Survival of the fittest, natural selection, and adaptation are inherently part of nature's laws.
But ultimately, this law is extremely cruel.
The reason humans are human is not just because they possess intelligence; familial affection, friendship, love, kindness, and compassion—these beautiful emotions are all part of humanity.
However, Misteln's method of inducing Stigmata did not have a high success rate; 'one in ten survive' was already an exaggeration of the survival rate.
And she herself was the consciousness of the Schariac Stigmata, an existence akin to the embodiment of salvation, so this was something that caused her immense pain.
"I can tell that you are not a natural Stigmata user, nor did you obtain Stigmata from me. How are you able to withstand the Honkai Energy emanating from me?"
The high concentration of Honkai Energy emanating from Misteln formed a high-concentration Honkai Energy field centered around her. Within this field, let alone those Artificial Stigmata Valkyries, Even mechs, and even products of the Previous Era like Gray Serpent, couldn't withstand it.
But Takatsuki was completely unaffected.
So Misteln wanted to know why he could do this.
"If you are hoping to replicate my method for others, I can only say it's impossible."
The exaggerated Honkai Energy emanating from Misteln would at the very least require a natural Stigmata holder to withstand, and then a Herrscher.
Both of these scenarios were simpler than Takatsuki's situation.
"If my method could be popularized, I naturally wouldn't hide it. I think you should have seen what I said before the whole world."
Misteln showed a puzzled expression at Takatsuki's words: "What you said before the whole world?"
No way, does someone really not recognize the person from that broadcast after seeing me?
"The worldwide broadcast a few days ago, you didn't watch it?"
Misteln shook her head: "I didn't watch it. Although I have a human form, my existence is not stable, and I cannot exist in the material world for long. I periodically return to the Stigmata space."
"No wonder."
Takatsuki crossed his arms and scrutinized Misteln for a while. To be honest, Misteln's appearance really gave him the illusion of facing a mother-in-law, unconsciously adding a sense of closeness.
Even though she was a stranger he had just met, he felt a desire to help her.
"If you want others to withstand the Honkai Energy on your body, I can't do it."
Takatsuki's words made Misteln somewhat disappointed, but he hadn't finished speaking: "But if you just want to control this power on your body, I can help you seal it, though it might be a bit unsightly."
"How do you seal it?!"
Misteln immediately looked at Takatsuki.
Under her gaze, a flat-head screw appeared in Takatsuki's hand at some point: "I just need to nail this into your body. It can seal the power on your body, but it will be very noticeable on your body, and only I can remove it."
Unlike the Great Lie, the nail created by the script could not even be pulled out by Anshin'in Iihiko, who was powerful enough to be called a god. As the negative of negatives, Kumagawa Misogi's innate forbidden Overload was itself a prime example of overcoming the strong with the weak.
Although it couldn't compare to the protagonist's absurd ability in the original work, this ability was called forbidden because it could seal enemies beyond its own level.
Staring intently at the screw in Takatsuki's hand, it was indeed not aesthetically pleasing; it was impossible to imagine how it could be worn as an ornament on her body.
But Misteln still made her decision.
"Please… help me."
Looking at Misteln, who had spread her arms wide, leaving herself completely exposed, Takatsuki fell silent.
He hadn't expected Misteln to be so decisive.
"Are you sure?"
Misteln smiled softly: "Do you know about the Stigmata Project?"
Takatsuki nodded. Misteln was not surprised, nor did she care why Takatsuki knew, but continued: "In the Stigmata Project, I am a very crucial step, because I was born by accident, so I am not yet a true ideal type. After the Stigmata Project begins, this incomplete me will disappear, and the true Schariac Stigmata life will be born. She will have the same appearance as me, the same power, the same… memories."
Misteln gave Takatsuki a bitter smile: "Only the will will no longer be the same."
"I don't know what the future me, that Hare, will think, but… why me?"
"I don't want to hurt others because of myself, so I chose to commit suicide, but why… if you let me be born, why make me suffer so much?"
"…"
Misteln's personality was very gentle; even when venting the negative emotions she had suppressed for a long time, she was not hysterical.
Even if she felt indignant and unfair, she never thought of resenting anyone or seeking revenge. Instead, she chose to end her own life.
But survival is the instinct of life. If one can live, who would want to die?
"Then if… you could be born as an ordinary person, what would you want to do?"
"Do what…"
Listening to Takatsuki's question, Misteln showed a slight smile: "I think, I'd first like to see this world, to go to those places full of people, to those places that the former me could not go."
"A very good dream."
"We cannot choose our destiny, but we can… choose what kind of person to become."
Misteln watched as a screw the thickness of an arm pierced her body.
What kind of feeling was it?
Pain?
There was none…
The screw created by the script was itself an embodiment of its power, not a physical object.
And in response, she felt something within her body being suppressed.
Misteln herself was born in a high concentration of Honkai Energy, and she lived in such an environment, so she couldn't detect the abnormality on herself, only perceiving it through the changes in others.
And the moment her power was sealed, she instantly had a realization.
That was, her constantly emanating Honkai Energy had disappeared, sealed by the screw nailed into her chest.
"Is that… done?"
Looking at the screw nailed to her ample chest, Misteln looked at Takatsuki: "It really isn't very aesthetic, is it?"
Even if she was a life transformed from Stigmata, the person in front of her was still a woman, and the desire for beauty would not change.
"But… this is enough. Thank you."