Regarding the Herrscher of Reason and Driver's Licenses

The metal chair at the police station was cold. Michael leaned back, closing his eyes and feigning composure.

The police officer beside him eyed him strangely, then whispered to his colleague, "Who brought this guy in again? Ning, that guy is dedicated. Everyone else slacks off on the night shift, but he brings someone in every night! This kid looks kinda cocky, though. Is he even underage?"

"Definitely underage. Look, he doesn't even have any facial hair."

"Does it grow there?"

"Pfft, hahaha! You're asking for it!"

"Driving is a dangerous activity… So, what did he do?"

"Driving without a license! This kid's got guts."

"Shush! This guy's not simple. He doesn't have a license, but he was driving a government vehicle. They also found a Fire Moth ID on him."

"That Fire Moth that Vill-V doxxed six months ago?"

"Nah… Vill-V's disappeared. But we can't be sure if he's actually Fire Moth. We don't have the means to verify classified IDs. We'll see if his buddies come to bail him out…"

Michael listened to the officers' gossip with amusement, but fatigue overcame him, and he fell asleep on the metal chair.

"Now I believe he's Fire Moth."

"Why…?"

Before the question could be finished, a soft snoring sound came from behind him.

Michael had a strange dream – strange in terms of sight, sound, and taste, because all of those senses were absent.

And from a logical standpoint, it was even more bizarre, because:

In the hazy dream, he was simply falling. That's all.

He fell through clouds, through the sea, through the earth, finally landing in a pool of lukewarm lava. But the falling didn't stop. It repeated endlessly, and he fell through the clouds again.

Strangely, he felt no fear, no urge to struggle. All his emotions were replaced by an indescribable weight, but what was that weight? He couldn't put it into words.

Until he heard an unexpected voice, "Well, since I've verified his identity, and paid the fine and bail, I can take him now, can't I?"

The voice was as smooth and sinuous as ever, with an indescribable… flavor – like a snake's flickering tongue.

Michael's dream turned a uniform dark green, then he abruptly woke up.

A group of officers, all smiles, surrounded a familiar figure.

"Mobius?" Michael, still groggy, looked at her uncertainly.

She wasn't wearing her usual loose lab coat. A dark green shirt fitted her snugly, and a pair of small glasses perched on her nose, giving her an intellectual air.

But her gaze, filled with a naked, almost predatory curiosity and barely suppressed madness, was still unsettling.

Michael stood up, stretching. "Let's go."

"Tch!" Mobius was clearly displeased with his casual attitude.

They left the police station, Michael obediently getting into Mobius's car – as for the other one, he'd just set it to autopilot and let it drive itself back…

Anyway… Michael vowed never to touch a motor vehicle again.

It clashed with his Herrscher powers…

"What are you doing in shanghai City?" Michael finally asked in the car.

"Tch! I'm not a prisoner. I don't need to report my whereabouts." Mobius scoffed.

She noticed Michael's twitching lips and felt a surge of annoyance.

"It doesn't make sense. Even a relatively lenient leader like Phamas has you confined… I heard those new consultants from the United Government are quite radical. They actually let you out?"

"Fine, fine, I escaped."

A smug smile appeared on Mobius's lips.

"And you're still so brazen? Aren't you afraid they'll drag you back?" Michael was genuinely curious. She had pulled this stunt in Ruruye as well. It seemed that once she escaped, Fire Moth could only accept it.

"Heh… I'm not like you. Didn't you see at the academic conference? I'm a somewhat prominent figure. If they push me too far, I might say something I shouldn't. They wouldn't risk it."

"So… Mobius, how old are you?"

"…I really need to investigate Elysia. What kind of magic does she possess? Everyone who spends time with her becomes so annoying!"

"Cough…" Michael coughed, trying to ease the awkwardness.

"By the way, you were wrong about something earlier," Mobius suddenly changed the subject.

Michael raised an eyebrow. "About what?"

"Those annoying consultants, they're not just radical… they're dangerous and ignorant…"

"How so?"

Mobius gripped the steering wheel, glancing at him.

"The first thing they did after arriving at Fire Moth was request a medical report from me. Guess whose?"

"No need to guess. Mine, obviously." Michael replied casually, then paused, realizing it couldn't be that simple. Would Mobius even ask if it were?

As expected, she chuckled dryly and uttered a name that shocked Michael to his core:

"Elysia."

"Why Elysia?! Impossible! Didn't Fire Moth suspect me? Didn't I already confess to Phamas?"

"Yes, I don't understand World Serpent either. Phamas is indeed tight-lipped. But they focused on Elysia first, then you."

Michael was unsure what to make of this. But then he thought, if Elysia was still fine, it meant those consultants hadn't gotten the answers they wanted.

But just to be safe, Michael asked, "Elysia's medical report was normal, right?"

As soon as he said it, he realized his mistake.

Mobius gave him a knowing look. "What do you mean? Oh dear, don't tell me there's actually something wrong with Elysia!"

"What could be wrong? I'm just concerned. Elysia's Honkai adaptability is also very high. I'm worried those guys might misinterpret something." Michael tried to sound casual.

But he knew Mobius wouldn't buy it.

So he added, "Herrschers have their own unique powers, powers derived from the laws of reality… Think about it, which of Elysia's abilities could be considered a law of reality? Being cute?"

Mobius responded with two dry chuckles.

But then she said, "Don't worry, as annoying as Elysia is, her physiology is completely human. There would be no reproductive isolation."

"…Pfft!" Michael almost burst out laughing.

"Mobius, when did you become so humorous?"

Mobius bit her lip. It wasn't her own humor, but a quote from her new assistant. And as she had expected, Michael's reaction was identical to her own.

"Alright, enough jokes." She quickly turned serious.

"I pulled some strings and found out the truth: someone reported to the higher-ups that Elysia used an ability to convert Honkai energy into pink crystals."

"So what? Captain Himeko can convert Honkai energy into flames!" Michael said, clenching his fists.

"Don't you get it? Himeko uses a Honkai-forged weapon. You know Elysia doesn't… Well, as you said, it's not a law of reality, not a Herrscher power. But those people aren't reasonable… So, you better investigate. Who could it be? Hehehe…"