Honkai: Fire Moth Herrschers

Mobius hadn't been able to withstand the pressure. The next morning, an announcement on Fire Moth's intranet confirmed the transfer of the Herrscher cores to the main laboratory for further research, with Mobius as the project lead.

While Mobius was still in charge, the implications were clear.

Elysia was frantic. 

But her frustration was compounded by the fact that Mobius, and even they themselves, were now under strict surveillance. Contacting Mobius through normal channels was practically impossible—the lab's entrances and exits were heavily guarded.

Even Mikael, with all his precautions, hadn't been able to avoid Sakura's detection, let alone now.

Could they just wait and do nothing?

"Elysia, Sakura, look at this article!"

[New Technology, New Dreams, Rebuilding Moth Town, A Home for 100,000!]

At the end of the article, a short paragraph caught their attention—

[To showcase the reconstruction efforts and Fire Moth's significant progress in combating the Honkai, the three Herrscher cores will be on display tomorrow (the 10th) morning in New Moth Town for a small, internal exhibition.]

"An exhibition tomorrow means the cores will be moved tonight at the latest. This is our only chance…" Himeko concluded.

"But… could it be a trap?"

Sakura's question brought a heavy silence upon the room.

After a moment, Himeko shook her head.

"If it were a trap, what would be its purpose? For those unaware of Mikael's survival, the Herrscher cores are simply valuable research specimens… well, maybe I'm not explaining this clearly, but the point is: a trap is designed to capture something—the person who triggers it."

"And who would trigger this trap? Someone trying to steal the cores. And who, besides Fire Moth, possesses the necessary knowledge of the Honkai to even attempt such a thing? And even within Fire Moth, I don't see the point of setting such an elaborate trap."

"Besides, who else knows Mikael is still alive? Mobius? But she's not talking."

"So, the possibility of this being a trap… in my opinion, is practically zero."

This was what Elysia had been waiting for. She punched her fist into her open palm excitedly. "So, we have a chance!"

"Then the question is… how?"

Elysia and Sakura looked at Himeko, who smiled, a strange feeling washing over her. Ever since Mikael had joined, he'd been the one devising plans. She hadn't had to do this in a while.

But she was Himeko. No burden was too heavy for her.

"I'll gather intel. I've been with Fire Moth for years, I have connections. Finding out the details of this exhibition shouldn't be difficult."

"But first, we need to leave the base undetected… Elysia, I just want to ask you one thing: after retrieving the core, are you planning to return to Fire Moth?"

Elysia bit her lip, turning away, then shook her head. "I… I don't know."

"Then, Sakura, what about you?"

Sakura met Himeko's intense gaze, her lips twitching—she had a feeling Himeko suspected Mikael had been in contact with her.

True, she hadn't been particularly close to Mikael, at least not publicly. And she had another, more… problematic identity—a former Poison Cocoon agent.

Even if Himeko hadn't known before, with Poison Cocoon's recent activities, she should know now… so Mikael and Elysia shouldn't have trusted her so readily…

*"So, Himeko's question isn't just for me, but a way to gauge Mikael's intentions?"*

Sakura hesitated. Mikael had only given her cryptic instructions.

*(Get those cryptic messages out of Fire Moth!)*

*"No… I should think: if this were Mikael, how would he answer Captain Himeko's question…?"*

She looked up, asking the question she believed Mikael would ask: "What about you, Captain? Do *you* intend to stay with Fire Moth?"

Now it was Himeko's turn to hesitate.

She'd never considered this before—it had never occurred to her to *leave* Fire Moth.

"Sakura… please prepare three Poison Cocoon uniforms and plan our escape route."

"Captain…"

Elysia and Sakura's faces fell. This arrangement revealed Himeko's resolve…

Otherwise, simply requesting leave and stealing the core would have been the simplest solution.

"Enough said. Let's move! This might be… our last mission together…"

As soon as the words left her mouth, Himeko realized her mistake.

Such words were… ominous for a soldier…

...

"So, we're not intercepting the transport after all…"

"Shhh! Elysia, keep your voice down!"

The moon was hidden behind thick clouds, providing excellent cover.

The news report hadn't been wrong—thanks to new modular construction technology, New Moth Town was being rebuilt at an incredible pace. 

Just days after the disaster, buildings were rising again, lights flickered in the city, the aroma of barbecue and the drunken chatter of people carried by the night breeze, creating an eerie silence.

Elysia was reminded of Ruruye. Humans were such fragile yet resilient creatures. So easily broken by the Honkai, yet so quick to rebuild, clinging to life in this dying world.

Like weeds that refused to be burned away…

But Elysia knew weeds couldn't grow in scorched earth. That was why they needed Mikael. That was why they had to save this world…

She shook her head, focusing on the task at hand.

Their destination was a warehouse-like structure near a construction site on the outskirts of New Moth Town.

Intercepting the transport would have been more efficient, but it would have meant a direct confrontation with Fire Moth… they weren't ready for that yet.

Himeko jumped down from the second floor of a half-built building. "Everything's clear. The factory is heavily guarded, but the warehouse roof is vulnerable. I'll disable the surveillance and create a distraction to draw the guards' attention, while you two infiltrate the building. Elysia, you get the core. Sakura, you handle the power. After Sakura cuts the power, you'll have twenty seconds before the backup generators kick in. Elysia, can you do it?"

"Yes!"

"Then let's move!"

"Wait! Who's there?!"

Sakura shouted, slashing at a nearby shadow.

*Clang!*

A figure was sent flying.

He grunted, struggling to get up as Himeko, Elysia, and Sakura surrounded him.

He didn't resist, whispering urgently, "Get out of here!"

Sakura's ears twitched, picking up the sound of approaching footsteps. *"When were we discovered?!"*

"Follow me!"

The figure ran into the darkness.

They had no choice but to follow.