I am a hero of the former civilization.

Chapter 287 Even the Commander-in-Chief Has to Take Out a Loan to Work!

That night, the underground villa was bustling with activity as part of the housewarming celebration.

After the girls finished showering, Alicia dragged them to her room to play cards. With her around, it was impossible to be bored.

From the King's Game to Truth or Dare, everyone played it, and Mebius certainly suffered. She preferred to cover herself with only a towel rather than fall for Alicia's trick and reveal her true feelings to so many people.

Some people, however, enjoyed it. For example, Himiko, after drinking too much, loudly discussed whether Ryan had any experience, and started analyzing from the smallest details, such as the mysterious crumpled paper in the trash can, and talked about it in great detail, making some people's eyes light up, as if they had grasped some important clues.

It was late at night, and everyone was exhausted from playing. They simply stayed overnight in Alicia's room, which made someone very happy. He thought to himself that the specially made big bed had finally come in handy.

The third floor presented a completely different scene. In the dimly lit room, only the screen flickered, and three men sat quietly with their hands on their chins, like mysterious sages, answering the most artistic questions in the world.

Anyway, when the solar panel shone golden light into the window, Ryan and Alicia, who were getting up to eat breakfast, looked at each other in silence.

"It seems like things are going really well on the girls' side."

"Hmph, you're not bad either. I'm curious what the boys do at night."

The two sat at the table, both with heavy dark circles under their eyes. They glanced at each other for a moment and then looked away.

These are all secrets I can't tell anyone, but anyway, I had a great time last night.

Alicia tore the bread into pieces and put them into the milk, eating with satisfaction while secretly glancing at Ryan.

“Speak your mind. I always feel like I’m being taken advantage of.” Ryan picked up his coffee.

"Why didn't you come to eavesdrop last night? I made quite a commotion." Alicia was also puzzled.

cough cough cough.

Ryan choked a few times and quickly grabbed a tissue to wipe his mouth: "Are you deliberately messing with me?"

"No way, I'm just giving you a treat, and I'm helping you out right now." Alicia whistled and asked mischievously, "So I'm curious, what were you boys doing last night? I thought Kevin would be working overtime in the middle of the night."

“You wouldn’t understand the state of a sage, and besides, I’m so upright, why would I come here to eavesdrop?” Ryan sneered, but in his heart he cursed Alicia for being too naive.

You've made such a big scene, do you really think I have some kind of hypnosis app? You can't even keep up with five mouths.

Seeing Alicia's suspicious look, Ryan didn't want to waste time arguing with her. He gently tapped the table and said, "I spoke with May last night and we decided to speed up the integration process. Hey, can you keep an eye on me?"

"Oh dear, you and Mei can decide on such troublesome matters. We agreed that you'd handle external affairs and I'd handle internal affairs." Alicia shook her head, indicating that she wouldn't listen.

It seems like you've taken all the good opportunities to slack off. Well, I guess I'm pretty much the same.

Ryan took a sip of coffee. Even though his skin was thicker than twenty-three layers of armor plating on his head, he couldn't blame Alicia. When it came to slacking off, he was second to none.

It's better not to talk about it, lest I embarrass myself.

Ding.

A fresh cup of coffee was placed on the table. Ryan turned his head and watched as Sakura, dressed in a black and white dress and somewhat resembling a head maid, walked over to him.

"Sakura, what were you guys doing last night? It was so lively!"

"Kevin, going to work so early? Tell me, what were you boys doing last night?"

The two asked the question almost simultaneously, and Sakura and Kevin's expressions were surprisingly similar. They glanced at Ryan and Alicia, then walked away silently.

"Alice, you were definitely up to no good! Tell me, what did you do to Sakura and the others?!"

Facing the aggressive man, the girl remained calm, simply resting her chin on her hand, her eyes filled with a smile: "I said I was here to help you. If you're really curious, I can tell you."

What does "help me out" mean?

Ryan was indeed curious, but with so many people around, he didn't feel comfortable asking. So he slowly got up and drank his coffee.

"Ahem, I'm going to work, I'm not going to talk to you anymore."

"Hey, didn't you want to know what I did last night?"

"I'm not interested now. I'll talk about it when I have more free time."

Ryan walked away quickly and slammed the door shut. Alicia pouted and looked to the side with a hint of helplessness. She wanted to keep him in suspense for a while. Ryan was really boring sometimes.

Mebius just came out of the kitchen, his disheveled shirt revealing two full, round breasts, and he was looking at Alicia with a complicated expression.

“Dear Möbius, are you very disappointed? You sneaked out in the middle of the night yesterday, and he didn’t open the door, did he?”

“These guys are acting suspiciously, I wonder what they’re up to.” Möbius rubbed his forehead and lazily rubbed his long hair. “I must have been out of my mind to go along with you, wasting the whole night.”

"Aren't you curious? I even sensed Honkai energy last night." Alicia quietly walked over and pulled out a key from somewhere. "While he's away, how about we go on an adventure?"

Mebius looked disdainful, but his body language betrayed him as he stepped onto the stairs.

"It's boring, but I can go with you for now."

"Should we call Vilvie along? Doesn't she have the personality of a pornography reviewer?"

"How did you know?!" Mebius's voice suddenly became shrill.

“Super Agent Ellie is not just a name. Well, it was Wilvi who confessed. She didn’t say anything.”

It would be strange if they didn't say so.

Mebius regretted trusting the person with dissociative identity disorder and muttered, "What's the point of calling her?"

"Who said that?" Alicia patted her chest lightly, revealing absolute certainty: "Super Alicia has already smelled the astringent scent."

......

The coffee emitted a rich aroma. Ryan sat comfortably in his swivel chair, taking out his phone to send a message.

Because he hadn't submitted any work for a long time, Eden had already come to urge him to submit it, and he had also heard on his tour that Eden was now the chief coordinator.

This matter is top secret. Apart from headquarters, only branch leaders and above in various regions know about it. However, considering the relationship between Eden and Alicia, it's no wonder that big mouth can't keep it to herself.

The singer, who possesses exceptional emotional intelligence, showed little surprise, offering only congratulations and asking if the deal should continue.

As the commander-in-chief, his power is limitless. Ryan already has plenty of money to spend, so of course he's not!

He glanced at Mei, who was quietly reading documents at the table. Last night, Ryan not only appreciated art but also prepared a plan during his post-coital period. As the price for being a hands-off manager, this woman took control of the finances, a huge increase from her previous simple research funding power.

Moreover, this is a system of chasing after the flame; the overall leader also receives a salary, and every penny of the organization's money is subject to strict auditing.

"The problem is, I don't get paid either. It's all been put into the maintenance headquarters' project funds. This woman is really ruthless. I admit I drilled that hole, but she doesn't deserve to make me work for free."

Ryan was indignant, tapping his fingers on the screen.

The trading continues. I happen to have some free time recently, and I've come up with a few rather rousing pieces of music.

I'm really looking forward to it. By the way, does the Fire Moth need any donations?

Such high emotional intelligence! This Eden is truly terrifying.

This clearly shows they saw I was cursed with poverty and asked in the most appropriate tone to avoid embarrassing me.

Ryan was willing to agree, but after a moment's thought, he felt that the money would definitely fall into May's hands. In fact, Ryan could take back this power with a single word, but he couldn't do it.

It has nothing to do with personal feelings, and it has only a tiny bit to do with slacking off. The most important thing is that no one but Mei can do this job.

Under immense work pressure and intensity, the ability to handle hundreds of tasks simultaneously with absolute rationality and efficiency is something no human being can achieve.

'If you donate to me privately, wouldn't I become a kept man?'

[No need. If you're considering this, you can contact Dr. Mei. Also, my deal with you has nothing to do with money. Becoming an artist has always been my ideal, but unfortunately, I've carried too many burdens, making it difficult to pursue this path. So, it's good that you carry on this ideal.]

The distant Eden pursed its lips, a sense of sorrow and helplessness palpable even in the words themselves. Artists, by nature, are often sentimental, and with just a few words, an epic tale was woven into its mind:

The hero, covered in blood, placed his scarred fingers on the piano keys and played a sorrowful melody. He did not want to wield the sword, but for the survival of humanity, he had to abandon his ideals.

I've suddenly had an inspiration! If you have the time, please be sure to come and listen to it live.

How did I get this inspiration?

Ryan replied with an "okay," somewhat puzzled by these artsy young people, but after a moment's thought, he suddenly understood.

Eden has misunderstood. My original ideal was to be a plagiarist and show off, which is why it's interesting to cooperate with her. This is just the ramblings of a time traveler.

However, he had no intention of explaining. Even if it was a misunderstanding, it was always good to have a better image in other people's minds.

"Have you finished replying to the messages?"

"Hmm, you've finished watching it too?"

"That's about it. By the way, the person you were talking to is Eden, right? She's one of the world's richest people," Mei said indifferently, twirling her pen between her fingers. "If possible, I'd like to get to know her too."

“You can’t get along with artists like her. Rationality and sensibility are two opposites, just like you think those artworks are a waste of resources.”

"That's why we're sending you. Sacrificing your looks for the organization is part of the commander's job."

Ryan nearly dropped his coffee cup. He was about to give a stern rebuttal when he glanced at the door and saw a white-haired young man standing ramrod straight, holding two pistols. He swallowed back his words of insult.

"I had no idea there was such a clause in the Chief Executive's Code of Responsibility." Ryan snorted, leaning back with his arms crossed. "So, what's your next step?"

"Don't rush, let me give you a brief report on recent events." Mei stood up, appearing solemn and formal.

But it was precisely this seriousness that gave Ryan some strange thoughts, and he subconsciously straightened his back.

I hadn't realized it before, but now I suddenly discover that Dr. Mei, who is said to have laid the foundation for everything, has actually become my subordinate. What's that saying again?

One's destiny certainly depends on one's own efforts, but the course of history must also be considered.

(Ten thousand words were omitted from the previous chapter, for fear of it being rejected)

Chapter 288 The Wandering Human Project

Mei quickly took control of all departments within the Fire Moth organization and even reorganized them to some extent. She managed to shrink the battle lines without causing any major trouble.

This was certainly due to the benefits she received from Ryan, since it was a reform rather than a rebellion, and the power was granted by the Fire Chaser Council itself. The various branches couldn't really find anything wrong with it, as if she were using the emperor to command the disobedient. Anyone who dared to jump out would be crushed by her most powerful fighting force. This was the absolute suppression of force.

Secondly, those who are truly dissatisfied or afraid of being purged can join the Honkai. This is better than staying in the Moths of Flame and holding them back, and they can't take many people with them. This coming and going has actually made humanity much more united.

"Unite the majority, strike at the minority—it's similar to that great man's philosophy, and May understands it well too." Ryan stared at the electronic map, took a sip of coffee, which was why he dared to slack off; he couldn't have done a better job if he had taken matters into his own hands.

The world is now clearly divided into two camps, which aligns with Ryan's pre-emptive plan and is in his best interest.

This is about deliberately increasing the difficulty for himself, ensuring that the Honkai remains a deadly threat to him and to all of humanity.

Otherwise, if humanity is unified, the Herrschers are wiped out, and the world is restored to peace and order, what then? Will it be a peaceful, everyday life like that of youth? Will there be a happy ending with a grand reunion?

No, that would only make Honkai say you guys are too dirty, I'm quitting, I'm going to restart civilization!

Then the Law of Restraint or some other terrifying thing will descend. After finally defeating it, the Law of the End will come. Even if you have three heads and six arms, you can't withstand such a fierce attack.