Honkai Diary: Start With Picking Up A White-Haired Treasure

Chapter 102: Gray Serpent - Infiltration Successful DA☆ZE~

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Having discerned Schicksal and Anti-Entropy's plans, World Serpent needed to strategize its response. More crucially, they had to consider how to proceed when the world's landscape differed from their presumed understanding.

"Regardless, we must urgently bring back the Lord."

"They've hidden too deeply. If not for Anti-Entropy abruptly changing its organizational style, exposing their central archive prematurely before full protection and cleanup measures were implemented, I might not have been able to obtain this intelligence."

"Even so, our knowledge is already far too late. Now, we can neither confront Otto nor halt Welt's progress, and as for Zeke... his enigmatic nature may rival even Otto's."

"We cannot control the overall situation anymore. Only with the Lord's foresight spanning fifty thousand years can we assess the feasibility of their plan and make appropriate decisions. Moreover, should intervention be necessary, only the Lord possesses sufficient power to act."

"Jackal, even if it means halting research on Project Stigma, focus all efforts on constructing signal channels through the Sea of Quanta. Do everything possible to welcome back the Lord!" Gray Serpent meticulously analyzed the situation before making a final decision.

Jackal nodded, concurring with his assessment.

Indeed, without the Lord's return, their combined efforts alone could not possibly sway the prevailing trends set by Schicksal and Anti-Entropy.

Rather than being trapped within the Sea of Quanta, it was more accurate to say that Lord Kevin, the Supreme Being, had simply gotten lost.

The Sea of Quanta is vast, teeming with quantum realm anomalies, including entities comparable to Herrschers. For ordinary individuals, entering it is akin to certain death.

However, the Lord was different.

Even now, Jackal vividly recalled capturing footage of Lord Kevin in the quantum realm years ago. Amidst surging tides of quantum energy and countless monstrous creatures, he strolled calmly, manipulating world bubbles as effortlessly as playing with harmless glass marbles. All turbulence dissipated around him—how could such an existence be truly confined? It was merely due to the boundless expanse of the Sea of Quanta, momentarily obscuring the path back.

Thus, for many years, Jackal's research focused on devising a sufficiently bright signal within the quantum field to mark this world's location, guiding Lord Kevin home—that was all.

His ultimate goal was to establish a beacon strong enough to pierce through the Sea of Quanta, signaling the direction back to their reality for Lord Kevin.

Frowning, she paced around the base several times before finally stating:

"The Herrscher Core or 'Judgment of Shamash'—these are currently the only two feasible methods. The former possesses properties for communicating with Virtual Being portals and serves as a precise spatial coordinate itself, while also being a massive source of energy. I have a rough plan to guide the Lord through the Core's eruption. As for the latter, it is essentially a Herrscher Core itself and a weapon familiar to the Lord, which can similarly serve as a directional beacon."

Gray Serpent's mechanical fingers traced across his mask, emitting a shrill noise, and he murmured,

"In other words, we still need to provoke a conflict with either Schicksal or Anti-Entropy?"

"Indeed, the sooner, the better. If we delay, and they decide to take action against us, our chances will become increasingly slim. Moreover, once the Lord returns, these risks and losses would be inconsequential."

"You're right... But do we truly have confidence in this approach?" Gray Serpent sought reassurance again.

Jackal rolled his eyes.

"If we had absolute confidence, I would've already stolen a gemstone for experimentation long ago. However, there's no alternative; we must take the risk. It's certainly preferable to them imposing complete lockdown, leaving us utterly immobilized!"

"...Very well!"

Gray Serpent responded gravely.

Both agreed that having uncovered the core secrets of these two organizations, even if there were possibilities for negotiation and cooperation outlined within them, neither Schicksal nor Anti-Entropy would let them off easily.

At best, they might jointly squeeze World Serpent's operational space, forcing it to retreat and rendering further actions difficult. At worst—collaborating to annihilate World Serpent was not entirely out of the question.

"Currently, there are two places where we can potentially obtain Herrscher Cores: Schicksal Headquarters and the publicly known Anti-Entropy Headquarters. Schicksal Headquarters is Otto's aerial fortress meticulously developed over centuries; infiltrating carries too high a risk. As for Anti-Entropy Headquarters, based on our previous intelligence, there are at least two Herrscher Cores present, along with Judgment of Shamash. The most challenging obstacle, Welt, is currently traveling the world executing his plan," Gray Serpent analyzed, making their objective clear.

Behind her mask, Jackal stroked her chin and suggested, "Isn't Raven still stationed at Anti-Entropy Headquarters? What about coordinating an inside-out attack?"

"She backed down last time, but under strict orders... No, it's unwise. Prioritize secrecy; stirring up significant conflict now wouldn't be appropriate. Our aim should remain covert infiltration."

"Then you'll need a suitable opportunity," Gray Serpent said, clearly already having his plan ready. "In the near future, a mysterious cargo is set to be transported to Anti-Entropy Headquarters."

When not holding the upper hand, Jackal remained calm and cautious, avoiding impulsive moves. So she cautioned him, "Could it be a trap?"

"The likelihood is low."

"Why do you say that?"

"My doppelgangers have verified it—the cargo contains large quantities of Soulium. Moreover, among the transport team are Schicksal's S-Class Valkyrie candidates, along with suspected high-ranking figures even above them."

Jackal raised her eyebrows, then nodded.

Soulium was an extremely rare and valuable resource, on par in worth with Herrscher Cores in some respects. Using such material as bait seemed unnecessarily extravagant.

Furthermore, with escort by Schicksal's S-Class Valkyrie candidates and additional unknown high-ranking individuals, this almost certainly indicated a formal transaction between two major organizations.

Despite her pride, Jackal had self-awareness; they were not yet significant enough for both factions to scheme against them so intricately.

Additionally, Gray Serpent possessed numerous doppelgangers, making any potential loss acceptable—it was worth giving it a try.

Thus, Gray Serpent infiltrated the transport convoy.

With Schicksal's extensive research advantage in quantum fields, Gray Serpent confidently believed his stealth capabilities surpassed those of both Schicksal and Anti-Entropy.

He couldn't maintain invisibility over long distances to completely evade detection by countless worker bee sub-units, but concealing himself within Schicksal's supply crates was well within his abilities.

In the relatively short convoy, advanced Schicksal mechs guarded the front, rear, and flanks, while elite Valkyrie forces provided additional protection on either side. At the lead, Rita, clad in her maid-inspired Umbral Rose armor, stood gracefully atop one of the moving supply containers.

Ahead of Rita, a sophisticated young lady with blonde hair and blue eyes sat perched at the edge of a crate, humming a pleasant melody softly.

Suddenly, the corners of the elegant noble girl's lips curled slightly upward, and she stopped humming.

"Miss Hera, may I ask if there is something you need?" Rita bowed politely, her inquiry courteous and respectful.

The young girl disguised as "Hera Schariac" gently shook her head, her voice melodious like poetry, infused with amusement: "Nothing specific, just wondering what expression my dear friend will have when we meet soon, considering all these gifts I've brought. It truly piques my anticipation!"

"I see, your friend must be overjoyed indeed. Just seeing Miss Hera's beauty is enough to make anyone forget all their troubles!" Rita replied gracefully.

"Heh heh, you're quite the charmer, Rita. Would you like me to speak with Mr. Otto and arrange for an opportunity to directly advance to S rank?"

"No need. I'm aware of my own limitations and still require much training. Thank you for your kind offer, Miss Hera; I truly appreciate it."

These two beautiful young girls engaged in a poised and elegant conversation, their distinct voices equally melodious, ringing like crisp golden bells. Combined with the gentle fall of snowflakes from above, the scene was so enchanting that one couldn't help but be captivated, unable to look away.

As they continued, Anti-Entropy's headquarters—formerly Cocolia's Orphanage—loomed closer.