They converged into a single sentence.
"What destroys everything is-" Malice! Boundless malice! Every emotion and desire known to Welt and the other three was contained within it, coalescing into black clouds that burst through the Theater's dome before spreading throughout the entire space.
All the voices finally converged into eerie laughter.
"Human malice!" A golden scepter appeared in No. 17's hand, and its ordinary clothes transformed into a magnificent Black-Gold Battle Skirt.
An enormous black-and-gold crown rose from the head of the giant Doll behind it.
A gravitational field appeared beneath No. 17's feet, slowly lifting it into the air before the Doll.
The Authority of Domination pressed down, making everyone sink a little.
Welt felt somewhat numb. It seemed he had truly experienced the Domination Theater all over again.
Even the lines were identical. It was not even bothering to pretend anymore.
But rather than the original Herrscher level, what stood here was at the level of an Emanator! Even with everything they had, they probably could not defeat it.
What was going on? Wasn't this supposed to be the youngsters' first Trailblaze expedition? Why did it feel like their "final curtain call"?
Mist rose from Dan Heng's body as the High Elder's power stirred.
At that moment, No. 17 also looked at them expressionlessly.
"As long as despair remains, we will remain.
"You cannot change the malice in human hearts. You cannot change this ugly world!" It swept its scepter out, pointing expressionlessly at them.
"Beast of Finality’s Malice! Annihilate them!" Two enormous "hands" rotated beneath the beast, their fingers retracting one after another like mechanical petals folding shut. The instant they opened again, the beast teleported in front of the four.
Threads of Domination became deadly blades, striking at everyone in an instant.
At the same