[Causality].
Only an "Aeon" is capable of nullifying this ability; or rather, using a power like Causality against an "Aeon" is no different from child's play. No one can trace the past or future of an "Aeon".
Even with a status like "Lan", one cannot use "Causality" as a weapon to kill "The Abundance". But conversely, this means that "Causality" is only useless against "Aeons". Against existences beneath the "Aeons", one just has to remember not to laugh while using it.
Where there is gain, there must be loss. Although it cannot handle high-end matches against "Aeons", likewise, what the ability of "Causality" brings to lower-end matches is a slaughter without any suspense.
Others might not know the weight of this arrow from Leon, but Lycus knows best just how absurdly high it is. Even a hundred "Silent Lords" wouldn't be enough to withstand this arrow.
An ordinary "Causality Arrow" certainly wouldn't be that exaggerated, but this is an arrow fired by Leon after ascending to the account of "Lan". In this moment, its nature is entirely different.
An attack launched with the status of an "Aeon", even if its output is less than one-billionth of the main body, is something no "Emanator" in the universe can block.
Let's put it more bluntly.
—Beneath the "Aeons", Leon is invincible!
Lycus's evaluations have always been fair; he never speaks in hyperbole. Just as he previously told the two Geniuses that the Iron Tomb's rage could engulf the galaxy, and it really could.
Regarding Leon's strength, his statement was actually an underestimation.
"How truly interesting..."
Lycus crossed his arms, looking up at the man shielding Rubert III behind him.
"The Trailblaze", "The Elation". And a "Path" that is still only a prototype, its full picture blurred and unclear. He alone has stepped onto four types of "Paths"; one could say that he alone is worth an entire Amphoreus.
Of the four "Paths", "The Hunt" is the highest—a height that no one in the entire galaxy can match.
Then comes "The Elation", roughly at the level of a top-tier "Emanator". "The Trailblaze" ranks third, situated in the echelon of powerful "Pathstriders".
Finally, there is this fourth one, an unknown "Path" that hasn't revealed its full form like the previous three. The fluctuation of this "Path" is particularly large. It is hard to conclude whether he is an "Emanator" or a "Pathstrider".
However, Lycus had a premonition. Leon's arrival is related to this "Path", and he believed he would witness its full appearance in a moment.
Exciting!
"..."
Realizing that she had been defeated in an instant, Polka felt a bit anxious. This was the first time she had lost so thoroughly in a confrontation of numerical values; not even Zandar could make her feel such obvious frustration. But Leon did it, and he did it with ease.
Polka watched the arrow tearing through "The Nihility", rushing towards her. As a member of the "The Erudition" faction, she understood quite well that in 0.1 seconds, this arrow would completely take her life.
Feeling the oppressive pressure just a step away, Polka knew that if she didn't leave now, she would never have the chance to leave again.
Her face, obscured by candy-colored data garble, unconsciously bit her lower lip. This is a manifestation of powerlessness that humans subconsciously display when encountering a situation they cannot solve.
"You win, Ranger."
Polka admitted his strength and was willing to make way for his strength. Against this arrow, she had no means of countermeasure. Unless "Nous" intervened, otherwise, whoever came would be of no help.
Polka said nothing more. Her figure simply faded gradually, escaping into a void. In the blink of an eye, she disappeared, as if she had evaporated from the scene.
[Device IX]
Analogous to the "Sudarsana" space of "The Nihility", this was currently Polka's only hope for survival.
This space is wrapped by "The Nihility", isolating all attacks or external objects. Anything entering this space loses its original meaning. Even the sharpest sword becomes merely a piece of scrap iron under the erosion of "The Nihility".
It is difficult for Pathstriders of non-"Nihility" Paths to withstand the erosion. [Device IX]—this space can be said to be a place half-tainted by the mighty power of an "Aeon".
This was Polka's final trump card. It was also the only thing she had on hand to contend with "Causality".
"Where on earth did this Galaxy Ranger pop out from..."
After entering [Device IX], Polka, thinking she had escaped disaster, muttered to herself. There was an indescribable sense of dissonance about Leon.
If pressed, her first impression of this was that legendary "Aeon" of "The Finality", "Terminus".
Just as "Terminus" transcends the concept of "Time" and moves against the flow, Leon gave her a somewhat similar feeling.
"Such a powerful 'The Hunt'... could it be that he came back by tracing 'Causality'?"
Polka, surviving the catastrophe, began to speculate on his origins. So, whose "Causality" prompted him to come? Was it her?
No, Polka didn't feel half a bit of hatred towards herself from him. In other words, he didn't act with the driving force of The Hunt; he simply felt she was blocking the way.
Thinking of it this way, only one candidate remained. Coupled with that ambiguous tone earlier. Without a doubt, he came for Herta.
But why precisely at this timing? Appearing at this moment, what else could he do besides stopping her from killing her? Is there some kind of restriction?
Polka couldn't get an answer. Just as she planned to speculate seriously, she felt a powerful energy tearing through space!
In an instant, she saw the "Causality" arrow facing the firewall of "The Nihility" head-on and raiding into [Device IX]!
Realizing that she had been defeated in an instant, Polka felt a bit anxious. This was the first time she had lost so thoroughly in a confrontation of numerical values; not even Zandar could make her feel such obvious frustration. But Leon did it, and he did it with ease.
Polka watched the arrow tearing through "The Nihility", rushing towards her. As a member of the "The Erudition" faction, she understood quite well that in 0.1 seconds, this arrow would completely take her life.
Feeling the oppressive pressure just a step away, Polka knew that if she didn't leave now, she would never have the chance to leave again.
Polka, having reacted, suddenly looked back. Unfortunately, against the speed of "The Hunt", she was already too late! "Causality" directly penetrated the candy-colored garble, hitting her right in the center of her brow!
"...Truly an unreasonable strength."
Because of the arrow's recoil, causing her upper body to lean back uncontrollably, Polka struggled to straighten up. There was a not-so-small dent on her forehead, created just now by Leon's arrow.
"The Hunt's 'Causality', indeed lives up to its reputation."
Polka's figure began to dissipate; she could perceive it.
"To seek the beginning through the end, this is the capability of an 'Aeon'..."
Every moment of herself was dissipating. Present, past, future. The existence of the person Polka Kakamond was being completely erased...
She lost, lost very thoroughly, and died very thoroughly. The content of [Device IX] was still insufficient to compare with Leon; how could a place sheltered by half an "Aeon" compare to an attack from a true "Aeon"?
"I shall exist eternally with 'Nous'..."
The Geniuses are all neurons of "Nous"; in a sense, upon death, the data returns to the main body. She did not die, she merely returned to His embrace.
Just like that, before Rubert III met its curtain call. "The Silent Lord" walked into the finale one step ahead of it.
Genius Society #4, Polka Kakamond. Deceased.
"..."
"Roadside."
As the words fell, the long hair behind Leon dissipated, his aura retracted, seemingly unsurprised by her death.
If he said he'd kill her, he'd definitely kill her; otherwise, did you think he was joking with you? If you don't understand, go talk to his numerical values!
"Come, let me see what you will do next."
Lycus crossed his arms; originally intending to start high, his interest was now completely piqued by Leon.
"Facing Rubert III, what kind of choice will you make, Ranger?"
He was very curious about this, so he planned to watch the whole process. To uphold the philosophy of the Galaxy Rangers and kill her, or to let her go based on that inexplicable old affection?
Lycus suddenly felt that this trip to Amphoreus didn't seem like a loss anymore. Although the Iron Tomb is gone, the unexpected delight of Leon's arrival can count as a massive extra harvest.
An "Emanator" wielding an "Aeon's" weapon... hiss, to see such a world-shaking existence take action, even dying would be worth the ticket price!
As the saying goes, the enemy of my enemy is my friend. From Leon's remark just now—"A running dog of the Moment has no right to confer honors upon her"—it can also be seen.
He doesn't like "Nous" very much either. He can definitely count as a potential ally to half-elbow "The Erudition"; perhaps a cooperative relationship can be reached between the two.
Lycus felt this was a very likely possibility.
"Herta."
After resolving Polka, Leon did not lower the Hunt in his hand. He turned around, looking at Rubert III, next to whose colossal body he seemed like an ant.
"You've grown up."
Leon did not attack immediately but spoke to her in a calm tone. As if she still retained some consciousness.
"This intensity is almost catching up to the Main..."
He was able to give a comment about trying to like this kind of beauty filled with intensity just now. Now, regarding how high the intensity of Herta in this Rubert III state actually is, presumably, it goes without saying.
"You want to personally take back everything you lost, right?"
Leon looked at her; she remained silent.
"This time you deserve the title; finally, you don't have to pretend to be the Main anymore..."
Rubert III made no movements; Leon was actually quite surprised she didn't attack him. But thinking about it, inside is Herta. The most conscientious and sound Genius in the universe; suddenly, it wasn't that surprising.
"Pity, your Daoist Heart is still not firm enough."
After speaking, Leon raised the lowered Hunt, aiming the sight directly at her chest.
"Your imagination is too big; clearly, it's flat there."
"In the final analysis, it's caused by your head not being completely filled with numerical values. You should have been as single-minded as the Iron Tomb, instead of thinking about all those other things."
Leon regretted that she didn't win against the Iron Tomb, and at the same time summarized the reason why she didn't win in his view. The Iron Tomb was just like him; there was only one thing in its head. For him, it was the love of numerical values, and for it, purely the hatred for Nous. And Herta was obviously not among the ranks of these two.
Rubert III stuck out her chest, as if responding to his spoken words. But Leon knew she was conveying information to him. Her entire face was covered by an expressionless black mask, unable to convey any words. Thus, she could only use her body.
Leon knew that whether through words or body, the meaning she would express at this moment was always only one:
[Do it]
"I know, that is exactly what I came for."
Leon said no more; drawing the string, condensing the arrow, nocking the bow—three actions completed in one breath.
"The false is ultimately just false; it is time for the Main dream to wake up..."
Leon released the string, and a bright purple energy arrow shot out violently.
"Herta."
The arrow hit true. Energy of a magnitude sufficient to annihilate a star erupted from Rubert III's body. Under Leon's unreserved offensive, the core was destroyed, and she was killed.
It was only a matter of time. Rubert III did not offer any resistance from start to finish; whether striking back at him or interrupting, she did absolutely nothing.
Conscience—this was the part that occupied the most of Herta's life. So much that it would take the Iron Tomb quite some time to consume it completely. Once this time limit passed, the Third Emperor War would begin as scheduled. That was not what Herta wanted to see.
And what Leon had to do was to kill Rubert III before this time limit.
And then...
Rewrite everything, expel all the bad things, and turn the story into the appearance he liked!
Rubert III has fallen. Without dodging or avoiding, she took Leon's arrow. Without putting up even a bit of resistance, under the scouring of such intense "The Hunt", no one could walk out alive.
Shoo!
The full-covering black mask was peeled away by the aftershock, revealing the godless, lightless violet eye within.
"Although I don't know who you are... thank you..."
In the moment before Rubert III completely dissipated into light and shadow, Herta's dying words surfaced by Leon's ear.
"The mechanical head's moment has been completely broken... It seems my efforts were not in vain..."
On Herta's exposed half-face, the corner of her mouth raised uglily.
And all of this is because of you. Many thanks, unknown Galaxy Ranger.
Herta no longer had the ability to transmit this sentence. One could only see that Rubert III's giant-like body, under the mopping up of "The Hunt", had already lost any trace of its shadow, leaving not even a trace of existence behind.
Leon gave no response, simply staring ahead in silence.
"Practicing 'The Hunt' to the very end, is this his choice?"
Lycus murmured to himself, not surprised by this situation. Whether for this junior's own will or for the status quo that was beyond saving, this was the best choice.
Just when Lycus thought the matter was about to end like this—
Something caught him off guard. An "Aeon" cast Their gaze here! Bringing with it the revelation of the unknown full picture of the "Fourth Path" on Leon!
"The Finality"!
"Terminus...?"
Feeling this Path energy, Lycus immediately exclaimed in shock. This "Aeon" not only gazed at Leon but directly elevated him to become Their "Emanator"!
The blessing of "Terminus" upon him stands shoulder to shoulder with "The Elation", second only to "The Hunt"! Lycus felt it was somewhat inconceivable.
Why? Why did even "Terminus" appear? This is completely wrong!
To cause such a strange sudden occurrence, there is undoubtedly only one person on the scene! Lycus immediately cast his gaze toward Leon, hoping to get the desired answer from him.
But the person involved had no intention of answering. He simply acted as if he knew "Terminus" would come, raising his hand to accept His acknowledgement of his actions.
Lycus looked at Leon's back for a long time. Finally, after his brain held an emergency discussion.
He finally realized with hindsight exactly where Leon came from. Whether it was when such a powerful "Hunt" Emanator popped up, or when "Lan" bestowed many things—none of these questions need to be wondered at anymore.
Because this guy is not from this timeline at all! From his appearance until now, "The Finality" has been entangled around him, watching, or rather testing him—this is the best proof!
Precisely because he accomplished such a magnificent feat of moving against the timeline just like Himself, "Terminus" attaches such importance to him, granting the assistance of an "Emanator"!
As Zandar, Lycus's experience and vision far exceed that of the average Genius. Things others find absurd are just right for him.
He was saying, how could an "Emanator" carrying an "Aeon's" weapon and possessing such powerful strength be obscure and unknown! Now he knew, the man "transmigrated" here!
Shoo!
Leon raised his hand, accepting the concrete blessing of "Terminus"!
"In the Finality line the cold wind blows, the Finality Cicada chirps and returns against time!"
Leon gripped the Cicada of Finality; as soon as his voice fell, the energy of "The Finality" on his body rose steadily! In the next instant, he moved against the current following the revelation of "The Finality", and the whole person vanished in the blink of an eye!
"Moving against the timeline, how exactly is this achieved..."
Lycus didn't understand; even the Path of "The Finality" shouldn't be able to achieve such a thing. The practice of "The Finality" enhances the quantity and precision of the future one can see. It has not a dime to do with moving against the timeline.
The reason "Terminus" can do it is because He himself is a creature that moves against time. Having irreplaceable and sufficient distinctiveness—on what basis did Leon achieve it?
He began to think.
Perhaps precisely because "Terminus" also didn't know how he achieved it, He paid special attention to this.
"Terminus": I've got to sit up and watch this!
____
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