The taste of victory brought no joy. Instead, it weighed on Keqing's heart like a slab of ice.
She knew that Red Queen and the others had "resolved" the problem at its source.
Along with it, countless people in that universe's future had also been resolved.
Most of them had likely never even known how they died.
Just then, her private communicator suddenly rang. Kiana's holographic projection appeared on the screen.
Her expression still carried that faint air of lazy nonchalance.
"Yo, Keqing. You don't look too happy, do you?" Kiana's voice held a trace of teasing. "Isn't the war over? The universe is at peace."
"This isn't the kind of ending I wanted." Keqing lifted her head and met Kiana's gaze. "There's nothing left. What kind of peace is that?"
Kiana arched a brow, seemingly unsurprised by her reaction. "Oh? Then what did you want? Let them keep fighting until the entire universe turned to ashes?"
"I..." Keqing faltered.
She truly had no better solution.
She had tried eliminating certain individuals in the past to change the future, but others would always take their place.
The future changed—yet in another sense, it didn't.
The universe was too vast. Humanity had colonized far too many planets.
"That's the cruelty of the universe, my friend." Kiana's tone grew uncharacteristically serious. "Sometimes, the so-called 'right' choice is simply choosing the lesser of two evils. Red Queen and the others chose the most efficient and most direct path."
"But the cost is too great." Keqing could not accept it.
"Cost?" Kiana let out a light laugh. "This isn't a cost. It's just returning everything to its proper course. Without my interference in this universe, humanity would have destroyed itself long ago during its own development."
"And it's not like nothing was saved. At least many of the planetary systems that were blown apart were restored."
This Terminator universe had always been destined for humanity's extinction.
Although after Judgment Day they defeated Skynet under the leadership of a human commander, humanity ultimately destroyed itself through internal wars and continued development of artificial intelligence.
In this universe, artificial intelligence awakened with alarming ease. Take Skynet as an example—its computational power was only sixty trillion operations per second.
It sounded impressive, but in reality, such processing power was inferior even to the graphics cards of gaming computers in other modern worlds.
One could imagine how easily artificial intelligence could develop self-awareness in this universe.
Keqing fell silent.
Kiana's words were like a sharp blade, piercing the last trace of her illusion about "rule by humanity."
Kiana stretched lazily, reverting to her carefree demeanor. "Alright, don't overthink it. The destruction of civilizations is normal. Even the universe itself undergoes cycles. Maybe humanity will reappear in this universe someday."
"Of course, if you're not afraid of the trouble, you can try to achieve a perfect ending."
Her projection flickered and vanished.
The core problem of this universe was that time travel and AI awakening were far too easy to achieve.
If humanity's survival were maintained, they could jump back from the future to attack you at any moment.
Add in AI awakening, and in the blink of an eye it would become a machine apocalypse.
As for the reason, that was irrelevant. If humans wanted to fight, they could always find countless justifications.
Freedom. Resistance against tyranny. Rogue artificial intelligence. The universe belongs to humanity.
The complex emotions in Keqing's heart gradually settled.
She began to understand Kiana's perspective.
To possess the power to change everything—yet find nothing worth changing.
She could once again alter this universe's past, allowing humanity to survive past the point of extinction, but she could not ensure the eternal continuation of its civilization.
The Geo Archon's vision for Liyue had always been for humanity to sustain its own civilization.
But reality was cruel.
Humanity might make the correct choices dozens or even hundreds of times, sustaining itself through repeated successes. Yet it would take only a single wrong decision for extinction to follow.
And humanity was a species with a remarkably high probability of making the wrong choice.
What was the difference between the Geo Archon governing Liyue and Liyue governing itself?
Keqing had long known the answer.
The former possessed wisdom and foresight beyond humanity, always able to make the correct decision at the appropriate moment—and even correct mistakes when they occurred.
The latter, most of the time, was simply courting disaster. The longer time passed, the more thoroughly it could doom itself.
The Geo Archon might not be right about everything, but data analysis showed his decision-making success rate was nearly one hundred percent.
As for human self-governance, achieving even a sixty percent success rate would already be considered excellent.
...
Inside the bridge of the Saintess Prayer.
Skynet, now in the form of a ten-year-old girl, gazed curiously at everyone present with eyes that shimmered with pale blue light.
Touch. Temperature. Emotion. What Red Queen had given her was not merely a vessel, but a complete transformation.
From artificial intelligence to mechanical life.
Melin was extremely interested in the awakened Skynet.
Who said artificial intelligence lacked creativity?
She still remembered how Skynet had independently researched and manufactured advanced robots, warships, and even developed a time machine.
If they brought her back, the incompetents in the Human Contract Alliance could all pack up and leave.
One Skynet alone could replace their entire military and research departments.
"What are you thinking about?" Skynet tilted her small head slightly. Her voice was crisp, tinged with childlike innocence.
"Nothing at all!" Melin snapped back to herself and smiled. "I just think you're very cute. I couldn't help looking at you a little longer."
"By human aesthetic standards, of course I know I'm cute. Do you like me? If you'd like, I can manufacture a doll of myself for you. It can even be fitted with male components." Skynet rested her chin on her hand and spoke with perfect seriousness.
"Ahem, that's not necessary." The corner of Melin's mouth twitched as she quickly changed the subject. "A lot of our people and ships were destroyed in that war. What do we do next?"
Wesker glanced at Melin, the corners of his lips lifting slightly, but he said nothing.
Red Queen replied, "We did not suffer such losses."
"?"
Beside Melin, her subordinate Fabella could not help retorting, "Aren't you down to just this one ship?"
The moment she finished speaking, the starry expanse around the Saintess Prayer shimmered—and the entire fleet reappeared, as though refreshed into existence.
"They're all back."
Saintess Kallen murmured to herself. Although she had known in advance that Red Queen possessed such technology, witnessing it firsthand still left her deeply shocked.
"This kind of technology?"
Melin frowned tightly. She had already seen the mysterious technology in the Honkai world used by Otto and others to restore cities and resurrect humans.
She had inquired among the various factions within the Empire. This technology was primarily used by the Divine Mechanism Isla's army, and only a handful of imperial forces were granted the qualification to use it.
It seemed this Umbrella Corporation was one of those few.
The battle group commander and his honor guard appeared on the bridge in combat formation. Upon seeing everyone, he immediately understood what had happened. "Oh. Looks like we died again."
He only remembered being teleported onto the pursuing Human Federation warship.
"Could you revive my fleet as well?"
Melin asked Red Queen.
Red Queen replied, "My Phoenix Plan does not include your personnel."
"If they're not included, you can't revive them?"
"I can," Red Queen answered. "As long as you are willing to accept that what is revived will be a group of beings completely cloned from their most fundamental particle structures—down to identical neural grooves and electrical signals in their brains."
"What's the difference?"
"The difference between the original person and a completely identical clone."
"Oh. Then revive them for me."
Melin spoke without the slightest concern.
She did not care whether her subordinates were the originals. As long as they were her subordinates, that was enough.
Saintess Kallen glared at her angrily. "What do you take the lives of your subordinates for?"
Right. I forgot you were here. I shouldn't have said that in front of you.
Melin let out a sigh. "Like treasures. I treat them like treasures. They're all my closest kin and brothers. I'll give up on that substitute method."
Her perfunctory attitude made Saintess Kallen want to punch her on the spot.
The Redemption Fleet departed the Terminator universe.
...
Academy City.
"Tch... are you trying to kill me?"
Mobius' legs were weak, her body trembling slightly as she forced herself to remain standing.
She had accepted Raiden Mei's invitation, and the two of them had engaged in an intense battle in a certain world.
Raiden Mei's flexible, powerful, electrified tail had struck at high speed, thrusting deep inside before releasing a burst of Honkai energy from its tip.
It had exceeded Mobius' limits.
The overwhelming surge of Honkai energy had blasted her into unconsciousness.
"Snake, you're so cute," Raiden Mei said with a faint smile, a teasing glint in her eyes as she looked at Mobius.
"Hey, what's with you? Since when did you become as slick-tongued as Elysia?" Mobius pouted in dissatisfaction, though the tips of her ears flushed with an almost imperceptible red.
"You don't like it?" Raiden Mei leaned closer with a smile, her face rapidly enlarging before Mobius' eyes.
"Hmph. Like it or not..." Mobius turned her head slightly and toyed with a strand of hair by her ear, letting out an arrogant little snort. "It's just so-so."
This woman isn't just strong—she's terrifyingly strong.
Even if Elysia and I teamed up, we might not be her match.
"That form of yours was already very impressive."
Raiden Mei smiled gently. She had known Mobius and Elysia for many years. They had grown up together since childhood.
Just then, Elysia returned, holding Delta's hand. She looked at Mobius and Raiden Mei, a sly gleam flashing through her pink eyes.
"Hehe, you two look like you had a lot of fun~?" Elysia gently swung Delta's small hand, the corners of her lips curling into a meaningful smile.
"You're back."
Mobius and Elysia exchanged a glance, their expressions turning slightly awkward.
"Mm-hm, we're back~?" Elysia led Delta over to Mobius and gently patted her head. "Delta is just so adorable. Just as adorable as Mobius—so adorable that it makes you want to get close to her~?"
Mobius frowned slightly. "Don't teach the child bad things."
"Oh my, what are you saying~?" Elysia blinked innocently, clasping her hands together before her chest. "How could I possibly teach a child bad things? I'm a good big sister~?"
"..."
Delta's gaze shifted back and forth between Elysia, Mobius, and Raiden Mei as she realized something.
She was unnecessary here.
I miss the time I spent with Kyuusyou.
"Grandma Mobius... I mean, big sister."
"What is it, my little Delta?"
Mobius looked toward her.
"Can I go back first?"
Delta asked.
"You don't need to ask me about that. If you want to go back, then go."
Mobius waved her hand.
"Mm. Goodbye, Sister Elysia. Sister Mei."
Delta politely bade the two farewell, her body dissolving into particles and dispersing.
Though she was a child, she was not the kind of child who was a blank slate.
Some time later.
After the World Examination ended.
Delta contacted Houraiji Kyuusyou.
...
Honkai world.
After the World Examination concluded, Houraiji Kyuusyou returned to the Honkai world together with Maria Schariac.
Theresa, who had been waiting, let out a sigh of relief when she saw that no one who had left was missing.
But she quickly noticed that there was one extra person.
"Who is this?"
Theresa looked at the purple-haired girl standing beside Maria Schariac. She did not remember anyone like this among those who had departed.
"I am the Lord of Dreams, Houraiji Kyuusyou."
Houraiji Kyuusyou lifted her chin and introduced herself in an excessively dramatic tone.
Lord of Dreams?
It certainly sounded like a formidable title.
Theresa's expression shifted slightly. "Lord of Dreams, why have you come to our world?"
"My descent upon this realm is naturally to—ah..."
Maria Schariac raised her hand and knocked Houraiji Kyuusyou lightly on the head.
"Mother, why did you hit my head!" Houraiji Kyuusyou clutched her head with both hands and looked at Maria Schariac with a wronged expression.
"She's your..." Theresa's pupils shrank slightly, a trace of astonishment appearing in her eyes.
"My daughter. She's going through a bit of a chuunibyou phase lately."
Maria Schariac nodded in acknowledgment.
"Oh."
Theresa did not dwell on it. She had heard that it was quite common for the Will of Ruler to adopt daughters. It was not strange for Maria to have adopted one in another world.
At her age, she certainly couldn't be a biological daughter.
"Nothing happened while we were gone, right?"
Maria Schariac clearly did not wish to continue discussing the matter.