"Eh..."
It took everyone quite a while to come back to their senses.
Setsuna had handled the matter far too efficiently. The process had been far too simple—completely different from what they had imagined.
"I thought we'd have to fight several battles against Honkai Beasts and the Herrscher of this era?"
Elysia puffed out her cheeks.
"And then during the fights, we'd get to know each other better, deepen our bonds, and in the end join forces to defeat the big boss and create a new world without Honkai."
"What a beautiful setup... Hey, how did you steal all the spotlight for yourself?"
Her tone was tinged with confusion.
Naturally, Elysia was happy that the Honkai crisis had been eliminated. It was just that this method of resolving it had been far too unexpected.
The Honkai and the Herrschers, once regarded as humanity's greatest enemies, didn't even require him to make a move.
He was the source of all Honkai—and the holder of its highest authority.
"What, did you actually want to fight these Herrschers?"
Setsuna lightly tapped Elysia on the head.
"Mm... this is great, of course. No one has to sacrifice themselves or get hurt. The problem's been solved perfectly."
"It's just... a little strange? I thought you'd bring advanced technology from the future to help us defeat the Honkai. I didn't expect it to be this fast. This simple."
Elysia twirled a lock of hair around her finger as she spoke.
"I'm essentially the administrator of Honkai. All Herrschers are under my control. I can grant humans Herrscher Cores and turn them into Herrschers, or I can allow Honkai energy to give birth to natural Herrschers."
Setsuna glanced at the Herrscher of Finality.
The difference between the natural Herrschers of the Previous Era and those born later from cores was obvious. They had no emotions.
People like Esdeath, Kanae, and Kiana were closer to "ordinary humans who had obtained power." Their personalities were no different from before.
The previously captured Herrscher of the Void and the newly summoned Herrscher of Finality, however, were purely executors of the will of Honkai.
They possessed self-awareness, but had no interest in anything external. Their sole purpose was to carry out orders.
"Herrschers without humanity...?"
They looked at the expressionless Herrscher of Finality, then at the radiant Herrscher of Origin who shone like spring sunlight.
Only now did they truly realize that in the Previous Era, Elysia had absolutely been an anomaly among Herrschers.
"Herrscher of Origin, maybe in the future you can think of a way? See if you can give them a bit of humanity?"
"Eh?"
Elysia had just been handed a difficult assignment.
"I'll do my best~"
...
A few minutes later.
Everyone boarded the Eternal Snowfall once more.
Boom!—
With the authority of the Herrscher of the Void, the ship detached from the depths of imaginary space.
It reappeared in Earth's skies.
At that moment,
Scientists across the planet and researchers at the Fire Moth base felt something strange as well.
"Honkai energy readings have dropped by 85% within an hour!! They're still falling!"
"Honkai energy across Earth is disappearing! What happened?!"
"Equipment malfunction? No, that's not it. It feels like the source of Honkai energy has been cut off...?"
They stared in shock at their instruments, reading data that defied all expectations.
At this point, between the Second and Third Honkai Eruptions, humanity's understanding of Honkai energy was still extremely limited.
The brilliant scientists who would later step onto the stage had not yet appeared.
Of course, under the current circumstances, the Third Honkai Eruption—and all future ones—would never be born.
"Should I execute the command and reset this world?"
Gazing at the bustling city below, the Herrscher of Finality suddenly spoke.
"Hey?!"
Elysia broke out in a cold sweat.
"No. Without my orders, do not use your authority freely."
Setsuna rejected the idea outright.
"Is hostility toward civilization part of your underlying logic?... I'll modify it in the Cocoon of Finality when I have time."
"Yes."
The Herrscher of Finality said no more and stepped back into place.
She stared down below without blinking, as if deep in thought.
Swish—
Setsuna tapped open a holographic interface.
"The Honkai crisis has been resolved. Let's retrieve the remaining people, then we can head home."
"Didn't you want to see what civilization looks like fifty thousand years later—and what the Starsea Empire is like? Don't worry, you won't have to wait long."
The starship descended from high altitude, cruising over the city.
Some in the crowd panicked, others were curious, but most instinctively kept their distance from the massive, unidentified fleet.
"By the way... what kind of people are our future companions?"
Elysia grew interested. She leaned beside Setsuna, curiously studying the list of names displayed on the holographic interface.
In another timeline, these future comrades did not know one another. They would need Setsuna's power to unite them quickly.
There was something exhilarating about knowing a predetermined future—then going to change it.
"Mm... most of them are still ordinary people right now. Eden, you've met her, right? She should be a big star at the moment. As for the others... a few of them are living in Dusk Street."
As he spoke, the ship arrived at a somewhat old district.
On one side of the street stood a sanatorium.
Inside, a young woman with light golden hair and a nun-like uniform moved between patient rooms.
"Ugh..."
Occasional groans of pain echoed through the building.
Honkai disease.
Since the outbreak of Honkai, a fatal illness with a mortality rate close to 100% had spread throughout the world.
Those afflicted were eroded by Honkai energy, helplessly awaiting death in agony.
Aponia had taken them in and protected them, doing her utmost to care for them within the sanatorium.
"..."
"There are more and more of them..."
Aponia sighed.
The number of recently admitted patients kept increasing. At this rate, she would soon have to start thinking about arrangements for those who came after her.
Here, she could only do her best to care for them. As for how to treat Honkai disease itself, she had no idea.
Vmmmm—
In the brief moment she turned around, the roar of a starship sounded overhead.
An action squad descended slowly aboard a shuttle.
Before it had fully landed, a small sky-blue figure jumped down directly.
"Mama Aponia!!!"
Griseo felt an overwhelming sense of familiarity upon seeing Aponia again.
She ran over cheerfully to greet her.
"??"
Aponia had no idea who this visitor was. She was about to offer a handshake in greeting when Griseo threw her arms around her.
"Mama Aponia! Long time no see!!"
Seeing the person who had once cared for her most, Griseo was visibly excited.
"?"
Aponia had absolutely no idea how she could possibly have such a grown daughter.
Griseo looked only slightly younger than her current self.
Confused, she looked at Griseo, then up at the ship above.
"You are...?"
"Ah, I forgot."
Griseo tapped herself on the head.
"Mama Aponia, we're from the Starsea Empire. We're here to help you."
"Um... no, what I meant was, why am I your mother...?"
Aponia hesitated.
Soon after, members of the Life Sciences Division descended neatly with Angeloids.
They immediately began efficiently treating the patients in the sanatorium.
"Honkai erosion... it has a certain degree of infectivity. Keeping them gathered together is somewhat dangerous, but it does make treatment more convenient for us."
The medical team's efficiency was nothing short of miraculous. They had come prepared.
With advanced medical technology—and a touch of magic—the patients who had been on the brink of death recovered within a few breaths.
Aponia watched in astonishment.
"This is...?"
"Would you like to come up and talk? The Commander invites you to tour the Eternal Snowfall."
An Angeloid opened the shuttle hatch and gestured politely.
"Mm... by the way, there's another child in Dusk Street, isn't there? Has she hidden herself?"
"Sophon, locate Pardofelis. Pick her up on the way."
...
In a corner of Dusk Street, within the slums.
A brown-haired girl dressed like a thief, complete with cloak and gloves, moved through the narrow alleys.
Under her hood was a pair of cat ears. Agile and nimble, she looked lively and adorable.
"Here. This is for you."
Pardofelis placed a bag on a windowsill.
Inside were canned goods, some loose change, and a few miscellaneous trinkets.
Several children immediately crowded around.
"Thank you, big sis!!"
As the famous righteous thief of Dusk Street, Pardofelis often robbed the rich to help the poor, donating the things she had "acquired" to those in need.
The wealthy hated her guts. Ordinary people, however, treated her like their best friend.
"Ha..."
After distributing today's supplies, she concealed herself again, searching for her next "restocking" target.
Vmmmm—
Hearing the roar from above, Pardofelis noticed the ship descending from the sky.
The fleet of the Starsea Empire hovered over Dusk Street for a moment. A smaller vessel descended and stopped above the sanatorium.
A small squad disembarked and headed in that direction.
"Who are they?"
Pardofelis cautiously hid to the side and looked up at the massive craft.
Its design was futuristic, emblazoned with a banner she had never seen before.
Sophon had announced its arrival to the entire world, but the impoverished residents of Dusk Street were effectively isolated from modern civilization.
They cared more about where tonight's dinner would come from. Naturally, they knew nothing about the Starsea Empire.
Whoosh—
From her high vantage point, Pardofelis carefully observed the people stepping down from the ship.
Most wore uniform attire. Leading them was Griseo, now grown.
Alongside her were the little girl from the Research Division and several accompanying Angeloids.
Their clothes were immaculate. Their bearing was extraordinary.
Even the wealthy residents of Dusk Street could not compare.
"Whoa. Where did these young ladies come from?"
Pardofelis pondered for a moment.
In her understanding, anyone who could ride a spaceship and dress so beautifully and neatly had to be either rich or powerful.
Coincidentally, that made them perfect "restocking" targets.
She looked the shuttle up and down again. It had descended from a much larger silver-white ship above.
There had to be plenty of good stuff inside.
Targeting Griseo directly was too risky. The Angeloids accompanying her carried weapons.
"Mm..."
A bold idea formed in her mind.
While the squad was busy meeting Aponia, she quietly crept closer to the shuttle. With astonishing jumping ability, she leapt up onto the side hull and slipped inside.
"No one noticed? No alarms either?"
She glanced around.
There were none of the usual security systems common in wealthy households.
"This is great. I can definitely restock a lot here."
Half-crouched, Pardofelis moved cautiously through the shuttle.
She had absolutely no experience "restocking" on a spaceship and had no idea where valuable items might be stored.
So she could only explore as she went.
Anything that looked novel went straight into her pockets.
"Hm? What's this cup made of? Glass? Doesn't look like it... could it be crystal?..."
"Is this what they call a computer? Hey—why did a screen pop out?! Put it away, put it away. I'll ask later how much it's worth..."
"Do they not have a vault or something? Where do they keep their money...?"
To her, interstellar-era items all looked exquisite. Many had no obvious use, but since they seemed finely crafted, she took them anyway.
After searching for quite a while, she had gathered a pile of strange odds and ends—yet not a single coin.
No paper bills. No gold coins. No silver coins. Not even loose change.
If not for the Angeloids standing guard with weapons in hand, she would have tried patting them down for a wallet.
"Weird. You all go out without bringing money or something?..."
Just as she was puzzled—
Click—
The hatch opened.
The little girl from the Research Division completed her task and led the squad back aboard one after another.
"Sophon, have you located the target?"
"The target has already boarded. No further positioning required."
The AI replied in its cold mechanical tone.
"Additionally, she has currently stolen three rinsing cups, one tablet computer, one bottle of coolant, one bag of chips, and one bag of candy. She is attempting to locate more valuable items."
"Eh?"
Boom!!—
Before Pardofelis could react, the shuttle activated anti-gravity mode.
It shot off toward the distant Eternal Snowfall.
...
Meanwhile, more ships tasked with recruiting companions departed from the Eternal Snowfall.
Thousands of miles away, a red-haired, golden-eyed young woman had just finished her concert for the day.
She sat backstage, resting while idly scrolling through the news on her phone.
"Aliens? The Starsea Empire?..."
Eden supported her head with one hand and tapped at her screen.
The news felt both distant and unrelated to her.
The alien civilization had not declared any strange ambitions like conquering the world or enslaving humanity, so there had been no friction with Earth.
The United Nations was trying every possible method to investigate it, but had received no response.
"Never mind."
Eden poured herself a glass of red wine and savored it slowly.
Matters like that could be left to the lofty figures in power.
There was the military. There was Fire Moth.
What concerned her more was her art.
Could she create an even more beautiful opera? Deliver an even more soul-stirring performance?
"..."
After scrolling only a few more pages, commotion erupted outside.
Every time the Starsea Empire's fleet descended, it caused a stir across Earth.
"Yo, long time no see, Eden~"
Approaching her was a beautiful pink-haired girl, accompanied by a small team.
"Elysia?"
Eden was even more puzzled.
Not long ago, Elysia had attended one of her concerts, and the two had conversed.
This pink-haired lady possessed an exceptional appreciation for art. Eden regarded her as a kindred spirit.
"Is something the matter? The concert just ended. You're a little late..."
"No, no, no, Eden. I have an even better place to invite you to perform~"
Elysia leaned in with a mischievous smile.
"Would you like to hold a concert somewhere much farther away?"
"Come to think of it, we're future comrades, aren't we? Mm, that doesn't sound so bad..."
"Eh?..."
...
Far to the eastern edge of the world, the starship skimmed low across oceans and cities.
With Sophon's precise positioning, it located its targets among billions.
"Grey, Vill-V is yours. She's still staying on that little island."
"No problem!!—"
The nanorobot's craft traced a gray arc across the sky and landed on a remote island far from the mainland.
"If I remember right, this one loves engineering? Tsk, the Empire's Engineering Department could really use someone like that!"
"Go on. Open Vill-V's eyes. Show her what interstellar-era engineering looks like. Tell her to put away those small-time toys."
On a Pacific island, a girl tinkering with a steam engine while watching monkeys bare their teeth looked up—
Just in time to see a nanorobot leap down from the sky.
"Hi, Miss Vill-V. Would you like to witness a miracle of engineering?"
"???"
"..."
"Mm... the one we're recruiting is... Sakura."
Not far away,
Gudako nodded while looking at the image on the holographic interface.
"Why do I feel like she looks a bit like that loli we picked up from Yae Village earlier? What was her name again? Yae Sakura?!"
"Are these two really not interdimensional counterparts?"
"According to analysis of the original worldline, there is indeed a certain connection between them. However, in essence, they remain distinct biological individuals."
Sophon gave a precise academic answer.
Soon, the street below the starship scanned a pair of familiar girls.
The older one wore short clothing resembling shrine maiden attire. Her long pink hair flowed behind her, a blade hanging at her waist. Her expression was cold and sharp.
Beside her, holding her hand, was a slightly shorter girl with similar features.
They were hurrying along.
Seeing the ship, Sakura's eyes filled with confusion—and vigilance.
She pulled Rin behind her, drew her blade, and assumed a combat stance.
"It's you, after all!"
Ritsuka Fujimaru jumped down from the gangway.
"Hi!! Waaaaaahhhhhhh!!"