Necromancer, but pre-collapse civilization

　Of course, this excludes the Herald of the End, who wields the power of time and can handle even the siege of heroes with ease.

　In this era before even the Second Great Collapse has arrived, this strength is all the more precious.

　While Moros was immersed in the endless magical knowledge stored in the Magic Guild, Mebius also showed the councilors of the Firemoth her preliminary research results.

　Thanks to the full support of the Firemoth, she now has access to far more resources than she did in the official history.

　Given his previous research on the life system of vengeful spirits, and his communication with Moros through the [Vengeful Spirit Jar], it's quite reasonable that Möbius's research could make such a rapid breakthrough.

　"Your Excellencies, Members of Parliament"

　Mebius's voice echoed in the conference room.

　"As you can see, this enhancement surgery not only successfully avoids the risks that may come from altering life form, but also gives the recipient an extra 5 to 10 years of lifespan and an equivalent amount of youth..."

　Listening to Mebius's presentation and watching the various impressive-sounding but incomprehensible data she displayed on the projection screen, the members of the Moth Chaser Council could not hide their smiles.

　Although the enhancement surgery that Mebius is currently researching requires enormous resources and its effects are still inferior to turning into a vampire, this does not prevent the senators from seeing its huge potential and value.

　For staunch advocates of the "human supremacy" ideal, especially for Senator Vincent, the most appealing aspect of this surgery is that it does not alter the recipient's human identity.

　“Excellent, Dr. Möbius, you have certainly lived up to our expectations!”

　Member of Parliament Vincent expressed his sincere admiration and stood up from his seat to applaud enthusiastically.

　At his urging, the other members of parliament in the meeting room also stood up and applauded Mebius.

Chapter 106 Technological Progress and the Rhythm of Unease

　Mebius didn't actually like the applause and congratulations from the Moth of Fire members.

　But in order to secure funding for the next phase of research at the First Research Institute, she had to patiently listen to the congratulations from each member of parliament.

　Having experienced the abundant resources provided by the strong support of the Fire Moth, Möbius really didn't want to go back to the days when he had to compromise due to research funding issues.

　Of course, given Mebius's pride, she would never give up her beloved research just because the councilors were cutting back on research funding.

　However, in this situation where the core issues are not addressed, she is still willing to make concessions.

　After all, some temporary patience and compromise are necessary in order to continue on the road to infinity.

　As the enthusiastic applause in the meeting room gradually subsided, Mebius continued her previous statement.

　"According to the latest research from the First Research Institute, there is still much room for improvement in the currently developed enhancement surgery..."

　For researchers, painting a rosy picture to win over investors is perfectly normal.

　But the blueprint drawn by Möbius was not just an empty promise in the eyes of the Moth of Fire members, but a great undertaking that they firmly believed would be realized in the future.

　This is easy to understand.

　Just as people tend to believe Einstein's predictions rather than the descriptions of ordinary researchers.

　In this era, in the field of biology, Möbius is the modern-day Einstein.

　"My goal is not to optimize and enhance surgery; that's merely a byproduct of my research. I hope to pave a new path for humanity's future through a deeper study of vampires as a life form..."

　Although the members of parliament, with their limited scientific literacy, could not fully comprehend every detail described by Möbius, her vision and determination were clearly conveyed to everyone.

　As seasoned politicians, the lawmakers astutely grasped the core of Mebius's statement—that she possessed the ability to optimize the existing first-generation enhancement surgery.

　That's enough for the lawmakers.

　With this understanding, the meeting, which was essentially a showcase of the First Research Institute's achievements, would no longer encounter any setbacks.

　In response to the promising future promised by Möbius, the members of the Firemoth Council readily signed off on the next round of research funding.

　The world is always in a state of dynamic development.

　A butterfly in the Amazon rainforest in South America, flapping its wings occasionally, can cause a tornado in Texas two weeks later.

　Given the nature of the Fire Moth organization, it's highly unlikely that the members of the Fire Moth Council would conceal the first-generation enhancement surgery developed by Möbius from their own nation.

　Then, the pressure was put on other research institutes that had abundant research resources and vampire research materials.

　Even though the bigwigs behind these research institutes never thought they could surpass Möbius, they believed that even by accumulating numbers, they should be able to achieve some results.

　However, scientific research is not infrastructure; it is not something that can be rewarded simply by investing resources.

　Especially when exploring the frontiers of science and technology, the tireless efforts of ten thousand ordinary researchers day and night are often incomparable to the inspiration and insight of a genius scientist in a short period of time.

　However, the managers of research institutes that receive investments from influential figures cannot respond to the influential figures behind them in this way.

　The money of the meat-eaters is not so easy to obtain.

　If they fail to produce satisfactory research results for an extended period, these managers are likely to become targets for the anger and disappointment of higher-ups, and will suffer dissatisfaction and blame from above.

　Such dissatisfaction and criticism cannot be quelled simply by dismissal.

　Having learned too much they shouldn't have, what will happen to them once they are abandoned by the powerful figures behind the scenes, in order to prevent the secrets from being leaked? It goes without saying.

　Worse still, sometimes they might even be sent to research institutes they manage in the name of "resource reuse".

　However, by then, their status will no longer be that of esteemed managers, but rather experimental subjects to be slaughtered at will.

　As managers, they were fully aware of the institute's indifference and cruelty in its treatment of experimental materials.

　In that situation, perhaps death really is a relief, a relatively comfortable final destination.

　Therefore, in order to avoid such a tragic situation, these managers issued strict orders to their research institutes, demanding that they produce satisfactory results within a specified time.

　Under the orders of these administrators, research institutes across the country sprang into action.

　Researchers of all ranks mobilized all available resources and strength, abandoning all ethical and moral bottom lines that hindered the progress of the research.

　Their goal is singular—to produce research results that are truly eye-opening.

　Under these circumstances, the plight of the experimental subjects within the various research institutes is easily imaginable.

　Mu Continent, Prometheus Research Center.

　"The test subject's heart rate has risen sharply, exceeding dangerous levels!"

　The experimental subjects' adaptability to Honkai energy continues to increase!

　The two researchers stared intently at the instrument screen, reporting rapidly to the senior researcher.

　"Ignore it!"

　The senior researcher in the white lab coat glanced indifferently at the data on the screen, then issued the order in an unquestionable tone.

　"Record the data, and based on this, inject new Honkai energy condensate into the experimental subject again!"

　As new Honkai energy condensate was injected, the purple-haired girl lying on the cold experimental table let out another shrill scream.

　However, none of the researchers, who were under immense pressure from their superiors, paid any attention to the cries of the test subjects.

　Their eyes were fixed on the data flashing on the instrument screen, their minds preoccupied only with the ever-changing numbers.

　"Such physiological response data is unprecedented and incredible!"

　"The mysteries and potential of life are truly amazing!"

　The senior researcher interrupted his two assistants' reflections with displeasure, his voice conveying an unquestionable authority.

　"Enough! Now is not the time for lamenting. Continue the experiment; we need more data to support our experimental arguments!"

　His words drew the researchers' attention back to the experimental table.

　Thinking of the promises and veiled threats made by the institute's senior management, the two assistants seemed to be injected with new energy and threw themselves back into their intense yet orderly work.

　Meanwhile, the purple-haired girl's cries on the lab table continued, but they seemed so insignificant in this technologically advanced laboratory.

　I'll kill you all, I'll definitely kill you all...

　The purple-haired girl silently recited the words in her heart, each one filled with endless hatred and curses.

　However, she was tightly bound to the experimental table with restraints, unable to move, and could only endure the various cruel experiments carried out on her by the researchers.

Chapter 107 Virvi's Actions

　Time moves forward.

　Just as Mebius was presenting her latest research findings to the higher-ups at the Firemoth, Velvey also discovered something quite interesting.

　"Collapse?"

　She looked down at the detailed report she had compiled after conducting an in-depth investigation in Fuyuan City, and a look of surprise appeared on her face.

　"It seems there are still many things in this world that I don't know."

　But soon, as if she had thought of something, a complex expression appeared on her face, a mixture of nostalgia and joy.

　Moros, is that you?

　She whispered softly, her gaze fixed on a blurry photograph.

　Vervi extended her gloved fingers and gently stroked the photograph, as if touching a distant memory.

　Although the current Velvi is no longer the little girl who had nothing but talent.

　Years of self-study and apprenticeship under a leading expert in the field of mechanics have transformed her into a highly talented mechanical expert.

　But Miss Wilwy still hasn't forgotten the little boy who made such a deep impression on her.

　"Let me see if you are really him."

　Conductor Vervière murmured softly, then left a message on the message board she had set up for herself.

　[Conductor]

　[A possible trace of Moros has been found; he previously stayed at the First Hotel in Fuyuan City. Expert, I need your assistance.]

　Apart from the original Velvie (the con artist/inferiority complex), the memories of the other Velvies are not interconnected.

　In other words, unless she tells him, Wilvi will have no way of knowing what they went through during their respective active periods.

　In this context, to ensure effective collaboration, each of Virvi's personalities created a message board specifically for each other's use.

　In this way, they are able to leave behind key information, request assistance, or share discoveries, thus enabling [Vilvie] to live better in this time.

　After conductor Vervier left a detailed message on the message board, she gently closed her eyes.

　In order to find Moros's trail as soon as possible, she decided to deliberately shorten the time she occupied the body.

　However, to the surprise of all the Velvies, when she opened her eyes again, it wasn't the great magician who was supposed to appear, but the original Velvie.

　The original Virvi could take over any other personality at any time and gain control of the body.

　However, she rarely uses this ability. More often, the con artist chooses to let the other personalities develop freely, placing herself in the position of an observer, quietly watching the other personalities thrive in this world.

　The other Vilvies were well aware of this, and in most cases, they chose to ignore the fraudster's existence.

　"Moros, do you... remember me...?"

　Staring intently at the blurry photograph, tears welled in the eyes of the con artist, Velvet.

　Vilvi is a very proactive person.

　After making up her mind, she didn't hesitate to tell him what she wanted.

　The law was put into practice.

　With the expert's support in providing superb mechanical technology, the conductor devised an extremely comprehensive plan.

　According to this plan, the great magician quickly arrived at the place where Moros had chosen to stay in Fuyuan City—the Fuyuan City First Hotel.

　However, when the great magician disguised himself as a distinguished guest wanting to book the presidential suite, he unexpectedly encountered a setback.

　"I'm very sorry, ma'am, the presidential suite is fully booked."

　The hotel receptionist smiled politely and apologetically.

　"Would you like to consider other types of suites?"

　If things had ended there, the conductor would have had a backup plan in place.

　After all, a hotel usually only has one presidential suite, so it's understandable that it's hard to book.

　But what happened next was completely beyond her expectations, falling right into the conductor's worst-case scenario.

　A group of expressionless men in black suits began to approach her, their bulging waists clearly indicating a potential threat.

　Is there really such a big reaction just because I'm trying to book a room?

　The great magician, Velvet, was suspicious, but she did not panic. Instead, she quickly adjusted her mindset and calmly dealt with the approaching threat.