"The voltage isn't too high... no, it's not relatively high. Otherwise, even rubber soles would be punctured."
Mikael analyzed quietly.
Then, under the astonished gazes of the others, he poked the black mud with his index finger.
After a moment, he withdrew his finger, a wisp of smoke escaping his lips.
"Not bad. An ordinary person wouldn't be able to withstand it, but a Herrscher's physique isn't significantly affected. Even the numbness is negligible."
Mikael didn't believe Śeṣa was only capable of this. He poked the mud again. Although subtle, he could feel the numbing sensation diminishing.
Himeko had squatted down beside him at some point. Seeing him withdraw his finger again, she asked, "Any discoveries?"
"Whether this black mud is a medium or... pure electricity... I can't confirm yet. The only certainty is that the voltage is decreasing over time. At its current strength, combat boot rubber soles offer sufficient protection."
"So... you mean we can advance safely?"
"No." Mikael shook his head. "The black mud didn't appear out of nowhere. Common lower-level Honkai beasts don't possess this kind of power..."
"It's the Herrscher!" Himeko blurted out, looking around anxiously. But the only sounds in the dark night were the inhuman roars...
"Not necessarily. An Emperor-class Honkai beast, or even a higher-level one, is also a possibility."
"Emperor-class..." Himeko pondered, recalling the battle at Ruruye in her mind, trying to gauge the strength of an Emperor-class Honkai beast. Humanity had encountered too few of this level, let alone the even higher level Mikael had hinted at.
And clearly, someone shared his view.
"An Emperor-class Honkai beast couldn't do this," Mobius, appearing seemingly out of nowhere, declared. "Good news. Communications aren't fully restored, but we can transmit text messages. The 3rd Eruption has been confirmed, and the location—Shanghai. But not just Shanghai."
Mobius stared intently at the back of Mikael's head, as if wanting to dissect it with a scalpel and examine the knowledge stored within.
"In Shanghai, but not just Shanghai? What does that mean?" Himeko couldn't help but consider the worst-case scenario.
"Yes, the Honkai energy readings in Shanghai have exceeded 4000 HW. We can confirm the Herrscher emerged here. Unfortunately, the entire eastern coast of China, including the Japan, is affected. Squads 2 and 3 are reinforcing Arc City and Nagazora City, respectively... As for the other locations, hmph..."
Mikael had been mentally prepared, but he still sighed.
Sometimes saving one person was harder than saving the world, yet sometimes it was incredibly easy, like with Carole. It had given him a false sense of hope, as if he could actually stop the wheels of the 3rd Eruption.
"Alright, Mobius, let's return to the matter at hand."
Mikael waved his hand dismissively. His attitude irked Mobius, but after rolling her eyes, she seemed to realize something and gave him a thoughtful look.
"The Honkai energy in Shanghai is primarily concentrated in two individuals, one in the eastern city and one in the western city. The eastern individual has a reading of 2700 HW, while the one in front of us reads 1100 HW. Currently, no known Emperor-class Honkai beast has exceeded 1000 HW. Honkai energy of that magnitude collapses into a single individual—a Herrscher."
"So... does that mean there are two Herrschers in this eruption?!" Himeko wiped nonexistent sweat from her brow.
Mobius glanced at Mikael. "There are two Herrschers... Phamas is probably in a meeting right now, explaining Mikael's... situation to those stuffy strategists."
Himeko clenched and unclenched her hand on Surtr.
Mikael, however, seemed unconcerned. "Only one Herrscher emerges per eruption. Of course, two simultaneous eruptions are possible, but the energy readings wouldn't differ so drastically."
"And what's your insightful explanation?" Mobius asked curiously.
Mikael glanced at her. "Before you ask, please show me the satellite images from headquarters..."
Mobius pouted. "There aren't any! You overestimate human communication technology. With such strong electromagnetic interference, transmitting text messages is already a feat."
"Uh... then I'll just say it. When a Herrscher emerges, if the Honkai energy concentration is high enough, there's a chance of a secondary collapse. Another individual is chosen, granted power second only to the Herrscher. This is the companion Honkai beast. Emperor-class at minimum, with no upper limit. Fire Moth should add a new Honkai beast classification—how about Judgment-class?"
Mobius was about to reply when her expression changed. She looked towards the western sky.
Behind the clouds, giant anti-gravity engines had been roaring for some time. Now, the sword-like silhouette of the Fire Moth One finally broke through the clouds, appearing above Squad 5.
Mikael's brow furrowed deeply, but he only glanced at the sky, making no other move.
Mobius and Himeko then noticed that Mikael's index and middle fingers were pressed against the ground. They quickly understood his purpose—he was using vibrations to track the companion Honkai beast's movements.
"It's underground, about a few dozen meters deep. It's not moving, as if... waiting for something," Mikael said softly.
She held out her phone. On the screen was a short message from headquarters:
Mikael seemed to have anticipated this.
"Wait!" Himeko exclaimed. "The voltage in the black mud is decreasing. We can rescue the survivors in this area first, and then..."
She didn't finish her sentence. The Fire Moth One above had clearly received its orders. Except for the 680mm railgun at the bow, the other railguns slowly rotated, aiming directly below. Blue light sparked between the rails—yes, after the Honkai energy reactor upgrade, the Fire Moth One could now deploy all its railguns.
Mikael shook his head, putting his hands in his pockets. "There's no time. Now that we've confirmed the Herrscher is in the eastern city, we can't waste any more time here. Moreover, the Honkai beast is underground. If we enter its territory and provoke it, with the black mud covering the ground and the possibility of more appearing..."
He didn't need to elaborate. Himeko understood.
She looked at him intently. She wasn't foolish. She understood Mikael's thoughts.
Wasn't it because he'd heard the Herrscher was in the eastern city and was worried about Elysia?
But she couldn't blame him. Firstly, headquarters hadn't given them a choice.
Secondly, Mikael's points were valid. Objectively, they had no other option.
Mikael... your hands are shaking...