"Damn it!"
"So there's no cure for Honkai sickness?! You can only slow it down?"
"Slowing it down is better than nothing!"
"Oh god, can we even go back to live in the Far East later? The leftover Honkai energy—isn't that basically suicide?"
Panic swept through the bullet comments and discussion sections.
But whether they could accept it or not, they had to.
Besides, even though there hadn't been an official confirmation before now, all kinds of theories had been circulating online and offline—everyone had heard something.
Minds clashed.
You had your opinion, I had mine.
Some had come to terms with it earlier; others had at least braced themselves mentally, giving themselves time to adjust.
So it wasn't all that messy.
But still!
When the truth was laid out so starkly, so brutally, many still couldn't take it.
Because it was just too terrifying!
Honkai... Herrschers, Honkai beasts, zombies...
Fine, whatever.
But if your mom accidentally got exposed to Honkai and didn't have enough resistance—she'd die too?
The only difference is whether it happens sooner or later. Is that even a difference?
"Mr. Ato, did the Far East and the coastal regions of Shenzhou spend enormous resources to evacuate everyone inland partly for this reason?" The reporter continued with her prepared questions.
Ato nodded. "Exactly! When a Herrscher descends, a Honkai Eruption occurs. The Honkai energy concentration in the affected areas is at its most extreme. Even in that initial moment, many people simply can't survive it."
"Even we soldiers have to take shelter in camp to withstand that first wave. That's the peak. After that, the Honkai energy stabilizes, and we can start operating."
He went on, "A Honkai Eruption occurs fundamentally to allow a Herrscher to be born."
"According to the doctors' research, when a Herrscher is born, Honkai energy concentration reaches its peak. Afterward, the Herrscher absorbs surrounding Honkai energy through a siphon effect—this is to better nurture itself, to grow quickly into its complete form."
"During this process, the Honkai beasts and zombies that arise in response to the Herrscher's will also consume large amounts of Honkai energy. This does cause the Honkai concentration to drop eventually, making it less extreme than during the initial outbreak."
The reporter asked, "After this Honkai Eruption ends, will people be able to return? If so, how long would they need to wait?"
"After the Honkai Eruption, Honkai beasts and zombies will remain, and Honkai energy levels will stay dangerously high for ordinary people. We need to clean up the remaining threats and neutralize the Honkai energy before we can restore a livable environment."
Ato thought for a moment and said, "Estimates range from about half a year to a year. It shouldn't take too long."
"I see." The reporter nodded.
She faced the camera, microphone in hand. "Viewers, as we can see, the period just before a Herrscher's descent and immediately after are the most dangerous. The former due to rising Honkai energy, the latter because of the Herrscher's appearance."
"But even after the Herrscher is defeated and the Honkai Eruption ends, there will still be much work to do. What we need is to trust our troops, trust humanity, and wait patiently."
--+--
"Wait my foot! Out here, we can't even shower properly, and we have to ration drinking water! This is brutal!"
"So we're stuck living in tents for another half a year or even more? Sharing bunk beds with dozens of people? I'm done. Seriously done."
--+--
Some viewers were venting.
Clearly, they were among the evacuated.
Some were just complaining.
Typical of those who'd never faced real hardship.
But many expressed understanding—especially seeing how clear-headed and methodical Ato was in his answers. They were willing to trust him, and to trust their country.
Sure, those in charge sometimes pulled some shady stuff.
But when they put their minds to it, they could do things right.
Otherwise, why would they go through all the trouble to evacuate everyone?
Before this, some had believed the warnings, panicked, and looked for their own way out. Others had just laughed it off, refusing to face reality until it was too late, not even considering leaving.
If the authorities had done nothing, wouldn't those people have just rotted at home?
When the Honkai Eruption hit, whether you believed it or not, if you survived, you'd believe. If you died, well, it wouldn't matter anymore.
So why all the fuss?
Thus, calming down, many people were still fairly rational.
Later, the reporter asked Ato a few more questions.
He also took her on a tour of the perimeter, the defensive positions, and even shared some declassified internal footage.
Only then did the audience get a clearer look at Honkai beasts and zombies—appearing in real life.
Even through a recording, it felt like they were right there beside you.
Some were terrified; others were amazed.
Reactions varied!
And even though the Honkai beasts and zombies shown were fairly low-level, they were still frightening—yet in the video, they were wiped out by heavy firepower.
As if they couldn't fight back at all.
Wasn't that invigorating?!
Especially since many viewers had seen the Sky Screen before.
But even if they knew about the tier system for Honkai beasts and zombies, and how strong each could be, seeing their own military's firepower so fierce, their soldiers so capable, they couldn't help but feel a surge of excitement.
Like a dose of adrenaline.
Suddenly, it all seemed a lot less scary!
"Say what you will, but Miss Finality is on our side!"
"In other words—their big boss is one of us! What are a few Herrschers, Honkai beasts, or zombies gonna do?"
"This is in the bag!"
"That's my wife for you—Origin in my left hand, Finality in my right. Ahh~ feels good!"
[This account has been suspended.]
"Hah!"
"Lol!"
"..."
"Right now I'm really curious what the Third Herrscher's expression will be when she sees Finality."
"Third Herrscher: 'Huh? I have to fight Finality?'"
"Can she win?"
"She's so dead."
"..."
Sure enough.
The comments and bullet chats suddenly became lively and cheerful.
But that was only natural!
Even Elysia and Kiana couldn't help but laugh.
No matter what, humans are adaptable creatures.
We're experts at self-comfort.
If your mindset's good, everything feels like a winning move.
If your mindset's bad, everything looks like certain doom.
You had to move? Nice, nice—new house coming soon.
A new Herrscher descended? Great, great—new waifu to see.
"I really want to get close to Herrscher-sis~"
No joke.
Some people genuinely felt that way.
Kiana almost thought it was Elysia who'd posted that comment, but clearly, it wasn't her.
At the very least, she wasn't the first.
Who was it?
To actually beat Elysia at her own game...
She really wanted to know.
--+--
T/N: While I am an inexperienced Translator, I have a Patreon! While it may seem empty as of now, webnovel will get 3 Chapters Every Day, and advanced chapters will be uploaded on Patreon.
20+ advanced chaps on my patreon.
[email protected]/AspenTL
If you guys wanna check it out.