Little Gui's Livestream.
She was engaged in a heated debate with Dr. Ratio.
After gathering enough information from [Memories], Stelle responded firmly to Dr. Ratio's skepticism.
"After the Antimatter Legion incident, the space station has been in a state of unrest, deeply mired in a crisis of trust."
"If another major incident were to occur now, it would be like adding fuel to the fire, completely igniting internal conflicts."
"Although it's not direct evidence, if the fire suppression system was activated around the time the puppet was attacked..."
"Then there's ample reason to suspect that the two incidents are related!"
"No matter how much you doubt me, I'm just an unrelated person who got caught up in this by accident~"
"—And there's no difference between me and you, who also got caught up by accident but started playing the role of an interrogator."
After several rounds of intense debate.
Stelle's suspicion had been mostly cleared.
Dr. Ratio's tone softened a bit.
"Hmm..."
"If the two incidents were indeed committed by the same person, your suspicion would decrease significantly. But that's only if there's a record in the system that supports your claim."
Asta, who was standing nearby, said, "We'll know once we check the control room. Let's go… Huh, what's that?"
She took out her phone to check the message.
At the same time.
The game prompted that Stelle would also receive a message.
It was from the same group chat as before: [Herta Patrol Team]
[It's coming, it's coming, it's coming!]
[What's coming?]
[Something big is coming!]
[?]
[Oh my god!]
Below.
A newly posted video appeared.
Little Gui clicked to open it.
The familiar space station logo, the familiar news interface.
The announcer's voice rang out.
"Breaking News from Lady Herta's Exclusive Channel—An urgent news update! An urgent news update!"
"The incident of Lady Herta being attacked has finally taken a turn! The Annihilation Gang has claimed responsibility for the entire incident and announced they will take further action. The Association has strongly condemned this..."
However.
Just as Little Gui was treating this as a piece of amusing news.
The signal of the urgent broadcast seemed to be suddenly interrupted!
A flicker of static.
The content of the video abruptly changed!
A burning crown of flames.
Massive, winding horns.
An intricately designed claw-shaped badge.
A magnificent black robe.
Floating ashes in the background...
These features.
Needless to say.
Every player watching knew exactly who this was!
"What the…!?"
Guinaifen's cookie fell to the ground.
She didn't even notice.
Only the voice of Duke Inferno, Ifrit, could be heard.
"The gods of the stars have departed, leaving behind strange customs, indifferent to the insignificant lives of mortals."
"Only our wounded Lord can command the flames of Destruction to bathe all worlds."
"There will always be cowardly fools who attempt to reject grace and flee from the wounds bestowed upon them."
"Run, run as far as you can—no matter where you flee, Annihilation will come!"
Facing the camera.
Duke Inferno struck an extremely arrogant pose.
The video ended.
The black screen reflected Guinaifen's shocked expression.
This is practically a preview of a terrorist attack!"
"Although we knew from the preview that the crisis at the space station was orchestrated by Duke Inferno..."I didn't expect him to make such a strong appearance in the actual plot!""
"And he even aired his own propaganda video on the space station's news broadcast?"
...
"Duke Inferno is definitely the big boss Yu Ling has set up for version 2.0!"
"I've never really heard much about the Eternal Flame Mansion before, but they sure have a lot of screen presence in the game!"
"Your crown looks exactly like the new Relic I just farmed, Duke Inferno!"
"You've changed, Duke! Since when did you start studying military strategy?"
"He even knows that psychological warfare is key, exploiting the trust crisis in the space station to incite internal strife among the staff!"
...
Space Station.
Master Control Zone.
In the storyline.
Duke Inferno uses Infernal Flames to make staff members disappear, sparking dissatisfaction with the management.
The space station seems on the verge of internal chaos.
The staff couldn't help but remark, "I remember before Honkai: Star Rail came out, quite a few people weren't too happy with Asta."
"That was then, but now who doesn't know her character?"
"Most of the facilities in Herta Space Station were funded by Asta."
"She even ordered a Star Destroyer to enhance the station's security!"
"Now she's competing with Peppy..."
"Honestly, I miss the days when everyone was more rebellious."
In the background.
Asta's lips twitched slightly.
While being trusted is a good thing.
Why does it feel like her "rich lady" persona is becoming more and more solidified?
She's still just a young girl!
She came to the space station to escape the influence of her family.
But who would have thought.
She still couldn't shake off the shadow of her wealth!
"Ding dong—"
A notification sounded from her phone.
Asta picked it up to check.
It was a message in the family group chat.
Several elders were tagging her.
Reminding her to stay safe and asking if the family should send security forces to the space station, and so on...
Additionally.
They revealed some news.
The company had already dispatched a specialized fleet to the Eternal Flame Manor.
They planned to apprehend Duke Inferno before he could carry out his dangerous schemes!
Seeing this information.
Asta let out a long sigh of relief.
At least.
In reality, she didn't have to worry about suddenly being attacked by Infernal Flames.
At that moment.
A sudden gasp rose from the crowd.
Asta looked up.
In the game livestream.
It just happened to reach the scene where she appeared.
Screwllum pondered, "No, it's not enough."
Dr. Ratio agreed, "Indeed, it's missing the final spark."
"If you stop here, you still have a chance to explain. But if it were me..."
"I wouldn't give you that chance."
Screwllum and Stelle both seemed to realize something.
They simultaneously turned to look at Asta!
In the game's storyline.
Asta seemed unaware of what was about to happen.
She showed a puzzled expression, "Huh? What's going on?"
The next second.
Blue flames suddenly erupted from her body!
The flames quickly engulfed her entirely.
Stelle tried to grab Asta.
But she missed.
She could only watch helplessly as Asta disappeared!
Although this was just game plot.
Asta herself couldn't help but be startled!
This happened right in front of Screwllum, a member of the Genius Society, Dr. Ratio from the Doctorate Academy, and the Galactic Batting Hero!
Was Duke Inferno really this brazen?
Was he really this fearless?
From the previous analysis.
This was just a teleportation.
There was no immediate danger to her life.
But it was still enough to make one's heart race.
After all.
The appearance of Infernal Flames was completely unexpected.
The victims seemed to be chosen at random.
There was no room for resistance.
This kind of power was indeed somewhat terrifying!
Screwllum spoke calmly, "Stay composed. Asta has merely been teleported away; there's no immediate danger to her life."
"Through direct contact, I've confirmed that Ifrit's flames are merely sparks of primordial spiritual fire, lacking the ability to phase-shift. Logically, Asta is still within the space station."
Dr. Ratio concluded, "That flame must still be somewhere in the module. Find it, and we'll find a way to bring her back."
Suddenly.
Duke Inferno's voice echoed, "Heh heh heh..."
"Just a few sparks? The arrogance of geniuses truly resonates with me."
"If you can do it, then come and try."
Witnessing this scene.
All the researchers were outraged!
Each clenched their fists.
As if they wished they could leap into the game and make Duke Inferno pay!
"Really? You dare lay a hand on Miss Asta?"
"How dare you!"
"Show me your health bar!"
"No! Friends! Waiting for Duke Inferno to reveal his health bar in the game might take forever. Let's... take him down in reality first!"
"I've been wanting to do this for a while!"
"Not only did he target Lady Herta, but he also went after Miss Asta. This has seriously crossed the line for our space station!"
"Let's get ready! The ion cannon I developed can finally be put to use!"
"My optical converter can also be modified into a lethal weapon!"
"We're being bullied right at our doorstep! What's there to fear? Let's take on the Eternal Flame Manor!"
"Our space station fears no battle!"
As they spoke.
Each researcher called upon their colleagues from their respective departments, preparing to make improvements and implement their plans.
Asta was momentarily caught off guard.
After all.
These people might seem like ordinary researchers.
But in reality, those who come here to conduct research are talents from various fields.
They just appear less dazzling under the halo of geniuses.
But when truly united.
This force is truly not to be underestimated!
Though reason told Asta.
As the station's director, she should stop the researchers from such dangerous actions.
But thinking back to the scene just now.
If it weren't for the appearance of Honkai: Star Rail.
That scene.
Would have been the "reality" of the future.
Duke Inferno has already bullied us to this extent?
Why should I endure it in silence?
It's just the Eternal Flame Manor!
I, Asta, fear no battle, even against ten foes.