"If we're not mistaken, this isn't a religious hymn or scripture—it's a thesis."
The quiet 42nd Lab was filled with the soft clattering of equipment as Finn's words broke the silence.
Tesla, still half-asleep, caught the sentence through her haze. She grabbed her glasses, put them on, and shuffled over. "What? A thesis? You must be mistaken."
"No mistake," Finn replied, adjusting his glasses. "Even though the characters on it haven't been fully deciphered, the format gives it away. Look here."
He pointed to the scroll in front of him. "The first few lines are bolded, likely to grab attention. This style matches the structure of a thesis or official document."
Following Finn's finger, Welt's gaze fell on the ancient scroll. He frowned slightly. "It does look like a thesis format, but... if it really is a thesis, what's it about? Something stored in a shelter like this must be incredibly valuable—maybe even crucial for fighting the Honkai."
Finn pushed up his glasses again as they slid down his nose. "I think it's related to Honkai energy. Some of the words repeat often and seem to correspond to 'Honkai energy' and 'engineering design' in modern language."
He paused, then added, "I suspect this scroll discusses the concept behind a machine for processing Honkai energy."
Tesla's interest piqued. "A machine? Are you saying this isn't just some academic paper?"
Finn nodded. "Exactly. Considering that the previous civilization safeguarded this scroll in an underground shelter, it's possible they built the machine but couldn't activate it before disaster struck."
Einstein gently set the document down and took a sip of warm tea. Her voice was calm, yet thoughtful. "Of course, this is just speculation. But since the Overseer entrusted us with deciphering this document, it must be incredibly important. After all, the only thing that could draw the Overseer's attention... is probably this scroll."
"Ha..." Tesla stretched her arms lazily, her glasses dangling in one hand. "Oh, right! Didn't Planck return to Europe with us? Why haven't we seen her around lately?"
Welt rubbed his temples, his tone slightly weary. "Planck went to Vienna. Apparently, the Council summoned her. I'm not sure why."
"The Council? At a time like this?" Tesla frowned but quickly dismissed the thought. "Never mind, it's better not to dwell on that. Hey, Mophead!" She glanced at Welt with a smirk. "Let's focus on finding Soulium while we wait for this scroll to be deciphered. Other research can wait. The 42nd Lab has plenty of resources, but they're not limitless."
Einstein nodded and drained her tea in one smooth motion. "Hmm, I was about to suggest the same. But what's your opinion, Director?"
Caught slightly off guard, Welt hesitated as Einstein's gaze fixed on him. After a moment, he sighed and nodded. "Alright, we'll put the other projects on hold. It's better to prioritize what the Overseer is concerned about."
"Good." Einstein rose from her seat. "I'll check the lab for clues. Finn, let me know if you make any progress deciphering that scroll."
"Understood, my red-haired... I mean, my lovely Miss Tesla," Finn teased with a grin.
Tesla froze mid-step and shot him a sharp glare, her fierce eyes gleaming. Satisfied with his little joke, Finn shrugged as she stormed off.
"Looks like another night of overtime," he muttered with a wry smile, turning back to his work.
==========
Clack, clack, clack...
The crisp sound of white, long-heeled boots echoed through the empty hall. Each step reverberated against the silence, sharp and unrelenting.
Planck walked forward, her tall, graceful figure tense. She clenched her fingers slightly, her cherry lips parting as she exhaled an orchid-like fragrance that felt oddly out of place in the dim, oppressive space.
The hall stretched on, dimly lit and seemingly endless. As she reached the door at the far end, Planck paused, pursing her lips slightly. She took a deep breath of the cooler, fresher air near the entrance, steadying herself.
Her hand pressed against the fingerprint sensor.
A soft blue glow flickered, and the heavy iron door slid open with a low hum. Planck stepped inside, her movements deliberate and measured as she entered the Council chamber.
Seven Cardinal Secretaries knelt in perfect symmetry on either side of the room. Their silence and stillness only added to the tension.
Before her eyes could fully adjust to the dim light, she felt it—a suffocating, invisible pressure. It came from the figure at the far end of the room. The dark-clad, silver-haired nun radiated an aura of dominance.
"...Overseer."
Planck dropped to one knee, the hem of her white robes brushing the floor. Her breathing slowed, each inhale quieter than the last.
She lowered her emerald-green eyes, fixing them on the red carpet beneath her. Before the god of humanity, there was no standing—only kneeling.
"Planck, I've heard that the North American branch seems to be... a little too independent from headquarters?"
Kallen gently spread her slender fingers, her tone somewhat lazy.
"For example, I should have issued the military reorganization order three months ago, but... you don't seem to have followed my instructions."
Planck quickly lowered her head even more, sensing the murderous intent behind Kallen's words. "Overseer, the North American branch just had some issues with funds. Regarding the order to withdraw from direct intervention in North American politics, we are already preparing to comply, but it just needs a little time..."
"Is that so?"
Kallen gently snapped her fingers. Dianne, hidden in the shadows, slowly walked out, holding a stack of documents in her hands.
Planck's eyes swept over the white lace of Dianne's clothes and realized that her own were already soaked with cold sweat.
"According to the Thirteenth Division's investigation, the North American branch is constantly mobilizing resources for unknown purposes," Kallen began.
"Reports from the financial flows of several North American banking groups reveal that the branch is using a large portion of its funds to arm troops beyond Schicksal's military limitations. This includes the unauthorized takeover of certain previous civilization ruins..."
Kallen's faint smile was unreadable—whether genuine or not. Her high-heeled boots clicked sharply against the floor as she approached Emma.
Stopping in front of her, Kallen gently lifted Emma's chin. "It seems that Nancy and you really thought I didn't care about the North American branch at all... Speaking of which, it's about time. Since the Berlin Honkai Eruption, the previous civilization ruins have become increasingly important. So, why not let me directly manage them?"
"Overseer! Please believe me!" Emma's voice trembled with desperation. "The North American branch has no ulterior motives. There can be only one sun in the sky, and you are the only sun in my heart!"
Her oath, a pledge she had made when joining the Third Division, was met with a sneer from Theresa Schariac, the Internal Security Intelligence Minister standing guard beside the Overseer.
"If you were truly so loyal, Miss Planck," Theresa said coldly, "can you explain why the North American branch secretly established a defense force of five divisions? Not only did the Council fail to receive notice, but this document somehow appeared on the desk of the Internal Security Intelligence Department."
"Alright, Theresa, no need to say more,"
She turned her gaze to Planck.
"Planck, you should know, according to Schicksal's laws, what the crime is for establishing an army without the consent of the General Military Department, right?"
Planck swallowed hard, her voice barely audible. "It is... the crime of treason."
"Very good. Then do you remember how this kind of criminal is dealt with?"
"They should be... sentenced to... death..."
Kallen nodded, her expression unchanging. She glanced back at Theresa. "Do it. A handgun bullet will suffice."
"Overseer!"
The cry didn't come from Planck but from Dianne, the intelligence master often referred to as the "Overseer's Shadow" and the second-in-command of Schicksal. She dropped to her knees.
"Overseer, although Miss Planck has indeed committed some crimes, she is only the nominal Director of the North American Anti-Entropy branch. In reality, all its affairs are managed by Nancy Alva Edison. I beg you to spare Miss Planck, at least temporarily."
Kallen's gaze lingered on Dianne for a moment before she responded. "Well... since Dianne has said so, hand this matter over to the Thirteenth Division. Also, connect the call."
"Yes, Overseer," Theresa replied, stepping back to carry out the order.
Dianne stood up and gently helped Planck to her feet. Leaning closer to her ear, she whispered softly, "Miss Planck, stay with the Thirteenth Division for a while. Don't worry too much... I will handle the North American branch matters with the Overseer."
"...Thank you, Dianne, Your Excellency," Planck murmured.
Supporting Planck, Dianne walked out of the Overseer's hall with steady, deliberate steps. As they disappeared from view, Theresa's expression darkened, a trace of anger flashing across her face.
"That green-haired bad woman..." she muttered under her breath. "Dianne is still... still protecting her so much... Why..."
Kallen, ignoring Theresa's grumbling, approached a black telephone. She picked up the receiver and dialed a number.
"Yes, this is Kallen Apocalypse. Connect me to the Air Transport Command,"
"General Arrendis, this is Kallen Apocalypse. No need for formalities. Immediately prepare to execute the 'Red War Plan.' Deploy the 102nd Airborne Division, the 66th Airborne Division, and the 97th Powered Armor Air Transport Brigade to New York."
"Within 48 hours, launch a surprise attack on all institutions and subordinate branches of the North American branch. The goal is to completely paralyze their normal operations during that time. Once done, transfer all control to the military."
"As for Nancy Alva Edison... Once you arrive, mobilize troops to besiege the Edison Group Building. Capture her alive. Additionally, ensure that all of the North American branch's data, files, and documents remain intact. They must be preserved until the Ninth Division's troops arrive to secure them."
[xxx, x xxxxx xxxx xxxxxxxx xxxxx!]
She nodded slightly, as if confirming her own thoughts.
"Good. Prepare to begin. Start the operation in six hours."
Kallen gently returned the receiver to its cradle, her expression unreadable as silence fell over the hall.