"Headache."
Transforming the Root vortex with Little Garden's Central Core essence was no easy task.
Where on earth would Aslan find an object containing the essence of Little Garden's Central Core?
"By the way, could the Umbrella Corporation work?"
"What if I place the Umbrella Corporation across all worldlines? Doesn't it contain even a billionth of your essence?"
Surely that should be enough to transform the Root vortex, right?
Aslan wasn't quite sure.
[Enough.]
Seeing the response from Little Garden's Central Core, Aslan gave a slight nod. This method would also help solidify the Beast of Progress essence he had created.
Yet he felt slightly uneasy about suddenly having the Umbrella Corporation appear in the Type-Moon world.
But right now, he couldn't dwell on that.
"Almost forgot—I need to pick up these two Counter Forces."
The shocks from Little Garden's Central Core and Nyaruko had been too great, causing him to momentarily forget his promise to these two.
Yet Aslan hadn't expected that upon entering the Throne of Heroes, he'd be greeted like this.
"That man must've failed and is now too scared to come!"
Alaya said boldly and loudly. She wasn't afraid of that bastard anymore.
But Gaia seemed to realize something. She wanted to frantically warn Alaya, but saw Aslan's "shh" gesture.
She quickly shut her mouth. Gaia was only slightly prideful and stubborn—actually quite reasonable to talk to.
Unlike Alaya, who was both cowardly and bold, like a mischievous little girl.
Then Gaia quietly closed her eyes and silently prayed for Alaya.
"Alaya-chan, I mourn for you."
What echoed in her ears was the loud slap of Alaya's backside, reverberating throughout the entire Throne of Heroes.
"Why do you say I'm not brave enough to come?"
The corner of Aslan's mouth twitched in irritation. He kindly intended to help them leave the Throne of Heroes, yet they slandered him behind his back?
"So, have you thought about how you'll punish yourself?"
"Punish me… by playing in the Throne of Heroes?"
Alaya asked carefully.
"Why don't I just make you into my personal heat weapon?"
Thinking she could get off with such a light punishment? Dream on. Aslan replied mercilessly.
But what he got was Alaya's utterly terrified expression.
"Could it be… you actually want to empower all of humanity?"
Instantly, Aslan's face darkened. This Alaya was truly naughty—she needed another lesson.
"Sorry, I'm only interested in pretty girls."
Who would want to strengthen all of humanity?
Alaya's appearance as a little girl was far too tempting. Who would've guessed the Counter Force of humanity's collective subconscious would manifest as a cute little girl?
"Fine. Get in. I'll try to take you out."
As he spoke, a Land card containing the entire Earth appeared in Aslan's palm. Alaya and Gaia cautiously poked their fingers into it to inspect.
No accidents. No endless waves of survival instincts from the Counter Forces.
Nor any instinct to merge all Counter Forces.
Conclusion: safe. They could enter.
"Wait, Alaya, isn't the Quantum Time-Lock in this world a bit strange?"
After replacing the Counter Forces in the worldline where Aslan descended, Gaia immediately realized something was wrong.
"The end of Steel of the Land, which should've arrived in a hundred years—why has it been delayed by several centuries?"
Since the future had changed, Gaia couldn't accurately state exactly how many years it had been postponed.
Having never seen this in other worldlines, where could she get reference records?
Future variables were too numerous.
In a sense, the development of the Type-Moon world perfectly matched the saying: Earth is like a small boat adrift on a vast ocean.
Surviving each day peacefully was an unimaginable miracle.
After all, the worldview of Type-Moon fundamentally relied on the Cthulhu Mythos worldview.
Within the Type-Moon Multiverse, Earth and the solar system occupied only a tiny fraction. Most of the universe belonged to Outer Gods and Elder Gods.
Without Counter Forces and the Quantum Time-Lock, who knew what disasters meddling Magi might unleash?
"I feel this worldline might allow the Quantum Time-Lock to be updated?"
Gaia stroked her chin and pondered. After all, what happened was merely the emergence of a worldwide biohazard.
It didn't affect Gaia much. At least it wouldn't blow up the Earth.
"Reject! Firmly reject! I won't acknowledge this worldline!"
Alaya shouted fiercely. This worldline might be comfortable for Gaia, but not for her.
Biohazards and similar threats—if left unchecked even slightly—could wipe out all of humanity!
As Humanity's Counter Force, if this virus showed signs of spreading, she'd dare summon Guardians on-site to eliminate all relevant individuals.
Earth might survive—but all of humanity would die!
"I think the Steel of the Land worldline was good enough. At least humans survived."
Even though humans used genetic technology to evolve into Faerie subspecies, overall they still fell under Primates, and other Faerie subspecies remained.
Gaia might perish, but humanity would still live on.
Then, the two foolish Counter Forces started fighting.
They completely ignored Aslan's increasingly darkening expression. Did these two Counter Forces not even consider his opinion?
"So you won't ask for my input?"
"I created this worldline!"
Aslan grabbed one little girl in each hand, forcibly separating the bickering Counter Forces.
Yet the two little girls continued glaring at each other sharply, refusing to speak to one another.
"By the way, can this worldline be uploaded to the Quantum Time-Lock?"
Aslan asked curiously. He knew about the Quantum Time-Lock, but not its specific mechanics.
"Yes, but it must first undergo experiments across certain designated worldlines to verify it can progress further than the current records in the Quantum Time-Lock."
Gaia nodded and explained. This was also what many Earth graduates and Crypters did.
Searching for a future that could continue across most worldlines.
Worldlines already destroyed, after Chaldea removed the destructive factors, became experimental subjects for a new future.
The final step decided by Chaldea was themselves.