Cecilia frowned slightly at Kiana's reckless claim.
Being suddenly called "mother" by a complete stranger… naturally, she wasn't pleased.
After all, she had only just become intimate with Izumi. Even if they had already crossed that line, becoming a mother overnight was far too much.
I'm still a 19-year-old maiden, you know…! she protested inwardly.
Meanwhile, Kiana's expression dimmed with visible disappointment.
But just as quickly, her curiosity was piqued again.
"Theresa…? Otto…? Who are they?"
Before she could dig further—
Bronya's pupils suddenly shrank.
"Cecilia… Schariac…"
That name triggered a memory deep within her system.
A top-secret file.
A Valkyrie of Schicksal who had gone missing over ten years ago.
—Cecilia Schariac.
So it's really her…?
Then who… was the man beside her?
Far away, within the headquarters of Anti-Entropy, Cocolia narrowed her eyes.
Through the chip implanted in Bronya's brain, she observed everything.
"Interesting…"
"So she really didn't die."
"And she hasn't aged at all."
Her gaze shifted to Izumi.
"…But who is that?"
She had already searched every database available.
And yet—
Nothing.
No records. No traces. No identity.
As if he had simply appeared out of nowhere.
The same confusion spread across other hidden factions watching the scene unfold.
Of course, Izumi was fully aware of their surveillance.
But he couldn't care less.
Meanwhile, Cecilia and Kiana continued chatting.
Strangely enough, the two quickly grew closer—almost like close friends meeting for the first time.
Izumi raised an eyebrow as he watched.
This is dangerous…
Kiana's got that… particular tendency.
At this rate, Cecilia might end up being "targeted."
Then again…
Izumi suddenly had a bizarre thought.
Hook Cecilia as bait… catch Kiana…
Kiana comes with Mei…
"…Huh."
That's actually a pretty good deal.
ROOOOAR—!!
A thunderous roar shattered the moment.
Several massive Honkai Beasts charged toward them, destroying everything in their path.
As if drawn by something—
They rushed straight at Izumi.
Kiana reacted instantly.
"Run! This place is dangerous!"
She grabbed Mei, about to flee—
But Cecilia stopped her.
"No need."
Her voice was calm.
"From this moment on… this world will no longer suffer disasters."
She turned to Izumi, her eyes filled with trust.
"Isn't that right… Izumi?"
Izumi smiled faintly.
Then—
He rose into the air.
"You're absolutely right."
"From today onward…"
"This world enters a new era."
Snap.
With a single snap of his fingers—
Countless spears of void energy materialized.
Kiana's pupils shrank violently.
A golden glint flickered deep within her eyes.
Something inside her… reacted.
BOOM! BOOM! BOOM!
The spears rained down like divine punishment.
Within seconds—
Every Honkai Beast was annihilated.
Not a single one remained.
At the same time—
Cecilia took out a card.
Without hesitation, she crushed it.
The moment it shattered—
It dissolved into light and merged with the world itself.
And then—
The world trembled.
A terrifying, omnipresent voice echoed across the heavens.
[Thief.]
It was neither male nor female.
It was something beyond.
Kiana and Mei both froze.
Something within them began to awaken.
Izumi noticed immediately.
With a casual wave—
Kiana, Mei, and Bronya vanished, sent safely into his own world.
Only then did he look up.
A massive black hole had opened in the sky.
From it—
Honkai Beasts poured out endlessly.
Across the globe, panic erupted.
"What… what is happening?!"
"Bronya! Where is Bronya?!"
Cocolia's voice trembled.
High above—
Even Otto Apocalypse felt his expression change.
So this… is the true power behind the Herrschers…?
The voice spoke again.
[Leave this world.]
[Or I will show no mercy.]
It was wary of Izumi.
Even after summoning countless beasts—
It hesitated.
Izumi chuckled.
"Leave?"
"That's not happening."
"This world is too interesting."
"And there are way too many cute girls here."
"Why would I ever leave?"
He turned to Cecilia.
"Head back first."
"Soon… I'll deliver a complete world to you."
Cecilia nodded.
She stepped forward—
And gently kissed his cheek.
"Be careful."
With that—
She disappeared.
The moment she was gone—
Izumi moved.
The void itself shattered.
Countless spears surged forward again.
[Arrogant.]
The will of the world—
The very embodiment of the Honkai—
Finally grew furious.
One after another—
Herrschers were created.
They charged at Izumi like mindless puppets.
Izumi scoffed.
"Cheap imitations."
With a single motion—
Space was sliced apart.
The Herrschers were bisected instantly.
Clean.
Effortless.
Then—
Izumi reached into the void.
And pulled something out.
A glowing figure emerged.
A woman.
The true will behind everything.
She broke free instantly.
In the next moment—
Massive cubic structures formed around Izumi, crushing inward.
BOOM!!
But—
He was already gone.
"Not bad."
"You can use multiple Herrscher authorities at once?"
"That's impressive."
With a flick of his hand—
A projected Noble Phantasm shot toward her.
HUM—
With a simple gesture—
She redirected it.
Izumi narrowed his eyes slightly.
Spatial manipulation.
Same type as mine…
But unlike someone inexperienced—
This one knew exactly how to fight.
"She's no amateur…"
"And definitely not like that pufferfish Herrscher."
His smile widened.
"Now this is getting interesting."