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"Extraordinary times call for extraordinary measures..."
By the time Trace and the others had steadily advanced to the perimeter of this area, Elysia was walking through the ruins with a numb expression, cradling Sakura's body. Her originally vibrant dress was covered in dust and dark red bloodstains, a sight that was jarringly vivid.
"Commander?"
Trace called out softly, but his eyes were involuntarily drawn to the massive crater in the distance and the several "Dead Substances" pinned to a towering pillar at its center.
Elysia slowly snapped back to reality, her voice raspy. "Has MOTH said anything?"
Trace hesitated for a moment. "They hope you can resolve the situation here as quickly as possible, Commander. A massive international uproar has already begun."
"However, multiple factions have also sent their condolences. They similarly... hope you can bring this 'revenge' to a swift end."
At least for now, on the international stage, everything the Herrscher of the Void had done was being viewed as the revenge of an escaped test subject.
The hair on Elysia's forehead shadowed her eyes. The weight of the dried blood made her normally fluffy bangs feel heavy. She looked back at the few Dead Substances in the distance, then tightened her hold on Sakura's body.
"To the United Nations, then. Either we work together with one heart, or we all die together."
She was Elysia. Perhaps in the eyes of some archaic predecessors, she was a divine maiden sent by the stars and moon—but that was merely a proverb, not reality.
"I am not a god," she whispered softly, as if reminding herself. "And a Herrscher is never just one person."
The meeting was organized with incredible speed, taking place late that same night.
Leaders from every continent who could make it were present; those who couldn't joined via the highest-specification holographic projections. Each person easily suppressed the terror deep in their eyes. When they spoke to one another, their faces wore near-perfect smiles—gentle and kind—as if this were just a routine summit.
Elysia's earlier outburst had accelerated the process of several wounded people turning into Dead Substances. Satellites aren't blind, and this incident was too big; not even Einstein had the power to cover up the sky. Everyone understood: it was time to play dumb.
"What's wrong? You can't even force a smile anymore?"
Mobius leaned against a pillar outside the conference hall, watching Elysia curled up on a stone bench in the courtyard. The night wind swirled, and flowers were still in bloom, but the girl at the center of it all didn't notice. she just sat there, head in her hands, her emotions suppressed.
It seemed the proverb was true. Unfortunately, the daughter of a god was not a god.
"Professor, now is not the time for jokes."
Elysia bit her lower lip. The Herrscher's provocative actions were a clear declaration: You can't protect anything. The fear she'd harbored all day had come true. In the dream, Kaito was systematically stripping away everything she took pride in.
"...Sorry."
Mobius uncharacteristically lowered her gaze, her voice deep. "It was too sudden. I don't know what to do either."
Perhaps, if she had been more assertive during the period following the First Herrscher's outbreak, Elysia wouldn't be this helpless now. But the fact remained: the destruction caused by the Herrscher of Reason had merely been a spectacle for those watching from the sidelines, who then used it as an excuse to ramp up their own arms races.
"I don't blame you, Professor. At least you're the only one still by my side."
Elysia didn't know what she could do anymore. She talked about trying a new path, but when it came to actual execution, she had no idea where to start.
Suddenly, a cool hand rested on her messy hair. Elysia looked up to find Mobius crouching in front of her.
"Just do what you want to do. Because of wishful thinking and various internal constraints, we've already lost our best window to deal with this disaster."
"Rationally, I can only support you. Emotionally..." She paused, looking Elysia straight in the eye. "I'm standing on your side now, too."
Mobius looked at her junior. If she herself were a bit more forceful, the Stigma Project wouldn't be indefinitely delayed with zero hope in sight.
The corners of Elysia's mouth twitched upward in a forced effort. "Professor, you really aren't good at comforting people."
"Sorry. I've never experienced anything like this. I have no experience in this field," Mobius said flatly.
People are supposed to grow throughout their lives, but unfortunately, due to her chosen path, she had never learned about—nor seen much of—comfort and tenderness. If this matter weren't so dire, she wouldn't have come; she loathed everything related to politics.
Elysia's lips moved, wanting to say more, but the chime signaling the start of the meeting rang out.
"Go in. This time, you're the protagonist." Mobius ran her fingers through Elysia's tangled hair, trying to make her look a bit more presentable.
There weren't many people in the vast conference room. Most of the decision-makers were either there in person or watching through the feed. All in all, there were no more than thirty people.
"Miss Elysia, you seem somewhat at a loss regarding this disaster."
"Yes."
That was the first line of the meeting. Elysia didn't bother to notice who said it; she simply nodded, admitting her own powerlessness.
"Then, how would you like us to provide assistance?" another voice chimed in, sounding remarkably sincere.
Mobius leaned her tall frame against the door, watching Elysia's fingers clench tightly under the table. She felt like humanity was probably doomed. When she got back, she was going to push the Stigma Project forward unconditionally. Maybe there was still a shred of hope there.
"Don't be nervous, Miss Elysia," a third voice said, sounding deliberately soothing. "Whatever help you need, just ask. After all, currently, you are our... only hope."
Elysia looked around, desperately wanting to find a single spark of the warmth and trust she had felt during her travels.
She took a deep breath, but her voice was very soft. "What do you mean... 'help me'?"
She lifted her head, and a spark of anger returned to her dim eyes.
"Wasn't the birth of the Herrscher of the Void caused by all of you?"
The representative of Europe, who hadn't spoken, lowered his head completely, not daring to meet the girl's gaze.
"Everyone!" Elysia's voice suddenly rose. Her words, which should have been powerful, carried an uncontrollable tremble. She didn't understand what these people were still plotting at a time like this.
"Shouldn't we... finally unite?!"
"Great Britain has a population of over sixty million. For every second we delay here, thousands of people are being sacrificed."
"You can push the responsibility onto MOTH, or even onto me. But does shifting the blame solve the problem?"
"The enemy is at the gates. Are you still dreaming of looking out for yourselves? Or does someone here actually believe the Herrscher will be merciful and coexist with you once his revenge is complete?"
"This should be the simplest joint meeting in history, shouldn't it?"
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