"Still a bit lacking... But there are quite a few praiseworthy and surprising points."
Imhotep's voice, as calm as a still well, commented on Durandal as she rose from the dust and ruins. Although it sounded like praise, combined with that flat tone, it always made one feel that this "Ancestor" was scolding her.
"What, do you want to continue?"
The woman stood before the gate of the Schicksal Branch. The originally closed gate had already been turned into scrap metal wreckage along with their battle, and several black figures emerged from the billowing yellow sand surging from outside...
"Of course! I'm no deserter who flees at the last moment. Again!"
A slightly disheveled Durandal this time summoned her two clones, carrying out a righteous three-on-one attack.
"Heh, in terms of refusing to admit defeat, you are just as stubborn as all members of the Kaslana family."
Looking at the super-sized King that had flipped up several times after being amplified by Honkai energy, "Kevin" revealed a faint smile. Black ice crystals began to spread with her body as the center...
-
"Achoo! Isn't it a bit inappropriate for us to show up now to support the Sire?"
Amidst the snowflakes and black ice shards flying all over the sky, Jackal, who had just sneezed violently, glanced at Gray Serpent and Owl, who were standing beside her as if nothing had happened, and complained.
A semi-fusion warrior, Raven; a mechanically ascended cyborg, Gray Serpent; and Owl, who also had extensive cybernetic modifications... Jackal, with her mortal body, felt completely out of place in front of this group of superhumans, even wanting to go grab a blanket.
"Didn't you say you wanted to come watch the show? How come you're complaining about the cold now?"
The others glanced at Jackal, their expressions saying, Are you sure you can handle this?
"Mainly, the Little Sovereign taking action personally is something that must be experienced firsthand..."
"Is that so? Then how do you feel?"
Raven looked exasperatedly at Jackal, who was already shivering from the cold. Ms. Jackal, who always wore Egyptian-style attire, had never seen such an icy, snow-covered region...
"The Sire fought splendidly. I won't be coming next time."
It was certainly a beautiful sight, but it was a bit too taxing on the people.
The sound of their bickering was drowned out by the wind, snow, and the battle between Imhotep and Durandal. No one noticed the small interlude between the World Serpent executives...
Just as the farce on their side was coming to an end, the battle on the other side was interrupted by the sudden appearance of another guest... Along with Durandal being knocked back again, leaving a deep furrow in the ground, a blonde figure intervened in the duel...
"What a splendid fight. Step back for now, Durandal. It is more appropriate for me to personally entertain this distinguished guest from afar."
"Then, distinguished guest from the 'Serpent', the Sire of World Serpent... What is your opinion on this, Your Excellency?"
The Overseer of Schicksal, Otto Apocalypse, had intervened in this duel. Whether it was for the safety of the Key of Infinity that had not yet been moved, or for a certain key he craved, he had a reason he had to appear here.
"Heh... Otto Apocalypse, the Overseer of Schicksal."
"Humans are born with two hands... One hand is used to take, and one hand is used to give."
"And there is fire in your eyes, the flame of desire, the burning longing that continuously scorches your heart... What do you wish to obtain from the Serpent, and what are you willing to pay... Overseer Otto Apocalypse?"
With a simultaneous wave of their hands, the two dismissed the Valkyries and World Serpent executives surrounding them. The tension that had filled the air dissipated invisibly, yet the atmosphere between the two confrontational figures grew even more oppressive.
"Heh... All I desire is a single key in Lord Kevin's possession, a matter of little consequence to Your Excellency."
"Oh?"
"I wish to obtain the key to the Imaginary Tree from the Key of Infinity. This is what I crave, and in return, I can offer Lord Kevin a promise."
"The Serpent has no need for anyone's promises, Overseer of Schicksal... All we require is a single word: submission or annihilation."
Imhotep cast aside the strange feeling that the man before her was her own father, coldly responding to the terms Otto Apocalypse had proposed.
"Hahaha... Sire Kevin certainly has a sense of humor. Why not hear my terms first?"
The blonde man wore a confident smile, appearing to have absolute certainty.
"Please proceed. I hope you are not wasting my time, His Eminence, the Overseer."
-
Beneath the Imaginary Tree, the figure on the golden throne gently stroked the silver-haired girl in his arms... as if comforting her with something...
"There, there... Muninn, I have sent her to deal with Kyuusyou."
The blonde girl's voice lost the ethereal and divine quality it held when she met strangers. Her words now carried nothing but utter helplessness.
"Mmm... let me stay here for a little longer, Milady..."
Muninn nuzzled into the blonde girl's lap in satisfaction... then, a thought occurred to her and she asked a question.
"Lady Snow... When will your other self, that Imhotep, realize something's wrong with her?"
"Naturally, it will be on the day she is crowned. A God becomes Mortal, Mortal becomes God. Ah, Imhotep, my friend, my other half... No, actually, she should be called Metatron... Yes, I'm not lying."
"Speaking of which, why did you suddenly change your mind, Milady?"
Muninn tilted her head in confusion as she looked at Snow, whose eyebrows were lowered. She seemed unable to understand.
"Change my mind? Hahaha, is there a possibility, my child, that this was my plan from the very beginning?"
"The Apocalypse family never makes promises to others that they cannot keep, nor do they ever need to spread lies to deceive others... I, however, have simply "deceived" myself. This is merely another "established fact" formed from countless necessary foundations."
"...Muninn, my child. Do you know... if the collective will of three hundred thousand people in a city can completely sever the connection between a God and a Herrscher, then... what happens when that number expands to an entire civilization?"
The young girl leaning against the throne could feel her "blood" slowly spreading through the civilization. "They" had formed a clever link with her, silently sustaining her burning humanity, ensuring it would never run dry...
"An individual might be despicable, but when you elevate the perspective to a civilization, to a race... they are inevitably noble, they are inevitably great... We might not be able to trust any single individual human being, but you can always trust the golden will emanated by this proud civilization, which constantly struggles to survive amidst natural disasters and tribulations..."
"—I am the Supreme Being upon the Golden Tree, yet my crown shall not be placed upon me by Him—"They" will crown me, and "I" will place the crown upon myself..."