Chapter 231

Ragna, forcing a smile, replied, "Yes..."

"I just glanced through Bai Yan's profile in the Schicksal database."

"Theoretically speaking, human nature is very complex. Both possible interpretations of him are possible."

"On one hand, there's the possibility of turning to the dark side after losing one's last loved one; on the other hand, there's the sacrifice for one's sister, which gives it even more meaning."

"Judging from his recent behavior, I tend to believe the latter."

Ragna breathed a sigh of relief.

Theresa calmly considered for a moment, then quickly nodded in affirmation of Einstein's analysis.

He then addressed the group, saying, "Let's start preparing now, since a battle is probably unavoidable."

"I will notify all branches of the Schicksal to immediately activate the highest level of alert, and all available armed forces to be put on standby."

"Nagamitsu, mobilize all the Divine Key we possess, except for Judah's, for use in preparation for war."

"Ragna, assemble all A-rank and above Valkyrie at headquarters as the general reserve force."

"Yes."

"Yes."

Upon receiving the order, the two quickly left, while Theresa began contacting the heads of various branches.

Welt sighed upon seeing this.

Within a fictional world.

The Stigmata and the engraving resonated together, and a special connection quietly formed.

Raiden Mei once again sensed the aura of the Herrscher of Origin, and the source of this aura was none other than the Stigmata on her own body...

Not only her, but even Bronya, who was usually calm and collected, showed a look of utter astonishment.

The connection between Stigmata and authority is something that is simply incomprehensible.

How could two such diametrically opposed forces possibly be connected?

"Mei, you said you saw Elysia again before?"

"Yes, but that Elysia is more like a lingering trace, or even Elysia from someone else's Remembrance."

At this moment, Raiden Mei is gradually regaining the power that belongs to the Herrscher, and Kiana's question also pulls her thoughts back to that moment.

"So that's how it is..."

Kiana stroked her chin, lost in thought.

"Mei, are you sure that Elysia is really just someone else's Remembrance?"

Bronya asked again.

"... At least, that's what she said."

Bronya then nodded.

According to records from the Pre-Civilization Era, Elysia was indeed dead, and this is confirmed by both the Remembrance entities and those who survived to the present day.

Bronya had a hunch that this strange connection was probably part of a scheme devised by the forerunners of Pre-Civilization Era.

"The question is, why was it arranged this way? Did those scientists from the Pre-Civilization foresee this?"

Raiden Mei asked.

"It's also possible that they shot the arrow first and then drew the target,"

Bronya said, "These preparations existed first, and Brother Bai Yan merely triggered this setup."

Kiana was taken aback for a moment after hearing this, then said with a serious expression, "If that's the case, then Bai Yan's words were probably meant to provoke us."

Durandal put one hand on her hip, smoothed her blonde hair, and had no objection to the result. After all, she had believed from the beginning that the declaration of indiscriminate attack was a move that Bai Yan came up with on the spot.

"Then let's put Bai Yan's lies aside for now,"

Raiden Mei then asked, "What exactly was the purpose of the Pre-Civilization that made such preparations?"

Their strength will take some time to recover, so this is a good opportunity to discuss this issue.

Connecting diametrically opposed forces.

Of all the plans of the Pre-Civilization, the one that was nominally to be executed happened to be the Stigmata Project.

Therefore, there must be a problem here.

The Stigmata Project, Elysia's last power, the unknown fate of the Mu Continent and Fu Yan, and Kevin's whereabouts...

This enormous net has been fully spread out, and no one knows what it intends to catch.

But at this moment, the only person visible holding the net was Bai Yan.

"If the Stigmata Project is to be linked to the powers of the Herrscher,"

Kiana's mind simultaneously conjured up images of Elysia and May, "It feels like a forced patchwork."

"Indeed, if taking over the Finality and the Stigmata Project complement each other, this connection is somewhat superfluous."

"I have some suspicions. If the connection is unnecessary, then Bai Yan's special ability also seems completely superfluous."

"The reason is simple: defeating him and gaining complete acceptance from the cocoon doesn't require specifically addressing his ability to create a fictional world."

"And his actions showed strong signs of deliberate manipulation."

Raiden Mei's impression of Bai Yan was rather average; she often felt that the two siblings were quite different.

His actions further disgusted Raiden Mei.

Bronya didn't have a strong impression of him either, since the two of them hadn't spent time at the Cocolia Orphanage at the same time.

She had only heard of Bai Yan from Seele.

Seele had a good impression of him, as did the other early arrivals at the orphanage.

"What if Brother Bai Yan wants to get what he wants through this?"

Bronya proposed a possibility.

"The power of the Finality?"

Raiden Mei immediately asked.

"Well, Bronya thinks that if he really wants something, then nothing else will hold much appeal for him."

Upon hearing this, Durandal suddenly remembered something and said, "It's highly likely that guy has always had a fear of being too weak. He even avoided any combat as much as possible when he was relatively weak, only working in logistics Intelligence Department."

Kiana clenched her hands, feeling that the restoration of her strength was imminent.

Durandal's words carried a strange undertone.

"Sister, I remember you used to be very obsessed with dealing with Honkai, and you spent the rest of your time training, right?"

"Yeah, what's wrong?"

"Yeah, if only I had a friend back then who could keep me company every day."

Durandal scratched her temples, offering no rebuttal.

Kiana then laughed and said, "When I beat him up later, I'll be careful with my strength; I promise that while I'm avenging you, I'll leave him barely alive."

The other two also gave him a slightly teasing look.

"Ahem, anyway! Once we get out, we must first stop him from destroying the city. If that doesn't work, then we'll deal with him as Honkai! We absolutely cannot gamble with the lives of ordinary people."

Durandal said seriously with a stern face.

The three of them nodded solemnly.

But Durandal still sensed a hint of mockery.

Never mind, they meant well.

"My power has been restored, what about yours?"

Raiden Mei asked.

"Still a little short, but it'll be over soon."

Kiana replied.

"Bronya too."

"Then I'll get ready and go out with you."

"Durandal said."

World Serpent Headquarters.

Bai Yan looked at the electronic watch on his communicator, calculating the mobilization time required for each branch of the Schicksal.

This was something he was very familiar with.

Generally speaking, frontline staff are male, while dispatchers are female.

Schicksal is a force to be stopped by Valkyrie as the front-line fighting force, but very few men Collapse Energy withstand Honkai energy.

It was precisely because Bai Yan understood this that he chose to apply for this kind of position.

There's actually a lot of strategic maneuvering involved.

For example, if Bai Yan didn't join Schicksal, he would work in another organization, which would allow Otto to take direct action openly.

Within the same organization, at least he wouldn't act openly.

This experience has now become a convenience.

On Earth today, no one understands the workings of Schicksal better than Bai Yan.

"With Rita and me gone, this group's efficiency has decreased. If Rita were here, she'd only be faster than usual... It seems Theresa isn't up to the task."

Bai Yan looked at the time and shook his head.

After Theresa took over, the decline of Schicksal was inevitable.

But Bai Yan believes this is not a bad thing.

Otto's design for Schicksal was correct. In the later years of his rule, Schicksal completely transformed from a behemoth combining politics and religion into a simple entity targeting the Honkai.

It's like a flame responsible for burning the scarecrow; once the scarecrow is burned to ashes, the flame should go out.

However, this extinguishing does not mean complete disappearance.

The consequence of letting the horses graze freely was destined to pave the way for the tragedy of the next war.

The Core Flame will be preserved, and we will seek out things we can continue to strive for in the new era.

Bai Yan stood up, ready to take action, as the armed forces of Schicksal had gradually arrived.

"It's really hard to strike the right balance—not hurting anyone, but also not letting them think I'm throwing the match."

He shook his head, about to activate his ability, but suddenly stopped in his tracks.

Gradually, a smile appeared on his face.

The next instant, four figures appeared in front of him, staring at him menacingly.

"Celestial Origin, the Finality, the origin, the truth,"

Bai Yan nodded in satisfaction and said, "With this kind of pomp and circumstance, I'm already on par with the great Bishop Otto."

"Great? You've really lost your mind. I'll fix you up right away!"

Kiana raised her fist.

"Brother Bai Yan, we've seen through your plan."

"You saw through it? Really? I don't believe it."

Bai Yan shook his head.

"I'll beat you up, and then you'll believe me!"

In an instant, Durandal took the initiative and hurled a spear at Bai Yan's face.

However, the attack missed.

Bai Yan remained standing in the same spot.