The residual effects of the Third Honkai Eruption were still intensifying. Radiating from Changkong City, Honkai energy dispersed into other areas, causing localized small-scale Honkai outbreaks. Based on the only three Honkai Eruptions experienced, post-disaster recovery required significant attention. One mistake and a small-scale outbreak could escalate into a major one.
Furthermore, the personnel losses for the Moth of the Flame during the operation against the Third Herrscher were the highest ever. As a result, the Moth of the Flame began recruiting new personnel and reorganizing squads, keeping everyone extremely busy.
Of course, the loudest and most fiercely arguing parties in the past few days had to be the various research departments.
The corpse of the Honkai's third Apostle was undoubtedly the most valuable spoils of war from this disaster. Humanity knew so little about the Honkai, and Herrschers were its most concrete manifestation. Thus, all scientific researchers put down their half-finished projects and converged to discuss the Third Herrscher.
Only one person was an exception, and that was Mobius.
She disdained the idea of a group of people arguing endlessly over trivial issues. In her opinion, a council was the crystallization of human stupidity. A gathering of ignorant and conservative people was just a group of bunglers. Zhuge Liang, even alone, was still Zhuge Liang.
Moreover, Mobius had no intention of participating in studies that she considered obsolete, nor would she allow others to interfere with her research. She would get the Third Herrscher's corpse sooner or later.
In addition to the research departments, another department was also quite busy.
"I thought you'd be lying in bed for ten days or half a month." Delta, the head of the R&D Department, handed over a bottle of cold coffee, dark circles heavy under his eyes. After Lin shook his head and refused, Delta wasn't annoyed; he shrugged, opened it, and took a sip himself.
He, too, had listened groggily among the arguing crowd for a while before losing interest. He preferred practical application over theoretical stuff, so he had escaped back to the R&D Department to continue his development.
Lin leaned back in his wheelchair. His focus had been fixed on one spot since the moment he entered.
The shape of the enormous mechanical humanoid had undergone earth-shattering changes compared to the last time. The formerly thick, somewhat bloated outer shell had been greatly simplified. The streamlined body gave it much more graceful lines, no longer looking severe. The previously exposed cluster missiles had also been optimized and hidden beneath the outer armor.
TT-079 Kai was the subsequent improved model of the initial prototype Titan, the second unit created after Lin requested improved mobility. Unlike the first prototype Titan, the second unit was developed with immediate combat in mind, though it was currently less than thirty percent complete.
"Initially, we wanted to build the pilotable Titan into a humanoid armory, so we threw everything we could on it. But considering your combat style and the overlapping development direction of the subsequent AI-type Titan, we adjusted the armament."
What Delta enjoyed most was Lin's enthusiastic interest. Most other people just came in, took what they needed, and left, making his place feel like one of those tasteless weapons shops. Lin, however, would patiently listen to Delta's explanations, regardless of whether he was interested, making him the best companion for a chatterbox like Delta.
Delta took two sips of coffee, wiped the dark stain from the corner of his mouth, and pointed to the weapon backpacks displayed nearby: "The Titan's main body isn't equipped with too much armament, only a large-caliber particle cannon and a miniature cluster missile launcher mounted on the shoulder. Of course, you can also directly tear up Honkai Beasts with your hands; I'm quite confident in the adjustment of the Titan's wrist output."
"Before each mission, you can swap out the armament backpacks as needed for combat. Once loaded, you can use the corresponding burst cores. We've currently finished the Sword Pack and the Cannon Pack, and there's a Funnel Pack under development, but unfortunately, the anti-gravity propulsion system has hit a bottleneck, so it'll take quite a bit of time to get it done."
"I'm really looking forward to seeing what kind of spectacle your brain's information processing ability will create when using the funnels. After all, AIs can never be as flexible as humans in terms of improvisation."
Lin stared at the remaining exposed metal skeleton of the Titan, nodding almost imperceptibly.
He knew Delta well enough. As long as this person poured his passion into something, he would achieve results, and he would take it to the extreme.
Delta finished introducing the Titan without showing any sign of fatigue. He drained his coffee with a look of dissatisfaction and walked to the same warehouse from last time, pulling out another item... a katana?
The hilt was mostly composed of matte gray-blue metal. The sea-blue blade that sprang from the front of the hilt emitted a chill visible to the naked eye. Its shape was longer than the High-Frequency Cutter from last time, matching the length of a regular katana. From its design, it was clearly not another experiment but a finished product.
"The High-Frequency Cutter was broken when we recovered it. That's a real shame; it was one of my proudest works."
"..." Lin recalled the High-Frequency Cutter lost in battle, and for a moment, he lowered his head in shame. "I'm sorry."
"You actually apologize? You often go out fully equipped and return with only a pile of scraps. The logistics department has been chewing me and you out mercilessly." Delta rubbed his head, troubled by the memory. This wasn't the first or second time this had happened. No matter how much he explained that Lin's combat style was simply that way, all he got was a round of criticism.
"..."
"Haha, don't worry about it, let's get back to the main topic." Delta rubbed his dark circles, cheering up to show Lin the sword, his expression one of satisfaction. "I call this sword the Plasma Kagehide. It was developed at the same time as the High-Frequency Cutter and was only recently completed."
"Don't get too close. I won't be responsible if you accidentally freeze your newly grown skin."
Delta pulled out a scabbard, also composed of metal components, and sheathed the Plasma Kagehide, allowing the cold air to dissipate.
"I won't go into the specific principles. The sword itself uses the same technology as the small vibrating knives you used before, but I added some new technology. If operated correctly, it can use the internal rapid-freezing capability. This time, I modeled it after the design of a Far Eastern katana. It's more suitable for slashing and has much stronger durability."
Clearly, this sword was for Lin, or he wouldn't be showing it only to him.
New technological weapon, huh...
"Did you think that was the end of it?" Delta smiled mysteriously. He reached into a hidden corner of the warehouse and retrieved another sheathed katana that looked almost identical to the Plasma Kagehide in hilt design. "Lin, you've been favoring close combat lately, so I considered equipping you with a few more melee weapons. How about calling it the Seven Swords Armament?"
"..."
Setting aside the heavily reminiscent name, Lin closely examined the new sword. Delta was perceptive enough to hand the sword directly to him for him to examine.
Lin mused, one hand gripping the scabbard, the other the hilt, and drew the blade.
"Shing."
A sky-blue cutting edge, emerging from the matte metal components that extended from the hilt, was interspersed with small, unstable electrical sparks jumping within.
For some reason, when Lin saw the sky-blue blade of this sword, he was reminded of the Third Herrscher who extended her hands toward him in the rain.
Her final smile flashed in his mind, causing Lin to grip the hilt tighter.
"This sword was created based on the principle of the Third Herrscher's shield. It's still a bit unstable. The hilt generates a strong electromagnetic field to protect the user. It should be quite practical for a guy like you who often gets all your gear utterly destroyed."
Delta smiled as he watched Lin intently stare at the blade: "This sword doesn't have a name yet. You name it."
"...Call it Raikiri (Lightning Cutter)." Lin stared for a long time, his mind racing. He then sheathed the sword and handed it back to Delta.
"Raikiri? Good name."
Delta eagerly took the Raikiri back and placed it with the Plasma Kagehide, preparing to mount them when he redesigned Lin's armor later.
Lin looked at him and asked, "Why do you specifically show me preferential treatment?"
This had been Lin's question for a long time. Previously, he was constantly on missions and didn't have time to think about many issues. Now that he had time to settle down, it was time to address these questions.
"Preferential treatment?" Delta was taken aback, then stroked his chin in thought. "Hmm... That involves many aspects, such as your physique, your information processing ability, your identity, my friendship with you..."
"..." Probably pointless to listen to.
"But the most important thing is probably that you are simply a 'human'," Delta laughed heartily.
"..."
"Although not entirely, most of us in R&D are people whose Honkai energy adaptability and resistance aren't very good. That includes me, of course."
Delta smiled helplessly and regretfully: "I actually wanted to go to the front lines and fight alongside the warriors, but everyone told me that the role I could play in R&D was much greater than on the front lines."
Was he confined to non-combat personnel because of his own conditions?
"So, when you showed up—this kid who has a strangely terrible affinity with Honkai energy but can fight ridiculously well—we cowards in R&D were overjoyed. It was like seeing ourselves being able to fight. You are the embodiment of our ideal."
"You showed us the possibility of humanity, so we build armor that is comparable to you. It's that simple."
Delta patted Lin's arm, gave him a thumbs-up, and said words that Lin would remember for a lifetime:
"You are my hope, Lin."