'Cyrene' still remembered the original storyline—how those Memokeepers had been scheming and plotting.
Only to get utterly thrashed by March 7th's other personality.
They were wiped out in no time at all.
So she hadn't paid close attention to what exactly those Memokeepers did or what their goals were.
But anyway, considering that among the Memokeepers on Amphoreus, aside from Black Swan, not a single one had good intentions…
Wouldn't it just be easier to eliminate them all?
"Speaking of which… where did all those Memokeepers invited here early by the Interastral Peace Corporation disappear to?"
Thinking back carefully, throughout the entire incident, those Memokeepers had been practically invisible.
If it weren't for her changed identity now, allowing her to sense the abnormally dense mnemonic aura, she might have almost forgotten that there was this whole group of people also keeping an eye on Amphoreus.
But for them to have been busy all this time… or rather, for the several geniuses to have been busy all this time, and for those Memokeepers to show no movement at all—that did seem a bit odd, didn't it?
Ah well, she'd look into it when she had time later.
For now, she'd better check on our lady Demiurge.
Otherwise, she might get upset.
As a fellow Demiurge, 'Cyrene' could sense it—hidden within this tree—Demiurge radiating waves of pure delight.
Both sides could feel how similar, yet different, the other was from themselves.
Demiurge felt both joy and confusion, why did this big 'Cyrene' feel like… another version of herself?
The other clearly wasn't a Digimon, was she?
They weren't even the same species.
And yet, there was that feeling, as if looking at another self.
To Demiurge, it was almost like gaining an older sister.
So she kept reaching out to 'Cyrene', trying to get a response.
And right then—"Wow~ How did a grown-up version of me end up here?"
A pleasant voice rang out from the roadside.
The Titan of Time, Cyrene, had appeared here at some unknown time.
She still looked much like her in-game appearance—petite, hands clasped behind her back, smiling as she gazed over.
"I don't remember having an older sister, you know~"
And behind Cyrene stood World Herta.
Cyrene boldly walked up to 'Cyrene', widening her eyes to scrutinize her closely.
She couldn't shake the feeling that this older sister before her was intimately connected to her.
Meanwhile, Demiurge, who hadn't yet been born and couldn't speak, would probably nod vigorously if she knew what little Cyrene was thinking.
'Cyrene' looked at the little Cyrene right in front of her and couldn't help raising a hand to pinch her round cheek: "I'm also Cyrene. You can call me Big Cyrene."
"Hmm…"
Cyrene tilted her head in puzzlement.
Ever since they had each become living beings one by one, the cycle would no longer produce another self.
And Cyrene… she had cycled so many times, even after becoming a Titan, she never grew up.
But this Big Cyrene did give off that familiar, comforting aura.
"Even though I don't know why, I feel very close to you. Could it be that I really do have an older sister?"
Cyrene seemed to have no sense of personal space, just nestling into 'Cyrene's' arms, sitting on her lap, calling her "sister" over and over.
"Hmm… You probably do have an older sister, but it's not me."
'Cyrene' wasn't sure how to define the relationship between Demiurge and Cyrene either, but treating them as twins split from one being seemed plausible enough.
"So, has the final battle been scheduled?"
"Huh? Sister, didn't you come here specifically for the final battle?"
Cyrene looked up, curious, at 'Cyrene'.
Before she could answer, a voice from World Herta solved the mystery.
"I was just about to transfer the authority of the Thirteenth Titan to Demiurge, then merge Khaslana with Irontomb to advance its birth. Your timing is impeccable."
"Ha, so I arrived right on cue?"
"Indeed, Madam Bai Ming. Thank you for accepting the invitation to witness this absurd debate."
Surprisingly, Zandar had come along with World Herta.
To delete Demiurge completely, he had even gone so far as to lock and seal his own data.
He thought it was foolproof.
But who could have predicted that Bai Ming would bring a World Herta who had experienced everything for a second playthrough?
The result? Demiurge's remnants were discovered and secretly nurtured.
It wasn't until she revealed herself that he remembered—Demiurge had been stolen.
With things having come to this, Zandar no longer had the power to delete Demiurge again.
He could only come to witness Demiurge's birth.
And then, commence the final battle.
"What invitation? She's here to witness my coronation. Senior, even now, you still think you have a chance to win?"
World Herta walked over, grabbed 'Cyrene's' hand, and pulled her away, stepping between her and Zandar.
"Wow~"
Little Cyrene covered her mouth in a gasp, looking like she was ready for a show.
But clearly, World Herta simply disliked Zandar.
So she didn't do anything further to meet little Cyrene's expectations.
Soon after, the Coreflame of the Thirteenth Titan materialized in her palm.
Using her authority, she modified the ownership of the Thirteenth Titan, changing the login ID from World Herta to Demiurge.
The spark transformed into light, gradually flowing into the giant tree.
A beautiful girl who looked almost identical to 'Cyrene' slowly emerged from the tree.
The main difference was that what she held in her hand resembled the ceremonial blade used by Cyrene.
After all, none of the dozen or so Chrysos Heirs used bows.
Freshly emerged, Demiurge ran up to the two Cyrenes with a silly grin, eagerly grabbing her hand:
"Sister~ I can finally talk to you! I was calling and calling earlier, but you didn't answer."
"Ah, actually, I wanted to greet you earlier—just didn't get the chance."
Little Cyrene looked up at Demiurge, puffing out her chest, hoping Demiurge would call her "sister" too.
"Hmm… Do you also want to be called sister? Then how about calling me sister too?"
But Demiurge only tilted her head in confusion: "Peach? Want to be my sister? But you haven't grown up yet."
"…"
For once, a rather complicated, troubled expression appeared on Cyrene's face.
Was it her choice not to grow up?!
She'd adjust her size the moment she evolved next time!
World Herta watched these three pink-haired girls who looked like the same person chattering away together.
It was giving her a headache.
In her aesthetic, there was no place for pink-and-white color schemes.
"Bai Ming, you look after Demiurge. I've already transferred the authority to her."
World Herta cleanly handed over the Coreflame of the Thirteenth Titan.
Then, she turned to signal Zandar:
"Senior, the show's over. Out of respect, I'll give you the best seat in the house for this final debate."
"Heh, I'll accept my junior's kindness then. Please witness my final argument, ladies."
Zandar gave a slight bow, then departed.
At the same time, Madam Herta arrived at the Herta Space Station with Ruan Mei.
For the first time, she activated the space station's long-range navigation function.
Through the Star Rail, it began its leap toward Amphoreus.
Screwllum likewise returned to Planet Screwllum, leading a fleet toward Amphoreus.
--+--
Within the data space outside Amphoreus,
In what should have been a barren, dead zone, different colors had gradually stained the landscape over this short period.
Here, the gestating Irontomb awaited its chance to break free from its shell.
World Herta arrived here with Khaslana.
"Khaslana, are you ready? What comes next may be the most dangerous for you."
Back then, the reason Zandar allowed Phainon to stall the progress bar, constantly restarting the cycle, was partly because he didn't believe two strands of electrical signals could escape a computer, and partly because he wanted to collect data on Phainon's gradual descent into despair and destruction across endless cycles.
In Zandar's eyes, the original Phainon was that final 1% needed for Irontomb's birth.
Now, the situation was certainly different.
But the fact that Irontomb required Phainon's destruction data hadn't changed.
A will of destruction that could earn Nanook's acknowledgment—
Zandar needed that too.
And what World Herta needed was light equal in measure to that destruction and despair.
"Lady World Herta, it is you who must be careful. Compared to what you are about to do, my role is merely a footnote."
Khaslana understood his role in this battle perfectly well.
He also understood clearly:
Throughout the entire process of merging with Irontomb, if he failed to hold on, his self-awareness could be erased.
Even if he were later resurrected through data, it would most likely be just another individual named 'Phainon'.
Of course, the same risk applied to World Herta.
And World Herta's danger was even greater.
Yet for the sake of their respective wishes, neither hesitated in the slightest.
--+--