Seed of Sumeru
"Seed of Sumeru," said Kiana thoughtfully, then she looked at Bianka. "Onee-chan, is this…?"
"Yeah, it looks like this will discuss the bubble universe I got from Su," said Bianka nodding.
"So you got that bubble from him huh. I have absolutely no idea."
"Maybe you can see it this time, I'm sure Eve will show it later."
Kiana nodded, "I understand."
Meanwhile Sirin tilted her head in confusion, she didn't understand her two sisters' conversation, "Bubble universe? What's that?"
"Hm, that would be a long explanation. I'll explain it later when we have free time," said Bianka.
"Okay."
- SCHICKSAL HEADQUARTERS, TESTING GROUND –
[Energy level is now 80%]
At one of the testing sites in Schicksal, an experiment to test the second Key was being carried out. The Divine Key was placed in the center of an experimental platform that had been created by scientist Schicksal.
"Oh~, what tests will they do on my work?" VILL-V said wonderingly.
"It's definitely something related to the Divine Key's ability," said SU.
[85%]
Valkyrie Immortal Blades have been placed around the test site in case the test does not go as expected.
"Lord Overseer, the Immortal Blade is ready," said a fully armed Bianka standing in front of the second Divine Key. Bianka wears the Bright Knight Battlesuit: Excelsis, in her hand she holds the sixth Divine Key, Key of Creation, Abyss Flower.
Several people immediately widened their eyes when they saw Bianka on the screen, more precisely at the weapon she was holding.
"You are the newest holder of the Abyss Flower!?" Cecilia asked in surprise.
"Yes," answered both Biankas at the same time.
"I see," said Cecilia nodding, then she pondered. "That means I'm retired."
Knowing that in the future she would retire was quite unpleasant for her, even more so when her daughter would become a Valkyrie. But when she thought about Bianka who would become the leader of the Valkyries in the future, her worries disappeared.
She involuntarily smiled when she thought about Valkyries future development. Her wish to create a school for Valkyries might come true in the near future.
On the other hand, ELYSIA looked at the two Biankas with a smile from her seat.
"He he, she suits that weapon," she said happily.
"Yeah, unlike the idiot who returned it," MOBIUS quipped.
"It can't be helped, that weapon doesn't suit me," said ELYSIA shrugging her shoulders, MOBIUS just snorted.
"Stay alert, Valkyrie Durandal. Anything might emerge from the spatial rift," said Otto who crossed his arms behind the glass of the monitoring room. "No matter what happens, you must protect the core of the 2nd Key!"
Our first test of the 2nd key is about to begin.
After that the Second Key began to rumble, a purple light began to form at the tip of the Divine Key before it shot a laser into the sky. The result of the shot was the formation of a large blackish purple portal in the sky.
"What's that?" Kallen asked curiously.
"It looks like a portal, I think this is the ability of the Second Key," said Lixue.
"The ability to see parallel universes, what is Lord Overseer's purpose in using such an ability," Cecilia said curiously.
Kallen and Lixue were also curious about that, even more so for Kallen. For as long as she had known Otto, the man had shown absolutely no interest in seeing other worlds. So she was now curious as to why her friend was now interested in seeing it.
"Are we looking at the sky of another world? But why is there only one star in this sky?" said Rita commenting on the sight she saw in the sky.
"Why is that?" HUA asked confused. She didn't know much about the second Divine Key, but she knew at least one of its abilities.
"Ah, that's because Su locked himself in the Second Key," VILL-V answered.
"I see, that's why only one star is visible. I've locked the Second Key so the only one we can see is where I am supposed to be," SU concluded.
"That means if someone wants to use the Second Key, then they will come to your place?" EDEN asked.
"That depends on whether I allow that person or not."
"There's something strange about this star," said Bianka, who also directed her gaze at the portal.
"Records say that the 2nd key analyzed several bubble universes on the imaginary tree, is this one of them? And why is there only one bubble?" thought Otto wonderingly.
While Otto was contemplating, suddenly something happened.
"Alert!" shouted one of the operators monitoring the progress of the experiment. "2nd Key actively siphons power! Energy level is now at 150%!"
"Uh, what happened?" PARDO asked.
"The Second Key is being used, that's the cause of the sudden increase in energy," answered VILL-V.
"But isn't the Second Key actually being used?" HUA asked. Everyone already knows that Otto is using the Second Key on the screen.
"Not from the outside, but from the inside," said VILL-V confusingly, it took a moment for everyone to understand the meaning of his words.
"If it's from the inside, it means Su is the one who uses it," said EDEN.
"Yup," said VILL-V snapping her fingers.
"But why do I use it? Aren't I carrying out the task that MEI left behind?" SU asked.
"Maybe this has something to do with what you said before, SU," said MEI. "Earlier the you on the screen said that the thing you were waiting for has come, I think that's why you used the Second Key."
"So that's how it is," SU said thoughtfully, he then looked back at the screen to see what his future self had been waiting for.
Otto who heard the warning widened his eyes in surprise, sweat dripping from his face.
"Heh, I like his expression. Su hit a good shot there," Senti said grinning.
Hua sighed at Senti's behavior, she then turned to Kevin, "Do you know about Su's actions, Kevin?"
"Just the results. I knew Su had completed his mission and handed over the Bubble Universe to Durandal, but whatever happened after that I didn't know. Is he still alive or..."
Hua didn't need to think long about why Kevin's voice was getting weaker. Kevin and Su were best friends even before they were in Moth, so the thought of Su being dead must have been very painful for Kevin, just as it hurt when he lost Dr. Mei.
Hua herself also felt the same way. She, Kevin, and Su have known each other for more than 50,000 years, their relationship is no longer just friends or colleagues, but family. For Hua, Kevin and Su are her beloved brothers. So losing both of them was definitely painful for her.
"Whatever happens to Su, let's wish him the best," Hua said softly.
"Yeah, you're right," said Kevin with a small smile.
Right after that, the beam shot out by the 2nd Divine Key expanded and strengthened, the resulting pressure created quite a strong gust of wind, making everyone strengthen their defenses.
"The size of the beam is getting bigger!" shouted one of the Valkyries standing near Rita. Rita and the other Valkyries protected their faces with their hands because the wind pressure was so strong.
"Squad! Retreat and take position behind the 2nd safe line! And close your eyes! Don't look at that thing!" shouted Bianka ordering her squad members, completely unaffected by everything that was happening.
"Good, she really deserves to lead a Valkyrie Squad," praised Cecilia in her mind when she saw Bianka's calm attitude.
But that's when her eyes widened when something she didn't expect happened.
Don't be afraid, Bianka. Amita's light is harmless, let it shine on you.
"!?"
SU suddenly opened his eyes when he heard his own voice.
Bianka's alertness increased when she heard a voice in her head, but wherever she looked, she couldn't find the source of the sound.
In her confusion, a light that appeared from below covered her, causing her to be caught off guard and startled, her grip on her weapon slipped and when the light faded, only the Abyss Flower lying on the floor was visible.
"…"
The atmosphere was silent for a moment when they saw Bianka disappear into the light, it took them a moment to understand what had happened.
"W-Wait, what happened? Why did she disappear!?" Cecilia asked worriedly. For some reason she didn't know, she felt anxious when she saw Bianka disappear.
"That voice just now… was Pioneer Su's voice. Could it be that he did it?" Kallen asked.
"I think so. He might have some business involving Bianka-san," Lixue said thoughtfully.
"What business?" Cecilia asked.
"I don't know," said Lixue shaking her head. "Maybe we'll find out soon."
"Durandal-sama! Where are you, Durandal-sama!?" shouted Rita, who was worried because she didn't see Bianka.
"Sorry for making you worry, Rita," Bianka said to Rita.
"It's okay, Durandal-sama. Now I know what happened to you at that time, by the way, was it Pioneer Su who did it?" Rita asked.
"Yeah, he pulled me to his place."
"I understand."
Meanwhile in the monitoring room, Otto watched all this happen while clenching his fists tightly.
"Lord Overseer, we just detected spacetime tremor near the 2nd key," one of the operators reported to Otto. "Durandal-sama also disappeared right after said tremor."
"Dammit. It seems we've fallen into a trap," said Otto irritably. "Reroute power from the other islands at once! We must to fire the 2nd key again!"
Everyone immediately rushed to carry out Otto's orders.
Meanwhile, in an unknown place, Bianka is currently surrounded by images of her past after she was swallowed by light. She didn't know where she was at the moment, but seeing her past memories displayed made her certain that this wasn't a normal situation.
"W-What is this?" Bianka said amidst her confusion.
Have no fear, Bianka. This is your life.
"It seems your goal is that girl, SU," said APONIA.
"I think so, although I don't know what my other self goal yet," SU said, cupping his hand to his chin.
Once again, Bianka was shocked by the sound. But before she reacted, she was suddenly transported somewhere, she was forced to squint her eyes when the sunlight hit her.
"The most brilliant life, you agree, right?" said the voice again, this time the voice sounded clearer. "I have analyzed countless universes, but your existence left quite an impression on me."
"Quite an impression, eh. If Su has that impression of her, did this girl have an important role in defeating Honkai?" MOBIUS thought while wondering.
"Did I just enter the bubble universe?" Bianka said when her eyes got used to the sudden change in situation, she then looked at a man sitting leaning against a tree.
That man is Su.
"Yes, Bianka. You are in the bubble universe I created in the 2nd key. You could call it…The Seed of Sumeru."
"Eh, that's the name of the title of this video," exclaimed Kiana (2016).
"The Seed of Sumeru. So that's the name of a Bubble Universe," said Himeko.
"Yes, I've read reports about this. Even though the details of what happened are not very clear," said Theresa (2016).
"You actually created a bubble universe? Who are you?" Bianka asked warily.
"I have no evil intentions, Bianka. I am what you call a Pioneer. My job is to protect the rise of human civilization in this era, and help you defeat the enemy known as Honkai."
A virtual screen materialized in the air, but not just one, many virtual screens appeared around them. What is surprising is that Bianka appears on every screen.
Many widened their eyes looking at the screen, even more so for those who didn't really understand the capabilities of the Second Divine Key.
"This is…" said a stunned Mei.
"Another Universe, this is the ability of the Second Key," Bronya said slightly widening her eyes.
"Hey look, Onee-chan. You look like a secret agent there," said Kiana, pointing to one of the screens showing Bianka holding a gun.
"Fu fu, you are right. That sounds quite interesting," chuckled Bianka.
"It seems we still know each other in another universe, Durandal-sama," Rita said smiling.
"Yes, I'm glad to know," said Bianka smiling.
"Fu fu, me too."
"To calm your fears, I will show you the power of the 2nd key," Su explained.
"Is this all… me?" Bianka asked in surprise when she saw herself appear on the screen, but she had no memory of doing anything the screen showed.
"Yes and no. The 2nd key can identify the infinite possibilities that make up your totality, Bianka. This is just a small part of what is possible. Analyze and observe. Unlike the dream bubbles in the sea of quanta, this world is still alive and breathing."
"M-Means we have a lot of our other selves out there," said Kiana (2016) swallowing hard.
"Yes, there are an infinite number of universes. There is also the possibility of a universe that does not have us in it," said Bronya (2016).
"I wonder if we still know each other out there," said Mei (2016) wondering.
"Of course, Mei-senpai! There's no question, no matter in which universe, we will definitely know each other. The relationship between the two of us cannot be separated by anything!" Kiana (2016) exclaimed excitedly.
"Ha ha, you're right, Kiana-chan. Don't forget Bronya-chan too," said Mei (2016) with a smile.
"Ugh, yeah... Bratnya too," said Kiana (2016) groaning, while Bronya (2016) just gave a flat look.
Su paused for a moment before starting to stand up, "My mission is to use the 2nd key and analyze the myriad universes within the seed of sumeru. I was assigned to find the right solution to defeat Honkai. The solution has now presented itself. You are the key to this solution, Bianka."
"What!?"
Many were surprised to hear Su's statement, they did not expect a young girl like Bianka to have an important role in defeating Honkai.
"That girl… the key to defeating Honkai?" KOSMA said in surprise.
"Hoo… this is surprising news," MOBIUS said with interest.
"Hm, hm, very surprising," said VILL-V nodding.
APONIA looked at the two Biankas with a curious look, "I can't see the string of fate here, maybe this is Eve's doing. But I understand why Su is looking forward to this girl's arrival, I can feel that this girl does have an important role in defeating Honkai."
"He he, this is good news, right, Eden?" said ELYSIA happily.
"Yes, Ellie, this is great news. Even though this will happen tens of thousands of years later in our time," said EDEN.
"Indeed, but that doesn't stop us from fighting, right?"
"Fu fu, you're right."
"Then was Su's mission successful?" HUA asked.
"Project VALUKA is a project analyzing other universes to find a solution to defeat Honkai. If Su says that the solution is Bianka-san, then you could say the mission is complete," said MEI.
"Is that girl really the key to defeating Honkai?" KEVIN asked a little unsure.
MEI crossed her arms while thinking, "I'm not completely sure because this is just a solution, not a sure win. But since Su believes that this girl is the key, I believe the chances of defeating Honkai can increase."
"I see," KEVIN said crossing his arms. He didn't feel any joy at all hearing the news, no matter whether it was a solution or the key to victory, he thought it was useless as long as the result was not a definite victory. He had gone through many battles accompanied by the key to victory as people said, but in the end they couldn't defeat Honkai.
But even so, he still trusted MEI's decision. Because that's what he always does.
"Fu fu, you are the center of attention, Durandal-sama," said Rita giggling.
"Yes, but even so I didn't help much in the last battle," said Bianka scratching her cheek in embarrassment.
"What are you saying, Onee-chan? Without you, we wouldn't have been able to get this far," Kiana scolded.
"Kiana is right, Bianka. We all have our roles to play, and that includes you," Theresa said gently.
"You have also saved me from that prison. Be proud of your strength, Bianka," said Siegfried smiling at his daughter.
"…"
Bianka could only remain silent with her mouth open, in this final battle she considered herself of little help and left everything to Kiana and her friends.
How wrong her thinking was. Not only Kiana and her friends. She, Rita, Theresa and many others also helped in the final battle. If she considers herself not to be of much help, that means she is also devaluing the struggle of Rita and the others.
Bianka took a deep breath before smiling, "You're right, sorry for ruining the atmosphere."
"Fu fu, no problem. You should proud yourself more often, Durandal-sama," Rita said smiling.
"Yes, you're right."
Bianka was just silent hearing Su's words, mostly she didn't understand what Su was saying but that didn't really matter. For now she needed to examine the situation she was in.
Bianka took a deep breath and exhaled to calm herself, she then looked at Su.
"Well, you don't give me much of a choice, Mr. Pioneer. Before you urge me to join, would you mind sharing your perfect solution to defeat Honkai?" Bianka asked a little sarcastically.
"You annoyed her, SU," HUA said bluntly.
"Well, SU-niichan didn't give her a chance to speak, it's natural she's upset," said PARDO.
"I think so, I was a little pushy there," said SU with a small sigh.
"I do have intentions, but sharing them is impossible," answered Su, who was not affected by Bianka's sarcasm. "To merge into the universe where we defeat Honkai, we must pass through 32874 unique singularities."
"What does it mean?" Kiana (2016) asked frowning.
"I don't know, I've never heard of that," said Mei (2016) shaking her head.
"Those are the steps they have to go through. In the game, it's like we have to complete several stages to reach our destination," explained Bronya (2016).
"Oh I see. I understand," said Kiana (2016) nodding.
"The chain of causality is so complex and fragile that it cannot be explained in words. You better believe me, Bianka. Complete the task I will give you and you will save this world," Su said finishing his offer.
"…"
Bianka could only remain silent, not because she couldn't say anything but she just didn't like how Su imposed his will on her. What's more, she couldn't trust the man in front of her.
"SU, you have to be softer when talking to a girl, if you force her like that she definitely won't believe you," scolded ELYSIA.
"I know, ELYSIA. It seems like this kind of talk is not my forte," said SU.
"That goes against your job, SU. Usually you are the one who often advises everyone," said HUA.
"Consulting is my line of work, HUA. Providing peace of mind to a patient is different from asking someone for something," said SU shaking his head.
"Then you have to practice from now on SU, I can teach you. First you have to practice how to talk to a girl, you can't refuse," ELYSIA ordered.
SU opened his mouth to speak but no words came out because it was useless to refuse ELYSIA's request if she was already acting like that. Other flame-chasers who have fallen victim to ELYSIA's tenacity are good examples of that.
"Putting that aside, I think Su did that on purpose," VILL-V said crossing her legs.
"What do you mean?" HUA asked.
"He has the second Key in his hand. He definitely knows the girl's nature and how to handle her."
"Does he want a fight?" KOSMA asked.
"Heh, so that's how it is. Instead of being diplomatic, you chose the path of violence. I underestimated you, Blind," said KALPAS, chuckling while grinning cruelly behind his mask.
"…"
The flame-chasers were just speechless seeing how wrong KALPAS interpreted things, they all knew that SU was a person who wanted to avoid violence as much as possible. So the thought of SU wanting violence to get something done is highly unlikely, unless he was forced to.
"That's not what it means, KALPAS," muttered SAKURA, sighing.
"You're not very diplomatic, Mr. Pioneer. You spout nonsense but fail to provide convincing evidence. Do you really expect people to trust you like that?" Bianka said expressing her displeasure.
SU could feel his fellow Flame-chaser giving him quite a piercing gaze, fortunately he had enough mental resilience to make him focus on the screen.
Bianka raised her right hand and a spear appeared out of the air. She grasped the spear and looked at Su confidently.
"Apology. Whatever you are, your bubble will not trap me. I will go. For your information, this isn't the first time I've gone through a bubble like this."
"Hm, I have heard about this. With her experience with the World Bubble and the Sea of Quanta, she could be one of the options to save Seele," Cocolia thought, but she quickly shook her head. "What I thinking? She is an enemy, and I already have my own plans to save Seele."
Cocolia directed the corner of her eye at the 2018 group, more precisely at Seele who was sitting next to Bronya. Seeing her foster children was enough to calm Cocolia's heart.
"My plan will definitely succeed!" she thought with determination.
Meanwhile MEI crossed her arms as she mused, "So this isn't her first time entering the Bubble Universe."
"Is that why Su became interested in her?" KEVIN asked.
MEI shook her head, "No, even though she has experience entering the Bubble Universe and exploring the Sea of Quanta, it is still not enough to defeat Honkai."
"So everything is still a secret, right," said SU.
"We'll have to keep watching if we want to know more about this."
Bianka's confidence immediately turned into surprise when Su was suddenly beside her in an instant.
"!"
Many were surprised to see Su's speed, because Su's appearance looked like a wise person, they didn't expect that he also had the ability to fight.
"He's fast," thought Cecilia narrowing her eyes.
"As expected of a Pioneer, Great Sire companion is definitely not to be underestimated," Kallen thought in awe.
"Sorry, Bianka. I saw this coming. I also saw your disbelief and your attempts to leave," said Su whose eyes were now open looking at Bianka, his left hand holding the strongest Valkyrie spear.
"Wow, you look scary there, SU-niichan," said PARDO, creeped out.
"Fu fu, you should know PARDO. When SU's eyes opened, that's when he became serious, the mysterious power he had been storing was finally released," said ELYSIA, surprising PARDO.
"Eh, really!?"
"I don't have that kind of power," SU said with a sigh, making ELYSIA giggle.
"!?" Bianka widened her eyes at Su who was suddenly beside her, while to her surprise, Su crushed Bianka's spear until it broke.
"Prepare yourself, Bianka. Your sacrifice is necessary to save this world."
"So there was a fight?" Rita asked Bianka.
Bianka nodded, "I told you, right? He is a rough man."
"Fu fu, it looks like that. By the way what sacrifice is he talking about, Durandal-sama?" Rita asked.
Bianka crossed her arms while thinking, "Hmm, I don't really know what he means by sacrifice, but I was asked to carry out a series of tests that he prepared. I don't know what would happen to me if I couldn't complete the test, maybe that's what he meant by sacrifice?"
"Tests?"
"Yeah, you might see it later."
Meanwhile, Cecilia looked panicked when she heard Su's words, "S-Sacrifice!? What does he mean? Why did Bianka-san have to be sacrificed?"
"I don't know, Cecilia-sama," said Lixue shaking her head. "But don't worry, Bianka-san is in this room, which means she managed to survive this incident."
This information was enough to reduce Cecilia's anxiety. Lixue is right, Bianka is still there in 2018, that means she is still alive. Movement in her lap caught her attention, Little Kiana squirmed a little to change her sleeping position while snoring lightly. Cecilia couldn't help but smile when she saw her little daughter and her anxiety immediately disappeared.
But there was still one thing that confused her.
She and Bianka had just gotten to know each other in this room, and their relationship was currently just acquaintances. So their relationship is not very close.
But…
Where did this suffocating anxiety she had come from?
Cecilia shook her head to get rid of that inexplicable feeling, for now she had to focus on what was in front of her.
"Now let's start a short video," Eve said to everyone.
Friends
"Kevin, what's going on!?"
"SU?" HUA said confusedly, while SU stared at the screen with raised eyebrows.
He dashed into his friend's room without knocking. His friend only put down his greatsword and looked at him in contrasting calmness.
"What's wrong, SU? You don't usually look worried like that," asked ELYSIA.
"I don't know, I don't think this has happened yet, right, KEVIN?" SU asked his friend.
"Yeah, usually you act like this in urgent situations. But I don't remember this time," said KEVIN.
"This means this happens in the future," said MEI.
"Well, from now on let's pretend these short videos all happen in the future," PARDO said.
"Su."
"Kevin, Project Stigma was supposed to be entrusted to me, not you. Why?"
"Looks like we will find out the reason why the Project suddenly moved into KEVIN's hands," said EDEN.
SU frowned, actually he could guess why the Project he was given suddenly moved into KEVIN's hands. And he didn't like the answer at all.
"I volunteered. Project Stigma... is a research led by MEI and Mobius, and the cruelest and the most destructive of all projects. Though it coincides with your research field, but in this sense... it's the least compatible with you."
Everyone finally knows why Project Stigma, which was originally assigned to SU, moved to KEVIN. Not because SU handed over the project to KEVIN, but because KEVIN unilaterally volunteered to replace SU.
"He already knew it was the most cruel and destructive project, but why did he still volunteer? Is it because he has the desire to commit such cruel acts?" Lixue said with a frown.
"No! That's not possible! I'm sure of it," Kallen argued. She was very sure that Great Sire Kaslana would not do that voluntarily, Kaslana's Oath which had been passed down from time to time proved that.
"R-Right, I apologize for making baseless assumptions, Kallen-sama," Lixue said with a guilty expression.
"N-No, I was the one who was wrong. Sorry for yelling at you," Kallen said hurriedly after she realized she had snapped at Lixue.
"No, I was the one who was wrong. He is your ancestor, it is natural that you are angry," said Lixue shaking her head.
"That…"
"Okay, that's enough you two, if you keep blaming each other like this then this problem will never end. The important thing is that now you have apologized to each other so there's no need to prolong it any longer," said Cecilia gently.
Kallen and Lixue looked at each other after hearing Cecilia's words, and soon they smiled and laughed a little.
"Let's keep watching," Kallen said with a smile.
"Yes, Kallen-sama."
"But it's also the same for you! You always blame yourself for irreparable sacrifices and shoulder everything alone... I know it's tormenting you. You don't want the sacrifices to happen either."
"Even so, I must go on. I've chosen this path. There's on reason for you to let your heart die as well. This path only needs one to walk it."
"What they have experienced must be much harder than what we experienced," Mei thought sadly. She had heard many stories from Flame-chaser members about the tragedies in the Previous Era when she was still in the Elysian Realm. Even though she only heard the story, she could feel the heavy burden they were carrying that they came up with unreasonable plans.
According to Mei, Project Stigma is a form of effort by people from the Previous Era who have gone through despair over the terrible tragedy they experienced during the war against Honkai. Dr. MEI created Project Stigma as well as a symbol that great sacrifice is needed to defeat Honkai. Form the lowest point of humanity's struggle where they throw away their humanity just to defeat Honkai.
Therefore Mei stood against Project Stigma, even though the Project had a high winning percentage, she would not throw away her humanity just to defeat Honkai.
And it happened, they won. Even though that wouldn't have happened without the help of Kevin who was their enemy, it wasn't a problem because their goal remained the same, to defeat Honkai.
Mei is sad to see the people of the past not being able to enjoy the victory they fought for. But as Elysia told her, as long as she remembered them and what they were fighting for then there wouldn't be a problem. Mei carries the legacy of 13 heroes from the past, as long as she inherits that legacy then the hero's struggle is not in vain.
"Don't worry, the struggle you guys have put in, I won't forget it for the rest of my life," Mei thought to herself as she looked back at the screen.
On the other hand, MEI looked at KEVIN with a troubled expression, "KEVIN, I-"
"No, don't say anything, MEI," said KEVIN, interrupting MEI's words. "As my other self said on screen, I have chosen this path. You didn't do anything wrong, so don't worry."
MEI opened her mouth but closed it again, she knew she wouldn't be able to change KEVIN's decision. In the end, MEI could only bite her lip as she looked back at the screen, in her heart she hoped that KEVIN would never carry out the worst project she had ever made.
He stared at his friend's eyes blankly. Beneath those calm eyes, a strange emotion that stuck him as resolute and sorrowful rippled. He saw a shadow too familiar in his eyes. His heart shuddered.
"...No. I won't let you do it alone. MEI has assigned a new project to me—Project: VALUKA. I'll observe parallel universes to find solutions. If I can find the solution through such means, you won't need to implement Project Stigma. It's the last resort, not a requisite. I won't allow you to do something so cruel. I'll stay with you till the end."
"That's right, KEVIN. I won't let you do it alone, I will finish the project that MEI left behind so you don't have to do that project," said SU, repeating his own words on the screen with great determination.
KEVIN's eyes widened slightly when he saw SU, he opened his mouth to speak but was immediately cut off by ELYSIA.
"Oh my, you two. Why do you act as if the weight of the world is on your shoulders alone, you are not alone, you know?" said ELYSIA standing with her hands on her hips.
"There she goes again, with her cheerful words," said MOBIUS snorting lazily, ELYSIA just giggled at that.
"ELYSIA is right, you don't have to endure it alone, now that we have Eve's future knowledge, it's possible we might get better results," said HUA who nodded in agreement.
"Yup, we will do it together this time. After all, isn't that the purpose of creating Flame-chasers?" ELYSIA said to her friends.
"We can hand over planning matters or important projects to MEI and MOBIUS. They are experts in that field, we can trust them both," continued ELYSIA while pointing to MEI and MOBIUS. MEI just laughed a little and MOBIUS pouted because ELYSIA just decided, but she didn't complain about anything.
SU was silent with his mouth slightly open in surprise at ELYSIA's words, soon he chuckled a little, "Ha ha, you're right, you're really good at this, ELYSIA. You agree, right, KEVIN?"
"Yeah," KEVIN answered briefly with his usual expression, but SU knew that KEVIN was also affected by ELYSIA's words.
"Are you guys finished? Then how about we continue watching? We have wasted a lot of time," said MOBIUS.
Hearing that everyone looked back at the screen. MEI stared at the Flame-chasers for a moment before turning her attention also to the screen, in her heart she was grateful to have someone like ELYSIA among the Flame-chasers. Without ELYSIA, Flame-chaser would definitely be in chaos or even never formed because she was the one who formed it.
His friend looked up at him in astonishment, and he looked back firmly. A moment later, his friend blinked, looked away, and whispered his thanks. His voice, however, sounded warmer.
"... Thank you, Su. Thank you."
Video ends.
"Now I understand how heavy a burden he took to carry out Project Stigma," Tesla said with a sigh.
The 'he' referred to is of course Kevin. She doesn't like Kevin since the past hero ran Project Stigma, she thinks that Kevin is a heartless person because he is willing to sacrifice humanity to defeat Honkai.
But now she knows the burden Kevin carried, the sacrifices he made and the sorrow he suffered. Tesla knew that Kevin was hiding all that behind his cold expression. The bad thoughts Tesla had about Kevin immediately disappeared.
"The Honkai attack that occurred in the Previous Era was definitely much more terrifying than what we are experiencing now, Second Eruption class disasters are commonplace there," said Einstein.
"It's natural for him to say that his heart is dead, he must have seen so many of his comrades die in the battle against Honkai that his heart can no longer feel anything," said Welt.
The trio pondered the Hero of Mankind and what he endured, although previously they were enemies but now they had respect for Ancestor Kaslana.
Thanks for reading!
Sorry if there are mistakes in words, repeated words, or language errors during writing.
See you in the next chapter.
