Collapse, I am actually in the villain camp

"We have already experienced the power of the Ice Ruler." Raven said immediately.

"So, you have all come into contact with the Herrscher?" Alvette was a little surprised.

"Yeah." Mei nodded. "We had a brief fight, but she escaped."

"As you said, the Herrscher can create solid ice, and the cold wave generated by the explosion has astonishing destructive power. He is a troublesome enemy." Raven's words helped Alvette confirm the ability of the Herrscher of Ice.

"However, we will deal with her as soon as possible." Mei spoke again.

"I see. I will report the Herrscher's information to the Minister immediately. Thank you for your assistance." Alvette said politely.

"You're welcome. There will be many opportunities like this in the future." Raven's attitude was also very friendly.

After all, "World Snake" and "Destiny" have now reached a cooperative relationship, and there will be more exchanges between the two sides in the future.

"Well, I wish you all good luck in your battles."

As Alvette hung up the phone completely, the gentle smile on Raven's face disappeared.

"You change your expression really quickly..." Ye Xiao's tone was still flat, making it impossible to tell whether he was praising or mocking.

But Raven knew that the other person was just like that, so she just shrugged her shoulders slightly and replied, "It's just work needs."

"Then let's continue discussing how to deal with her." Mei brought the topic back to the previous one.

"According to the information they left behind, the Herrscher should be moving towards the city center." At this point, Raven rubbed his forehead with a headache. "However, due to the strong cold wave around her, all the reconnaissance equipment set up by the World Serpent on the coral island has been paralyzed. We have no way to directly locate her specific location.

"According to the latest data from the reconnaissance equipment, she created a large number of Honkai beasts as she advanced. If we want to continue to explore her location, we must first eliminate those Honkai beasts."

Raven suddenly turned around and looked at Mei, "By the way, Mei, aren't you a Herrscher? Can you directly control those Honkai beasts to leave?"

"No." Mei shook her head slowly. "Those are Honkai beasts created by the Herrscher of Ice. They only obey the orders of the Herrscher of Ice and will not be controlled by other Herrschers."

"What a pity. It seems that we can only break through by force." Raven stretched out her claws helplessly. She had originally thought that she could find a shortcut.

"But even if we get close to the Herrscher, we still need a complete plan to make her be affected by the 'Yellow Springs Staff'. Otherwise, she will just escape again." Night Owl added.

Chapter 14 What Would You Do?

Three people gathered beside a simple pile of firewood with flames rising.

Although Mei was not afraid of the cold wave because she was a Herrscher, Raven and Night Owl were in urgent need of warming up.

"What kind of effect does the "Yellow Springs Staff" have?" Mei couldn't help but ask Ye Xiao.

She had asked the Jackal before at the base, but the Jackal played it safe and told her nothing.

Although she asked Raven about it on the way, Raven didn't seem to know the specific effects. He only knew that this thing could make the Herrscher fall into the so-called "stagnation" state.

Fortunately, the Night Owl is not a riddler like the Jackal.

After hearing Mei's question, he explained, "In short, it's a restriction device for the Herrscher's core. According to the Jackal, it can significantly interfere with the connection between the Herrscher's core and the imaginary space, distorting the 'channel' between the two in a short period of time, causing the Herrscher's Houkai energy to become disordered."

"It won't kill the Herrscher, but it can greatly restrict her movements. Under normal circumstances, this restraint won't last long. But if you can first inflict severe damage to the Herrscher of Ice and weaken her power.

"The duration of the 'Yellow Spring Staff' will be greatly extended, and we will have enough time to hand the Herrscher over to the Lord and let him seal the Herrscher's power.

"By then, the Herrscher will fall into a state of suspended animation, becoming a safe and harmless... 'vegetative state'."

After hearing Night Owl's explanation, Mei finally understood why the Jackal had such high expectations for the "Yellow Spring Staff", and also understood what the "stagnation" in the Jackal's mouth meant.

Seeing Mei's silence, Ye Xiao spoke again, "I'm sorry, as a Herrscher, you must find this very cruel, right?"

"Cruel? Night Owl, when did you become so kind?" Before Mei could speak, Raven sneered.

"I just think that at least we have a Herrscher by our side." Night Owl spread his hands and explained.

Mei was silent for a moment and then responded, "...I will complete what I need to complete. However, I still have a question."

"What's the problem?" Night Owl asked.

"According to what you just said, even if we use the "Yellow Spring Staff" to capture the Herrscher, Kevin will need to take action personally to seal the Herrscher. Then why didn't Kevin come here in person?" Mei couldn't help but feel puzzled.

"According to the Jackal, the Lord seems to have other important matters." Raven explained.

Mei shook her head and retorted, "But as the Jackal said before, the Herrscher who's in stagnation is very important to the Stigmata Project. Kevin is so obsessed with the Stigmata Project, I don't think he'll prioritize anything over it."

"This..." After listening to Mei's analysis, Raven was suddenly speechless.

"Our Lord's affairs are not something we can interfere with."

At this time, Night Owl spoke up, "No matter how you think about it, there are only three of us on the coral island now. How to complete the Lord's instructions is what we need to consider."

"You're right." Mei nodded silently.

"Well, the next step is to formulate a battle plan. The longer it takes, the more disadvantageous it will be for us." Night Owl spoke first.

"Leave the frontal battle to Mei, and we will fight the way we are good at." Raven looked at Night Owl in a steady tone.

"Yeah, that's what I think." Night Owl nodded and had no objection to this.

He added, "However, what we need now is to locate the Herrscher."

"The interference from Honkai energy and the cold wave has rendered most reconnaissance methods ineffective. Now we can only rely on our naked eyes to locate the enemy." Raven gently patted the Third Divine Key, "Seven Thunders of Purification," in his hand. "I will find a high point to locate the Herrscher and then provide you with remote support."

"After discovering the Herrscher, I will set the 'Staff of the Underworld' in a trap, and then you can lure the Herrscher into the trap through fighting." Night Owl said to Mei while throwing some flammable items into the firewood pile.

Mei had no objection to this.

"But... that Herrscher was once a well-trained Valkyrie. Isn't this plan too simple?" Night Owl thought for a moment and asked again.

"That assumes she can maintain her human consciousness," Raven said quietly, looking at the blazing flames before her. "But judging from the previous battle, she's lost even the ability to speak. I'm afraid all she has left is the urge to destroy."

"Her condition is very special." Mei suddenly spoke, drawing both of their attention to her.

After all, no one understands their own kind better than a Herrscher.

Glancing at the two's gazes, Mei continued, "That Valkyrie... although her body has been completely eroded, her heart is still resisting the collapse. Neither her self-awareness nor her Herrscher consciousness can take control of her body, so she behaves like that."

"She... is still fighting Honkai?" A hint of heaviness emerged in Night Owl's voice.

"But we can't afford the risk of failure in the battle." Raven's tone suddenly became heavier, as if he was helping his two companions to strengthen their faith.

"If you have no objection to the battle plan, then let's set off." She glanced at the two of them, waiting for an answer.

"Raiden Mei, you protect Raven first and find the high ground. I also need some time to assemble the trap." Night Owl quickly gave his answer.

"Let's go." Mei was very straightforward and responded immediately.

So, Mei and Raven quickly left this temporary meeting point and began to look for a vantage point suitable for observation.

Chen Tianwu continued to lower his brows and fiddle with the pile of firewood in front of him.

……

Their conversation was seen by Li Wen who was observing secretly.

After following the traces left by Mei Raiden, he soon found the location where the Herrscher of Ice was staying.

Through the traces at the scene, he judged that the other party did not succeed in capturing the Ice Herrscher, but let the Herrscher escape.

Afterwards, he continued to follow the traces and found three people holding a combat meeting here.

Although he could find the Herrscher of Ice before these three people, defeating the Herrscher was easy, but it was difficult to hide the Herrscher of Ice from the eyes of the "World Serpent" and bring him out.

While his plan was still in its initial stages, he didn't want to have any friction with the "World Serpent".

Therefore, he chose to continue waiting here, waiting for a better opportunity.

And now, he felt that the development of events seemed to be beginning to conform to his expectations.

"Now that you know Anna Shaniat still retains some consciousness, what will you do for your former savior who still has hope of being rescued? Mr. Night Owl... no, or rather, Mr. Chen Tianwu."

Standing on the edge of the tall building, he looked down at the Night Owl below. A page of information appeared on the communicator in his hand, which was the portrait of the Night Owl.

Chapter 15: About to be captured

While waiting for the three to discuss the plan, Li Wen was also looking through Anna Shaniyat's information.

During this check, he didn't expect that he would find a man named Chen Tianwu in Anna Shaniat's file, whose information was exactly the same as that of the "World Snake" cadre in front of him.

The other party's encounter with Anna Shaniat originated from an accident two years ago.

At that time, a small collapse broke out in Asia, and Night Owl was rescued by Anna Shaniat.

After realizing this, Li Wen began to wonder whether this cadre from the "World Snake" could give him a little surprise.

After all, Anna Shaniat was his savior.

However, even if the other party does not take action, there is no need to worry. He has been following in secret anyway. At worst, I can find a way to trip up the people of the "World Snake".

Anyway, Kevin didn't show up this time. Even if I did something, these people probably wouldn't be able to find out given their strength.

Moreover, he had just overheard a conversation between several people and learned that the plan of the "World Serpent" required a Herrscher who was in "stagnation".

The key to their plan lies in a device called the "Yellow Springs Staff". Only with that device can they successfully put the Herrscher into a state of "stagnation" and capture him.

Perhaps, I can secretly influence the so-called "Yellow Spring Staff" at that time?

Li Wen was thinking in his heart.

He still stayed on the top floor and waited quietly. According to the plan of the "World Snake" and others, the real key factor lies in the "Yellow Spring Staff" in the hands of Night Owl.

In other words, as long as he keeps following Night Owl, he can ensure that everything is under his control.

……

Time passed by little by little, and the golden light became more and more dazzling, but the ice covering the earth still showed no signs of melting, and the cold current still filled the city.

Boom——

A red and black lightning flashed in the distance, and then the sound slowly came over.

After listening to the sound, the night owl identified the direction of the sound while counting silently in his heart.

Tens of seconds later, Mei appeared beside him.

"Raven has found the Herrscher. Are you equipped yet?" Mei asked Night Owl directly.

"Well, let's go." Ye Xiao shook the device in his hand towards Mei, then put it in his pocket.

Without wasting any more words, Mei watched Night Owl stand up and immediately took the lead towards the city center.

Looking at the backs of the two people walking towards the depths of the cold current, Li Wen kept a certain distance from them and followed them.

After all, Raven is currently observing from a high point somewhere using the Third God's Key. He not only has to keep up with the two of them, but also has to avoid being detected by Raven.

……

Although the Ice Ruler created a large number of extremely cold death zones and a large number of Honkai beasts with ice properties during his escape, these things did not affect the progress of Mei and Night Owl.

After all, the one tracking her was a Herrscher of the same level as her.

How could we possibly stop the enemy with just the Honkai Beasts and the cold current?

However, despite the smooth progress, they still had not reached the place where the Ice Ruler was temporarily staying as observed by the raven after traveling for a while.

After all, thanks to Alvette's intelligence and the plan they discussed, the time they spent was enough for the Herrscher of Ice to escape a long distance.

The closer you get to the Ruler of Ice, the more terrifying the cold current becomes.

As they continued to move forward, the cold air and ice chips in the air kept blowing towards the two of them.

Night Owl's clothes had almost turned into stiff ice. Even Mei, a Herrscher, felt a bit of chill in the oncoming cold current.

As Night Owl walked, he stretched out his hands and patted his clothes, trying to shake off all the ice chips stuck on them.

However, when his palm landed on the clothes, there was not a dull sound of "pu pu", but a crisp sound.

"If you can't hold on, just go back." Mei suddenly said.

"Hmm?" Ye Xiao raised his head and looked at Mei in front of him, a little confused about what the other party meant.

Mei still stared ahead, not turning her head. "The temperature will only drop further if we go forward. It's not something an ordinary person can endure. Hand the device over to me, and I, the Herrscher, will take care of it."

"...I see. Thank you for your concern." Ye Xiao finally understood what Mei meant and nodded in realization.

"But don't worry, I'm not as fragile as you think." Night Owl said as he slightly pulled open his cloak, revealing the body covered by the clothes.

"This is..." Looking at the metallic luster revealed under the clothes, Mei widened her eyes slightly.

"74% of my body's organs have been transformed into machines. Clothes are just decorations. This little bit of cold won't affect me." Night Owl's tone was still very flat, as if he was telling someone else's story.