"The casualties are staggering."
In the Far East Region, Einstein sipped her black tea while reviewing the latest statistics, letting out a complex sigh.
Following the catastrophic Major Honkai Eruption that birthed Herrschers Ana and Wendy along with dozens of Pseudo-Herrschers, this nation had been entirely transformed into the central control hub for the Moonlight Throne System, separated from regular civilian areas.
Now, only Einstein, Tesla, and their teams of researchers and armed personnel remained here. Their dual responsibilities included overseeing the Moonlight Throne System and managing global battlefields outside the War of End from the secondary command center located beyond the Imperial City.
Einstein scanned the real-time casualty reports. Early evacuation losses combined with ongoing fatalities as civilians fought alongside soldiers against Honkai creatures formed a shockingly high number.
"Distributing lower-level access to the Hive System and arming individuals... I finally fully comprehend your intentions, Zeke!"
It was known that the strength of Honkai correlated with the advancement of civilization. Thus, equipping every person would bring about a transformative change in Honkai's power. However, involving everyone directly in combat against Honkai also meant complete loss of control over casualty numbers.
Welt had once questioned this approach:
When facing Honkai, do you prefer having the ability to resist or waiting for others' rescue...or simply resigning yourself to death?
Zeke countered with these words, forcefully pushing through his policy despite opposition.
Now, Einstein deeply grasped Zeke's intent.
Humans are complex creatures; they can be foolishly timid yet fearlessly brave. To a large extent, the character of an entire population can be shaped by their environment and powerful political propaganda.
When Honkai manifests before their eyes, weapons placed within their grasp, and the belief to fight for survival and loved ones continuously instilled for years on end... what happens when there is no turning back?
The answer: humans will go insane.
Even if many initially clung to luck, fearing death and seeking refuge, as the carnage unfolded and the brutal reality became apparent before their eyes—with more and more being lost—the promise of resurrection upon victory would become their sole hope. In this way, fear, anger, despair—all these negative emotions, shaped over time, transformed them into a frenzy where they'd tear at enemy flesh even unto death.
"As long as sufficient groundwork is laid, by positioning armed individuals at the right place and time... The previous civilization was destroyed by human madness, but for you, it seems this madness could be harnessed?"
Einstein rubbed her arms, feeling goosebumps rise. She suddenly felt profoundly grateful that Welt had invited Zeke back then, although she had harbored similar thoughts before; now, those feelings were even stronger.
Perhaps only Einstein and Otto fully understood Zeke's ultimate goal behind continuously bolstering humanity's military strength and propaganda: When Honkai yearns to destroy humans, and humans likewise crave to annihilate Honkai—when these two frenzied beings collide—can one still clearly distinguish who is the hunter and who is the prey?
Zeke exploited human madness, going so far as to believe from the very beginning that this madness was highly useful.
"A mad dog biting at monsters—what a spectacle..." Einstein shook her head; the once-rich flavor of black tea on her tongue now tasted only bitter.
She decided to keep these thoughts buried deep within her heart forever.
Zeke's true intentions no longer mattered. What was crucial was that he remained perpetually correct.
Honkai posed a calamity for all civilizations. Finality may be immensely powerful, but the global devastation accompanying its birth also needed to be countered. Otherwise, these threats would inevitably impact the battlefield against Finality itself.
To address this, Zeke proposed transforming billions of humans into rabid dogs, tearing relentlessly into Honkai.
He concealed his strategy behind an impeccably righteous ideology of saving humanity and appeals to racial duty, so compelling even Welt and Kiana were drawn in, unable to question it.
Since the goal was noble, and it had proven effective, there could be no doubt—it was indeed the right approach.
Einstein suppressed these thoughts and continued analyzing the war data.
"Hmm? Have all holy-blood individuals been transferred already? A drop of water can never extinguish the scorching sun—the energy level of Finality far surpasses what the holy blood force fields can withstand. The casualties are truly devastating... Let's report everything together. Zeke will make the correct choice."
In the conference room, vivid projections displayed the battlefield's carnage and brutality in full detail. Warriors fell every moment as the once-massive army gradually dwindled to a handful of survivors, while pools of blood on the ground deepened ominously.
Casualties were mounting, with a crimson mist shrouding the heart of the battlefield. Yet amidst it all, only one silver-haired girl in a white dress remained pristine and untouched.
Welt tugged at his collar, silent but visibly uneasy.
As Zeke reviewed Einstein's analysis report, he reassured him, "Be patient; it's not yet time for your entrance."
"...I know."
"You can take a walk outside. When the legion becomes ineffective, I'll call you back."
By "ineffective," they essentially meant complete annihilation.
The purpose of this legion was to be wiped out—a plan openly acknowledged from the beginning, fully understood even by its members themselves.
"No need, I must preserve this anger," Welt replied coldly, his eyes bloodshot and pupils flickering with a faint red glow, making him appear particularly menacing in the dim conference room.
His usually gentle demeanor rarely displayed such intensity.
However, Zeke and Hera secretly nodded in agreement.
Anger was appropriate; otherwise, how could Welt's restrained nature unleash its full potential?
Zeke continued reading through reports, comparing them to his preconceived plans and correcting as necessary. When he reached the line "Valkyrie Cecilia critically injured, currently undergoing emergency treatment," his finger paused, inadvertently glancing at Kiana, busy below in the Command Room.
He pursed his lips but ultimately did nothing, continuing to review reports from other command bases instead.
Time trickled away, and silence spread throughout the conference room.
On the battlefield...
"Huff...huff..."
Durandal sat atop Klitchina, beads of sweat dotting her strained thighs from hours of relentless tension. Feeling weak and weary, she could see her legs trembling slightly.
She had lost count of how many charges she'd led.
But that didn't matter; what mattered was the countless comrades she couldn't tally who had fallen by her side.
"Keep moving..." Durandal commanded herself, head bowed.
Charge again, faster and stronger than before.
If they pushed hard enough, perhaps this war could end sooner, saving even a few more allies... Even if victory wasn't possible, slowing their demise would still hold meaning!
"Ahh!" The knight let out a clear, resounding battle cry, surging with unstoppable momentum and awe-inspiring valor as she launched another charge.
"So this is the Isomer my Imperial Father spoke of? Truly remarkable courage and fighting spirit... No, I should say every warrior on this battlefield deserves such admiration! Brave soldiers of the Huang Kingdom, do not disappoint our allied heroes. For the sake of all humanity, follow me—charge!"
The beleaguered Xuanyuan Emperor II, Durandal, raised her sword without hesitation and charged with all her might.
Amidst the chaos, several Heroic Spirits took a brief moment to gather together.
"Ellie, who is that kid?" asked Eden. "She's incredible—judging by energy intensity alone...she seems almost on par with Kevin."
"Hmm-hmm! Prepare yourselves for a shocker—it's Kevin and Mei's descendant, you know~," Elysia teased, winking flirtatiously.
In their swift flight, Eden, Sakura, Vill-V, Aponia, and other recently summoned Heroic Spirits stumbled, narrowly avoiding crashes. The most dramatic was Mr. Wild Laughter Kalpas, whose abrupt halt left him caught off guard by the energy backlash; he plummeted instantly, tumbling uncontrollably like a spinning wheel.
"What?!?" echoed multiple voices simultaneously.
Although Kiana had often referred to Memory Fragment Kevin as her "patriarch" within the World of Elysium, none of these memory fragment Heroic Spirits were fully briefed on the details. Consequently, they never connected Kevin and Mei—after all, from the perspective of the previous civilization, such a notion seemed utterly absurd.
Sakura exclaimed, "Incredible, unimaginable!"
Kosma interjected, "Um, I was trying to say that Kalpas he..."
Eden continued, "Is it the Mei we know? Did Kevin actually succeed? Could he break through that defense line? Oh my goodness!"
Kosma persisted, "Ahem! So, just now, Kalpas he..."
Aponia added, "Although...but...in any case...truly worthy descendants indeed, yes, absolutely remarkable!"
Kosma tried again, "About Kalpas, he—"
Elysia chimed in, "Hmm-hmm! Right, right, isn't it astonishing? It shocked me too when I first learned! By the way, Kosma, what have you been mumbling about?"
"...Nothing much," Kosma replied. "Focus on the battle."