Puppets

The Herrscher of a Thousand was different from previous encounters; human casualties weren't as severe.

However, it still dealt a heavy blow to humanity.

Friends were no longer friends, and homes were no longer homes.

No one knew if the person they spent their days with might suddenly turn into a Herrscher and attack them in the next moment.

When one of the Flame Chasers' high-ranking officials became a Herrscher, it caused panic among the others, who began to pressure their subordinates.

Of course, the Golden Courtyard ignored the superiors' orders.

The geniuses all had their own plans. Vill-V used the core of the Herrscher of a Thousand to create a new Divine Key.

Based on the Herrscher of the Tenth's core, which had the characteristic of infinite, distributed fission, this Divine Key was manufactured into thousands of mass-produced equipment.

Mobius continued to research the "Collapse" state of Fusion Warriors, attempting to make it controllable.

Dr. Mei, based on Mobius's "Stigmata Plan," began research to project human consciousness into the Stigmata space, constructing a perfect utopia made of "Imaginary."

But none of the three's plans went smoothly.

Chiyou, to prevent his adjutant Immer's core from being made into a Divine Key, caused massive destruction to the Tenth Divine Key that was being manufactured.

Mobius experimented with "artificial Collapse" on herself, ultimately going mad and losing control. Fortunately, everyone arrived in time to restrain her. Afterward, when questioned by the Flame Chasers, they unanimously stated that Chiyou was responsible for the commotion.

Dr. Mei witnessed the subjects participating in the Stigmata Plan going mad and reluctantly halted the research, keeping it as a last resort.

But these minor obstacles didn't affect them in the slightest.

Vill-V, inspired by the "gacha" system of the Seven Thunders of Retribution, modified the Tenth Divine Key into a weapon that could adapt its form to the user.

Mobius improved artificial Collapse based on the sensation she captured during her own Collapse.

Dr. Mei changed her direction and developed a new Hyper-Evolution Factor, "METAMORPH," which ensured that failure wouldn't be fatal.

However, the new Hyper-Evolution Factor METAMORPH reduced the strength of Fusion Warriors while ensuring the safety of the subjects.

Fortunately, the mass production of the Tenth Divine Key compensated for the loss in combat power.

Thus, the Flame Chasers launched their second mass production plan for Fusion Warriors.

However, because the new Hyper-Evolution Factor could only be triggered by combat that reached a certain psychological stimulation level of facing the threat of death, the experimental mortality rate remained high.

Still, many survived and became valuable combat assets for humanity.

Afterward, Kevin found Mobius and requested the "artificial Collapse" surgery.

Meanwhile, after developing the Xuanyuan Sword, Vill-V immediately began the research for the Eighth Divine Key—the Feather of Dust.

As for humanity's affairs, they had nothing to do with you. You spent your days playing with Pardo and reading books.

"Ta-da! Assistant, look what I have."

"Wow! It's little Boss! Vill-V, did you make it yourself?"

"Hmph, of course. This is the Yoshikage Kira [Armed Doll] version."

Yoshikage Kira looked at the small version of himself floating beside Vill-V and waved at him.

The little guy obediently flew over and nuzzled Yoshikage Kira's hand. Seeing this, Yoshikage Kira felt a little strange.

"So obedient, little Kira? Come to big sister~" Elysia, seeing the obedient little Yoshikage Kira, felt a tickle in her heart and wanted to touch him too.

But Vill-V snatched little Yoshikage Kira away, holding him protectively and eyeing Elysia warily.

Afterward, Elysia pleaded repeatedly, but Vill-V never agreed.

Elysia then went to Mobius and asked her to make one too.

Mobius readily agreed and sculpted one in Klein's image and personality.

"Oh my! Little Klein is so cute. Thank you, Mobius."

"Hold on."

Mobius slapped away Elysia's hand as she reached for the Armed Doll Klein.

"You only asked me to make one before, you didn't say you wanted it."

"Then what is this?"

"It's my Klein, of course."

Saying that, Mobius pulled little Klein into her embrace.

Watching the two dote on each other, completely disregarding her presence, Elysia was momentarily speechless.

"Why are you still here?"

"You guys are bullying me. I'm not talking to you anymore, Mobius." With that, Elysia scurried away dejectedly.

Afterward, Eden coaxed Elysia for a long time, and finally made her a doll in her own image before cheering Elysia up.

The magnanimous Elysia also chose to forgive Mobius.

"I forgive you, Mobius." After saying that, Elysia happily went to find Eden again.

And watching Elysia, who had suddenly run over to say she forgave her and then run off again.

Mobius slowly formed a question mark with her fingers.

"When did I ever do anything that required her forgiveness?"

"Doctor, there's something wrong with the data here."

"Coming, coming, my dear Klein~"

"...Doctor, are you imitating Elysia?"

"What, you don't like it?"

As she spoke, Mobius examined the erroneous data.

Meanwhile, Klein stared blankly at Mobius's small face, lost in thought.