Psychological counseling was a rigorous science. If Ryan had immediately launched into eloquent persuasion, Sakura might have found it irritating, but showcasing his power first proved far more effective.
Power—the absolute ability to reshape destiny.
Sakura gazed at her open palm; her skin remained fair, making it difficult to fully comprehend that a battle fierce enough to reshape the very landscape had just transpired.
Two seconds later, she felt those previously disgusted glances were less piercing; her negative emotions had been fully vented, and Ryan's words provided the necessary validation.
"Yes, I came this far to protect Rin. For my last piece of family, I would willingly stand against the entire world."
Just as Ryan stated, as long as Rin didn't object, what did it matter if she grew a pair of animal ears, or even became fundamentally non-human?
"I understand. It's true one doesn't need to concern oneself with the opinions of others. You, having become a sort of 'monster' long ago, still managed to survive. But why do you consistently offer help to me?"
What did she mean, 'I became a monster long ago'?
Ryan couldn't help but let out a chuckle. He looked at Sakura. The girl's expression was firm, and her eyes held a genuine softness. He smiled and stretched his shoulders slightly.
He offered this kind of profound counsel to his companions. As the saying goes, time reveals true character. Having spent several months alongside Sakura, he already considered this gentle girl a true friend.
"Partners cooperate based on mutual utility. Between friends, there must be reciprocal aid, just as you wholeheartedly assisted me before."
"Each for all, and all for each?" Sakura gently curved her lips, offering a soft smile. For a brief moment, her thoughts seemed to clarify. "Ryan, sometimes you are strikingly reminiscent of Dr. Mobius."
"How so?"
"Sometimes cruel, sometimes kind, sometimes entirely eccentric. It's genuinely hard to determine which is your true self."
Ryan paused, falling into a moment of deep contemplation. Being reminded, it did seem accurate.
"It's good to be influenced by her a bit. If a person only presents a single facade, life becomes dreadfully dull." He wiped his hair back, sighing softly. "Treating friends requires one kind of perspective; treating enemies demands another. The inherent complexity of human nature is, frankly, quite fascinating to me."
As Sakura pondered the depth of his meaning, Ryan was already carrying his sword toward the Research Institute, surveying the surrounding soldiers.
No one dared to meet his gaze. Some attempted to sneak away, but their legs felt unnervingly heavy, as if filled with lead, rendering them immobile. Their eyes widened in apprehension as the man approached them.
There was no need for hollow threats; the shattered desert landscape served as the most accurate testament to his devastating power. Ryan simply walked into the paralyzed crowd, heading directly toward a young woman dressed in a staff uniform. In her startled eyes, he extended his hand.
His movements were deliberately slow, causing the girl to nearly draw her weapon. Her eyes widened as she watched Ryan retrieve a communicator from his chest harness. A distinct green light flashed upon it, indicating it was still active in communication mode.
"No need to be nervous, I have absolutely no intention of harming you." Ryan offered a friendly smile, then fitted the earpiece into place, his tone instantly hardening: "Director-General, are you satisfied with the demonstration you witnessed?"
The residual 『Honkai Energy』 caused faint static to creep into the connection. The other side remained silent for a prolonged period before a magnetic, masculine voice finally came through.
"Dr. Ryan, we haven't communicated in almost five years."
"Indeed. The first time we met, you were merely a councilor." Ryan held the earpiece, walking straight through the stunned crowd. "Your Excellency Karius, I am genuinely curious why you refrained from summoning me for so long."
"Haha, given your current prestige, summoning you would certainly make many powerful figures nervous—much like how I always maintain a deliberate distance from Miss Elysia."
This was a subtly clever response, seemingly concerned about maintaining organizational protocol and their respective statuses, but Ryan perceived the profound ambition beneath the words.
Inviting compliance, executing resistance, or forcing obedience—none of those approaches would work on him. Why waste further time in mutual, polite awkwardness?
Ryan appreciated intelligent individuals like this. He responded with a hint of genuine emotion, "You truly possess remarkable magnanimity. To be candid, I acknowledge that I already constitute a considerable threat."
"No, your influence compels me toward magnanimity. As for threats, it depends entirely on the target. For my personal benefit, or for the well-being of humanity as a whole—I still know which holds greater weight." Karius stated frankly, seeing no need for pretense. "I have witnessed your power, and Miss Sakura's capabilities. That is enough to make certain individuals reconsider their hostile intentions. Please keep this in mind:"
"This decision is made from a humanitarian standpoint. Should you cross the line, 『Fire Moth』 will deploy its entire strength to neutralize you, because you pose a far greater threat than any 『Herrscher』."
Righteous words, perhaps, but not entirely naive. No one present was a fool. They understood that Ryan and Elysia represented something special, fundamentally distinct from the typical 『MANTIS』 members.
"Understood, but I can make no absolute guarantees." Karius sighed. He had too many complex factors to balance, regardless of the presence of an overwhelming force like Ryan's.
"I grasp your predicament, but this is the cost associated with the power you wield."
Ryan spoke no further, directly reducing the communicator to dust, then spread his hand, letting the fine powder scatter on the wind.
To be perfectly honest, his earlier pretexts were merely superficial maneuvering. Some required actions, though potentially messy, were simply necessary.
If he truly chose to overturn the established order, he would be forced to eliminate numerous people—enough to cause 『Fire Moth』 to completely fracture, enough for various factions to declare themselves sovereign. While that prospect held a certain thrill, it would ultimately result in a net loss.
"Director-General? Is he pressuring you?" Sakura approached at that moment, having only caught fragments of the conversation.
"Calling him 'Director-General' is granting him courtesy. If I didn't, I'd bury him. It's hard to tell who is truly serving whom," Ryan chuckled, asking with a hint of manic intensity, "If one day I had to oppose him, would you stand with me?"
"Yes, I belong to you." Sakura answered without hesitation, perhaps missing the dual meaning in her reply. She nodded slightly. "But you will not fight him."
"Why do you say that?"
"Because 『Fire Moth』 commands seven primary divisions, thirty-five branches, 520,000 temporary personnel, and millions of external collaborators. You and Mei cannot control such an entity. Even if you initiated a bloodbath, it would be futile. No one would follow."
"Overthrowing an existing order is simple; re-establishing a functional one is incredibly difficult. And you, sir, are fundamentally too responsible to seize power recklessly."
"Insightful. Initiating a purge at this juncture would be tantamount to declaring war on humanity, a mere 『Honkai』 infiltrator in disguise. But let me also remind you—" Ryan winked, turned, and departed.
"That doesn't mean it won't happen later."
The man's steps were light. Every necessary contingency had been calculated in advance. He was not just a butcher whose only tool was a blade. In the vast expanse of the future, only two concepts could mold the councilors into pragmatic elites.
One was called Discipline, and the other, the Authority of Sentience!
Hmm…
As Ryan concluded his impromptu psychological assessment, Mobius also opened her eyes. Her emerald pupils constricted slightly due to the guide lights. She was startled, as if dredging up memories from before her period of dormancy.
She hadn't experienced such a comfortable repose in a long time—it felt akin to deep hibernation.
Mobius glanced at the electronic clock beside her, noting that only a few hours had passed. It was a remarkably short span of time, yet it felt like months of deep slumber.
Such fortunate luck. These minor residual effects are negligible. Could it be that guy's genes at work?
Mobius stroked her smooth chin, a subtle grinding sound coming from her teeth.
She didn't know, and that scoundrel absolutely wouldn't tell her. It was maddening.
Truly… not a shred of gentlemanly conduct!
She stood up abruptly, peeled off her stockings, unbuttoned her shirt, and then stood before the mirror, meticulously examining her physique.
Her collarbones were delicate, her skin pale and flawless, her legs long and slender, her curves mathematically perfect. If beauty represented a form of evolution, she had surpassed it ages ago.
"Humans are profoundly strange creatures. Sometimes driven entirely by fleeting emotion, sometimes capable of utterly suppressing instinct."
Mobius traced her collarbone, deeply perplexed. Logically, she should have discerned his weakness by now. Why wasn't he making a move?
Sometimes intelligent people were irritating. Vain intelligent people were even more so. How could she compel him to surrender while simultaneously preserving her own dignity?
Dodoco.
The communicator mounted on the wall rang. Mobius's concentration broken, she frowned and picked up the receiver.
"Klein, what is it?"
"Doctor, you're awake! Nothing major, I just wanted to inform you that Dr. Ryan and Miss Sakura's engagement has concluded."
Battle???
Mobius's mind was flooded with question marks. She had only rested for a moment; why was there a conflict? Was the fusion surgery successful?
"Why on earth did they fight?"
"Dr. Ryan stated he was providing essential psychological counseling to Miss Sakura, reassuring her not to dwell on the side effects of the fusion surgery."
Ah, just like how he dealt with that white-haired boy previously.
Mobius understood the basic premise, but her frown deepened. This scoundrel was constantly interfering. He could have utilized that time to assist her in excavating the Hypervariable Factor.
Ah, I think I see now.
At this realization, her gaze faltered slightly. She finally grasped why Ryan hadn't taken her bait.
Too many people surrounded him. Elysia and that wooden block were already complications, but now there was also that assassin girl. Distractions everywhere; her unique appeal didn't seem as potent as she'd assumed.
No wonder he wasn't intimidated, specifically choosing to defy me.
Mobius delved deeper into her thoughts. Especially recalling the surveillance from the Hawaii trip. Now, thinking back on Ryan's reserved attitude…
My relationship with him is none of your business; I dismissed him first; you cannot claim him.
She decisively halted further rumination on the specifics of his interactions. Regardless of her complex feelings for Ryan, this was the foundational premise of her current approach.
Even if I decide to turn him into a specimen, it should rightfully be contained in my own quarters!
Mobius experienced a sudden moment of clarity. She gave a soft, dismissive snort. "What are those two doing now?"
"Having dinner in the lounge, and currently reviewing the Starfall System data."
Mobius was familiar with Starfall. The latest model of detectors had been networked into low-Earth orbit, then, in conjunction with ground observation stations, they scanned for 『Honkai』 origins, boasting vastly improved spectral analysis capabilities.
Searching for the 4th Herrscher? That was logical. His hands were already full enough.
Mobius was not remotely surprised. She grabbed her towel and headed toward the bathroom. The sound of running water quickly followed.
"Prepare an additional dinner setting. I will join you immediately after my shower."
The call disconnected automatically. Klein, back in the office, paused momentarily, stunned. She hung up the phone, gazing blankly at the ceiling.
Today, the Doctor seems unusually energized, full of competitive spirit?