Side Story: The Tragedy of Binding

"Mom, I'm scared..." The little girl nervously clung to her mother.

"Don't be afraid... They're all Heroes, Heroes who protect us..." The mother reached out and held her child as well. "They're the Heroes who have always protected us. What's there to be afraid of?"

"Feng, we haven't received any combat orders. Why are you so suddenly asking us to gather the civilians?" An officer questioned the leader of the Thirteen Fallen Angels.

Zhu Yufeng looked at Beifengge.

"Can't be helped. In such a rush, there'll always be one or two strays who slip past my mind control." Beifengge smiled helplessly.

"Wait, don't tell me you intend to—"

"Please gather everyone, then depart with us." Beifengge smiled at the officer.

In that instant, the light vanished from the officer's eyes. He nodded mechanically, then walked toward the crowd.

Zhu Yufeng's indifferent gaze shifted away from the officer as he looked at Rovoc. "With the number of people we can gather at present, can we reach the Divine Blessing Barrier's binding limit?"

Rovoc looked at the bewildered crowd, thought for a moment, then said, "Although we've exceeded the upper limit calculated by Vill-V... ordinary people will die within one second of entering the Divine Blessing Barrier. And we can't possibly send all of them into the barrier within a single second. So, we need more people."

"Then have them continue gathering more people," Zhu Yufeng said.

"But transporting such an enormous number of people is also a problem, isn't it?" Mostima said around a lollipop. "Can we make it in time for the operation three days from now?"

"Ordinary means of transport naturally can't get them to the outskirts of the Divine Blessing Barrier within three days. But Thousand Worlds can solve that problem," Rovoc said.

Abaddon looked over. "But as I recall, Thousand Worlds should be with Su, who's using it to observe the Hengsha Project."

"You really underestimate our leader," Lilith said with a smile. "Right now, everyone's attention is on breaking through the Divine Blessing Barrier. If we tamper with Thousand Worlds a little, it'll be very difficult for them to notice."

"But there's always a chance something goes wrong. If Su notices..." Abaddon frowned. "Wait, where did Xila go?"

"Su is, at the end of the day, only a researcher. He isn't a combat-type Fusion Warrior, so Xila can subdue him easily," Rovoc said. "That means we'll actually be carrying out the Herrscher of Binding subjugation plan ahead of schedule."

"Even so... how are we supposed to face public opinion afterward?" Abaddon asked.

"When humanity's survival is at stake, no cost is too great to accept, and no sacrifice is too small to disregard." Admil spoke up. "To defeat the Herrscher of Binding, we either gamble the lives of all existing Fusion Warriors or the lives of these civilians. Fusion Warriors are the final weapons protecting humanity's future. We have no other choice. After the Ninth Herrscher incident, we can no longer afford Fusion Warrior casualties."

"Ugh..." Esmodius propped her chin on one hand and sighed. "Ordinary people die the moment they enter the Divine Blessing Barrier. They won't even have a chance to scream. It really is unbearable."

"Hmph. A bunch of useless trash who can only rely on us for protection. Clearing the way for us is their final value," Beelzebub snorted.

"I agree~" Baal said with a smile. "We've suffered so much protecting them all this time. It's about time they paid us back with a little interest, isn't it?"

"Everyone dies sooner or later. Clearing the path for Heroes and dying in the Divine Blessing Barrier is at least a more glorious death," Nahamah said with a shrug.

"Astaroth is here too. Watch what you say." Zhu Yufeng cast them a cold look. The other Fallen Angels exchanged glances and chose to shut their mouths.

Astaroth reached out and tugged at Zhu Yufeng's sleeve. "I'm fine... I know someone has to do these things, just like when we suppressed the Rebel Army."

Nahamah looked up at the sky. "Boss, don't take this the wrong way, but this kid's been with us for so long. There's no need to hide everything from her. Kids have to grow up eventually."

"I think Feng means Astaroth can't become something as hopeless as you lot." Abaddon crossed his arms. "Her future has far more possibilities than ours."

"Who are you calling hopeless?" Nahamah glared at Abaddon.

"You're one of them. What, got a problem with that?" Abaddon rolled his eyes at Nahamah.

Lilith looked at Zhu Yufeng and said teasingly, "Compared to when we suppressed the Rebel Army last time, you really don't have any hesitation this time. Is it because you're more used to it now?"

Zhu Yufeng did not answer. He only knew that if he did not do this, The Tragedy of Binding would occur. The Fusion Warriors who had once been a full military unit would be reduced to only thirteen in the end, and only eight would remain to face the Finality.

If more Fusion Warriors could be preserved, then... in the end, there would at least be more room for choice. At the very least, a child like Griseo should not have been the one to board the Ark.

But if there had been any other option, who would have been willing to let a child bear one of the four great plans for the revival of human civilization alone?

Suddenly, Mei's voice sounded through the communicator Zhu Yufeng always wore in his ear. "Feng, where are you right now?"

Zhu Yufeng fell silent. Mei had discovered it so quickly? Where had things gone wrong?

Before he could answer, Mei's voice continued. "You... are planning to forcibly carry out Vill-V's plan, aren't you?"

Only then did Zhu Yufeng speak. "We have no choice, Mei. We can no longer withstand the sacrifice of Fusion Warriors."

Mei seemed to take a deep breath on the other end of the communicator before saying in a grave voice, "Elysia has already noticed your intentions. She's preparing to execute the second plan right now. The other Fusion Warriors of Fire Moth have all agreed as well... They've already set off for the Divine Blessing Barrier..."

"What?" Zhu Yufeng was taken aback.

"What's wrong, Feng?" Lilith asked.

Zhu Yufeng looked toward the Divine Blessing Barrier. In an instant, he remembered Disaster's death, the deaths of Hen and Blanca, and Klein and Immer... as well as the portrait Griseo had painted for him but never given him.

The knight who had failed to welcome the dawn...

"Is fate... ultimately impossible to change..." Zhu Yufeng murmured. The Tragedy of Binding—could it really... not be changed?

Everyone else looked over.

Zhu Yufeng was still lost in thought.

All Fusion Warriors outside the Thirteen Flame-Chasers would die in The Tragedy of Binding. He would be no exception... If he went, he would likely truly die... because fate had proven its absoluteness to him countless times.

Stay. No matter what happens, stay! Only by living can you continue to challenge it!

He heard the voice in his heart. Was he afraid of death? No. The moment he had decided to undergo Fusion Warrior surgery, his own life and death had ceased to matter to him. He feared dying meaninglessly. He feared that his death would fail to stir even a ripple in this hateful fate.

"But... they paid with the lives of every Fusion Warrior other than the Thirteen Flame-Chasers to pinpoint the Herrscher of Binding's exact location for Kevin, and to weaken the Divine Blessing Barrier enough for Kevin to use Heavenly Fire from an extreme distance to kill the Herrscher of Binding..." Zhu Yufeng looked at Black Abyss White Flower in his hand. "If... if Lilith and the others were also meant to perish in this tragedy, then without us... without us, the first echelon of Fusion Warriors, can they still accomplish what they did in the original fate?"

But... Lilith and the others... were family to him in this world too...

But... if Elysia sacrificed herself in the tragedy of Binding, then everything she had done since coming to this world would be meaningless. Moreover, the Origin Herrscher was the source of hope for the civilization of the next era. Nothing could happen to her...

But... why did Lilith and the others have to die?

But... if, when the time came, every Fusion Warrior other than the Thirteen Flame-Chasers fell, and Elysia's group still failed to pinpoint the Herrscher of Binding's location—or if their weakening of the Divine Blessing Barrier was insufficient for Kevin to kill the Herrscher of Binding... then Elysia would absolutely refuse to leave the battlefield. She would remain within the Divine Blessing Barrier... And not just her. Mobius, who had gone to retrieve the doll Klein, and Vill-V... they would all...

But...

But...

Elysia, why... why wouldn't you wait for me just a little longer? Why... why did you care so much about these humans?

"Because you're Elysia..." Zhu Yufeng murmured distractedly. "The stars and moon sent forth God's daughter, and she was willing to become humanity's companion... humanity's companion..."

After a long while, her gaze finally hardened. Looking once more in the direction of the Divine Blessing Barrier, she said, "You stay here and continue according to the original plan. I'm going on ahead."

Just as she was about to step forward, Lilith spoke from behind her. "Elysia and the others... decided to carry out the second plan ahead of schedule, right?"

Zhu Yufeng fell silent.

"So you have to go?"

"I... have to go." Zhu Yufeng said it plainly. She was a Fusion Warrior who had already surpassed Kevin, the sole variable in fate. Perhaps her life alone could offset Lilith and the others' destined fates...

The second plan was not without hope. According to the calculations, if every existing Fusion Warrior was deployed, there was a strong chance they could complete the operation.

Everyone... naturally included the Thirteen Fallen Angels...

But everything up until now had unfolded according to the original fate. She could not afford to gamble. The only thing she had on the table was her own life—the life of someone from another world, the variable of fate.

"Have you lost your mind, Boss Yufeng?!" Mostima cried. "You... you could really die!"

"Eight years ago, Elysia saved my life from beneath the ruins. Now, returning everything to her is only right." Zhu Yufeng answered, giving every Fallen Angel a reason—and giving herself one as well.

"That isn't a reason!" Admil suddenly grew agitated. "Yufeng, you're our leader, the strongest Fusion Warrior. If you die, humanity really will lose all hope!"

Zhu Yufeng merely said, "You don't need to come with me. I'll be enough on my own."

When she prepared to set off again, Nahamah's voice came from behind her. As always, he wore a smile as he said, "Hahaha, Captain, not to put too fine a point on it, but you don't need to shoulder everything by yourself. You still have us, don't you?"

He had never called her Captain before. He had only ever called her Boss.

His tone was resolute, leaving Zhu Yufeng no room to refuse.

"Oh, Nahamah, shouldn't that be my line?" Lilith continued. "I only care about you, Yufeng, so if you're going, then I'm definitely going too. Don't think you can shake me off that easily~"

Abaddon said as well, "We are a group. We are family. Of course I can't simply let you face that unknown realm of death alone."

Zhu Yufeng turned around and stared at the others in surprise. Did they not know what kind of fate awaited them? This was a fate where death was all but guaranteed, plain for anyone to see...

Yet not a single person showed any objection in their eyes. Even Admil, after his initial agitation, had calmed down. He watched Zhu Yufeng in silence, the resolve in his eyes as firm as everyone else's.

"Hmph, that Elysia really knows how to make trouble for us. And so do the people about to start fighting alongside her!" Beelzebub slammed her fists together. "But fine. This means I can finally have a proper all-out fight with that bitch Binding!"

Zhu Yufeng was silent for a moment, then looked toward Astaroth. "Astaroth, stay behind..."

"I am also... a Fallen Angel!" Astaroth said firmly.

"Xila has already gone ahead to wait for us at the Divine Blessing Barrier." Lilith tossed the communicator in her hand. "See? No one wants to stay behind."

Zhu Yufeng lowered her gaze, then smiled helplessly. Turning once more toward the Divine Blessing Barrier, she declared, "Fallen Angel Squad, move out!"

"Roger!"

As the foremost Fusion Warrior squad, the Fallen Angel Squad moved far faster than any human vehicle of the present day. Even if ordinary human speed could not keep up, they could use Artificial Collapse to accelerate further. Thus, within a little over ten minutes, they reached the outskirts of the Divine Blessing Barrier and rendezvoused with Xila.

Looking at the Divine Blessing Barrier before them, which resembled a forbidden land for all living beings, Zhu Yufeng drew a deep breath and was the first to enter it.

The instant she entered the Divine Blessing Barrier, she felt as if someone had gently lifted some heavy burden from her shoulders. At the same time, however, she swiftly sensed the rapid loss of energy within her body.

"As expected of the Divine Blessing Barrier, specifically designed to deal with Fusion Warriors..." Admil, the weakest among the Fallen Angels, began breathing a little heavily. "According to the second plan, we need to trigger all the Honkai Energy in our bodies to neutralize the Divine Blessing Barrier's effects, then locate Binding's position!"

"A blanket search would only waste our time." Beifengge said. "My psychic perception may be able to find Binding's precise location. It was blocked outside, but now that we're inside, as long as I have enough time, I can find her! But my Honkai Energy might..."

The Divine Blessing Barrier had a radius of one hundred kilometers. Even without being suppressed by it, that scope was far too difficult for Beifengge to search.

"Then I'll give you my Honkai Energy." Zhu Yufeng looked at Beifengge. "I'm the strongest Fallen Angel. I can last longer than all of you!"

"Forget it, Boss." Nahamah looked at Zhu Yufeng. "I've been sick of the sight of that Kevin brat for ages. He gets to kill every Herrscher—this time, no matter what, we have to take down that Binding bitch ourselves! Save your strength for dealing with that anti-Herrscher thing."

"I agree. As the strongest Fusion Warrior squad, we still haven't killed any Herrschers." Baal said.

"Quit wasting time. Start already!" Rovoc looked at Beifengge. Beifengge nodded, closed his eyes, and rapidly entered a collapsed state, beginning to spread his psychic domain throughout the Divine Blessing Barrier.

Suddenly, Su's voice sounded in everyone's minds. "So the Fallen Angel Squad did come after all."

"How are the others doing?" Zhu Yufeng asked. She knew Su was using his psychic power as a remote communication bridge to contact every Fusion Warrior who had entered the Divine Blessing Barrier.

"More than half the Fusion Warriors who entered the Divine Blessing Barrier have already fallen. I'll send Beifengge the areas they have searched, reducing the time he needs. At the same time, I'll relay the areas Beifengge has searched to the other Fusion Warriors."

"I'm counting on you." Zhu Yufeng said. She knew that doing this was practically costing Su his life. Aponia was likely helping him nearby as well; otherwise, Su might not be able to hold on for long before collapsing from psychic exhaustion.

Now that they had entered the Divine Blessing Barrier, not a single second could be wasted.

Suddenly, Mostima seemed to spot something. Pointing in one direction, she said, "Look, that's... a Honkai Beast?"

"Impossible... Even Honkai Beasts can't survive within the Divine Blessing Barrier!" Admil stared in disbelief at the monsters flying toward them in the distance.

"These aren't ordinary Honkai Beasts. Or rather, they should be a mutant variety unique to the Divine Blessing Barrier. They appear immune to its effects. Some Fusion Warriors have encountered them as well. They are weak compared to other Honkai Beasts, but with their numbers—and within the Divine Blessing Barrier... they seem to all be heading for Beifengge." Su said.

"All of you, protect Beifengge." Zhu Yufeng tightened her grip on Black Abyss White Flower. "Use as little Honkai Energy as possible. We can't afford the expenditure."

Everyone gathered around Beifengge. Just as Su had said, these aberrant Honkai Beasts were not even as strong as Rush-class Honkai Beasts. But... with everyone bound by the Divine Blessing Barrier, these creatures—unaffected by the barrier and vast in number—were still no small trouble.

Amid the battle, Admil quietly moved to Beifengge's side and said softly, "I don't think I can hold on much longer."

Beifengge said nothing. He simply had no attention to spare.

But Rovoc noticed. She too retreated to Admil's side and asked, "You seem to have something in mind?"

"Actually, I've been thinking all along. What exactly is still missing for Project: Ascend to Divinity to succeed? In the end, I came to the conclusion that we... would be the steps for Feng's ascent to divinity," Admil said. "I kept wondering how to persuade Feng to use Vishnu's power to devour us..."

"So you mean...?"

"I sought out Aponia. She said we would all die in the tragedy of Binding. I never believed in that sort of thing, but..." Admil placed his hand on Beifengge, who was in his collapsed state. "If this can forge the steps for his ascent to divinity, if it can bring about the final victory, then what does death... matter?"

He transferred all of his Honkai Energy to Beifengge. Having lost the Honkai Energy that had allowed him to contend against the Divine Blessing Barrier, Admil quickly collapsed as well.

Rovoc looked toward Zhu Yufeng and murmured to herself, "No price is too great to accept, and no sacrifice is too small to ignore..."

She also placed her hand on Beifengge and transferred all her Honkai Energy to him. Throughout the process, she kept her eyes on Zhu Yufeng's back as she fought, until the light finally faded from her eyes.

After what had been an exceedingly long time for many of them, Beifengge finally spoke. "Found her!"

He immediately transmitted the Herrscher of Binding's location to the other Fallen Angels. But aside from Zhu Yufeng, he sent the others a separate message as well.

"Get there at full speed!" Zhu Yufeng broke through the Honkai Beasts' encirclement first and rushed toward the Herrscher of Binding's location.

The other Fallen Angels exchanged glances and followed. But Beifengge, having exited his collapsed state, grabbed Lilith. When Lilith turned back, Beifengge said nothing. He merely nodded gently and transferred all of his remaining Honkai Energy to her.

The Fallen Angels soon caught up with Zhu Yufeng. Lilith was the first to speak. "Feng, as our main combat force, you need to conserve your Honkai Energy as much as possible."

The second plan, Kevin's ultra-long-range kill, had been predicated on the Fusion Warriors entering the Divine Blessing Barrier being unable to kill the Herrscher of Binding after locating her. Originally, Zhu Yufeng had been the one designated to enter the Divine Blessing Barrier and slay the Herrscher of Binding.

Zhu Yufeng fell silent. He neither agreed nor objected, because he knew that now that they had entered the Divine Blessing Barrier, there was no longer any room for choice.

Admil, Rovoc, and Beifengge had already sacrificed themselves...

They continued toward the Herrscher of Binding. Elysia and the remaining Fusion Warriors were also on their way, but compared to the Fallen Angels' desperate relay of lives, they were far too slow.

Along the way, Mostima, Nahamah, Baal, and Esmodius fell one after another.

"Sorry, Boss Yufeng. Looks like I can't keep fighting alongside you... Sorry..."

"Everyone dies eventually... At least my death means more than most. Boss, you'd better... live well."

"Hahaha... Captain, you gave me my life. Before I met you, my life was worthless. If my life can be exchanged for yours, then I'll do it without hesitation!"

"Looks like it's time to say goodbye... It was wonderful to know you, Captain Yufeng... Just don't come too soon, okay? Not before I kill all those bastards who came to take our lives one more time..."

Zhu Yufeng, whom Lilith had been holding back and forbidding from fighting, gritted his teeth without saying a word. Only the blood dripping from his clenched fists revealed how he felt.

Before they could reach the Herrscher of Binding, a massive Honkai Beast blocked their path.

"Leave it to us." Abaddon charged at the special accompanying Honkai Beast that would later be named Gabriel.

"Hmph. Taming beasts is practically my old trade." Beelzebub snorted and charged in as well.

But after being heavily drained by the Divine Blessing Barrier, they found themselves struggling against Gabriel. At the same time, aberrant Honkai Beasts filled the skies, launching attacks at them.

Xila glanced at Zhu Yufeng. After hesitating for a long while, Zhu Yufeng nodded.

Xila then joined the battle against Gabriel as well.

Now, only Astaroth, Lilith, and Zhu Yufeng remained among the Fallen Angels heading for the Herrscher of Binding.

Astaroth suddenly grabbed Zhu Yufeng's hand and transferred the rest of her Honkai Energy to him.

"Astaroth?!"

"Captain." It was the first time Astaroth had addressed him that way. "Do not grieve for our departure. You saved us and made us heroes, so please allow us to leave as heroes. Please... protect and witness the future of this world in our place!"

Zhu Yufeng watched Astaroth close her eyes before him. He caught the falling girl, just as he had caught every Fallen Angel who had fallen along the way. He gently laid her on the ground, then, carrying her strength with him, set off once more with Lilith toward their destination.

Upon seeing the Herrscher of Binding, Zhu Yufeng called out the name of the Herrscher, who was praying, in a somewhat hoarse voice. "Michael..."

The Herrscher raised her head. The reflections of the two Fallen Angels appeared in her golden eyes. Then she lifted a hand, and golden chains extended from the Imaginary space, stabbing toward them like spears.

Here, the effects of the Divine Blessing Barrier had been further intensified.

By the time Elysia and the others arrived, the battle was already over. Zhu Yufeng knelt on one knee, Black Abyss White Flower piercing through the Herrscher's body, while the Herrscher had died leaning against him in an embrace.

The Divine Blessing Barrier crumbled away the instant the Herrscher perished.

Zhu Yufeng lowered his head and released Black Abyss White Flower. He remembered Lilith's final words: "Isn't it romantic to sacrifice yourself with the one you love, Feng? But if one of us can survive, I hope it will be you, because... before becoming a hero, I am first and foremost a selfish woman."

He touched his face and felt liquid that had long since turned cold, still dripping endlessly from his chin.

He staggered to his feet and looked at Lilith, who leaned against the ruins with a smile, her eyes closed.

"Feng..."

Someone seemed to be calling him from behind, but he no longer cared. His Honkai Energy had been depleted to the point that he could barely stand, yet he still stumbled forward step by step until he reached Lilith.

"The final step of Project: Ascend to Divinity is us."

That was what Lilith had told him during the battle.

So, so...

They had all made their choice...

After killing Michael, Su told him that Xila and Gabriel had perished together. Before that, Beelzebub and Abaddon had already sacrificed themselves.

He...

had survived.

Only he...

had survived.

Once again, he had to fight alone.

After the Herrscher of Binding died, the gloomy weather did not clear. Instead, a light drizzle began to fall.

He reached out and picked up Lilith. Without saying a word, he walked past Elysia and headed down the road he had come from.