ALL NOVEL Chapter 226: Farewell
The Will of Honkai's self-detonation wasn't like that of an ordinary Herrscher.
It would carry the amplified energy of hundreds of Ren's puppets, combined with the power of the Cores of Reason, Flames, and all the other Herrschers Ren had assimilated.
This was true world-ending power. Whether the planet would shatter was uncertain, but at least half the world's population would perish.
Moreover, the nations along the Pacific Rim were the core forces combating the Honkai.
Both Anti-Entropy in the Americas and Schicksal in Asia would suffer devastating blows. The resulting Honkai energy contamination would spread across the Pacific, engulfing the globe, turning the entire world into a lifeless wasteland.
Unless Project Stigma could be immediately implemented, awakening Stigmata in people to resist the Honkai radiation, civilization was effectively doomed.
A rare flicker of tension crossed Kevin's perpetually stoic face. For the first time in fifty millennia, he felt the dread of impending civilizational collapse.
He tried to stop Tonatiuh (Star Eater)'s self-detonation. But even with his immense power and spatial manipulation abilities, he couldn't interfere with the Will of Honkai. It had anchored itself to the Imaginary Tree; any attack would only accelerate the detonation.
As Kevin ran out of options, the world held its breath, awaiting final judgment.
Amidst the chaos of battle, the Japanese archipelago continued to sink beneath the waves, seawater flooding coastal cities. People watched in despair. Even with Schicksal's swift response, evacuating everyone in time was impossible.
On an artificial island, the magnificent St. Freya High School teetered precariously in the storm. Its once-grand plaza and classrooms were now ravaged ruins. The academy, a repository of cherished memories, was about to be erased from the map.
At Anti-Entropy's Far East branch, Seele clung tightly to Bronya, both gazing at the black sun in the sky.
Tonatiuh (Star Eater).
All hope lost, all things withering.
The ice thickened, freezing nearly the entire Pacific Ocean, a temporary reprieve against the black sun's expansion. Kevin attempted to open a portal to the Quantum Sea, hoping to divert the explosion into a bubble universe. But Tonatiuh (Star Eater), already in a quantum superposition state, remained unaffected.
Just as he'd exhausted all options and resolved to forcibly initiate Project Stigma, ripples appeared in the surrounding space. Like a knock on a door. He instinctively lowered his spatial blockade, revealing a circular portal.
A crimson dragon carrying two figures emerged, immediately losing power and plummeting towards the ice. Before crashing, it flapped its wings, propelling its passengers towards Kevin.
He caught the falling Liuli and Theresa, his expression filled with surprise.
Theresa was unconscious, her Xuanyuan Sword, Kurikara, plunged into the ocean, dormant. Only the dying [Kiana] retained any awareness.
"This... is... The Obsidian Concord's ... bargain..."
The Obsidian Concord?
In World Serpent's files, this organization was shrouded in mystery. Grey Serpent had even doubted its existence. Kevin's only encounter had been with the man calling himself Kosma in the Sea of Quanta, but he was dead.
He'd dismissed them as an insignificant obstacle on the path to salvation. Yet, at the brink of disaster, they proposed a bargain. What bargain could possibly be more important than saving the world?
He stared coldly at Liuli, suspecting a delaying tactic.
Facing Kevin's scrutiny, Liuli met his gaze with unwavering defiance.
"Speak." Only after Kevin sighed in resignation and agreed did Liuli hand him a hastily written agreement.
"This is...?"
Kevin's eyes narrowed as he read the terms, his gaze shifting towards the vanished Nagazora.
"And, this is... from our boss... for you."
[Kiana]'s voice was faint. Kevin's initial attack had been too sudden; Kurikara hadn't had time to escape the blast radius.
Theresa was in no condition to defend herself, so Liuli shielded her, a small recompense for their earlier encounter. But this had severely damaged Liuli's Core. The Core of Dominance Ren had given her couldn't sustain itself.
She looked at the grim-faced Kevin and silently raised her middle finger.
"...?"
Before Kevin could decipher the gesture, [Kiana] closed her eyes with a faint, satisfied smile, and died.
Kevin remained silent for a moment. The lifeless body in his arms rapidly froze, encasing [Kiana] in ice. Then, carrying Theresa, he flew towards Nagazora.
...
"He's coming." Sensing the severance of [Kiana]'s connection, Ren knew Kevin had received the message.
Bianka and Kiana looked at him, puzzled, then noticed the black and white lines spreading across his body, his unique "Stigmata".
Simultaneously, a wave of heat emanated outwards. The Gem of Haste, dormant after Kevin's attack, responded to Ren's call. Like a flickering flame, it defied the encroaching darkness.
The biting wind howled through the ruins.
This time, he reached for Kiana's hand, sharing his warmth.
His uncharacteristic forwardness unnerved Kiana. She opened her mouth to speak, but he gently placed a finger on her lips.
"Just listen to me quietly this time, okay?"
He opened his hand, revealing the star he'd been holding, and attached it to Kiana's bracelet. The two stars finally joined together. This time, however, Ren wasn't weaving another lie; this was a true farewell.
If his plan succeeded, he would be free from the Will of Honkai's control, and his long game with Kiana would conclude.
From now on, Ren would exist in this world under a new identity. This puppet body, having fulfilled its purpose, would be destroyed. He and Kiana would have no further connection.
If he failed, they would become enemies. Perhaps one day she would kill him, or he would kill her. Either way, they could never return to how things were.
"Lies must eventually end. False promises can never be fulfilled. Kiana, you already sensed it, didn't you? On the day we met, Sirin's consciousness within you awakened. From that moment, I knew who you were. Everything that followed was me deliberately approaching you.
Do you know? I've always hated you. You destroyed my home, turned me into a Herrscher. During that time, the Honkai's voice constantly echoed in my mind. I wanted to kill you countless times.
I failed.
There is no salvation in darkness, only shared sorrow. When a vengeful ghost returns from hell, only to discover its target is but a pawn in a larger game, it is a despair deeper than hatred itself."
"This world was never beautiful." In the distant sky, Kevin's figure drew closer. Ren finally released the burden he'd carried for so long.
"Born into this world of despair, the optimistic persona you saw was merely a facade, like those existences more insignificant than dust. I have always hated this world. I cannot save it, but you can.
Grip your sword tightly. Don't tremble, don't hesitate. When you wield it, you'll understand what you must do."