As noon approached, the sun hung high in the sky, radiating intense heat and brilliant light.
"Clank! Clank!"
Within the fortified Inner City walls, heavy machinery hummed with activity. The sound, though weighty, wasn't harsh but rather had a smooth, fluid quality.
Gradually, massive elongated sheets of white iron floated upwards, aligning one after another to construct an immense Heaven-Piercing Staircase.
At the base of the staircase, atop the twelve-meter-high snow-white foundation, Bronya stood with the Herrscher Squad arranged in formation.
Bronya positioned herself at the edge of the towering platform, counting down to a specific moment. Then she raised her hand slowly towards the formidable mechanical army, making a precise gesture.
"Boom! Boom! Boom!"
The vast sea of metal reverberated with thunderous roars reaching up to the heavens.
Countless heavy mechs stomped, shifting their formations steadily as red banners unfurled high above, forming an immense pattern resembling crossed swords and shields on the ground.
In the sky, countless flying devices of various sizes circled around the Heaven-Piercing Staircase like the eye of a tornado or birds paying homage to the divine phoenix.
"Hmm—"
Deep bass notes resonated rhythmically from the heavens above.
Gradually, a symphony of instruments joined in, playing a stirring military march that echoed far and wide.
The martial music lasted for five hundred seconds, symbolizing humanity's struggle spanning fifty millennia.
As the melody filled the air, however, dark clouds began gathering overhead, creating an oppressive atmosphere heralding an impending storm.
"Hm? The weather prediction model indicated it should be clear skies today."
Bronya looked up, her brows slightly furrowed.
Suddenly, Bronya felt a wave of heat behind her.
"Stay composed. Whether it's clear skies or rain is merely a matter of our will; it won't hinder the ceremony. However, no one should resort to violence today, lest they disrupt the planned sequence," Bronya said without turning around.
The fiery red in Kiana's eyes gradually faded away.
"Tch! What stubborn weather!"
"Don't waste your energy on trivial matters. Just wait—it's about to begin."
Bronya straightened her already immaculate collar, gently adjusted her military cap, and spoke with unwavering solemnity.
As she predicted, mere weather posed no real issue.
BOOM!
Soon, from above the dark clouds, three dazzling beams of light—red, gold, and blue—pierced through the sky, creating a patch of sunlit azure amidst the gloom.
Fu Hua descended amidst scarlet flames, holding the resplendent Xuanyuan Sword aloft with both hands. She appeared on the platform beside Bronya, nodding courteously at her and the other Herrschers.
Otto Apocalypse materialized midway up the Heaven-Piercing Staircase, standing with his hands clasped behind his back.
On the second-to-last step, just before the throne, Welt stood tall as a pine, gripping the authorization key for the Fourth Divine Key.
With this, the preparations for the ceremony's prelude were complete, and everyone had taken their designated places. Many present found themselves holding their breath unconsciously.
Next, specks of starlight materialized in the air, enveloping the vast legion below with radiant white light—the worker bees. Their sheer number and size transcended quantum states, reaching a subtle realm beyond conventional mathematical measurement—truly omnipresent and pervasive.
Amidst this ethereal celestial glow, the emperor materialized on the platform, solidifying from thin air.
Facing the boundless mechanical army before him, Zeke stood with hands clasped behind his back.
Then, under Icarus's command, the hive took control of all machinery systems. The embodiment of humanity's might, the million-strong mechanized legion, knelt on one knee, displaying their submission to Zeke.
The Valkyrie formations interspersed within the ranks, led by Rita, also bowed down on one knee to pay homage to the soon-to-be crowned supreme ruler.
"Such ritualistic flair..." Zeke shook his head, eyebrows slightly raised.
In truth, it held no practical significance, but the very act conveyed meanings that would require extensive words otherwise.
Zeke turned, gazing at the Heaven-Piercing Staircase ascending towards the sky while observing the dissipating yet slowly reforming dark clouds overhead.
"Is this Honkai's way of offering congratulations?"
Worker bees were omnipresent, naturally including within these unexpected dark clouds.
The sky wasn't shrouded by storm clouds but swarming with countless black Honkai Beasts as tiny as mosquitoes.
"Today is a momentous occasion, and I personally prefer sunny weather—what about you?"
Zeke pinched a particle of light between his fingers, reading some data from it before turning to address the Herrscher girls.
"Your Majesty is right; clear skies would be more fitting!"
"We'd gladly serve Your Majesty!"
Kiana and Raiden Mei spoke simultaneously, launching golden flames and purple-black lightning toward the heavens.
As fire and lightning danced high above, Zeke began walking towards the staircase. As he passed Bronya, his trusted lieutenant knelt on one knee, followed suit by Wendy, Seele, Ana, and Senti behind her—though the proud Senti seemed somewhat reluctant. Nevertheless, thanks to Fu Hua's prior persuasion aided by the Book of Fuxi, she begrudgingly complied.
"Welcome, Your Majesty!" they chorused together.
"Hmm."
Zeke calmly acknowledged their gesture, then smiled back at the grinning Fu Hua, returning her warm expression. He gestured towards his sleek modern military-style attire: impeccably tailored, adorned with intricate gold and crimson patterns, and enhanced with ornate golden embellishments that exuded an aura of nobility.
"How do you like my new outfit?"
"It's striking. In many dominant cultures, black symbolizes solemnity and dignity, while gold has always been associated with nobility throughout history. But most importantly, it is worn by none other than...my sovereign, Fu Hua humbly offers her loyalty on behalf of the remaining Thirteen Heroic Spirits!"
Fu Hua bowed deeply, presenting the sword with both hands.
The Xuanyuan Sword, a significant cornerstone in the cultural heritage of Shenzhou.
Within its golden blade resided Ji Lin's spirit, and Fu Hua herself was the guardian who had protected Shenzhou for five millennia, leaving behind countless tales of immortal heroes vanquishing demons that endured through generations. In Shenzhou, where ancestral worship has long been prevalent, this soul, person, and sword held immense weight, as immovable as the towering mountains themselves.
With this gesture, Fu Hua represented not only the allegiance of the people across the land but also the stance of the Heroic Spirits.
Zeke reached out and grasped the hilt.
"From now on, your service will be mine alone."
"Hmm—"
The golden blade resonated deeply, expressing Ji Lin's agreement.
Protecting humanity remained Ji Lin's sole obsession. Since Zeke stood chosen by contemporary human civilization, she naturally aligned without hesitation.
A smile spread across Zeke's lips.
The sky, now clear of any clouds under the dance of flames and lightning, shimmered brilliantly.
Raiden Mei and Kiana appeared behind Bronya in formation, returning to their positions and kneeling on one knee alongside her, facing Zeke.
Zeke frowned slightly; frankly, he wasn't too fond of such formal and distant etiquette. Nevertheless, he accepted it with a nod and continued stepping forward.
As Zeke approached the Heaven-Piercing Stairs, he placed his foot onto the narrow, snow-white steps.
"Boom!"
A visible ripple spread through the air, emanating a terrifying aura of Honkai Energy as deep as an abyss without bottom. Simultaneously, resonance echoed across all city centers worldwide, amplifying the drum-like sound of each step throughout the globe.
Zeke ascended steadily, each stride resonating loudly as he climbed higher.