And yet, here it was, unfolding before her eyes. Enough to shatter the worldview of even a person such as her who had seen many things!
----------------------------------
Finally, under Fu Xuan's strong insistence and relying on Xueyi's own perception, Xueyi understood the fundamental reason for her strange transformation.
Godzilla.
Fu Xuan's eyes flickered as she recalled what she had said earlier to Jing Yuan.
A being that could heal the Mara now sought to pull back a judge who already had one foot in the realm of death into the world of the living.
"Stay on Jarilo for two days first, to see if it's true. Remember, not a word must leak."
Both knew the weight of the matter. Before Fu Xuan could even ask her to keep the secret, Serval also nodded in agreement.
Though she wasn't of the Xianzhou, after being with them for so long, she knew they had always fought against the Denizens of Abundance.
And the key reason for it was that they bore the blessing of Abundance, striving to break free from the Mara.
...
Xianzhou Luofu.
Jing Yuan silently read the urgent report Fu Xuan sent, his trusted aide beside him.
He was glad that yet another meritorious member of the Xianzhou was about to be freed from suffering.
But he also knew that if this news reached the Alliance, who knew what great upheaval it would stir.
Once any power grows large enough, it inevitably breeds fools beyond reason.
All the more so for the Xianzhou Alliance, a force made up of long-lived beings.
In this aspect, the Alliance was far worse than ordinary powers, though under normal circumstances it was hard to notice, and rarely did events truly shake their unity.
But this matter would undoubtedly stir restless hearts within the Alliance.
"Alas, soldiers block the army, water dams the floods."
Jing Yuan shook his head slightly and burned the intelligence.
...
The past, Schicksal's Flying Island.
After completing her daily training, Durandal took the towel Rita handed her and wiped the sweat running down her pale neck.
"Rita, how's the investigation into World Serpent progressing?" Durandal asked as she wiped.
"There has been some progress, but most of it is just surface-level. To dig deeper into World Serpent's secrets will still take time."
Durandal gave a small nod. She wasn't disheartened by the lack of useful intelligence.
If intel work were so easy, Schicksal wouldn't have to spend so much funding on large-scale reconnaissance operations.
What's more, World Serpent had been lurking in the shadows for who knew how long. An opponent that could bid their time like that was terrifying. To defeat them, the best way was to outlast them.
And conveniently, Durandal believed she could.
Though already the strongest Valkyrie of Schicksal, in truth Durandal was still quite young...
"Lady Durandal, where are you going?" Rita asked as she noticed Durandal preparing to head out.
"To ask the Archbishop. Perhaps he knows something."
Durandal answered honestly.
Since nothing could be uncovered in the short term, she had made up her mind.
When in doubt, she might as well ask the all-knowing Bishop Otto.
Durandal was a Valkyrie, her forte mainly in her strength. Unable to quickly take down World Serpent, she decided not to waste time circling around.
In the past, she wouldn't have minded waiting. But after witnessing the peaceful coexistence of St. Freya and the Herrschers, her mind couldn't help but picture humanity's triumph over the Honkai.
Just as the First Herrscher, Welt, had once stood on humanity's side, now the Herrscher of Thunder and the Herrscher of Poison also stood with humanity.
Then perhaps future Herrschers could as well? Maybe that possibility was a major factor in humanity's victory over the Honkai.
Therefore, Durandal decided not to wait.
....
At this very moment, the secluded part of World Serpent.
A remote, rarely trodden place.
Step, step, step.
Two steady, resolute footsteps approached each other.
They stopped at last.
Looking at one another, an indescribable feeling of reunion across eras welled up.
"Long time no see." After a long silence, Kevin spoke.
"Long time no see, Hua." Fu Hua gave a small nod, her turquoise eyes tinged with reminiscence.
Kevin Kaslana, de-facto leader of the Thirteen Flame-Chasers.
In the previous civilization, as it waned toward extinction, no one knew whether they would live to see tomorrow.
The Flame-Chasers, tasked with plans to wrest humanity from the Honkai's grasp, longed to reunite someday, but held little hope.
Yet fate was dramatic, after a generation, two burdened warriors met again under the witness of the north wind.
Silence.
Neither was one to speak much, leaving the air faintly awkward.
After a pause, Kevin finally continued.
"Your condition is not good."
With Kevin's sharp eyes, it wasn't hard to notice the unusual aura around Fu Hua. He knew exactly what it was.
The 8th Divine Key: Fenghuang Down.
A key that manipulated brain signals. Fu Hua was unlike other fusion warriors.
She was truly immortal. But the fragmented memories accumulated across endless years constantly pressed on her mind. Thus, the 8th Divine Key, Fenghuang Down, was practically made for her, even if it hadn't been intended that way.
"I originally intended to carry out the Stigma Project," Kevin suddenly said.
Hearing this, Fu Hua's expression immediately grew wary. Kevin seemed not to notice and went on.
"But now, it seems there's a better way. I don't know if it really leads to a better future, but I don't mind trying. If it fails, it won't delay the Stigma Project."
Only then did some of Fu Hua's wariness ease.
"All this time, you've been preparing for the Stigma Project?"
"No. I've been witnessing the resolve of this civilization to resist the Honkai." Kevin spoke calmly.
"Why did you never appear?"
"Su stopped me in the Sea of Quanta. I couldn't find the way back." Kevin told the truth.
"Su..." Fu Hua was stunned. She hadn't expected events to unfold this way.
She had thought only herself and a handful of others survived their long sleep back then.
But unexpectedly, one after another, they had hidden themselves well.
For reasons unknown even to herself, long-forgotten memories resurfaced, including those of Su.
In her memories, that gentle, scholarly youth with perpetually smiling eyes didn't seem the type to use force.
Yet, considering Kevin's strengths and Su's Divine Key, the Key of Infinity.
Though Su couldn't defeat Kevin, keeping him outside the world was still within his ability.
"Since you've returned, what about Su? Did he not come back?" Fu Hua asked urgently, her eyes filled with hope.
Carrying such a heavy destiny, she had thought she would either witness the Honkai's end or fall before dawn.
To walk the road alone forever... Otto didn't count as a person.
Yet now, old comrades reappeared one by one, stirring waves in the heart that had long been still.
"Su has always been using the Key of Infinity to observe the world, trying to find a way to save it. So, no, he has not returned."
"I see. Then he hasn't had it easy all these years either."
Hearing of Su's fate, Fu Hua sighed softly, her tone filled with emotion.
Those who survived back then had all borne their duties, moving forward for the sake of civilization's survival.
Suddenly learning that her comrade still lived, Fu Hua's heart was shaken.
A sense of reassurance welled up.
A feeling of familiarity returned, nearly sweeping away her loneliness of countless years.
She knew that from now on, she was no longer alone, no longer fighting a solitary battle.
"Is there anyone else still alive?" Fu Hua couldn't help but ask.
Kevin fell silent.
"Perhaps... Griseo still lives."
In other words, the rest had most likely perished in that battle.
Fu Hua wasn't surprised. Though saddened, she accepted it calmly.
At the very least, they had carried on the flame of the previous civilization.
Kevin, "If you wish to see them, there is a path leading through the World Serpent to that Realm." Fu Hua was moved, but after a moment of thought, she slowly shook her head.
Fu Hua, "No need. When all returns to order, I will go back myself. But when the others have grown strong enough to qualify for that journey, I want them to try."
The Elysian Realm, where the Thirteen Flame-Chasers sealed their own memories, awaiting the arrival of those who would come after.
Even if they themselves no longer exist in the future, the legacy they left behind can still allow future generations to quickly strengthen their foundation, gaining even the slightest sliver of advantage in battles yet to come.
If Kiana could gain their recognition from the past, the growth in strength and vision would undoubtedly be immense.
Kevin nodded slightly: "I respect your choice."
Gazing one last time at the companion who had carried their burden alone for such a long journey, Kevin slowly turned away.
Today, two heroes, long battered and scarred, rediscovered traces of what once was.
...
Schicksal Headquarters, Otto's office.
"The Flame-Chasers of the Previous Era." Durandal, who had come here with only half-hearted expectations, froze on the spot.
Even Rita found her thoughts scattered by the overwhelming aura carried by this message.
They had considered many possibilities, but never imagined that the one who suddenly appeared in Seaside City was actually a survivor of the Previous Era.
An existence that had lived tens of thousands of years.
'Could humans really live that long?' Rita's mind went blank for a moment.
It felt as if the world she knew was no longer the same one.
Strange things kept appearing, too many of them!
'Couldn't normal people be allowed some peace?!'
Rita felt utterly exhausted.
In the eyes of ordinary people, she, an S-rank Valkyrie, was already something beyond human.
But only she knew, in front of these true monsters, "inhuman"? That was only the entry threshold.
"An existence that has lived tens of thousands of years, why would they suddenly appear now?" Durandal frowned slightly, her expression puzzled.
"Perhaps they couldn't endure the loneliness any longer," Otto chuckled lightly, then added,
"As for the Judgment of Shamash, God Keys were relics excavated from the Previous Era. Returning to their rightful owner now is only natural."
Durandal did not dwell on the matter.
As long as the wielder of the God Key stood to defend humanity and fight against the Honkai, a mere transfer of ownership was of little consequence.
Besides, it was theirs to begin with. After Schicksal had used it for so long, returning it was only proper.
Knowing the origin lessened Durandal's concerns, though unease lingered.
"Lord Overseer, could the revival of World Serpent affect the current balance of the world?"
Understanding Durandal's concern, Rita voiced the question.
Otto softly replied, "Do not worry. On the path of resisting the Honkai, we are aligned."
With the answer given, Rita inclined her head.
Durandal nodded firmly: "If it does not hinder the greater cause of fighting the Honkai, I have nothing further to say."
Yet she added, "I do have another question."
Her fair face turned serious.
"How strong is he?"
Otto was stunned for a moment, then, feigning thought, gave a helpless smile.
"That is not an easy question to answer. If you meet him, perhaps you could politely ask him yourself."
Durandal nodded, then turned and left.
Rita bowed slightly to Otto as well, taking her leave.
Otto watched them depart with a smile. Once they were far enough away, he chuckled softly.
"As expected of Schicksal's strongest Valkyrie. Her senses are razor sharp." Durandal had noticed something was off.
Shaking his head, Void Archives leaned back against the chair, staring at the ceiling, muttering faintly,
"Otto, ah Otto…"
...
"Lady Durandal?" Rita asked in confusion as she watched Durandal's hurried pace.
Durandal was always decisive, but she never walked this hastily, almost as if on purpose?
Hearing Rita's words, Durandal slowed, scanning her surroundings before replying softly,
"It's nothing. I was simply curious how powerful that Lord of World Serpent really is. A warrior from the Previous Era, able to persist until now, must be unimaginably strong. I want to know just how large the gap is between us and them."
Rita chuckled lightly: "Lady Durandal is still young. Becoming stronger is not something achieved overnight. There is no need to rush."
"You're right. That's why I must train harder now, so that when I meet him, I can decide victory or defeat with my own hands."
Durandal's eyes seemed to blaze with fighting spirit.
Rita looked tenderly at her radiant figure, feeling her heart stir.
No matter when or where, Lady Durandal was always so full of energy.
Durandal didn't know exactly what was wrong, but instinct told her that Otto was not quite the same as before.
She trusted Otto's abilities completely. With his power, it was nearly impossible for anyone to subdue him without alarming the world.
That was why she had not acted against the one sitting in Otto's seat, the one who only looked like Otto.
But that also meant Otto's whereabouts were now in question.
What matter could be so great that the Overseer himself would leave Schicksal's stronghold?
...
Time, a concept devised by humans.
To most, time was just that: an abstract flow.
Traveling through it, returning to the past, such things belonged only in science fiction novels and movies.
In reality, no one could do it.
Otto had once tried to return to the past, to rescue the saintess whose memory lay deep within him.
But it was an illusion.
Perhaps such power truly existed in the world, but if it did, it did not belong to him.
Thus, he schemed endlessly, searching for a way to bring back Kallen Kaslana.
Until, one day, he met a true god.
"God…" Otto savored the word lightly, smiling faintly.
If that god could return the saintess, then Schicksal's framework, even its very core, could be reshaped.
And as everyone knew, Schicksal's "god" had always been only one person.
Otto Apocalypse.
"The Herrscher of the Void." Looking down at the carefree white-haired girl laughing along Saint Freya's main road, Otto's plan slowly took form in his mind.
Turning away, he headed for his next point of investigation.
He didn't need a flawless plan, only a sliver of hope.
Suddenly, Otto halted, his eyes fixed on a figure in the distance walking toward Saint Freya.
"…"
After a moment's thought, Otto finally departed.
Saint Freya Academy.
Herta strolled leisurely, as though wandering her own space station, her gaze locking onto a certain twin-turbine-haired girl among the crowd.
"Hey, little gray-haired one."
"Hmm? Are you calling Bronya?"
"Who else here has gray hair?" Herta's words barely left her lips before the girl's eyes darkened.
"…Forget it, I won't tease you."
With a wave of her hand, Herta instantly lost interest.
"I've got a project you'd like. Want to join?"
"Bronya does not lack money."
"Not even tempted?"
Fu Hua approached slowly, her voice helpless as she heard Herta's enticing tone.
"Miss Herta, Saint Freya is a place for training Valkyries. If you're bored, I can show you around instead."
Everyone present had their own judgment of Herta.
The most reasonable conclusion was obvious, she didn't look like a good person.
Seeing the wary looks around her, Herta shook her head with mock regret, then sighed softly.
"Ah, that poor little girl, still drifting alone with no end in sight…"
With that, she turned to leave.
"Wait!"
…
The Sea of Quanta.
Seele leaned against Godzilla's back, peacefully asleep.
A rare, restful slumber.
In truth, ever since entering the Sea of Quanta, she had hardly rested, except when certain bubble worlds forced her to pause.
Otherwise, she had spent her time drifting aimlessly, at most chatting with the other Seele inside her.