"It's working..."
In the dimly lit conference room, only the flickering combat footage from the projection screen illuminated the faces of the Three Giants intermittently.
Zeke murmured expressionlessly.
With Kevin taking the brunt of damage and dealing heavy output, Elysia and Su provided support from their flanks while Durandal fearlessly charged head-on time after time.
The Valkyries, whose abilities far surpassed the former S-rank standard, maneuvered their flying devices through the skies, launching relentless attacks from various angles. The mechanized forces split into two groups: ranged units providing cover fire to wear down the enemy's Honkai energy defense layer, while close combat troops surged towards the center like expendable resources.
Despite being benchmarked against civilization's strength, even the Final Herrscher had her limits.
After depleting most of the accumulated technological weaponry, the current close-quarters assault was steadily diminishing her power level further.
"But it's still not enough!"
Zeke watched solemnly as each Valkyrie, upon making contact with the enemy, exploded into a shower of blood; as one mech after another became scrap metal, only for soldiers to burst out of the cockpits and continue charging, meeting similar fates.
Countless drops of blood stained the ground, pooling together across the battlefield, dyeing the earth a nauseating dark red.
Analyzing this scene, Zeke emphasized coldly, "Their efficiency is insufficient."
The Valkyries on the battlefield had undergone various biotechnological enhancements, surpassing the S-rank standard of their time, and numbered close to one hundred thousand. The mechanized soldiers were also masterpieces of engineering technology, with ten times more deployed. Even precious anti-Honkai weapons made from holy blood soul steel were standardized equipment for every combat unit—each member of this army, including every inch of armor on the Valkyries, was worth thousands of times more than gold itself. This unparalleled fighting force was forged through immense resource expenditure.
Yet, even such might could only serve as mere foils to a few supreme powers.
Despite this formidable lineup employing a relentless, all-out strategy until the last drop of blood, they managed to inflict some depletion on the Final Herrscher, gradually weakening her energy reserves.
However, the efficiency was exceedingly low.
Zeke appeared to disregard the sacrifices unfolding before his eyes completely. Sitting upright like an icy statue, he calmly stated, "Connected to the Void Portal, the Herrschers have access to infinite energy sources. Their formidable regenerative abilities pose the greatest challenge. To defeat her, we must exhaust her relentlessly, with continuous and highly efficient attrition, only then can we effectively diminish her power."
"How about I go ahead first?" Welt suggested grimly, his interlocked fingers turning white from pressure.
"No, I'm merely stating the current situation," Zeke replied, steadfast as a mountain.
Yes, just stating the facts didn't imply that he had no cards left to play.
"Boom!"
Golden energy surged outward, further ravaging the already devastated crater landscape and instantly pulverizing a circle of Valkyries and mechanized soldiers near "Kiana."
Blood mist filled the air, with splashes of crimson liquid reaching Durandal's face as she recoiled from the blast.
Her snow-white thighs tightly gripped Kreshna's body, her brows slightly trembling, while her grip on Abyss Flower exerted maximum strength. Unbearable grief, anguish, guilt, and fury—these extreme emotions stained her bright, captivating blue eyes with red veins.
Given Durandal's inherently kind nature, witnessing her comrades fall one by one in heroic sacrifice was immensely painful. Moreover...the order for this relentless charge had been given by her own mouth!
As their commander, Durandal fully understood that these fighters were essentially sent to their deaths, sacrificing their lives to deplete the enemy's power.
"Although victory demands sacrifices, and although everyone's information has been recorded in the Hall of Heroes—with Sir Zeke promising them a chance at rebirth—it still...fills me with uncontrollable rage!"
"Whoosh!"
As Durandal gritted her teeth and whispered, the radiant horse formed by Kaslana Stigmata's power emitted a dazzling glow. A pair of azure wings forged from light extended from its back.
"It's not enough! Durandal, my world, grant me more strength!"
While idealism is often impractical, for Durandal—possessing immense resilience, bearing both the power of Stigmata and an entire world bubble as energy reserves—it held true that with unwavering determination, she could achieve unimaginable might.
"Rumble!!"
The knight astride the celestial Pegasus charged forth like a mythological hero confronting demons, accompanied by thunderous roars echoing across the battlefield and radiating energy akin to the sun itself.
Unlike warriors solely focused on brute force, Kevin noticed something different in Durandal's direction: pure fury and indomitable fighting spirit, almost reminiscent of...
Just like...
"Just like you were back then, right?" echoed Elysia and Suyi simultaneously.
Elysia and Suyi flanked Kevin, moving past him towards the enemy—the very same Durandal, descendant of Kevin and Mei, and in a broader sense, heir to these Heroic Spirits.
"Those old timers haven't fallen yet; there's no way we're letting a child face this danger alone!" Elysia and Su Wuyan shared this unspoken understanding.
However, they were still a step too slow.
Boom!
A scorching red flash streaked between them.
Just before the two Heroic Spirits could act, Kevin reached Kiana first with a stern expression on his face. He attacked simultaneously with Durandal—this tacit agreement wasn't exclusive to Elysia and Su Wuyan. Or rather, regardless of the battlefield, Kevin always charged at the forefront, bearing the greatest risks upon himself.
Bang!
The combined energy of these four top-tier combatants erupted around "Kiana," forcing nearby enemy forces to retreat momentarily due to the intense shockwaves.
Yet despite their coordinated assault from all directions, Durandal, Kevin, Su, and Elysia found themselves barely able to approach within inches of "Kiana." They were locked in a stalemate, unable to achieve more.
It remained unclear whether earlier barrages had managed to breach her defenses multiple times. However, throughout the subsequent battles thus far, not a single attack had successfully landed on "Kiana."
While the restraint shown by these four elite fighters was one factor, it undeniably demonstrated the Final Herrscher's overwhelming strength, inspiring despair.
As the four attackers braced themselves for another futile clash and prepared to counter any retaliation, immense energy streaked towards them from two unexpected directions like shooting stars.
"That's... Eden, Sakura, Vill-V, Kalpas, Kosma... Why are they here?"
"It seems Hua succeeded, all thanks to my impeccable guidance—so give me some praise already~" Su conversed with Elysia.
However, alongside these familiar Heroic Spirits, there emerged additional forces led by distinct yet somewhat altered faces: Durandal, Rita, Fu Hua, Murata Himeko, Bronya, among others. While resembling their counterparts, it was evident that these individuals were not the same.
"Assistance from beyond this world!" The thought simultaneously crossed the minds of the quartet, recalling Zeke's earlier plan.
With Greatsword of Destruction in hand, Kevin intensified its scorching flames, which could effortlessly evaporate metal and rock, even further.
Taken aback momentarily, the other three swiftly followed suit, amplifying their power output.
Now that reinforcements had arrived, it was time to breach this defense and make the Final Herrscher bleed!
"I never imagined, after fifty thousand years, I'd have the chance to fight alongside you again, Kevin..."
"Durandal, Empress of the Second Huang Dynasty, leading reinforcements!"
"Hmph! Just call me Parasol Kaiserin. So where's that detestable Deadface? Tell him to show himself!"
"Hey there! I'm Bronie, here at your invitation to lend a hand! Though, gotta say, direct assaults aren't really my forte..."
Zeke had journeyed through numerous world bubbles with Fu Hua and Senti, not just the Huang Empire.
These drifting world bubbles, compared to genuine Leaf Worlds, were impoverished and weak. However, with careful cultivation, they could still produce elite forces capable of rivaling one or two top-tier combatants.
Past connections forged beyond this world—these bonds bore fruit today as newfound strength, united in carving out a path for humanity and the planet.
"BOOM!!"
The already devastated ground, now a colossal crater, erupted once more under the immense energy unleashed. The cloudless night sky lit up with various hues, even overshadowing the rising sun on the horizon, diminishing its presence as the source of light.
As the gentle rays of dawn illuminated the battlefield, all eyes focused on the center, where "Kiana" stood amidst the crowd. Their combined attacks struck her skin—a vivid crimson slowly spread from beneath her pristine white gown.
"Kiana" lowered her gaze, golden eyes reflecting the solemn or delighted expressions of those around her. Radiance gathered within the divine body, illuminating the entire world.
BOOM!
"This is our chance! The shattered defenses won't fully recover immediately, and our allies have been pushed back, making it the perfect moment to strike. Theresa, activate the grand formation!"
"Immortal, I am Zhuge Kongming, not some Theresa... Never mind; regardless of what I say, nothing will change the retired emperor's will. My fate seems sealed. However, the true Leaf World is truly formidable. Despite both being instances of the Great Formation of Territorial Energy, the power here dwarfs that which I harnessed in the Huang Empire—it's like comparing the moonlight to a firefly glow!"
Zhuge Kongming held the formation disk, his plumage fan gently swaying as the breeze lifted the hem of his robes, revealing glimpses of his enticingly pure white thighs beneath sheer silk stockings.
Fu Hua stood beside him, ready to provide support at any moment.
Meanwhile, an unnamed force began converging from all corners of the world. Before it could fully materialize, layers of dark clouds suddenly engulfed the battlefield sky, causing Zhuge Kongming's complexion to pale instantly.
"Immortal, my cultivation is weak, allowing for only one powerful strike."
"That's sufficient. The arts of Xuanmen numerology aren't mainstream in our civilization, so this planet's territorial energy matrix has remained largely dormant for millennia. This single strike will harness the accumulated power of thousands of years, becoming unfathomably potent... One strike is enough; subsequent attempts would not reach such magnitude again."
"You speak wisely, Immortal. Then, behold Zhuge Kongming's humble display!"
On the battlefield,
"Kiana" forcefully repelled the surrounding powerful adversaries with a thunderous impact. The bloodstains on her garments reversed and vanished, leaving her silver hair gracefully flowing as pristine and immaculate as when she first appeared. Her golden eyes gazed down indifferently, exuding a divine arrogance, akin to a god observing mortals from lofty heights.
At first glance, it seemed she had sustained no damage.
However, Kevin and Durandal, thrown back onto the ground, sensed a subtle change—their relentless efforts thus far were not futile. She had weakened, albeit imperceptibly, despite still being overwhelmingly formidable.
Suddenly, "Kiana" tilted her head upward, staring at the dense cloud layers twisting like a swirling vortex above.
A threat—an inexplicable sense of danger enveloped her.
With a raised hand, "Kiana" prepared to tear through the clouds.
But in that instant, an invisible yet razor-sharp force pierced downward amidst crystalline snowflakes, dancing arcs of lightning, and biting cold winds. These extraordinary phenomena converged around an immense, intangible sword energy, swiftly cleaving heaven and earth alike.
"Whish!"
"Boom!!"
In this moment, Fu Hua, carrying the barely breathing Zhuge Kongming, withdrew from the battlefield.
And the God coughed up blood.
As the terrifying spectacle akin to divine retribution dissipated, countless battle-hardened warriors gazed upon the wounded deity at their center with expressions as ferocious as ravenous wolves or savage tigers.
"Kill!"
******
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