"So, what exactly is the matter?"
Although Jun An roughly guessed the plot's direction, he still cautiously asked for clarification.
According to the main storyline's timeline, Sa should have already been defeated by Kiana by now, and the All-Knowing Eye captured by the bad woman Vita.
However, the world Jun An was currently in was Hell Mode; the bosses were strengthened, so deviations in the plot were inevitable. Not to mention, 'It' had even launched a sneak attack when Kiana ascended to godhood.
"While traveling in the Sea of Quanta, we discovered some strange phenomena. It's somewhat troublesome to resolve using our own abilities, and we're even a bit clueless on how to start."
Prometheus No. 17 said, "You are an expert in Honkai studies. I heard your judgment has never been wrong, so I want you to help us save this world bubble."
Expert in Honkai studies... Due to Schicksal's early policy of secrecy towards ordinary people, very few individuals entered the field of Honkai studies. Therefore, anyone with even slight research was basically considered an expert.
And Jun An was currently the only living expert who could go to the front lines and personally study the internal structures of Honkai Beasts and Herrschers. Incidentally, the Flame-Chasers weren't included in this list because they couldn't leave the Elysian Realm.
"I've said it before, I'm no expert. I just know some things in advance by peeking at another worldline."
Jun An explained helplessly once again. "I'm not an expert. If you guys keep promoting me like this, my future job posting might end up being on the moon."
Although Jun An belonged to the military, the military also had scientists. A soldier's duty is to obey orders. Maybe some superior, seeing Jun An idle, would transfer him to the moon to research Finality.
After all, experts in Honkai studies were scarce talents.
"Then do you know our current situation?"
"Are you guys perhaps in a place called Salt Snow Holy City?"
"Then hurry over here. Misteln will send the coordinates to the Eye of the Deep."
"Just send them directly to me. For certain unavoidable reasons, not too many people can know about my return."
"Unavoidable reasons?"
"In short, it's so this world can operate normally."
"Then is prioritizing our side okay? It sounds like things over there are quite serious."
"As long as I don't publicly announce my return, it's not serious."
"Why?"
"Don't worry about it. Just consider it for my own good. I only just understood Himeko's well-intentioned efforts yesterday."
"Alright, coordinates sent to you. Be as quick as possible. After all, the survival of the world bubble is at stake."
"So urgent? Then Misteln should be able to sense my coordinates, right?" Jun An asked. "If she can, I'll head over immediately."
Jun An remembered Misteln should possess an Authority similar to space manipulation. While certainly not capable of shaking the Imaginary Laws that formed the foundation of reality like the Herrscher of the Void, it should at least be sufficient to send Jun An to Salt Snow Holy City. After all, in the story, the two Seeles plus the Herrscher of Sentience were sent over like that.
"Misteln says she can. How much preparation time do you need?"
Prometheus No. 17 asked. "For ordinary people, it's ten minutes. For you, completing a full routine, is half an hour enough?"
Jun An looked at the adorable Pardo beside him, his expression instantly stiffening. "By the way, no one can see my current situation, right?"
"If you mean from our side, rest assured, only Misteln can see everything clearly. I am merely contacting you through a small spatial rift opened by Misteln. Everything is based on my personal judgment."
Prometheus No. 17 stated in a flat tone, "Relax. Misteln and I understand your personal interests and hobbies. And you needn't worry about our reactions. After all, neither Misteln nor I are humans in the true sense; we won't form any opinions about your actions."
"Alright, then open the gate here in thirty minutes. I'll leave immediately."
Then he quickly fed Pardo thoroughly, lest she starve to death while he was away.
Pardo Felis, who had choked, looked at Jun An with dissatisfaction, trying hard not to waste her breakfast. Only after swallowing did she wipe her mouth. "Brother Jun An, you're leaving?"
"Saving the world, you know how it is."
Jun An put on his clothes, ready to leave immediately. "Pardo, do you know the approximate locations of all the Flame-Chasers right now? It's definitely too late to find them one by one, but I need to get as strong as possible."
"Let me think... Sister Snake has been cooped up in her lab recently."
"You've already found Little Griseo and Sister Nia. Sister Elysia often appears and disappears unpredictably; finding her in thirty minutes might be impossible."
"Sister Vill-V..."
Pardo thought hard while getting dressed. "The easier ones to find are probably Brother Kalpas, Sister Eden, Ah Mo, and Brother Su and Boss Kevin, who are playing chess together with Brother Su."
"But it's better if you don't go to Brother Kalpas. Getting his Signet would definitely involve another fight, you won't make it in time."
"Okay, then Kevin, Su, Kosma, and Eden it is."
Jun An patted Pardo's head. "Remember, if anyone mentions what happened between us, just say I made the first move."
After issuing another reminder for the sake of his reputation, Jun An immediately set off to find the other Flame-Chasers. Thirty minutes wasn't long, nor short, for Jun An, especially since several minutes had already been spent on Pardo.
So Jun An directly had Pardo use the Thousand Worlds Sutra to shuttle him through the Elysian Realm, ensuring he could collect all the other remaining Signets at the fastest possible speed.
First, he went to Vill-V's workshop, then to the Bodhi Tree where Su and Kevin were playing chess, then to Kosma's room, and finally, he went looking for Eden.
As for the elusive Sakura and Kalpas, who was currently fighting in his hunting ground, Jun An ignored them for now.
Anyway, collecting Flame-Chaser Signets wasn't some card collecting game. Missing a few Signets only meant slightly less Honkai energy output, no big deal.
Within the thirty minutes, Jun An's targets quickly narrowed down to just Elysia and Eden.
However, Elysia was often untraceable at this time. The two places she was most likely to spawn were the lounge and Eden's room. He'd checked the lounge; she wasn't there. So Jun An went straight to find Eden.
"Sister Eden, look who I brought!"
Pardo and Jun An arrived together in Eden's exclusive space. Since Eden didn't guard against either of them, the Thousand Worlds Sutra brought them directly into her room.
And Jun An and Pardo instantly froze.
For the two of them, two girls sticking close together wasn't really something surprising in the Elysian Realm; after all, everyone knew Elysia's personality.
But at this moment, Jun An and Pardo, including the two who were sticking together, fell silent.
Seeing Himeko pinning Eden against the wall, her hand even resting on the other's ample bosom, Jun An didn't know how to react for a moment.
Instinctively, Jun An raised his phone to take a picture. Pardo, her survival instinct kicking in at full force, reacted immediately.
"Um, I must be drunk and seeing things! Brother Jun An, let's go find Brother Kalpas for a fight to clear our heads!"
Pardo grabbed Jun An's hand and tried to run. "I remember Brother Kalpas is in his hunting ground..."
Not running means certain death!
Betrayal! This is definitely betrayal! Himeko actually made a move on Sister Elysia's good sister!
Pardo felt like crying now. Why did she keep encountering things like this these past two days? Sister Elysia was about to become the village head of Green Green Grassland!
Her favorite man stolen by her best sister, and now her best sister stolen by another woman!
She somehow felt really sorry for Sister Elysia.
"Pardo, where are you trying to go?"
However, just as she turned her head, Eden immediately grabbed her shoulder, scaring the cat so badly her fur stood on end.
"Um, Sister Eden, spare me... I really won't tell Sister Elysia! Really!" Pardo swore tremblingly. "If I leak the secret, then... then I'll only eat Can's cat food for a month!"
Can: ...Meow?
Jun An, however, looked at the smug-faced Himeko. Although he didn't understand what she was smiling about, hitting her first couldn't be wrong.
"Ouch! Captain, what did you hit me for?"
Himeko never expected that she, such a virtuous wife and good mother helping him expand his harem, would actually get hit. This was utterly unreasonable!
Jun An said, "I don't know, but I know you were definitely bullying Eden."
"..." Himeko immediately shut up. He wasn't wrong.
Seeing Himeko fall silent, Jun An thought, As expected. "Eden, how did she bully you? I'll help you bully her back. Just tell me."
Thanks to the Thousand Worlds Sutra's spatial jump ability, half of the thirty minutes remained, enough for Jun An to bully Himeko a bit.
"Th-That's not necessary. She didn't bully me." Eden averted her face, not daring to look at Jun An at all.
She wants me to be your concubine; how can you bully her back for that?
"I-I still have the wedding commission to complete. I won't keep you company."
Eden released Pardo and turned to leave, but Jun An grabbed her hand. "Wait, the Signet..."
"Here." Eden swiftly pulled her hand away from Jun An's grasp, gave him the Signet, and ran.
Jun An was puzzled. "What did you do?"
"Pushing my own husband."
Himeko glanced at Jun An's waistband and asked in a low voice, "You took down Pardo?"
"How did you know!"
"I put a strand of my hair in your waistband. It's gone now."
"Forget it, I won't talk about this with you. I need to go on a business trip to the Sea of Quanta." Jun An informed Himeko. "Leaving in about ten minutes."
"So urgent?" Himeko frowned slightly. "How long will you be gone? Is it dangerous?"
"There's always danger, but I have backup plans. Worst case, like you said, I can just contact Kiana directly."
Jun An looked at Himeko's expression, puzzled. "Is something wrong?"
"Yeah, just before, Theresa sent a communication. Seele and Susannah lost contact in Nagazora City forty-two hours ago. She hopes that you, currently hidden in the shadows, can investigate."
Himeko said, "If your matter isn't very important, I hope you can look for Seele first. Let's switch places."
Himeko was also a MANTIS, so she could traverse the Sea of Quanta just the same.
If something was dangerous for Jun An, she hoped she could go in his place. After all, the danger of looking for people couldn't compare to the dangers of the Sea of Quanta, not to mention Jun An had almost been eroded by it before.
"Don't worry, my backup plans are already in place."
Jun An gave Himeko a hug, comforting her. "Besides, the task Theresa assigned should be what I'm about to do now. Have Eden prepare the wedding properly. Wait for me to come back and marry you."