The first to catch everyone's attention in the chat group was the newcomer—the Water God.
Ainz Ooal Gown: "Aqua! Come out! Someone's stealing your title!"
Aqua: "Nonsense! I'm the one and only true Goddess of Water!"
Water God: "How interesting—simply delightful!"
Furina: "Allow me to introduce myself properly. I am Furina de Fontaine, Hydro Archon of the Seven, Queen of All Waters, All Realms, All Peoples, and All Laws—and the Superstar of Fontaine!"
Platelet: "That sounds amazing!"
White Blood Cell: "A big deal, clearly."
Hai Xiaomei: "Yeah, I don't get half those words, but she sounds pretty serious."
Furina: "Thank you all for the praise."
Nami: "Aqua, look at her intro—then look at yours."
Aqua: "Damn it!!"
Aqua: "I'm the omniscient and omnipotent Water Goddess! How could some impostor outshine me?!"
Furina: "I'm no impostor. I am the real Hydro Archon!"
Furina's response came instantly.
Kisara Tendo: "?"
Silver Wolf: "Oh-ho, someone's touchy. The new girl's reply sounded a bit desperate."
Ainz Ooal Gown: "Something's off."
Tatsuki: "…"
He could already see through everything. Well, well… it's her, all right.
Furina—or rather, the one who played her role.
Because in truth, she wasn't the real Hydro Archon Focalors.
The true Focalors still existed—a separate divine entity.
When the previous Hydro Archon, Egeria, left behind her prophecy of crisis, Focalors divided her divinity and personality.
As the divine half, Focalors hid within the Oratrice Mécanique d'Analyse Cardinale, building the mixed energy necessary to enact the future Judgment of the Hydro Archon.
As the human half, Furina de Fontaine took her place as the public "Water God," deceiving even Celestia itself.
That was Furina's fate—an actress born to play a god.
Tatsuki didn't dislike her for that. In fact, he found her fascinating. Not the Hydro Archon Furina, but Furina herself.
…
"Damn it!"
In the courtroom of Fontaine, Furina's poise finally cracked.
She didn't understand what this chat group was or how it worked, but if her identity were exposed, centuries of deception would vanish in an instant.
Just then, she noticed a message from Tatsuki.
Tatsuki: "Furina, Tingyun—welcome to the Apocalypse Chat Group."
Tatsuki: "You may be confused about its purpose. As the admin, allow me to explain briefly."
Tatsuki: "The Apocalypse Chat Group connects worlds that have faced Apocalypse scenarios. Everyone here comes from such worlds."
Tatsuki: "As for its authenticity, you may confirm it through the group's functions yourselves."
Tingyun: "Thank you kindly, Sir Administrator. I am most grateful, but this humble lady does have a few questions—may I ask them?"
Saeko Busujima: "Polite one."
Emilia: "If only everyone were that easy to talk to."
Tingyun's refined manners instantly earned goodwill from the others.
Tatsuki: "Ask away. I'll answer what I can."
Tingyun: "My thanks. I've browsed through much of the chat group's features and found a peculiar phrase—Future Apocalypse (9-Star). Could you explain what that means, Administrator?"
Tatsuki's eyes flashed—he already suspected who she was.
Tatsuki: "It refers to the apocalyptic event destined to occur in your world."
Tatsuki: "I believe March 7th, Silver Wolf, and Bronya may understand it best."
March 7th: "Eh? You mean our world's apocalypse is the same as hers?"
March 7th: "But Bronya's world, Jarilo-VI, already overcame its Apocalypse!"
Silver Wolf: "Are you stupid? He means Tingyun's from the same universe as us."
Bronya: "Indeed. That's what I took from it as well. March 7th simply missed the implication."
March 7th: "Wha—how did I miss that?!"
Tingyun: "So, you three… are from the same world as I am?"
March 7th: "Yup! I'm March 7th, a Nameless passenger of the Astral Express!"
Silver Wolf: "Uhh, am I even supposed to share my identity like this?"
Exusiai: "C'mon, we're all friends here."
Silver Wolf: "Fine, I'm Silver Wolf—a Stellaron Hunter."
Bronya: "I am Bronya Rand, Supreme Guardian of Belobog, on Jarilo-VI."
Tingyun: "..."
Tingyun: "Forgive my ignorance, Miss Bronya. I've never heard of Jarilo-VI."
Bronya: "That's no fault of yours. Our planet was cut off from the stars seven centuries ago during the Stellaron crisis and the Destruction Legion's invasion."
Tingyun: "The Destruction Legion… and a Stellaron Crisis… How tragic."
As a member of the Sky-Faring Commission, Tingyun knew exactly what those words meant—cosmic calamity. If it were true, then Jarilo-VI must have suffered terribly.
Bronya: "Do not worry, Miss Tingyun. Thanks to the chat group, the Astral Express, and Miss Silver Wolf's aid, we resolved the Stellaron Crisis. The eternal frost is melting, and our world will soon rejoin the galaxy."
Tingyun: "How wonderful. Truly worth celebrating."
Tingyun: "I've heard of the Astral Express—the Nameless travelers who explore the universe. A most admirable group."
Tingyun: "Though there is one thing I still do not understand."
Tingyun: "Miss Silver Wolf, forgive my boldness, but the Stellaron Hunters are considered fugitives across the cosmos. Why would you help Miss Bronya's world?"
Silver Wolf: "…You should probably ask the chat group that."
Tingyun: "Pardon?"
Shinobu Kocho: "Ah, that's because when a member encounters apocalyptic elements in a world, it triggers a Apocalypse Expedition Mission!"
Shinobu Kocho: "Those chosen cross worlds to resolve crises and earn Apocalypse Points."
Tushan Honghong: "Those points are no joke—they can enhance your power immensely."
Tingyun nodded, recalling the "Apocalypse Points" she'd seen in the group's menu. If everything here was real, she could understand why even Stellaron Hunters joined missions.
Furina: "Alternate worlds? How fascinating! Imagine turning that concept into a stage play—it would be magnificent!"
No one seemed to care anymore whether she was an impostor god or not, so she finally dared to speak up.
[Ding! Member Mikasa has encountered an abnormal apocalypse factor. Initiating Apocalypse Expedition!]
[Expedition Type]: Three-Person Team
[Duration]: 1 hour
[Participants]: Tatsuki, Mikasa, Tingyun
[Objective]: Eliminate the trial target—Reiner Braun.
Tatsuki: "There you go—the stage you wanted."
Furina: "Eh?"
Tingyun: "So this is the Apocalypse Expedition? It says I can cross worlds after confirming… Can that truly be done?"
Kiana: "Heh, it's real. I've done it—crossing worlds feels awesome!"
March 7th: "Tatsuki and his team saved our world not long ago."
Nami: "If you're not sure, just try it. You'll see."
Tingyun: "Thank you, everyone. I know what to do now."
Tatsuki: "Then I'll say no more. I'm heading out."
Tatsuki released Kanae's soft lips, giving her a light pat on the thigh—the sign that their session was over. Understanding without words, Kanae pulled back, obedient and gentle.
Tatsuki brushed her hair aside. "I'll be off to another world for a bit. Rest in my mental space."
"Alright." Her body dissolved into light.
Tatsuki confirmed the teleportation.
…
BOOOOM!
An ear-splitting explosion roared through the ruins of a crumbling city.
Mikasa, Ymir, and Christa fled desperately with their vertical maneuvering gear.
Because before them—a 60-meter Colossal Titan had risen from the ground!
Its legs were thick, arms unnaturally thin, head small and skinless, its body glowing red and steaming with scalding heat.
"Damn it! Why did a Colossal Titan suddenly appear?!" Ymir cursed midair, leaping between broken towers.
That towering monster was enough to make humanity remember the fear of being dominated by Titans.
Its mere heat was lethal to approach.
They had no chance of defeating it—escape was their only option.
They almost reached the forest's edge when—
"Christa, look out!!" Ymir's pupils shrank in horror.
"!!!"
A flash of golden lightning erupted ahead, and from within the trees, a 15-meter Titan stood up—with white hair and armor-like yellow tissue covering its body.
Right in Christa's path.
Her grappling hooks fired—one latched onto a tree, the other just retracting.
Too late to change direction.
The Titan's fist came crashing down toward her.
....
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