The coordinates where the Styx Galaxy once existed now only contain a "nothingness" so pure it makes one's heart palpitate. There are no stellar remains, no energy embers, and even space itself seems to have been thoroughly "purified," presenting an unnaturally smooth and stable state that forms an eerie contrast with the background where faint interstellar dust and radiation still exist.
However, in the heart of this "nothingness," where the original site of the Death Song Academy should have been, a distorted glimmer of light, so faint it was almost undetectable by any conventional means, flickered like a candle in the wind, slowly coalescing.
The light and shadow struggled to outline a blurry silhouette clad in a deep blue scholar's robe. That silhouette was extremely thin, as if it might dissipate completely at any moment, yet the coldness, deathliness, and the obsession with the endless pursuit of knowledge contained within it remained tenaciously present.
God of Death Karl.
Or rather, it was the last core imprint of the "existence" concept of God of Death Karl—the most fundamental "cognitive anchor" that had narrowly survived the conceptual strike beyond understanding that directly targeted "existence" itself.
He "stood" on the ruins that no longer existed. That iconic scholar's robe was now in tatters, and the stability of his Phantom Body had dropped to its lowest point in history. Every "thought" to maintain his form brought about an agonizing pain and weakness as if his soul were being torn apart. Yet, on his eternally calm face, an extremely subtle and hard-to-interpret ripple rarely appeared.
It wasn't fear, nor was it anger; it was more like... a strange interest, a mixture of shock, inquiry, and a sense of having met a worthy opponent.
He "gazed" in the direction of the Angel Nebula, even though it was infinitely far from here and his perception had become blurred due to the heavy damage.
"The aggregation and sublimation of... faith... will... spirit... directly interfering with reality, even... erasing the concept of 'existence'..." Karl whispered soundlessly, each "word" he "uttered" causing his remaining Phantom Body to vibrate slightly. "Angels... Kaisha... Hexi... their understanding and application of high-dimensional information, the speed of iteration... has surpassed all deductive models."
He "recalled" that "Sword Qi" composed purely of warm light. It wasn't an energy attack, nor even a strike at the level of rules, but rather a direct denial of the "rationality of the target's existence" at a level closer to "definition rights." Had he not already performed an extremely dangerous preliminary binding of part of his core consciousness with the concept of the "Void," instinctively undergoing "conceptual collapse" and "information concealment" the moment the attack hit, he would likely have been completely "erased" like everything else in the Styx Galaxy, leaving not even a ripple behind.
Even so, the price he paid was catastrophic. His Phantom Body was heavily damaged, the majority of his preliminary research on the Void was lost, and the Styx forces he had spent countless efforts building had vanished into thin air. More importantly... his sense of "security" and "control" over the Universe was completely shattered by that single sword strike.
Just then, an extremely faint yet undeniably majestic and calm thought rang out directly within his remaining consciousness core, as if crossing the void.
There was no sound, no image, only a crystal-clear piece of information:
"This is a warning. Only this once."
"You may continue your research, and you may continue your'script'."
"However, your gaze and your methods must observe 'propriety'."
"The guest of the Angels is not a pawn you can move recklessly."
"Do not say you were not warned."
Once the information was delivered, that majestic thought receded like a tide, leaving no trace as if it had never appeared.
A warning.
The Angels knew he still "existed," or at least hadn't completely perished. They didn't follow up to thoroughly erase this remaining imprint; instead, they left a warning.
They "allowed" him to continue researching the Void and to continue "acting" on the stage of Earth.
But the premise was—his hand could no longer reach toward that young girl named Artoria, nor could he attempt to use her as a pawn or a target for testing. Otherwise, next time, it wouldn't just be a warning, and there would be no more "luck."
Karl "stood" in the nothingness in silence for a long time.
"Propriety..." He slowly and soundlessly repeated the word. His remaining Phantom Body seemed to ripple slightly, as if... "smiling"?
"It seems the assessment of the 'Variable' needs to be readjusted. The Angels' 'favor' is more unquestionable and more... dangerous than expected," Karl analyzed calmly. "Artoria... the value of this 'Key' might be even higher than anticipated. High enough that Kaisha and Hexi did not hesitate to use this ultimate method that transcends the era—and might even bring unknown backlash—to demonstrate their resolve and draw a line."
"She cannot be touched... at least on the surface, within the range allowed by the'script,' she can no longer be directly targeted." Karl quickly reached a conclusion. A head-on conflict with the Angels, especially against this completely incomprehensible and unguardable new type of strike, was by no means a wise move. His goal was the Void, the ultimate truth, not mutual destruction with the Angel Civilization.
"However... the core of the'script' can still continue." Karl's gaze seemed to penetrate the nothingness, casting once again toward the Chi Wu Star System, toward that azure Planet. "Kaisha must 'fall,' and the era of the Void must begin. Artoria's existence and the Angels' 'favor' might instead become... a 'catalyst' to make this play more realistic, more chaotic, and more... interesting."
He needed to adjust his plans, hide deeper, and he also needed... a sharper "blade" and more reliable "allies."
With a slight movement of his mind, although his Phantom Body was in terrible condition, his remaining "connections" with certain special existences were not completely severed. In an extremely secretive manner and at an even greater cost, he sent out two new communication requests.
One was directed toward Demon One, which was hidden somewhere in the Universe and must be filled with uncertainty and alarm right now due to the destruction of Styx and the terrifying power displayed by the Angels.
The other was directed toward the core of the Super Seminary, which stood aloof from the world, as if always in a higher observational perspective.
...
Demon One, Main Control Hall.
Morgana had completely lost her usual frenzy and cursing. Her face was grim, and her crimson eyes stared fixedly at the abrupt "blank space" representing the Styx Galaxy on the screen before her, as well as the instruments nearby that were alarming wildly, displaying energy readings that surpassed understanding.
"Bitch! Bitch! Bitch!!!" she cursed under her breath, her voice carrying a hint of uncontrollable trembling. "That old hag Kaisha! What on Earth did she do?! Styx... the entire Styx is gone?! That pervert Karl... is he dead?!"
She couldn't understand or accept it. That was the God of Death Karl! The deepest hidden schemer whom even she was wary of! The ruler of the Styx Galaxy! Just like that... gone? Erased by a single strike from the Angels? Not even a speck of dust left?
Just then, that extremely weak and unstable communication request from Karl's remaining imprint connected to her private channel.
"Morganas true name..." Karl's voice sounded weaker and more ethereal than ever before, even carrying a strange "static" as if it might disconnect at any moment.
"Karl?! You're not dead?!" Morgana was both shocked and suspicious, but more than anything, she felt a sigh of relief. Regardless, Karl being "alive" was better than her facing that monstrous sister of hers, who could erase a galaxy in one blow, all by herself.
"Temporarily... fine," Karl's reply was concise and strained. "The Angels... have a new... trump card. Beyond specifications. I... paid a price."
"Nonsense! I can see that!" Morgana irritably grabbed her hair. "What now? Your nest is gone! Is the plan still continuing?"
"Continuing." Karl's answer was resolute, with an unquestionable obsession amidst his weakness. "It must continue. The Angels' 'warning' is only directed at... 'crossing the line.' The script... can be played. But... it needs adjustment. You need to be... more aggressive. Attract more... attention. Create... more... chaos."
"You want me to be a bigger target?!" Morgana's voice rose.
"Only chaos... can cover... the true... killing move." Karl's voice was intermittent yet full of temptation. "New... power... I will give you. Stronger... assistance. Earth... is the Key. Kaisha... must 'fall.' As long as... we succeed... the Void opens... everything... can be reshaped. Including... Styx."
Morgana's eyes flickered with a mix of fear, greed, and madness. The power displayed by the Angels terrified her, but Karl's promise and the temptation of the "Void Era" were irresistible. More importantly, she didn't seem to have any better choice now.
"...Fine! But Karl, you'd better not lie to me! If you mess up again this time, I won't let you off even as a ghost!"
"Rest assured... Morganas true name. This time... we... are true... 'allies'..."
The communication cut off. Morgana looked at the silent channel and then at the glaring "blank space" on the screen, the last trace of hesitation in her eyes completely replaced by madness.
"Ato! Notify Earth! The plan... is moved forward! Make a big scene for me! The bigger, the better!"
...
Super Seminary, Unknowable Dimension.
That communication from Karl was like a small pebble thrown into a deep pond, stirring only a very faint ripple. An old, indifferent voice rang out:
"Karl. You are still 'here'."
"By luck." Karl's voice seemed a bit more stable here, but also more... flat, as if stating an objective fact. "The evolution of the Angels has exceeded expectations. The weight of the observation Variables needs to be re-evaluated."
"Recorded. The threat level of Variable 'Angel - New Strike Method' has been raised to 'Civilization Extinction Level.' The associated weight of Variable 'Artoria' has been adjusted upward accordingly." The voice of the Super Seminary was devoid of emotion. "Your'script' can still continue, but the interference factors have increased. The priority for Key path protection remains unchanged."
"I need... more... 'data support'." Karl made his request. "Regarding... ancient Earth, regarding the... critical point phenomenon between the Void and the physical Universe."
A brief silence followed, as if calculating and seeking instructions.
"...Granted. Part of the non-core observation data will be transmitted directionally. The price: in the final stage of this'script,' the Super Seminary will have 'limited intervention' authority to ensure the survival of Key observation targets and the acquisition of data."
"Agreed." Karl did not hesitate. For him, as long as the Void could eventually be opened, any process or price was acceptable.
The communication ended.
In the nothingness, Karl's remaining imprint slowly absorbed the meager and dangerous energy from the Void, painstakingly repairing itself. His "gaze" once again turned toward Earth, toward that Angel transport ship carrying the special "guest" that was sailing toward the eye of the storm, and toward the direction of the Merlot Heavenly Court.
"Warning... propriety..." he whispered soundlessly, his remaining Phantom Body seemingly outlining a cold and eerie curve.
"Then, let this play... within 'propriety,' be performed more brilliantly."
"Kaisha... Hexi... and the... interesting little 'Key'... we... shall meet on Earth."
A new chess game quietly unfolded once more atop the ruins and the warning. Only this time, the players were all more cautious and more... dangerous.
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