Typhon's statement, for the first time, connected the existence of the Third Stellar Particle with Earth's abnormal geological activity.
For the group, these words were like an epiphany, allowing them to clear up all their doubts and finally understand the meaning of the "Gift of the Stars."
"Oh, right! The Third Stellar Particle is a substance that erupts from within the Earth. That means the appearance of the Third Stellar Particle inherently signifies some kind of abnormal geological activity!"
Kudou Asuka had a look of sudden realization.
"If the Atlantis of the past really existed and was destroyed by abnormal geological activity... doesn't that mean this eruption of the Third Stellar Particle also indicates that Earth's abnormal geological activity has reached a very dangerous level?"
From a purely human perspective, ignoring interference from the mythological side or special individuals like Lord Su Mo, the Third Stellar Particle is a substance contained within the planet. It can greatly advance human civilization's technology, but it only erupts during specific eras.
Typhon called it the "Gift of the Stars" because if this gift could be properly utilized, humanity could evolve into a pantheon of gods, or even become stronger.
But at the same time, this abnormal geological activity also has a side that is harmful to humanity, which Typhon calls the "Wrath of the Stars."
According to Typhon, the destruction of Atlantis in the past was a manifestation of the Wrath of the Stars.
The Third Stellar Particle and the abnormal geological activity are two sides of the same coin.
Without the abnormal geological activity, the Third Stellar Particle could not erupt onto the Earth's surface.
"But the question is, does this level of abnormal geological activity really exist? If so, where is the likely location for the next eruption?"
Kudou Asuka asked the crucial question.
Although it sounded a bit like a fairy tale, the principle behind his words was sound, so she was inclined to believe Typhon's account.
"Theoretically, it really does exist!"
Before Typhon could answer, Izayoi had already spoken up.
"If the accumulated energy between the Earth's tectonic plates were to erupt all at once, the most likely disaster capable of blasting a continent the size of Atlantis into the sky would be a super-Plinian volcanic eruption—the most powerful torrent of force in planetary history, strong enough to destroy entire landmasses!"
Unlike ordinary volcanic eruptions, a super-Plinian eruption is extremely rare, but its power is at least ten times that of a Plinian eruption. If one were to occur, the resulting volcanic ash could cover the entire globe.
Supervolcanoes like those in Yellowstone Park or Lake Toba have the potential to erupt in this manner, and even in modern society, they are considered world-ending disasters.
"Theoretically, a cataclysm of this level would likely occur in the weak zones at the boundaries between tectonic plates... but that covers such a vast area of the globe that it's impossible to monitor it all."
At this point, Izayoi was also out of ideas and had to look at Typhon.
If they could get the exact location of the eruption in advance, it would be crucial intelligence for them.
Of course, if he was willing to tell them, it probably meant that even with the information, they would be powerless to stop it.
"The mother planet has always been boundlessly tolerant towards humanity. Not only does she grant humanity the key to overcome disasters in advance, but she also provides hints as to the disaster's location."
Typhon said this as he looked at Kudou Ayatori—or more precisely, at the Western-style two-handed sword hanging at the kendo girl's waist.
"Although the 'Gift of the Stars' appears all over the world, the greatest treasure will only appear where the disaster is about to strike—that is, the place where geological activity is most active."
"The greatest treasure?"
Izayoi knew that the "Gift of the Stars" referred to the Third Stellar Particle, but he didn't understand what was meant by "treasure."
"In my era, the greatest treasure was the Star Sword of the Ultimate Phase. Humans generally call it the Sword of Promised Victory."
Typhon said.
Hearing this, Kudou Ayatori was very surprised.
Blinking, she looked at the longsword at her waist, a gift from Su Mo. She pressed her lips together, the admiration and reverence in her eyes deepening.
Previously, when Su Mo had summoned the Kudou Sisters, he had given a weapon not only to the elder sister, Kudou Asuka, but also to Kudou Ayatori.
Kudou Ayatori had been troubled by her inability to participate in battles due to the performance of her weapon. After receiving Su Mo's gift, she was naturally overjoyed and deeply grateful to him.
But she had never imagined that Su Mo would be so generous as to directly bestow upon her the strongest Star Sword of the Ultimate Phase from the previous era.
This was an existence on the same level as her sister's weapon. How could she ever repay such a precious gift?
"The Sword of Promised Victory..."
Kudou Asuka also glanced at the longsword at Ayatori's waist, only then realizing that Ayatori's weapon was a pair with her own—both were Star Swords of the Ultimate Phase.
"Wait!"
Thinking of this, she suddenly realized something was wrong.
"If the birth of the Sword of Promised Victory indicated the direction of abnormal geological activity and served as a warning for the sinking of Atlantis, then doesn't the appearance of Ame-no-Murakumo mean—"
"That the place that might be destroyed in this era... is Japan?!"
The Ame-no-Murakumo in her hand was the Star Sword of the Ultimate Phase of this era!
"What?"
"Doesn't that mean our headquarters?"
Hearing Kudou Asuka's explanation, everyone quickly understood what she meant and showed expressions of shock.
The Holy Cross Group's headquarters was established in the heart of Tokyo, and the other victims were all gathered here. If something happened, wouldn't they be finished?
Even Kasukabe Yō couldn't help but speak up.
"But even if Japan's foundations are fragile, a country this large can't be completely destroyed like Atlantis, can it?"
Although compared to superpower nations, Japan's total area might be the size of a single province, or even smaller, it's not considered a small country on a global scale.
If even the land of Japan could be completely destroyed, what would be the scale of the crustal energy released in this eruption?
Seeing her disbelieving expression, Typhon calmly shook his head.
"Mere Japan? What level of existence do you think the End Emptiness is?"
"The stellar torrent gathering this time is far more terrifying than the last. Once it erupts, Japan will be torn to shreds in an instant, and that is merely an outlet for the energy."
"At that time, what will truly be destroyed is the entire planet. Even if humanity has evolved into a pantheon by then, they will be unable to resist power of this magnitude. They will only be utterly crushed in a planet-scale cataclysm, ultimately facing complete ruin."
This death sentence made everyone's expression turn grim.
Izayoi frowned slightly and raised his own question.
"If it's just a continent-destroying crisis, a deified humanity should be able to withstand it, right? With the Third Stellar Particle, a crisis caused by volcanic ash wouldn't be enough to end the world. Is the crisis brought by this 'End Emptiness' really that severe?"
The disaster Typhon described, an energy torrent capable of destroying Japan, would indeed have aftershocks sufficient to annihilate modern society.
But, if humanity could properly utilize the Third Stellar Particle and advance their civilization to the level of a pantheon, they shouldn't be completely wiped out, right?
No matter how abnormal the geological activity, it's still just something happening on the Earth's surface. It's not like it could actually blow up the planet.
And a deified humanity should be able to withstand a disaster of that level.
As if he had expected Izayoi to ask this, Typhon simply shook his head and said in a haunting tone.
"Do you think the so-called 'Wrath of the Stars' is merely a world-ending event on the level of child's play?"
"Don't forget, the one who wields the most power of the Third Stellar Particle has never been humanity, but our mother planet..."
As soon as these words were spoken, Izayoi froze on the spot.