"I've finally recovered all my memories, Elias. From now on, I will never forget you again!"
Durandal spoke as if making a solemn vow.
The sapphire-like eyes of the girl were filled with both determination and gentleness. As she looked at the white-haired boy before her, it was as though a noble knight were swearing loyalty to her sovereign—or as though she were gazing upon the most important person in her life.
(Whoa... so this is the type of girl Durandal is? So straightforward—she's definitely a powerful rival!)
Misteln's eyes widened slightly as she looked at the golden, slightly airheaded goose before her, sensing an extraordinary level of combat power.
They were both the type to say whatever was on their minds, but this particular goose was probably a thousand times more effective than a certain flat-chested immortal.
She seemed like the type who, once certain of her feelings, would launch a direct confession without the slightest hesitation.
And by coincidence, Elias was also someone who loved going straight for the jugular. If these two got together and kept firing direct emotional strikes at each other, wouldn't their affection meter skyrocket like a rocket launch?
"Mm. Durandal, if you can always remember me, of course I'll be happy. After all, compared to the beating of a heart, memory is often the true proof that a person is alive."
Elias tapped his temple, a rather proud expression appearing on his face.
Because there were billions of people in this world who remembered him. For Elias, who technically did not belong to this world, those people were the proof that he existed here.
"I'll always remember you too, Durandal."
"Mm. Thank you. Since that's settled, let's head back. Oh, right, Elias—would you accompany me in training later? Lately Rita has been getting less and less durable—cough! I mean, less enduring. I need a stronger opponent."
Durandal clenched her jade-like fist. That delicate-looking little punch, even without armor, could kill an Emperor-class Honkai Beast in a single blow.
A bead of cold sweat slid down Elias' forehead. In his heart, he pitied his adorable maid. Heaven knew how much effort Rita had put in daily just to satisfy this goose.
Even the most perfect maid had probably been completely drained by now.
"Go back? Did you forget I just said I was going to give you a power-up?"
"Oh, right. I almost forgot."
"Silly girl. After the enhancement, don't go sparring with Rita anymore. I'm genuinely afraid you might accidentally beat her to death."
Elias flicked Durandal lightly on the head, then turned to the icy expanse of the Stigma Space and called out.
"Kaslana Stigma Will, come forth."
"...Answering your summons, Lord Elias."
A white-haired young man appeared out of thin air. Durandal frowned slightly—she realized she couldn't sense him at all. If she closed her eyes, she probably wouldn't even notice his existence.
That was only natural. After all, he was the Stigma Space itself.
"Oh my, isn't that the Kaslana Stigma Will? Long time no see. If I remember correctly, the last time we met was during the first loop of the Previous Era. It's been over fifty thousand years."
Misteln greeted him smugly.
The Kaslana Stigma Will, appearing in Kevin's form, let out a deep sigh. When he looked at her, there was unmistakable envy in his eyes.
"Indeed. It has been more than fifty thousand years, Schariac Stigma Will. Unfortunately, I am not as fortunate as you—to have Lord Elias break the boundary between the real world and the Stigma for you."
"Hehe, yes. The outside world is quite wonderful. It's truly a pity you can't go out."
"Enough. I understand you want to show off about becoming an [Idea], but I am not obliged to sit here and accept your boasting. Lord Elias, what are your orders?"
The Kaslana Stigma Will rolled his eyes at Misteln, suppressing his jealousy toward his fellow kind who had become an [Idea], then respectfully bowed to the white-haired boy.
As a creation of the Previous Era, he was well aware of the greatness of the savior before him.
Moreover, any creation of the Previous Era—whether Divine Key or Stigma—had been implanted by Dr. MEI and Vill-V with a fundamental command of absolute obedience to Elias.
Therefore, let alone summoning him forth—even if Elias ordered the Kaslana Stigma Will to self-destruct, it would be accomplished with a single sentence.
"Mm. Release the full power of the Stigma. It's time to create the second [Palatinus]."
"What? A [Palatinus]?!"
The Kaslana Stigma Will looked at Durandal in shock. Upon sensing that within the girl existed both the Kaslana Stigma and the Schariac Holy Blood, he was utterly astonished.
That configuration was truly extraordinary. As for how extraordinary—just look at their savior.
"A [Palatinus]... how strong is that?"
Durandal scratched her golden hair and asked expectantly. Recently, she had been dissatisfied with the pace of her growth. Ever since obtaining Dea Anchora, she had not experienced any qualitative evolution.
"I cannot answer that question. Theoretically, a [Palatinus] is a being capable of infinite growth. Bianka Durandal Ataegina, you may use Lord Elias as your reference—he is the first [Palatinus]."
"What? Then can I become as strong as Elias?"
Durandal's eyes lit up. By now, Elias had already become the goal she chased and admired.
And among those who could use Elias as a benchmark, aside from Kevin, only Durandal truly qualified.
"Not necessarily. Achieving [Palatinus] will at least allow you to reach Lord Elias' level. Whether you can catch up to him afterward depends on your own efforts."
"Effort? No problem! Effort is what I'm best at."
Durandal, who considered herself a hard-working type with little talent, responded without hesitation.
"Confidence is good. But that concerns after you become a [Palatinus]. I must warn you first—the path to [Palatinus] is not easy. Historically, the Kaslana and Schariac families have intermarried many times. Quite a few individuals like you, possessing dual Stigmata, have been born. However..."
The Kaslana Stigma Will's expression turned solemn.
"It has been over fifty thousand years since Lord Elias achieved [Palatinus]. In all of history, not a single second [Palatinus] has emerged. I believe you can imagine how difficult this challenge truly is."
"Moreover, I personally witnessed the trial Lord Elias underwent when he achieved [Palatinus]. The difficulty was so great that I once concluded no second person in this world could ever reach that realm."
"Therefore, I will confirm with you one final time, Bianka Durandal Ataegina. Have you resolved yourself? If the path to [Palatinus] fails, the consequences will be unimaginable!"
Facing the questioning of the Stigma Will, Durandal clenched her fists and lifted her chin proudly. Astral Harness had already equipped itself around her body.
"I am ready. Come!"
She had never lacked the courage to face challenges. No matter how towering the wall before her, she would spread her wings and leap across it.
"Very well. Then—awaken! The power of the Honkai Beasts hidden within the Kaslana bloodline!"
With a wave of his hand, the Stigma Will awakened the dormant genes of countless ferocious beasts slumbering within the girl's body. Though Durandal had never undergone Meta-Morph and could not enter Artificial Cascade.
In truth, the Kaslana clan could be said to be a new humanity evolved through Honkai Beast genes. After all, the origin of their bloodline traced back to one of the two great chimeras from fifty thousand years ago.
Black-purple mist burst forth from Durandal's body. Faintly, it carried the roars of tens of thousands of Honkai Beasts. The thunderous howls echoed throughout the Kaslana Stigma Space.
Misteln drew in a sharp breath. In that moment, Durandal herself seemed to transform into a dark forest—and within that forest lurked countless apocalyptic monsters capable of destroying the world.
Durandal focused her mind.
She sensed a path of destiny, like a frozen river slowly yet resolutely extending beneath her feet.
Her body gradually froze.
But her soul burned.
The roars of myriad Honkai Beasts made it nearly impossible for her to think. These Honkai Beast genes hidden within her DNA remained intact even after being diluted through the Kaslana bloodline for over fifty thousand years.
And now, those ferocious beasts were attempting to seize her body, using it to return their existence to the present world.
"Haaahhhh—!"
Durandal cried out. It was as though only by releasing a roar fiercer than theirs could she maintain her own existence. To be honest, the difficulty of this trial far exceeded the girl's expectations.
However...
"Hmm... it's easier than when I did it."
Elias analyzed Durandal's condition and spoke in surprise.
"Indeed. Although I once believed it impossible for a second [Palatinus] to be born, what is called 'impossible' is merely something that has not yet arrived. Therefore, I prepared for the arrival of that 'impossibility.'"
The Kaslana Stigma Will replied respectfully.
At the same time, when he looked at Durandal, his gaze was filled with shock. The fact that she had not collapsed instantly had already far exceeded his expectations.
What terrifying willpower!
"Lord Elias, I modified the structure of the trial you once endured and lowered the awakening difficulty to the minimum. Though it remains perilous beyond measure, at least it slightly increases the chance of success."
"Mm. You did well. If it followed my original standards, Durandal wouldn't be able to hold it."
Elias nodded. This was not self-praise.
When he awakened as a [Palatinus], those Meta-Morph factors had not merely roared. He had fought actual life-and-death battles—against more than fifty thousand Honkai Beasts ranging from Vipralopa-class to Seraph-class—for three days and three nights without being able to use any authority.
And it had not been a series of duels, but a full-scale swarm battle.
It was not merely combat strength being tested—but will.
If either fell short, he would have been completely devoured by those Honkai Beast genes. At best, he would have obtained an Artificial Cascade like Kevin's [Diabolic], never reaching the realm of [Reverse God].
"Ghhhaaahhh!!"
Durandal clutched her head. It was not only the roars of the Honkai Beasts—she was also on the verge of being overwritten by the core principle of the Kaslana Stigma itself.
And that principle was named [Kill the Honkai].
"Kill the Honkai kill the Honkai kill the Honkai kill the Honkai kill the Honkai kill the Honkai kill the Honkai kill the Honkai kill! Kill kill kill kill kill kill kill kill kill!!"
"Tsk. She hasn't found the trick. If this continues, she'll turn into an obsessed fanatic like Kevin in the original storyline."
Elias frowned slightly and looked at the Kaslana Stigma Will beside him. The latter shook his head helplessly. [Kill the Honkai] was the very purpose of the Kaslana Stigma's existence.
If Durandal failed to pass this trial, she would become a vengeful wraith that existed solely to slaughter the Honkai.
Though to be fair, she was already close—completing a hundred missions a day. If this were a game, she could probably save up enough for a ten-pull in a single day.
"Sigh~ I guess I'll have to step in at the critical moment."
As he spoke, Elias activated the authority of the Herrscher of Sentience, stabilizing Durandal's self-awareness and preventing her from being overwhelmed by the wills of the Honkai Beasts and the conceptual ideology of the Kaslana Stigma.
The Stigma Will's eye twitched. This was the Stigma Space—the place most suppressive toward Herrschers. And yet this lord could still use his authority so effortlessly. It was absurd.
Elias: (You suppress three- or four-Core Herrschers just fine. But I'm a twelve-authority Herrscher—what are you going to do about it?)
"Ahem! Durandal, can you hear me?"
"Y-yes... I can hear you."
"Good. Just now, you foolishly tried to clash head-on with the Honkai Beast wills. That's like charging a raging bull and trying to headbutt it back... well, you almost succeeded, though."
Even Elias found it ridiculous.
Just how strong was this girl's will? Even if he hadn't intervened, Durandal could have wrestled with the wills of tens of thousands of Honkai Beasts for quite some time purely through her own determination.
Unfortunately, the Honkai Beast wills residing within her genes were immortal. No matter how firm her resolve, she could not defeat them outright.
"Please tell me what to do!"
"Use the other power within you. Imagine yourself as a beast tamer. The power of the Schariac Holy Blood is your rein—it will help you domesticate these Honkai Beast genes."
Through his authority, Elias transmitted his voice directly into the girl's mind. While guarding her consciousness, he guided her step by step.
"I understand!"
Durandal nodded forcefully and activated the Holy Blood within her to dissolve and subdue the Honkai Beast wills.
Very quickly, the effect became evident. The frenzied roars that had filled her mind began to fade.
This was the Holy Blood inherited from her mother.
Silent yet warm. Gentle yet powerful.
It severed the path that would have turned the girl into a vengeful demon bent on slaughtering the Honkai—and instead helped her become a noble knight who mastered her destiny.
"Whew~ That should do it."
Elias let out a sigh of relief. Everything had been within expectations.
After all, in the original storyline, Durandal had also relied on the power of the Schariac Holy Blood to tame the Honkai Beast genes.
Though the game's depiction had been rather rushed—just a few lines of dialogue, far less intense than what Elias now witnessed firsthand—the conditions were identical. There was no reason for her to fail.
However, just as Elias eagerly anticipated witnessing the birth of the Palatinus Equinox—
Durandal suddenly dropped to one knee.
A pained cry escaped her lips.
"Guh—! I... can't suppress it..."
"Huh?!"
Elias' eyes widened in shock. Seeing Durandal, who possessed the Holy Blood's power, still being gradually devoured by the Honkai Beast genes, his mind nearly froze.
What the hell is going on?!