Hearing what Leo Ash said, more than one person in the crowd wanted to speak up and ask him to stay.
After all, compared to the previous Archbishop, Otto, who had betrayed all of humanity, Leo Ash was the kind of perfect man you could barely find any fault with.
He didn't have Otto's political skill to suppress those scoundrels who were just waiting to cause trouble, but he possessed more than enough power to deter those petty crooks.
To those who didn't know about True Manifestation Fusion, Leo also hadn't brought about much technological innovation.
But the problem was, Schicksal pursued technological innovation in the first place to kill the Honkai.
That bastard Otto had indeed brought plenty of technological innovation, but the problem was, after bringing new technology, he still secretly allowed the Honkai to develop.
Compared to a damn dog like Otto, who fought the Honkai on the surface but helped it behind the scenes, Leo Ash—who hadn't brought much technological innovation but had directly solved the fundamental problem—was infinitely more pleasing to the eye.
It was only because Leo Ash had successfully resolved the Honkai problem while serving as Schicksal's Archbishop that the crowd was now restraining their impulse to speak out.
This man deserved their respect, which is why everyone tacitly agreed not to interrupt his speech.
"Ah, I know what everyone is thinking. Things like 'This is really sudden,' or 'Schicksal can't possibly function without Archbishop Leo Ash.'"
"But everyone, think about it carefully—I was asleep on the moon for over three years. Did Schicksal stop functioning because I was absent?"
At this moment, Leo Ash's smile faded as he addressed the crowd.
"Over three years ago, at my inauguration ceremony, I told all of you—perhaps I, as a high-end combatant, am very important, but my colleagues, all of you are just as important."
"After I solved a few problems, while I was away, all the post-disaster reconstruction work was completed through everyone's hard work."
"There's no need to belittle yourselves. In my eyes, you are all heroes who can proudly hold your heads high."
"Hmm, thinking about it... I don't think I have anything else to say."
At that moment, a relaxed smile appeared on Leo's face.
"Looking back, I was just a kid who was pushed into the Archbishop role against his will."
"Without undergoing proper training, I simply relied on the purest thoughts in my mind and translated them into words and actions."
"I consider myself worthy of the power this position gave me, but thinking about it—we don't need to fight the Honkai anymore. Perhaps everyone needs someone who can do a good job of command and coordination more."
"Of course, resigning doesn't mean I'm leaving Schicksal. From now on, I will continue to fight alongside everyone as a member of Schicksal, so..."
At this, Leo Ash suddenly looked toward a camera that had been installed in the venue at some unknown time.
"What I said to all of you three years ago, perhaps you've already forgotten, so I'll change it a bit and say it again."
"I, Leo Ash, can bury Finality, and I can naturally bury all of you."
"Now, even Finality has been buried by me, so I think..."
"—There shouldn't be anyone clueless enough to try and stir up trouble at a time like this, right?"
Hearing Leo's threatening words, a member standing in the crowd suddenly burst out laughing.
To be honest, Leo's resignation speech was a bit unpresentable.
Whether it was his choice of words or the expression on his face, it all felt very... crude?
However, they didn't think this 'unpresentable' speech and behavior was a bad thing.
In the past, Otto, whether before a major battle or at important events, would give brilliant speeches to inspire morale.
And the Schicksal members, who didn't know Otto's true face, would naturally be moved by the Archbishop's sincere words, and their blood would rush to their heads as they prepared to die for him.
But Leo Ash was different. His wording wasn't exactly appropriate, and at times he even gave others a feeling of rudeness, but the problem was...
—When your boss can *actually* solve the most serious problem, are these 'problems' really problems at all?
Moreover, Leo's somewhat crude and impulsive tone and demeanor were intentionally maintained.
Otto had deceived everyone for a long time. If Leo acted as flawlessly as Otto, it might instead trigger the Schicksal members' PTSD regarding Otto.
For the sake of everyone's psychological well-being, Leo naturally chose a completely different route from Otto for his speech.
In the end, he wasn't like Otto, who had a prominent family background from the start.
Some might think that Otto's father, Nicholas, gave him nothing.
But this idea is clearly wrong. Although Nicholas didn't fulfill his fatherly duties after Otto was born, from the moment Otto was born, he had already bestowed one thing upon him—the status of a member of the Apocalypse family.
It was precisely because of this status that Otto, in the medieval era when commoners might not even have enough to eat, had ample opportunity to learn, becoming a field medic during Schicksal's Eastern Expedition.
This status not only meant Otto had access to sufficient knowledge, but it also represented a channel for advancement.
If Otto had been just a commoner, he might not have had the chance to acquire this knowledge, meet the woman most important to him, and then become the Fool who deceived the entire world.
But Leo Ash was different. He was a commoner from the very beginning.
Although he had Rita as an adoptive sister and Bianka as a friend, their attempts to stop him from stepping onto the battlefield were undoubtedly stumbling blocks on his path to revenge.
Perhaps later, Leo did gain the status of a member of the Apocalypse family, but that was something gifted to him by Theresa *after* he had demonstrated sufficient value.
Whether in terms of mindset or his path of advancement, Leo felt that a kid who was originally a mud-legged peasant should act in this crude but sincere manner.
As for anyone who thought his approach was wrong... using a stereotype to judge a living person and then asking why you don't act according to the stereotype—what could Leo do but smile wryly?
He was a person.
Although he had always been on the verge of madness but hadn't quite gone mad, and although he had long possessed power beyond human comprehension, in terms of his mindset, he had always been a living, breathing person.
Everyone has their own way of-living and acting. To imitate actions you shouldn't, just because of what others think...
Ha, forget about that kind of thing.
And now, seeing the smiles and looks of relief on the faces of the crowd, Leo knew his line of thinking was generally correct.
"So now, you're not the Archbishop anymore, right?"
Seeing Leo step down from the podium, Mike took the lead in heckling.
"Leo, the bartender said he specially mixed a new cocktail to celebrate your return—"
"Hold on a minute."
Looking at the comrades who were gradually surrounding him, Leo looked at the bartender, who had a solemn expression, with a strange look on his face.
"This drink... are you drinking it yourself?"
"I... am not worthy."
The bartender, who had already prepared a cocktail and brought it to the scene, held the glass out to Leo.
"The strongest drink is naturally reserved for the strongest person to drink."
"I have waited a long time for this day—Former Archbishop Leo Ash, please!"
"Wow."
Glancing at the clearly expectant crowd around him, Leo even spotted Kiana hiding in the crowd, holding a video camera, preparing to record this moment.
*It's been three years since I've schooled her. This girl is either horny or just needs a good spanking.*
*Dammit, after this meeting is over, I'll definitely make it so you can't get out of Bed!*
"You guys... I just stepped down less than three seconds ago, and you're already forcing my hand?"
"But forget it. I'm actually very curious just what this 'strongest drink' of yours tastes like."
Taking the cocktail, Leo, having prepared himself mentally, downed it in one gulp.
In the next instant, Leo felt as if time around him had stopped.
This wasn't because he, like the first time he drank the bartender's concoction, had drunk something that almost sent him to his grave.
On the contrary, this cocktail actually made Leo feel—if he could have one of these fine drinks every day, it might not be a bad choice.
"...An unexpected taste."
Savoring the flavor in his mouth, Leo looked at his comrades around him.
"I thought you guys were trying to prank me."
"I already said, this is the strongest drink."
Taking the glass from Leo's hand, the bartender wiped the teasing smile from his face and said to Leo with great solemnity.
"Wraith has told you before, most of us here carry a past similar to yours."
"Actually, the fact that my lover turned into a Honkai Zombie and killed my daughter... I've never completely forgotten it. Or rather... I really want to force myself to forget, but I also feel that if I forget, I'll lose something very important."
"Because of these two contradictory thoughts, I ended up losing some of my memories—of course, all those memories have now been retrieved with Dr. Fu's help."
"I don't know what you're thinking, but in my opinion, you are far too modest."
"To us, those who have had important things stolen from us by the Honkai, Leo, you are without a doubt our hero."
"Yeah, he's right."
At this moment, Wraith stepped out from the crowd, came to Leo's side, and said to him.
"I told you back then—don't try to live an inconspicuous life. After all, the you right now is already destined to go down in history."
"Now, the battle with the Honkai is over. So before you officially resign, do something. After all..."
"We've waited a long time for you, champion."
*Do something... huh?*
Looking at the comrades around him, Leo thought for a moment, then said no more.
As if making a declaration, he raised his right hand high, then closed his fingers in order: pinky, ring, middle, index, thumb.
And seeing Leo's clenched fist, an atmosphere suddenly began to permeate the space.
Without the need for many words, at this moment, everyone watching this scene finally felt one thing deeply.
The battle with the Honkai was finally over.
And the person who brought this victory—was unquestionably the young man before their eyes.
Cheers?
Perhaps, at this moment, someone shouted out in celebration.
But many more, after the heavy burden in their hearts was lifted, did not let out deafening cheers.
After confirming this fact, they could finally no longer restrain their emotions.
Humanity... had finally defeated the Honkai.
But in the process, far, far too many people had died.
Among the elites of Schicksal HQ gathered here today, at least half had joined Schicksal because various Honkai incidents had led to the destruction of their families.
Leo Ash was Schicksal's most famous Avenger, but the number of people in the organization who had always sought revenge against the Honkai was, in fact, not small.
Today, they finally confirmed that their nemesis had dissipated. As the heavy burden in their hearts completely vanished...
—The entire crowd in the venue burst into tears.
"Wow, this is quite a scene."
Looking at the expressions on his comrades' faces, Wraith nudged Leo in the ribs with a deliberately flippant gesture.
"Ash, you really are a sinful man."
"That's only because my teacher taught me well—right, Teacher Wraith?"
"Hah, perhaps. But..."
Wraith, who was about to say something, suddenly shook his head with a smile and said to Leo.
"Forget it, it's nothing."
"Rest well, former Archbishop Leo Ash. Your battle, and everyone's battle..."
"—As of today, it is officially over."
*Yeah, the battle with the Honkai... it's really over, starting today.*
*Casualties were kept to an absolute minimum, and what I did wasn't some bullshit 'embrace' where I agreed with the Cocoon of Finality. I used True Manifestation Fusion to completely reform it.*
*The Honkai is gradually dissipating from Earth. In a little while, the living beings on this planet won't have to worry about persecution from the Honkai anymore, right?*
*Heh, the victim identifying with the perpetrator, then holding hands and becoming good friends—that kind of disgusting stuff... let's just forget about it.*
*Dad, Mom, I finally did it.*
*I'll live a good life from now on, so...*
*—Your spirits in heaven... you can rest in peace now, right?*