"You want the beacon for the Cosmic Juggernaut—don't tell me you're planning to head for the Imaginary Tree?" Kevin asked, furrowing his brow in surprise.
The Second Divine Key, the Cosmic Juggernaut, could open a gate to the Imaginary Tree. At zero-rated output, it was even capable of creating a passage directly into it.
But mortals—no, even Herrschers—had only one fate in the Imaginary Tree: death. Kevin looked at the ever-optimistic, energetic Elias and found it hard to believe he was seeking death.
"To reach the Imaginary Tree? Heh~ Now that is a tempting goal."
Elias' eyes sparkled with excitement.
What was the Imaginary Tree?
It was the law of all things—the eternal instant!
The origin and foundation of all essence!
The birthplace of every truth and law!
To touch the Imaginary Tree, even for an instant, was to rewrite the world into whatever form one desired.
"When I'm fully prepared, I will attempt it."
Elias smiled calmly.
Kevin instinctively took a step back.
In Elias' eyes, he saw a familiar madness—similar to that of Mobius.
Herrschers were undoubtedly powerful. But ultimately, they were part of the Cocoon of Finality. And the Cocoon itself was only a branch of the Imaginary Tree. Across the entire Honkai timeline, only Otto Apokalypse had reached the Tree, by becoming a false god.
But the authority of the Imaginary Tree—
That was a level far beyond the Cocoon of Finality.
Truthfully, Elias asking Kevin for the beacon of the Cosmic Juggernaut was so he could give it to Otto.
He even planned to help Otto along that path, just to observe and comprehend the process—so that one day, he could do it better.
Eventually, Elias would challenge the Imaginary Tree himself—not as a false god, but as something greater: a true god.
It was one of the ultimate goals Elias had set for himself since arriving in this world.
"...Seems like I still don't fully understand you."
Kevin studied Elias anew.
Even the Previous Era had only ever targeted the Cocoon of Finality.
But this boy—his goal was the Tree itself.
Though the odds of success were laughably small—even saying one in a billion would be generous—if he truly managed to grasp the authority of the Imaginary Tree, defeating the Honkai would be trivial.
"Anyway, it's just an idea for now. I have my own reasons for wanting the beacon, and besides, it's not like it's any use to you."
"No. I need a concrete reason. The beacon may be useless to me, but its value is undeniable."
"Tch! We've shared noodles together, haven't we? Can't you have a little trust?"
Elias crossed his arms in frustration. He was beginning to wonder if all the goodwill built up over the last chapter had been wasted. Was this frozen popsicle only going to listen if he whipped out some genderbent photos of himself?
Expressionless, Kevin pulled out a golden device radiating an aura similar to the Herrscher of the Void.
There was no doubt—this was the beacon of the Cosmic Juggernaut.
"Fine~ I'll tell you. The beacon can help our new civilization bypass the Herrscher of Binding without any casualties. So, are you giving it to me or not?"
Elias crossed his arms and looked exasperated, though Kevin was once again stunned.
"Bypass the Herrscher of Binding without casualties?"
Those eight words made Kevin's mind reel.
He immediately recalled the horrific tragedy in the Previous Era—a brutal, narrow victory paid for by the lives of nearly all the fusion warriors.
When facing the Herrscher of Binding's nearly unbeatable powers, even now Kevin couldn't imagine a perfect solution.
Kevin looked down at the beacon of the Cosmic Juggernaut in his hand, fingers tightening around it.
Even though this wasn't his era, Kevin didn't want to see the same tragedies happen again. And so…
"Alright. I'll give it to you."
"Mm. Thanks."
"No need to thank me. I truly hope this civilization achieves what you said—bypassing the Herrscher of Binding without casualties. If the beacon can really make that happen, then giving it to you is the right choice."
Kevin shook his head seriously.
After all, even to carry out the Stigma Plan, he'd still have to face every Herrscher of this era. The Herrscher of Binding in particular posed immense difficulty—even Kevin himself would have to pay a steep price.
So if a single beacon could help them pass that hurdle unscathed, Kevin thought it was more than worth it.
What he didn't know, however—
Was that by doing so, he had essentially cut off every other method of returning to the Real World that didn't involve Elias.
"We'll make it happen. Or rather… there's a fool who will. Anyway, thanks again."
"…Huh?!"
Kevin blinked, sensing that things weren't so simple.
Elias casually opened a portal and stored the beacon inside a portion of the Imaginary Space he controlled, then immediately quantumized himself to a state Kevin couldn't interact with.
As if he was afraid Kevin might change his mind and try to snatch the beacon back.
"You… used me again?"
Kevin's eye twitched. His expression darkened.
"Not entirely. Let's say half and half."
Elias scratched his head, looking a bit sheepish.
"So bypassing the Herrscher of Binding was a lie?"
"No, Kevin Kaslana, I wasn't lying. It's just that… we've got a troublesome enemy. If he wanted to get this beacon, he might go so far as to open a passage to the Sea of Quanta just to let you return to the Real World. I had to cut that possibility off."
Elias raised a finger like a gun and playfully aimed at Kevin.
How could someone as benevolent as him ever lie? He simply hadn't told the whole truth.
Kevin's mouth twitched violently. He felt like he hadn't been this frustrated in thousands of years.
Wait—actually, the last time might've been when he was all set to slurp some noodles and realized the seasoning packet was missing.
Damn it! And it was this guy's fault back then too!
Were all the youths in this new civilization such scheming brats? Here he was, offering sincere trust—only to be led into another trap.
Elias, just wait. If I ever believe another word you say again… I'm a (frozen) pig!
"Well, mission accomplished~ I suppose it's time to head home. Today's been meaningful—quite the fruitful trip. Until next time, my friend~"
"Elias, get lost."
"Haha~ Bye-bye."
Elias laughed as his body began to fade.
He was using quantumization to return to the Real World without opening a portal.
What he didn't know was that the next time they met… it would be 50,000 years in the past.
...
Real World — Deck of the Anti-Entropy Battleship.
Since Elias left, Mei had remained standing in the same spot, eyes fixed on the place he'd vanished, waiting for the moment of his return.
Young as she was, she was already a textbook example of a devoted, statuesque wife-in-waiting.
In her hands, she tightly clutched both of Elias' Herrscher Cores.
Anyone who came within fifty meters of her would be met with fierce suspicion and guarded hostility… even her own father, Raiden Ryoma, wasn't exempt.
"Ahem, Mei? It's been a while since we've had time as father and daughter. Want to grab a meal and catch up?"
"No thank you, Dad. I'm waiting for Elias to come back."
"R-Really…? Damn it, how much sweet talk did that brat feed my daughter?" (the last part was nearly inaudible)
What should have been a heartwarming reunion instead revealed that his daughter had already found a boyfriend—and no longer needed him.
Ryoma was bitter. Really bitter.
Even worse, his ridiculous son-in-law was so absurdly strong he could obliterate a Judgment-class Honkai Beast with a single slash.
Ryoma couldn't even go down with him in a blaze of glory—he wouldn't stand a chance.
Raiden Ryoma: "I got nothing left!"
As Mei continued watching him with a look of suspicion, clutching Elias' Herrscher Cores like he might steal them, the heartbroken father was nearly in tears.
So this is what they mean when they say daughters can't be kept at home…
At the same time, Ryoma felt something else strange.
Looking at the two identical Meis standing in front of him—though he knew one was the Herrscher persona—it still felt weird.
"What are you staring at?"
"N-Nothing, nothing at all…"
The pressure from Herrscher Mei was intense. Even though she had the same face as his daughter, the way she looked at him like he was some insect made Ryoma's feelings very complicated.
"Ahem, so, Old Ryoma, can I trouble you to ask your daughter how my Kiana's doing these days?"
"Siegfried, what do you want now?"
"What, I can't be concerned about my own daughter?"
"Then ask her yourself."
"I'd rather not. The aura your daughter puts out could slice a man in half."
Siegfried admitted it—he was scared. He had developed a psychological aversion to Herrschers.
First, he got beat down by Elias.
Second, he lost a limb to young Herrscher-Kiana.
And now Mei stood there with a vibe that screamed, come closer and I'll bury you in the deck.
"Well, what do you expect? She's my daughter."
"You sure take pride in the weirdest things… You can't even get within ten meters either. Honestly, it looks like Elias is the only person on Earth allowed near your girl."
"Siegfried, if you've got nothing useful to say, then shut it."
"Wishing you early grandkids."
"You son of a—!"
Ryoma's face darkened immediately. He had no intention of seeing grandchildren anytime soon!
(Damn you, Cocolia! If you hadn't thrown me in prison, things would never have gotten this far!)
Meanwhile, upon hearing Siegfried's blessing, both Meis blushed at the same time.
The Queen and the girl simultaneously slipped into fantasies, dreamy smiles blooming across their faces.
Siegfried, ever the opportunist, seized the moment to ask about Kiana.
He had been protecting her secretly all the way up to Nagazora, but since she entered St. Freya Academy, even a former S-rank Schicksal knight like him couldn't sneak in.
Especially with Theresa around.
So he wasn't worried for Kiana's safety—
But as her dad, he still wanted to know how the kid was doing. Eating well? Getting good grades? Making friends?
They were small things. But caring about those small things—that's what made someone a parent.
Unfortunately, Herrscher Mei's next sentence nearly sent Siegfried into cardiac arrest.
"Kiana? Oh, you mean that pet raised by my Elias. She's doing fine. No need to worry."
"Good to hear—wait, pet?! What do you mean by that?! Explain yourself!"
"Hmm? Why so agitated? I meant exactly what I said. Human, are you implying I would lie?"
Herrscher Mei's eyes narrowed in displeasure.
She took out her phone and scrolled to a few pictures, then shoved it in Siegfried's face—
Photos from just yesterday, when Elias had been cuddling Kiana-cat.
In the photo, Kiana—with cat ears and a fluffy tail—was curled up obediently on Elias' lap, wearing an expression of pure bliss under his expert cat-petting techniques.
Raiden Ryoma: "Oh ho~"
Siegfried: "WHAT THE—?!"
The scene dealt massive emotional damage to both fathers.
Siegfried nearly coughed up blood.
Just moments ago, he'd been teasing Ryoma about his daughter being stolen… only to realize his own situation was far worse.
At least Mei still held the status of a girlfriend.
His poor Kiana had been demoted to pet girl.
Ryoma: "Strangely, I feel a little better now. Siegfried, looks like you've got it worse after all. I knew that brat wasn't any good! Actually—no, men in general aren't any good! Mei, break up with him now!"
Raiden Mei: "Dad, I will never break up with Elias! I… I already belong to him."
Ryoma: "PFFFFT—!"
Welp. Nobody was laughing anymore.
Siegfried and Ryoma locked eyes.
Only now did they realize they were allies on the same battlefield. They needed to work together against the true enemy—Elias, the daughter-stealing menace—not waste time mocking each other.
What they didn't know, however, was that Elias had already completely disarmed them.
One lost his Judgment of Shamash.
The other, his Plasma Kagehide.
(Elias: "This generation's dads are too easy.")
Meanwhile, over the distant sea—
The boy reappeared at the place he had vanished.
"Elias!" x2
With two joyful cries, both Meis merged into one and streaked toward him like a bolt of red lightning.
Ji Xuanyuan followed shortly behind, galloping in on her golden warhorse.
"Uh… it's only been about two hours, you know. Didn't think you missed me that much. But… I'm happy to see you too."
Elias smiled, pleasantly surprised.
The journey back from the Sea of Quanta had felt like a long, dark night. And now that he had returned to the Real World, the sunrise felt warmer than ever.
Opening his eyes to see two beautiful girls overjoyed at his return—how could he not feel the same?
"Here, your core. I took good care of it."
"Thanks, Mei."
"You didn't get into any danger, did you, Elias?"
"Of course not, Ji Xuanyuan. I'm way too strong for that. But thanks for worrying."
Elias reached out and ruffled both girls' hair.
After being apart for just two hours, he already felt like it was too long—so he quickly hugged them both to recharge.
Far off on the deck, a certain father collapsed in despair.
His daughter was way too far gone.
Raiden Ryoma: "My heart is dead. I give up..."
Siegfried: "There's still hope on my end! I'm calling Theresa immediately. She has to keep a close eye on Elias at the academy!"
After spending a moment being clingy with the girls, Elias slowly reabsorbed the Herrscher of Rebirth core and reinstalled the Herrscher of Fire core into his Vermilion Knight: Eclipse armor.
He flashed a thumbs-up toward Welt in the distance, signaling that the mission was complete—and mentally tallied his gains.
Founding loli Ji Xuanyuan? Acquired.
Key of Domination x2? Acquired.
Judgment of Shamash? Secured.
Cosmic Juggernaut's beacon? Yoinked.
Oh, and he now had the burning hatred of two fathers.
Elias: "A most productive day~"
Although Chiyou was dealt with, the three of them didn't leave immediately. Instead, they stayed to attend Anti-Entropy's victory banquet.
Elias had a lot of questions to discuss in depth with Einstein and Tesla.
But right when their conversation was getting good—
An emergency call came in from St. Freya.
Theresa: "Hey! Elias! What exactly did you skip school for today?! You'd better give me a proper explanation!"
Elias: "Principal, I can tell you're upset. But let's not rush. Getting mad might stunt your growth."
Theresa: "You—you little—?!"
Elias: "Kidding~"
Clatter! The line went dead as something slammed to the floor. Then, just a few seconds later, it rang again.
Theresa, gritting her teeth: "This esteemed principal shall let bygones be bygones! You just make sure to come back late—as late as possible!"
Elias: "Hmm? Something happen?"
Theresa: "Something big! My grandfather says he wants to meet you. He has a little chat in mind!!"
Elias, spinning the Cosmic Juggernaut's beacon in his hand like a white fox playing with prey, grinned:
"Oh? Otto wants to see me, huh?"
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