After a few small interludes, everyone signed the heroic spirit contract.
The moment the contracts were sealed, every one of them changed—dramatically.
The biggest shift: using the lingering consciousness carried by their memory fragments as a medium, they completed themselves.
All of their data was purged from the Elysian Realm and elevated to the Throne of Heroes.
They also recovered every memory from the moment their original bodies died in the Previous Era.
"..."
Now essentially resurrected—apart from Mobius and Aponia, who had known the truth all along—everyone lapsed into brief silence.
Yet the moment she completed herself, Mobius's expression flickered.
The memory fragment had schemed to kill the original body, planting psychological cues—only to discover the original had long desired death.
"Well now… that's so like me~♪"
Elysia murmured softly, then turned to Kiana and Little Corruption, revealing a breathtaking smile, her tone bright and gently lilting.
"But… I did it, didn't I~? ♪"
Elysia felt grateful for having given her life to grant later-era Herrschers their humanity—grateful she'd made the right choice.
"True. Without Ely, the Herrschers of this era would never have developed human hearts."
After a moment's thought, Kiana gave her affirmation.
The birth of the First Herrscher was the best proof.
Sirin was no longer just a slaughtering machine bent on destroying civilization; she too possessed her own emotions.
Mei's Herrscher Personality treated her rather nicely… As for Kiana herself—well, that was another matter.
The delicate atmosphere didn't last; Mobius cut it short with a soft snort.
"Hmph. When did we become so cowardly, lacking even the courage to embrace a new life?"
"It's not courage we lack, but that the fate of this world has been quietly rewritten—where, then, is our place to belong?"
Aponia pressed her palms together in prayer, half-lidded eyes resting on Kiana, her voice ethereal.
She could see no threads of fate around Kiana—only a soul suffused with sacred silver light, and within it the violet-glowing Cocoon of Finality.
Kiana's path ahead was utterly beyond her sight.
"I don't wanna die again—too scary!"
Pardo clutched her chest, Tail lashing uneasily, face full of lingering fear.
Meanwhile, Griseo—who had been beside Kosma—abruptly vanished.
"Griseo's gone…!"
Kosma's face changed; he scanned the area, but found no trace of her.
"Griseo is no longer in the Elysian Realm…"
Aponia shook her head, voice slow.
The slight widening of her eyes betrayed her calm façade.
She turned to Kiana for answers.
"Griseo's Throne of Heroes has indeed risen, but… her original body is still alive; the two have now merged."
"So that's how it is…"
Everyone exhaled in relief.
Hearing that Griseo still lived lifted their spirits—after all, they had watched her grow up.
Kevin and Su both nodded slightly.
Ever since the Ark had gone completely silent years ago, they had held little hope.
But it seemed they had given in to pessimism too soon.
At Kiana's suggestion, everyone left the Elysian Realm.
As the Flame-Chasers emerged one by one, Klein's eyes widened; the moment she saw Mobius, fat tears rolled down.
"Dr… Dr. Mobius… welcome back…"
"Klein…"
Mobius walked over and lifted the tiny Klein, her usual demeanor replaced by a nostalgic smile.
"I'm home."
"World Serpent welcomes the return of its Sovereigns."
Gray Serpent entered, bowing respectfully to the group.
He had sensed the upheaval in the Elysian Realm, but never expected the Flame-Chasers of old to stand here alive—almost all of them.
"Very well. The Honkai is over; the Stigma Project is cancelled. World Serpent will fully transition into the medical industry."
"…Understood."
Though he hesitated, Gray Serpent obeyed Kevin's order.
Right now World Serpent's monitors showed Earth's Honkai Energy density had dropped to 20%.
And that value was locked there—clearly maintained on purpose.
Combined with their Sovereign's words, Honkai had been brought under human control.
And the one who did it… Gray Serpent's crimson cyber-eye turned toward Kiana.
That person should be this one—Otto's test subject K423, now Kiana Kaslana.
Or rather—
the Herrscher of Finality?
Gray Serpent straightened, bowed once more to the Flame-Chasers, and exited the Golden Courtyard.
"Ely, are you all coming with me directly?"
Kiana looked toward Elysia and the others, asking.
Elysia shot her a slightly plaintive, teasing glance.
"After all the trouble you took to bring us back, are you really going to leave us homeless~? ♪"
Those crystal-clear eyes blinked like spring water, leaving Kiana oddly guilt-ridden.
Elysia's charm was still devastating.
The ancients—Kevin—were right.
No one can refuse Elysia.
"Then, if no one minds, come with me. You'll all be settling where I manage from now on."
She paused, then added.
"But no slacking! When it counts, you'll all be working for me!"
"Thought we'd live the easy life—guess not…"
Pardo's cat-ears drooped as she hung her head.
Aside from stocking random goods, she had no special skills.
Does a smidgen of luck count? ( )
"Just keep my lab funded—cover the expenses and I'm happy~"
Mobius said languidly.
"OK~"
"Hmph. Let's hope it's not too boring, Herrscher!"
"Kalpas, there'll be plenty for you to do—you won't be bored~"
Kiana promised.
He wants fights? Warahip's Locust-like Insectoids will keep him blazing for ages.
He wants real life? As long as he obeys Warahip's laws, he can experience whatever he likes.
She could even fund a "Brother Kalpas Barbecue"… Once everyone agreed, Kiana led them to St. Freya Academy.
Stepping out of the Imaginary Gate, Kiana spotted a white-haired, pony-tailed… pig-head.
"Aunt! Who's this ugly freak?!"
Face full of disgust, Kiana sidled away and asked Theresa.
"My… my girl…"
"Eek—pervert!"
Thud—!
Feeling her calf grabbed, Kiana instinctively side-kicked the white-haired pig-head away.
"Um… that's actually Siegfried…"
Theresa's lip twitched as she pointed at the sprawled pig-head.
After all, she'd made him look like that… "Huh? Stinky Old Dad! Are you okay?!"
Kiana hurried over, knelt, and poked the unrecognizable face, worried.
She then used the authority of Life-and-Death to restore Siegfried to normal.
Even re-attached his severed arm perfectly.
Just then, movement came from the Imaginary Space.
While healing Siegfried, Kiana released Rita and Bianca—who'd been sparring inside—into the open.
Bianca stepped out, saw Siegfried, and froze.
"Dad… Siegfried…?"
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