"Humans always have to try. If we can win, then perhaps she won't need to sacrifice herself. After all, if I can avoid making her hate me, it's better not to, right?"
Chang Yuan didn't hesitate at all.
The Authorities of 12 Herrschers, resonating to reach a level close to that of the Herrscher of the End.
But how far this could go, no one knew, as it had never been tried before.
"...Alright. Come back safely."
The "Expert" Vill-V knew she couldn't persuade this stubborn man, so she could only offer her blessings.
Soon, Prometheus brought over the Blank Divine Key.
On this Blank Divine Key, there were 12 slots, perfectly corresponding to the 12 Herrscher Cores.
After donning the Blank Divine Key, Prometheus and the other artificial Herrschers removed their Herrscher Cores, except for the 4th Herrscher Core, which was still in space and couldn't be retrieved.
However, once Chang Yuan gained the Authority of the 2nd Herrscher, he could retrieve it himself.
When the 11th Herrscher Core was embedded, Chang Yuan felt the Honkai corruption spreading across his body with just a slight use of its Authority.
"Tch, just using it a little and I'm already like this. It's a bit scary."
Though he said he was scared, he didn't stop using the Authority of Space.
In the next moment, he disappeared from the base and reappeared on the 4th Divine Key. He removed the 4th Herrscher Core and embedded it into the final slot.
In that instant, all the Herrscher Cores resonated.
Feeling the terrifying power, Chang Yuan stepped onto the moon.
At this moment, the Herrscher of the End stood motionless, as if it had gone idle.
"Well, it's like a wooden puppet. But that's fine. Let me show you what human ingenuity looks like."
In an instant, the 12 slots on the Blank Divine Key shone with dazzling light.
In Chang Yuan's hand, a spear materialized—not a Western-style spear, but a traditional Chinese one.
"This thing is much cooler than a sword. So, with this strike, if we win, humanity survives. If we lose, then we lose."
Swinging the spear, Chang Yuan intertwined all the Authorities into it.
At this moment, the spear erupted with Honkai energy comparable to the moment the Herrscher of the End was first born.
However, it still fell short compared to the resurrected Herrscher of the End.
But this difference was enough to deliver a killing blow.
"Here we go. Let's see if a god can die!"
Feeling his body nearing its limit, Chang Yuan stopped charging and thrust the spear. The entire moon was illuminated, and a visible trench was carved into its surface.
Even from Earth, the trench could be seen. If the spear had been aimed at the planet, it would have been enough to destroy it.
The blinding white light forced everyone on Earth to close their eyes—it was like the radiance of the sun.
After finishing this, Chang Yuan didn't wait to see if it succeeded. He first reinserted the 4th Herrscher Core back into the satellite, then used the remaining energy to teleport back to the base.
As soon as he returned, he quickly removed the Blank Divine Key.
His entire body was now covered in severe Honkai corruption marks, even his eyes were tinged with purple lines.
"Quick, inject him with Honkai serum!"
Seeing Chang Yuan in this state, the "Expert" Vill-V immediately ordered Prometheus and the others to bring out all their stock.
Soon, hundreds of Honkai serum injections were used, and the purple marks on Chang Yuan's body barely faded.
"Did we win?"
"...We won, but we also lost. We did kill the Herrscher of the End, but it has turned into a stone statue. And judging by the slow recovery trend, it will revive in seven days."
"...As expected. Only that method can truly defeat the Honkai."
Lying on the ground, Chang Yuan gave up.
The Previous Era truly couldn't defeat the Honkai unless they were given tens of thousands of years to develop. Only then could they face the Cocoon of Finality head-on.
But the Cocoon of Finality would never give them that chance.
"We've lost. Let's pack up and prepare to escape. Although our civilization will perish, the sparks of the future can still ignite. They, along with us, will surely succeed. I have faith."
The "Expert" Vill-V spoke these words with confidence.
As long as she had enough time, she could definitely uncover the secrets of Elysia's uniqueness.
Then, the Herrscher of the End would stand on their side, and they could counterattack the Cocoon of Finality.
"The last seven days are the final lifespan of our civilization. Let us send off our civilization in our own way."
"Haha, finding joy in suffering? That's one way to do it."
In the following days, just as Eden had suggested, the entire world found joy in their suffering.
On the final day, at a dance, Elysia pulled Chang Yuan into a dance.
"Elysia, soon we'll have to enter the hibernation pods. Thinking about not being able to see you for so long, I really can't bear it."
"...Yeah, I can't bear it either. Yuan, I've discovered your secret~?."
"Secret? What secret?"
Chang Yuan had a bad feeling, but he forced himself not to react.
"Hmph, Yuan, I'm actually a Herrscher too, right?"
Hearing this, Chang Yuan's body stiffened.
"You... found out?"
"Yes, I discovered it a while ago. I knew I was special. And, I think I know what I need to do now."
"No, you don't. Come with me to the next era. There will be another way. And you promised me, you promised you'd help me. We made a pact. I won't let you do this."
At this moment, Chang Yuan realized what Elysia was planning and desperately tried to stop her.
He searched for every possible reason to convince her.
"Maybe. But what if it doesn't work? Yuan, I'm sorry."
"No, you can't—"
Before Chang Yuan could finish, he felt his body go weak.
He couldn't even use Honkai energy, as if he had never had it in the first place.
"That... drink..."
"Sorry, this is the first time I've deceived you, and the last."
Holding the weakened Chang Yuan, Elysia slowly knelt down and placed his head on her lap.
There was still plenty of time. She wanted to talk to Chang Yuan a little longer. After all, there might not be another chance to speak, to see his face, to be together.