"The headquarters has not assigned the Science Department or other institutes to research Honkai energy adaptability and resistance adjustments. As far as I know, the only ongoing related research is in Fifth Science Department."
"Their proposed 'solution' for Honkai energy corrosion is somewhat... heh... clumsy, in my opinion. But it is practical, since humanity has been using this method for a long time, validating its feasibility through practice. And I also happen to have a corresponding plan here to help you heal post-operative issues."
"Hmm... In short, this method is..."
Without any fancy flourishes, the scalpel was held steady in a hand almost as precise as a robotic arm. The sharp silver tip hovered over the exposed back, threatening to pierce the skin and draw blood at any moment.
Mobius paused the scalpel behind the purple textures, looked at the back of Lin's head, and said with a touch of mockery, "Surgical excision of the pathological area."
"..."
Although the action was intimidating, and Mobius's name was notorious, Lin remained exceptionally calm about her apparent intent to dissect him.
Since she had told him the method and hadn't immediately acted, it meant there was a crucial missing piece of information to follow.
Observing Lin's attitude, Mobius put down the scalpel with a lack of interest, picked up her coffee, took a sip, and exhaled the rich coffee aroma: "But this method is not applicable to your situation."
Lin thought for a moment and said, "...Because of the distribution."
"You certainly have a clear understanding of yourself." Mobius gestured for Lin to put on his shirt and get off the operating table. She gently swirled the coffee. The liquid surface perfectly reflected her distinct pupils. "After all, Honkai corrosion is not a simple spread of toxins. Once the excision surgery begins, the corrosion rate will rapidly increase. If the corrosion were only in your hands or legs, I could ensure complete removal of the diseased limb before it corroded your torso."
"However, your corrosion pattern started in your torso and is particularly close to your heart. With your fragile constitution, forcefully excising it would only cause the heart to be corroded, leading to immediate death."
"..."
Mobius, who had been watching Lin, sipped her coffee slowly. Seeing that he still showed no reaction, she let out a cold sniff: "You don't seem disappointed at all."
In other words, there was no solution.
This was something Lin already knew. Now, it was merely one more road blocked. There was nothing to be disappointed about.
Moreover, he didn't actually care.
"But what if I said there's still a tiny bit of uncertainty?"
Uncertainty... If there truly was such a method that was close to bringing the dead back to life, it would have been used to cure other corroded victims long ago.
Lin, who was also observing Mobius, reacted this time. He tried his best to appear interested and asked, "What is it?"
"Heh heh... You're finally making things interesting for me."
Mobius was pleased with Lin's display of will to live. Her maturely charming face broke into a smile, and her fingers tapped lightly on the table.
"I asked Mei one question: whether she would be willing to become an enemy of humanity for the sake of a better future for all humans." She abruptly shifted the topic.
Lin had heard from Himeko that Mobius had personally sought out Mei, deciding at that point to recommend Mei join the Moth of the Flame, but the specific details of their conversation were not recorded in the files.
What Mobius was discussing now was the crucial dialogue that made Mobius believe Mei was the person they were looking for.
Mobius's green pupils contracted with pleasure: "She gave me a satisfactory answer without much deliberation."
The answer was, of course, yes, and this was probably the fundamental reason why different voices were beginning to emerge within the Moth of the Flame.
"After dissecting the Herrscher's corpse, I have a preliminary idea." Mobius's smile was beautiful but exceptionally chilling. "Since Herrschers were all human to begin with, then why can't humans become beings like Herrschers?"
For humanity, become an enemy of humanity.
Lin connected this phrase with what Mobius was saying now and derived a rough outline.
It was probably an issue related to the form of human existence.
"Little guinea pig, tell me, how do you define humanity? Bipedal ape-like species? Social animals with complex structures? Adaptive organisms with developed brains?"
Mobius suddenly moved closer. Her bizarre smile filled Lin's entire field of vision, appearing excited yet calm, insane yet rational.
She reached out a hand and slowly choked Lin's neck, smiling: "Come on, tell me."
Lin thought for a few seconds and answered seriously: "...I believe that humanity is a species that exists by inheritance."
"...Huh?"
Mobius's expression froze.
Lin swayed backward, breaking free from Mobius's grasp, and said faintly, "Passing life on to others, to the next generation—that is humanity."
"In... heritance? You, of all people, would say something like that..." Mobius's expression was somewhat out of control. Surprise, disgust, abhorrence, contempt—all the words that could express "incomprehension" flashed across her face.
"Don't you feel that humanity is fragile? Haven't you felt the insignificance of humanity from your own body? Don't you have any desire to survive?"
Mobius didn't need others to understand. Her commitment to her goal was unwavering, and disagreement with others' ideals was commonplace for her.
But Lin, a man who was practically waiting for the blade of the guillotine to fall, was using the simplest and most direct way to refute her viewpoint. Even Mobius felt her face twitching at this moment.
"No," Lin shook his head.
"If you didn't have the inhibitor, you would have died in the Third Honkai Eruption long ago. Forget killing the Third Herrscher; you wouldn't even have the right to step into Changkong City. Compared to a Herrscher, your life is like a flickering candle in the wind!"
"But I am alive, and the Third Herrscher is dead."
"...Are you deliberately misunderstanding my question?"
"No."
Mobius understood. She felt there was no need to continue the conversation.
"Dr. Mobius, I don't believe humanity is fragile. If we change our form of existence, we would no longer be human," Lin simply stated his view. "However, Dr. Mobius, if you need to conduct related experiments, I can be the first person on the operating table."
"What does that mean? Are you pitying me with your noble morality?" Mobius sneered.
"No, it means I must follow your orders."
"Merely fulfilling our last agreement?"
"Yes. I am a soldier, so orders are absolute."
"Very well, little guinea pig... No, Lin." Mobius couldn't stop her cold laughter. "Then, if you're still alive by that time, even if you regret it, I will put you on the operating table."
"Absolutely."