Honkai: Fire Moth Herrschers

"Dr. Mobius, regarding your repeated concealment of the Herrscher's identity, do you have anything to say in your defense?"

In the bright, spacious interrogation room—barely resembling one—Lucien, chin resting on his steepled fingers, looked at the green-haired "girl" sitting opposite him.

"Concealment? I was merely studying the Herrscher. Isn't that your objective as well?"

Mobius wasn't restrained. She sat with her legs crossed, casually biting her nails.

"But you didn't upload your research data, nor did you report Mikael's identity to Fire Moth."

"So? What Fire Moth regulation states that encountering a Herrscher must be reported, or that Herrscher research data must be uploaded?"

Lucien paused. There wasn't one. After all, when Fire Moth's regulations were drafted, they weren't even sure Herrschers existed…

He realized that, legally, Mobius, even Himeko, Elysia, and Sakura, hadn't broken any rules. He could condemn them morally, but he couldn't punish them…

…so, it was time to revise Fire Moth's regulations…

"Then, Dr. Mobius, can you explain… why you've become so much younger?"

"Oh… that… Mikael did it. Not my fault. Ask him if you have any questions."

"…"

Lucien waved his hand dismissively. After Mobius left, he leaned back in his chair, sighing.

His aide, Ordan, asked, "Councilor, should we summon the others?"

Lucien glanced at him. "Is there any point? Himeko refused, citing injuries. Elysia refused, citing the need to care for Himeko. Sakura is nowhere to be found… Summon my ass!"

The usually composed nobleman finally lost his patience.

"Councilor, there are other ways to punish them. Transfer Sakura and Elysia out of Squad 5. Cut off Dr. Mobius's funding…"

Lucien interrupted him. "You think that's a good idea?"

"Uh…"

Lucien didn't want to explain himself to this clueless aide. Usually, such explanations were pointless, and he often found his subordinates' opinions… less than insightful.

But since the end of the 3rd Eruption, a weight had been pressing down on him, thoughts and feelings he needed to express, but he didn't know who to talk to…

He almost missed Phamas, his former superior. If they could set aside their differences, he could have confided in him…

But that opportunity was gone.

"First, Squad 5, especially those three women, defeated the 3rd Herrscher. They're heroes. We're outsiders from the United Government, lacking a power base within Fire Moth. With Phamas gone, the power structure is still unstable. If we target Squad 5 now, what will the other Fire Moth members think?"

"That's true…" Ordan nodded.

"And…" Lucien swallowed the rest of his thoughts. They might have made him sound more noble, but even he wasn't sure if they were genuine.

Ordan asked, "What about the Herrscher core? Are we just going to let Mobius keep it?"

Lucien's eyes lit up, and he straightened in his chair, his usual air of confident arrogance returning.

"The Herrscher core… such intoxicating power… it can't fall into the wrong hands… by the way, where's that old fool Vashak?"

"He's been… spending a lot of time with Phamas lately."

"Hehehe… hahahaha!" Lucien burst into laughter, clutching his stomach, tears welling in his eyes.

"People… only realize the true value of something after they've lost it."

"Speaking of which, Phamas's funeral is tomorrow, isn't it?"

When Vashak returned to his office, located on the lowest level of the base, he found someone waiting for him.

The figure stood before the world map hanging on the wall, back to the entrance. Vashak couldn't identify him.

But he made the right choice—he didn't run or call for help. He simply entered, locking the door behind him.

There was no point in resisting. If this person could get in here undetected, then he couldn't escape, no matter what he did. It was better to be honest.

Besides, if this person had intended to kill him, he would already be dead.

When Vashak sat down and looked up again, the figure stood before him.

He was examining a pen from Vashak's desk, his demeanor, like his appearance, that of a curious young man.

But Vashak's heart pounded in his chest, a chill running down his spine. He almost cried out.

He forced himself to calm down, asking in a low, steady voice, "Mikael?"

The young man tossed the pen onto the desk, his tone mocking. "Not calling me 'Herrscher' anymore?"

"What do you want… no, how are you still alive?"

Vashak knew his voice must have sounded strained.

"No, no, no, Vashak, I should be asking you that question—what are you planning?"

Vashak pressed his lips together tightly, like a stubborn criminal refusing to confess.

He'd never imagined he would be having a normal conversation with a Herrscher, face to face.

Yet, here he was…

But this was also an opportunity!

He leaned forward slightly, resting his elbows on his thighs, trying to appear casual.

Mikael couldn't help but chuckle—he was reminded of himself, sneaking snacks or novels under his desk in class, thinking he was being so subtle, sitting in the back row, the teacher would never notice…

Yeah, right. "Vashak, could you please stop glancing at me like that? It's as if you're afraid I won't notice you're planning something."

Vashak's eyes widened. He reached for his pistol, but it wasn't there.

"Don't get so excited."

Mikael placed the pistol on the desk. Vashak grabbed it and aimed it at Mikael's head, pulling the trigger.

But the gun didn't fire.

Mikael placed nine bullets on the desk in a neat row, saying nothing.

Vashak frantically loaded the magazine, then aimed and fired again.

Still nothing.

Mikael placed his right fist on the desk, then slowly opened it, gunpowder trickling through his fingers.

Vashak slumped back in his chair, closing his eyes in despair.

Mikael simply waved his hand dismissively.

"Alright, alright, I'm just messing with you."

Messing with me?! You call this messing with me?! Vashak wanted to shout, but his throat was too tight with fear.

"Now, Vashak, let's talk business." Mikael's expression turned serious. "You're a narrow-minded human supremacist, so I don't expect to earn your trust… I just want you to consider this: If I truly intended to harm humanity, why would I fight my fellow 'Herrschers'? Why would I repeatedly help humans?"

"You've witnessed the power of the 2nd and 3rd Herrschers, so you should understand that if I truly harbored ill intentions, I could destroy this entire base in an instant, couldn't I?"

Vashak simply scoffed.

"Maybe… maybe you Herrschers are naturally hostile towards each other. You're just using us humans to hunt your 'kin' and seize their Authority."

"?" Mikael hadn't considered that possibility before, but it… actually sounded plausible…

"Are you serious? If that were my goal, I could have purged Fire Moth and the United Government's leadership, turning the survivors into puppets. Why would I bother with all this?"

Vashak chuckled. "Because you know it's pointless. No one is that stupid. How many people could you control? For how long? Would your puppets have the authority to lead humanity? Or do you intend to rule directly…?"

"Even if you could hide your identity, you wouldn't have the necessary authority. You might control Fire Moth, but not all of humanity… so it's not that you don't want to do it, but that you know it's meaningless, unless you could single-handedly control all of humanity."

"Then perhaps we would worship you as a god—but a single Herrscher's power, while great, isn't that great."

His attempt to persuade Vashak had failed. Mikael shook his head. He'd said similar things to Elysia. Everyone had a brain, no one would believe a single Herrscher could control all of humanity by eliminating all opposition.

And Vashak's reaction wasn't surprising—never argue with a prejudiced person. Their views were based on their biases. You couldn't win.

So, Mikael wasn't too disappointed… if he couldn't forge an alliance, perhaps a small transaction would suffice?

"A transaction?" Vashak tilted his head. "Why would I make a deal with a Herrscher?"

"Oh, then consider this coercion."

"…"

"Vashak, I find it strange. After all this, you can't possibly still believe pure humans can defeat the Honkai, can you?"

"…"

Vashak closed his eyes. The beliefs he'd held for twenty years, since witnessing the 3rd Herrscher's destructive power, had crumbled.

Without those beliefs, what was he living for…?

Power?

Perhaps. He did crave power, otherwise he wouldn't have coveted Phamas's position. But with Phamas's death… power seemed meaningless. He needed to do something—to prove his existence as a human.

Mikael studied Vashak's shifting expressions. He was lost, uncertain—easy to manipulate.

"Let me ask you this, Vashak. Regardless of my intentions, I am fighting the Honkai, aren't I?"

Vashak hesitated, then nodded. He couldn't deny that.

"Which means, we're not necessarily mortal enemies, at least not yet, right? Most of you hate me simply because I'm different, because you fear me."

Before Vashak could object, he continued, "Then I'll leave. If you can't tolerate a Herrscher, I'll fight the Honkai my own way. And this would benefit you as well. After all, researching Herrscher cores is Lucien's responsibility. If the 1st Herrscher's core suddenly disappears, and Elysia, the hero who ended the 3rd Eruption, also vanishes, leaving behind a letter accusing Lucien… that would severely damage his reputation."

"Leaving Fire Moth… no comment. But why do you think he and I are on opposing sides? We've cooperated quite well so far."

"Come on, Vashak. People can share adversity, but not prosperity. According to your little deal, you should be Fire Moth's leader now, shouldn't you? But the position is still vacant, while Lucien is now Chief Strategist… Hmm… wait, don't tell me the Liechtensteins are your only backers? Surely not?"

A vein throbbed on Vashak's forehead, but he suppressed his anger, probing, "What if I refuse, or tell Lucien about this? Aren't you afraid?"

Mikael didn't reply. He snapped his fingers, and a 270mm railgun materialized, its muzzle aimed at Vashak—that was his answer.

"Alright, alright…" Vashak raised his hands in surrender. "What do you want?"

"I want a person."

"If you're talking about Sakura, she's no longer affiliated with Poison Cocoon."

"No, I can get Sakura myself. I want—Rin."

"…"

Vashak was speechless. This was essentially two people, wasn't it…? But Sakura was already a discarded pawn.

"Feeling cheated? Then I'll give you someone else."

"Who?"

"A young man who's very good at… delivering things." [Referring to Agent 007]

"Can I refuse…?"

"Then how about another favor?"

Vashak stared at Mikael in disbelief.

This Herrscher… was he even more shameless than a human?

"Fine, but I have a condition."

"Oh?"

"You're a Herrscher. You should have a deeper understanding of the Honkai than we humans do. I need that knowledge."

Mikael paused, then tilted his head, asking curiously, "Are you sure you're Vashak, not Phamas in disguise?"

Vashak froze…

Yeah…

*[Expletive]! Why am I starting to sound like that annoying old man…?