As an illiterate, Sirin certainly didn't know what an atomic bomb was, but her survival instinct was screaming at her that this weapon was dangerous.
However, there was no time to teleport herself to a safe distance, because Welt Yang would certainly not let her get away so easily.
And so, in the final moment before the atomic bomb hit, Sirin used her quick wits and opened a portal with all her strength, sending the bomb deep underground and using the earth itself as a shield.
However, the power of the atomic bomb still exceeded her expectations. Even though she had sent it deep underground, the intense heat, the aftershock, and the terrifying radiation from the explosion still left her grievously wounded.
Sirin lay on the scorched earth, watching as Welt Yang slowly walked toward her. She sneered weakly, "Hmph, you're not dead yet."
"Sorry, but for the sake of this world, I have to kill you."
Welt Yang's condition was only marginally better than Sirin's. He had also paid a heavy price to defend against the damage from the atomic bomb.
However, the power he had remaining was still enough to kill Sirin.
Welt Yang raised his palm, and the Star of Eden, created by the power of the Herrscher of Reason, erupted with unparalleled force in his hand.
Pushing the Star of Eden to its limits with Herrscher power, the immense gravity distorted spacetime itself!
And thus, a black hole appeared.
This was the Ninth Divine Key, Zeroth Power: Pseudo Black Hole!
Completely powerless to resist, Sirin could only watch as her body was sucked into the black hole, on the verge of being crushed into dust!
However, just as Welt Yang was fully concentrating, focusing all his attention on Sirin, a heavy punch coming from the front slammed viciously into his abdomen.
Welt Yang's body was already on the verge of collapse; he was only able to move through sheer willpower.
This sudden punch was like the last straw that broke the camel's back. He fell heavily onto the charred ground.
"So this was just a counterfeit replica as well."
The blond man in the clown mask picked up the Star of Eden and then easily crushed it to pieces.
With the interruption of its power supply, the nearly-dead Sirin survived the attack of the pseudo-black hole. She was then rescued by Benares, who flew out from the snowy mountains.
"Don't... you dare leave!"
Welt Yang crawled painfully across the ground. He watched as Sirin was carried away by Benares, his eyes filled with fury and despair.
He was so close, just a little bit more, and he could have killed the Second Herrscher.
But an unforgiving foot stomped on his hand, crushing his last sliver of hope.
"My apologies. Her complete awakening is a necessary part of my plan, so I'm afraid I cannot allow you to kill her here."
The blond clown looked down at Welt Yang from above and raised a sharp blade in his hand.
"To prevent you from further disrupting my plans, I must ask you to retire right h—"
BANG—
A gunshot rang out. A scorching bullet tore through the air, shattering the blade in the blond clown's hand.
"Who the hell are you? Where is the Second Herrscher?"
Siegfried, having rushed to the scene, had drawn the Judgement of Shamash just in time to save Welt Yang's life.
"I am not your enemy. Could I ask you to put away your gun?" the blond clown said calmly.
"Are you kidding me?! Get your foot off of him! If you don't listen, don't blame me for being impoli—"
Before Siegfried could finish his sentence, his vision blurred. A few golden feathers drifted down, and the Judgement of Shamash in his hand had vanished.
When he came to his senses, another gunshot rang in his ears, followed by a searing, intense pain from his abdomen.
"What?" Siegfried's eyes widened in disbelief. He clutched his wounded stomach and knelt on the ground.
"If you are willing to leave now, this gun will be returned to you shortly." The blond clown had appeared behind Siegfried at some unknown point, holding the Judgement of Shamash that rightfully belonged to him.
"You've got to be kidding. Even if we take each other down, I'll..."
"Idiot!"
Welt Yang's sharp voice cut Siegfried off.
"Take each other down? To throw away your life for a moment of anger? How will you protect the world then? How will you protect the ones you love?"
"My body has reached its limit, but you are different. You still have strength. This world still needs you to protect it."
"So, close your eyes now and get out of here! Siegfried Kaslana!"
"He's right. There's no need for you to throw your life away for a Herrscher," the blond clown said with a mocking smile.
"...Really? If I leave, will you really let me go?" Siegfried lowered his head, his voice turning deep and low.
"Of course. I give you my word."
"...However, I refuse!"
Siegfried suddenly took a step forward and threw a heavy punch, smashing it right into the blond clown's face.
"What are you doing?!"
"Siegfried, this is suicide!"
Siegfried's sudden action shocked both men present.
"Suicide? Don't get it wrong, Sovereign of Anti-Entropy. I've hated grand principles since I was a kid. 'Some people must be sacrificed to save the world'... I've never believed in that crap!"
"If I watch a man who saved my life die right in front of me, I'll live in the shadow of regret for the rest of my days! Besides, if my wife finds out about this, I'll definitely be kneeling on a washboard when I get home!"
"...I greatly admire your courage. Out of respect for you, I shall spare the First Herrscher this time. Farewell."
Although the blond clown wanted nothing more than to kill Siegfried and his entire family, Siegfried was still useful to his plans for now. So, he could only swallow his anger and slip away.
Only Siegfried and Welt Yang were left, staring blankly in the direction he had vanished.
With that, the video ended.
---o---
"That damn Otto! If he dared to show his face in front of this genius right now, I'd absolutely let him taste the power of my Atomic Burst Fist!"
Having witnessed the scene from all those years ago with her own eyes, Tesla was absolutely incandescent with rage. Especially when Otto stomped on Welt Yang's hand—if Einstein hadn't been there to hold her back, she really would have punched the Otto on the screen.
It was just too infuriating.
They in Anti-Entropy had fought so hard, risking their lives to deal with the Herrscher. Welt Yang had nearly died. And in the end, Otto just shows up and lets the Herrscher go. Who could possibly stand for that?
It felt like all their efforts had been trampled underfoot.