Although the area had already been cleared once by Acheron, the revived Voidrangers were still easy to find. Every so often, another would awaken from its frozen sculpture.
Kiana followed Acheron, capturing several for experimentation. Watching as the Voidrangers were eliminated—leaving not even a corpse behind, dissolving into particles and scattering—she frowned deeply.
"These Voidrangers aren't right."
Only after observing dozens in succession did Kiana finally dare to state that conclusion with certainty.
They were different from Izumo's Kami.
They were also different from the enemies she had slain before—those that left corpses behind, their remains corroded by Honkai energy and transformed into Honkai creatures.
"Because their strength has increased?"
Kiana looked up at Acheron. "Do you remember Almighty Thunder?"
Acheron lowered her gaze to the blade in her hand. The meaning was self-evident.
The sword forged from Almighty Thunder was still in her grasp. It had marked the turning point of her life.
How could she possibly forget?
It was only after learning of the Kami and slaying Almighty Thunder that she had truly stepped onto the path of godslaying.
Before that—
She had been nothing more than a shrine maiden, unaware even of what the Kami were, never imagining that one day she would fight to save the world.
Kiana answered her own question.
"When Almighty Thunder was corrupted, the Honkai energy concentration in Izumo was nowhere near what it is now on Jarilo-VI."
Izumo's initial Honkai levels had not been particularly high. Perhaps the stronger a being was, the more susceptible it was to Honkai influence.
Or perhaps it had simply been too close to her.
"With Izumo as precedent, it was inevitable that the organisms on this planet would be corroded by Honkai energy. That was to be expected."
"But you should also remember—when Almighty Thunder was corrupted, its power dropped drastically. Because the two forces couldn't coexist, its body fell into imbalance."
Any organism that was merely corroded, rather than fully transformed, would suffer varying degrees of power decline.
But the situation here was different.
The state of these Voidrangers overturned the understanding Kiana had formed in Izumo.
Involuntarily, she thought of Nanook.
And of that single glance they had exchanged.
"These Voidrangers are soldiers of Destruction. Their bodies have indeed been corroded by Honkai, yet... not only has their strength not declined, it has actually grown stronger."
If the life of a Voidranger were likened to a flame, then the corrosion of Honkai energy was like adding fuel to that fire—causing these weapons of war, born for Destruction, to burn even more fiercely.
In other words, Honkai was amplifying the Destruction within them.
That was Kiana's conclusion.
Her expression darkened. The message conveyed in that glance from Nanook had not been baseless.
It was because the Path could resonate positively with Honkai that He had appeared.
Kiana had traveled through many worlds now. She was no longer the naive girl who had first descended upon Izumo.
"During my travels with Robin, I visited many worlds—some of which suffered Stellaron disasters, others resisting Legion invasions."
She began recalling.
"The incident at the space station wasn't my first encounter with the Legion, nor my first time fighting them."
But Voidrangers growing stronger after being corroded by Honkai—this was the first time she had witnessed it. Her expression grew even more solemn.
The danger of Honkai was already comparable to that of a Stellaron.
And now, with war—and Destruction—
Her face turned even graver.
Those methods capable of releasing even greater quantities of Honkai energy, of causing its levels to rise naturally... might be rapidly achieved through the Path of Destruction.
"Perhaps it's because Voidrangers don't leave intact corpses. I never realized before that Honkai could resonate with Destruction."
"So that's the true reason Nanook watched you at the space station?"
"...Most likely." Kiana took a deep breath, brows furrowed. "The Legion's way of operating can rapidly convert vast amounts of Honkai energy and increase its concentration. And Honkai, in turn, resonates with them, causing their flames to burn even brighter."
"In short, this isn't good news."
That was Kiana's conclusion.
Although she could now enter her Herrscher of Finality state at will, free of previous side effects, she still could not perform the miracle she once achieved in Izumo beyond that land.
Erasing all Honkai energy in an instant.
Reviving a lifeless planet.
Unless she were to raise the Honkai concentration of this world to its absolute peak and bring it fully under her control.
But that process would inevitably cost countless lives.
The sheer intensity of such Honkai levels would be unbearable for ordinary people. Doing so would be no different from destroying this world.
She could not help but recall that period of regret—when she had felt she had opened Pandora's box.
Because once Honkai begins—
It cannot simply be stopped.
Just like now.
Assimilating a world is easy.
Lowering Honkai concentration and erasing its traces is anything but simple.
"You're worried that worlds influenced by Honkai will become targets of the Legion—just like those struck by Stellaron disasters?"
Kiana nodded.
"If there were no Honkai, would the Legion refrain from invading? Given their conduct, their return to this world would only be a matter of time."
"You said it yourself—Honkai is a double-edged sword. It can bring catastrophe, but it can also plant the seeds of resistance against fate," Acheron said after a moment's thought. "Relying on others to protect a world is never a long-term solution. Guiding them to master the power necessary to defend their own world might resolve the issue at its root."
Why had the Legion retreated from Herta Space Station?
Because they knew it was a hard bone to chew.
"...That may be the only way."
Kiana sighed softly. After all, the fact that Honkai had been brought to this world was already a settled reality.
"Don't forget Jyahnar's strength," Acheron reminded her. "If you're truly uneasy, you can simply leave her here."
"I'll see her later. Let's head to Belobog's Upper District first and meet up with Himeko and the others. We should ask for their opinions as well."
The Nameless had traveled through many worlds.
They had more experience in matters like this. It was necessary to hear their thoughts.
Besides, how this situation should ultimately be handled would depend on Belobog's own choice.
They had already ignored the advice of outsiders once.
If they continued to do so, it would become rather impolite.
Another possibility occurred to Kiana.
To maintain the status quo as much as possible.
Ruan Mei and the others firmly believed she was walking the path to godhood—that one day she would ascend the throne and fully claim authority over Honkai.
If that day truly arrived—
Perhaps she would not need to deliberately raise Jarilo-VI's Honkai concentration at all.
Perhaps she could make all of this world's Honkai simply disappear.
Belobog's problems were urgent matters that needed immediate resolution. But the resonance between Honkai and Destruction required professional insight.
Kiana decided that once everything here was settled, she would go find Ruan Mei and ask for her opinion. Perhaps Ruan Mei would see something from a different perspective.
The two of them spent some time returning to the outskirts outside Belobog's city walls. There, in the snowy outskirts, they encountered Welt, who seemed to be conducting some form of inspection.
"Mr. Welt!"
Spotting him from afar, Kiana greeted him enthusiastically. After all, it had been her idea to invite him here. There was no reason to treat him coldly.
"You've come as well?" Welt looked surprised to see her. Remembering Acheron's earlier reply, he subconsciously adjusted his glasses. "You've noticed the abnormal state of the Legion forces too, haven't you?"
"As expected of Mr. Welt—you went straight to the point." Kiana nodded quickly. "The Legion on Jarilo-VI really is off. Almost all of the revived Voidrangers have been corroded by Honkai energy."
Welt's tone grew heavy. "These creatures remind me of certain enemies I encountered in my homeland."
"They aren't purely Honkai creatures," Kiana said.
"That makes it even more frightening." Welt's gaze deepened as he looked at her. "They are weapons of war belonging to the Legion—born for Destruction."
This Honkai was indeed somewhat different from the one on Earth—especially the Honkai in Kiana's world. Its aggressiveness seemed focused on invading other forms of energy.
Corroding matter and life almost felt incidental.
But what if such invasive Honkai energy combined with Destruction?
Welt thought of the Honkai on Earth.
It might become something even more terrifying.
"We absolutely cannot allow the situation here to leak. We must eliminate every Voidranger on this world!" Welt said solemnly. This was not merely a suggestion.
And ideally, Kiana herself should avoid further contact with Honkai-related matters, to prevent being influenced by Destruction.
"That's an enormous undertaking."
No one knew how many Voidrangers lay buried beneath the endless snow.
"We will ask Madam Herta for assistance," Welt continued. "We'll request that she temporarily seal off this world."
"Ask Herta for help?"
Kiana looked at him in surprise. She knew he was thinking of Earth—that was why he was so concerned.
Welt's idea did seem viable.
If every Voidranger on Jarilo-VI could be destroyed without leaving traces, perhaps news of Honkai could indeed be contained.
But such a large-scale operation—
It would inevitably cause the Honkai levels on Jarilo-VI to surge.
And the consequences of a rapid increase in Honkai energy were something Welt understood all too well, even without her saying it.
"I can help persuade Cocolia. As for Madam Herta, I believe she would take interest in this world."
The Astral Express maintained a good relationship with Herta.
And the fact that Welt could say this meant it was a decision discussed with the others aboard the train.
"I see."
Kiana nodded thoughtfully. His plan carried considerable feasibility—provided it did not attract further Legion reinforcements.
"Do you have a better solution?"
Kiana shook her head at once. "Your plan is solid. Let's proceed as you suggested for now."
"I hope you understand the gravity of the situation," Welt said, unable to suppress his concern. "If the Legion masters the power of Honkai, it will bring endless trouble to this universe."
"I understand your worries. But Honkai energy doesn't spread so easily to other worlds," Kiana replied.
"Unless I am present, Honkai energy outside its origin world will dissipate quickly. It won't linger for long."
When she wielded Honkai, it would temporarily disperse outward. But once she left a world, that world would gradually return to normal.
Honkai energy would fade.
"In this universe, nothing is absolutely impossible," Welt said, shaking his head. "It's better to remain cautious."
"Point taken."
If Honkai truly could not spread beyond its world, then Jarilo-VI became even more critical.
Because once corroded, completely removing Honkai's influence was far from simple.
The survivors of Izumo were proof enough. They could still use Honkai energy—most likely because of the stigmata upon them.
If news of the situation here leaked—
The Legion might once again target this world.
Turn it into a forge world for war.
Welt nodded and left to prepare the next steps. Whenever it concerned Honkai, he handled matters personally.
He refused to leave any loose ends.
I've caused trouble for so many people again...
A bitter taste rose in Kiana's heart.
Suddenly, Acheron's hand clasped hers. She turned and met those beautiful eyes.
"Welt's method can ensure Jarilo-VI's current safety. But I still believe that true security lies in possessing the power to protect what one wishes to protect."
"I know they're not contradictory," Kiana said softly. "In a world once consumed by war, an accident caused Honkai energy to leak. That was when I confirmed something—Honkai's natural growth is connected to war and Destruction."
"No matter which approach we take, one issue is unavoidable. Jarilo-VI's Honkai levels will rise," she sighed. "Entities like Herrschers may very well descend."
Belobog might soon move from an era of fighting the Fragmentum and the Legion into an era of confronting Herrschers.
But Herrschers were not necessarily enemies.
Things might not turn out as disastrously as they had on Earth.
Acheron nodded. She was no stranger to Herrschers. Izumo had produced several, and after completing the Stigmata Trial, she herself had become the so-called Herrscher of Thunder.
Her current state—
Was precisely that of the Herrscher of Thunder.
Because Izumo's situation differed from Earth's. Izumo's greatest threat had always been IX, and Honkai had been almost inseparably tied to Kiana. As a result, her attitude toward Honkai was not as tense as Welt's.
Speaking of the Stigmata Trial—
Acheron suddenly remembered something else.
Back then, Kiana had fallen into slumber too abruptly. There had been questions Acheron had not had time to ask. Later, after Kiana awakened, one matter followed another, and she had nearly forgotten altogether.
Thinking of this—
Acheron tightened her grip on Kiana's hand.
"Speaking of Herrschers... I don't believe I ever told you about what happened during the Stigmata Trial."
"Huh? Wasn't the trial just climbing a tower?" Kiana tilted her head slightly. "Sirin told me that."
Climbing a tower...
Acheron had grown accustomed to Kiana's phrasing. She nodded, but her expression turned unusually serious.
"I completed the Stigmata Trial. And I saw something even she never witnessed."
"The final trial was set upon a battlefield reduced to ruins. There, I saw someone—someone who had impaled herself upon a long spear..."