The next day, within the Thousand Worlds.
Inside the Thousand Worlds, Su sensed a visitor from the outside and slowly opened his eyes.
"Mr. Ash..."
After casually using his psychic energy to create a barrier to prevent others from prying, Su smiled and looked at Leo Ash.
"Is there something that required you to return here so suddenly to see me?"
"Yeah, something feels a little off."
Having just returned to Schicksal HQ from the vicinity of Jiuyou, Leo Ash wearily rubbed the bridge of his nose and spoke to Su.
"I was supposed to start clearing out those Honkai Beasts today, but Bianka worked so hard before that the number of Honkai incidents needing to be handled around the world is much lower than I expected."
"So I figured, before I make my move, I should meet with you, Mr. Su. There are some things that, really, only you are suited for."
"I see."
Listening to Leo Ash's words, Su thought for a moment before asking.
"This is about Kevin, isn't it?"
"Yeah, nothing gets past you."
Before leaving Jiuyou, Leo Ash had sought out the Schicksal members stationed there assisting Shenzhou with the 'dismemberment' of Chiyou and asked about the situation.
Faced with the Knight who had successfully resolved several Great Eruptions, the members naturally didn't hide anything and told him everything.
According to them, over the past month, the joint Shenzhou-Schicksal forces had encountered several groups trying to make a move on Chiyou's remains.
But those groups were no match for them, which is why Chiyou's corpse was still sitting in Jiuyou, untouched.
This was actually a very normal occurrence.
While anyone with a brain would know that Schicksal and Shenzhou would place immense importance on the corpse of a Judgment-class Honkai Beast, the world is never short of brainless idiots.
But for Leo Ash, who knew the plot, these groups going to Jiuyou might not just be 'brainless idiots trying to score big,' but a sign of something else.
After Kevin returned to World Serpent, he had to eat Chiyou sashimi to recover a portion of his strength.
And now, these people were coming over to throw their lives away every few days. Knowing the plot, Leo Ash could easily draw a conclusion.
These people were clearly scouts sent by Gray Serpent to test whether 'Chiyou's corpse was still in Jiuyou.'
Damn it, that old geezer...
Oh, wait, these old geezers were clearly preparing for Kevin's return.
Recently, aside from Schicksal HQ, there hadn't been any other large-scale Honkai Eruptions, so based on that, Wendy probably hadn't become a Herrscher yet.
But the fact that Gray Serpent was still making preparations while being hounded by Otto like a dog meant the situation wasn't looking good.
"Simply put, I think it's still possible for Kevin to be rescued by his subordinates."
"I still think the Stigmata Project is a moronic plan, so..."
"—I need to find a way to make sure Kevin doesn't get a chance to show his face."
Although Su himself was the one who had betrayed Kevin's trust, seeing someone else who didn't want Kevin to descend upon the world again still filled his heart with complex feelings.
However, Su knew very well that Leo Ash's line of thinking was correct.
With Fu Hua having been chosen by the Honkai to become a Herrscher, Kevin's return would indeed only throw the world into more chaos.
Admittedly, if Kevin returned and regained his former power, with his 'Chimera' abilities, he could definitely deal with ordinary Herrschers, including the Herrscher of Binding.
But Kevin, who had faced the Herrscher of Finality and knew it couldn't be defeated, would absolutely execute the Stigmata Project with lightning speed and ruthless methods.
"But, I've already followed our plan and restored Mr. Siegfried and Mr. Welt to their peak fighting condition."
"Is that still not enough?"
"Of course not."
Taking a deep breath, Leo Ash spoke to Su with great seriousness.
"Actually, I've had a bad feeling ever since Otto went missing."
"He's definitely lurking in the shadows, preparing to stir up trouble. But at the same time, because of Master Fu Hua, he won't be returning to Schicksal HQ anytime soon."
"During this period, Schicksal HQ doesn't actually need you to stand guard and keep Otto in check, Mr. Su."
"So I hope that you can create a clone, Mr. Su, and make a trip to Anti-Entropy to help them defend Abyssal City."
This request was very sudden.
So sudden, in fact, that from Su's perspective, it felt a bit overly cautious.
But considering that Leo Ash clearly had a lot of information that Su himself was not privy to, Su decided to trust him one more time.
From the moment Su met Leo Ash, his choices could be described as very risky.
But while risky, Leo Ash's choices had always achieved outstanding results.
Once or twice could be a coincidence, but after so many times, even though Su wasn't the type to blindly trust others, he had developed a level of trust in Leo Ash's choices that was beyond ordinary.
"I understand. In that case—"
"Wait!"
Seeing Su already gathering his power to create a clone, Leo Ash quickly added.
"The usual, the usual."
"...Is this really necessary?"
Instantly understanding Leo Ash's meaning, Su gave a helpless, bitter smile.
"I think a simple argument between us would be enough to create the misunderstanding you want in Mr. Otto, who might be lurking in the shadows."
"Ah, you say that, but if we're going to put on a show, we should go all the way, so..."
Seeing Leo Ash suddenly throw a punch, Su could only helplessly activate his Karma Cycle.
Then, to his utter astonishment, Su was sent flying backward.
What?!
The Karma Cycle was forcibly broken?
Although Leo Ash's hasty blow didn't have much force behind it, the mere fact that he had broken through the Karma Cycle was enough to shock Su.
During their last sparring session, although Su's Karma Cycle didn't have much effect on Leo Ash, it had at least activated normally.
It was just that Leo Ash, knowing the properties of the Karma Cycle in advance, knew how to evade it, which made things difficult for Su.
But now, Leo Ash had directly broken through the Karma Cycle's domain...
The outcome might be the same—the technique failing—but there was a world of difference between a targeted evasion and a direct, forceful breakthrough.
And it had been less than a month since Su and Leo Ash last put on their act.
Right now, Leo Ash wasn't even wearing the Blank Key he got from Otto, but the [Zero Knight: Moonshade] Godsbane Armor that Otto had created for him.
If Mr. Ash put on the Blank Key and picked up a Divine Key...
*Hiss*, his rate of progress is just too fast.
Much faster than Kevin back in the day.
It feels strange to think this, but I can't suppress the thought in my heart.
Are all the young people of this era monsters?
....
Schicksal HQ, outside the Thousand Worlds.
Outside the Thousand Worlds, Kiana stood with the daughter she had met the day before yesterday, Isla Ash, waiting for Leo Ash to emerge.
As for why the mother and daughter were here, the main reason was, of course, Isla Ash...
Alright, she wanted to see Leo Ash too.
But besides that, there was another reason.
Today, after Theresa had summoned everyone living at Himeko's place to Schicksal HQ, Kiana felt an inexplicable pull towards a certain place in the headquarters.
Although her precious daughter didn't seem to want to come here, Kiana had a strange compulsion to come to this place today.
How strange, is this locomotive... really that important to me?
Staring at the locomotive that pulsed with immense energy, Kiana felt like she was becoming more and more unlike herself recently.
Not only was she hearing a strange voice in her head, but she would also have strange thoughts from time to time.
Ahaha, according to Mei, she sometimes hears her inner Herrscher Personality talking to her.
Now that Mei has become a Herrscher, Yuna has become a Herrscher, and Class Rep has become a Herrscher, the next one... couldn't be me, could it?
But even with this thought, Kiana surprisingly didn't feel any fear or worry.
After all, even if it was due to various accidents, Leo Ash had already resolved several Herrscher-related incidents in a row.
Su wouldn't blindly trust Leo Ash, but Kiana would absolutely believe, without reservation, that even if she became a Herrscher, Leo Ash would still solve the problems she caused.
And then, with that thought in mind, Kiana saw Leo Ash.
To be precise, she saw a Leo Ash covered in blood, looking clearly and heavily injured.
"Sen-Senior????"
Seeing Leo Ash sent flying out from within the Thousand Worlds, Kiana immediately panicked.
"This-this is Schicksal HQ! Who hurt you like this?!"
"Tch, that damned squinty-eyes..."
Helped up from the ground by Kiana, Leo Ash glared viciously at Su, who had appeared at the entrance of the Thousand Worlds.
"I was just asking to borrow the right to use the Divine Key, is that so much to ask? You're so stingy, you might as well use this thing as your coffin!"
"Mr. Ash, please do not misunderstand."
Enduring the pain in his body, Su maintained his usual calm and collected expression as he spoke to the 'enraged' Leo Ash and the enraged Kiana.
"Without passing my test, no one is qualified to use the Thousand Worlds."
"You, Mr. Otto, and even the little girl beside you. Without passing the test, you will never be able to touch the Thousand Worlds."
"You, you, you—"
Seeing the incredibly punchable man before her, Kiana flipped her hands, aiming the Fafnir Burstflame at Su's head.
"How dare you hurt Senior!"
"Stop, Kiana."
At that moment, Leo Ash stepped between Kiana and Su, speaking to Kiana behind him.
"You're no match for this guy."
"Besides, if you don't attack, he won't touch you. Don't give him a reason to."
"Just as Mr. Ash said."
Glancing at Kiana, the squinting Su smiled at her.
"Miss Kiana Kaslana, as long as you do not attack me, I will not attack you."
"But—!"
To be honest, Kiana really wanted to blow this man's damn head off right now.
However, while Kiana was angry, she hadn't completely lost her mind.
Leo Ash was still wearing the Godsbane Armor Otto had made for him, which meant that he had been defeated by the enemy even while fighting at full strength.
Kiana herself didn't know how big the gap was between her and Leo Ash.
But if it was an enemy that even Leo Ash couldn't defeat, then even if Kiana went all out, she'd probably just end up dead faster.
"You bastard... Forget it! Senior, hang in there, we'll go find Yuna right now!"
After glaring fiercely at Su, Kiana supported Leo Ash and spoke softly to her daughter behind her.
"Isla, let's go. Don't stay near this dangerous guy."
"Okay."
After responding obediently to her mother, Isla Ash turned back to look at Su, who was standing at the entrance of the Thousand Worlds.
But Su could sense that there wasn't a single trace of hatred in the girl's eyes for him, the 'enemy' who had just beaten up Leo Ash.
Watching the family of three walk away, Su returned inside the Thousand Worlds. He rubbed his aching cheek, feeling that something was a little off.
Mr. Ash's daughter... how strange.
Even if an artificial human's mind develops faster than an ordinary child's, the way she looked at me...
Could she have figured out that Mr. Ash and I were just acting?
Was our acting really that bad?
So bad that even a child could see through it?
If that's the case, then we have to be prepared for Mr. Otto to see through our ruse.
Sigh, so many problems, and a lot of them are caused by humans themselves.
Kevin, I'm sorry.
If you get out this time, you will inevitably make the situation even more chaotic.
I truly share Mr. Ash's view. I don't want the Stigmata Project to continue.
So, my friend, I am sorry.
No matter how hard your subordinates try, I will not let you have the chance to return to this world.
.......
A few minutes later, Schicksal HQ.
In the lounge, Theresa looked at Leo Ash, who had just been beaten up upon returning to Schicksal HQ, and felt that the matter she had discussed with Himeko needed to be moved up the schedule.
Just yesterday, she had directly contacted Himeko, who was on standby at the Far East Branch, and told her to bring all the young girls from her house, along with Cioara, to Schicksal HQ to report for duty.
Originally, Theresa had wanted to wait for Himeko to arrive today before discussing how to hand over the position of Schicksal Archbishop to Leo Ash.
But as it turned out, Leo Ash went to Shenzhou, learned about the situation with Chiyou's corpse, and then returned to Schicksal HQ.
And upon his return, he had immediately gone to the Thousand Worlds to find the disagreeable Su, wanting to say something.
Everyone knew what happened next. Leo Ash and Su got into a fight, and Leo Ash got beaten up.
"You know..."
Looking at Leo Ash's body, which had just been healed by Yuna's powers, Theresa didn't even have the strength to be angry anymore.
Sigh, this child. He's clearly a member of the Apocalypse family, but his impulsiveness is just like a Kaslana's...
Oh, I'm like that too, so it's fine—wait, no!
I have Kaslana blood in me!
But he's just an ordinary person!
Realizing this, Theresa asked Leo Ash in exasperation.
"You already clashed with that man named Su once before. Why did you have to go looking for trouble with him again?"
"I just felt that it was a huge disadvantage for us at Schicksal not to have long-range teleportation devices when both Anti-Entropy and World Serpent do."
Recalling the script he and Su had fabricated during their 'fight', Leo Ash continued to explain to Theresa.
"Then, I thought of something. Since the Key of the Void was made from the Herrscher of the Void's core, it should have the ability to teleport."
"At the time, I thought that even though Su and I don't get along, he should still be an old senior on the side of humanity."
"If I could bury the hatchet with him and get him to lend us the Thousand Worlds, we wouldn't be so passive."
"But—that old geezer actually said something like 'you can't use it if you haven't passed the test'."
After saying this, Leo Ash clenched his fists and muttered to himself in frustration.
"The situation is so urgent right now, who has time for any stupid test!"
"So you got into a fight with him?"
"Yeah, that's what happened. It was just an accident."
Exhaling a turbid breath, Leo Ash said helplessly.
"I won't hold any naive hopes about that man ever again."
"That guy... Tch, Lord Bishop Otto was truly foolish to hand over part of Schicksal's authority to him."
Although this was a condemnation of Otto, Amber, who was still acting as the Bishop's secretary, secretly took note of the statement, preparing to send these records to Otto when she had the chance.
Hmm, although Lord Ash is dissatisfied with Lord Otto's methods, he is genuinely thinking from Schicksal's perspective.
Indeed, the possibility of Lord Ash and Mr. Su joining forces is probably nonexistent.
But at the same time, another white-haired woman present had a completely different thought.
Oh, not Theresa.
And certainly not Kiana.
The two of them, currently worried about Leo Ash, only felt that he was being too reckless and that they needed to find a way to rein him in.
The white-haired female who sensed something was off was Isla Ash, her face filled with worry, and her heart just as anxious.
When Kiana started pulling her in that direction today, she had felt that something wasn't quite right.
As the daughter of Kiana, Leo Ash, and Yuna, Isla Ash had gained the ability to teleport shortly after her mind matured a little.
And after Leo Ash warned her not to use this ability in front of others, Isla thought about a few things and came to a conclusion.
Mommy Kiana has never used this ability → Daddy knows I have this ability → Daddy doesn't want Mommy Kiana to know she has this ability.
It was precisely because of this conclusion that she had been reluctant for Kiana to head towards the Thousand Worlds earlier.
Because she could sense that the power she wielded had similarities to the Thousand Worlds.
If her mother went there and sensed it too, she might remember some things that her father didn't want to be exposed.
After meeting her parents, Isla Ash had actually come to understand them roughly.
Daddy's brain is clearly better than Mommy Kiana's and Mommy Yuna's combined, so for now... I can only trust his judgment.
As for Daddy and that gray-haired grandpa...
It felt like there was no hostility between them at all.
So, their fight was purely an act?
That can only mean that there's someone here that they both have to deceive.
First, I'll rule out Grandma Theresa. They wouldn't need such a good act to fool her.
Then, I'll rule out the aunties living at Grandma Himeko's house. Daddy definitely trusts them too.
So now...
Sensing Isla Ash's gaze shift to her, Amber, who was still thinking about how to report to Otto, asked with curiosity.
"Little one, what is it?"
"...Mm, it's nothing, Grandma Amber. I just think you and Grandma Theresa look a little alike."
Hmm, after thinking for a while, the person Daddy and that grandpa want to deceive can only be Grandma Amber.
Or rather, Grandma Amber and the people around her are the ones Daddy is targeting.
Ah, it feels like Daddy's environment is also very complicated.
I should just act like a normal kid and not say the wrong thing right now.
I don't have the acting skills of Daddy and the gray-haired grandpa. If Daddy's plan goes wrong because of me...
Even if Daddy doesn't blame me, I'll blame myself.
...
Meanwhile, in Abyssal City.
Inside Abyssal City, Welt, having just finished some tasks, sat relaxedly in his office, wearily closing his eyes.
Fundamentally, Welt Yang wasn't what you'd call a diligent tryhard.
The reason he had become so busy...
Was mainly because of Otto. The secondary reason...
What secondary reason! There was none!
If Otto hadn't killed his father and caused the death of his hero, would he need to be this busy right now?!
As soon as he thought about those past grievances, Welt, who had been trying to relax, felt that he had no mind for rest anymore.
Just yesterday, a massive surge of Honkai Energy had suddenly erupted from Schicksal HQ.
The Anti-Entropy members lurking in Schicksal HQ had been lucky enough to survive and had managed to send this information back to Anti-Entropy's headquarters.
Now that Otto was missing, Theresa was temporarily acting as Archbishop, and Schicksal's policy had completely shifted to prioritizing the fight against Honkai Beasts.
All of this should have been good news to Welt.
However, as a victim of Otto's villainy, Welt had, in a sense, developed a trauma response.
Otto was missing, Schicksal was operating normally, so he could relax...
—If he really relaxed at a time like this, Otto would absolutely not miss any opportunity to show him the terrible consequences of letting his guard down.
Otto scheming against others while staying in Schicksal HQ was annoying, but that was all it was.
But with the old geezer missing, the situation was completely different.
Fourteen years ago, Otto had taken the initiative and dealt Welt a blow, which ultimately led to the Herrscher of the Void, Sirin, escaping with four Herrscher Cores and nearly destroying the world.
And now, fourteen years later, Otto was hiding again. This time, if he chose to act, Welt felt—given the old geezer's nature, he would one hundred percent pull some even bigger stunt.
With this premonition in his heart, Welt opened his intelligence screen, preparing to contact Raiden Ryoma.
But at that moment, Welt suddenly pulled out the Star of Eden he had prepared long ago, looking warily in a certain direction.
"Mr. Welt, it is excellent that you possess such vigilance."
Appearing here via the Thousand Worlds, Su looked at Welt holding the Divine Key and said with a calm smile.
"Seeing your attitude, I am somewhat reassured."
"Mr. Su..."
Seeing the man who had appeared before him, Welt instantly relaxed a little.
"Ha, that's right. The only person who knows the coordinates of this place and possesses long-range teleportation is you, after all."
"Are you here today to inform me of something else?"
"No, that is not the case."
Casually finding a chair and sitting down, Su's smile vanished as he spoke to Welt with great seriousness.
"Recently, I have noticed renewed activity from Kevin's subordinates. In my opinion, it is impossible for them to have given up on the idea of rescuing Kevin."
"Therefore, I have determined that with Mr. Otto missing, rather than remaining in Schicksal, it would be better for me to come here to Abyssal City and ambush those fools who have not given up on their obsession."
"...Is the situation that serious?"
"Yes. I would even hope that you, Mr. Welt, would abandon your rotational shift system with Mr. Siegfried and have him remain in Abyssal City as well."
Listening to Su's words, Welt didn't doubt him for a second and immediately sent a message to Siegfried to 'return to Abyssal City'.
After all, this was the man who had given him and Siegfried the divine medicine. For such a benefactor who could come and go as he pleased and had every opportunity to ambush him but didn't, Welt certainly had no reason to be overly suspicious of Su.
As for Su, he was naturally very satisfied with Welt's attitude.
Sigh, dealing with someone like Mr. Welt is so much more pleasant than dealing with the scheming Mr. Otto.
But for now, it's still not enough.
Since the Honkai is accelerating, there's no point in hiding things anymore.
"Additionally, Mr. Welt, there are some things I would like you to see."
At that moment, Welt saw Su display something before his eyes.
"This, this is...!"
Looking at the data and information on the light screen, Welt exclaimed.
"Are these the blueprints for the Judgment of Shamash?!"
Yes, that's right.
I had forgotten one thing. Whether it's the Star of Eden or the Judgment of Shamash, these were all things created by the pioneers of the Previous Era.
It's obviously a matter of course for Mr. Su to have the blueprints for the Previous Era's Divine Keys.
"I believe that upon seeing these blueprints, Mr. Welt, you should understand my intentions."
Looking at the slightly stunned Welt, Su said word for word.
"The power of the Herrscher of Reason allows you to manifest Divine Keys once you know their internal structure."
"To prepare for the coming battle, I hope that you, Mr. Welt, will memorize the blueprints for these Divine Keys."
"I do not know how much of a difference these blueprints will make, but now, with the Honkai continuously accelerating..."
"It is indeed safer for our side to have a bit more firepower."
....