Chapter 156: Ending: [A Long Song for the Future]

"You are... the Eighth Herrscher?! But how did you... wait?! My voice?!"

Pardofelis's surprised voice also came from the radio.

[Is it strange? I just borrowed a little bit of my fellow countrymen's power… That's right, it's the "core" you extracted.]

[I can use this to take control of your devices, talk to you, and then broadcast your words... This is not difficult for me now.]

[Honestly, I didn't expect my compatriots to be this powerful. They really helped me a lot. Although many of my preparations are useless now, I spent a lot of effort to get the control rights of the "Fourth Divine Key," but now... Never mind. It's not bad to move forward so easily.]

[Oh, by the way, how can there be only sound? This grand "performance" must have pictures! Only in this way can you clearly see what the "ending" you chose is!]

Hiss——

Accompanied by a piercing sound, the screen in front of him, the projection in the base, the terminal in his hand, and even the huge projection screen in the city all showed [Senator Light]... No, it should be this!

[Hello~ Can you see clearly~ Oh, of course, I'm just asking casually.]

It said with a laugh, seemingly not caring about other people's answers, just talking to itself.

[Come, let me show you where I am and who is around me...]

The picture turned, and it could be seen that it was in a bright room. At a table not far away, there was a group of panicked people tied to chairs with their mouths blocked.

[That's right~ I'm now in the safe house that "Fire Moth" prepared for the top executives~ As for the people around me, they are the top executives of "Fire Moth" that you've been thinking about but can't see~]

[Okay~ Now, let's come to the previous part~]

The screen shook slightly and then was fixed on the top executives of "Fire Moth", while it leisurely pulled over a chair and sat in the corner of the screen, revealing only a pair of legs and a hand holding a gun.

[I think you want to know how I survived, right? Sure~ I'll tell you~]

Click——

The gun was loaded and then slowly pointed at one of the senior executives, and then... bang!

The panicked senior executive died, died so easily... and the other senior executives who witnessed it all shook their heads in panic, hoping not to die.

It's a pity that they can't speak, haha~

「I want to thank Dr. Mobius for this. She can be called my second parent. She studied my body wantonly to find out the secret. That's really too much.」

[But since you successfully "awakened" me, I won't hold it against you~ Of course, I also have to thank the idiots of "Fire Moth" for this. They actually allowed Mobius to achieve the results of her research. They were really careless~]

[And speaking of this, you guys are a little funny. You all realized that something was wrong, but in the end, you trusted the congressman named "Light" just because he passed the "test"... Your trust is really cheap, just as cheap as your suspicion.]

[Then what...]

It adjusted the muzzle of the gun, aimed at the next person, and then... without mercy, pulled the trigger.

Bang!

[I want to thank everyone at "Fire Moth" and Dr. Mei~ Thank you for providing me with a perfect reason, a perfect, usable "excuse."]

["Everything is for humanity," ah… what a perfect excuse~ As long as you act around this point, you will never have any doubts, and you will always find reasons to convince yourself, after all…]

There was mockery in its voice, it turned its gun, and then... bang!

[Everything is for humanity～]

Another person fell.

[And then... I want to thank the "Fire Moth," not only the high-level people in front of me but also those grassroots humans, those stupid people.]

[Just because of such a small doubt, just because of such a small suspicion, all the good deeds and achievements that a person had done in the past were ignored and swept into the corner of memory.]

[That's right~ I'm talking about "Nozomi," who was expelled and banished by you.]

Bang!

Another shot.

"So... the matter with Nozomi back then... was directed by you?"

As if to add to the drama, it used the radio to broadcast someone's mumblings.

[It can't be counted completely~]

It is very frank about this.

[Because I know that as long as the so-called "evidence" is sufficient, you will fall into speculation, right? Isn't this what you are best at? To suspect in order to protect yourself?]

[So, I just need to give it a gentle push.]

Bang!

[Showing the "evidence" to the so-called senior officials.]

Bang!

[They will raise doubts themselves and then spread their doubts to you.]

Bang!

[Then at this time, I will pull some people together to show my strong support for Nozomi...]

Its words were gradually filled with smiles and gradually filled with pride. Even without seeing its face, one could imagine its arrogant and sarcastic smile.

[The loss of control over the "Fire Moth," the threat of the suspected Herrscher, Nozomi's own huge influence... Under the accumulation of various emotions, these so-called high-level officials will be determined to eliminate Nozomi, or at least expel him.]

[Then... they will find a way for me to exile him, Nozomi, the "traitor," and imprison him.]

Bang!

[At the same time, they will also find ways for me to change your thinking... little by little, spread doubts and suspicions in your hearts, and then fertilize and water them for you, so that the doubts will germinate and grow, and finally, under your imagination... complete the exile of Nozomi.]

[And the cause of all this stems from a very simple reason... He is a "Herrscher." Oh no... Please allow me to be more rigorous... He may become a "Herrscher."]

Bite—

A crisp sound was heard in the picture... it was the sound of the metal pull ring falling to the ground.

[Then, you will help me expel him with the reasons that "everything is for humanity" and "the Herrscher must be eliminated."]

A black object was thrown out... it was a grenade.

[Throughout the whole process, I didn't need to do anything, nor did I need any guidance. I just needed to express my support for Nozomi, because you guys will help me handle everything, right?]

Boom!!!

Roar and flames filled the screen... When the smoke cleared, all the senior executives were dead.

[Yes, you are right... It was you who drove Nozomi out and exiled him.]

[It was you who gave up "hope," you... everyone is wrong.]

[Oh, by the way, now that I have helped you deal with these cute and silly senior executives, it can be considered as revenge for you, right? After all, they were the ones who "cheated" you, and they were the ones who led you to exile Nozomi~ Don't you want to thank me a little?]

"......"

No one spoke.

[How rude... Never mind. I don't mind.]

[Oh, by the way, now, I have to thank Miss Vill-V~]

As if it had thought of something, it adjusted the picture slightly, and then a small frame appeared, showing... the [Fourth Divine Key]. From the angle of the picture, it seemed to be taken by the communication satellite newly launched by Vill-V.

What's worse is that the [Fourth Divine Key]... is now in the operation stage.

[Thank you for providing me with so many convenient killing weapons, and the super weapon of the Divine Key. Thank you so much~]

Snap, Snap——

The sound of rain outside suddenly became louder, and the wind also became violent... Obviously, it was using the [Divine Key] to change the weather.

[Now, let's see which city is so unlucky to be hit by the strong wind~]

After saying that, it deliberately brought out a small frame, showing a city shrouded in violent storms and heavy rain... It also deliberately kept changing the screen to show the panicked expressions of those affected by the disaster.

[Alright, alright~ Let's not worry about those dying people for now, let's get back to the topic just now… Oh, really, Miss Vill-V is not obedient? She actually wants to reverse invade or something… And Aponia, Dystopia… Ah, and Mr. Su, you don't have to worry about it~]

It readjusted the camera to bring its own face into the frame... At this moment, people saw its smile full of pride and mockery again.

[Have you forgotten? Those stupid "Fire Moth" leaders specially protected the safe house to guard against your mental detection ability~ That's why you can't find my location?]

[If you want to find me, um... I'll give you a little hint. Go find Miss Vill-V. She has the complete set of safe house addresses and architectural drawings. Go~ Find her~ That way you can find me~]

[Of course, you can also go to the database to look for it. I can guarantee that I have not modified the relevant information in it. You can also look for it one by one~]

Sizzle——

The picture was unstable for a moment.

[Oh, I've already told you, Miss Vill-V, you can't cheat, you can't pass on messages, you have to let them find you, otherwise this "game" won't be fun.]

It squinted its eyes, seeming a little unhappy, but soon returned to normal.

[Hey~ Look~ Someone else is leaving~ They are the fusion warriors who are worthy of respect but are regarded as "monsters" by the people~]

"......"

The fusion warriors who had finally broken through the blockade of the base and were planning to go out to rescue the city gritted their teeth, and without a reply, they rushed into the wind and rain in silence… Although all means of transportation were now unusable due to their control, their base was very close to the city, and it wouldn't take much time at their speed.

[Great, there is one more screen to play~]

It didn't mind it very much, it just shrunk the scene of the soldiers rescuing into a small frame and placed it in the corner, juxtaposed with the scene of the disaster-stricken city... It had a sense of contrast.

[Oh no... there are so many scenes to play~]

It called up several more pictures... those were scenes of fusion warriors walking out of the base and rushing to the town to rescue. At the same time, it also paid special attention to two pictures - Kevin and Kalpas.

[How interesting... The strongest Kevin, and the noisiest Kalpas... What's wrong? Why don't you ask Vill-V for the specific safe house? Maybe you can find a more accurate location?]

[Oh my, look at my memory... Vill-V is still in her "Spiral Workshop", which is an isolated island~ How can you get there without your aircraft~]

[Hahahaha… That's right, I did it on purpose. What can you do? Don't you still have to look for them one by one based on the data recorded in the database?]

[Ah... Of course~ During the process of you searching for me and conquering me... I have to cooperate a little and hinder you a little. Let me see... How about I release all the nuclear bombs you prepared? Hahahaha!!!]

Its laughter was still as crazy, as... mocking.

[Come on~ Make a careful choice, do you want to waste meaningless time looking for me~ or save the lives of those people in the city? Don't worry~ I will launch all the nuclear bombs at once, I won't hold back to disgust you~]

[Come on... make your choice~ See in your heart, is "suppressing the Herrscher" more important... or "protecting humanity" more important?]

"......"

Its words caused Kevin to hesitate for a moment. After discussing with his comrades, they deviated from the original trajectory and went to different cities... From the looks of it, it seemed that they were planning to stop the nuclear bomb.

That makes sense. As long as the operation is done properly, basically every fusion warrior has a way to stop the nuclear bomb, or at least detonate it in advance to prevent it from falling into the city... Especially Kevin, whether he can freeze it with ice or destroy it with "Judgment of Shamash," it will be fine.

However, Kalpas didn't care about that and went straight to the destination. He burned the door of the safe house, tore it open, and forced his way in. When he found that there was no target, he crashed into the wall and rushed to the next target point.

[Oh my~ It looks like everyone has different choices~]

Its voice was still relaxed as if it was not worried about being found, or perhaps... it was confident that it could finish what it had to do before being found.

[But... it's a pity~ I'm not the villain in third-rate novels, nor the villain in comics... How could I really be so kind as to explain my every move to you and give you a chance to save yourself?]

[I am the Herrscher who wants to destroy the world. Just like you said, I am the Herrscher who wants to destroy civilization.]

[So...]

Its words became meaningful.

At the same time, several small frames were enlarged and occupied the screen - they were Kevin and others after they separated. They had arrived at the towns they were heading to.

However, they just stood there in a daze, unable to move an inch.

[I dropped the nuclear bomb a long time ago~]

All that came into view were ruins, only... a broken earth.

[Just when I contacted you~]

Its voice was full of sarcasm.

[Hahahahahaha!!! This is so funny! So funny! Your expressions! Ah... they are really wonderful~ Your expressions!]

[And this power, my compatriot, its power is so strong, so fascinating~ As expected~ the power of this compatriot is really perfect for me!]

Sizzle——

The picture was briefly confused again but finally returned to normal.

[Ms. Vill-V, I appreciate your efforts, but unfortunately... it's useless? And I have to thank you for helping me prepare so many weapons so that I can kill you all.]

[Let me see, how many cities are left, 1, 2, 3... Hmm? How come there are still 6? Oh, it really is, he really protected you too well, there are so many left... Never mind, it doesn't matter if there are only a few left, next... let's start the most crucial scene!]

Its voice suddenly became extremely excited.

All other images were turned into small frames and placed in the corners, and the line of sight quickly shifted to space. This image made everyone's heart tighten... They had already guessed what it was going to do.

[Let's take a look, who is this?]

The picture stayed on a flying spacecraft for a while, and it even deliberately stayed on Eden's expectant smile for a long time, as if to let everyone remember her appearance at the moment.

[Oh~ It's the big star Eden~ Look at her expectant smile, she will soon be reunited with her lover, and then accompany her lover to the end... What a romantic thing~]

[But it's a pity~ She doesn't know anything at this moment, shh... Don't tell her what's going to happen next, okay? After all... Only a "surprise" created without anyone knowing will be more impressive~ Hahahaha...]

With a wanton smile, the scene continued to advance and arrived at the lunar base... or the place where Nozomi was imprisoned.

[Ah... Nozomi... "Hope"... What a good name~ What a kind person~ Even if you treat him like this, he is still trying to help you~ Even if a person is imprisoned on the moon, he can still smile~]

[Even I am a little moved by him like this~ I like him a little~]

[So~ I will give him a very good~ ending~]

[Hmm? Do you think I want to kill him? No, no, no... That's too tasteless...]

Its voice was full of laughter.

[I will fulfill his wish and let him help you... After all, he was really dazzling and beautiful at that time, wasn't he? His songs are also very beautiful, and I like them very much~]

[So... cough↑ cough↓!]

It adjusted its voice, and then... dialed the moon's communication and contacted Nozomi in front of everyone.

"...Hmm? Light? Long time no see~"

[Yeah, it's been a while... From what you see, you seem to be having a good time on the moon?]

Its voice was disguised perfectly... No, it shouldn't be considered a disguise, it just restored Light's original way of speaking and tone.

"Yes~ After all, I still have the singing to keep me company~ But... why is it you who is communicating this time? Is there anything for me to help?"

[Is it not possible for me to chat with you?]

　　"Of course!"

　　[Haha~ Don't worry, I don't mean to complain to you... It's just that Dr. Mei has something to deal with recently, so she is not free... I will take advantage of this time to contact you quietly~ I want to talk to you so that you won't be lonely, right?]

　　"I'm not alone, okay? Besides my songs, I now have a little one to keep me company. Look!"

　　Nozomi said this and held a small doll in his arms.

　　It was a puppet with long straight black hair, eyes as blue as the sea, wearing a white Gothic skirt with red spots, a big bow tied at the waist, black leather boots on the feet, and a black top hat on the head. She looked like an elegant musician.

　　"I've already done it. Although it hasn't woken up yet, I tried singing in front of it. I also played a few violin pieces. I don't know if it will still remember them after it wakes up... If I have to make an analogy, it's probably similar to [prenatal education]?"

　　[Hahaha...your words are really interesting.]

　　"I originally wanted to tell Dr. Mei this good news..."

　　[It seems like I knew it in advance?]

　　"Don't tell her secretly, okay?"

　　[Hahaha... I won't, in exchange...]

　　It fell into a brief thought, and the expression on its face became hesitant, but in the end, it still spoke to Nozomi.

　　[Can I ask you for a favor?]

　　Please, don't agree, please... absolutely don't agree...

　　Although no one knew what it wanted to do, the others who witnessed all this, those who could not speak, were praying silently in their hearts.

　　Only Dr. Mei and others who knew the truth pursed their lips unwillingly... because they all knew what the final result would be.

　　"Sure~"

　　he didn't even ask what was needed, just smiled and nodded in agreement.

　　he... didn't refuse.

　　[We have been... it has been raining recently. This abnormal weather is obviously not right. Dr. Mei has been busy because of this matter. I thought...you seemed to have shown the ability to control water before, so I wanted to ask you for help...If you need anything, you can tell me directly. If it is too difficult, then forget it.]

　　It said this, acting so conspicuously that the others felt annoyed and anxious.

　　"It's been...raining?"

　　Nozomi tilted her head in some confusion.

　　Is it Skadi who is controlling it? Or... is it the [Mother]?

　　If that's the case, I really need some help to prevent [Blood Relatives] from being attacked... Just appease them a little.

　　"I understand. I will help~ Yeah... and it's not something that's too difficult~"

　　Nozomi smiled happily, put the puppet aside, and spoke softly.

　　"I don't need anything... After all, my [singing] is pretty good~"

　　"Then... I'll leave it to you."

　　"Okay~"

　　Its tone was sincere, full of pleading and requesting, and after receiving Nozomi's affirmative answer, it also interrupted the communication.

　　However, Nozomi's image did not disappear. Instead, it occupied half of the screen, allowing others to watch. On the other half of the screen, it regained its original... sarcastic smile.

　　[Hehe...Hahahaha!!! Look~ Even at this point, he's still willing to help you~]

　　["Ah, by the way, I know what you want to ask... That's right~ It was me~ who made his lose the ability to refuse~ So no matter what, as long as you ask him and give enough reasons, he will agree~"]

　　[It's just that~ you guys didn't notice at all hahahahaha!!! It's because you've long been accustomed to his help and have long taken his attitude for granted, so you didn't notice at all~]

　　Then, it sighed again and said with regret.

　　[What a shame. I thought there would be some idiot who would let him commit suicide. After all, he could become a Herrscher. What a shame, he didn't die.]

　　[But...it doesn't matter~ It's okay now~]

　　It admired Nozomi as he sorted things in the lunar base, watched his preserve everything he owned, and watched him walk with ease toward the direction he intended to go.

　　Then, at this moment, it suddenly said.

　　[You say, if ~ you let him use your weapons while helping you and singing for you...]

　　A small frame appeared, showing the "Moonlight Throne" battleship moving slowly.

　　[If I kill him...]

　　The muzzle of the gun slowly turned towards Nozomi's direction.

　　[What do you think... Nozomi would think?]

　　[And Miss Eden, who knew nothing about this, but witnessed his lover being murdered with her own eyes...what would she think~]

　　[It's really exciting~]

Its sound is full of evil, but the picture it describes is particularly chilling.

　　[Speaking of which, a sudden "judgment" is a bit too much, so... let's just give a little "preview"]

　　With a malicious laugh, it slowly controlled everything, or to be more precise, it controlled everything on the lunar base.

　　All the backup plans that Mei had left to deal with Nozomi had now become its tools and instruments to help it.

　　But... in a sense, it is still helping humans~

　　After all, it was just taking advantage of the situation to fulfill mankind's expectations and conform to mankind's ideas to... [attack] Nozomi.

　　————————

　　"…Huh?"

　　Nozomi, who had just reached the center of the base, was suddenly stunned because the entire base... was folding, shrinking, and hiding.

　　In the end, he was the only one left here.

　　The warm light of the past has disappeared, leaving only the darkness and coldness of space.

　　All the objects that he once treasured were taken away, and he couldn't see them at all.

　　Now, only his location remained - a place for viewing the Earth.

　　'The target here is the coordinate, it is... the place for them to aim at' - Nozomi realized this immediately.

　　"It looks like the time for the [Curtain Call] is coming soon..."

　　His tone suddenly became lost, and his star-like eyes became dim.

　　"It is time for me, the Herrscher, to conquer."

　　His words were recorded by it, and gently transmitted to the ears of the people on the ground, but they... could not say anything to him.

　　How ironic, how ridiculous.

　　Among all the depressed and angry emotions, it was the only one that could still smile, and only the unaware Eden was looking forward to it.

　　"sigh..."

　　Nozomi sighed again.

　　'Although I had foreseen this outcome, I am still a little scared when facing this ending...'

　　he looked up and saw the beautiful blue star.

　　He was not angry, nor resentful, nor even... resistant.

　　He didn't think of escaping or fighting back, he just... smiled softly.

　　Everything... is for humanity.

　　But before leaving, he...has one more song to give you.

　　Because we promised to help solve the problem of rainwater on the ground.

　　"Hiss… huh…"

　　He closed his eyes and adjusted his breathing. What came to his mind were all the things he had experienced with them and all the beauty and love he had received during this experience.

　　Father Enrique, Sister Teresa, the teachers who helped him; Li, Yin and everyone who cared about him; and most importantly, Sakura and... Eden.

　　He is...very happy.

　　When he opened my eyes, those eyes sparkled like stars in the night, carrying with them a deep attachment and a gentleness like water and wind.

　　He was smiling, still smiling.

　　'In the end, in this [Curtain Call] song, let me... try to give it my best.'

　　His power began to flow. The golden light was like silk and stream. The golden notes quietly emerged and leaped, giving the invisible song a visible form. And then... it floated gently through the dark and cold space, towards the beautiful blue star.

　　'I give this [song]... to this world that loves me.'

　　Then, his voice rang out softly, crossing the vast distance, passing through the area where sound could not pass, and falling on the blue planet.

　　"As I held my tiny knees, In this silent empty room~"

　　"From the window tightly shut, I could see the sky begin to cry~"

　　"With a shaking little voice, I was calling for you again~"

　　"I'll try making this the last time that I repeat your dearest name~"

　　The singing was gentle, yet with a hint of sadness... That was an emotion that was hard to feel from Nozomi, an emotion that many people had never noticed from him.

　　'Sadness... ah... yes, how can someone always be happy? How can someone always be so gentle? It's just... I don't show my sadness.'

　　Even so, even at this point, Nozomi was still willing to help them, to help with all his might... even though from Nozomi's perspective, they were the ones who wanted to kill him.

　　'But...it's okay, really, it's okay...I am "hope" ~ right?'

　　He was immersed in his own song, singing loudly, dissolving all his emotions, his strength, and everything he had into the song.

　　'I will dissolve everything I have into song, and dedicate everything I have to this world that loves me, and to all the people who love me.'

　　Nozomi smiled and was still smiling, with incomparable determination in his eyes.

　　'Everything is for... [Humanity].'

　　It was also at this moment that his eyes were completely filled with gold, shining like stars.

　　————————

　　[Entry: Final Herrscher (Gold), special conditions met, now in effect!]

　　[You have become the "Final Herrscher"! ]

　　[Entry: The Flower of Humanity (Purple), the triggering conditions have been met, and it has taken effect! ]

　　[You retain control of yourself! ]

　　————————

　　[Hahaha!!! Look~ This is your "hope". Even at this point, even if he finds out that you are going to "attack" him, he is still willing to help you... Listen, this song full of hope, this song full of tenderness... This is the "hope" you have given up! You gave up on yourselves! ]

　　Its voice is full of arrogance and ridicule.

　　[Oh my, my... Kalpas, you are still looking for me~ It's really a waste of time and effort~]

　　"Shut up!!! Herrscher! I will tear you to pieces!!!"

　　[Hahaha~ I'm looking forward to it~]

　　Hmm~

　　It is Nozomi's singing that flows.

　　[Ah... Ugh... Damn it... Shouldn't you die?! ]

　　In the picture, its expression suddenly became ferocious, as if it was fighting against something.

　　Sizzle——

　　As a result, the picture began to become unstable.

　　[How could I... let you hurt him...]

　　It was the voice and tone of [Light]. At this moment, its body seemed to be fought over by two beings. The hand holding the gun slowly raised up, while the other hand held it down with all its strength.

"No... No... I don't want to die yet..."

But unfortunately, the gun finally hit its chin, and then... BANG!!!

Sizzle——

The picture became distorted for a moment, and when it became clear again, all one could see was it lying on the table, with blood flowing... The surroundings became silent for a moment, with only Nozomi's singing as the voice.

Sizzle——

The picture was confused again, but what was finally presented was its smiling face.

"How was my performance just now? Did it make you feel a little lucky~ Hahahahaha!!!"

(TL: you got me)

"Lurcher...Lurcher!!!"

"Hehe...hahaha...hahahahaha!!! Very good! Congratulations!!! Herrscher! You...are worth killing!!!"

["I am looking forward to the moment when you find me~"]

Its voice is still lighthearted, even undisguisedly sarcastic.

["Let's give it a try~ Kalpas, try to…save Nozomi~"]

————————

"It's the path we used to take, spreading out before my eyes~"

"I won't let the pouring rain wash away your colors left behind~"

The singing continues, and the golden notes, riding on the light, float toward the beautiful planet, slowly covering and enveloping it.

The azure color with a hint of golden red that was faintly visible on the surface of the planet was gradually enveloped by his singing.

That strange and beautiful [pattern] was also quietly changing.

He opened his eyes slightly, and in Nozomi's sight... her figure vaguely appeared.

It was a cyan figure, with long emerald hair like the green leaves in the forest, hair accessories like flowers on the treetops, six pure white wings with a hint of cyan, and... double [rings] hanging above her head.

She came gently in front of him, with a smile as warm as the breeze, her eyes full of tenderness and care.

Nozomi knew who she was.

"Youngster..."

This time, her voice was no longer unclear... Perhaps out of consideration for Nozomi, she did not use a language that Nozomi could not understand.

"Is it really worth it? Give everything for them?"

She asked softly.

'Certainly.'

Nozomi smiled.

"Even if it ends like this?"

She asked again.

'Um.'

Nozomi was still smiling.

"I see… Thank you for your hard work~"

Her voice lightened, becoming cheerful.

She walked forward gently, hugged Nozomi, folded her six wings, and gently wrapped Nozomi.

"Call me sister and I will help you, youngster"

She spoke in a light tone, talking about very strange topics, which made people a little confused for a moment.

'Help me, sister.'

"very good~"

Her voice was filled with joy, and her figure turned into starlight and quietly dissipated.

Then...

Pure white wings spread out behind him.

A strange [Ring] hung above his head.

The pupils filled with gold... have never changed, they are filled with attachment, tenderness, and... reluctance.

————————

Sizzle——

There are some problems with its graphics again.

"Oh, I've already told you, Miss Vill-V... Stop wasting your time... Besides, haven't you always wanted to 'defeat' him? I'm helping you~ Instead of fighting with me here, why don't you think about how to save others? Isn't that good?"

Sizzle——

"Hey hey...you...tsk...really interesting, your backdoor...I didn't even find it?"

There was some confusion and surprise in its voice.

"Of course! Don't you see who I am? I am Vill-V! [Great Magician] Vill-V!"

Then, Vill-V's voice sounded.

'Wait... this isn't right... this isn't right! Vill-V! This is a trap! Don't fall for it! This is a trap!!!'

Some people have already realized this, but... their voices... cannot be transmitted... Even Vill-V herself did not realize that her voice was broadcast, otherwise she would have realized it.

'No... that's not right! It was it! It deliberately didn't let Vill-V hear the sound of her being broadcast!'

'Damn it… Damn it!!!'

"Hey, hey! Stop it, the most important scene is almost here, stop messing around... And didn't you spend a lot of effort to build the 'Moonlight Throne'? Don't you feel bad about destroying it like this?"

There was dissuasion in its voice.

But Vill-V didn't care and resolutely activated the backdoor she left behind... Even if she had to destroy the "Moonlight Throne", she couldn't let it succeed now!!!

Then...

The shrill alarm and the eye-catching scarlet color enveloped Vill-V and filled the entire "Spiral Workshop".

"Hahahahahahaha!!! You really pressed it! Vill-V! You really pressed it!!!"

In front of Vill-V, the chaotic screen displayed not a self-destruction program, but... a program for accumulating energy and launching an attack.

"Congratulations... Thank you... Miss Vill-V~"

At this moment, everyone thought of one thing, or rather... one thing that they subconsciously ignored.

As a being that possesses the [Twelfth Herrscher Core] and can paralyze and control all existing human programs and instruments in a short period of time... how could it be interfered with by Vill-V again and again?

"Congratulations..."

The signs of being disturbed that it had deliberately shown several times before were just to make people ignore this fact, to make people think that there was still a possibility of a counterattack, and to make Vill-V feel that she could save something.

"Killed Nozomi/Hope with your own hands, Vill-V."

"Hahahahaha!!!"

"......"

Inside the Spiral Workshop, all that was left was the echoing alarm, the scarlet light that filled the space, and... Vill-V collapsed on the ground.

————————

"If you'll let me see the blue sky one more time~"

"I can try to put a smile on my face~"

"As if you were here~"

'Are they ready to...attack?'

Looking at the "Moonlight Throne" in the distance that was gathering energy, Nozomi adjusted his breath slightly.

'Really... How can I still be tired when I'm already a Herrscher... Or have I used up too much energy? Yeah... That's right, covering the entire planet with songs... is a bit too difficult for me right now.'

'But... even though I'm this weak, I should still be [defeated], right?'

'And... I still did it.'

Nozomi's mouth corners slightly raised.

"This time, I changed the [ending]..."

'Very nice.'

Nozomi thought so.

At this moment, flowers were blooming beneath him.

At this moment, the stars are twinkling around him.

The golden light carried the golden notes, building a "bridge" in the dark space, connecting him with the earth.

And all of this happened to overlap with Griseo's paintings.

'If Griseo saw this, she would definitely be very happy.'

'Very nice.'

Nozomi thought so.

"As if you were here~"

He raised his head and looked at the beautiful and gorgeous planet again. There, on the surface of the planet, there were no longer any strange [patterns], only... his [song] flowing.

Very nice.

"So won't you please~"

Nozomi slowly withdrew his gaze, with relief and joy.

But at this moment, he felt something, and his sight shifted unconsciously, looking towards the dark space.

At this moment, he was extremely grateful for his eyesight, which allowed him to see her from such a long distance and find her figure so accurately.

It's... Eden...

There was panic and confusion in her eyes, and she seemed to have no idea why she had become in this situation... She could only instantly unfold her "artificial Honkai" appearance and forcibly break the spacecraft, not caring whether she could withstand the coldness of space, or whether she could adapt to the environment of space.

At this moment... she just wanted to be by his side.

'So beautiful...'

Looking at the huge, beautiful, shining whale that was transformed from Eden, Nozomi sighed in his heart.

'Sure enough, Eden is the most beautiful.'

Nozomi smiled.

'As expected, I like Eden the most.'

Smiling happily.

'it's really great to meet you, to like you, to... fall in love with you, and to be loved by you...'

Nozomi withdrew his gaze as if he had made some kind of decision.

"Rain rain go away~"

Immediately, the light fell and submerged his figure.

His [Song] also paused briefly at this moment, and then... a stronger melody broke out, and numerous notes and light scattered, flowing upstream along the light, leaving the last touch to the [Song] flowing on the surface of the blue planet.

As the light gradually fades away.

When everything returns to silence.

He... Nozomi's figure had also disappeared.

Only the notes that refuse to leave this place are left, only the brilliance that refuses to fade away is left, and... the blooming flowers and the twinkling stars.

Sizzle——

That was not the sound coming from the disordered picture, but another more piercing sound, as if something was burned through, or something was torn apart.

[Hahahaha~ Look! Look! This is it! The "ending" that you chose with your own hands! Destroy him with your own hands! Destroy your "hope"!]

Sizzle——

[Oh, that's too bad, Kalpas finally found me~ But unfortunately, you're too late! Hahahaha!!!]

[Well... finally, let me tell you some "good news"~]

bite--

It pulled a grenade.

[Logically, Aponia had foreseen this, but she did nothing and let it all happen.]

[Elysia is also the same~ There is something wrong with her identity~ Go find her physical examination report, you will find some problems~]

[Hehe...hahaha! You thought about it, right? You definitely thought about it just now, right? Hahaha! You would rather believe me, your enemy, than your own companions?! Hahahaha!!!]

Its laughter is full of derision.

[Well...goodbye, everyone. My mission is complete~]

boom!

The grenade in its hand blew its body into pieces.

"Herrscher!!!"

At the same time, Kalpas rushed in, but could only look at its broken body and roar.

"You! Deserve! Die!"

The voice was full of sadness.