There was no doubt.
Whether it was Wendy, who had arrived first, or Ana, who had just reached the scene, both now saw Bianca as their greatest rival.
The members of the Empire were all too familiar with the existence of quantum energy.
The moment they arrived, they understood what had happened in Khaenri'ah and the potential changes to the assessment—it was no longer realistic for the students of St. Freya to continue "protecting" Khaenri'ah. In this battle involving the Demon Gods and Khaenri'ah, neither side could claim the mantle of justice.
As it stood, the four Legion Commanders each held two points.
Distributing the remaining three gods was already troublesome enough. If St. Freya, and by extension Bianca, were to be judged by the same assessment criteria, the situation would become far too chaotic.
For this very reason, even the typically impetuous Wendy did not make a move immediately.
"The exam has run into a problem."
Khamsin, the eldest among the Legion Commanders, was the first to break the silence.
"Shouldn't we first request the presence of the Lord Apostle?"
"After all, the content of the exam is ultimately up to the 'proctor' to decide."
"..."
"Agreed."
"Agreed."
"Agreed."
---o---
Sakura and Rin could sense the situation in Khaenri'ah.
However, their attention at this moment was more focused on the surrounding star region. The two sisters could only confirm that Sky Island was concealed nearby. Although their enemy was showing weakness at this stage, it didn't mean Sky Island was truly powerless to retaliate.
A surprise attack or an escape—both were distinct possibilities.
"What is your opinion, Lady Bianca?"
Khamsin solicited Bianca's view last, a gesture of respect for the title of "Durandal."
"I will follow your lead."
After a brief moment of surprise, Bianca replied with great solemnity.
Though her strength was transcendent and she had fought in battles as numerous as the stars, in reality, compared to these Legion Commanders who were often thousands of years old, she was, in the truest sense, a young woman in the flower of her youth.
It was just that…
Bianca's aura was so overwhelmingly powerful that it was easy for people to overlook this fact.
"In that case—"
Ting.
A pink crystal flower bloomed in Khamsin's hand.
This was a token used for missions within the Empire, and also a method of contacting the high command. A crystal flower created with the power of the Second Flame-Chaser, it allowed one, under the prerequisite of "unanimous consent," to bypass most known seals in the Empire and directly communicate with the highest-ranking participant of the current mission. It was typically used to report discoveries or request support.
Wom.
In the instant after the crystal flower bloomed, its gathered petals converged in the sky above, coalescing into a human form.
"Oh?"
Rin took in the entire scene in ten milliseconds.
Her attention lingered for an extra moment on Morax, on the little fox perched on Raiden Ei's shoulder, and on the "blonde" from the Khaenri'ah side.
"I understand the reason now."
"This place is indeed quite a bit messier than I glimpsed."
---o---
"Lord Apostle."
No one on the scene dared to move. This wasn't merely due to fear, but also because of the Authority of Erosion that had instantly permeated every living and non-living entity the moment she appeared. Rin's position as the [Eighth Apostle] was no laughing matter; the ranking of the [Apostles] encompassed the [Three Pillar Gods] and the [Four Holy Temples].
Khamsin stepped forward.
He presented the crystal flower and a translucent memory crystal to Rin.
"Secret Order 'One-Eight-Seven,' for your acknowledgment."
A stream of iridescent light flashed through Khamsin's dark eyes. Simultaneously, Rin's slightly drooping fox ears twitched subtly.
"Acknowledged."
The crystal shattered into particles of light.
Khamsin's primary mission was now complete. The remaining parts were clearly safer left in the hands of the Lord Apostle.
"The Empire will remember your contribution."
"For the glory of the Empire."
As the two exchanged words, a golden, egg-shaped God Rune flashed faintly on both of their foreheads.
"Now then…"
Rin quickly grasped the nature of Khamsin's mission.
Secret Orders, like Imperial Edicts, were directives issued by the Monarch. The difference was that the former were typically relayed by the [Three Pillar Gods] and were so clandestine that even uninvolved Apostles would not know the details until official contact or revelation.
From the memory Khamsin provided, Rin understood the Monarch's plan. Even among the twenty-seven Apostles, Rin was unequivocally a trusted confidant. From this Secret Order, relayed from Lord Leviathan, Rin knew exactly what role she was meant to play.
And—
She knew exactly where Sky Island was hiding.
"Cease your war for now."
Rin's voice echoed in everyone's minds.
The several gods and Khaenri'ahn leaders who had been attempting to break free with their spiritual power were rendered completely immobile by her words… they even lost control over their own strength.
"The reason for your slaughter no longer exists."
"Whether you were resisting Sky Island through extreme measures, or obeying Sky Island's will to annihilate Khaenri'ah."
At that moment, Rin's voice was like the "Heavenly Principles" itself, directly erasing all thoughts of "resistance" from the minds of both factions.
The [Authority of Consciousness] and the [Authority of Erosion].
Rin's mastery of these two Authorities was already exceedingly high.
If she could advance further in the [Authority of Reason], it was not impossible for her to reach the realm of the [Three Pillar Gods]… and take command of a [Dominion].
"With the cause gone, the effect is naturally lost."
Rin's meaning was clear: as long as Sky Island, the root of the conflict, disappeared, neither side would have a reason to fight.
With a gentle wave of her fair hand, seven "chess pieces" of varying shapes and colors were swiftly extracted from the bodies of the seven Demon Gods, appearing in her hand the next moment.
The [Gnosis].
As the symbol of the "Seven Archons of the Mundane World," they were the medium through which the seven gods communicated with Sky Island, and a necessary tool for the latter to issue commands. They could, to some extent, enhance a Demon God's power, or serve as a means of control.
These things were similar to Herrscher Cores—a term that now existed only in the Empire's history books—and were not difficult to analyze.
Rin toyed with the [Gnosis] in her hand for a moment.
All it took were a few simple steps, applied in reverse…
Ding!!
The [Gnosis] slowly merged into one in Rin's hand. In the next instant, a beam of iridescent light shot straight down, deep into the vast, boundless earth!
RUMBLE!!
Tremors and roars erupted without pause as thick, powerful roots—the Ley Lines—madly burst forth from the ground, surging toward the surface!
Swoosh!
Rin's brow furrowed slightly. With a wave of her hand, she swept away the tens of thousands of ordinary soldiers on the field. If she didn't open a portal to send these common soldiers away, they would likely all perish here.
A full five minutes later, a colossal white tree appeared at the location where the [Gnosis] had struck. Its tangled branches intertwined in mid-air, forming the shape of an island.
There, upon it, Rin finally saw the true target of her mission.