The setting sun dyed the devastated Xianyang Palace in a tragic golden-red hue, as if the entire ruin had been soaked in blood.
The battle was over.
The First Emperor, who had ruled the world for two thousand years, now sat in an extremely relaxed posture upon a broken jade throne. His mechanical body was covered in scars—a testament to his destruction at the hands of the heroes' combined efforts, and proof that human intellect had triumphed over divine intellect.
"…Magnificent."
The First Emperor's voice was weak, yet it still carried the arrogance befitting an emperor. "I never imagined that the possibilities of the Confucianism I rejected would shine so brilliantly."
"Since the Pan-Human History holds the potential to surpass my Great Qin… I shall acknowledge your victory."
He waved his hand, indicating that the massive pillar of light known as the Fusang Fantasy Tree, floating beside him, was no longer under his protection.
"Now, cut it down. It is the right of the victor."
"Your Majesty…"
Fujimaru looked at this emperor—who had been an enemy yet was surprisingly worthy of respect—with complicated emotions.
She understood that, for the sake of humanity's history, this was a necessary decision.
However, just as she was about to issue the order to fell the Fantasy Tree—
BOOM—!
A heavy, dignified silhouette stepped forward from the crowd, radiating an imposing aura.
It was Xiang Yu.
The strongest artificial general, personally created by His Majesty the First Emperor.
His massive centaur-like body was riddled with wounds, but the fighting spirit burning in his electronic eyes was fiercer than ever.
"No."
Xiang Yu's voice rang out, cold and resolute, like metal and stone clashing. "The future of Human History has nothing to do with me."
"However, if the Fantasy Tree is cut down, this Lostbelt will vanish."
"And in this world… there is her. The place my wife finally found after much hardship."
He turned his face toward the woman behind him. Her face was streaked with tears—Akuta Hinako, or more precisely, Yu Mei-ren.
"To protect her peace, I must eliminate every threat."
"Even if the opponent is a former ally… even if this is a foolish act that defies the will of Heaven."
"Lord Xiang Yu…"
Yu Mei-ren covered her mouth, tears streaming endlessly down her cheeks.
She knew this was the only conclusion Xiang Yu had reached after countless calculations—he would unhesitatingly defy the world for her sake.
The atmosphere in the area instantly grew tense and filled with hostility.
Ritsuka gritted her teeth, and Mash raised her shield.
They did not want to fight this tragic ruler, but given their positions, it was an unavoidable fate: one side would have to fall.
In this critical moment—
"Cough, cough…"
A sudden light cough broke the solemn mood.
A blue beam of light descended from the empty sky, projecting a clear holographic image before them.
There sat Steve, lounging in the captain's seat with a teacup in hand, looking utterly relaxed.
"In other words… I think this fighting the world for the sake of one's beloved romantic scenario is wonderful, but could you all please pause for a moment and think?"
Steve's gaze swept over everyone present, finally stopping on Xiang Yu's expressionless, mechanical face.
"Lord Xiang Yu, it seems your calculation logic is missing an important variable."
"Variable?" Xiang Yu's electronic eyes flashed.
"Correct." Steve snapped his fingers. "Who said that cutting down the Fantasy Tree would definitely cause the Lostbelt to disappear?"
"Huh?"
"Steve!"
Everyone present, including the First Emperor, was shocked.
"Ritsuka, yes, that's right."
Steve turned to the completely bewildered Ritsuka and winked. "You've already traveled to Russia and Northern Europe twice—how come you're still not used to our traditional techniques? Come on, teach this ruler the latest dismantling procedure from Chaldea."
"Ah…! That's right!" Ritsuka suddenly came to her senses and clapped her hands. "Lord Xiang Yu! Please wait! We have no intention of destroying this world. We… um, we're going to move it! Yes, relocate it!"
"Relocate the location?" Xiang Yu's processors seemed to lag for a moment.
"Correct."
At that moment, Kadoc and Ophelia, who had been waiting in the back, stepped forward.
As living proof, their words carried clear persuasive power.
"It may sound ridiculous, but this guy really has that kind of talent."
Kadoc pointed at the hologram in the sky with a helpless expression. "The Yaga… no, the human residents in Russia are living healthy lives. They're even growing wheat."
"The giants in Northern Europe are the same." Ophelia nodded with a serious face. "Queen Skadi was transferred too. That world… didn't disappear."
"Did you hear that?" Steve spread his arms with his usual confident smile, as if he had everything under control. "What we call cutting is, to me, nothing more than the difference between cut and paste."
"Once everything is over, you will be able to live peacefully in this stable place that your beloved wife has finally found."
Xiang Yu remained silent.
His high-speed electronic brain was desperately recalculating.
If the fundamental premise of survival was guaranteed, then the necessity of fighting… became zero.
However, Steve clearly felt this was not enough.
He looked at the still-hesitant ruler, a wicked smile curling his lips as he decided to add fuel to the fire.
"And… Lord Xiang Yu." Steve's voice suddenly lowered slightly, carrying a nuance only a man could understand. "Not only can we protect your world and your wife, but we can also provide special service as a bonus."
"What?" Xiang Yu asked instinctively.
"Look at your current body…" Steve pointed at Xiang Yu's massive centaur-type mechanical form with a regretful tone. "It is extremely powerful in battle, but isn't it a bit inconvenient for daily life?"
"After all, your wife is incredibly beautiful, and your appearance is… well, if you don't mind, we can help with some adjustments."
"Adjustments?"
"Correct."
"Using my futuristic technology, we can transform your centaur body into the handsome human form your wife knew best during her lifetime."
Here, Steve deliberately paused, then added in an extremely irritating tone:
"That way, when you and your wife have fun at night, you won't end up with weird Hermes-like stains… Right, Senior Yu Mei-ren?"
"Pfft—!"
Mash, who had been drinking water, immediately spat it out.
Ritsuka's face instantly turned red, her gaze darting everywhere.
As for the person directly involved—Yu Mei-ren.
In that instant, her face turned as red as a tomato, the flush visibly spreading from her neck to her ears, and steam began rising from the top of her head.
"You—you—you—you—!!!"
Yu Mei-ren pointed at the hologram in the sky, her finger trembling. "What kind of nonsense are you spouting?! Who would want that kind of service?!"
"What the hell does 'Hermes-style' mean?! You pervert! You devil! Die!!!"
She cursed fiercely, but the trembling in her eyes and the fleeting look of expectation she secretly directed at Xiang Yu completely revealed her true feelings.
"…"
Xiang Yu fell silent once more.
But this time, the red battle aura emanating from him was fading at an astonishing speed.
In its place appeared a gentle, somewhat reserved blue ring of light.
"…I see."
The Hegemon-King slowly lowered his weapon and spoke in a low, gentle voice. "For the sake of Yu's happiness, refusing such an offer is indeed impossible."
"After recalculation, combat operations have been canceled."
"Lord Xiang Yu?!" Yu Mei-ren let out a sorrowful cry.
"Very good." Steve nodded in satisfaction. "Deal sealed."
He turned to the First Emperor, who had been silently watching the scene from the side.
"So, Your Majesty the Emperor, do you have any objections to this outcome?"
"Hmph, slippery as ever."
The First Emperor snorted lightly, but there was no anger on his face. Instead, he wore a relieved smile. "The method was a bit… unconventional, but I must admit it presented an optimal solution that surpassed even my calculations."
He slowly stood up and gazed over the land he had ruled for two thousand years.
"In that case, I shall grant your wish."
The First Emperor spread his arms as if embracing the world one last time. "Now, take it away! Carry the glory of the great Qin, together with my people, to that new world called the future!"
"Yes, sir." Steve pressed a red button. "Inverse Displacement Device, activate."
Buzz—!
In an instant, the entire city of Xianyang—and even the entire mystical zone of the Qin Dynasty—was enveloped in a dazzling light.
It was not the light of destruction, but the light of new life.
Under these circumstances, the Fantasy Tree vanished like an illusion.
The original earth, sky, and people were completely stripped away and flowed toward a new dwelling in another world.
"Is this… the end?"
The First Emperor watched his own fading form with an innocent smile.
He looked at Ritsuka, then at Steve in the sky.
"Though I could not see the end of that sea of stars with my own eyes, knowing that such a vast world exists… I have no regrets."
"Travelers of Human History, go forth."
"Go, and show me how far the possibility called Human Order can reach!"
The light faded.
The ruins of Xianyang Palace vanished.
What remained on the surface was only the original, pale, barren land.
However, two figures appeared on this desolate ground.
Xiang Yu gently held Yu Mei-ren, who had buried her face in his arms out of embarrassment, not wanting anyone to see her blushing face.
"Welcome, both of you, to the new Chaldea."
Ritsuka smiled and extended her hand toward them. "From now on, we are comrades."
…
At an altitude of 10,000 meters.
Steve looked at the words [All Survived] displayed on the screen and took a sip of his now-cooled black tea.
"Well, the process was a bit unconventional." He shrugged. "But isn't this result pretty good too?"
…
…
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