A chat group where you switch bodies with Alicia at the start?

"As a result, both MEI and I reaped a lot of credit."

"I think the higher-ups must be quite happy about obtaining the core of the Third Herrscher, right, Dr. Mebius?"

In response to Vervie's teasing, Mebius gave a light snort, his tone tinged with mockery:

"Hmph~ Those people look as happy as children who have found candy, completely unaware that they have found a bait with a line tied to it. I feel sorry for them."

The higher-ups have high hopes for the Herrscher Core, fantasizing about seeking immortality and the power belonging to the Herrscher from it. Even if they can't use it at all, just obtaining such a treasure would make them happy like children for a long time.

But just as Mebius had said, the candy that Vervie threw out even had a string tied to it.

For the still-living Third Herrscher, also known as MEI, the Herrscher Core is utterly meaningless.

Even if it falls into the hands of higher-ups, she can still make that thing re-form within her body if she needs it.

However, for "ordinary people," possessing a Herrscher Core is simply too conspicuous.

Even so, the thought that the higher-ups of the Flame Chaser might try some underhanded tactics, only to find that their target is MEI, the Third Herrscher... tsk tsk, the image is too beautiful to imagine.

"Although the Third Great Collapse has ended, the war against the Collapse is not over yet. Next, we must prepare for the possible Fourth Great Collapse."

"so--"

"Alicia, are your preparations complete?"

In response, the pink-clad girl smiled slightly, her confident and light words echoing in the air as she met the gazes of the three.

"certainly?"

With that gentle snap of the fingers.

—Within the slightly open imaginary void, a huge metal machine is vaguely visible.

Chapter 116 My Friend, You're the Real Clown

—Thousands of meters above the Pacific Ocean, a jet-black, metallic-lustered, futuristic-looking floating warship stands there, though its hull clearly shows many signs of damage.

In the warship's central hub, a blonde woman in a green military overcoat—is none other than Cocolia, the designated civil war god of the three-wheeled vehicles who escaped from Changkong City.

At this moment, you could tell from her expression that she wasn't in a good mood.

This is of course.

After all, in Cocolia's estimation, the Great Collapse of Changkong City should have gone as she expected—the explosion of the Honkai Energy Reactor would have triggered the Great Collapse, which would then have led to the awakening of the Third Herrscher's original body.

At that time, I can turn back directly and capture the Third Herrscher.

but--

Why is this so?

Although the imagined Herrscher-level energy reaction did occur, there was absolutely no sign of a major collapse in Changkong City. Moreover, it seemed that even the Honkai energy reactors that he had installed had stopped firing.

These unusual signs led Cocolia, who had originally intended to turn back, to ultimately choose to evacuate and abandon her plans for Changkong City.

She really couldn't figure out what was going on, and if she went back rashly... her intuition over the years told Coco that something bad was definitely going to happen.

Despite her arrogance, she had considerable trust in the intuition that had saved her countless times in times of crisis.

—And that is indeed the case. If she hadn't run fast enough, Jiang Qiao's arrow would never have achieved the effect of merely extinguishing the reactors of all the sources of collapse in Changkong City.

But the plans of Changkong City are not the worst thing.

What annoyed Cocolia the most was that after leaving Changkong City, she happened to run into the Hyperion, which was on patrol by the Far East Branch.

Entropy and destiny are inherently antagonistic; when they meet, it's like enemies meeting and being extremely hostile.

The Fate's floating warships were already superior to Anti-Entropy, and the one Cocolia was on was not fully equipped due to haste, leaving it powerless to fight back. It was relentlessly pursued all the way from the middle of the Pacific Ocean to this edge of Oceania before it managed to escape.

This situation infuriated Cocolia, who had previously enjoyed a relatively smooth life.

The only good news is—

Bronya, are you alright?

Looking at the projection on the other end of the communication, Cocolia's terrible expression improved considerably.

Although she had indeed previously thought that Bronya had betrayed her, after leaving Changkong City and thinking things through calmly, Cocolia overturned her own idea.

Even though Bronya and her daughter were indeed somewhat estranged because of Seele, she wouldn't betray herself just to save Seele, would she? While triggering the Third Honkai Impact was indeed partly driven by personal desires, putting aside the facts, Cocolia felt that she was genuinely trying to make up for the regrets she had left behind.

"Yes, Bronya is fine."

Bronya's small face, devoid of expression, betrayed no emotion; she simply responded monotonously in her slightly powdery voice.

Cocolia, accustomed to this, didn't pay much attention and instead asked the question that had been on her mind:

What exactly happened to you?

Although she convinced herself that Bronya hadn't betrayed her, she was still quite unsure about her daughter's situation in Changkong City, especially...

According to her subordinates, the control chip that Bronya had implanted in her head had malfunctioned.

But Cocolia couldn't openly ask, "What happened to the chip I put in your head?"

I can only try to glean useful information from it using my usual motherly tone, gentle and caring.

--pity.

Bronya showed no expression as she looked at Cocolia, but a hint of disappointment and mockery flickered in her eyes.

After learning what the other party had done to her, her mother-daughter relationship with Cocolia was completely severed.

but--

"I hope you can maintain contact with Cocolia and stay informed about her whereabouts."

Recalling what the white-haired, incredibly composed girl had said to her when they were alone, Bronya chose to comply.

After all, the possibility of saving Seele still rests on that person.

Compared to the treacherous and wicked Cocolia's mother, she felt that Kiana was much more trustworthy.

Bronya already knew exactly how to deal with Cocolia's words. Her unexpectedly expressionless face made it impossible for even the cunning Cocolia to see any flaws.

Regarding what happened before she was turned, Duck told the truth about everything except Seele. As for what happened afterward, and Cocolia's question about what exactly happened in Changkong City, Duck used Baidu's general answer—"I don't know."

—And she really wasn't lying.

Bronya has never actually seen a Herrscher in person, and as for the fluctuations of a Herrscher... well, I'm not a Honkai energy detection radar!

As long as you conceal the whole story of how you were turned, then everything you say will be the truth, and even if you bring a lie detector, it won't work!

—Although in Jiang Qiao's eyes, Cocolia was just a clown.

But the good news is—it's the Joker.

The bad news is—his destructive power in doing bad things is also Joker-level... well, but in terms of destructive power, this one has surpassed the Joker.

Even the Joker could only admire him and give him a thumbs up—"My friend, you are the real Joker!"

In this respect, perhaps only Mr. Joker from the Destiny Headquarters can surpass him.

To prevent this incompetent and troublesome sly fox from causing any more trouble without our knowledge, it is necessary to know her next move.

Perhaps because she trusted her too much, Cocolia dispelled her doubts about Bronya.

She spoke up first:

"Since nothing has happened, Bronya, you should come to New Zealand as soon as possible."

"New Zealand?"

Faced with her adopted daughter's doubts, Cocolia did not hide anything and answered frankly:

"Yes, our next target is the Schicksal Oceania branch. According to the information I have, the Gem of Desire, one of the four gems scattered by the Second Herrscher after the Second Great Collapse, is right there now."

Although the incident in Changkong City ended in failure, her cooperative relationship with Gray Serpent did not end.

In a secret meeting, they decided to set their sights on the Gem of Desire located in the Oceania branch.

This wave is bound to succeed!

Duck has no expression:

"Bronya knows."

Chapter 117 Dr. Möbius is at work!

—Headquarters of Destiny

"Your Excellency, several hours ago... the Fourth Divine Key went missing."

Upon hearing Amber's report, the bishop, who was sitting on the sofa indulging in his Kallen fantasy and neglecting his duties, was stunned, his emerald green eyes filled with astonishment.

It's like saying—Huh? What are you saying?