ALL NOVEL Chapter 219: The Final Battle, Part 3
[High Honkai energy reaction detected in Nagazora. Energy levels exceeding 1000 HW.]
[Exceeding 2000 HW in one second! Levels still rising!]
The surge of Honkai energy was detected by every organization across the globe. Even the 4th Herrscher's birth had only registered a 2000 HW reading. This… this was unprecedented.
Everyone who understood the Honkai knew what this meant—a far more powerful Herrscher was emerging.
Organizations that normally disregarded Otto's commands now looked to Schicksal, praying they could contain the disaster, as they had in ARC City.
But even Schicksal was struggling. Distress calls flooded the command center on their floating island.
Otto watched the distorted satellite feed, his brow furrowed in thought.
World Serpent's attack was too convenient. He suspected a deliberate attempt to distract him. But Kevin's power… it was far greater than he had anticipated. If World Serpent attacked Schicksal directly, he had no way to defend himself.
Worse, the Cosmic Juggernaut hadn't been retrieved yet. It was the key to Kallen's resurrection, his only means of observing the Imaginary Tree. He had to find a way to retrieve the data before the Herrscher destroyed the Japanese archipelago.
He toyed with the golden cube in his hand, the Void Archives, considering his options. This loss of control, this vulnerability, was unsettling. Even the most meticulous plans were meaningless against overwhelming force.
His only remaining bargaining chips were Schicksal itself and the Void Archives, their combined value enough to barter for the Cosmic Juggernaut. The question was, how could he convince Kevin?
[Honkai energy levels in Nagazora exceeding 3000 HW, Overseer. Awaiting instructions.]
Amber's voice interrupted his thoughts. He looked up, focusing on the report she presented.
Close-range surveillance footage, captured by high-speed cameras, showed Ren and Kevin locked in battle. Otto paused, a flicker of surprise in his eyes.
"Perhaps… there's another, more reliable ally I can call upon."
The Void Archives, sensing his thoughts, spoke. "That's an unstable Herrscher. This could be another 2nd Eruption."
"Unstable?" A knowing smile touched Otto's lips. "No, no. My… 'ally' seems to be enjoying himself."
The Void Archives remained silent, puzzled.
Otto, ignoring its confusion, issued his commands. "All Schicksal-controlled cities in the Japanese archipelago are to be placed on high alert. Commence evacuation procedures immediately. All Valkyrie units are to mobilize and deploy to the Japanese archipelago. Contain this Honkai eruption at all costs."
[Overseer, what is the acceptable containment radius?]
"The entire Japanese archipelago (and with after effect of whole Asia) ."
[You're abandoning the continent? The World Council will—]
"Amber, the Honkai is an unpredictable force. Even Schicksal cannot prevent every disaster." Otto's voice was laced with a chilling pragmatism. "Herrschers are uncontrollable. Schicksal's duty is to save civilian lives and eliminate the threat."
[…Understood.]
After Amber left, the Void Archives, taking Otto's form, tried to question him, but a single glance silenced it. Even after all these years, it couldn't fathom the man's true intentions.
"Don't worry, Void Archives. As a gift… you're still quite valuable."
That's not what I'm worried about! I'm worried you'll blow up the planet! The Void Archives thought, exasperated.
…
BOOM!
A shockwave rippled through the sky, the sound echoing like thunder. Flames erupted, blindingly bright, then instantly froze as Kevin's blade sliced through the inferno, cleaving through Ren's attack.
Ren plummeted towards the earth, crashing into the ground, creating a crater hundreds of meters deep. Kevin, retrieving the Judgement of Shamash, frowned.
This was the eleventh time he had repelled Ren. What had started as a casual spar now required near-full exertion. Ren's rapid growth was unsettling.
It reminded him of the Herrschers of the Previous Era, their rapid evolution, their destructive potential. But that had been a consequence of the Previous Era's advanced technology. A Herrscher in this era shouldn't be capable of such growth.
Kevin exhaled, his breath misting in the air. This was the true terror of the Honkai. Humanity's knowledge, their struggles… it all served to empower the Honkai. Only by unleashing his full power from the very beginning could he hope to eliminate a Herrscher.
"Raven, withdraw." Raven, battling Schicksal's forces, paused, receiving a message from Gray Serpent. Confusion turned to alarm as she saw a black tide rising in the sky.
"Leave. Now. Get out of the Japanese archipelago." The urgency in Gray Serpent's voice left no room for argument. Forgetting her desire for revenge, Raven retreated towards the World Serpent fleet.
Meanwhile, Theresa, riding on Kurikara, about to turn back for Kiana, also saw the change in the sky.
"What is that?"
Liuli followed her gaze, her expression hardening. "We have to go!"
Ren had warned her of Kevin's power, describing the ominous black tide. She didn't hesitate. Threads, sharp and thin, pierced Kurikara's body, overriding Mei's control.
With a roar, the red dragon soared towards the ocean.
Kevin didn't stop them. He had deliberately allowed time for their escape. He wasn't callous. Even the Stigmata Project, with its heavy cost, was meant to preserve humanity's future.
He valued life, perhaps too much. His immense power, even when restrained, could cause widespread destruction. The tragedies of the Previous Era had taught him caution, shaping his reserved nature.
Their retreat was convenient. It meant he could unleash his full power against Ren.
The black tide, like a swirling vortex of ink, converged upon Kevin, forming a sphere.
Mexicatl: Umbreist. Kevin's companion Honkai beast.
With Mexicatl's assistance, Kevin could focus his augmented warrior's power, minimizing collateral damage, delivering precise, devastating blows.
He closed his eyes, the flames of the Judgement of Shamash dimming, encased in ice, a terrifying power building within him. When he opened them again, a blinding white light filled the sky.