Chapter 85: Welt - I'm Here to Save the Honkai Star Rail Universe!
["You really can't help meddling, can you, esteemed Sovereign? What if I told you this isn't [the world as we know it]'s version of her? Could you stop asking questions then?"
The Void Archives was clearly exasperated by the questioning. "Not our known world...?"
Welt froze. The Void Archives continued explaining: "You already know different civilizations exist in the depths of space, with behavioral logic and modes of existence vastly different from humanity's."
"But you must understand, the [universe] has more than just three dimensions."
"Remember Otto's theory? On the branches of the Imaginary Tree exist multiple realities that are similar yet distinct... commonly known as [parallel worlds]."
"This report states the Sky People have detected such a world and are researching methods to invade it. Satisfied now?"
After a long silence, Welt spoke: "...We're going to stop the Sky People."]
[Herta]: "So this is Earth's research on Imaginary Tree theory?"
[Ratio]: "This... could be considered advanced by universal standards."
[Herta]: "Not just advanced - top-tier, universe-class research."
[Herta]: "Should we say Earth is uniquely blessed? What the entire universe struggles to comprehend comes effortlessly to Earth."
[DR. MEI]: "Just different developmental paths, that's all."
[March 7th]: "So Uncle Yang really came to save the world?"
[Stelle]: "Obviously! Uncle Yang's a hero!"
[HSR·Void Archives]: "My old friend, this universe doesn't need your saving! If anything, you're the one who got stranded here."
[HSR·Welt]: "I've quite enjoyed my days as a Nameless. No regrets."
["Do you realize what you're doing? That world has no connection to us - you have neither obligation nor reason to help them."
Welt remained unmoved. "If the Sky People consume their civilization to strengthen themselves, they'll pose a greater threat to our world.
That reason suffices."
The Void Archives countered: "But if their world continues developing, they might oppose us and become more dangerous than the Sky People."
"I can't rule out that possibility. But I believe if they're beings we can communicate with, we'll find a way to coexist peacefully as allies."
The Void Archives nearly laughed in frustration: "You're even more naive than I imagined. Though it's rich coming from me, haven't you been deceived enough times to learn?"
"I've indeed faced countless acts of malice and deceit - used, betrayed, hurt."
"But I've witnessed far more miracles born from goodwill and trust."
"So I still choose to believe."
Welt's sincerity finally convinced the Void
Archives: "Fine then. Let's go save someone else's world for now!"]
[HSR·Welt]: "Void Archives, the more I think about it now, the angrier I get! You had the nerve to criticize me for being deceived while wearing Otto's face?!"
[HI·Void Archives]: "Lol, how many of Welt's misfortunes were Otto's doing?"
[HSR·Void Archives]: "Too many to count!"
[Fu Xuan]: "The Sky People want to assimilate civilizations across the universe?"
[Aventurine]: "Big ambitions for such small fries."
[Stelle]: "Sky People: It's delulu time!"
[Fuli]: "The Sky People's attempt to wage war against the entire universe merits recording."
[March 7th]: "If Duke Inferno got fragmented across Penacony after declaring war on four Paths, will the Sky People declaring war on the whole universe get scattered piecemeal across space too?"
[Silver Wolf]: "Now that's an idea!"
[The Story of Ryōsuke Muryōtani
On Earth, two doctors from Anti-Entropy nervously monitored the spacecraft's trajectory. With the Sky People's Scout Star's interference disrupted by the Fourth Divine Key's restoration, Welt seized the opportunity to launch into space.
Like during the Second Honkai War, crimson Honkai energy surged behind him as countless missiles and ships materialized. "Alien invaders, this is—"
"Humanity's return gift!"
The Scout Star shattered spectacularly. Welt returned to the ship utterly exhausted, his body far from fully recovered - such techniques placed tremendous strain on him. With the Scout Star destroyed, Himeko's corruption symptoms immediately ceased; she'd regain consciousness soon. Relieved, Tesla resumed scolding
Welt: "Thank goodness it worked out. Every single time - gambling your life to save others..."
"That idiot!"
Over comms, Einstein advised: "You'd best return quickly, Sovereign. Dr. Tesla seems quite worried about you."
"Understood," Welt replied, sweating nervously.]
[Stelle]: "That's it? It's over?"
[March 7th]: "Let's hope so. Don't jinx it, Stelle - though it probably won't be that simple."
[HSR·Welt]: "Indeed. Muryōtani's true objective is about to reveal itself."
[Qingque]: "Obsessed people gonna obsess."
[As they prepared to return, Ryōsuke stood transfixed by the viewport. When Welt called him back, Ryōsuke began discussing dreams with him. Like his former research colleagues, Welt believed now wasn't humanity's time for space exploration - combating the Honkai took priority.
Ryōsuke argued that according to the Previous Era's Ark Project, mass space migration was simple:
Just 80% of Anti-Entropy's U.S. resources could've launched humanity beyond Earth already! Welt maintained humanity's present needs mattered most, completely rejecting his plan. Repeated rejections drove Ryōsuke toward madness: "Look at the Sky People! Even their crude civilization harnesses Honkai through space expansion!"
Welt placed a calming hand on Ryōsuke's shoulder: "[Reality] matters most - humanity must protect its present. Besides, your daughter awaits you."
But Ryōsuke ignored reason, consumed by his ideal - even Peppermint's pleas fell on deaf ears. Instead, he seized Peppermint, forcibly merging with him: "If you won't act—"
"I will!"]
[Mei]: "The Ark Project failed too..."
[Kosma]: "...Griseo."
[Kevin]: "The Ark... lost contact... Griseo's fate unknown."
[Vita]: "Relax~ Your little Griseo's still sleeping peacefully~"
[Kosma]: "Where is Griseo now?"
[HSR·Welt]: "Griseo is on Phobos - a small planet at the solar system's edge where a civilization has formed."
[Vita]: "No idea who'll wake her in your future, but right now Griseo remains a beautiful sleeping beauty~"
[March 7th]: "Uncle Yang, if Muryōtani attacks you... could he actually win?"
[Stelle]: "Yeah! Some random alien versus Uncle Yang? No contest!"
[HSR·Welt]: "Against him alone? Of course not. But he brought an Outer Key - a device similar to Divine Keys."
[HSR·Welt]: "That made it an exceptionally difficult battle."