Chapter 025 : The Storm of Public Opinion and... Humanity's Master of Negotiation Failures

The world of Honkai Impact 3rd is cruel.

Because hundreds of millions of ordinary people have no means to resist the various natural and man-made disasters caused by the "Honkai."

The world of Honkai Impact 3rd is also beautiful.

Because...

Some people, no matter how much damage they've caused in the past, no matter what karma or sins they carry...

They always have the chance to start over, to the envy of others.

Or... they can fulfill their dreams and satisfy their obsessions.

Is this fair?

Obviously...

"In any world, true fairness doesn't exist."

"Those who receive preferential treatment are usually the strong."

In the Dominator Theater, Ling ke coldly stated his conclusion.

******

A few days later...

"This is a live report from Tokyo."

"As you can see, riots have broken out on the streets..."

Boom!

"Earlier shocking revelations have driven angry citizens to take to the streets, expressing their shock and dissatisfaction by setting government buildings on fire."

At Schicksal Headquarters, in a certain rest room.

Kiana was sitting in front of a personal console, watching the live news broadcast on the screen, her heart filled with mixed emotions.

In the footage, the camera switched to a massive protest march.

People were holding banners, chanting in unison:

"Eliminate the Herrschers! Give us back our homes."

"Eliminate the Herrschers! Give us back our homes."

Upon closer inspection, among the banners and flags held high by many ordinary citizens, there were images of several familiar faces...

Ling ke, Mei, and... herself.

However, the images were either crossed out with a big "×" or covered in venomous curses.

Some were even being burned in the streets.

Not only that...

"Disband Schicksal!"

"Punish Anti-Entropy!"

"Put World Serpent on trial!"

"Reckless with human lives!"

"Crimes against humanity!"

"The international community doesn't need these pests!"

The symbols of the three major anti-Honkai organizations were also targets of public criticism.

In Europe, West Asia, and North America, the criticism is directed at "Schicksal".

In the Far East, Singapore, and other countries, the condemnation is "Anti-Entropy".

As for World Serpent...

When the truth of Sky City was revealed, and people learned that its subsidiary, "Shenzhou Pharmaceuticals," had attempted to use an entire city's population as test subjects...

The Chinese government issued a formal protest.

Now, billions of people around the world knew.

What had caused the "Berlin Fire" decades ago.

What had caused the "Meteor Disaster" over a decade ago.

What had caused the "Collapse of Nagazora City" a few years ago.

And what had led to the ongoing "Global Hunt" operation.

Are Herrschers the enemies of humanity?

Yes!

But how are Herrschers born?

They are born from the arrogance and malice of certain unscrupulous scum.

People now know about the test subject named "Sirin."

They know about the pawn named "Raiden Mei."

And they know about Ling ke's past.

The video archives stored at the West Asia branch, documenting the experiments, have been made public.

Now, everyone in the world knows.

Why Ling ke harbors such hatred for all of humanity.

Some people have begun to understand him.

Of course, others would gladly say: Serves him right.

Because these people... their loved ones or close friends have recently died in Ling ke's "Global Hunt" operation.

Without a doubt, Ling ke himself clearly doesn't care about these curses.

Because after becoming a Herrscher, he has always been very clear about his position.

No matter what, even without considering the identity of the "Herrscher of Domination," the five words "World-Ending Player" are enough to describe everything.

But compared to him...

Whether it's Kiana, Mei, or even Schicksal, Anti-Entropy, and World Serpent...

The pressure they face is much greater than Ling ke's.

Because Ling ke is already the enemy of all humanity.

While they, the ones trying to protect humanity, are being attacked crazily, venting their anger by the very people they are trying to save.

"Sigh~"

Kiana rubbed her head and turned off the video in front of her.

She wanted to get up and go out for a walk.

Hopefully... she wouldn't run into Otto.

Yes.

Even though the three factions have now formed an alliance, she still doesn't want to see that face.

If it weren't for him, Teacher Himeko wouldn't have...

"Teacher Himeko!"

Thinking of that fiery red figure, Kiana's mood sank even lower.

Her whereabouts are still unknown.

(TL/N: Perhaps dead 😏)

And according to the leader of World Serpent, Kevin Kaslana, the chances of her survival are extremely slim, almost zero.

"Teacher Himeko, I hope you're okay!"

"I..."

As she walked out of her room alone, already unsettled, Kiana suddenly heard... another video broadcast from next door.

"Good morning, afternoon, and evening, dear viewers and listeners."

"I'm your most truthful broadcast host—Donny Vermillion."

"Once again, it is I who will reveal the truths hidden in the shadows in recent years..."

Kiana stopped in her tracks.

Her neighbor was Mei.

She now dares not to directly approach this friend.

Because recently, Raiden Mei's personal state has been very off.

Even though her father, Raiden Ryoma, has been placed under the protection of the three major organizations, it remains the same.

It seems that the incident on the deck of the Hyperion and the recent pressure from public opinion have greatly affected her.

As for the broadcast that the latter is watching...

Donny Vermillion.

A mysterious person whose past identity information cannot be found by any of the three major organizations: Schicksal, Anti-Entropy, and World Serpent.

Our side further infers that this person is most likely a subordinate of Ling ke.

It is he who has suddenly become active in front of everyone worldwide in recent days, disclosing various secrets related to the "Honkai."

During this period, Donny Vermillion's personal account, live streams, and even the portal website and forum he established...

All of these, no matter how hard the top information technology personnel within the three major organizations try, cannot be shut down or closed.

It is precisely because of his frenzied revelations that the current storm of public opinion in the international community has become so terrifying.

Now, Donny Vermillion's attention has reached hundreds of millions.

Every one of his live streams and recordings is watched by millions.

It can be said that as long as this man sits in his studio, he is the most eye-catching heat.

Today...

"Today, I will bring you, my dear audience, a piece of unverified gossip."

"Yes, you heard it right, I need to emphasize again, this news has not been confirmed by any parties involved, whether it is true or false, please judge for yourselves."

Outside the door, Kiana begins to prick up her ears to listen.

As far as she knows, if Donny Vermillion is not talking about a 100% verified truth, he will always preface with such a statement.

Many people say he is quite rigorous.

This further enhances the credibility of the information he reveals.

And now...

"It is said that more than ten years ago, during the outbreak of the 'Second Honkai' in Siberia, the leader of Anti-Entropy, 'Welt Yang,' faced the Second Herrscher multiple times."

"It is undeniable that he, who inherited the will and power of the previous Herrscher of Reason, did sacrifice and contribute a lot in the process of repeated battles."

"But at that time, he might have made a judgment that, in terms of its impact on later generations, was quite wrong."

In the broadcast, Donny Vermillion is very skilled at stirring the emotions of the audience.

His tone of speech is quite proficient in using cadence.

And it is in this state...

"I have previously disclosed that in earlier years, Sirin... that is, the later Herrscher of the Void, was tortured in the Schicksal's privately established 'Babylon Labs.'"

"She herself was in unbearable pain, and her friends around her were successively used as expendables, dying tragically."

"Yet those inhumane researchers said: These orphans should feel honored to sacrifice for the Valkyries, for Schicksal."

"So, when she became the Second Herrscher, the first thing she thought of was actually: to take revenge on 'Schicksal,' to take revenge on all Valkyries."

"At that time, she didn't even know the name of her greatest enemy, the Archbishop of Schicksal."

"However, during a battle with the Second Herrscher, Mr. Welt passionately said two sentences to her—"

"I, Welt, challenge you on behalf of humanity."

"God! Test whether humanity has the qualification to survive."

"Since then, Sirin's target of revenge expanded from just 'Schicksal' to all of humanity."

(TL/N: whoaaa..)

Hearing this...

"..."

Kiana, with her ear against the door, falls silent.

Because, in her mind...

"Hmph, that's about right☆."

The person involved actually gave an affirmative answer.