Chapter 481

In the Stigmata Space, Theresa tilted her head and repeated what the Stigmata consciousness had just said: what exactly is this so-called "idea"?

"The ideal form is the common endpoint of humanity and the Stigmata. At least, this is especially true for you, whose genes have been etched with Stigmata since 50,000 years ago. I think you should be very clear about what Herrscher is. And the ideal form is another extreme opposite to the Herrscher; in terms of outward characteristics, they are even quite similar. But you have never witnessed what the ideal form is, and you have met Tianyuan without recognizing her. So, in a language you can understand, we can translate the Stigmata Plan like this..."

The words of the Stigmata Will were becoming increasingly obscure and difficult to understand, but Theresa still tried her best to comprehend them. Even if she couldn't understand them, she wanted to remember them and repeat them to the Doctor and the others. Perhaps they could research something from them. These were not her strengths, but there were always people who were good at them.

"The Stigmata Plan... abandoning humanity, cursed by the Herrscher, and redefining civilization with a different foundation. I think you need to realize that, in some minds, humanity is nothing more than a stepping stone for civilization. If you can't understand this... then, why not start by facing your own destiny?"

In the pitch-black environment, the Stigmata consciousness waved its hand and unfolded a light screen. Passing through this light screen, there lay the deepest part of the Stigmata Space, where Theresa would inevitably face a test sooner or later. The Stigmata consciousness could sense that the real him was about to arrive. Although Theresa was far from being his match, this was the path she had to take.

"Here it is..."

Passing through the light curtain, Theresa found herself in a strange space made of ice and snow. The darkness of the environment gave way to a bright and open space, but Theresa's heart remained uneasy.

"This is the deepest part of the Kaslana Stigmata Space. In the sense of the Chimera Plan, this is indeed his dream."

The consciousness of the Stigmata standing beside her uttered a new term that Theresa had never heard before: the Chimera Plan. What kind of project was this? Theresa felt a headache coming on; what was all this?

"The so-called Chimera Plan... I think you should know about it. The source of the Kaslana bloodline is the Honkai Beast genes that were integrated into Kevin's body. The power of many kinds of Honkai Beast converged and fused within him, hence the name Chimera. But what few people know is... that this is the starting point for the existence of the Stigmata Space."

In the narrative of the Stigmata consciousness, Theresa felt as if she was gaining knowledge that she couldn't comprehend in the previous moment. What did this mean? Was this Kevin's dream? Kevin, was he the starting point of the Stigmata Space? How many plans had this been made already? Did the people of the Previous Era like to make plans all the time?

"Do you remember how you got here, Theresa Apocalypse?"

The consciousness of the Stigmata suddenly raised this question: How did I get here?

"It's through devouring dreams, and through your guidance."

"Yes. As you can see, the Stigmata Space can connect with dreams under certain conditions. Because dreams are Honkai way of thinking. That is also the real reason why your Vishnu can devour dreams."

Well, her brain couldn't keep up anymore. Theresa rubbed her temples in pain. If Bronya were here, she would definitely understand these things. Right now, Theresa felt her head was throbbing. Theresa used to think she was pretty good at thinking, but now she felt completely confused. Was she actually a bad student like Kiana? She couldn't accept this.

"It's incredible, isn't it? Because humans need the passage of time to think, just like you are now, needing time to think things through. You find it hard to understand the time-chaotic nature of dreams. I find it hard too. But it is precisely this chaos that creates a space beyond reality, making it possible to capture dreams for a certain plan. In this situation, even if a person cannot unite with the power of the Stigmata, he can still exchange his physical body with the dream, allowing the Stigmata to exist as the cornerstone of civilization in his place."

The consciousness of the Stigmata slowly explained this matter, and as the plan is implemented, eventually the entire Earth will be replaced by the Stigmata Space, and the same name will begin its new journey from here.

Theresa couldn't understand a word. Her mind was full of question marks. The girl tried her best to understand, and even if she didn't understand, she would try her best to remember. Theresa was unwilling to accept the fact that she was a bad student. She just didn't understand it at first. If she listened carefully, she would definitely be able to understand it.

Chapter 284 Open-Book Exam

Perhaps only a wise man like her grandfather, with his unconventional thinking, could understand this so easily. Theresa felt that she might not be able to do it, but she still had to try. After all, as the headmistress of St. Freya Academy, it would be extremely embarrassing for her to say that she didn't understand. Although there was no one else here, Theresa didn't want to lose face!

"This process will begin simultaneously from both ends of the world: on the imaginary side, it is the original Stigmata Space; while on the real side, it is the Finality destination, the end of countless past civilizations."

Ah, Theresa finally understood what that meant. The two ends of the world were starting at the same time. Theresa, who had thought of something, suddenly realized why she had been pulled into this place. It turned out that it was because she was the closest to it.

"You mean... the moon?"

"Of course, as I said, this is the fundamental reason why you, being in lunar orbit, are the first to be affected by the Stigmata Plan."

The Stigmata's consciousness nodded in agreement with Theresa's deduction. Theresa felt she was starting to get things going; she did have some brains after all. If it were Shen Gonglin, she would have given up thinking altogether. As the Vice-Bishop, she was indeed more capable than the Bishop. The girl raised her hand to her chin, deep in thought. But if the moon was merely one endpoint of the Stigmata Plan ... then the other endpoint was actually the Stigmata Space they were currently in.

"That's right, that's exactly what you think. So... what will you choose, new bishop of Schicksal? You can give up the struggle and enjoy the dream again. You can challenge your limits and try to awaken your Stigmata. Or perhaps..."

Before the Stigmata Consciousness could finish speaking, Theresa interrupted.

"Or perhaps, since I can simply devour this endpoint of the connection between my mind and my dreams, thus halting the so-called Stigmata Plan? And, I need to correct you, I am the Vice-Bishop, but our Schicksal has a true Archbishop."

Theresa considered this possibility. Since the Stigmata Space was the other end of the plan, she could start destroying it from here and perhaps end the Stigmata Plan. Although she was sucked into the dream, it also gave her the opportunity to launch an attack.

"... Commendable courage, Theresa Apocalypse. But I don't recommend you do it, not because I think you're incompetent, but because of a more direct external factor... Ah, look, he's here after all."

The Stigmata consciousness suddenly disappeared, and the words left behind before its disappearance proved that danger was approaching. What happened all of a sudden? Theresa looked at the place where the Stigmata Space disappeared, and at this moment, a series of footsteps rang out in the deepest part of the Stigmata Space. The footsteps had the same appearance as the previous Stigmata consciousness, but Theresa's expression became serious. She looked at the man walking towards her, and there was no doubt about the oppressive feeling he exuded.

It's the real Kevin Kaslana.

"Nice to meet you, newly appointed Bishop of Schicksal. I am Kevin. You may also call me... Kevin Kaslana."

Kevin stopped a short distance in front of Theresa, ignoring Theresa wary stance. The difference in their combat power was like a chasm. He had already reached this point, which meant that her power had stopped here. But before that, Kevin felt that he still needed to communicate with this new bishop of Schicksal. After all, the former bishop was someone he respected.

"I am the archdeacon."

Theresa emphasized this fact, but it was clear that Kevin didn't take it to heart. In his view, Archbishop Shen Gonglin was more like a totem, while the one who decided Schicksal was Theresa.

"It doesn't matter. Now that you're here, I should know something about the Stigmata Plan. World Serpent has always tried to avoid direct confrontation with the forces fighting the Honkai. So this time, I hope that you and your organization will not create obstacles on the only path to defeating the Honkai."

Kevin stated that he believed the Stigmata Plan was the only way to defeat the Honkai? Facing Kevin, Theresa felt a sense of powerlessness that made her acutely aware of his strength. Even the Herrscher were probably easy targets for him to defeat. But in Kevin's eyes, who possessed such power, was there only one way to fight the Honkai?

"Since leaving the Sea of Quantum, I have been observing you and have learned about your history through the Void Archive. So far, you have worked very hard and achieved much better results than we did back then... but you are still powerless in the face of the Finality."

Kevin shook his head. He admitted that the forces fighting against Honkai in this generation were indeed strong. Thanks to Elysia's efforts, even the Herrscher were now fighting for the good of the world: Raiden Mei, the Herrscher of Reason, Kiana, and Shen Gonglin, who combined the powers of several Herrscher. But none of this could change his decision. Fighting against the Finality was not enough; they would only face the same fate as they had before.

"The Herrscher of Finality? Is the Finality about to descend?"

This information was explosive enough. Theresa had always thought that the only problem that needed to be solved was the World Serpent, but she never expected to get this news from Kevin. The Herrscher of Finality has arrived, which is indeed bad news.

"It's a balance, young Bishop of Schicksal. Not long ago, Raiden Mei assisted World Serpent in suppressing the Twelfth Herrscher, which means that our civilizations' experiences are now completely identical. In principle, World Serpent does have a way to postpone the arrival of the Finality for one to two years... But if we do that, the nature of the Herrscher of Finality will no longer be exactly the same as the previous generation."

It must be exactly the same as the previous generation, an open-book exam, and the same exam paper as before. Only in this way can Kevin confirm the practicality of the Stigmata Plan.

"From the Herrscher of Reason to the Herrscher of Corruption, and then to the ascension of Raiden Mei and others... Although the process has been somewhat turbulent, at this moment, the Power of Finality, determined by the thirteen Herrscher, is exactly the same as it was 50,000 years ago. It is also the only form of the Finality that we truly understand from the outside in. Putting aside the situation before the birth of the first Herrscher... Now is the only time for us to execute the Stigmata Plan and completely defeat the Honkai."

He explained why he was executing the plan at this time, ensuring the order of the Herrscher' arrival and the consistency of the open-book exam paper with the previous ones. This was the only chance for the plan to succeed. This time, humanity must completely defeat the Honkai, even if the price is humanity itself!

Chapter 285 It Won't Stop Here

Good heavens, does that mean that Kevin escaped the Sea of Quantum and was in Sea Abyss City? It's really hard to understand what this ancient relic from 50,000 years ago was thinking, what kind of belief supported him to make such a decision. Theresa couldn't imagine it and couldn't imagine it. The only thing she could be sure of was that the ancestor of the Kaslana family in front of her had a firm heart that no one could change.

"This is the only chance, and before it appears, the World Serpent has done everything it can to minimize the side effects of the Stigmata Plan."

There was no intention to start a fight yet. If possible, Kevin would also like to avoid fighting, but this new bishop of Schicksal was clearly not a smart person. Even though she had already said so, she didn't seem to be willing to accept it.

"Reduce side effects? But as far as I know, it just means changing people's death sentences to life imprisonment."

How could Theresa accept such a plan? It was completely contrary to her long-held beliefs. What she wanted was for the people she cherished to walk happily and joyfully in the sunshine forever, not for them to relinquish their responsibilities and become one with everyone lost in a chaotic dream. So many vibrant individuals, so many interesting people, how could it be like this?

"How you compare is your prerogative. But I don't believe that Earth's civilization has any other way out besides this. Rely on you? Rely on Shen Gonglin? This is clearly not a viable path. Perhaps you think you are prepared, but as I said, you know nothing about Honkai."

As someone who has lived for 50,000 years, Kevin has the right to say such things, while Theresa stares at him with angry eyes. Does living a long time make you proud? Her lovely student Fu Hua has also lived for so long, so why is she able to firmly believe in what she thinks is right? Does he think that can convince him?

"Theresa, your eyes are filled with anger, yet you don't know who to vent it on. In that case, let me test your mettle. This is Kaslana's Stigmata Space, where every bit of Kaslana's power is perfectly equal. So, challenge me. Fighting is the true way to think."

Words were useless at this point, so Kevin directly challenged Theresa to a duel. This was the only way to persuade each other. Kevin understood the Schicksal Theresa and her companions spoke of; they believed civilization was as they saw it, and humanity was the continuation of their lineage. But this was nothing but arrogant delusion.

Well, it seems we have no choice but to fight.

Theresa accepted this fact: Kaslana's power was equal in this space? But why did Theresa feel that her power was vastly different from that of her opponent? However, this was not a reason for her to give up the fight. The headmistress planted the cross behind her into the ground, and the girl, wielding a sharp blade, launched an attack on the enemy before her.

At that moment, through the power of the Herrscher of Consciousness, Shen Gonglin also infiltrated the depths of the Kaslana Stigmata. This action was extremely risky, because he was not a member of the Kaslana family.

[Please stop. What you're doing will have irreversible effects on Theresa Apocalypse.]

The sounds of Theresa's battle could already be heard. Shen Gonglin was about to continue forward when a voice suddenly stopped him. Looking at the white-haired man before him, Shen Gonglin instinctively reached for his knife to stab him. However, the feeling he gave was that this wasn't the familiar Kevin. This was...

[I am the will of Kaslana's Stigmata Will. I know what you want to do, but this action won't help Theresa. Your forced entry into this space without Kaslana's bloodline will only expose her to unprecedented danger. Believe me, I will protect her in your place.]

The Stigmata Will stood before Shen Gonglin, stopping him. His words and actions did indeed halt Shen Gonglin's progress. He frowned, looking at the person before him. The Stigmata Will? Regardless of his true identity, it was true that his continued advance would affect Theresa. After all, she wasn't like Bronya who had willingly opened her entire mind to him. The current headmistress was like a frightened rabbit; his actions might be subconsciously perceived as an intrusion. But if he didn't act this way, her safety...

[Believe me, I won't let Kevin kill him. His descendants shouldn't face such an end. You have more important things to do than this. The Stigmata Plan has begun; leave this to me. But stopping the Stigmata Plan is up to you.]

He revealed all the existing information to Shen Gonglin, explaining that the Stigmata Will would protect Theresa, and that he could obviously do more than Shen Gonglin in this space.

"You promise me you won't let Theresa get hurt, or I'll bully the Kaslana family!"

Staring at the Stigmata Will in front of her, Shen Gonglin could only sigh helplessly. If it dared to break its promise, she would have to bully and retaliate against Kiana and Durandal, those who inherited the Kaslana bloodline.

The Stigmata Will was slightly speechless. Was it being threatened? This was the first time it had encountered such an encounter as the Stigmata Will. However, the effect was still somewhat noticeable.

On the other side of the battlefield, Theresa was already panting, but Kevin on the other side was still walking leisurely, lecturing while fighting. This guy was really arrogant, or rather, he was just stating what he thought were facts.

"We are still no different from the plants on the ground. We make fire by friction, cultivate the land with slash and burn... Even if we fly into space, humanity will still be unable to escape its childhood. Every being in the universe is limited by its mode of existence. But this is not an obstacle that will can overcome. Theresa, do you know why birds can fly?"

The surrounding ice bound Theresa, Kevin asked the same question he had once asked Raven. Before Theresa could answer, he gave the answer himself.

"When the Finality meteor fell in the Cretaceous, only the free bird could escape its predetermined demise."

The ice was broken, and Theresa jumped out, but the girl's fatigue was even greater. Every exchange with Kevin felt like she was giving it her all. She was indeed no match for him. She had already exerted all her strength, but Kevin seemed to be strolling around as if he were having a leisurely time. This difference in strength made Theresa feel a little desperate, but it was not something she, as the headmistress Theresa, should do if she were to give up now.

Kevin glanced at Theresa, who was supporting herself on the cross to keep herself from collapsing, and nodded slightly. Although her strength wasn't great, her character and conviction were commendable. However, sometimes conviction alone is useless. He had to let her know that sometimes stubbornness that doesn't know how to change is also a pointless thing.

"Good willpower, but unfortunately, equally stubborn mind."

"Hmph! If that's all you've got, you'll probably have to spend the whole day thinking about it with me."

Theresa took a deep breath. Perhaps she couldn't defeat Kevin here, but as long as she could hold him off, she might be able to delay the Stigmata Plan and buy Kiana and Shen Gonglin more time. This was the only thing she, as the headmistress, could do for her students right now. No matter what, she would do her best to help them. This was the greatest help she could offer. Theresa Apocalypse would never stop here!

Chapter 286 Mara

The opponent was indeed very strong, worthy of his status. In the original plan, Kevin was supposed to be an opponent that required the combined high-end combat power of Schicksal and Anti-Entropy to challenge. Unexpectedly, plans changed, and it turned into a one-on-one battle between her and him. An enemy of this caliber was indeed not someone she could defeat on her own. The second confrontation ended in the same way. No matter how hard Theresa tried, the gap in combat power was something she could not bridge with her beliefs and efforts alone. Kevin lived up to his name as the strongest Flame-Chaser. Even in his normal state, he was already a match that Theresa could not handle, let alone in his current Mara state.

"A whole day? No need. It's a waste of time to argue with someone who is too stubborn. Theresa Apocalypse, prepare to take the blow that contains the Power of Finality."

Kevin raised the Tengu no Haikyuu high with both hands. This weapon, imbued with the power of destructive flames, had been the final killing move for generations of Kaslana family's ancestors, all of whom had paid the ultimate price for it. Even Siegfried lost an arm. But in the hands of its original master, Kevin, each time he drew the sword, a move that carried the weight of death, it seemed incredibly easy. Flames surged, and the Tengu no Haikyuu changed its form once more. This strike was the end.

Black flames ignited on the sword in the man's hand, and an overwhelming power emanated from his figure. This was originally Kaslana's Stigmata Space, where all powers originating from Kaslana were equal in strength. However, it was clear that the power Kevin was now displaying had absolutely no connection to the Kaslana who bore his name. This power made Theresa was facing it head-on, feel utterly helpless. This... how could this be? This unprecedented power... it is...

"This era has achieved a glorious record in the face of the Honkai. But precisely because of this, people are always too naive. Naive to the point of forgetting that this is nothing more than a fragment of reincarnation, a game set up by others. In that case, before the only plan is completed... I will represent the Finality and show you, as its representative, the true terror. I am just Kevin — Kaslana. To me, I mean nothing."

Indeed, the people of this era have done an excellent job in fighting against the Honkai Herrscher of Flamescion, the Herrscher of Reason, the Herrscher of Thunder, and the Herrscher of Consciousness... These are all Herrscher who fight for humanity. Compared to his era, they have done an exceptionally good job. However, this still does not mean that they have the possibility of confronting the Finality. As someone who personally experienced that calamity, Kevin is qualified to say this. Back then, everyone's efforts only brought about a negligible half-day, and then their era perished. This level is not enough to fight against the Finality.

A strike imbued with the Power of Finality fell upon Theresa. Under this force, Theresa could not think of any other possibility but death. However, the girl did not intend to die peacefully. Even in the end, she had to fight. Holding the sharp blade taken from the cross, the girl faced the raging flames. At this moment, an unexpected figure appeared in front of her.

"Good heavens, you're bullying my headmistress like this while I'm away? I'll let you taste what it means to deliver a blow that destroys civilization."

Suddenly standing in front of Theresa, Shen Gonglin held a black longbow, and an equally black arrow shot from his hand, directly facing the towering flames. In this Stigmata Space, a violent explosion unfolded in front of Theresa, and the shockwave pushed Shen Gonglin and her backward. Damn it, this hastily fired final arrow wasn't very powerful; it only neutralized Kevin's attack. If it had been used at its maximum power, it might have been able to work.

[I already told you not to intervene; doing so will damage Theresa's brain.]

A white figure appeared beside the two of them. Theresa was completely confused. She could only help Shen Gonglin to her feet. The girl looked at Shen Gonglin with a head full of questions. What was going on? Why did Shen Gonglin suddenly come? And this Stigmata Will... how did it appear again?

"What can I do? I can't just watch Theresa die, can I? It's better to be a little slow than to die. Besides, my headmistress is very strong. How could she become stupid so easily?"

Shen Gonglin shook his arm, which was still numb from the shock. He had only acted in a moment of desperation. It was impossible for him to admit his mistake to the Stigmata Will. The Stigmata Will obviously knew this as well. He sighed and stood in front of the two of them. He would let go of that attack. Shen Gonglin would be unable to act now, and he should fulfill his promise.

[Kevin, I am the will of the Kaslana Stigmata; you have left me with no other choice.]

The Stigmata Will stood before Theresa and Shen Gonglin, its position signifying the choice it had to make. Kevin's face remained icy, his expression unwavering. The man advanced, his feet treading on flames. Whatever decision it made, it could not help her.

"You can't help her. You all know nothing about the Honkai."

Kevin unleashed his Human Collapse form as Flame-Chaser. Two horns sprouted from his head amidst the flames, and a jet-black tail emerged behind him. His ever-present coat had now become fragments clinging to his body. Kevin had completely transformed, and the sudden surge of power was definitely not Kaslana's.

"Hiss... Headmaster, don't look, this is a bit too much for children."

Shen Gonglin reached out and covered Theresa's eyes. Kevin's power was greatly enhanced in his Human Collapse, and his appearance had also become incredibly... well, you know. Shen Gonglin felt as if she were seeing a living succubus. With this power... in this state, Shen Gonglin was not confident of victory. She would only have a chance of winning if they were evenly matched.

Kevin in this state is probably the ceiling that's Finality.

"But you know nothing about your descendants either."

The Stigmata Will strode forward, knowing it was no match for Kevin. But battle wasn't always about victory; it was also a manifestation of its own will. It didn't understand how much Kaslana of this era truly believed in humanity's inevitable victory over the Honkai. In the past, it had been just like him, a cold-blooded bystander, carrying out mechanical missions. It loathed their fate, their weakness... until it met the one who had lost the name Kaslana. Her unwavering will in the face of destiny made it realize its own foolishness.

He recalled the blonde girl he had met before, Durandal, the girl who lived up to the name of the Holy Sword. She made him understand that Kevin... your descendants are not anyone's pawns, not dispensable lives... He had no reason to put any of them to death!

Durandal had entered Kaslana's Stigmata Space back in Kolosten. Even though she didn't know her own surname at the time, everything she did still reflected Kaslana's name. It was she who caused this change in the Stigmata Will. People of this era should not be pawns of the previous era; they have their own paths to walk.

"... It doesn't matter. Are you ready? You are about to face the Mara."

Kevin's heart was as hard as ice. In this state, he was virtually invincible except for the Finality, and even the Stigmata Will was no match for him.

Chapter 287 I Don't Want to Become a Little Fool

Two Kevin were fighting: one was Kevin in a state of Human Collapse, and the other was Kaslana's Stigmata Will. The battle between the two was earth-shattering, but Shen Gonglin could see that Kevin in this state was indeed extremely strong, and the Stigmata Will was no match for him. Moreover, she herself could not go all out in this space. It seemed that there was a slightly big problem.

"Shen Gonglin, the situation is urgent. If I can't get out of the dream world... I'm entrusting everyone outside to you. You must fight alongside Kiana and the others to defeat the Honkai."

Theresa pulled down the hand that Shen Gonglin had been covering her eyes. She could see that the situation was somewhat one-sided. It was unexpected that the Stigmata Will would help, but even with its assistance, Theresa had no chance of competing with Kevin in this state. She knew that she would not be able to break free from this dream in the short term, but Shen Gonglin did not have this problem. She could only leave the outside world to him.

"... Actually, if I go all out, it's still possible to defeat Kevin like this."

Shen Gonglin hesitated for a moment, and Theresa noticed his reaction. The girl glared at Shen Gonglin in annoyance. His current attitude, combined with what the Stigmata Will had said to him earlier, made Theresa easily think of the price Shen Gonglin would pay for his actions. Well, she really should thank him for not acting rashly.

"The price is that I might become a little fool, right? Honestly, as the headmistress, I don't want to become like that. Trust me, just like you trust yourself. I am Theresa, the great one. Don't think you're the only one who can do that."

Theresa rolled her eyes at Shen Gonglin. The thought of becoming a little fool made Theresa want to refuse. Although she wasn't very smart, Theresa didn't want to become a real fool. She still needed to use her not-so-bright brain to lead everyone towards a better life.

"... Are you really capable?"

Shen Gonglin looked at Theresa suspiciously. She understood what Theresa meant; it was the most appropriate choice under the current circumstances, but leaving her here alone...

"Of course I can. Even if I can't beat him, nothing will happen to me. Trust me."