The sound of applause suddenly drew the attention of Raiden Mei, Kiana, and the others.
"Who are you?"
Weapons at the ready, Kiana prepared for battle. Anyone who could appear here unnoticed couldn't be underestimated. In this situation, anyone present was either friend or foe - and they clearly didn't recognize this person.
"Hehe, allow me to introduce myself. In World Serpent, I'm known as Hare. My real name is Misteln Schariac."
"Schariac!"
Hearing this surname identical to her mother's, Kiana's eyes widened in shock.
"Correct - the same surname as your mother Cecilia."
Misteln nodded, confirming Kiana's suspicion.
"So what's your purpose here? Are you trying to stop us?"
"No, my mission to obstruct you has already failed. Clearly, I couldn't hold you back."
"Then why appear before us?"
Seeing Misteln showed no intention of stopping them, Kiana grew even more puzzled about her motives.
Misteln chuckled. "Just to see you. After all, I was born from the Schariac family's Stigma space, inheriting their legacy. Naturally, I wanted to see the child she cared about."
"You mean... Mom?"
Hearing this, Kiana immediately understood whose feelings Misteln was referring to.
"Enough of that. Go now - go challenge the Sovereign. Though I doubt you can defeat him. To him now, you're like newborns challenging an adult - utterly hopeless."
"You're underestimating us too much! We're Herrschers! And I wield multiple Herrscher authorities! Kevin's just a MANTIS - how strong can he be?"
Kiana refused to accept this. Herrschers were the strongest beings in this world. Kevin? Just another MANTIS like Fu Hua - how powerful could he be? At most two Fu Huas' strength - still beatable.
"No, the Sovereign is no MANTIS. Someone refused to let him take that risk, forging a unique path for him instead."
"Stigma consciousness, or Alaya. The Sovereign inherits all Stigmata - which represent the crystallization of human wisdom. Thus, he embodies humanity's highest wisdom - the collective consciousness of our greatest minds."
"What? Not a MANTIS? And possessing all Stigmata? Seriously?"
Kiana was genuinely shocked now. All Stigma powers? Wouldn't that mean his entire body was covered in tattoos? Just imagining this nearly made her burst out laughing.
"Don't worry, the Sovereign doesn't look like your imagination. He bears only one Stigma, but it connects to all others' power."
"Whatever. One Stigma can't be that strong."
"..."
Watching Kiana's confidence, Mei wanted to tell her the harsh truth. Those Stigmata included those from Previous Era Herrschers. In a sense, Kevin was the amalgamation of all Herrschers - except a certain pink one, whose unique Stigma only that man possessed. Not that it affected Kevin's strength.
"Hehe, I hope you remain this confident later. Go - the Sovereign awaits in that hall."
Amused by Kiana's bravado, Misteln pointed them toward Kevin, hoping the girl wouldn't be traumatized when Kevin got slightly serious.
"Hmph! We'll definitely win this time! This era's matters should be solved by its people - not some relic from the Previous Era!"
Brushing past Misteln, Kiana marched resolutely forward, followed by Bronya and Mei.
There, Here, Kevin had already pushed the Divine Key, Heavenly Fire Holy Judgement, beyond its limits, transforming it into Judgment of Shamash
Somehow he'd even acquired a white plastic stool, planting the greatsword beside it as he sat calmly.
Tap tap—!
Footsteps echoed from the corridor. His guests had arrived.
"You shouldn't have come. You'll only die here."
Kevin's steady voice filled the vast chamber.
Seeing this, Mei nearly lost her composure. Knowing Kevin's usual goofy personality made his current act seem like a child playing adult - utterly ridiculous.
"But we had to come. We must stop your Stigma Plan - even at the cost of our lives."
Kiana stood firm against Kevin's warning.
"..."
For once, Kevin fell silent.
Then he stood abruptly, gripping the Judgment of Shamash..
"Very well. You know the rules - defeat me to stop the Plan."
Turning, he smacked the stool away with his sword. Before it could fly far, the stool dissolved into black goo.
"Hmph! Not even a MANTIS - just some Stigma powers. Watch me take you down!"
Charging forward, Kiana swung at Kevin, who effortlessly blocked with his sword before twisting his wrist to send solar flames at her. The heat warped space itself, burning fiercely even on the airless Moon.
Even with the Herrscher of Flamescion's authority, Kiana felt searing pain across her body.
"Wait, that's cheating! I have the Flamescion Herrscher's power! How can your fire burn me?"
"...Because this blade was forged from a Herrscher core. Its original name was Judgment of Shamash."