Chapter 1027

Just as everyone raised their spears and swords, ready to charge at Nicadoli——

The divine body behind it suddenly lit up.

Almost at the same moment, the Heaven's Punishment Blade hanging over the city erupted, a blinding beam of light instantly piercing countless mountains along its path, heading straight for the sphere KefaLe bore on his back!

Aglaea far in Aohema suddenly lifted her head, her gaze locking onto distant KefaLe. Just now, the golden threads throughout Aohema instantly tightened—the moment they had been waiting for is now!

"My master——"

The previously prepared Tiboo, Tian, and Tining simultaneously appeared around KefaLe, their tiny figures joining hands to open a Hundred Worlds Gate leading elsewhere to Wengfalusi.

That beam of light shot straight into the gate, no matter how overwhelming its power, it could not harm the Dawn Machine KefaLe bore on his back in the slightest; all the light was completely transferred by the Myriad Worlds Gate, not a trace leaking out.

Nicadoli was ultimately just a spent force; not long after, the energy accumulated by the Heaven's Punishment Blade was exhausted, and as the light on its blade faded, the blade that in its prime could cleave sea and mountain ultimately turned into a dull, lusterless lump of pig iron.

Everything returned to silence.

Only the wind still wandered through the ruins, rolling up fine golden dust and scattering it toward every crack and wound of Xuanfengcheng. Nicadoli's divine form finally dissipated in the dimming light, leaving behind a solitary spark.

Baie walked slowly toward it.

"No need to swing your sword anymore……From now on, the world will have no more 【Strife】."

——

Honkai 3

"Finally……it's over, what a huge commotion."

Padou let out a long sigh, her whole body limp like a deflated balloon as she slumped onto the sofa, staring blankly at the sky curtain.

Although she herself hadn't joined the fight, watching Baie and her companions battle the Titan made her heart leap to her throat, cheering and such……she had already shouted herself hoarse.

Fortunately, they were all Memory Units, so the huge commotion transmitted from the sky curtain didn't affect them much.

"As expected~ with Star and Dan Heng here, facing the Titan this time is smooth sailing despite the scare." Ailixiya beamed as she sidled up to Kevin, "Kevin, I told you, those two are the biggest variables of this Fire Pursuit Journey; as long as the train crew is aboard, this Fire Pursuit Journey will surely go smoothly, no problems—just put your heart in your belly and trust me♪"

"Hmm……" Kevin remained noncommittal; in this challenge against the Strife Titan, Star indeed brought an unexpected variable. Although it's unclear why Fuli suddenly glanced at her, at least it gave her such a wondrous companion as Mimi.

At the same time, it also showed them the uniqueness of "Memory"—that even within past memories, one could alter the causality of the future.

"Oh, right, I still have something to give you."

Ailixiya suddenly pulled out a fluffy pink hat, its round, plump shape……exactly like Mimi's.

Ailixiya obviously loved this hat, having long been eager to put it on; she tugged at the two pom-poms hanging by her ears, and the ears of the Mimi hat bobbed up and down with her movements.

"This……" Kevin weighed his words, "…a hat, very fitting for you."

"Yeah, this is designed by Eden, right? Super cute, huh? Everyone in Paradise gets one, right?"

"……"

Kevin looked at Ailie with a blank expression.

Ailie blinked, returning an even brighter smile.

"Do I have to wear it too?"

"Yes."

Ailie smiled and continued, "Not just you, huh—Meibiwusi and Qianjie also have to wear it."

"Qianjie has one too?" Kevin raised an eyebrow. On that eternally icy mountain of a face, a hint……could it be called "anticipation"? appeared.

For a moment he could hardly imagine Qianjie's mask paired with the Mimi hat.

"Of course." Ailixiya turned around, she took out a new Mimi hat, about to hand it to Qianjie, when she suddenly noticed that the man who had just been in the hall had already vanished.

"Where's Qianjie?"

"Ailie sis……" Padou came over and whispered, "…Brother Jie slipped out secretly while you were pulling out the Mimi hat."

——

"Finally over, Nicadoli's spark……"

"Time flies; it's been ages since the last Titan fell." Xiedie lifted her head, "The Heaven's Punishment Spear is gone now, and the Golden Heirs have stepped closer to the creation spoken of in the divine oracle."

"Wandi: "It's so quiet here it's suffocating…without the garrisoning Titan, this place has become utterly unfamiliar.""

"Baie laughed relaxedly, "You and it have fought thousands of rounds in a row…I guess your ears just aren't used to this quiet yet?""

"... Hmph. What do we do next?"

"Xiedie said: "I made a pact with that Titan…the Golden Heirs will take its spark, using it as kindling to light the road ahead.""

"Have you communicated with Nicadoli…?"

"Star nodded: "It's been defending the world against something.""

"Wandi urged: "What did it say? I need to know……"

"No need to rush, Lord Wandi. Once we return to Aohema, I'll relay it for you."

"Baie eyed the Strife spark before her: "Aglaea said…someone must touch and absorb the spark, temporarily becoming its vessel. Wandi, you……"

"Wandi wearily shook his head: "…Let this honor go to you. This is the scene you've always dreamed of, isn't it?"

"... But you're more qualified than I am…you've picked up even more fresh wounds."

"If you knew how exhausting a bitter struggle is……you'd understand all the more that I least want to do now is waste words."

"Baie gave a light smile: "... At least argue a few words with me? Brushing it off so lightly makes it seem like it's not a matter of fate."

"Baie placed her hand on the spark; as her will moved, the spark made a soft "whoosh" and was sucked into her body—originally thought to be a terribly complex ritual, but in practice it turned out this simple."

"Dan Heng asked anxiously: "Are you alright, Baie?"

"Baie lowered her head to glance at her palm: "... I feel no change at all. Actually, it feels easier than I imagined? I thought bearing the spark would require a greater…price."