ALL NOVEL Chapter 214: War
As the Cosmic Juggernaut delved deeper, a torrent of data flooded Schicksal's database. In just under five minutes, nearly five hundred petabytes of data awaited processing, filling the five thousand specialized hard drives Otto had prepared.
The sheer magnitude of the experiment strained even the most advanced systems, consuming an enormous amount of energy in the process.
So far, the experiment was proceeding smoothly. Yet, Otto's brow remained furrowed. He hadn't found what he sought—a parallel world where Kallen could truly live.
The Imaginary Tree was vast, each leaf representing a world. But despite observing several parallel worlds, he hadn't found a way to save Kallen. Like the inevitable convergence of world lines, every Kallen seemed destined for the same tragic fate.
"Kallen, I'll do whatever it takes to bring you back." He had repeated these words countless times over the past five hundred years. But the world was cruel. The closer he got to the truth, the more he realized humanity's insignificance.
Humanity's power was finite. He needed to transcend humanity.
The image of the young Herrscher flashed through his mind. Had Ren already realized this, choosing to embrace the Honkai?
As the experiment progressed, the external sensors in Nagazora detected hostile activity.
"Overseer, a large number of unidentified mecha are approaching. Suspected World Serpent affiliation."
Otto's expression darkened. This was a deliberate attack, timed to disrupt the most crucial stage of the experiment.
"Bianka, stop them. Buy us time."
"Understood. But their numbers are significant. I can't guarantee I can hold them all off."
"Then prioritize the protection of the Second Divine Key. World Serpent cannot be allowed to reach it."
All Schicksal personnel in Nagazora had been evacuated, but a significant number of mecha units and automated defense turrets remained. Though Schicksal's strength lay in its Valkyrie forces, their mecha units were not to be underestimated.
As the World Serpent fleet approached the coast, the automated turrets opened fire.
Braving the hail of projectiles, hundreds of mecha units swarmed into Nagazora, the battle commencing in earnest.
On the deck of her flagship, Raven stood, her eyes filled with pain. Once, returning to this city had filled her with joy, the thought of seeing the children warming her heart.
Even in its ruined state, she had seen a glimmer of hope in Nagazora.
But now, that hope had been extinguished, consumed by fire and flood. Only the dark sky, the gray haze, and the hollowness within her remained.
Her love lost, her world in ruins.
The Seven Thunders of Retribution, sensing her despair, its crackling lightning dimming, lay heavy in her hand. She slammed her fist against the railing, the metal bending easily beneath her strength, but it couldn't mend her broken heart.
"If I hadn't focused on revenge against the Herrscher of the Void… perhaps things would have been different." Years of hatred had culminated in this devastating loss. Raven laughed, a bitter, hollow sound. Was there any pain greater than destroying one's own hope?
"The Serpent's offer still stands. You can choose a new purpose."
"Then let this city burn with them." Her voice was raspy, devoid of emotion.
Offers, promises… they meant nothing now.
A man's voice, cold and sharp, carried on the wind.
"Very well."
With Kevin's approval, Raven joined the battle, her mecha unit surging forward.
High above Nagazora, the swirling portal pulsed with the energy of the Imaginary Tree. Kevin stood on the deck of his ship, gazing at the light.
Within the swirling chaos, Prometheus's mark was clearly visible.
The Will of the Honkai was watching.
…
It was no wonder. Three dangerous Herrschers, all on the verge of losing control, gathered in a single, ruined city.
The 3rd Herrscher was already a lost cause. The 2nd Herrscher, though not yet fully turned, her Herrscher persona suppressed by Kiana, was unlikely to recover. The only glimmer of hope was Ren, seemingly still under their control.
As Ren's power as the Herrscher of Domination grew, he had shown signs of instability. The fact that the Will of the Honkai couldn't locate his true self, even when peering into his mind, had raised suspicions of rebellion.
The Will of the Honkai had responded by severing Ren's connection to the Theater of Domination, creating a puppet, a mindless construct completely under its control.
But a mindless puppet couldn't replicate Ren's power. It had been easily defeated.
To push civilization towards collapse, they needed Ren to act, accepting the risk of his betrayal.
But even the most powerful Herrscher had weaknesses. Ren's emotional vulnerability had given the Will of the Honkai an opening. Only despair and destruction could forge a true Herrscher. Only by destroying what he held most dear could they eliminate the possibility of his betrayal.
In the cold, empty expanse of the Imaginary space, the Will of the Honkai focused its attention on a single, white-haired girl.
Kiana, pursuing Ren, felt a sudden surge of dread, as if a predator's gaze had fallen upon her.
She stopped, looking skyward.
The clouds, scorched by the intense heat, didn't part to reveal the sun. Instead, the dark void in the sky pulsed with an ominous energy.
A familiar Herrscher signature resonated within her mind.
"Ren… he's there."
Kiana climbed the scorching, lava-covered ruins, reaching the highest point, then leaped.
The Herrscher of the Void's power flared, golden wings unfolding behind her, carrying her towards the portal.
"I see it… the flame."
She reached out, trying to grasp the distant figure.
But darkness was faster than light. The burning flames in the sky were suddenly encased in ice, a wave of frigid air washing over Kiana.
The flickering flames in her hand were extinguished, the icy chill freezing the very air around her.
"No!"
She watched in despair as a thick layer of ice sealed the portal. Just as she reached it, she slammed into the frozen barrier.
Below, a white-haired man watched her, his hand raised, a spear of black ice aimed at her heart.