The Thirteen Flame-Chasers...
Just what kind of people were they, to be able to handle all of this so calmly?
They possessed a bizarre variety of abilities and unique personalities. Every single one of them had distinct characteristics, each an 'extraordinary' existence in their own right.
For such a group of mavericks to gather in one place was already a miracle in itself.
To maintain a group of such proud and brilliant individuals was not something that could be achieved with money alone, but Elysia had done it.
Although the audience outside the screen did not know the full story, they knew this much... the true founder of the Thirteen Flame-Chasers was none other than Elysia!
[Light Screen Commentary]
Uchiha Madara: "A Flame-Chaser specializing in mental perception, I see. Is it a spiritual power similar to the Sharingan, allowing her to perceive the existence of a memory space through consciousness?"
Aizen: "Heh heh, this ability is rather like a Kotodama, wouldn't you say? In terms of effect... it certainly doesn't pale in comparison to the hypnosis of Kyōka Suigetsu."
Yukinoshita Yukino: "'Please'... is that like an incantation before activation? No wonder everything she says is so inexplicably convincing."
Conan: "This ability... isn't this just absurdly overpowered!"
As Aponia's ability became known to the audience, the level of shock it caused went without saying. Although the Flame-Chasers' rankings were not based on strength, there was a good reason Aponia was ranked third.
Unlike the power of Kevin or Elysia, Aponia's strength lay in its undetectability. With a single sentence, she could turn an opponent into a puppet. In any world, this was a power that demanded the utmost vigilance.
Humans are the creatures most prone to killing their own kind. With Aponia's ability, if she so wished, she could likely wipe out human civilization itself...
---o---
[Light Screen Projection]
Under the influence of Discipline, the consciousness of the Holy Grail poured out every piece of information it currently knew.
However, being just a cup, even though it had been continuously absorbing malevolence over the years, it didn't know much about the specific details of the Holy Grail War.
It only told the Thirteen Flame-Chasers everything it knew about the Outer God.
"...An enemy from beyond the world, an enemy of civilization. It is almost identical to a Herrscher, and judging by its strength, it is even more powerful than a Herrscher."
The handsome man named Su still had his eyes closed, but a slight frown had appeared between his brows. It seemed the lack of information prevented him from thinking further.
"Enemies? Just kill 'em. Enemies of civilization? Just kill 'em. Anyone who blocks the way? Just kill 'em! Since Elysia can't do it, then let me burn everything to the ground!"
Kalpas laughed boisterously as flames began to spread from his body, terrifying Pardofelis, who quickly hid behind Hua. Kosma also slowly moved to stand in front of Griseo.
"Calm down, Kalpas!" Kevin said, a headache apparent in his tone. As his own aura erupted, the burning flames were instantly beaten back by a wave of frost.
Kalpas was too impulsive. Right now, they knew nothing about the enemy. If he were to blindly interfere, he would surely disrupt Elysia's plans.
"Please... calm down! Kalpas!"
A gentle yet stern voice was heard. Kalpas, who had been raging a moment ago, suddenly froze in place as if his fire had been extinguished.
But soon, the forced calm from the Discipline wore off, and it was replaced by a surge of anger directed at Aponia.
"Aponia! You..."
"Calm down!" Before Kalpas could finish, another Discipline was issued. Aponia, who usually appeared so gentle, now carried a hint of severity.
Although Kalpas was always like this, the safety of an entire world and Elysia was at stake. Aponia had no choice but to forcefully persuade Kalpas to calm down.
"Hmph—" After two Disciplines, although Kalpas still had the chance to resist, he conceded that the situation was indeed special, and he had just failed to control his anger. He decided he would settle the score with Aponia after this was all over.
After all, the relationship between Kalpas and Aponia was arguably the most troublesome among the Thirteen Flame-Chasers.
"Th-that... um, maybe it's not my place to speak, but I still want to ask, Big Sis Nia... how are you planning to help Big Sis Ellie?"
After Kalpas had settled down, Pardofelis, normally the most timid of the group, spoke up.
Since it concerned Elysia, Pardofelis was uncharacteristically invested.
"Little Pardo, it's not about how she plans to help, but how we plan to help~"
An unusually energetic voice suddenly came from behind Pardofelis, startling her and making her whip her head around.
There stood a woman wearing a mechanical-looking hat, dressed in a very peculiar outfit.
"Big Sis Vill-V!"
Seeing Pardo's startled expression, the girl called Vill-V revealed a smile and continued:
"That's right, it is I! The youngest master of Helixcraft, the most brilliant inventor of the Previous Era, the Magic King of the Dusk Era, the one who overlooks the stars, Vill-V!"
What... what a long title. Although this series of titles sounded impressive, the audience outside the screen had never seen a Flame-Chaser who was this confident to the point of being narcissistic.
"Vill-V, do you have a plan?"
Seeing Vill-V make her entrance, Su's tightly furrowed brow instantly relaxed. It seemed he had immense trust in this girl named Vill-V.
"Hmph hmph~ Of course. I just need your assistance."
Vill-V adjusted her hat and spoke with confidence.
"I will hold the grandest performance for Elysia!"
"We'll do as you say, Vill-V. If you need any help, just ask," Kevin nodded. Vill-V's abilities were completely trustworthy.
"Excellent! Kevin, you're the most crucial part of all the plans I've prepared. Your words are all I need."
Vill-V spoke excitedly, as if she had been waiting for Kevin to say just that.
"Kevin, oh Kevin, even though you're usually so brooding, your strength is beyond question. Among us all, only you can unleash a power that surpasses even Elysia's."
To help Elysia, they couldn't be confined to this memory space.
Unfortunately, the memory space constructed by the Herrscher of Origin was incredibly powerful. For everyone, including Vill-V, the chance of breaking out—even by triggering an Active Honkai Reaction—was minuscule.
But Kevin was different. Kevin was the only one who could shatter the memory space with his own power. Only his strength could transcend Elysia's, and perhaps even transcend that of Origin and Finality!
---o---
Transcending Origin and Finality?
That assessment... isn't that a bit too high?!
[Light Screen Commentary]
After witnessing Vill-V's evaluation of Kevin, most people thought she was joking.
The power of Elysia in her Herrscher of Origin form was plain for all to see. Relying on the power of creation, she had managed to stall the Outer God for so long.
And as for Finality, that went without saying. Even Elysia admitted that if one could become the Herrscher of Finality—even a false one within the Type-Moon world—they could easily banish the Outer God.
This man named Kevin, although he was the strongest among the Thirteen Flame-Chasers... such an evaluation seemed excessive.
Eri Sawamura: "Um... is this Vill-V person reliable? I can understand Kevin being stronger than Elysia, but is he really comparable to Origin, or even stronger than Finality?"
Kiana Kaslana: "Yeah, yeah! If that's true, why didn't they just have Kevin fight from the start? He should be able to beat the Outer God without any outside help!"
Utaha Kasumigaoka: "Honestly, that's hard to believe. After all... based on the combat power he's shown so far, he doesn't even seem as strong as that masked guy next to him."
As expected, more and more comments began to question Vill-V's earlier statement. But... this doubt was soon overruled.
Kalpas: "Heheheh... I can't tell if you're praising me or insulting me. While I could crush you with one hand, I'd still have to be at my absolute best to face Kevin."
Su: "Do you all... have some kind of misunderstanding about Kevin? The 'strongest' among the Thirteen Flame-Chasers is not just a simple title."
Elysia: "Aya While it's true that a beautiful girl can do anything... Kevin is an exception~"
This... The words of the Flame-Chasers left the audience somewhat baffled yet impressed. After all, they were just outsiders who didn't truly know Kevin. And now that even Elysia, the protagonist of the story, had spoken up, could it be... that Kevin was really that overwhelmingly strong?
Eden: "Dr. MEI once said that as long as Kevin lives, the hope for civilization will never be extinguished. While I am not a combat-type Flame-Chaser... the 'strongest Flame-Chaser' means that if you added up the other eleven of us, excluding Elysia, we still would not be his opponent."
Elysia: "Let me add, even if you include me, we wouldn't gain much of an advantage~"
It sounded exaggerated, but it was the truth. Kevin in his most perfect state, the Salvation state, was a being who had truly transcended Finality. If he wished it, the other Flame-Chasers combined would be no match for him.
And even without his perfect Salvation state, Kevin was still the undisputed number one. A full-power strike from him could knock the Herrscher of Finality offline for a long time, making him no weaker than Elysia as the Herrscher of Origin.
With the explanations from the Flame-Chasers, the audience began to grasp just how absurd Kevin truly was. They were all Flame-Chasers, but Kevin's strength... was just on another level.
With such a powerful Flame-Chaser, how on earth did the Previous Era fall?
Regardless, the name Kevin was now carved into the hearts of everyone watching. Although he had yet to truly make a move, the audience was already anticipating the magnificent sight of this strongest Flame-Chaser in action.
As for the source of all this, Kevin himself remained silent. He felt that Elysia and the others were exaggerating a bit. There were too many factors to consider in a battle, and half of the Flame-Chasers weren't even combat-types.
A magician like Vill-V and a researcher like Mobius were not skilled in direct combat, so they naturally shouldn't be counted.
---o---
[Light Screen Projection]
Vill-V, truly living up to her name as the greatest magician in history, had already calculated everything while the others were still wondering how to help Elysia.
No wonder even a sage like Su felt at ease with her. With someone like her around, anyone would feel relieved.
"So... did you all remember what I said?"
Vill-V took nearly five minutes to explain her plan in detail, though not many present actually understood it.
For instance, Pardofelis, who had a headache, and Griseo, who was daydreaming about who-knows-what, didn't understand a single word.
Fortunately, they didn't have much to do. Otherwise, Pardo would be crying and rolling on the floor; she hated jobs where she had to do the most work.
"Heh heh~ You truly are a magician. Are you asking us to deceive Elysia?"
Mobius brought a finger to her lips and chuckled.
"But this is good. Letting that girl get a taste of being deceived... there's a certain pleasure in that~"
"Hahaha, interesting. Deceiving her, you say? Good. It's about time she got a taste of her own medicine."
Kalpas turned his head away, feigning indifference.
"Alright. Since Eden isn't here, the eleven of us will vote. Shall we proceed with Vill-V's plan?"
To be safe, Kevin first consulted the other Flame-Chasers present.
Uncharacteristically, aside from the few who silently nodded in agreement, even an innocent child like Griseo agreed.
It seemed that although she didn't understand the plan, she understood that it was a 'well-intentioned' lie for Elysia's sake.
"Very well. Since everyone agrees, the plan officially begins. Aponia, you will inform Eden. She needs to stall Elysia for a few more minutes."
Seeing that everyone was in agreement, Kevin began to direct Vill-V's plan.
Speaking of which, although Kevin was ranked first among the Thirteen Flame-Chasers, he rarely took command. For such leadership work, Kevin chose to place his unconditional trust in Dr. MEI.
Elysia, you once deceived us all with your 'love'. And now... it's our turn to weave a lie of 'love' for you.
Thinking this silently, Kevin gazed toward the distance outside the church, a faint smile appearing on his usually cold face. That was the direction from which Elysia was coming.