Although acting tough and doing strange things quite blatantly, when it came to taking the next step, Ms. Pink Fatty suddenly backed down. Don't ask why—the answer is, her pants were wet.
Moreover, it was in such a place. Even though Chiba Academy was deserted now, unlocking the 'rooftop CG' for her first time... Ms. Elysia's psychological defenses clearly couldn't quite handle it.
...Phew...
Her racing heart took a long time to calm. A faint blush spread across her face. Elysia consoled herself that there was no need to rush. After all, there was plenty of time. For her, 'devouring' a certain bad guy was an easy task.
But if it was too hasty, wouldn't this 'first time' feel like swallowing dates whole without savoring them? Emotions needed to brew; this 'flavor' needed to be 'chewed' slowly. Until one day, she 'ate him clean'~
The naughty yet slightly timid pink fairy tried to comfort and convince herself with this reasoning.
"Alright, MEI and the others should be waiting for us. Let's not keep them waiting long."
Hearing Jiang Qiao's words, Elysia's cheeks instantly flushed crimson again. Although she hadn't cared when caught up in the moment earlier, now that she had calmed down, recalling her bold actions in front of them, from the perspective of a young maiden, it was indeed somewhat... embarrassing.
But this was Jiang Qiao's fault too! If he hadn't made her worry so much, would she have acted like that? So, Jiang Qiao bad! She unhesitatingly pinned the blame onto a certain Jiang-surnamed man's head.
Of course, amidst the shyness, Elysia also felt a little 'smug.' After all, although those actions were very bold, didn't they also equate to her 'declaring sovereignty'? I, Elysia, can do this, but you guys can't~
Thinking this, her shyness turned into self-satisfaction. "Mm."
---||---
The two found MEI and Mobius by the waiting transport ship outside Nagazora City. The latter spoke first, teasing, "Looks like your little interaction is over? Oh my~ I thought you two would stay longer~"
"Honestly, I was suggesting to MEI that there was no need to wait for you."
"Hmph~ Who made me miss you too, Mobius~" Elysia retorted, showing off her 'green tea' skills against Mobius.
"Although a certain bad guy made me very angry and had to be 'punished,' if our Dr. Mobius felt too lonely, then that would be my fault~" Her tone held slight helplessness and regret, but anyone could see it was more like 'showing off' something.
"How about it, want to go shopping together? I've always wanted to see you in a pink little skirt, believe me, it would definitely be very cute" It sounded like an invitation, eager—not mockery.
Undoubtedly, Elysia was indeed exceptionally enthusiastic about putting Mobius in a pink little skirt.
The latter's snake-like, beautiful green eyes narrowed slightly, her smile not reaching her eyes. "I have no interest in wasting time on such boring things."
"However... there is one point you seem to have gotten right, Elysia."
"Oh?"
"Right now, I do seem to feel somewhat 'lonely'~" Like a provocation, Mobius licked her lips, her slender, onion-like white index finger tracing across her pink lips.
Combined with her full figure and faint allure, she looked exceptionally tempting. Elysia blinked, clearly not understanding the meaning.
MEI mediated, "Alright... let's head back to headquarters first. There are still many things to handle."
The Cocoon's influence on the planet might be shielded, but the chaos in other regions during this period, and the details regarding the future, regarding this 'Cocoon of Origin,' couldn't be ignored.
Taking the fastest Fire Moth transport ship, they returned to the headquarters located on the eastern coast of the Pacific Ocean. It was noticeable that communications in various regions had already been restored.
The 'Cocoon of Origin' enveloping Earth formed a special outer membrane, similar to a 'world bubble wall.' Leveraging Origin's unique properties, it isolated the influence from the Cocoon, isolating the 'periodic great Honkai Eruptions' influenced by the Cocoon on the Imaginary level.
"Fortunately, although many things did happen, the semi-permanently operating Edict System prevented the disaster from escalating," MEI said, receiving news from various sources, revealing a rare smile.
"If nothing unexpected happens next, then we will likely enter a phase of planetary restoration and economic recovery." The emergence of Honkai had dealt a considerable blow to the Previous Era civilization. Frequent large-scale eruptions displaced people and severely damaged the economy.
With the Honkai gradually expanding, the Fire Moth, having gradually gained control of global governance, had effectively entered a 'wartime economy' state. But with the battle against the Honkai terminated, the approach clearly needed to change.
However... "I do not intend to announce this news to the public."
"Eh? Why?" Elysia didn't understand. Wasn't ending the fight against the Honkai a good thing? If people knew the Honkai was gone, they would surely be very happy, right?
Mobius sneered, "Looks like your side isn't peaceful either, MEI."
"It has always been this way, hasn't it?" MEI sighed. In a way, the Honkai was never humanity's greatest threat. Humanity's greatest threat has always been itself, the human heart.
Even under the threat of the Honkai, and having achieved control over planetary governance through special technology like the 'Avalon System,' there would always be those unwilling to accept it.
Wanting to return to the old ways—closing doors to become local warlords—and also not wanting something like the 'Avalon System' hanging over their heads.
Although, due to the established rules, this system was implemented with the initial purpose of 'countering the Herrscher of Dominance,' ... a 'Disciplinary System' that regulated individual behavior, an absolutely fair double-edged sword hanging above, clearly aroused dissatisfaction in many.
Just like even during the Honkai threat, various rumors like the 'AI threat theory' and 'the truth behind the Avalon Project' circulated widely within human society—their appearance wasn't baseless.
Wanting to escape the constraints of discipline, or more accurately, wanting to control this system, become a privileged class not subject to 'constraints.' Controlling the lower classes, regulating the lower classes, that's good. Controlling us too, that's bad.
People holding similar thoughts had never truly ceased. If they knew this war had ended, MEI would likely face considerable trouble.
"..." Elysia stood frozen. She didn't quite understand, or rather, she knew some things but didn't want to think too much about them. Subconsciously, she looked towards Jiang Qiao, but the latter just smiled and shook his head.
Just as even the 'Harmonious' Family had its various 'dirty laundries,' the Previous Era civilization naturally couldn't escape it either. And this wasn't something he could solve.
Or rather, even if he did have some 'alternative' methods to effectively 'curtail' it... if those methods were employed, it would merely be manipulating 'puppets.'
"This problem, you will have to find the answer yourselves."
"What I could do, I have already done."
"The path ahead, you must walk yourselves."
However... for this 'Cocoon of Origin,' the moment it was dismantled and integrated by Jiang Qiao, that 'heart' also became a part of it. Birds will bring seeds of goodness, planting them in people's hearts. Perhaps, this could indeed bring some new changes?
---||---
After terminating the Honkai threat, many matters needed handling. Elysia initially wanted to drag Jiang Qiao out to play, perhaps seizing the opportunity to 'handle' someone.
But due to MEI's research needs regarding the 'Cocoon of Origin,' she, as the Herrscher of Origin herself, had to stay behind to cooperate with MEI's research.
And Jiang Qiao... Mobius smilingly 'borrowed' him. Don't ask, the reason is: research needs.
Although Elysia felt something wasn't quite right, being unable to leave and also not overly worried about Mobius, she didn't dwell on it.
"?" Looking at Mobius's room, and the latter's action of decisively closing and locking the door after entering, Jiang Qiao's expression turned peculiar. "Mobius, what are you..." What happened to research needs? This... doesn't look like a laboratory.
"Hmph hmph~ Isn't it obvious~" The latter, wearing the researcher's signature white coat over a jade-green inner shirt that perfectly outlined her ample figure, combined with her mature, beautiful face, looked exceptionally alluring.
Though the faint blush held a girlish purity, the way she licked her lips,毫不掩饰 'greed,' that 'malice-filled' intent practically oozed from her words.
Moving with snake-like steps, she slowly approached.
"...The Mobius I remember isn't the type to indulge in such things. Besides, for you now... this behavior should be the least efficient, right?"
"Oh~ So that's how you see me~"
"Mm, not wrong."
"From a biological perspective, for me now as the Herrscher of Death and Life, physiological urges, primal genetic impulses, are merely superficial things. Even without taking them from you, it doesn't matter~"
"But~ who made me such a greedy 'snake'?"
"Compared to 'self-satisfaction,' I prefer to 'snatch' things~"
"Besides~ just as someone said, she was afraid I'd be lonely~" Slithering closer to her 'prey,' slender jade hands clad in black silk rested on his broad chest, feeling the calm heartbeat.
"Indeed, I am really, really lonely~" She whispered hotly, her breath like a snake's flicking tongue, looking tempting yet 'invasive,' her forked tongue seeming to hold the 'malice' of wanting to 'eat him clean.'
She chuckled lightly, her snake-like green eyes filled with excitement. In terms of adjusting her own form, the authority of the Herrscher of Death and Life was always exceptionally 'convenient.'
"..." Jiang Qiao's lips twitched.
Undoubtedly, the words Elysia spoke in Nagazora City—the very petty, grudge-holding Mobius hadn't ignored them at all, but kept them 'close to heart.' Just waiting for the right time to 'retaliate.'
And now, clearly, Jiang Qiao had become the 'target of retaliation.' Both [Elysia] and the 'meat' that the pink fatty cared so much about, kept by her lips, reluctant to eat.
Who else was more suitable as an object of 'retaliation' than him? Hehe~ You like showing off, don't you~ Elysia~ Since that's the case, don't blame me for losing patience and having a taste~ After all, a woman's jealousy can be quite terrifying~
"So, are you mentally prepared~"
"The debt from last time, I plan to collect it all this time too~" With a charming smile, the snake lady gently grasped [Jiang Qiao], her light tone filled with 'playfulness.'
Besides 'retaliating' against a certain pink fatty, Ms. Mobius, choosing to do this, clearly also intended to settle the score from last time. Initially 'beaten swollen,' the second time unfamiliar with controlling her authority, resulting in being disadvantaged.
For the highly competitive Mobius, settling this score was absolutely necessary. And now, she had completely mastered the authority of the Herrscher of Death and Life.
Ms. Snake was confident that this time, she could definitely 'eat him clean.'
"Mm... hmph... How is it?" Slender fingers wrapped around someone. Accompanied by the initial gasp as her mouth opened slightly, the snake lady, having completed her 'predation,' stared provocatively at the former.
"This, is the killing move I specially prepared just for you~" The natural compatibility, like a perfect 'plug-in' and socket—something humans often seek.
However, this human pursuit was already an outdated concept for the current Mobius. Just physical shape complementarity? Just force and suction? Weak!
Witness, the 'compatibility' reaching the DNA level! Transcending physical form, making every 'DNA' strand become the 'shape' of the other, achieving 'integration' at the DNA level.
Attacking from life's initial 'impulse,' making every cell 'crave.' This... was a divine technique capable of truly 'draining' a person dry.
For an ordinary person, no action needed—the very moment they were 'bitten,' they would be 'sucked dry to the bone marrow.' Not even cellular fluid would be left behind!