Changing the subject, the chaotic lights and shadows in Elio's eyes seemed to coalesce somewhat:
"However, within the crisis lies a tremendous turning point. Similarly, if the Astral Express can establish a deep and stable friendship and alliance with this Asterion..."
Its voice revealed a hint of calculated certainty. "Then the probability of the Astral Express and the Trailblazer ultimately succeeding in preventing the entire universe from sliding toward Finality will increase by a full four percentage points."
"Furthermore, many seemingly perilous dead ends in the original script would naturally be turned into opportunities and find a way out, thanks to this powerful ally."
EliO emphasized: "And this conclusion is reached through conservative speculation based solely on the combat power and influence Asterion has demonstrated so far, given that I am completely unable to observe Asterion's own future."
"Four percentage points..." Kafka murmured the number, the wine glass pausing slightly in her fingers.
"In the grand probability concerning the universe's survival, this increase... nearly doubles the faint possibility of success in the original script."
She took another sip of the dark red liquid in her glass, her profound gaze seemingly already seeing the impending storm of destruction sweeping across the sea of stars.
Her voice carried a rare mixture of gravity and helplessness. "Unfortunately... this involves the Lord Ravagers after all. In this act, we are merely spectators, and can only be spectators."
"Tsk..." Silver Wolf clicked her tongue softly, her concern and helplessness giving way to a heartfelt wish:
"Hope... things don't really come to that. Hopefully, not too many Lord Ravagers will be drawn into this vortex at the same time."
"After all... according to the records in the script, the power those guys possess once they're fully prepared... is on a whole other BUG-level each..."
...
Deep within a starfield steeped in the power of Abundance.
"My lord, representatives from the major tribes of the Followers of Abundance, from a total of twenty-three Abundant Starfields, have accepted our joint request. When shall we..." A attendant clad in a robe patterned with emerald and dark gold reported respectfully.
"Shh——" The Lord Ravager of Destruction and Hunt, Phantylia, elegantly pressed a slender finger to her lips, interrupting the attendant's words.
The signature cruel smile on her face slightly receded as she slowly closed her eyes, which seemed capable of reflecting the cycle of life and decay.
A moment later, she reopened them, a glint of understanding and delight flashing within.
"Hee hee hee..." She emitted a low, seductive laugh, her gaze fixed on the void. "My greetings to you... great Aeons of Destruction. The fate of all who dare to deny Destruction... shall ultimately return to the embrace of Destruction."
She raised her left hand, her fingertips, once stained by the miracle of Abundance, now entwined and covered by an ominous, viscous black mud.
The mud writhed like a living thing, rapidly polluting and devouring the few lotus flowers beneath her feet.
...
On a dead planet with an eerily pale surface
"If a script personally meddled in by Elation ultimately evolves into a widespread, malicious joke..."
The Lord Ravager of Destruction and Elation, Asat Pramad, walked calmly across the surface of this lifeless planet in a posture of near contemplation, his voice steady without a single ripple.
"Would you... enjoy such an ending?"
He seemed to be talking to himself, or perhaps conversing with the distant Aeon whose purpose was to seek amusement.
"Regardless..." He stopped, looked up toward the general direction of Amphoreus, and took off his hat.
"Let me see with my own eyes just what kind of existence could be deemed by the Aeons of Destruction as... the one on whom Aha, the Aeon of Elation, has placed a heavy bet..."
...
"We shall go forth under your gaze... great Aeons of Destruction."
The Lord Ravager of Destruction and Harmony, Celenova, stood silently at the core of the Antimatter Legion, which truly blotted out the sky and sun.
Endless destructive creations orbited her like a ring system, their scale enough to make 99% of the forces in the entire galaxy tremble.
Her voice was calm as water, yet contained a resolve that could freeze the soul.
"Whether what awaits him ahead is the glory of coronation or the end of downfall, this will be... the final chapter of his long-cherished wish, a complete termination."
She slowly closed her cold eyes, which reflected the Legion's will, as if in final pre-battle meditation.
"This time, let me... guide the billions upon billions of 'hearts' that compose him toward irreversible, fatal necrosis."
...
Deep within the absolute darkness of Nihility, which devours all light and meaning.
"What do you want from me again? Don't you know that this power... isn't a toy to be used casually?"
A voice, tinged with laziness and mischief, whispered through the endless void, its origin unpredictable, as if emanating from the darkness itself.
"This target... is absolutely worth you making an exception." The Lord Ravager of Destruction and Nihility, Zephyro, responded in a low voice. Even amidst this all-negating nothingness, his existence was like a tenaciously burning pale ember.
"Oh?" The voice seemed to spark a flicker of interest, but remained cautious.
"Who's the target? If it's just some ordinary Emanator-level characters, I don't want to invite trouble. Last time, because of some 'minor moves,' I almost got scented by those IX Union guys. Not that they can do anything to me, but it's still a bit of a hassle..."
Zephyro's face, condensed from the concept of destruction, showed no expression, but his will extended the temptation like a poisoned dagger, precisely delivered:
"An... embryonic Aeon still in gestation, a brand-new Path... just born, not yet stabilized."
His voice carried a seductive magnetism. "Imagine, if you could guide Nihility to completely devour and assimilate this newborn 'existence'... then the shadow of Nihility will surely achieve unprecedented expansion... For you, this is a once-in-a-millennium 'nourishment'."
The other side fell silent. In the ultimate darkness, an invisible scale seemed to weigh risk against reward.
No verbal answer.
But the next moment—the shadow had already given its answer with action.
Upon the blade of the destruction longsword in Zephyro's left hand, which symbolized the ultimate "nothingness," without any warning, a layer quietly spread—an even deeper, purer, ultimate "blackness" that seemed capable of devouring all concepts and meaning.