"Hmph, who would've thought—you actually managed to come up with a plan without that woman, Mei."
Kalpas continued his jeering at Kevin.
Kevin, already used to such remarks, remained unfazed.
"…Do you think it'll work?" he asked flatly.
"Do I even need to think? It's just smashing some things. I haven't even stretched my bones yet," Kalpas sneered, before glancing at the entrance to the training grounds.
"Oh? Another one's coming."
"Well, well. I just got here and already see the mighty Kevin slouched in his chair. How's my new Kevin Killer N-001? Effective, isn't it?" Vill-V walked in with a playful smile.
Kevin was silent for a moment, then replied:
"…The strength is moderate."
"I can tell. After all, you still have the strength to talk," Vill-V shrugged. "So? You two—who normally start a fight the moment you see each other—what are you even discussing here?"
"None of your business," Kalpas shot back coldly.
Vill-V gave Kevin a sidelong glance and smiled helplessly.
"It's Kevin we're talking about. I can already guess—this is about Lilith, isn't it?"
"We need to bring her back to Fire Moth," Kevin said, still unaware of the full gravity of the situation. "Whether it's against the Honkai or anything else, she's an invaluable asset."
"Is that so?" Vill-V chuckled and turned to Kalpas. "I see, I see. Well then, Kevin, instead of worrying about that, perhaps you should look forward to my next project—the Kevin Killer N-002."
"…As long as you don't shove your twisted sense of aesthetics into it again." Kevin frowned, recalling a certain Kevin Killer from the previous life that even made him shudder. Just looking at the thing drained one's sanity.
"Relax. Until Rofocale joins Fire Moth, you don't need to worry," Vill-V waved dismissively. "Anyway, I still have something to discuss with Silas. I'll leave you two here."
She had only taken a few steps before tilting her head slightly and adding,
"…But do be careful with the next Kevin Killer."
Kevin tilted his head in puzzlement. What, is she planning to mount a weapon of mass destruction on it this time? No way… right?
Kalpas watched her leave, then turned to Kevin.
"…Were you always like this?"
"I've never changed." Kevin gave him a sidelong glance, not quite understanding the question. Wasn't it just another Kevin Killer? He'd smashed more of those in his previous life than he could count.
The only one he hadn't destroyed was Vill-V's Artificial Cascade.
Besides, what Vill-V wanted was to defeat him at his peak. Defeating his current self meant nothing to them.
Kalpas, finding this dull, decided to look for his current adjutant and have him arrange something that could give him a real fight.
The simulated monsters in the training grounds were far too weak for his taste.
After all, combat was all he knew. No one could seriously expect him to… grill meat or something.
Thinking of his adjutant inevitably brought another name to mind—Emile.
"If I ever learn what form your damned Honkai takes, I'll crush you into dust!" Kalpas thought bitterly.
Even now, just seeing his adjutant reminded him of Emile. Sometimes, memories of his previous life still returned—of the time he had spent in Aponia's sanatorium, with those noisy brats always clinging to him.
He couldn't remember their names. But he still remembered their faces.
Sundown Alley,
Aponia sat quietly, watching the children run across the courtyard.
Some were already old enough to help with chores; others, though still small, were surprisingly thoughtful.
But every single one of them would die on that day.
Even given another chance, Aponia would still choose to shelter those infected children.
They should not be left to wander the streets, to sleep in the cold and starve.
If death was to be their final destination, then at least she wanted them to fall asleep peacefully.
As for the children not infected with the Honkai—last time, they too had been silenced by Sakura. Aponia had foreseen it, foreseen their fate. She had even considered sending them away before that night came. But she knew better than anyone: destiny was invincible. For one reason or another, they too would meet their end on that fateful night.
She had seen such things far too many times.
Of all humanity, only two people Aponia had ever known could truly defy destiny—alter it.
One had severed the strings of fate that hung over all living beings.
The other had chosen to shoulder the destiny of all humanity.
The price they paid… was their lives.
Watching the children laughing and playing, Aponia wished that their destinies could be altered.
But more than that, she wished that man would not have to bear yet another burden, suffer yet another calamity.
She recalled the little girl Silas had once rescued from beneath the ruins of a church.
For a time after joining Fire Moth, that girl—Michaela—had followed at Aponia's side. But for certain reasons, they eventually went their separate ways.
That girl… like Aponia, she too believed that the Honkai was the will of God, that humanity need not resist. It was the doctrine she upheld as a believer. Yet, as a human, she also fulfilled her duty—serving as a medic, standing on every front line.
She healed the wounded.
She prayed for them.
Perhaps, when the moment came and she became a Herrscher, she did not resist at all—
Instead, she calmly accepted it.
"The Apostles of God shall one day purge all fallen angels, bringing them their final judgment," Aponia murmured.
"Even if they are fallen, the source of their power… is still God."
Yes, she hated that fate had brought suffering to Elysia, that it had condemned Silas to eternal tribulation. But even with this second chance, she still felt powerless. She could not change reality.
"…If destiny cannot be altered, then at least this time, I can walk beside you—
Instead of letting you bear it all alone,
And vanish alone."
Fire Moth Headquarters, Training Grounds.
"So, Silas, what kind of gifts have you brought for us?" Vill-V grinned at him expectantly.
Didn't you already know? Silas sighed inwardly, but answered anyway:
"I've prepared something for each of your personalities. But they're still in my room right now."
"No problem!" Vill-V's eyes practically sparkled. "I can fetch them right away!"
"But my training isn't even—"
Before Silas could finish, Vill-V had already dashed off.
Silas rubbed his temples, dark lines crossing his face.
"…So she's finally decided to raid my room, huh?"
"Huh? What do you mean? Has Vill-V gone into your room before?" Elysia tilted her head curiously.
"It's nothing. Just that Pure Evil once installed surveillance in my room. In the previous life, she never got the chance to use it. But now, apparently, she does." Silas shrugged.
"Oh, and by the way—on me, and even on my weapons, she's planted bugs too."
He was used to it by now. It wasn't as if Vill-V could do anything with it. If she wanted to listen or watch, then so be it.
…Though, maybe he should still check the bathroom later.
Elysia twitched at his words, while Pardo—who had just come over from training with Dystopia—stared wide-eyed.
"Sis Vill-V… isn't that a little… too much?" Too perverted, maybe?!
Sakura's hand was already on her sword.
"Do you need me to go teach her a lesson?"
Unbelievable! If Vill-V ever tried that with her, not even ten of her would be enough to slice apart. And now she was pulling this on Silas?!
Elysia: "…"
Great. Now, besides Lilith, Vill-V had suddenly become a strong rival too…
…Wait. If Vill-V had planted bugs on Silas, then didn't that mean—
She had overheard everything Elysia said to him on the Ferris wheel?
Danger level: Vill-V—increase significantly.
But then again, Vill-V hadn't been able to do anything except listen.
And thinking about that… why did Elysia suddenly feel a strange hint of satisfaction?
"Forget it, let her be. She knows her limits," Silas waved dismissively.
After all, Vill-V had helped him before. Otherwise, in the previous life, Lilith might have slipped under his blanket out of nowhere.
Suddenly, the Fire Moth's internal comms equipment on the side rang. Each of them picked up their own device.
After reading the incoming message, Silas turned to Pardo.
"…Looks like this will be your first official mission."
The briefing was straightforward: signs of Honkai activity had been detected in a remote mountainous area. Investigation was required.
Elysia looked at the mission details on her screen and sighed softly.
"After training today, Pardo, you'd better prepare yourself. We're leaving tomorrow."
"Sister Ellie, why do you look like that…?"
"You'll know when we get there," Silas cut in.
"…Though Kevin's team will also be dispatched. Well, Kevin probably won't make it. Kosma must've already accepted that fact by now."
Kevin would likely still be bedridden tomorrow.
Pardo blinked in confusion.
"Eh? Silas-bro? Sister Ellie? What are you two even talking about?"
"With current technology, it's impossible," Sakura nodded. "This is the only way."
Pardo: "…"
Meow meow meow? Am I even on the same channel as everyone else?!
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