It took less than two and a half minutes for Ling Ke's advisory staff to conceive, approve, and launch a full-scale assault to seize the moon, all because he'd drawn the "Medical Transport" character template in the game.
During that brief time, the leaders, top brass, and core members of the three major organizations—Schicksal, Anti-Entropy, and World Serpent—had already adjusted their mentalities.
They knew humanity now had to parley with Ling Ke.
Otherwise…
After the tenth Honkai eruption in the previous era, only 15% of Earth's cities remained.
This time, the losses would be even greater.
Because the rampaging forces across the globe weren't just the "Thousand" anymore.
Under this dire premise…
"Have you chosen your 'representative'?"
Inside the Cosmic Juggernaut's temporarily sealed prison cell, Ling Ke, the Domination Puppet, had been waiting for quite some time after his earlier bout of taunting and ridicule.
Even now, his bearing and manner remained impeccably elegant.
Yet everyone present knew that behind this elegant façade lurked an incomparably savage nature.
His driving force: resentment.
His very name: Revenge.
Suddenly…
"First time we've met, Mr. Ling Ke."
A figure stepped forward from the observation window.
The outcome came as no surprise to Ling Ke.
The human side's representative was none other than Otto Apocalypse—the very source of most of their malice.
Even Welt must have realized that in this dire situation, only this cunning old fox stood any chance of managing the situation.
Of course, Dr. Tesla clearly resented this arrangement.
As she put it:
"Sending a heartless schemer to negotiate? What good could come of that?"
Perhaps she was right.
Because…
"It's true, this is our first meeting."
In the sealed chamber, the Domination Puppet: Ling Ke synchronized its senses with Ling Ke himself, who then took full control.
Then…
"But your infamous reputation and long list of 'glorious deeds' precede you like thunder."
"After all, they're simply too numerous to ignore."
"Let me think…"
The Domination Puppet: Ling Ke smirked coldly, its gaze shifting to the figure beside Otto… "Even now, with the Three Major Organizations allied, you still haven't officially revealed that Durandal is the real Kiana Kaslana, have you?"
"!!!"
A single sentence…
…detonated the emotions of nearly every negotiator on the human side.
"What?!"
"Durandal is Cecilia's…"
"Me?"
"..."
For a moment, the Three Elders of Anti-Entropy, Theresa, Durandal herself, and even… K-423, who had received the name "Kiana Kaslana" from Siegfried years ago, all wore expressions of utter shock.
The revelation was explosive.
Among those present, apart from Otto, Rita, and a handful of others, everyone—from Theresa to the white-haired, blue-eyed girl—had believed the real Kiana Kaslana had long since passed away.
Yet…
"Well, what else would you expect from the blood of a Kaslana and a Schariac?"
"Descendant of the strongest fusion warrior, and blessed with the unique Schariac Holy Blood."
"Even as a child, without any training, she survived a ten-thousand-meter fall, landing headfirst."
"What a tragedy. Despite possessing such unparalleled talent—the envy of billions—her entire life was utterly manipulated by another. She even reveres the man who murdered her mother as her mentor."
"Now, I truly want to ask: How does it feel, the real Kiana Kaslana?"
"Oh, wait, that's not right…"
Domination Puppet: Ling Ke grinned. "Even that name no longer belongs to you."
"Your own father gave it away! Ha ha ha ha!"
Hearing this…
"You bastard!"
Dr. Tesla gritted her teeth.
It was impossible to tell whether her furious curse was aimed at the mocking Domination Puppet: Ling Ke or… the mastermind behind it all, Otto.
Probably both.
But then…
"Durandal, Durandal…"
"You, hailed as the strongest S-rank Valkyrie of all time, do you truly believe your achievements are solely the result of relentless effort?"
Domination Puppet: Ling Ke's lips curled into a sardonic smile. "Day in and day out, you unknowingly peddled toxic motivational speeches to those Valkyries who idolized you, never once considering… that you were the ultimate beneficiary of bloodline supremacy."
"This world has never been fair. Even if ordinary people train themselves to death, they can't withstand a single wave of Honkai radiation."
"Yet you can anchor a world bubble… How dare you claim that's all due to your 'effort'?"
"And there's more…"
With venomous precision, the Domination Puppet: Ling Ke cut through the lies: "Guess what? The comrade you've always trusted, the one you rushed to save just now—does she even know your real identity?"
"..."
At the observation window, Durandal gazed incredulously at her short-haired colleague. "Rita, you…"
"..."
"Rita was placed at your side by me," Otto's calm voice cut through the room.
He didn't even glance at Durandal, his so-called "most outstanding student." Instead, he stated flatly, "I needed to ensure your proper development."
"..."
Durandal fell silent.
Her heart was undoubtedly in turmoil. The situation was utterly dire.
She hadn't awakened her Palatinus state within Kaslana's Stigmata Space through a heroic clash with Otto. Instead, Ling Ke had brutally ripped open her old wounds.
And most importantly…
"Kiana…"
Beside her, Raiden Mei and Bronya watched the white-haired girl with deep concern. Yet now, they didn't even know if they should still call her "Kiana."
It wasn't that they looked down on her for being an experimental subject.
No, it was far worse. The real Kiana Kaslana stood nearby.
Ling Ke had chosen this moment to reveal the truth with truly… cunning timing.
Once again, they felt the palpable malice of this era's Herrscher of Dominance.
And they had a creeping suspicion…
This was only the beginning!
If humanity couldn't overcome even this level of malice, they could forget about any so-called parley.
Therefore…
"A name is just a label," Kevin, the Lord of World Serpent, suddenly declared. "An unwavering conviction—that's what makes a true warrior."
Hearing these words…
"Is that so?"
Domination Puppet: Ling Ke smiled.
Before Kevin's words could sink in, he interjected: "Kevin Kaslana… Your conviction, as I recall, was this: Humanity will conquer the Honkai, no matter the cost!
"That was your promise, wasn't it?"
"Then here's the question…"
"I know the current you," Ling Ke said. "You'd sacrifice humanity itself to defeat the Honkai."
"But what if the price were different…?"
The Domination Puppet: Ling Ke spread his hands, his form shifting back into a human-shaped scale. "For example: if you could defeat the Honkai by personally killing your beloved… could you bring yourself to do it?"
"Remember, I'm not talking about those pale imitations in the world bubbles. I mean the one from fifty thousand years ago… the last leader of The Moths Who Chase the Flames."
"She… should be the ultimate stake in your heart—the one you'd pay any price for."
Kevin fell silent, his fists clenched tight. His inner turmoil was palpable.
Finally…
"Your words are useless empty talk," Kevin said, his voice deep.
"But you've evaded my question."
Ling Ke chuckled, a hint of mockery in his tone. "Tsk, tsk. Any price, you said… Sigh, you and Raiden Mei over there—both so fond of lofty rhetoric."
"And…"
Within the Theater of Dominance, Ling Ke's true form wore a dangerous smile. He had finally cast a terrifying lure…
"Who told you my words were merely useless empty talk?"