The Divine Emperor Kiana looked at Xiangling and said, "Xiangling, I've already gathered the ingredients from another world that I mentioned last time."
"Wow, thank you so much!" Xiangling jumped excitedly, her face glowing with delight. "With these ingredients, I can make even more delicious dishes!"
As soon as she finished speaking, Xiangling suddenly remembered that there were still dishes waiting to be served in the kitchen. She quickly turned around and left with light, brisk steps, continuing her busy work.
The Divine Emperor Kiana withdrew her gaze and let it settle on Zhongli. A faint smile lingered at the corner of her lips as she spoke slowly, "I understand what you're thinking right now. I'm the same. Whenever I run into things I'm not interested in or don't want to handle, I just toss them to someone else."
As she spoke, her eyes drifted meaningfully toward Keqing and Ganyu.
Keqing and Ganyu exchanged a silent glance, saying nothing.
Zhongli frowned slightly and asked, "Are you asking me to handle affairs for you?"
The Divine Emperor Kiana nodded openly. "More or less. You're not like ordinary humans. Ordinary humans are far too prone to problems."
Zhongli's expression grew serious as he rebutted, "Your view of ordinary humans seems somewhat biased. They are not as unbearable as you think."
"Heh." The Divine Emperor Kiana chuckled softly, neither confirming nor denying.
At the side, Keqing had intended to speak in defense, but images of the humans in those abandoned worlds suddenly surfaced in her mind—their shirking of responsibility, their habit of complicating simple matters, and the absurd deeds committed for selfish desires. The words at the tip of her tongue were swallowed back down.
The Emperor's protection and responsibility, fairness and wisdom, steadfastness and composure, insight and foresight, along with selfless dedication and sacrifice—if an ordinary person possessed even one or two of those qualities, they could be considered a legendary enlightened ruler.
Zhongli glanced at the hesitant Keqing and sighed inwardly. This child was still far too inexperienced.
"Can you truly revive her?" Zhongli asked again, his expression solemn.
"It's such a trivial matter. There's no need for me to lie to you. In my domain, power is absolute. If something can't be done, it only means you're not strong enough," the Divine Emperor Kiana said arrogantly.
"Then... what do you need me to do for you?" Zhongli asked calmly, looking straight at her.
"It's very simple." A trace of amusement flickered in the Divine Emperor Kiana's eyes, and a sly smile curved her lips. "Just help me manage the Empire. For specific matters, coordinate with Kallen and Isla. Like you, I've stopped handling affairs personally for a long time now."
"Like me?" Zhongli repeated in confusion.
Ganyu spoke up in explanation, "The Empire is primarily governed by Kallen."
"I see." Zhongli nodded thoughtfully. From what Keqing and Ganyu had told him before, he already had a vague understanding of the Finality Empire. It was a colossal empire beyond imagination. Compared to it, the continent of Teyvat was but a drop in the ocean.
The white-haired girl before him was actually the founder of such an enormous empire. To be honest, he found it difficult to fathom the way someone like her thought.
This Divine Emperor Kiana seemed to act without purpose, simply passing time and seeking amusement.
Thinking of her fondness for beauty, Zhongli pondered whether he should use his female incarnation to deal with her.
He could change gender at will. For a god, altering one's temperament was not a difficult task.
"Miss Kiana, earlier you mentioned the Honkai world. What exactly is that about?" Keqing suddenly asked.
Ganyu also turned her gaze toward the Divine Emperor Kiana, awaiting her answer.
"It's exactly what it sounds like. If you're curious, just go take a look and you'll understand." The Divine Emperor Kiana smiled brightly. Then she looked at Keqing and added, "Perfect timing. You can represent our Finality Empire and go have a talk with them."
"Talk about what?" Keqing asked blankly. "And who are they?!"
"You'll find out when you get there." The Divine Emperor Kiana smiled mysteriously. "Eat first."
"Oh!" Though full of doubts, Keqing asked no further questions.
In her heart, the Divine Emperor of the Finality Empire far surpassed ordinary people in both power and wisdom.
If she was unwilling to explain, there had to be a reason. Perhaps once she went, she would understand.
...
Honkai World, Arc City.
A streak of purple lightning tore across the sky as Keqing descended from above, making a dazzling entrance.
Having just finished her meal, she arrived in this unfamiliar world. She had always been decisive in her actions, never dragging things out.
"Could this world be Miss Kallen's parallel world?" Keqing analyzed inwardly while gathering information through the internet.
In this world, she had seen another Kallen—who was even the Archbishop of Schicksal!
Without the help of Isla's omniscient domain, she could only rely on the network to gradually collect information about this world.
While investigating high-level intelligence of various factions, Kallen's information had suddenly appeared before her.
"So what should I do now?" Keqing stood on the unfamiliar street, feeling somewhat lost.
The Divine Emperor Kiana had only said to go have a talk, but she hadn't mentioned who to talk to or what to talk about. It left her completely at a loss.
Calm down!
This must be a test!
She silently warned herself. Since no specific person had been named, that meant anyone could be the one to talk to.
As for the topic, she would need to observe further.
Since this was Miss Kallen's parallel world, Kallen likely knew something about what was happening here.
Keqing strolled along the streets of Arc City. She recognized and knew how to use most modern conveniences, feeling none of the awkwardness or confusion of someone who had just arrived in a foreign world.
What she did not know was that her every move was being closely monitored by several factions within the Honkai world.
Even if she had known, she would not have cared.
After all, if something went wrong, she had someone above her to handle it.
The Human Contract Alliance and Schicksal, Anti-Entropy, and World Serpent formed a joint organization and were the first to complete their investigation.
No such person found!
This mysterious girl who had appeared out of nowhere, descending with lightning and bearing an unknown identity, immediately drew the alarm of both sides.
Could she be a Herrscher from the Will of Ruler's side?!
How had she come here?!
Human Contract Alliance Headquarters.
Melin Cavendish frowned deeply, a trace of gravity flashing through her blue eyes. In her view, this was an excellent opportunity to confront a Herrscher from the Will of Ruler's camp face-to-face.
Without the slightest hesitation, she immediately ordered, "Fabella, make the preparations. We're going to meet this guest."
"Yes!" Fabella accepted the command and departed.
Melin Cavendish rose to her feet and strode toward the door.
...
On the streets of Arc City, Keqing strolled leisurely as all kinds of people and scenery passed by her.
As she walked, she seemed to sense something and suddenly stopped, turning her head to look behind her.
Sure enough, not far behind her was a figure. The person's pace was neither hurried nor slow, always maintaining a certain distance, and judging by the way they moved, they had been following her for quite some time.
Keqing grew inwardly alert. Her first thought was: Intelligence personnel from this world?!
She was no stranger to such matters.
In Liyue, there were specialists like Yelan who handled intelligence work.
Moreover, from what she had gathered, ordinary people in this world seemed completely unaware of the existence of the Finality Empire.
Her mind turned quickly. Spotting a small shop along the street, she stepped inside.
She ordered a bowl of wontons and sat by the window, waiting quietly.
The shop was located on a bustling commercial street. Outside on the sidewalk, crowds flowed endlessly, lively and noisy.
Yet before long, Keqing sharply sensed that the flow of people outside had noticeably thinned.
The few customers scattered around the shop gradually finished their meals and left. After that, no new customers entered.
Without revealing any emotion, Keqing opened her interface panel and glanced at the time.
At that moment, Melin Cavendish entered the shop with Fabella.
Melin Cavendish walked straight to Keqing's table, a gentle smile on her face. "Hello. May I sit here?"
"As you wish." Keqing set down her chopsticks and looked up at Melin Cavendish and Fabella, her expression calm.
Hearing this, Melin pulled out the chair and sat across from her.
"Is it good?" Melin asked.
"The chef here is quite average," Keqing replied bluntly, her tone steady.
Melin let out a light laugh. "It's only a small shop. One can't expect too much."
With just a brief glance at the purple-haired girl before her, Melin had already categorized her as the type of young lady from an aristocratic family—serious, capable, and confident.
"Did you come to talk about this?" Keqing asked.
"Of course not. I came to make your acquaintance.
Although you already know who I am, I believe it's better to formally introduce myself." Melin's smile remained unchanged. "I am Melin Cavendish, head of the Cavendish family and leader of the Human Contract Alliance. A pleasure to meet you."
"I am Keqing, Yuheng of the Liyue Qixing, personally appointed by the Divine Emperor as one of the agents of the Finality Empire. I am mainly responsible for observing and handling planetary civilizations," Keqing introduced herself clearly and methodically.
Melin froze for a brief moment, surprise filling her thoughts.
She isn't from the Will of Ruler's side, but from the Finality Empire?
Sending someone responsible for observing and handling planetary civilizations... what exactly was the Finality Empire planning?
Were they intending to assess this world's human civilization before deciding on further action?
But wasn't this world supposed to fall under the Will of Ruler's sphere of influence?
"That sounds quite impressive," Melin said smoothly, even though something felt off internally.
I'm just a temporary worker. What's so impressive about that?
Keqing complained inwardly. She knew very well that she was essentially a temporary employee—finish the job, and if she did poorly, she could be dismissed at any time.
As for what she was supposed to accomplish in this world, she herself had no idea.
Melin narrowed her eyes slightly, staring at the uniquely styled purple-haired girl whose appearance resembled a cat's. A meaningful smile tugged at her lips. "Honored guest of the Finality Empire, what brings you here?"
Keqing's brows furrowed as she grew serious. "Do I need to report my actions to you?"
"You—" Fabella began, but Melin raised her hand lightly, stopping her while maintaining her polite smile. "Of course not. I am merely curious as to your purpose here."
Keqing thought for a moment and did not conceal it. "I was sent by my superiors to speak with the people of this world. However, I was not told who specifically to speak with, nor what the topic should be."
She reasoned inwardly that since the woman before her was the leader of the Human Contract Alliance and clearly aware of the Finality Empire, perhaps she was the one meant to negotiate.
Talk to someone, but without specifying who or about what?
Melin fell into thought.
She recalled the Herrschers at Chiba Academy. Behind them seemed to loom the shadow of the Will of Ruler. Their motives were unclear, but their focus was always on Herrschers.
If that was the case, then perhaps the Finality Empire's objective was also Herrschers.
After a moment of contemplation, Melin suddenly said, "Miss Keqing, the Human Contract Alliance wishes to serve the Finality Empire. What do you think?"
Keqing's expression instantly turned strange.
She had never expected that the leader of one of this world's greatest powers would choose to defect so decisively.
Melin smiled faintly and waited for Keqing's response.
The Human Contract Alliance's bargaining chip was the Herrscher of Earth, Azta.
A Herrscher desired by the Finality Empire.
In her view, joining the Finality Empire or joining the Will of Ruler made little fundamental difference.
The conditions on the Will of Ruler's side might be better, but they were difficult to access.
Besides, one should never put all one's eggs in the same basket. Leaving oneself an additional path was never wrong.
Keqing hesitated for quite some time, filled with confusion. This woman had not mentioned any conditions or demands, yet she was offering allegiance outright. Was this what it meant to be strong enough that others submitted on their own?
After thinking it over, she nodded. "Very well. I accept."
Seeing her agree, Melin secretly let out a breath of relief. It seemed this girl truly knew nothing—or perhaps this was intentional on the part of the Finality Empire.
Either way, it was an excellent opportunity. At the very least, the Human Contract Alliance would no longer remain as passive as before.
Melin knew clearly that the Alliance's influence was declining day by day, nearing dissolution.
Whatever Otto and the others were planning, the Alliance could neither interfere nor stop it. Every plan excluded them.
In that case, she might as well take a gamble.
Besides, this was no longer the era of resisting the Honkai as it once had been.
Keqing did not care what Melin was thinking. If the sky collapsed, someone taller would hold it up. If something truly went wrong, she had someone above her.
She wondered whether the one who had sent her here intended her to recruit forces.
The more she thought about it, the more something felt off.
With that in mind, Keqing raised her hand and opened her light-screen interface again, carefully reviewing the information she had gathered online about this world.
Nagazora City, interdimensional passages, Herrschers, city resets... these keywords revolved repeatedly in her mind.
She could not understand why, in this world, even sophons could not be used.
Still, with the intelligence she had, she now possessed a general understanding of the situation.
Keqing stood up, having already made her decision. She would head to Nagazora City.
In her view, the Human Contract Alliance did not seem particularly crucial. The real key lay with the joint body formed by Schicksal, Anti-Entropy, and World Serpent—the organization that controlled the interdimensional passage and possessed numerous Herrschers at Chiba Academy. That was her true objective.
The online videos of the so-called city reset looked remarkably similar to the Finality Empire's regional restart devices. No matter how she examined them, they did not seem like something this world's humans could have created.
...
Nagazora City.
Chiba Academy.
The floating battleship of the Human Contract Alliance descended slowly.
Keqing and Melin Cavendish walked down side by side.
Theresa and Einstein were already waiting.
Keqing stepped forward to Einstein. "It is a pleasure to meet you all. I am Keqing, here as a representative of the Finality Empire."
Einstein studied her carefully. "Were you sent by Kallen?"
"No." Keqing blinked in surprise. "You know the Kallen from my side?"
"Yes. Your Kallen even abducted Yae Sakura from us," Einstein said flatly.
"Abducted?"
Keqing stared in astonishment. That Kallen would do something like that?