Raiden Mei's choice did not exceed Ling Ke's expectations.
"Eh!"
Inside the Theater of Domination, on the other side of the spatial gate, Ling Ke sneered with contempt.
—You're always like this. Thinking that dying can solve everything.
—That so-called sacrifice isn't just an escape from reality, it's also a way to satisfy your inner ego… It's truly disgusting.
Ling Ke's cold words landed directly in Raiden Mei's ears.
Suddenly…
—But Miss Raiden Mei —his eyes sharpened as he asked rhetorically, word by word— who told you that you could change the rules I set?
"…"
Mei choked on her own breath.
—If you want to die, do it quickly —Ling Ke continued, his voice devoid of emotion.
It was absolute indifference. Absolute rejection.
—However, since I'm in the mood to wipe everything clean… let's purge both sides at once!
—If you won't choose… then I'll force you to.
He looked at the girl in front of him with a half-smile.
—I'm curious: in that case, who would you prioritize protecting?
—Kiana, who still has many unresolved issues and could fall back into the abyss at any moment?
—Or yourself, who's not even among the top fighters, with barely some swordsmanship and a lightning tachi?
—Ah, right. After all, Kiana's a Herrscher. Maybe she can protect herself!
—Even if she can't… at least she has many companions by her side. You can feel at ease "leaving behind" someone more important than the whole world.
At that point…
—No.
Raiden Mei completely panicked.
—No…
Every one of Ling Ke's words was like a knife to the heart.
Cruel. Cold.
But unfortunately, today's Ling Ke was unshakable.
—Then let's begin the game!
From within the spatial gate, he once again took out his pocket watch.
—Miss Raiden Mei… from this moment on…
—You have one week to decide. That's "more than enough."
Just like with Cocoria, Ling Ke gave Raiden Mei a time limit to reflect.
One week.
A duration that, in itself, was torture.
She couldn't make that decision.
So…
—Have fun!
As soon as he finished speaking, the space gate slammed shut.
Only then did the barrier in front of them vanish, and Raiden Mei and "Raven" realized something.
All the "Dominant Figures" around them, including Billy, had disappeared.
As if everything that had just happened were an illusion.
But clearly, it wasn't.
—You should know… that guy wasn't joking —Raven said in a low voice.
—I've seen people blinded by hatred before…
—His behavior is utterly irrational.
—And he… —Raven looked around at the corpses several times— is without a doubt the craziest of them all.
Raiden Mei didn't respond.
In that moment, the purple tachi she held, the "Key of Tenshou," fell to the ground.
It was obvious she was so shaken that she couldn't even hold her weapon.
Inexplicably…
—I hope next time we meet… you'll be happier.
She recalled those words Ling Ke had spoken to her with a smile and in a completely sincere tone.
But now…
—Have fun!
That was the last thing he left behind.
She remembers.
He remembers, too.
And precisely because he remembers…
He will not stop.
Anti-Entropy HQ, Salt Lake Base.Shortly after Ling Ke left the city of Giza with the Dominators under his command, Anti-Entropy received real-time intel shared by the World Serpent Organization.
The sender was Raven.
Raiden Mei's current condition was critical.
Her mind and emotions were in turmoil. Spiritually, she was exhausted.
So much so that...
—Choose just one? I'd pick that (beep~) to go rot (beep~).
Dr. Tesla exploded.
But she immediately offered her opinion:
—Why choose? Isn't it enough to protect both?
—Our combat strength isn't that bad. Come on! Why's everyone looking at me like that?
In the room were Bronya, Kiana, Fu Hua, and Walther.
Tesla had just returned after dealing with another round of U.S. legislators.
—Dr. Tesla, please calm down. There's bad news I haven't shared yet —Dr. Einstein said helplessly.
—Right after the enemy's attack on the Yellowstone base and Cocoria's capture, Kiana and Bronya… both temporarily lost their authority as Herrschers.
—We strongly suspect the enemy… that new Dominant Herrscher, has the ability to steal other Herrschers' powers.
—What?
Dr. Tesla's eyes widened.
And yes, the facts spoke for themselves.
When Ling Ke captured Cocoria in Yellowstone, he deliberately slowed the closing of the spatial gate.
During that time, Bronya, growing impatient, tried using the Herrscher of Reason to analyze it, and Kiana attempted to use the Herrscher of the Void to transfer Cocoria out of the Theater of Domination.
However, they hadn't accounted for a power beyond the world… the "System."
The result: complete failure. And Ling Ke used that moment to snatch their power… from these "Incomplete Herrschers."
Now, both he and his subordinates can use the powers of "Revealing Insight" and "Spatial Control."
And the side effects fall directly on Kiana and Bronya.
—That's the power of 'Domination'? —Tesla frowned— Hey… isn't that way too much for a single Herrscher?
—Space, transformation… and now power theft?
—This is straight-up cheating.
She was truly furious.
And with good reason: the reason she had argued with the American legislators was…
A large number of "Dominant Figures" were wreaking havoc across several countries.
With the convenience of spatial gates, they came and went like dragons in the sky.
Anti-Entropy couldn't track them.
And if they did track them, they couldn't enter the Theater of Domination.
And if they entered, they couldn't win.
Meanwhile, humans… were made of flesh and blood. No second chances.
Global public opinion was about to explode.
Governments were starting to lose faith in anti-Honkai organizations.
Condemnation was rising both officially and publicly.
Politicians were scrambling to shift the blame.
And with Ling Ke's public bounty declaration, many were abandoning the cause.
Now, with Bronya and Kiana powerless…
They were completely trapped, both inside and out.
Suddenly…
"Didi~"
A beep interrupted the silence. The conference room's communication console received an unknown signal.
Dr. Einstein frowned.
He thought for a moment, then nodded at Walther. The two exchanged a glance.
Einstein answered the call.
And in that instant…
—Everyone, long time no see.
At the center of the room, the aerial projection screen lit up.
The image of a blond man appeared.
Though his clothes and hairstyle had changed…
—OTTO!
Tesla couldn't hold back.
—You (beep~) damn (beep~) dog! Look at what you've done!
—I'm so damn —%￥#@!
Dr. Lobster exploded.
But Otto, calm, didn't even flinch at her insults.
Unlike Ling Ke, who was obsessed with his past, Tesla still held onto certain attachments that prevented her from controlling a man like Otto.
And precisely because of Ling Ke's emergence…
—Old friends… now is not the time to be at each other's throats.
Otto waited for Tesla to finish shouting before speaking calmly:
—I believe what's most urgent now… is resolving the chaos brought by the new Tenth Herrscher.
—He's completely different from any Herrscher we've faced before.
—So…
A slight smile appeared on his face.
—Destiny, Anti-Entropy, World Serpent…
—It's time to begin a true cooperation.