Faced with the mysterious man who knew the state of their bodies, Welt and Siegfried certainly weren't about to lower their weapons just because he had pointed out their weaknesses.
If anything, the very fact that Su saw through their vulnerabilities made them even more wary of him.
This wasn't their fault; anyone who was suddenly confronted on their home turf by a stranger who then spelled out their every weakness would be on high alert.
Moreover, this politely mannered man reminded them of the very beast they wanted to kill with their own hands—Otto Apocalypse.
Besides Su's current expression, with his eyes narrowed to slits, the two of them felt a vague sense of discomfort from him.
"Welt, be careful."
Siegfried, aiming the Judgment of Shamash at Su, spoke to Welt with a grave expression.
"The aura he's giving off... it has the 'scent' of a 'golden feather.'"
"Yeah, I feel it too."
Welt, struggling to maintain his fighting stance, looked at the formidable enemy before him, a bitter feeling rising in his heart.
*Dammit, why now of all times?*
*If my body were in better shape, I wouldn't be in such a passive position.*
*This guy's right. It looks like we have two Divine Key users on our side, but in reality, both of us are in terrible condition.*
*If Siegfried uses the Judgment of Shamash again, he'll be permanently disabled.*
*And if I force myself to activate the simulated black hole, the core I've worked so hard to repair will most likely shatter in two.*
"Now, now, gentlemen. Please believe me, I truly have no malicious intent."
The moment he said this, Su's figure suddenly appeared behind the two of them.
"After all, if I wanted to make a move, neither of you would be able to even touch the hem of my clothes."
"When did you—"
Hearing the voice come from behind them, the two men looked at the man before them in utter shock, the vigilance in their eyes...
—naturally growing even stronger.
"The ability to teleport?!"
As two unlucky souls who had been killed and nearly killed by the Herrscher of the Void, respectively, they instantly recognized the ability. The power to teleport was undoubtedly an authority held by the Herrscher of the Void.
*That's impossible. Isn't the Herrscher of the Void's core inside Kiana?*
*Could it be...!*
"Mr. Siegfried, I can feel a murderous intent flaring up from you."
Sensing the fighting spirit erupting from Siegfried, Su spoke with a sense of helplessness.
"But please, believe me. I truly mean no harm."
*Sigh. While being cautious of others isn't a bad thing, these two...*
*For them to be this vigilant, it seems Mr. Otto really put them through the wringer back in the day.*
"Sir."
Watching the exasperated Su, Welt began to secretly channel Honkai Energy into his replicated Star of Eden while asking Su seriously,
"If you don't wish for us to be so guarded, please introduce yourself and state your purpose."
"After all, from my perspective, our attitude towards an uninvited guest is perfectly appropriate."
"Alliance Leader Welt, you are indeed correct."
Looking at the middle-aged man before him, Su opened his eyes and spoke softly to the two of them.
"My name is Su. I am a pioneer from the Previous Era who has survived to this day."
"And after viewing the records stored in the Soulium that Mr. Siegfried brought back, you both should be aware that such a group of people does exist."
"...It's true that a group like that existed in the Previous Era."
Glancing at the Judgment of Shamash in his hand, Siegfried recalled the white-haired young man he had met fourteen years ago.
"But I didn't see you in the Soulium records of the final battle."
"Mm, that's because compared to my comrades, I, a researcher and a psychic MANTIS, do not possess their immense power."
After calmly affirming Siegfried's words, Su continued.
"It is actually a good thing, in my opinion, that you two harbor suspicions about me."
"After all, I also hope that you both can continue to maintain this attitude of 'not blindly trusting' us pioneers from the Previous Era."
"...What do you mean by that, sir?"
Hearing Su actively cast suspicion upon himself, Welt felt that something was even more off.
"If you are truly a pioneer from the Previous Era, then you should know that the legacy left behind has helped our era solve many problems and avoid many tragedies."
"Both Siegfried and I have benefited from the legacies of the Previous Era, such as the Moonlight Throne, Divine Keys, and their scientific advancements."
"And now, you're telling us to be wary of the other pioneers... Can you explain why?"
"The reason is simple."
After creating a chair with his power, Su sat down and spoke to them with a helpless expression.
"Because our Previous Era's plans, to the people of this era... Heh. Mr. Siegfried, you should have seen my old friend Kevin in the records from fourteen years ago."
"...The fact that you brought up Kevin proves you do know something about the Previous Era."
Sensing a certain feeling emanating from Su, Siegfried's wariness towards him suddenly intensified.
Then, he spoke to Su with a hint of annoyance.
"I don't know what your goal is, but if you truly wish to communicate with us, then get rid of that disgusting feeling you're giving off."
Faced with Siegfried's displeasure, Su truly felt that this descendant of Kevin's was a bit much.
Right now, Su was faintly emitting psychic energy into the surroundings to guide their emotions and lower their guard against him.
But now, not even two seconds after he had released his psychic energy, Siegfried sensed this power and began to question him.
*As expected of someone who has partially 'awakened.'*
*After using the awakening serum, even though Mr. Siegfried's body was severely injured, the [factor] that was activated within him is still working tirelessly.*
*Perhaps it's because this factor is working so hard that he still possesses such potent life force after unleashing the Judgment of Shamash four times in two months.*
*And it's precisely because the factor in his body has become more active that he can sense the fluctuations of my psychic energy.*
*This is bad.*
*With the factor being overly active, Mr. Siegfried will become very strong in the short term.*
*But if he allows this factor to continue strengthening, he will eventually lose control of his body, transforming into a half-human, half-beast state, and finally become incapacitated.*
"I apologize for my rudeness."
As Su contemplated a solution, he took out two sealed drops of a potion that Leo Ash had given him and tossed them to Siegfried and Welt.
Under the influence of Su's psychic power, the sealed potions floated gently before the two men after being thrown.
"This is...!"
Welt, who possessed the authority of the Herrscher of Reason, instantly lost his composure the moment he saw the drop of potion.
"Welt, what's wrong?"
Seeing Welt's eyes widen in disbelief as he stared at the potion, Siegfried immediately looked back at Su, ready to draw the Judgment of Shamash he had just put away.
"What tricks are you playing?!"
"Siegfried, calm down."
After picking up the sealed test tube before him, Welt said in disbelief,
"This gentleman might truly be on our side."
"This drop of potion... is this also a legacy from the Previous Era?"
Watching Siegfried pick up the potion with a look of confusion, Su smiled helplessly.
"Not at all. We couldn't produce such a potent potion in our era."
"A companion of mine asked me to deliver these to you."
"And now, as the Herrscher of Reason, Mr. Welt, after seeing this potion, you should know that I bear you no ill will, correct?"
"...I apologize for my earlier rudeness."
After carefully putting the test tube away, Welt cautiously said to Siegfried,
"Siegfried, you must keep this potion safe."
"After all, this potion can not only resolve the hidden dangers in your body, but it can even restore you to peak physical condition."
????
The look in Siegfried's eyes changed instantly upon hearing Welt's words.
Before, facing Su, Siegfried felt that he really didn't seem like a good person due to Su's psychic fluctuations and other factors.
But now—the man had delivered a healing potion right to his doorstep. Obviously, everything before was just a misunderstanding.
Thinking about how they had relentlessly questioned Su, only for him to disregard their past actions and give him a divine medicine, Siegfried, who was a relatively honest man when it came to social interactions, now felt quite embarrassed.
"Hahaha, Mr. Su, my sincerest apologies for before."
"There's no need for formalities, Mr. Siegfried. However... Alliance Leader Welt, what you said isn't entirely accurate."
"Oh?"
Hearing Su's words, Welt showed a hint of confusion.
"But, according to my analysis, this potion should be able to heal my... I see."
Seeing the look of sudden realization on Welt's face, Su gave a wry smile.
"Yes, this potion can indeed heal the injuries on you and Mr. Siegfried, but it cannot solve all of your physical problems."
"The reason your body has become like this is not only due to old injuries, but also interference from the Honkai."
"Because the Honkai will not support a 'traitor' like you, your core's usage rate cannot exceed 50%, and your body is constantly being eroded by it."
"As for Mr. Siegfried, his problem is even more severe."
"The factor within his body has been activated. Although this will have serious consequences, based on my personal testing, the potion judges this as a [Positive Effect]."
"Therefore, although Mr. Siegfried's injuries will be completely healed after using the potion, your body will still gradually lose control of itself and your will as the factor within you completes its further awakening."
"...You really know a lot."
Listening to Su's explanation, Siegfried calmly drank the drop of potion.
"But it doesn't matter."
"For me, who should have died in the past, to be able to restore my body to its peak condition and regain the strength to fight—that is already enough."
"That's true."
Hearing Siegfried's frank words, Welt also drank his drop of potion.
"The situation now is much better than it was before."
After consuming the Full Rejuvenation Potion, both Siegfried and Welt immediately felt their bodies return to their peak states.
Siegfried even felt that if he wanted to, he could once again use the 'Power of Salvation,' just as he did during his duel with Sirin fourteen years ago.
"Mr. Su, thank you for your assistance."
Now, looking at the young man before them, there was no longer any trace of vigilance or suspicion in their eyes.
Facing the two men who had been restored to their peak, Su nodded slightly and then, using the power of the Thousand Worlds, created a screen of light before them.
"Since you are both willing to trust me, then please, do not go out for the next few days."
"Among the other pioneers I mentioned earlier, there is one who poses a grave threat to humanity—and that person is your ancestor, Mr. Siegfried: Kevin Kaslana."
Siegfried, who was about to ask Su what was going on, noticed a flicker of helplessness and sorrow in Su's eyes.
In this situation, even someone like Siegfried, who wasn't great at reading the room, knew he should shut up and let the other person continue.
"Kevin and I are dear friends, but it is precisely because of this that I know how terrifying his resolve to 'save humanity' is."
After displaying the general details of the Stigmata Project on the light screen, Su saw the shock in their eyes, just as he had expected.
"This project was originally supposed to be carried out by me, but at the time, Kevin chose to take my place as its executor."
"It's just that this project... as you can both see, the sacrifice it demands is simply too great."
"Fifteen hundred years ago, I tricked Kevin, and he has been submerged in the Sea of Quanta ever since."
"And now, as long as Kevin returns to this world from the Sea of Quanta, he will certainly continue to execute the Stigmata Project."
"I have come here today in the hopes that you two can temporarily put aside your other work and watch over Abyssal City, preventing anyone from entering this area."
"As long as you can guard Abyssal City, Kevin will remain sealed within the Sea of Quanta. Unable to return, he will likely only be able to indirectly command his subordinates to complete the project through other means."
"I see."
After hearing Su's speech, Welt felt incredibly fortunate.
*It's a good thing we didn't proceed with the research plan for the Eye of the Deep. If we had followed our original plan...*
*Kevin, having waited for fifteen hundred years, would have definitely seized the opportunity to escape that prison the moment the Eye of the Deep showed any fluctuation.*
"Please rest assured, Mr. Su. We will guard this place well."
"Good. I will try to suppress Mr. Otto's atrocities from within Schicksal. Gentlemen..."
"—We will meet again someday."
After the mysterious visitor vanished before their eyes, Siegfried and Welt exchanged a look.
"Welt, my brain's not so good—analyze it for me. How much of what that guy said can we believe?"
"...Regardless of how much of it is true, we have to believe all of it, don't we?"
As Welt sorted through the information Su had just provided, he felt that while the aches in his body were gone, at the same time...
—his head was hurting even more.
Stigmata Project. Welt had known of this name in the past from the Soulium that Anti-Entropy had analyzed.
But now, after Su revealed the full picture of the project to him, he finally understood just how insane the seniors of the Previous Era were.
Directly conducting human experiments to defeat the Honkai, and the cost was—at least ninety percent of humanity dying first.
It was a good thing Su stopped Kevin fifteen hundred years ago.
If ninety percent of humanity had died fifteen hundred years ago, this world now...
*Sigh, just thinking about it gives me a headache.*
"In any case, Su healed our bodies, which means he's not our enemy."
"If he really were our enemy, with that teleportation ability of his, he could have just brought Otto here, and the two of us would have been done for today."
The mere thought of his most despised enemy caused the killing intent in Siegfried's heart to surge.
"Otto... Tsk, if we weren't watching over Abyssal City right now, I'd really want to charge into Schicksal HQ."
Seeing the look on Siegfried's face, Welt felt that if this continued, his head was going to split open tonight.
*Mr. Su, you said that the factor inside Siegfried might cause him to gradually lose control of his body and will.*
*But now...*
Watching Siegfried's eyes momentarily turn into pupils resembling those of a Honkai Beast, Welt knew that the problem with Siegfried was finally surfacing.
*That was too fast.*
*Could it be that after the potion repaired the injuries on Siegfried's body...*
*—the factor inside him became even more active as a result?*
Meanwhile, at Himeko's place.
After being woken up in the middle of the night and falling back asleep, Leo Ash, for once, didn't get up for his morning training. Instead, he gave in to his beastly urges and lazed in bed for two extra hours.
Even so, the time he got up was basically the same as Kiana's.
Upon getting up, Leo Ash immediately heard exclamations from the living room.
"Teacher Himeko, you, you, you—you're targeting me!"
Just a few minutes ago, Kiana, having woken up and washed, found Himeko and directly stated her request.
And when Himeko heard Kiana's proposal for 'everyone to go to the beach together,' she agreed without hesitation.
Then, the moment Kiana beamed, Himeko added a caveat.
"However, only those who pass a special test can participate in this party."
"After all, in my opinion—only students with excellent grades can afford to take time off for a vacation when everyone else is busy."
"Reaching 'excellent' in both combat and academics shouldn't be too hard, right?"
After Himeko said these words with a grin, Miss Kiana felt the targeted malice from her beloved teacher.
Admittedly, Kiana had recently kicked her bad habit of sleeping in class.
And thanks to her efforts, her academic grades had improved significantly.
But—going from 'failing' to 'passing' was a significant improvement, but there was still a long way to go to reach 'excellent'!
And right now, in the entire dorm...
Yuna, in order to increase her influence in the Far East Branch, had maxed out her scores in both academics and combat.
Bronya, to save Cocolia's wretched life, also worked hard to keep her scores near the top three.
Mei was slightly behind those two, but she was still ranked fifth.
As for first and second place, Fu Hua and Leo Ash would casually swap them back and forth whenever they felt like it.
In other words, Kiana was the only one in the entire dorm whose grades weren't up to par.
How could she not be anxious after Himeko said that!
"What kind of talk is that? I'm just stating a fact."
Seeing Kiana pout, Himeko said with feigned seriousness.
"It's fine to want to have fun. You all have been tired lately and definitely need a break."
"But right now—you're the only one in the entire dorm who doesn't meet the standard. Do you think I'm targeting you, or that you just aren't trying hard enough?"
"Kiana, if you're really not an idiot, you should have noticed that Bishop Otto has given you all preferential treatment by gathering you in this dorm."
"With all the resources you've been given, you should naturally demonstrate the strength expected of 'elites.'"
"Right now, I'm just asking you to meet the standard in your exam scores—do you think that's too much to ask?"
Seeing Kiana instantly rendered speechless, Leo Ash shook his head helplessly.
*Sigh. Kiana, in her usual idiot mode, trying to win a battle of wits against a Ph.D. like Himeko is just asking for trouble.*
[Heh, instead of focusing on this white-haired dango getting owned, which is a daily occurrence, don't you think you should ponder why you had that kind of dream?]
*Why did I have that dream—isn't it your fault!*
Prompted by the System, Leo Ash, now walking into the living room, recalled the dream he had after falling asleep last night.
In the dream, Leo Ash found himself near a beach.
He couldn't remember if he saw anyone else, only that a little girl with white hair and dark green eyes hugged him on the beach and...
...called him 'Daddy'???
*Damn you. It's all because of the nonsense you were spouting yesterday that I had this weird dream.*
[Heh heh, I said one thing about 'preparing to raise a child,' and you immediately conjured up a child in your dream. Is that my problem, or is your imagination just too overactive?]
[Admit it, Host. You're still human, after all.]
*Yeah, I'm human, so what?*
[Humans crave their instincts, and as living beings, humans naturally have the instinct to reproduce.]
[You dreaming of a little girl isn't my fault. It's clearly—your reproductive instinct reminding you that it's time to leave behind offspring!]
[Come on, come on. I'm not asking you to bang all of them, but you should at least get started now!]
*Ah, I knew you were going to go there.*
*Putting aside whether it would provoke Kiana, if I started getting frisky in broad daylight, Theresa would be the first to bash my head in with Judah.*
*But speaking of which, why white hair and dark green eyes...*
At this moment, Leo Ash glanced at Yuna, who was already munching on buns at the dining table.
"Senior, is there something on my face?"
*Hmm, dark green eyes.*
Then, he glanced at Kiana, who was still trying to argue with Himeko but didn't know how.
"Senior—hurry up and say something to Teacher Himeko for me!"
*Oh, white hair.*
*So why were the traits from you two combined into one little girl?*
*Today's dream was really strange.*
...