"The concept of the multiverse, I believe, needs no further explanation for everyone here from the Previous Era. As for Honkai the catastrophe that always accompanies civilization, I trust you all already have a solid understanding of its true nature."
Nagami's face carried a perfectly polite, almost textbook kind of smile as his gaze swept across the gathered fusion warriors.
"What I want to talk about is this…"
He began explaining in detail the differences between the Honkai Gakuen 2nd and Honkai Impact 3rd worlds, particularly emphasizing the fundamental contrast in their "Honkai" essences.
In one world, Honkai was a program — a sort of "civilization assessment system".
In the other, it was an incomprehensible god-like entity — a deranged force waging endless war against human civilization.
The fusion warriors frowned almost simultaneously, various emotions flashing in their eyes.
They already knew Honkai's essence was tied to the Imaginary Tree's "filtering mechanism."
Mei had deciphered that much long ago during her fight against it.
But this new piece of information — that the "Will of Honkai" was merely a puppet, a construct of that godlike being was something none of them had ever heard before.
Even so, the credibility of Nagami's words wasn't in question.
He had no reason to lie — and as a Herrscher himself, his testimony carried weight.
"So," Nagami continued calmly, "the Herrschers from Rank One to Ten are now members or reserves of the new Flame-Chaser Squad, along with all of you here."
The Ice Core originally prepared for Rita had been given to Kevin.
Now, Nagami held only one remaining Gem of Desire — and he could only hope that the maid wouldn't end up like Wendy, who had once used her fluid-control powers for nothing more than tossing out fancy wind blades.
"In this world," he said evenly, "aside from the final Herrscher, the ultimate trial of civilization — the rest pose no real threat anymore."
The words, spoken so casually, made the fusion warriors exchange subtle, uneasy looks.
"I'll handle the Final Herrscher myself," Nagami added. "And I can accelerate the process of your resurrection."
His gaze shifted toward the pink-haired shrine maiden, locking onto her deep, ocean-blue eyes.
Kevin's decision to become a Herrscher effectively acknowledged Nagami as their new commander.
As long as the mission was to fight Honkai, Kevin wouldn't oppose him.
But that also meant Kevin was no longer the leader of the fusion warriors.
His position as "symbolic captain" had only ever existed because of his strength — a role pushed onto him as the face of the MOTHs of Fire.
The real stabilizing core of the Thirteen Flame-Chasers was the mysterious girl before them — the one who managed the Elysian Realm itself.
"In exchange," Nagami continued, "I ask for your cooperation when we face the Honkai of another world."
His words about handling the Final Herrscher himself didn't surprise anyone — most simply dismissed them as bravado.
Sakura, however, moved without hesitation.
As soon as Nagami finished speaking, she walked to his side, her long pink hair fluttering in the breeze.
Determination burned in her blue eyes.
Whether it was to see her sister again sooner, or to repay Nagami for saving Rin, her decision was only natural.
Elysia watched, her delicate brows knitting ever so slightly.
After a moment of silence, she sighed softly and glanced at the calm, black-haired boy with mock annoyance.
"I really thought you were a sweet kid… but it looks like you've already stolen Sakura away from us. How very un-cute of you~!"
Elysia pouted playfully, her sapphire eyes shimmering like the sea, her fair cheeks puffed in a way that was, ironically, very cute.
Of course, knowing Sakura's circumstances, her reaction wasn't one of surprise — only gentle teasing.
"From a logical standpoint," Nagami replied, utterly composed, "this is a mutually beneficial deal. None of you lose anything, so I don't see why you'd refuse."
"Well~ that's one way to put it," Elysia said with a mischievous grin, planting a hand on her hip and leaning forward.
She raised a finger toward him.
"But if you can toy with even Dr. Mobius when she's in full collapse mode… I doubt even Kevin in his prime could do anything to stop you, huh?"
Mobius's face darkened instantly at that jab, though she wisely refrained from snapping back — a sign of Elysia's influence among the Flame-Chasers.
"You're not wrong," Nagami said plainly. "Even if Kevin becomes a Herrscher, there's still quite a gap between us."
There wasn't the slightest trace of false modesty in his tone.
Nagami had always valued knowledge — yet even he hadn't expected that by fully deciphering the Herrscher's power, uncovering the link between matter and spacetime, and unifying the four fundamental forces, he would reach such overwhelming strength.
Though he had sealed away the deeper truths he'd uncovered, the abilities he crafted from that knowledge — those skills born from truth itself — remained.
And now, he understood more than ever that knowledge truly is power.
The Ice Core had elevated Kevin, a warrior already infused with multiple mutation factors, to new heights.
With those powers now focused through the control of ice and snow, he stood at a level beyond comprehension — perhaps even capable of freezing time itself.
Yet as a pure warrior, Kevin could never fully grasp the principles behind halting spacetime through weak nuclear force manipulation.
That was the fundamental difference between him and Nagami.
If Dr. Mei had become the Herrscher capable of controlling the laws of physics, she might have stood on equal ground with him.
"See? I knew it~" Elysia tucked a strand of hair behind her ear, meeting Nagami's calm gaze with an impish smile.
"So tell me, Nagami — if you're that powerful, strong enough to take down the Final Herrscher yourself… why do you even need our help?"
It wasn't self-deprecation, nor reluctance to fight for another world's people.
But if the gap between worlds was truly as vast as Nagami described…
Planet-sized Honkai beasts? That was beyond imagination.
The Flame-Chasers were the most valuable assets of the Previous Era — living weapons created to protect their world.
Their second chance at life, painstakingly prepared by Mei, was not something to be squandered recklessly in another universe's war.
"For that," Nagami replied with a faint smile, "the reason is quite simple. Strictly speaking, it's not me who needs your strength but two young girls who are still too weak for what's to come."
His tone softened slightly.
He was preparing… for the heiress and true Kiana.