I am, Flame-Chaser of Previous Era-Chapter 79: Value

Another tunnel lay behind the cliff; after walking for fifteen minutes, they entered another mine; emerging, Ryan found himself on the town's eastern edge, the spot he'd observed from afar.

Truly, a clever rabbit had three burrows; without a large-scale siege, she couldn't be captured; but with too many people, communications would be intercepted, allowing her to escape.

Ryan set Sakura down, watching Vill-V calmly fixing her hair. Helicopters circled the town; Fire Moth soldiers searched the buildings.

Gunfire quickly erupted; another gang fight; Fire Moth, though powerless against Ryan, had superior firepower to the military.

"Justice served; this town will be cleansed."

Ryan's vision was keen; he saw soldiers in protective gear retrieving corpses from the rubble—bodies he'd left behind; their genetic composition would be analyzed.

"The evolution faction's rogue human experimentation went out of control; they massacred civilians; a fight with Fire Moth is expected; it sounds... plausible."

Ryan smiled; this was the surface narrative; it was logical; the trap had been set since Mobius's trip to Shanghai.

The evolution faction, supporting the warrior fusion project, conducted unauthorized human experiments—crimes against humanity; the data leaked from the Fifth Institute; Mobius couldn't escape implication.

Even with the higher-ups' assurances, the project would be frozen; no one would suspect the Pureblood faction.

"No one's foolish; they acted preemptively; they're using others to start a fire."

Ryan, arms crossed, found their combat skills weak, but their political maneuvering was top-tier; they understood the core issue:

Power distribution required vacant seats; those seats could be filled by others.

"A brilliant plan; layer upon layer; they used this chaos to silence me; even if discovered, there would be no evidence." Vill-V nodded calmly and rationally.

"But their actions interfered with my plans." Ryan added coldly.

"Bad luck; also because of Mobius?"

"Partly. But the warrior fusion project can't be frozen; I'll use this chaos to reorganize Fire Moth." Ryan frowned, admitting his intentions.

Vill-V offered a faint smile; she knew this "reorganization" included her; she'd seen his methods.

Decisive, ruthless, methodical; aside from inexplicably saving an assassin, he was flawless.

"If you succeed, you'll be doing others a great favor; in exchange, they'll grant your requests."

"Precisely. I wouldn't have made this trip otherwise. Except for your unexpected appearance, the Pureblood faction's plan went perfectly; and I suspect you have enough sensitive data."

"Yes, I accessed their human experimentation facility, downloading sensitive data, including images and classified documents. The Pureblood faction was behind it." Vill-V said calmly, gesturing towards Sakura. "With Cocoon's testimony, exposing both incidents will destroy them."

Ryan's eyes widened; he'd expected Vill-V to have evidence; he hadn't anticipated it being this substantial; no wonder the Pureblood faction was so desperate.

The higher-ups had rules; crimes against humanity resulted in dismissal; but leaked conspiracies would unite all factions against them.

So underhanded, so undignified; how could such people save humanity?

"The data is hidden; when should we release it?"

"What's the rush? Some in the Fire Moth Council are more anxious than we are. Sending coals in winter is more effective when delayed." Ryan shook his head; he disliked these dirty political games, but since he'd gotten involved—

He needed to profit.

That was the logic, but Vill-V clarified. "But then they'll realize I'm alive and eliminate us, including Cocoon. This contract can't be considered a misunderstanding."

"With me here, are you afraid?"

He glanced at her, his tone flat, devoid of passionate rhetoric; he simply stated a fact; Vill-V's eyes widened, then calmed.

"No."

...

The Fire Moth Council, Fire Moth's governing body, was shrouded in secrecy; its extreme confidentiality, political infighting, and assassinations meant that each Council member's identity was highly classified.

Though their identities were largely known, they didn't meet like the UN Security Council; they convened in a dark room at headquarters via electronic nameplates.

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This ensured the Council's survival, satisfied the powerful's need for secrecy and ritual, and allowed for simultaneous small group discussions.

"Phase one of the meeting concluded. Karius's extended stay requires separate discussion. He's astute; he noticed something."

Moonlight streamed through the dome, illuminating the elegantly decorated room; oil paintings hung in the shadows, exuding understated luxury.

The large desk was clean; two thirty-inch screens flanked it; the speaker was an elderly man with white hair, triangular eyes, a goatee, and a large frame filling his pinstripe shirt; he looked relaxed.

The left screen displayed Fire Moth headquarters; in the oppressive conference room, forty-six electronic nameplates stood like tombstones, simply labeled 'Sicht-XX'; silent emblems accompanied them.

The right screen was similar, though smaller; only six "tombstones" were present; distorted electronic voices echoed.

"The Director is stalling, trying to give those people time to connect."

"With sufficient incentives, crimes against humanity and war crimes are meaningless. But this time, they'll have to give up at least five seats."

"Five seats? Enough to satisfy the newcomers?"

"Not really, but afterward, the warrior fusion project will be frozen; resources will prioritize the Second Institute; our positions will be unassailable."

Humans live for value; they create value and destroy others' value; it's a struggle for dominance.

To combat the Honkai, Fire Moth uses two approaches—scientific advancement and warrior fusion. This time, ethical concerns are paramount; resources are prioritizing the former.

"Not really, but afterward, the warrior fusion project will be frozen; resources will prioritize the Second Institute; our positions will be unassailable."

Humans live for value; they create value and destroy others' value; it's a struggle for dominance.

To combat the Honkai, Fire Moth uses two approaches—scientific advancement and warrior fusion. This time, ethical concerns are paramount; resources are prioritizing the former.

But the Third Herrscher disrupted the balance; the massive fleet, the Honkai energy warheads, even the God's Keys, had no decisive effect; it was Ryan and Elysia's brilliance that caused the crisis.

This was the dilemma; Earth's resources were limited; they had to focus on the most valuable paths, impacting some interests.

"Humanity must maintain its purity; victory over the Honkai is only meaningful if we remain human. Altering genes, becoming like those monsters, is equivalent to surrender."

The old man tapped the table; his voice was heavy with sorrow.

This was the Pureblood faction's core argument, widely accepted and resonating with many.

"Yes, this is the most natural and philosophical answer."

"Karius is short-sighted; those weapons were disappointing, but more powerful weapons are under development; we'll shine when the Fourth Herrscher arrives!"

"Our path is the right one for humanity; we will achieve victory as humans."

A subtle smile touched the old man's lips; this wasn't just about profit, but about the hopes of most people; the warrior fusion project had been tested; no one wanted to become a monster.

As he prepared to strike while the iron was hot, a window popped up on the screen; his smile froze; his blue eyes sharpened.

Disbelief and bewilderment, as if reaching a peak, then receiving a blow.

His expression changed dramatically; he took a deep breath, forcing himself to remain calm; he slammed his hand on the table.

Thump thump.

The discussion ceased; the figures outlining the future's plans were confused.

"Colleagues, I have bad news. The preliminary investigation is complete; the magician is alive; Cocoon is almost entirely wiped out. Someone discovered our plan and intervened." The old man, forcing composure, said.

Deathly silence; their earlier elation vanished; fear was palpable, even through the screen.

"That person must die!"

"If she lives, we're doomed."

"She has the only evidence; if the evolution faction learns the truth, they'll destroy us; no one will defend us."

Their emotions were raw; even these powerful figures were capable of fear and anger.

"Gentlemen, remain calm. The evidence hasn't reached the Director; we can still rectify the situation." The old man tapped the table, picking up the phone.

"You've received the news. Settle accounts later. But you know Cocoon is implicated; we must find her, silence her, regardless of who's with her."

Silence from the other end; a hoarse voice replied.

"How many should I send?"

The old man gripped the phone; his knuckles were white; veins pulsed on his forehead; his composure was gone.

"Everyone!!"