The Doors Open, the Time of Finality

Other than bringing down Honkai, neither the galaxy Sera came from nor the galaxy in Black Tomb's timeline had any choice.

Even though Cyrene had confirmed that his future self still existed, Sera couldn't be sure whether failing to do this would affect causality.

As for why he had set it for one system hour later, Sera needed to say goodbye to Cyrene. He couldn't guarantee that he would return anytime soon.

Besides, the people in that timeline needed time to prepare.

As for his other self, that would have to wait until the future.

Sera had a feeling that the female version of "Seraphis" was probably his Herrscher consciousness. But he didn't know why he, a natural-born Herrscher who belonged to humanity like Elysia, would have a Herrscher consciousness.

Still, Sera felt that "Seraphis" wouldn't harm him. It was his intuition.

"That's settled, then." After Sera spoke, the Black Tomb puppet ended the call.

The others traveling with him looked at Sera with mixed expressions, but he paid them no mind.

"White Kitty, you have to come back safe."

Feiying was a little foolish, but she was no fool when it came to important matters. Her intuition told her that Sera's journey might be dangerous.

"Don't worry." Though Sera was nervous himself, he still forced a calm expression onto his face.

"Have a safe journey." Busitu nodded.

"I have cast your fortune and drawn the most auspicious lot. May you enjoy great success in battle."

Yaoguang understood why Sera was in such a hurry, so she offered her blessing to the departing traveler.

"Um... we don't really know what to say." Himeko and Suzi glanced at each other and spoke together. "But may your journey ultimately bring you to the stars."

"Mm." Sera's golden eyes were full of smiles.

"I'll accept all your blessings."

With that, Sera's figure dissolved into data and vanished.

When he appeared again, he was back outside the hotel room.

Knock, knock.

Since Sera didn't know what to say, he knocked on the door first, thinking over how to put it.

The door opened, but what appeared was a stack of Cat Cakes?!

Sera froze for a moment, then realized these were probably the birthday presents Ruan Mei had given him.

Hmm... Friend of Lam, and Wisteria Cake. Huh?! Why is White Peach Pudding here too?

Sera recognized them as Cat Cakes of Ruan Mei, Herta, and Cyrene, respectively.

"Little Sera, don't just stand there. Come on in." Cyrene's familiar, cheerful voice rang out.

Sera instinctively caught White Peach Pudding as it jumped into his arms.

"Mm."

Rather than putting White Peach Pudding down, Sera held it as he closed the door.

Sera walked ahead with White Peach Pudding in his arms, while Friend of Lam and Wisteria Cake hopped along behind him.

As expected, Herta and Ruan Mei were there beside Cyrene.

"Do you like them?" Ruan Mei asked.

"I do." Sera nodded. He had never been able to resist cute things like these.

"So, little Sera, you have something to tell us, don't you?"

Cyrene knew Sera well. Whenever he wore that expression, he had something to say but didn't know how to start.

"Mm."

Sera nodded and explained to Cyrene and the others what he was going to do.

"I'm going." Cyrene's voice was as cheerful as ever, but her tone brooked no refusal.

"We're already yours, and you still want to leave me behind when something comes up?"

Herta's voice held a hint of anger.

"I feel the same way as Herta."

"...All right." Sera agreed in the end. He would let them get used to a galaxy where Honkai had descended ahead of time.

First, though, he needed to confirm whether they could withstand Honkai Energy's corrosion. Sera still had time to test them.

"Perfect..." Sera looked at the data. Honkai Energy resistance-high. Just as he had thought, those who had followed a Path for a long time had a certain degree of resistance.

In that case...

There was one more thing Sera needed to take care of.

"Sigh..."

Sera sighed. He was about to go back on something he had said not long ago.

"What?!" Finality's dice spun rapidly with excitement.

"You're taking me to another timeline to bring down a trial?!"

"Yes, provided you don't cause trouble and help the galaxy overcome Finality."

"No problem." Finality agreed without hesitation, as if he would have had no objection even if Sera had asked him to fight his counterpart in the other timeline.

Yes, Sera intended to take Finality with him before going to the other timeline. Otherwise, he was afraid that the moment he returned, he would find that Finality had played Dual-Phase Paradise out of existence.

But isn't Finality afraid I won't bring him back?

Sera pondered silently.

He really did want to take the opportunity to deal with Finality, but even though Finality had been so decisive, Sera would certainly take the opportunity to deal with him.

He was just afraid Finality might still have a trump card...

In the end, Sera decided to take things one step at a time. It would be best if he could deal with Finality in the other timeline. If he couldn't, he would kill him head-on in Dual-Phase Paradise.

Weidi and Wojian might be good people, but Finality was definitely no good.

For someone who trampled on others' ideals and toyed with their lives, Sera had only ever felt disgust and the desire to deal with him.

This kind of Path lunatic was no ordinary lunatic. Sera had to hit him hard!

As for whether Finality would cause trouble, Sera thought he wouldn't, because what Finality wanted was the brilliance of humanity shining in desperate straits.

But Sera wouldn't put his faith in something uncertain, so Finality would face Finality alongside him.

Sera brought Finality to meet up with Cyrene and the other two.

Since Sera had told them beforehand, Cyrene and the other two merely gave Finality a placid glance.

Sera took a deep breath,

and once again borrowed the Herrscher of the Void's authority from the Cocoon of Finality.

Granted.

The Cocoon said nothing, merely watching Sera in silence.

The authority over space once again flowed quietly through Sera's body.

A golden doorway opened.

Sera stepped through first, with Cyrene and the others close behind. Finality followed silently at the rear.

The first thing they saw was Herta Space Station. Ms. Black Tomb examined the people behind Sera, pausing when she saw Cyrene. Finally, she frowned at the sight of Finality, but said nothing.

She knew what Sera meant by it. It was simply a helpless measure taken by someone who didn't want an instant-detonation bomb thrown at him.

"Everything is ready," Black Tomb said, looking at Sera.

"Where?"

"A star system owned by the company, with no life in it."

"The Astral Express is also ready to depart." Navigator Himeko walked over.

"The Astral Express Crew will weave through the battlefield and fight. Welt will stay by your side."

As Navigator Himeko spoke, she noticed Finality standing nearby.

"And this is...?" He gave her a familiar feeling.

"A former Nameless here to help." Finality tipped his hat down.

"All right."

"I've checked the Moonlight Throne's construction plan. There are no problems." Welt Yang adjusted his glasses.

Sera nodded.

Before setting out, he had left the Moonlight Throne he had made in the room, hiding it with his authority.

Only Yaoguang and Feiying could retrieve it. It was another precaution Sera had put in place.

"Yo! Everyone's here?" Silver Wolf walked over with a cartridge in hand.

"Then how about letting the pinnacle of Elation join the battle?"

Silver Wolf waved the LV.999 cartridge in her hand.