Schicksal’s rival, Anti-Entropy, was quickly notified of the massive Honkai eruption at Babylon Labs.
Dr.
Einstein theorized that it could be the awakening of the Second Herrscher and immediately warned that Schicksal had likely already begun mobilizing its forces.
Anti-Entropy responded in kind.
Under the orders of its Sovereign, Welt Yang, the organization entered a state of emergency.
“If the Herrscher cannot be brought to our side, as I once was,” Welt declared, “then it must be eliminated.”
The Sovereign of Anti-Entropy chose to intervene personally after the spy they had planted within Schicksal reported the scale of the disaster.
Dr.
Tesla’s mechs would be useless against a Herrscher powerful enough to reduce Babylon Labs to a giant crater.
Patricia Highsmith, an A-rank Valkyrie and secret Anti-Entropy double agent, had originally been assigned alongside Theresa Apocalypse.
Upon arriving, she witnessed Sirin’s Void Lance tearing through the golden chains of Judah, a gigantic purple-and-gold dragon circling protectively around the young Herrscher.
Babylon Labs had been reduced to ruins so complete that anyone unfamiliar with its layout would never have guessed a research facility had once stood there.
Only the inmate cells remained untouched.
Patricia wisely decided that discovering why was well above her pay grade.
Especially after observing what appeared to be the aftermath of a nuclear explosion.
She chose not to engage.
Instead, she shattered her communications device and retreated back toward Anti-Entropy with her head still attached to her shoulders.
Schicksal subsequently declared her Missing in Action.
The report, however, gave Otto sufficient justification to prepare the deployment of two S-rank Valkyries.
Cecilia Schariac, bearer of the Divine Key Black Abyss White Flower.
And Siegfried Kaslana, wielder of the Divine Key Judgement of Shamash.
Special authorization had even been granted for the use of Shamash’s strongest form, the Might of An-Utu, should the threat prove impossible to contain.
Otto was reluctant to deploy them immediately.
After all, the newborn Kaslana child was still at home.
‘It’s a pity, really.
Little Kiana looks exactly like Kallen did.’
She would grow into a tremendous asset for Schicksal.
Blessed with the natural Palatinus Stigmata—a fusion of the Kaslana and Schariac bloodlines—and the Schariac Holy Blood itself, she possessed the potential to become an unstoppable force if properly cultivated.
While preparations were underway within Schicksal, the Second Herrscher of Reason arrived at the Siberian tundra after detecting the enormous spike in Honkai energy.
And another powerful Honkai signature nearby.
Holding Star of Eden firmly in his grip, the bespectacled man cautiously crested a snowy hill.
Then froze.
His previously bouncing brown hair settled completely still.
Before him stood a massive violet dragon adorned with golden trimmings.
The Judgement-Class Honkai Beast was approaching a young man—perhaps still a teenager.
Behind him sat a vehicle containing three frightened girls.
The young man was calmly attempting to reassure them despite the monstrous creature advancing toward him.
Welt Yang was moved!
He had always known his faith in humanity was not misplaced!
This golden-eyed hero stood fearlessly before a Judgement-Class Honkai Beast without the slightest trace of hesitation!
Perhaps he was buying time for the three maidens inside the vehicle!
Perhaps he had already accepted his own death!
The ethereal young man completely embodied the ideal of heroism that Welt Yang so deeply admired!
That fearless look upon his face!
The calm and reassuring smile, completely focused on the young girls while he faced down death itself!
Welt Yang was enamoured!
His eyes became slightly moist.
His fists clenched.
He raised a hand dramatically to his chest, his teeth grit with determination as tears threatened to spill into the snow below.
This kind of youth was what they were fighting for!
Who they owed the world to!
A bright future!
A noble soul!
A courageous heart standing proudly against impossible odds!
Welt Yang raised Star of Eden.
He could not allow such a brilliant flame to be extinguished amidst the frozen tundra!
He’d save him!
That was his responsibility!
And perhaps afterward…
Offer him a position within Anti-Entropy.
A fearless young man like this was exactly the sort of person Welt desperately wanted in his organization!
The recruitment paperwork was practically writing itself!
“Star of Eden, Zero-Rated Pow—”
“OLD MAN!
STOP!”
Welt froze.
The charge building within Star of Eden immediately halted.
Seiya was frantically waving both hands in front of him.
Welt blinked.
Then sweat-dropped in confusion.
The dragon turned sharply toward him.
Its eyes narrowed.
The atmosphere immediately became dangerous.
“Dragon Me!
No!” Seiya shouted.
The dragon paused.
“We do not attack him.
He’s a good guy, I promise!”
The enormous Honkai Beast reluctantly backed down.
Obeying its queen’s order to not go against Seiya’s words at any cost, it chose to listen.
Seiya let out a long sigh of relief.
Crisis successfully averted.
Situation successfully de-escalated.
Welt only became more confused.
The dragon…
Had listened.
He adjusted his brown coat and cautiously approached.
Star of Eden remained in his hand, though he deliberately avoided displaying any hostility.
Eventually, after noticing the beast’s continued reluctance to attack him, he lowered the Divine Key slightly.
Then he turned toward Seiya.
A kind smile rested on his face.
Unfortunately, there was also an unmistakable look in his eyes.
One that clearly demanded an explanation.
Seiya gulped.
“Oh dear…”
He scratched the back of his head awkwardly.
“You might want to sit down for this one~”
Welt raised an eyebrow.
“It’s a long story.
A really long story.
With quite a lot of people involved.”
Welt flicked his wrist casually.
Two wooden chairs materialized from thin air, crafted from mahogany and oak.
He sat down.
He had time.
And despite everything, he still held a favorable impression of the young man before him.
After all, first impressions mattered.
So he offered Seiya a reassuring smile.
“My name is Welt Yang.”
The young man hesitated briefly before sitting down across from him.
“…Seiya.”
HaiiI~!
Yay~!
Our favourite old man!
How I wish he were playable in Third!
MY dreams have been fulfilled in Star Rail~!