I am a hero of the former civilization.

“I didn’t mean to question you.” Ryan took out a compressed biscuit and took a bite. Hearing the slurping sound of noodles being eaten across from him, he felt a pang of sadness. “I wanted to ask you about the characteristics of a Herrscher and how to defeat him with the weak.”

Alicia's eyes darted around, and she immediately understood what Ryan meant. She never refused a friend's request, so she replied while stuffing noodles into her mouth:

"The Herrscher is the apostle of Honkai. You can think of her as the embodiment of a certain law, like the Second Herrscher I defeated. She could skillfully manipulate imaginary space to dodge, counterattack, and move, so she was also called the Herrscher of the Void."

Ryan nodded silently. The order of appearance is determined by the sequence of appearance; the Herrscher of X represents its characteristics, or rather, its power. Just like the first Herrscher, also known as the Herrscher of Reason, whose ability is to create things with Honkai energy based on the structure she understands, somewhat like an alchemist.

Honkai energy is the foundation of everything, equivalent to magic points, which determines the upper limit of skill power and endurance. Above this, there are various abilities, such as Adiedo's ability to condense it into a light blade.

Above ability is power, which manifests collapse in a specific way, alters a certain real number law, and is simply a law.

"Even the same amount of Honkai energy can easily achieve several times the power by using the laws, which is why Herrschers are so powerful."

"&%＃%+*".

"Let's eat first and then talk!"

Alicia chewed quickly and replied with a smile, "Not only that, every time a Herrscher appears, it is accompanied by a massive Honkai disaster, and she also has accompanying Honkai Beasts, just like how bosses in games bring along elite soldiers and minions."

"Your explanation is concise and to the point. I've read the data on the battle against the First Herrscher. The Fire Moth uses massive casualties to deplete the Honkai energy of the First Herrscher, and then launches a fatal attack when the mana bar is empty."

"It's a tactic, but the casualties were extremely high. Do you know why they were able to kill the First Herrscher?"

"Isn't that what I'm asking you?"

"Alright, alright, don't be so impatient. Actually, Herrschers also have weaknesses. As an Apostle, their strength lies in energy and authority, but their weakness lies in their physical body." Alicia finished her noodles and resisted the urge to drink the soup. "Even if Honkai energy strengthens the body, it doesn't mean they're invulnerable. As long as you destroy the body and knock out the Herrscher core, they'll still be dead."

That makes sense. The material for Herrschers is humans, just like me. Honkai energy can strengthen the body, but it can't withstand a nuclear bomb with the bare body.

Ryan stroked his chin, discovering some blind spots. Herrschers are not gods, nor can they transform into swords. As long as the Honkai energy defense is broken, the main body can be damaged.

It sounds simple, but the difficulty lies in how to counter the power and break through the Honkai energy defense.

"You... want to defeat the Third Herrscher?"

Alicia's voice rang out again, hesitant yet offering some advice.

“I know there’s still a big gap between me and a Herrscher, but now I have a chance, so I can give it a try.” Ryan thought to himself that he had an advantage, which was that he knew who the Third Herrscher was and what powers she possessed.

Having intelligence allows for advance preparation, enabling one to take advantage of the unexpected. Even Mei can only wait for the Herrscher to appear and then exchange massive casualties for intelligence, because there are too many laws in the world, and theoretically, each one can become a power.

"Trying it might just lead to your death."

"Don't put it so harshly. By the way, did you have a hard time dealing with the Second Herrscher?"

"It was tough, you almost died at her hands, that's why I'm trying to persuade you."

His tone was relaxed, yet he didn't seem to be lying, but Ryan asked the question intentionally, just to confirm one thing:

Alicia is also growing, no, it should be said that she is reclaiming her authority? So she doesn't know yet that she is the Herrscher of Origin.

As for when she reached her peak, Ryan couldn't remember; she only knew that she fell instantly after reaching the peak.

"Why aren't you saying anything?" The sound of slurping noodles came from the other end of the line, accompanied by a joyful and lighthearted tone: "But I'm still very happy that you have the will to fight. At least I have another partner to save the world!"

"I'm not as noble as you. Let's start by saving the people around us."

"Don't be discouraged. There's a saying in China: 'When poor, maintain your own integrity; when successful, benefit all under heaven.' Those who can do this can be considered heroes."

When poor, one should cultivate one's own virtue; when successful, one should benefit all under heaven.

Ryan repeated it several times. Although Alicia's tone was lighthearted, the truth behind it was very practical.

"Been taught a lesson."

"I was just saying it casually. Oh, you seem to take it so seriously. Why don't you call the teacher over to listen?"

You're really taking advantage of me, aren't you?

Ryan's eyes twitched. He didn't know why, but his blood pressure always fluctuated when he talked to Alicia. He began to understand how Mebius felt.

"Just kidding, don't be angry. By the way, I've finished my work here. Is there anything else you want to ask?"

"Do you have a whole bunch of followers around you?" Ryan asked meaningfully.

"Oh, I don't mind. They can look at whatever they want. I'm not one to hide anything. But thank you for your concern."

Ryan gave this attitude a thumbs up. The brilliant executives of the Fire Moth were never at ease with Alicia, and their probing, research, and tracking never stopped.

But that's normal. They don't know the details like Ryan does. After all, Alicia fell from the sky.

Since the person in question didn't seem to care, he didn't bother to think about it further and his tone became teasing: "Is it really all done? I just heard the sound of someone drinking soup."

"It's all an illusion, an illusion. Let's stop here. I look forward to fighting alongside you."

Before Ryan could react, Alicia had already hung up the phone, patted her chest lightly as if relieved, and then glanced around furtively.

If he goes around spreading rumors, Mebius will call me a fat woman again, even though I'm clearly...

She pinched her stomach and felt completely relieved; she had only gained a little weight.

"Boss, another three ounces of braised pork intestine noodles, with extra scallions."

"okay!"

Thousands of miles away, Ryan also put down the phone. As expected, Alicia was special. No matter how dangerous the situation was, she could always find happiness. How should I put it?

Let's happily save the world!

He glanced at the crater in front of him, and at the hundreds of soldiers. The corpses of Honkai Beasts were being loaded into special containers and dragged away, and the cleanup team, dressed in special protective suits, was spraying special agents.

The remaining Honkai energy will dissolve quickly, leaving only ruins and making it seem as if nothing ever happened.

When poor, cultivate your own virtue; when successful, benefit all under heaven.

Before, all I wanted was to survive, so I deliberately rejected everything around me, and even when I got close to Kevin and the others, my motives were impure.

Ryan chuckled self-deprecatingly, saying that interactions with others always have mutual influences. Just like when you're traveling, you're also changed by the scenery around you, especially the fiery beauty of Alicia.

"Forget it, I'll do as much as I can. At least it doesn't contradict my original goal."

Adiedo's life is of great significance. Firstly, it gives the higher-ups of the Firemoth more false impressions, and they are probably having an emergency meeting right now.

Secondly, his reputation will spread, and before that, only Alicia could defeat an Emperor-class Honkai Beast alone.

Finally, he took another step towards the future.

"I've messed up the course of fate more and more, but luckily the timing is good. After the Third Herrscher arrives, fighting against the Honkai will be the main issue."

He changed into a new combat suit, slowly walked forward, and saw Kevin holding a cup of instant noodles.

"Eat quickly, then we'll get going."

The plastic fork hovered in mid-air. Kevin blinked. "Get on the road? Where to??"

Without saying a word, Ryan squatted down in front of him, snatched the fork, and took a delicious slurp.

"Of course, we'll clean up all the damage to the neon lights!"

Chapter Thirty-Eight: Have you fallen for him?

Dr. Ryan, when will you be back?

In the Far East branch, this sentence had become a gossip circulating in the research department, because Dr. Möbius would ask it several times a day. After being asked so many times, everyone seemed to have discovered another side of the doctor.

Although she is usually aloof and indifferent to everyone, she misses her boyfriend just like a normal person, which unintentionally adds a touch of humanity. There are even rumors that she sometimes goes to the side of the track to daydream.

"I never expected that Dr. Ryan would be so capable that he could make Dr. Mebius yearn for him day and night."

"Yes, I heard she even had a fight with Dr. Mei. Could it be that she was trying to steal a man from her?"

"He must have some unique skills. Which of you knows him well? Quickly find out."

"Come on, Dr. Lane seems quite mild-mannered, but he's actually not keen on making friends. He's the same kind of person as Dr. Mebius."

"How about we do as Serene suggested and send him some medicine to open up connections?"

"Hahaha."

The group burst into laughter. It was quite fun to gossip during breaks from work, until a sinister voice rang in their ears.

"What are you two discussing so pleasantly? Tell me about it?"

The laughter stopped abruptly, and the group stiffly turned around to see Mebius standing behind them, squinting with a friendly expression.

"I... I suddenly remembered that the data hasn't been recorded yet."

"Yes, I still have to work on the project Dr. Mei gave me."

No one dared to answer, and the group scattered and fled like a bomb going off, leaving only Möbius standing in the corner for a long time before staring at their backs with indifferent eyes.

The situation was extremely dangerous, causing the group to jog and disappear into the corner in the blink of an eye.

Hmph, if you were at the Fifth Research Institute, you'd be in deep trouble.

Mebius gave a disdainful snort; she didn't care about these rumors. Just thinking about what they said made her grit her teeth again.

That guy isn't back yet. Is he deliberately avoiding me?

With the clatter of her high heels, she returned to her lab and looked at her computer. Her assistant was fast asleep, slumped over the table.

If that guy were here, he could work for ten days and ten nights, his efficiency would be many times that of an ordinary person, and he wouldn't have to be paid.

Mebius had an idea that could be used as a streetlamp, so he walked over and patted his assistant on the shoulder.

Blanca woke up with a start, rubbing her eyes: "Doctor, you're back. I'll finish analyzing Adieu's data soon."

"Don't rush, has Edwin replied yet?" Mebius picked up his cup and took a sip of coffee.

“Branch Chief Edwin couldn’t get in touch with Dr. Ryan, but he did provide intelligence that Dr. Ryan is currently clearing out the northeastern part of Japan, and the latest three-headed Honkai Emperor corpse will be delivered tomorrow.”

It should have been a good thing, but Blanca saw that Mebius's face grew impatient, and he slammed his coffee cup down on the table.

thump.

"That idiot, that barbarian, can't even tell what's important and what's urgent. Isn't it better for him to stay by my side and study me than to roll around in the mud?"

“But Dr. Ryan sent all these materials back,” Blanca said weakly, trying to be fair.

“Fine, I’ll cross out the idiot, but he’s still a barbarian.” Mebius bit his lip lightly.

"Actually, Dr. Mei was more helpful to the research..."

“But I don’t get along with her. This Mei will become a menace sooner or later, and—” Mebius lightly slapped the table, spilling a lot of coffee, “He wrecked the training room. Why should the repair costs be included in my research budget? I finally got to escape instant noodles, but I was dragged back.”

Blanca looked at the resentful Mebius without saying a word, a hint of a smile in her eyes.