was an accident, but progress was accelerated." Ryan casually turned around, his eyes freezing for a moment.

Aponia wasn't in her nun's habit. Instead, she wore a purple suspender nightgown and a brown shawl.

It wasn't too revealing, yet it was wrapped tightly enough that you could only faintly see the deep groove under the bright moonlight—pure and dazzling.

It was this kind of haziness that made it all the more eye-catching—like a heart without temptation, half hidden, yet quiet.

Aponia paused, the mole near the corner of her eye slightly tilting up, looking very pleased.

"I didn't expect fate to start moving so quickly. It's amazing. Whenever you hesitate, something pushes you forward."

"Are you waiting to see the show?"

"That's why I'm staying by your side."

Ryan ignored her, holding the railing, his gaze directed toward the Tiber River and the large shadow looming across it.

"The show won't start for a while. They still need to play the power game for a bit, so we have to stay in Rome for now."

"Don't worry, I'm very satisfied with my life right now, but I'll be prepared." Aponia replied softly, lips slightly pursed. "But Mr. Ryan, I have a small request."

"Just call me by my name. Now we're also a community of interests."

"It's like this... I've been a little bored staying here for a few days. If possible, can I visit the cathedral?"

Ryan frowned and quickly realized that Aponia had no ulterior motives. She was a real nun, and she had never left Sundown Alley. As a clergyman, she surely longed to see the holy city of Rome. Plus, Aponia was very straightforward. Ryan always felt like he owed her something. After all, there was no 100% success rate for fusion surgery.

"Alright, I'll go with you tomorrow, and we'll leave Kalpas and Pardo at the house."

"This is a surprise, but can Kalpas stay?" Aponia asked, still happy, but slightly doubtful.

Kalpas might destroy the house, but he couldn't exactly take care of it.

"Don't worry, I know how to deal with him. This guy is competitive. Tomorrow, I'll compete with him."

"Compete?"

"Yeah, I'll compete with him to see who can teach Pardo high school mathematics first. Kalpas has a bad temper, but he's very determined when it comes to winning."

Puff.

Aponia couldn't help laughing. Ryan had figured out Kalpas' psychology and used it to his advantage. She thought about it and realized that Ryan had been subtly shifting the truth recently:

Fighting and winning isn't just about fighting—it's about winning.

But if they could tap into Kalpas' competitive spirit, it would be perfect. Maybe they could even temper his temper?

"But doing that will cost me a lot."

"Pardo can't be timid forever. She still needs to grow up. And Kalpas isn't that scary. He looks violent, but he's actually quite delicate. After spending time with us, he's accepted us, even if he doesn't say it."

Ryan stood with his hands behind his back, looking well-intentioned.

Meanwhile, Pardo turned in her room, her hair standing on end as she looked around cautiously.

Sister Nia wasn't there. She must have gone to the bathroom.

Pardo smacked her lips, feeling empty without the plump nun to hug. She wrapped herself tighter in the blanket.

Well, guess I can't eat anymore...