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In the real world, at Schicksal Headquarters.
Xia Chen brought Benares to the floating island, where Amber had been waiting for them.
"You've truly given us quite a dilemma," Amber remarked with a hint of exasperation as she looked at Xia Chen.
Naturally, Schicksal and Honkai were adversaries, and encountering a Honkai Beast should warrant its immediate elimination. However, Xia Chen presented them with a challenging predicament.
Nonchalantly, Xia Chen responded, "It's alright; after all, you've already accepted Herrschers, haven't you?"
Amber was momentarily speechless. After carefully choosing her words, she said, "Schicksal has transitioned from operating behind the scenes to being more public now, which limits our freedom in many matters. Of course, I don't have the authority to command you directly, but I hope you take these concerns into account."
Since becoming an S-rank Valkyrie, Xia Chen gained significant autonomy. According to established protocols, only Otto could give him direct orders—a consequence of Otto consolidating power.
Currently, although Durandal had begun issuing commands, there was no official documentation establishing her as the leader. Strictly speaking, Xia Chen and Durandal held equal status, with neither directly subordinate to the other.
This was one of Schicksal's awkward situations.
Within Schicksal now, aside from Li Sushang, who remained unknown and unseen, only four S-rank Valkyries remained. If Durandal couldn't unite them, even the formidable Schicksal risked fragmentation.
Moreover, there were leaders of various branches and Valkyrie Squads not under the direct command of the Immortal Blades...
Naturally, Amber understood this situation, so she wouldn't speak to Xia Chen in a commanding tone.
Xia Chen, likewise, had no intention of opposing Amber.
He paused before assuring her, "Don't worry on that front; I'll keep a close watch over Benares."
"Considering an Archon-level Honkai Beast is equivalent to an S-rank Valkyrie, having it on our side clearly outweighs any potential risks," Amber stated expressionlessly. "As long as you can ensure control, it should be fine."
"I'll check with Nagamitsu later to see if there's any research value in studying Benares further," she continued after a moment. "Either way, we might as well make use of its resources."
However, Xia Chen fell deep in thought.
He couldn't help but ask, "Doesn't Schicksal possess fusion warrior modification technology from the previous civilization era?"
At this point, Schicksal's personnel had not yet witnessed Kevin's immense power. However, having fused multiple Honkai Beast genes before, Kevin was undeniably the strongest of his time. Consequently, there was no reason for a MANTIS infused with Benares' genetic material to be inferior compared to the heroes of the previous civilization era.
Of course, the success of a MANTIS relies not only on Honkai genes but also significantly on human genetics.
Ultimately, it all depends on the individual involved.
Upon hearing this, Amber remarked, "Strictly speaking, Bishop Otto possessed such documentation. Theresa's former code number was A-310. But when Bishop Otto departed, he did not leave any records behind."
Xia Chen muttered, "It seems we can only wait until Mobius is available then."
After Amber left, Xia Chen gently touched Benares' head at its resting place.
"Can't you transform into a human form? It would make things much easier."
Benares let out a low growl, seemingly expressing something.
Within the Stigmata, Sirin served as a translator: "Bella says she can only change into human form after finding Her Majesty... Wait, does she mean me?"
Xia Chen remained silent, realizing who Bella must be seeking.
In truth, Bella could discern that Xia Chen was not Sirin. She agreed to come here because Xia Chen promised to help her find Queen Kiana.
The very person they sought - Kiana herself.
Otherwise, having an Archon-level Honkai Beast roaming freely would be too dangerous. Without supervision, Schicksal would undoubtedly attempt to eliminate Benares, and there was no guarantee she would remain at her original location waiting.
However, transforming between forms for an Archon-level Honkai Beast requires the Herrscher's consent—a fact that Xia Chen had just learned.
Come to think of it, he should have his own Companion Honkai Beast as well. Perhaps the available Honkai Energy back then was only sufficient for him and Kiana, preventing the birth of such a creature.
"Can you at least shrink your body somewhat?" Xia Chen looked up at the massive dragon resembling a small mountain and said, "It's quite inconvenient like this."
Benares agreed.
Under Xia Chen's astonished gaze, her size significantly reduced.
"Tsk, I never knew Honkai Beasts could freely control their form," Sirin explained.
"Honkai lifeforms differ from those on Earth; their bodies serve merely as vessels, while the Core is the source of their existence. For Bella, changing her size is effortless."
At that moment, Xia Chen's communicator beeped.
It was Fu Hua.
"Chiyou has been defeated, and we found special Soulium along with Stigmata inside. The Soulium data has already been brought back to Anti-Entropy by Theresa, while the Stigmata were covering Himeko.
"However, some recorded information suggests that you might need to be aware of it."
Xia Chen was taken aback.
Information related to himself? Were there records connecting him to the previous civilization era?
Meanwhile, within the Dominion Theater...
A faint smile graced Kiana's lips as she surveyed her surroundings.
She had successfully aided Cecilia in defeating the Second Herrscher, Sirin, albeit possibly just within a dream realm.
This very dream reassured her that despite being inherently the Second Herrscher, there were still people who loved her. The genuine affection beyond mere self-interest warmed her heart.
However, the emotions nurturing hope were perceived as despair by the Herrscher of Dominance.
"Why? Why!"
"Why do all of you have someone to love? This world is not beautiful at all, not even a little bit!"
The dolls' state now transcended distress; they were consumed by utter despair.
As Schicksal's intelligence suggested, when these dolls realized their actions could not alter the world, and the chaos they painstakingly created went unnoticed, it shattered them.
They resembled clowns desperately trying to evoke fear and anger with their performances. Yet, without any reaction from others, their efforts became futile.
"This world is not beautiful, not at all, not even a little bit!" A doll charged angrily towards Kiana, epitomizing impotent rage.
Kiana, holding her gun steady, calmly responded, "Yes, this world isn't perfect, which is precisely why we strive to transform it into something better."
Gunshots echoed through the theater.
"Your sins will not be forgiven, but humans cannot live defined solely by guilt.
"The despair you create has never been true despair, merely a deception."
"By repeating lies incessantly through words, you sought to create an unfair world," Kiana continued firing at the dolls. "But you never realized that the world has never singled anyone out."
"Now it's your turn to despair."
"You were never the will of the world, nor its masters—ridiculous deities, nothing more than crude falsehoods spread by mobs." She unleashed a barrage of shots on the puppets.
Finally, silence descended upon the entire theater.
Kiana took a deep breath but then heard hurried footsteps approaching.
"Kiana?"
It was Durandal herself who arrived.