Volume 2, Chapter 37: Unforeseen Events at the Eye of the Abyss

Please support me on Patreon, where you can read a bunch of extra chapters, not just for this novel, but for all the novels I'm working on. I upload at least 2 times daily for most novels - There are at least twice as many available chapters on Patreon, compared to here on Webnovel. Additionally, there are also free extra chapters available for Free Members, so head on over:

Patreon.com/ThatGreatStuff

******

During Ana's vacation period, an event occurred within Anti-Entropy that went largely unnoticed yet had significant implications.

Welt Yang had convinced Einstein to conduct an exploration experiment within the Sea of Quanta, only for them to encounter an indescribably formidable enemy.

Einstein was saved at the cost of Welt Yang's life and managed to return safely to Earth. However, Welt faced immense peril, with a high likelihood that he may have made the ultimate sacrifice.

Having narrowly escaped certain death in the Sea of Quanta, Einstein found herself 'kindly' escorted back to the Salt Lake Base by Cocolia's men.

That cunning vixen seemed prepared all along.

"You knew about this from the start, didn't you?" As soon as her health recovered somewhat, Einstein confronted Cocolia.

She wasn't foolish; she simply lacked the aptitude for leadership.

From the beginning, both she and Welt Yang fell into Cocolia's trap.

Cocolia never harbored good intentions when she "yielded" control of the Eye of the Abyss laboratory. Although Einstein had no concrete evidence, she could surmise that Cocolia was well aware of what would transpire in the Sea of Quanta.

Her plan aimed to use the Sea of Quanta to eliminate the Anti-Entropy Alliance Leader.

With him gone, there would be no one left to stop Cocolia from seizing control of Anti-Entropy.

However, the sly fox continued playing dumb. "Dr. Einstein, I'm afraid I don't understand what you're implying. Perhaps you do hold some grievances against me, but I assure you, I am entirely unaware of any such plot."

"Although modern law adheres to the principle of 'innocent until proven guilty,' based on fundamental logic, you have clearly benefited greatly from this incident. At least, you've consolidated the power of Anti-Entropy's executives."

"But aren't there still you and Tesla?" she replied with a light laugh.

"A scientist without financial backing is no better than cheap ammunition," Einstein quoted the words of her former close friend, her tone matter-of-fact.

Currently, both herself and Tesla found themselves in an extremely awkward situation.

Cocolia had almost entirely absorbed Anti-Entropy's resources, effectively sacrificing the Alliance Leader. They also lost their primary source of wealth support from ME Corp, as Cocolia infiltrated North American high society...

With just the Salt Lake Base remaining, even maintaining Titan proved challenging.

Cocolia calmly stated, "In any case, I truly don't know what you're talking about."

She wasn't foolish; if accused of conspiring against the Alliance Leader, even if she personally didn't care, it would still be a significant headache.

Cocolia abruptly cut off the communication link.

Einstein's eyes narrowed slightly, as if calculating something.

Tesla, standing nearby, finally couldn't hold back any longer.

"Ahhh, I can't take this anymore! Mophead, how long must we endure? Even Welt—"

Her bond with Welt was deep; one could say she had watched him grow up. After hearing Einstein's analysis, her hatred intensified further.

"The Salt Lake Base still has over a thousand Titans, and we..." Tesla trailed off, sounding somewhat uncertain.

Although Anti-Entropy might not match Schicksal, they too possessed considerable resources.

Over a thousand Titans were hardly insignificant.

Despite her impulsive nature, Tesla was well past the age for rash decisions.

"Let's proceed with that plan."

Einstein suddenly spoke up.

"That thing? Which thing?" Tesla couldn't help but feel puzzled.

Then it hit her. "Mophead, you don't mean..."

"Exactly, we'll deploy the Moonlight Throne."

She continued, "With Cocolia's intelligence and influence, she will soon attempt to seize control of the Moonlight Throne by force. Instead, let's preemptively initiate cooperation with the Far East Branch."

"But isn't the current Far East Branch unlikely to defy Schicksal Headquarters' intentions? If they find out, won't our allies be implicated?"

The Moonlight Throne was no insignificant artifact.

As soon as it surfaced, countless eyes would covet it.

Back when Anti-Entropy was still part of the North American branch, they had already begun researching the Moonlight Throne. One reason for their subsequent split from Schicksal was precisely because the organization did not support such studies.

Thus, secretly transporting it to Saint Freya seemed nearly impossible.

However, as Einstein pointed out, at this moment, they lacked the power to protect the Moonlight Throne against Cocolia.

"I have a way to directly dispel Schicksal Headquarters' suspicions about the Far East Branch, but..." Einstein hesitated before continuing, "I cannot guarantee whether our allies will indeed safeguard the Moonlight Throne. You know well that Otto's methods are far more ruthless than Cocolia's."

"However, all we can do now is weigh our chances."

"The probability of keeping control over the Moonlight Throne if it remains at Salt Lake Base is zero," Einstein candidly admitted their failure.

Tesla couldn't help but ask, "What about entrusting it to our allies?"

"About ten percent, perhaps."

"Then let's take that gamble."

Tesla was not one to hesitate, despite the immense effort they had poured into the Moonlight Throne.

"Mophead, what's your plan?"

"To reach Canghai City from here, we'll pass by the branch where our allies are stationed. Anti-Entropy's reputation is already tarnished, so I don't mind further damaging it—by gifting this achievement to our allies and simultaneously causing trouble for that vixen." Einstein made her decision firmly.

"You mean...?"

"Yes, Anti-Entropy will deploy a battleship to attack Canghai City, creating a terrorist act that could even trigger a Major Honkai Eruption."

Her words resonated with unwavering determination.

Einstein intended to use the Moonlight Throne and Anti-Entropy's reputation to aid Theresa.

For her now, any attempt with a chance of success was worth pursuing.

Moreover, even under the most pessimistic outcome, the value of the Moonlight Throne falling into Otto's hands would be greater than it being seized by Cocolia. Even if Theresa ultimately couldn't retain the Moonlight Throne, she could still leverage it for benefits.

Despite the deeper animosity between them and Otto.

Two weeks later at Saint Freya Academy.

"Three hours ago, we received a warning about an out-of-control battleship predicted to crash near Canghai City, which has a population of thirty million."

"The battleship is named Moonlight Throne, with unknown origins and intentions. Preliminary assessment suggests it as a terrorist attack."

Himeko gathered the Valkyrie students from her class.

"Kiana, Raiden Mei, Bronya, your teamwork is exceptional. Accompany me to halt this rogue battleship."

"All other Valkyrie students will participate by providing logistics support and intelligence. Fu Hua, assist in ensuring their safety."

"Yes, ma'am."

When Xia Chen learned that today's training session was canceled due to a battleship called 'Moonlight Throne' threatening Canghai City, his eyebrows furrowed involuntarily.

If he recalled correctly, in the original storyline, the Moonlight Throne went berserk two years and five months after the Third Honkai Eruption, specifically August 2016.

But now, it was late November 2015.

The event had occurred earlier than expected.