Doll

Compared to the previous few times, the Herrscher of a Thousand had not caused humanity such devastating casualties.

Yet it had still dealt humanity a heavy blow.

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

No one knew whether the person by their side day and night would suddenly turn into a Herrscher and attack them the next moment.

One of Flame Chasers' higher-ups had become a Herrscher, throwing the other executives into a panic and prompting them to pressure those below.

Naturally, Golden Courtyard ignored those orders from above.

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

Based on the distributed nature of the Herrscher of the Tenth's core, which could divide without limit, this Divine Key was made into several thousand mass-produced pieces of equipment.

Mobius continued researching the "Honkai Eruption" form of Fusion Warriors, attempting to turn it into a controllable state.

Based on the Stigmata Project proposed by Mobius, Dr. Mei began her research: casting human consciousness into Stigmata Space and constructing a perfect utopian world composed of "Imaginary Numbers."

But none of the three plans went particularly smoothly.

To stop the core of his adjutant, Immer, from being made into a Divine Key, Chiyou wreaked havoc and destroyed the completed Tenth Divine Key.

Mobius tried "artificial Honkai Eruption" on herself and ultimately went mad and lost control. Fortunately, everyone arrived in time and subdued her. When Flame Chasers questioned them afterward, they unanimously claimed Chiyou had caused the disturbance.

Dr. Mei witnessed the test subjects participating in the Stigmata Project go mad and helplessly halted the research, retaining it only as a final trump card.

But these minor setbacks did nothing to affect them.

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

Drawing on the sensations she had captured after her own Honkai Eruption, Mobius improved artificial Honkai Eruption.

Dr. Mei changed direction and developed a new Hyper-Evolution Factor, "META-MORPH," which would not cause death even if the procedure failed.

However, while the new META-MORPH Hyper-Evolution Factor ensured that test subjects would not die, it also weakened Fusion Warriors.

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

Thus, Flame Chasers launched its second mass-production plan for Fusion Warriors.

However, because the new Hyper-Evolution Factor could only be activated through the psychological stimulus of experiencing a life-threatening battle, the experiment's mortality rate remained high.

Still, many people survived and became valuable fighting strength for humanity.

Afterward, Kevin sought out Mobius and requested surgery for "artificial Honkai Eruption."

And after developing the Xuanyuan Sword, Vill-V immediately began work on the Eighth Divine Key—Feather of Dust.

Humanity's endeavors had nothing to do with you. Every day, you merely teased Pardo and read books.

"Ta-da! Assistant, look what this is."

"Whoa! It's the little boss! Sister Vill-V, did you make it yourself?"

"Hehe, of course. This is the Armed Doll version of Yoshikage Kira."

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

The little fellow obediently flew over and rubbed against Yoshikage Kira's hand. Seeing this, Yoshikage Kira felt somewhat conflicted.

"So obedient? Little Kira, come over to big sister~" Seeing how well-behaved little Yoshikage Kira was, Elysia's hands itched to give him a pat too.

But Vill-V snatched little Yoshikage Kira up and held him in her arms, watching Elysia warily.

Elysia pleaded in every possible way afterward, but Vill-V never agreed.

Later, Elysia found Mobius and asked her to make one too.

Mobius readily agreed and modeled one after Klein's appearance and personality.

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

"Hold it."

Mobius slapped away Elysia's hand as it reached toward the Klein Armed Doll.

"You only asked me to make one. You never said it was for you."

"Then this is...?"

"Obviously, she's my Klein."

As she spoke, Mobius gathered little Klein into her arms.

Watching the two start getting affectionate without the slightest concern for her presence, Elysia forgot what she was supposed to say for a moment.

"Why are you still here?"

"You two are such bullies. I'm ignoring you, Mobius." With that, Elysia slunk away.

Afterward, Elysia coaxed her for a long time, and only after making a doll in her own likeness did she finally manage to cheer Elysia up.

The magnanimous Elysia also chose to forgive Mobius.

"I forgive you, Mobius." After saying that, Elysia happily ran off to find Elysia again.

Mobius watched Elysia suddenly run over, announce that she forgave her, and then run away again.

Mobius slowly formed a question mark.

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

"Doctor, there's a problem with the data here."

"I'm coming, I'm coming, my dear Klein~"

"...Doctor, are you copying the way Elysia talks?"

"What, you don't like it?"

As she spoke, Mobius began checking the erroneous data.

Klein stared blankly at Mobius's little face, wondering what she was thinking.