Countless gears suddenly appeared in the air. They emitted piercing sounds, spinning nonstop, growing more and more numerous until they gradually covered the sky above the church.
Tesla was startled: "…Hey, hey, hey, you've got to be kidding me, bird nest head? This isn't the thing we saw during the Second Honkai, is it?"
Einstein was also shocked: "Judging from the energy readings and detection reactions… that really is the Divine Grace Barrier."
"No, to be precise, it's a usage method of Constraint authority similar to the Divine Grace Barrier."
Tesla shouted urgently: "Kiana! Get everyone out of there right now! If those gears touch anyone, it's all over!"
"We don't know if this is a defensive measure triggered after the light curtain was broken or something else, but it's rapidly spreading outward with that Imaginary Seed at its core!"
"—!"
Something that could make both Doctors this tense had to be extremely dangerous!
Kiana immediately asked the group: "Seele, Rozaliya, Liliya! Can you still move?"
Rozaliya was barely supporting her body with her greatsword. Providing Honkai energy to Bronya earlier had already pushed her not-so-strong body to the point of overexertion.
"Liliya has already fallen asleep. I can barely carry her on my back like this… but Seele-neesama and Bronya-neesama…"
Nearby, although Bronya's breathing in Seele's arms was steady, there was still no sign of her regaining consciousness.
Seele panted heavily and lifted Bronya up: "It's okay… I… can carry Bronya-neesama…"
Kiana's brows furrowed tightly.
Her heart was filled with worry.
Right now, everyone had lost their combat capability, yet the gears' rate of expansion showed no sign of slowing…
At their current speed, there was no way they could escape safely.
She could only try to buy a little more time…
Kiana attempted to condense her greatsword in her hand, but the power still slipped away.
Her strength had still not recovered.
For a moment, everyone fell silent.
Only the distorted gears continued their rapid expansion, bearing down on the group.
—At that very instant, a sudden roar came from the sky.
Tesla was drawn by the sound and immediately looked up: "That's… the assault ship carried on the Hyperion?! Theresa? When did you head out?"
Einstein said: "That works too. Since you've already arrived nearby, Theresa, hurry and get the ground combat personnel aboard the assault ship to complete the evacuation."
Theresa said: "No… Doctor. Evacuation won't work."
Tesla grew anxious: "…Theresa!"
Theresa said calmly: "Bronya and the others just went through a brutal fight. They're completely exhausted, and with the gears expanding at this speed… if we evacuate by air, the risk will probably be even greater."
Neither of the Doctors present could refute that point.
Theresa continued: "Doctors, do you remember the experiment we conducted earlier related to Constraint?"
"You… don't tell me…" Tesla instantly understood.
Theresa said: "You've probably already thought of it too. If I output Constraint authority equivalent to it using the Divine Grace Barrier… then Kiana and the others… won't be in danger."
Tesla hurriedly shouted: "Theresa, wait a second. Although in theory this is feasible, still…"
Einstein also said urgently: "Lady Theresa, you should know what the Divine Grace Barrier means for someone equivalent to a MANTIS like you."
Theresa said: "I know. I already experienced it once during the Second Honkai."
Tesla shouted: "Didn't you see that Imaginary Seed?! To match an intensity equivalent to that… you will absolutely die!"
Regarding this outcome.
Theresa had long since mentally prepared herself.
She simply said very calmly: "Perhaps."
"…"
Einstein was silent for a moment before saying: "Once the barrier is deployed, the Honkai-energy-driven engines of the ship will also stop functioning. Even we won't be able to remotely control the Hyperion anymore."
"I know." Theresa's response remained calm.
"…"
"…"
The two Doctors had already understood: "It seems… we can't stop you either."
Theresa said: "Thank you for understanding, Doctors."
The assault ship flew straight toward the Imaginary Clock high in the sky.
The already increasingly weak radio signal went completely silent at this point.
The surroundings were so quiet, with only the monotonous mechanical noise gently sounding…
At this moment.
She recalled the past discussions with Cecilia about establishing the academy. They had hoped the students could grow up in a better environment.
"…"
"…Just like you said, Cecilia."
"The students of St. Freya have grown to a level even we can hardly believe."
"They can now decide their own destinies, choose what they want to protect. Even if separated by great distances, they won't stop moving toward tomorrow."
"Although… the students of St. Freya do indeed cause all kinds of problems… but you were right, Cecilia."
"This is the future that's different from ours."
"This is… the future we should protect."
"Hoo…"
Theresa took a deep breath: "Judah, my old friend, you have always been omnipotent. So…"
"One last time, help me, please."
"Oath of Judah, zero rated power—Divine Grace Barrier, directional deployment!"
It happened in an instant.
The chains of the Divine Key precisely struck the Imaginary Seed. The chain reaction caused all the gears filling the sky to lose their power at once.
Decomposition, dissipation, collapse…
The authority of Constraint lost its effect. Otto's church no longer had any barriers guarding it.
Theresa Apocalypse had achieved the victory she expected—
—at the price she expected.
"…"
"What happened? Did it work?"
In the final moments of her consciousness, Theresa looked at the sky. The Imaginary Seed had shattered, the gears in the sky were gradually disappearing, and the authority of Constraint no longer existed.
"That's great…"
Her vision began to blur, and the sound of the wind in her ears grew fainter and weaker.
She wanted to speak, but her lips—no, her entire body had already lost sensation.
"Am I… falling?"
She couldn't feel the wind.
Only the increasingly distant gears and the strands of hair flashing across her vision reminded her of this fact.
"Kiana… Bronya…"
"Everyone… as long as you're safe…"
"…"
"What is that?"
A sacred white light shot down from the sky.
It carried no sense of threat—rather, it felt reassuring.
In Theresa's memory, such holy light had only ever appeared on one person.
"Cecilia…"
After silently speaking this name in her mind, Theresa no longer had any strength left.
She closed her eyes, allowing herself to fall without sensation…
Falling…
"Sorry, I was delayed for a bit earlier, Senior Theresa."
Durandal, returning from Imaginary Space, slowly descended from the air.
Abyss Flower also responded to her summons, letting warm white light spread upward from the ground, enveloping Theresa's already overexerted body.
"I am the black from the abyss, I am the white descending from the heavens;"
"Born before creation, existing after annihilation;"
"I shall give the water of the fountain of life freely to the thirsty."
"Divine Key Abyss Flower, zero rated power—liberation!"
The healing light illuminated the entire night sky, singing an apocalyptic hymn for the wounded.
Durandal, descending from the heavens, gently set Theresa down, allowing her to rest quietly beside the Herrscher of Reason.
Everything felt so unreal that Seele, watching from the side, couldn't help but be entranced.
And at the same time, on the television screen, a narration appeared: The knight who has returned from Imaginary Space has come to understand her true identity, awakened the genuine power of the Kaslana bloodline, and learned Otto's true purpose. The detailed process will be broadcast during the official live stream.
Seeing this narration.
In the Fire Moth Interstellar Entertainment Company lounge.
Theresa quickly asked: "The Kaslana power? What's going on? Does Durandal also have this bloodline?"
Kiana also asked: "Is Durandal also a member of the Kaslana family? Or is she actually a clone like Theresa?"
To the two of them, Hessian simply said: "You'll find out during the live stream."
Mei said: "At this point, there's no need to keep us in suspense, right? Durandal must actually be the real Kiana."
Rita said in surprise: "How did you know?"
Mei was also stunned: "I was just guessing casually… and it's actually true?"
Rita decisively covered her own mouth.
Durandal was helpless—Hessian had indeed told the two of them to keep it confidential until the live stream revealed it.
The other actors were all completely shocked.
Theresa asked: "So… the current Durandal already knows her true identity?"
Rita no longer hid it: "Yes, and she also knows that Otto deliberately allowed her to obtain this power to stop him."
"What!!"
The actors present were shocked once again.
Kalpas and Li Sushang quickly sent the explosive news of Otto's true purpose to the fan group.
In an instant… the entire internet knew about it.
Everyone was stunned.
Meanwhile, the drama continued.
Durandal looked at Seele: "You're Miss Seele Vollerei, correct?"
Seele nodded: "Ah, yes. You are—Valkyrie Durandal?"
Durandal said: "Mm. It seems Abyss Flower quite likes you as its new master."
Seele said: "No, I just wanted to save Bronya-neesama."
Before she finished speaking.
Durandal had already split the Abyss Flower in her hand into two.
"It's fine. The white flower was originally a special weapon meant for saving lives and healing injuries. I also hope that in this situation, it can take care of more people."
"For example… could I entrust you with looking after Senior Theresa? The nature of her injuries is special; it will take quite a long time for her to fully recover."
Seele agreed: "Mm… of course, leave it to me! She's our Principal, after all."
"Thank you…"
Durandal watched Seele's busy yet determined figure.
She remembered someone once saying that the gentlest children grow into the strongest people.
The white flower continued to emit gentle light in place, while the black abyss was now held in her hand.
In the coming battle, she only needed the withering part. This crisis was caused by Schicksal's former Bishop stepping down; in her view, it was only natural—and should be stopped by Schicksal's Valkyries.
Kiana suddenly stepped in front of her to block her: "Wait, Durandal. You came back without saying a word, and now you're planning to go fight Otto alone without saying anything again?"
"Let me make this clear—I still have a lot of scores to settle with that guy."
Durandal looked at her with a clearly complicated gaze: "I know."
Kiana said: "Then you should know what answer I'm expecting."
Durandal was still hesitating.
It wasn't because she harbored any grudge against Kiana Kaslana.
It wasn't because she believed she was strong enough to handle every crisis alone.
It wasn't because she worried that this Herrscher, who had endured so many hardships, still couldn't take care of herself when facing Otto directly.
She gradually understood that she simply—
needed to use concrete action to believe in the other's growth.
"Mm."
"Let us fight side by side, Kiana Kaslana."
Kiana's previously serious expression instantly vanished: "That's more like it! If you're worried about the people staying behind, we still have Seele, and more people who can rush over from the Hyperion."
"Indeed." Durandal also agreed: "Although that was my first meeting with Seele… she seems quite capable. She should be more than enough to look after everyone after they've given their all."
Kiana also said: "Yeah. Seele is really strong."
Dark Seele said proudly: "Hmph, of course! But speaking of which, Durandal—suddenly reappearing like that, didn't you time it a little too perfectly? And… you even changed into a different outfit?"
"Haha…"
Durandal smiled and said: "Indeed, I need to explain properly."
She briefly recounted to the two how she had contacted Rita while in Imaginary Space, omitting the parts related to the Kaslana family.
Dark Seele said: "Alright… looks like there are quite a few secrets within Schicksal too. But those really aren't that important right now—"
"After all, at this moment, that Otto is our common enemy."
Durandal said: "I think he's even more complicated than just an enemy… but for now, we must defeat him."
Dark Seele said: "Do all you S-rank Valkyries talk in such roundabout ways? I already said those things aren't important—can't you just keep it simple?"
Kiana said: "Seele, Durandal has her own position. Let's not make things too hard for her."
Dark Seele waved her hand in compromise: "…Fine, fine."
Durandal said: "It's okay. Being direct is a good thing."
Seele also regained control of her body: "Uh… you, you don't have to mind me. Sorry for saying something rude earlier."
"…?"
This sudden switch left Durandal dumbfounded.
"Ahem…"
Kiana coughed once: "For now, let's prioritize discussing Otto."
"According to what was said before, he plans to reverse the entire world outside Kolosten Town by five hundred years before sunrise tomorrow…"
"The church in front of us has been breached, yet he shows no intention of showing himself at all."
Durandal said: "I think he should currently be somewhere within Imaginary Space. It seems… he has made contact with the Imaginary Tree in some way."
"If he wants to perform certain operations on the world itself, he must place himself outside the world, heading to spaces closer to the Imaginary Tree than reality."
Kiana also said: "When Otto left, he said he would take over the gods' authorities one by one."
Durandal wasn't surprised: "He always speaks like that. That should refer to different Herrscher authorities. Following that logic… since the authority of the Herrscher of the Void still belongs to you, the spatial movement method he can use should also be limited to the Divine Key of the same origin as your power—the Cosmic Juggernaut."
Kiana asked: "Then does that mean… as long as we can find the traces he left when he departed from reality, we can follow them and use the Herrscher of the Void's power to pursue him?"
Durandal nodded: "That should be correct. And with you by my side, I probably won't have to worry about getting lost in Imaginary Space again."
Kiana asked: "Speaking of which… I'm a little curious, Durandal. The power you're using now—does it have any other forms?"
"I don't know how to describe this feeling… It's just that on instinct, it feels very familiar, like I should know it."
"…Sorry, I think I asked a weird question."
Durandal said: "…No, you should trust your instincts, Kiana. Simply put, the power I'm using now is related to the Stigmata I bear—"
"If you've ever seen what someone looks like after fully awakening their Stigmata, it's perfectly normal to feel familiar with it."