"As long as we concentrate the Honkai energy from Mei and Welt into me, totaling the power of four Herrschers, then creating a passage to the Sea of Quanta large enough to contain Chiyou won't be an impossible task."
Elias spoke with unwavering confidence.
He had already opened a portal once when rescuing Seele, so he knew—
The real difficulty lay in opening the Sea of Quanta itself. Expanding the size of the portal wasn't all that hard by comparison.
"What I need from the two doctors is this: once I expand the passage, help me maintain it for at least five minutes. That'll be enough time to lift Chiyou's seal and drive it into the portal."
"Hmph~! Who do you think you're talking to? As long as you open the passage to the Sea of Quanta, just maintaining it? We can hold it as long as needed!"
"Exactly. It's like how ancient humans made fire by rubbing sticks together. The hard part is getting the fire going. After that, it's just about keeping it fed."
Dr. Tesla and Dr. Einstein replied confidently.
In truth, Elias knew this would be extremely difficult. If it were just him, maintaining such a massive portal would consume absurd amounts of Honkai energy every second.
But these two were the top scientific minds of modern civilization—you couldn't judge them by normal standards.
"Excellent. Then let's not waste any time. Let's begin."
"Wait, I have one more question."
Dr. Einstein raised her hand calmly.
Dr. Tesla tilted her head. "What is it, Messy Hair? Isn't Elias' plan solid?"
"It is—without question, this would be great for our world. But I still have one concern. If we banish a Judgment-class Honkai Beast like Chiyou into the Sea of Quanta... wouldn't that spell disaster for the other worlds?"
"You mean, the quantum world bubbles?"
As expected from longtime partners, Tesla instantly understood Einstein's worry.
The two of them turned to look at Elias.
Sending Chiyou into the Sea of Quanta was indeed a very feasible plan. The success rate looked high, and once successful, the beast would no longer pose any threat to this world.
After all, no matter how powerful or massive Chiyou was, once it entered the Sea of Quanta, it would no longer affect the real world.
Just like that one certain someone who went underwater 1,500 years ago and still hasn't resurfaced—Kevin.
But Kevin was human. He had incredible strength, yes—but also the reason and control to use it wisely.
Chiyou was different.
As a Honkai Beast, its instinct was to annihilate humanity and destroy civilization. Back in ancient times, it had swallowed up vast portions of Shenzhou under that very impulse.
"Based on our past research on the Sea of Quanta, and also what you yourself said to Welt—it's an infinite ocean filled with countless world bubbles, right?"
"And those bubbles are reflections of our real world. Though their size and structure differ, they're unquestionably independent worlds."
"Once Chiyou enters the Sea of Quanta, its instincts will undoubtedly drive it to attack those world bubbles… and with the power of a Judgment-class Honkai Beast, it would be no different from the Herrscher of Finality to most of them—a harbinger of total destruction."
The more Einstein spoke, the more everyone present—except Elias—felt their blood run cold.
They now realized: sending Chiyou into the Sea of Quanta would be like unleashing a vicious tiger into a kingdom of sheep. Left unchecked, countless world bubbles would be destroyed.
Though their own world would be saved, this new understanding made these inherently good-hearted people hesitate to go through with Elias' plan.
Of course they wanted to save their own world—but at what cost?
But they didn't want peace to be built upon a mountain of corpses—especially not countless, possibly hundreds of millions or even billions of innocent lives.
"Hey! Herrscher of Rebirth, say something already! If you really don't have any backup plan, then I'm not going along with this. In fact, I'll stop you myself if I have to!"
Dr. Tesla raised her mechanical gauntlet in a show of force, brandishing her iron fist toward Elias.
"Relax, of course I have a backup plan. Have a little faith in me, you two brilliant and beautiful doctors. Do I look like the type who'd ruthlessly trample over innocent lives?"
Elias waved dismissively, assuring them he had it under control.
"Besides, when it comes to enemies, I'm always one to cut them down to the root. Since when did I get so soft as to rely on banishment?"
Even if he did want to banish Chiyou, you don't toss a rat into a grain silo. With its ability to endlessly grow by devouring matter, throwing Chiyou into a sea full of weak world bubbles would likely result in it becoming something terrifying within just a few years.
"So, you do have a way to deal with Chiyou inside the Sea of Quanta? Jeez, you should've said so earlier—you had my Messy Hair all worked up."
"Dr. Tesla, something about the way you phrased that sounds off… But Elias, could you tell us the details? Do you need any support from us?"
Seeing that Elias had a countermeasure, Tesla, Einstein, and Welt all let out a breath of relief.
"No support needed—it's actually quite simple. I have a good friend inside the Sea of Quanta. He's incredibly strong and can help us deal with Chiyou."
"Uh… you have a friend in the Sea of Quanta? When did he go diving?"
"About 1,500 years ago. He's from the Previous Era. Aside from being a little crazy, overly cryptic, overly philosophical, and basically a walking popsicle, he's totally fine."
At that, everyone looked a bit stunned. Even Tesla—the motor-mouthed redhead—didn't know where to begin.
"What even…? A Previous Era guy? A human popsicle? Elias, your friend is weird."
"Be understanding. He used to be a bright, cheerful young man, until the Honkai drove him over the edge. Don't worry—I'll find a way to help him recover."
Elias spoke casually, yet with sincerity.
Kevin only went mad because the Honkai destroyed everything in the Previous Era. No matter—once Elias got some time travel going,
He'd save them all.
The Flame-Chasers, the entire Previous Civilization—it didn't matter.
As for the issue of saving the Previous Era while keeping the Current Era intact... Elias already had several rough ideas in mind.
"Chiyou was always meant to be a little snack for my friend. Poor guy's been underwater for 1,500 years without a decent meal. This'll help him out, and maybe I can strike a deal while I'm at it and get something good in return."
Thinking about the stash of instant noodles he had tucked away in the Imaginary Space, Elias felt the odds of a successful negotiation had just gone up by at least 50%!
"...Are you sure your friend is strong enough to take on a Judgment-class Honkai Beast like Chiyou?"
Welt hesitated, but finally asked.
"One thousand percent sure! Just remember—once Chiyou and I go into the Sea of Quanta, close the portal immediately. Whatever you do, don't give my friend a chance to come out."
"Uh… why?"
"Didn't I say? He's super messed up in the head. No way we're letting a patient walk out before he's cured. If he gets out, it's a problem. Better to let him keep soaking in the sea."
Elias shrugged. Compared to Kevin, Chiyou was nothing. There was no way he was letting Kevin resurface.
"Anyway, that's the plan. You two doctors get the portal-stabilizing equipment set up. I just remembered I have some business to handle—gonna go find Siegfried for a chat. I saw him earlier when we arrived."
"Alright, he should be on the deck right now comforting Ryoma. What do you need him for?"
"Just here to help out my pet girl by giving that guy a punch—and maybe gain a little leverage for a future negotiation."
Elias cracked his knuckles as he spoke. He had promised Kiana before—if he ever ran into that unreliable Siegfried, he'd throw a punch on her behalf.
Elias couldn't help but think he was on fire today—beating up two father-in-laws back-to-back.
Welt and the others silently offered a moment of pity for Siegfried.
...
On the deck of the Anti-Entropy battleship—
"Come on, Ryoma, take it easy. There's an old saying in Shenzhou: 'You can't keep a grown daughter at home.' At least Mei and that boy seem to really care about each other. Give it a bit more time and you might be holding your first grandchild."
"Siegfried, shut the hell up and get lost!"
Raiden Ryoma's eye twitched and his face darkened.
This idiot Kaslana—was this supposed to be comforting? He was seriously tempted to toss a bone into the ocean and see if this guy would dive after it.
"Siegfried, long time no see."
"!!!"
The sudden sound of Elias' voice made both men flinch at once, nearly toppling over the railing into the sea.
Raiden Ryoma turned a confused look toward Siegfried—his reaction was understandable, but why was he so spooked too?
"We haven't met since the Second Eruption, right? What's wrong? Don't recognize me anymore?"
"...Herrscher of the Void. I know. Welt told me. I just didn't expect you to still be alive."
Siegfried took a deep breath. The normally unserious man had suddenly become somber.
Even Elias was confused—why was this guy suddenly all emo?
"That's a weird reaction."
"I just… I feel guilty about the effort you made back then. It's my fault… Kiana died."
"Huh? Kiana's alive and well, isn't she?"
Elias tilted his head in confusion.
What's with this dad jinxing his own daughter? Both the little Herrscher and the clone were doing fine. He had even snuggled with Kiana just yesterday.
Siegfried then went on to explain everything.
Back during the Second Eruption, after Elias' failed attempt to rescue the real Kiana from Schicksal, Siegfried eventually lost his patience and tried to do it himself.
At first, things went well. He retrieved Durandal and even grabbed K423—aka the clone—from Otto's lab.
But just like in the original timeline…
During their escape, Durandal's aircraft was hit. She fell from thousands of meters, crashing into a snowy mountain.
"You may not know, but the Kiana beside you now isn't the real one. She's a homunculus Otto made, fused with your Gem of the Void—K423."
"My real daughter… the real Kiana… she died because of me. Because I'm an incompetent, unreliable father. I failed her—and I failed you, after everything you did for her."
Siegfried clenched his fists, overwhelmed with regret.
He wanted nothing more than to punch himself.
Back then, Elias had stormed Schicksal's headquarters in a near-dead state to save Kiana. While he hadn't fully succeeded,
He had at least made Otto give up on harming Kiana or using her as leverage.
And what had he done? Rushed into Schicksal all by himself, only to get his daughter killed.
Siegfried often wondered—
If he hadn't gone to save her, or if he hadn't impulsively taken K423 too… could the real Kiana have survived?
"..."
Elias was completely dumbfounded.
Durandal really had it rough. She'd already fallen from thousands of meters once, and somehow she managed to fall again. And still didn't die? No wonder she's the true protagonist of Honkai—what a sturdy life!
And from the looks of it, Siegfried didn't even know Durandal was still alive. Makes sense—Otto had no reason to tell him.
But still…
"Siegfried, answer a few questions for me."
"What is it?"
"The current S-rank Valkyrie of Schicksal—Bianka Ataegina, also known as Durandal—do you know her? Have you met her?"
Elias crossed his arms and scrutinized Siegfried.
"Uh… I know of her. I've heard she's a very diligent Valkyrie. Never met her in person, just seen her photo in intel reports… Why? Is something wrong?"
Siegfried gulped, feeling inexplicably nervous.
The next moment, Elias flashed a friendly smile and raised his fist, roughly the size of a boulder.
"No problem. None at all. In fact, now I have even more reason to punch you."
"W-wait! Herrscher of the Void, what are you—don't tell me you're still holding a grudge?! You already beat the hell out of me last time! C-calm down!"
Siegfried trembled as he backed away, haunted by memories of his previous beatdown. Just recalling it made his whole body ache.
"I am calm. But you seriously deserve it. You didn't even recognize your own daughter—Kiana is still alive, you moron! Damn it! I should've finished you off back then, would've saved me the trouble!"
Even Otto was more reliable than Siegfried.
Back when Elias told Otto that if anything happened to Kiana, he'd never be able to save Kallen—
Otto absolutely wouldn't have dared let Durandal die.
The moment he found out Durandal had been struck by a projectile, he probably panicked more than Siegfried and pulled every trick he knew to save her. Might've even lit incense and prayed to the gods.
Begged her not to die, even.
"Huh? You're saying Kiana is alive?! Which Kiana—my real daughter?"
Siegfried asked, trembling with emotion.
Elias rolled his eyes and punched him.
"Of course! She's the current S-rank Valkyrie of Schicksal—Durandal! Didn't you say you saw her photo? Sure, she looks different from her childhood, but can't you feel that father-daughter bond?"
"Uh… isn't that kind of a stretch? The age gap's huge. It's not surprising Siegfried didn't recognize her."
"Father-in-law Ryoma, did I ask you to speak?"
"..."
Raiden Ryoma silently turned his gaze away, even more dejected.
(Didn't this brat call me father-in-law? Is this how you talk to your father-in-law? Back when I met Mei's grandfather, I went full dogeza, banging my head on the tatami… No, wait! I'm not your father-in-law!)
Still, he really didn't have a place in this conversation.
Siegfried, on the other hand, was crying tears of joy.
His real daughter—his real Kiana—was still alive!
Everything Elias said made perfect sense.
Yeah, it's only been a decade or so.
Yeah, she grew up.
Yeah, her hair color changed.
Why hadn't he realized it was his daughter?
Siegfried: "That small of a difference—I should have recognized her with the power of our father-daughter bond! Damn it, I'm such an idiot! Uwahh, thank goodness… Kiana's really alive!"
Elias: "Unbelievable. Still as unreliable as the day we first met. Why do I always end up fixing your family problems? ...Sigh, whatever."
Well, he did like both K423 and Durandal.
Casting a scornful glance at Siegfried and Raiden Ryoma—despite them both technically being his fathers-in-law—Elias was genuinely disappointed.
Can't you two take care of your daughters properly?
One let Kiana roam the world from a young age, the other landed himself in jail and let Mei suffer school bullying.
"I don't even want to talk to you anymore. Just hand over your Judgment of Shamash. I need it right now."
Elias held out his hand toward Siegfried.
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