Tesla was a bit slower to arrive; she still had to deal with the aftermath of her work.
Kiana, on the other hand, had it much simpler. She just flew straight up into the sky.
The girl wasn't really thinking about messy things like love and romance. She mainly wanted to ask Noldrei how he planned to deal with the loose ends left by the Will of the Honkai.
The authority of Finality was already in human hands. When the handover would happen was just a matter of procedure.
Kiana's main task was still to cultivate more new Stigma-wielding humans, allowing more people to possess their own Stigma power.
Therefore, before that could happen, Earth's civilization absolutely could not fall into chaos.
As for Sa and Vita, they were even more subdued. To the vanquished go the spoils—it had always been so.
Following Kevin's directions, Kiana arrived at the Cocoon of Finality.
After passing through layers of dimensions, Kiana finally arrived at...
The Throne of Finality.
---||---
"I see now. So you also have a Soulium structure similar to Otto's? To think Otto created a Soulium body with an organic molecular structure, while you chose a traditional mechanical body. No wonder your emotional system isn't as intense and smooth as Overseer Otto's."
"How about this? I'll help you modify it. Don't be nervous or excited."
As Noldrei spoke, he opened up Prometheus's outer shell and began fiddling with the various parts inside her chest.
He was like a child who had discovered a new toy car, thinking of adding some structural components that better suited his own needs.
---||---
Before Kiana arrived, she had imagined Noldrei would either be deeply researching the new theory created by the Will of the Honkai, or perhaps studying the structure of the Cocoon of Finality to better benefit the new humans.
Or maybe he would be there, contemplating like a philosopher, thinking about his persistent and great struggle against proliferationalism.
But when Kiana found Noldrei, she was stunned.
She saw Noldrei's hands tinkering with a girl surrounded by a 3D mosaic.
The girl had no expression, like an innocent maiden being toyed with by a bastard emperor after her emotions had died.
That wasn't the main point. The main point was the girl's appearance.
"Bronya! How dare you get here before me!"
Prometheus was startled by the angry roar. She tilted her head and sized up the newly arrived girl.
Kiana Kaslana.
The destined successor to become the vessel of Finality, and one of only two beings in human civilization who possessed power comparable to Noldrei's.
Although she still couldn't unleash the full power of her body, that didn't stop Kiana's infinite potential from being readily available for use.
Prometheus had always wanted to meet this successor in person to discuss how to use the power of Finality to benefit humanity in the future.
But the current situation was a bit off.
"Though this meeting is a bit awkward, it's really not what you think. And... I'm not Bronya."
Kiana was shocked. "What? You've already made a replacement for Bronya?!"
Based on Noldrei's past misdeeds, Kiana subconsciously assumed that this was a replacement lifeform for Bronya.
Although it was unclear why Kiana held such malice towards Bronya, Prometheus felt that she really wasn't a substitute for that Bronya.
To put it more directly, Noldrei was genuinely just studying her body.
Having been bound to the Cocoon of Finality for a long time, Prometheus had also realized that she was different from ordinary digital lifeforms.
She could understand the existence of emotions better than past digital lifeforms, even if she often got confused because of it.
Without a doubt!
What ugly jealousy!
Prometheus could tell at a glance that this girl had probably held a grudge against that Bronya for a long time.
She couldn't even stand the sight of her, a digital lifeform who just happened to look like Bronya.
"I'm just giving her a check-up, just like your situation back then. I didn't expect a Soulium body to be so useful. I wonder if it can be mass-produced in the future."
"If it could be combined with Stigma organs, it would be the best life-vessel currently available."
Noldrei was somewhat regretful. He had to find a way to popularize the production of Soulium.
He looked at Kiana and said, "This is Prometheus. She's the one who pried open the back door to the Cocoon of Finality. Elysia bound her to the Will of the Honkai. If you possess the authority of Finality in the future, you'll have to work with her."
Kiana was still unconvinced, but she knew he wouldn't joke about important matters.
She already had to work with that Bronya at home, and in the future, she'd even have to take turns with little Ducky. Now, she even had to work with another 'Bronya'.
Kiana was even beginning to suspect that Noldrei had a unique fondness for Bronya. Why were there so many models of Bronya around her?
This was the third one!
Prometheus calmly observed the girl from the Kaslana family.
From her existing database, she could discern that this girl's feelings for Noldrei were rather complex.
It wasn't just a simple relationship of getting along; it was also, to some extent, a father-daughter relationship.
It sounded a bit strange to say, but Kiana, having been doted on, did indeed show signs of having a father complex.
Even Prometheus, who was meeting her for the first time, could tell.
Kiana didn't understand. She even thought this was too ridiculous.
Prometheus looked just like Bronya?
It wasn't like little Ducky, who had directly modeled herself after Bronya's appearance.
"Why did you come here? Shouldn't you be preparing to inherit the authority of Finality? At a time like this, you should be asking Kevin more about how to use its power."
Noldrei's question was rather casual, but Kiana was at her wit's end because of the trouble the Will of the Honkai had stirred up.
"We can talk about Finality later. I came to find you to get a clear answer. After inheriting the power of Finality, will I definitely become your enemy? If that's the case, then I won't inherit the power of Finality!"
Kiana stepped forward and asked her question, her attitude showing her desperate need for an answer.
"Don't be so agitated. We have many years to consider this problem. After defeating the Honkai crisis, it's not like there's nothing left to do. Whether it's the integration of the Venusian civilization or the universal implementation of Stigmas for humanity, these things will take many years to complete."
"By that time, thousands of years will have passed. It's too early for you to be considering whether you'll oppose me."
Noldrei said calmly, "I'm not worried that these beings will cause me any trouble. I'm worried that this new ideology, which has barely taken two steps, will be crushed by the new humans."
"So, the one who possesses this new ideology had best be Finality itself."
He said, sounding slightly troubled, "Although I don't want to be too blunt... right now, you only have the ability to hold power. You don't have the ability to rebel."
"Instead of worrying about whether you'll become my enemy, you should think about whether you can handle steering the chariot that is the current human civilization."
Kiana's eyes glazed over as she listened, her spirit having suffered a massive blow.