"That was the cage Congress built specifically to imprison the Herrscher of the Void."
Einstein and Tesla exchanged a glance and quickly nodded.
Reason told them this was the only viable path at present.
The Dolls had to intercept the signal, and the hundred-kilometer radius around the Arctic was completely uninhabited.
A heavy electromagnetic barrier there physically cut off any possibility of a connection to the Theater.
Salt Lake Base had also upgraded to the same defense system.
So the risk existed only during the voyage from Salt Lake to the Arctic.
"Either give up the power, or fight with everything you've got to take it."
Welt spread his hands, throwing the choice back onto the table.
The atmosphere froze solid.
Rationally, the plan was flawless.
Emotionally, they could not accept making a companion gamble with her life.
That sense of helplessness was more suffocating than an enemy's fist.
Kiana scanned every worried face.
"Principal, Class Monitor, Bronya, Seele."
"I know you think I'm always jumping into the fire."
She flashed a grin, but her eyes held an unquestionable resolve.
"But this time is different."
"I need you to trust me this once."
"Just like I trust Anti-Entropy's technology and everyone's strength."
With things put that way, further objections would only be making a fuss.
Theresa took a deep breath, turned her head aside, and waved a hand.
Bronya gritted her teeth, then finally unclenched her fists.
No one said anything more, but they had already sworn an oath in their hearts.
As long as she charged ahead, someone would always have her back.
Meanwhile.
Deep within the Theatre of Domination, the shadows began to writhe.
At the judges' bench, the wooden puppet was flying into hysterics over the latest intelligence.
"This is blatant humiliation!"
Veins bulged as it roared,