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Due to Bella's constant watchfulness, Xia Chen had no chance to make a move. Additionally, he recognized the significant gap between himself and Sirin, preventing him from acting recklessly.
The disparity between his fragmented Authority and Sirin, supported by a deity, was immense. Xia Chen couldn't even fathom how Sirin might lose.
As a result, over these two days, Xia Chen spent most of his time reviewing the information on Babylon Tower stored in his mind.
To this day, he still didn't know who had erased Sirin's records.
However, based on the data Rin replicated, he indeed found several potential suspects.
Or rather, all these suspects pointed to just one individual: Otto Apocalypse.
Babylon Labs officially registered 322 researchers, each with their facial profiles documented—a necessary measure for any military organization.
Yet according to the records, someone visited Sirin using an entirely new face not present in the archives.
Several individuals visited Sirin, and none of their faces matched any in the database. Considering the status of Babylon Labs, there could only be one source for these visitors:
Schicksal Headquarters.
Schicksal had long recognized Sirin's uniqueness.
He also came across images of Cecilia and Theresa.
Due to Sirin, significant tensions existed between Schicksal's Valkyrie forces and Babylon Labs. However, neither side had attempted to erase Sirin-related experimental logs.
The one who erased these records was Otto himself.
At this time, Otto likely had not yet conversed with God, but he already harbored a desire to create a 'divine being.'
In truth, there were hints all along; various signs indicated that Otto had been conducting experiments on creating Herrschers.
Sirin's significance, capable of enduring multiple Honkai experiments, could not have escaped the researchers at Babylon Labs.
Yet, despite their appalling treatment of Sirin, Otto remained remarkably permissive.
It became clear that Otto intentionally fostered hatred between Sirin and humanity.
No...
To be precise, Otto deliberately instilled hatred towards humans in all experimental subjects, but only Sirin succeeded.
As a result, Otto validated a crucial observation:
A Herrscher's consciousness is formed by the infinite amplification and expansion of negative emotions, which also serve as the prerequisite for a Herrscher's birth.
Otto may have mentioned this insight to the Void Archives before, but he chose to verify it personally. Even if no Herrscher emerged from other experiments, they still provided opportunities to refine the artificial Stigmata technology.
This perfectly aligned with his style - never wasting any resources.
Furthermore, Otto had meticulously planned even before communicating with 'God' through Sirin. Despite his profound wisdom, without sufficient information, devising such a detailed scheme would have been challenging.
The Void Archives likely played a significant role in this plan.
Being manipulated by both Otto and the Void Archives, Sirin's defeat was hardly unjustified. From her initial appearance to her death and subsequent return, she became merely a tool for Otto.
Sirin has continually served as Otto's pawn.
As for civilian casualties? Otto never considered them; such concerns were irrelevant to him.
Xia Chen felt a mix of emotions, and even when looking at Sirin, there was a hint of sympathy in his gaze.
"What kind of look is that?" Sirin found his stare irritating.
She had already shown considerable respect towards Bella, but if Xia Chen continued provoking her, she wouldn't remain courteous anymore.
Bella discreetly tugged on Xia Chen's hand, signaling him not to speak and anger Sirin further.
However, due to her excessive force, Bella inadvertently pulled Xia Chen off balance, causing him to crash headfirst into her chest.
It felt incredibly firm, almost like hitting a wall.
Sirin struggled to maintain her queenly dignity, suppressing her annoyance.
"Do you find such behavior amusing?"
Xia Chen felt his head spinning, overwhelmed by the sensation. Even in human form, Benares... was just too firm.
"Forget it, Bella. Bring him along; we're heading to the sacred grounds."
"Along the way, let's show this little Honkai Beast how foolish it is to become and identify with humans."
Xia Chen's heart sank at Sirin's words.
Does she intend to take me to see 'God' now? Intrigued, he couldn't help but wonder.
Last time, when hearing the 'voice of God,' his consciousness nearly succumbed to meme pollution. This time... well, Xia Chen simply wanted to satisfy his curiosity.
Between God and Finality, and between Finality and Herrschers... is their relationship hierarchical or equal?
Moreover, there was no prior knowledge of the Will of Honkai during the previous civilization era, never even mentioned before.
So, where exactly did this God originate from?
However, to Xia Chen's disappointment, Sirin did not lead them to meet God.
Instead, they ventured towards the ruins constructed by ME in the previous era based on an incomplete understanding of "Truth." These ruins were designed to seal away part of God's power.
In simple terms, this place housed a massive Honkai Source.
It was here that Sirin had obtained the sealed Herrscher Cores, although due to Xia Chen's involvement, one core of the Herrscher of Wind went missing.
Just as Xia Chen stepped into the ruins, a sudden pressure swelled within his mind, feeling like something was about to explode.
[Due to your lack of recognition by the Honkai consciousness, you are experiencing rejection.]
Xia Chen's awareness began to blur.
Yet, gritting his teeth, he managed to endure, preventing his consciousness from completely shattering.
Bella instinctively supported him, concerned, "What's wrong?"
On the side, Sirin's eyes showed a hint of suspicion. She assured herself that she had never tampered with anything and was unaware of the reason behind this.
Nevertheless, a gleeful smirk appeared on her face, reveling in Xia Chen's misfortune.
After all, why should it matter to her if Xia Chen suffers?
Xia Chen paid no heed to Bella or Sirin.
In his mind, a phantom image emerged:
"You're not God," he stated firmly.
"Who are you?" - a voice seemed to respond.
However, what reached his ears transformed into the mysterious wandering sound, similar to when he first encountered the deity.
The tranquil state of mind cultivated through Taixuan Sword Qi shattered completely.
Despite this, his consciousness persisted, as he comprehended some fragments of speech:
"Confirmation... Access denied... Unauthorized entry prohibited..."
[Your brain has ceased functioning due to inability to process high-dimensional information overload, entering a pseudo-death state.]
[Schicksal World experience concluded. You may permanently retain the following items for extraction to the real world. Congratulations! You have obtained Honkai Pieces x10, Mysterious Wandering Sound x1. Extract now?]
[Sirin's Ascension has granted you access to the stigma space, allowing free entry.]
[Your compatibility with Honkai Energy has increased.]
When Xia Chen woke up, he felt almost completely drained.
Having experienced two simulations related to the Second Honkai Eruption, each time he encountered the God of Honkai. Perhaps that land held a peculiar connection for him with this deity.
However...
He couldn't comprehend those words... To be precise, at that moment, he lacked the strength and focus to think deeply about them.
Permissions...
Did it refer to Herrscher abilities? Or something even higher?