Chapter 18: An Unknown Change

"Little Vira, Papa is here!"

"Wow! It's Papa!"

Vira ran towards the door with a trotting motion that was always full of cuteness and humor, making people can't help but smile.

At the same time, the bear-like Robbins quickly crouched down and gave his daughter a strong and affectionate bear hug.

In the next moment, the affectionate interaction between father and daughter made Sigurd feel a strong sour and cheesy smell. Why is your daughter so sweet? While his tuna—hmph!

Sigurd took a deep breath and decided not to look at the sweet behavior between father and daughter. He quietly drank his lonely cup of tea.

After a while, Robbins and Vira came to Sigurd and sat on the sofa in a row.

"Oh? Boss, where is Miss Kiana?" Robbins noticed the unusual silence in the house and looked around but couldn't find the lively white fluff ball from before.

"Papa, Kiana went to the Far East to find her dad."

"Huh? She's already gone?"

"Yes, she left last night without saying goodbye to Vira..."

Vira said with a touch of disappointment.

Robbins rubbed his daughter's hair and comforted her, "It's alright, you'll see her again in the future. Besides, we have Boss's phone, so we can video call anytime!"

"Oh, right! I'll call Kiana now!"

Vira took out her touchscreen phone and without hesitation, dialed Kiana's number—the phone made by Sigurd, using the intrusion of various communication service providers' signal base stations to transmit signals, without the need for communication fees or a phone number, just dialing each other's phones would do.

Sigurd's tea-drinking action paused for a moment.

If the call goes through, won't my perfectly crafted excuse be exposed? After all, Kiana is traveling alone, and there was no Sigurd employee sent to pick her up. They also didn't coordinate in advance.

But oh well, let's see how far this idiot has gone and if she can adapt to a life of wandering on her own.

Beep~ Beep~ Beep~

After a moment of busy tone, Vira's call wasn't connected.

"Huh? Why isn't Kiana picking up?"

Vira looked puzzled as she glanced at her phone.

Then, Icarus's voice came from the surrounding audio devices.

"My Lord, there is an anomaly."

"Speak."

"The network and communication signals were suddenly interrupted thirty seconds ago, and attempts to repair them were unsuccessful. Satellite electromagnetic signals were interrupted and couldn't be repaired. Photovoltaic signals were interrupted and couldn't be repaired. Wired telecommunication signals were interrupted and couldn't be repaired—Conclusion: Except for some special devices deployed within the city, this unit has lost the ability to exchange data with the outside world."

In an instant, a flood of information passed through Sigurd's mind.

First, there haven't been any significant anomalies in the regional climate recently, and the outer space environment has been stable, ruling out the possibility of natural disasters.

Second, the international and regional political environments have been normal, so we can eliminate political or war-related factors.

After excluding these two factors, the two most probable possibilities are the intervention of Herrscher in the relevant field or the involvement of organizations with extraordinary power, such as Schicksal and Anti-Entropy.

Regarding the Herrscher, the original storyline cannot be fully trusted, but at present, they are a reliable source of information. Logically speaking, Sigurd doesn't believe that at this time and place, a Herrscher capable of disrupting signals would emerge.

Therefore, it can be narrowed down to Schicksal or Anti-Entropy making a move.

What could their motives be?

First, it can be ruled out that it's because of himself. Even though he recently handed over sensitive inventions related to Honkai, it's unlikely for these organizations to react so quickly.

As for Kiana, the possibility is also not very high.

After careful consideration, two possibilities remain: either the two organizations have decided to operate in this area, cutting off communication for secrecy or to disrupt enemy command capabilities, or—while the timing for the Honkai Eruption to occur is unlikely, attacks by Honkai Beasts on the city are not uncommon.

Then, a sudden realization struck Sigurd.

He remembered that over two months ago, in the snowy mountains not far from Uluru Town, Kiana had displayed her Herrscher form.

The appearance of a Herrscher, even if it was only a partial manifestation, would leave behind a significant amount of Honkai energy in the area. After months of incubation, this energy could infect the animals in the mountains, giving rise to a group of Honkai Beasts. It was highly possible!

If it was an attack by Honkai Beasts and Schicksal or Anti-Entropy came to deal with it, it would make sense to cut off communications. After all, Honkai is still classified information for ordinary people.

"Robbins, have you heard any news from Jörmungandr or Uluru Town these past few days? Any information would be useful."

"Well... I had someone secretly sent to Uluru Town to take care of the safe house, but they didn't come back this morning as planned. Does that count as abnormal?"

Sigurd narrowed his eyes.

Of course, it did.

To some extent, it corroborated the possibility that something had happened there.

Then, his pupils suddenly contracted.

Uluru Town was very close to Jörmungandr City. Considering Kiana's speed, she could reach it overnight.

There's a great cake shop in Uluru Town with unique flavors that are not often found in the city. Even if the conditions were available, Sigurd wouldn't spoil Kiana to the extent of arranging someone to buy it every day.

Given her nature, it was entirely possible for her to make a detour to Uluru Town and indulge herself before setting off!

Sigurd opened his mouth, feeling his heart skip a beat at that moment.

After a brief pause, seeing Robbins' serious expression, Sigurd stood up and said,

"Stay in the mansion. There are armed forces prepared by me, and Icarus will be responsible for protecting you all."

"Boss, what's happening?"

"Not sure. But let's wish ourselves good luck. Stay here and don't panic, if it's the situation I anticipate, this place is probably the safest fortress. If even this place were to be destroyed—then I don't know where you can escape to."

"Understood."

Robbins wanted to inquire further, but Sigurd, after patting Vira's head, was already in a state of walking and speaking at the same time. In their brief conversation, he had entered the suddenly opened basement door.

Moments later, there was a slight tremor in the floor beneath their feet and the surrounding walls.

Drawn by the commotion outside, Robbins and Vira came to the window and saw that the once blooming courtyard had been replaced by a black metallic floor, shimmering with a golden glow. Countless large and small gun barrels emerged from the underground, walls, and even suspended in the air, densely occupying the entire field of vision.

The floor in front of the main gate opened with a thunderous sound, revealing a runway extending from the underground.

Then, accompanied by a faint sound of electromagnetic propulsion engines, a black figure suddenly shot out like a meteor, disappearing at the end of the road in the blink of an eye, making it impossible to discern the specific appearance of the vehicle or the person inside.

Robbins took a deep breath.

"Vira, do you know when all of these things appeared?"

"I... I don't know..."

Vira replied dumbfoundedly.

Robbins confirmed once again that the boss was a god-like figure. Anyone who said otherwise, Robbins would argue with them. He was certain that when he bought the estate, it was just a normal mansion, and he was sure that these terrifying weapons were not something you could buy anywhere.

At the same time, a sense of foreboding began to envelop his mind.

The boss had such means at his disposal, yet he seemed uncertain. What kind of crisis could it be?

Robbins felt unease, but as the boss had said, this was already the safest fortress.

"Miss Icarus, can you help me contact some people?"

"It depends on the situation, Mr. Robbins. Currently, this unit's interference range is limited to 83% of Jörmungandr City."

"Please do your best. Will names and phone numbers be enough?"

"It will be sufficient."

"These individuals can bring a professional armed force, consisting of 45 people, with ample firepower. Can they join the defensive fortifications?"

"It can be arranged. Your suggestion is excellent, Mr. Robbins."

Robbins provided the information.

After Icarus contacted several team leaders and instructed them to gather promptly, Robbins breathed a slight sigh of relief after bolstering the defense forces at the mansion.

With so many artillery pieces and professional soldiers, they should be well protected unless missiles were to rain down from above, right?