Among the crowd, the Masked Fools—always eager to stir up trouble—began fanning the flames as soon as the video ended.
Thus, a legendary war of words erupted between Otto Apocalypse's fans in Anti-Entropy and Schicksal!
As for why Otto himself didn't join the fray?
Pfft—since when has Otto ever cared about such trivial matters?
Of course, all this was happening in the world of Honkai: Star Rail.
The leaders of various factions also took special notice of the enigmatic "Luocha," who clearly stood out.
After all, Luocha was obviously no ordinary man—it was best to be wary.
[Next Playback: The Second Eruption!]
Instantly, the two factions, previously locked in heated conflict, fell silent almost simultaneously.
The Memory Zone Meme from the Star Rail universe also prepared to record everything.
[Herta]: "Is this a record of the 'Honkai' disaster in your universe?
I wonder if it'll reveal anything more valuable."
Herta wasn't the only one with such thoughts—this was an event from another universe!
How fascinating.
For researchers, this was simply… simply irresistible!
In the Honkai World
[Kiana]: "The Second Eruption… Does that mean I'll get to see Mom?
Just watch, Mom! I'll become the strongest Valkyrie!"
[Theresa]: "Cecilia…"
[Siegfried]: "…"
On the Astral Express
"So, it's the Second Eruption," Welt murmured, gripping his cane as if lost in memory.
March 7th and Stelle immediately flanked him, eyes sparkling with curiosity.
March 7th & Stelle: "Uncle Welt, did you experience this event too?"
Not just them—ever since learning Welt might be from another universe, the entire Express crew had been intensely curious about his past.
Thus, Dan Heng, Himeko, and Pom-Pom, though silent, subtly perked up their ears to hear his answer.
Welt set down his cane and took a moment before replying:
Welt: "The Honkai was a catastrophe that affected all of humanity.
At the time, I was part of an organization fighting against it.
Resisting Honkai was my duty."
Hearing this, the two girls exchanged glances, high-fived, and cheered in unison:
March 7th & Stelle: "Yay! We get to see Uncle Welt in action during his younger days!"
"What's so exciting about that?" Welt thought to himself.
Recalling his combat style during the Second Eruption, the smile vanished from his lips.
[February 1, 2000 – Midnight – Siberia, Babylon Laboratory]
The laboratory loomed like a towering monolith amidst the snowy plains.
In the surrounding pine forest, a gray deer—twisted by Honkai energy—began sprinting toward the facility.
The scene shifted inside the lab, where several researchers were desperately fleeing.
Gasping for breath, they were pursued by a ghostly figure.
They abandoned each other, pleading for mercy from their pursuer—but in the end, none escaped the laboratory.
In their final moments of despair…
They were slain by beams of light from the spectral entity hunting them.
[Pardofelis]: "Whoa~ Is this a ghost story?"
[Mobius]: "Judging by its abilities, that 'ghost' is undoubtedly the Herrscher of the Void.
And its emotions…"
Mobius glanced at Elysia but didn't finish her sentence.
[Sushang]: "L-Little Gui… Was that really a ghost just now?"
The scene had been a bit too supernatural for comfort, leaving some cowardly souls trembling in fear.
[Mei]: "You can clearly sense the Herrscher's emotions.
Compared to our era's Herrschers—mere weapons—this one feels entirely different."
[Ruan Mei]: "Could there be two distinct forms of Herrschers?
How… intriguing."
[On February 1, 2000, at midnight—
All 322 researchers at Schicksal's Babylon Laboratory in Siberia vanished overnight.]
[Following an investigation ordered by Overseer Otto Apocalypse…] The Second Eruption began!
[March 7th]: "It's starting! Is it finally introducing the Second Eruption?!"
[Stelle]: "Why do you sound like you're hyped for a movie?"
[March 7th]: "Says you! You're just as excited!"
[Dan Heng]: "…"
[Somewhere in Europe – Schicksal Headquarters – First Airdock]
"Do I really have to wear this?" Theresa asked shyly, clad in a qipao with auspicious patterns and her hair tied into two adorable buns.
She cradled a tiny Kiana in her arms.
"Blame Kiana for liking it so much," Siegfried replied with a grin as he snapped photos of them.
Just as Theresa playfully teased little Kiana in her arms, Siegfried captured the perfect shot.
Afterward, Theresa chatted happily with Cecilia.
Cecilia: "Thank you for joining us for Kiana's photoshoot.
She adores you!"
Blushing furiously under Cecilia's gentle gaze, Theresa stammered:
Theresa: "N-No problem at all! It wasn't any trouble.
I just hope you recover soon!"
Watching the happy trio—Cecilia's family—laughing together made one wish these peaceful days could last just a little longer.
But then… Schicksal's investigation order regarding Babylon Laboratory landed in Theresa's hands.
[Kiana]: "Mom… So this is what Mom looked like?
And you—stupid old man! Where did you even go?!"
[Raiden Mei]: "Wow, this is little Kiana? She's so adorable!"
[Theresa]: "Cecilia… I really miss those days.
If only they could've lasted longer…"
[Durandal]: "So this is Lady Cecilia? But… huh? Why does this scene feel oddly familiar?"
Durandal paused her training, frowning at the screen as she racked her brain—yet the reason for this déjà vu eluded her.
[Scene Change – A U.S. Military Base]
Amidst a sea of mechs and fighter jets stood a young man exuding an aura of sheer coolness—draped in a suit jacket with his hands in his pockets.
At his command, the mechs opened fire.
A barrage of artillery rained down upon him.
With nothing more than a slight raise of his hand and a lift of his gaze—his eyes flashing crimson—a peculiar force field materialized once more, dismantling every projectile into scrap.
Welt: "No… It's still not enough power.
I must prepare before she appears."
Just then, a blue-haired doctor approached and briefed him on the events unfolding in Siberia.
Anti-Entropy would soon mobilize for battle there as well.
Clenching his fists, Welt declared:
Welt: "We may not be able to reason with her.
Be prepared to eliminate her if necessary."
"Ah… So peace ends so quickly after all?"
[Stelle]: "Whoa~ It's Uncle Welt! I never knew he used to be this cool~ Almost rivals my title as Galaxy Batting Champion!"
[March 7th]: "This version of Uncle Welt feels so different!"
[Himeko (Star Rail)]: "I never imagined Welt had such a side to him."
[Kiana]: "Huh? This Anti-Entropy leader looks just like Mr. Yang!"
[Bronya Zaychik]: "Idiot Kiana, can't you tell they're literally the same person?"
That said, Bronya was also curious—how had Principal Theresa never noticed Mr. Yang infiltrating St. Freya Academy without even disguising himself?