The armored car sped along the city roads. The streets, cleared in advance, were unobstructed, but it was still the first time the bearded man had driven this fast on this road.
But no matter how fast they went, there was still a waiting period. Shu sat silently in the back seat, propping his head up with his hand, staring silently out the window.
Although his opponent was practically playing with an open hand, there were still many small twists and details that needed to be handled.
Shu didn't know if he could solve all these problems in the limited time he had, but at the very least, during this time, he had to do everything he could to the best of his ability.
First was to restrain the Herrscher's power. Currently, the speculated activation of its power required line of sight and inner thoughts. Therefore, reducing its influence and the attention focused on it might have some effect.
Shu wasn't sure if the other could realize a script where someone provided it with a scenario of his defeat.
It seemed unlikely for now... If he didn't have his own power, and was just a powerhouse with a huge amount of Honkai energy or other abilities, perhaps its power would become a relatively absolute "rule."
In other words, it might really be able to pin him to the ground with less than half his stats.
But he did have his own power, and could even overwhelm it in a direct clash of abilities. So, the script would be ineffective on him... yet his own line of sight and thoughts could affect Mei...
Was the line of sight just a trigger, and rewriting the course of reality the true focal point of its power?
The Herrscher also hadn't made itself overwhelmingly strong during the battle... Could its power not affect itself?
...Could it be that the entire battle was just [special effects]?
Just like in movies and TV shows, things that couldn't be achieved in reality were solved with visual effects. And the Herrscher was just the [actor], who possessed no special abilities himself.
It turned the attacks landing on it into "fake hits," while he, having his own power, could harm it... So having a Divine Key could indeed protect oneself, but there was a limit.
The Herrscher's own control over its power was far superior to that of a Divine Key.
---||---
The armored car crashed through the barrier at the train station entrance, sped into the station, and screeched to a halt at the position closest to the platform.
Shu snapped back to his senses. Just as he was about to reach for the door handle, the bearded man had already rushed over, opened the door for him, and held it like a butler, making a "please" gesture.
The corner of Shu's eye twitched uncontrollably again. He said nothing, simply got out of the car and headed straight for the Hyperion.
Cocolia and Noah followed behind Shu, while the bearded man remained in the car.
Watching Shu's rapidly departing figure, the bearded man felt an unusual excitement in his heart.
Something must have happened! Was he finally going to see Senior Shu in action?!
Cocolia's first impression of the Hyperion was one of disappointment. It wasn't the high-tech train she had imagined; in fact, its appearance seemed somewhat outdated.
After all, the mainstream trains in operation were powered by regulated energy. Self-powered trains like this were emergency measures that had to be equipped.
But then she thought about how this very train had brought Shu and Bronya to a place like theirs, and her gaze toward the train became somewhat complicated.
It wasn't that the best was always the most useful. What was just right, was.
"Captain Shu! Big news, big news!!" As soon as they entered the train, the screens automatically turned on, revealing a bouncing green cabbage-head with a puffy, anxious face.
"Ai-chan can't contact Kiana and the others!" Ai-chan pulled out a long list from off-screen, filled with red, unanswered calls.
Ai-chan floated around like a resentful, abandoned ghost. "Waaaah, Kiana and the others would never just ignore Ai-chan! Something must have happened to them! Shu, you have to think of something!"
"I know," Shu said with a wave of his hand. "How is Kai's situation? Has she completed the body transfer?"
"Kai?" Ai-chan immediately switched topics. "She's already transferred to the Titan. The integration is going pretty well now."
"Where is she?" Shu paused.
"In the empty car in the seventh carriage. She should be with the animals right now, I think?" Ai-chan replied. "That's nice... Ai-chan wants to pet the little animals too..."
"Okay, I got it." Shu turned and headed for the carriage Ai-chan had mentioned. Ai-chan finally noticed Shu's current state.
"Hey! What happened? Tell Ai-chan! Captain Shu! And who are those two? That woman looks so scary and fierce!"
Cocolia: "?"
"A Herrscher has appeared. Kiana and the others have fallen into its hands. I can't deal with it right now. I need help to rescue them before I can make a move," Shu summarized with extreme speed.
"Eeeh?!" Ai-chan cried out in alarm. "Is that Herrscher really that strong?! It managed to snatch Kiana and the others right under your nose, Boss Shu?!"
A pang of pain shot through Shu's heart, and his pace quickened.
"Ahem—" Cocolia let out a slight cough and quickly followed Shu through the train.
Before long, Shu had reached the seventh carriage and opened the door.
"Inquiry: Mr. Shu? Your condition seems to be less than optimal." The moment he opened the door, the Titan mecha—Kai—who was squatting quietly in the corner of the carriage, voiced a question characteristic of an AI.
"Yes," Shu nodded without hesitation. He bypassed the animals and came to stand before Kai, his tone sincere. "Kai, I need your help."
Kai's eyes flickered. "Response: Mr. Shu, I will provide all assistance within my capabilities."
"That Herrscher has appeared again. It has taken Kiana, Frélle, and many others hostage. I'm blocked. I need you to rescue them now."
"Request: I require intelligence on the Herrscher, as well as the method for their rescue."
The response came without a shred of hesitation. Even though this was likely due to the characteristic processing speed of an AI, Shu still felt a sudden sense of relief.
The feeling of a request being immediately met was undoubtedly a small psychological comfort for Shu, who was on the verge of being crushed by pressure.
"Of course." A little warmth finally returned to Shu's voice. "I have already analyzed the Herrscher's power, and everything you need to do... Kai, I really need you."