Once, Ling Ke saw his original ignorance, his moralizing clownish behavior, as: the arrogance of a time traveler.
And now, several years have passed, and when all the layout has been completed, the appointed moment is just around the corner.
"The era before civilization, the era of current civilization."
"Whomever I let live, they shall live."
This is what he is truly recognizing now and doing... another, even more domineering "arrogance of a traveler."
He is no longer the ignorant youth who naively believed that if he gave and treated people sincerely, history would move toward a better ending as he had hoped.
Now, he is equally convinced that history, as it progresses, will entirely follow his own wishes.
Simply because he "allowed" it to do so.
Indistinguishable.
Violators, exterminate.
At the same time—
Outworld.
Not only the Sahara in North Africa.
But… everywhere—mountains, rivers, lakes, and seas.
Whether it be a once-bustling city or a secluded, remote forest.
Or the ice fields that haven't melted for thousands of years—returning to their original habitats.
Spatial gates that connect directly to the Dominion Theater open high above the ground.
Then, one after another, tens of thousands of golden figures rose into the air and stepped out.
Each one wears golden armor and has a pair of vertical red pupils like cold-blooded venomous snakes, ignoring the war flames below and letting the scorched earth continue to burn.
"At first glance, it really is ugly." ×N
With those words, the cluster of golden figures raised their right hands.
What they held in their palms was a "sword" shaped like a key, made of gold.
According to their original account, this strangely shaped "sword" was a "tangible agreement" they had made.
As for whose surname the original body of the golden figure bore...?
[Game Character Template: Gilgamesh]
[From: "Fate/Grand Order"]
[Character Traits: Level-based mechanics, HP-based mechanics, unlimited physical fitness, intact equipment, bow-type job introduction…]
[Game Abilities: Enuma Elish - The Deviation of Heaven and Earth·Star of Creation, Leadership, Golden Rule, Collector, Magecraft, Independent Action, Divinity…]
[Background Talents: Hero King, Celestial Wedge, Gate of Babylon, All-Knowing All-Powerful Star, Spiritualization…]
[Related Introduction: In life, he was the half-god, half-human king of the city-state "Uruk" who ruled over Sumer. Not the main body of a heroic spirit, but was summoned to the world as an Archer…]
There is no doubt that this template is precisely the "strongest combat power" currently at Ling Ke's disposal.
It is also the background talent he relies on.
"The more unstable the space, the easier it is to operate, right?"
"In other words: the final step of the 'Zhezhi' plan requires an 'enormous' 'singularity' with a wide enough impact to cover the entire Earth."
Originally, Ling Ke's Plan A was to slowly rub one out using the power of the "Herrscher of the Sky" he looted from Kiana.
Just like Otto in the original plot, preparing in Kolosten.
That man took an extremely long time.
And "Ling Ke" originally only took thirteen hours.
"Thirteen hours. Ling Ke will try everything to stall it."
The meteor shower is just one link in the chain.
But that too is in the past.
Because, after drawing "Gilgamesh"—
"Haha~"
The thousands of golden figures in the cluster sneered disdainfully. "Rather than troubling ourselves to create the so-called 'singularity', why not just crush the entire world (the universe where Earth is located) directly?"
Using such harsh and violent means without hesitation aligns perfectly with the prototype's action style.
So here it comes.
"Buzz~"
Using the golden, key-shaped "sword" in their hand as the base point, a complex red pattern like a convergence of thousands of branches appears in the air.
This scene occurs simultaneously around the world.
North Africa—Kiana, Raiden Mei, Bronya, Shee-ah, Twin Arlene, Yolandele, Rita, Delisa, Fu Hua.
Northern Europe—Walter, Einstein, Tesla.
And… the rest—billions of people.
All witnessed it personally.
"What is that…?"
As the second-generation "Walter," the man whose real name is "Joachim Nokianvitanen" is no longer the Herrscher of Reason.
Nor does he have the powerful combat abilities he once had when he walked the "Path of Life" while using crutches.
He merely stands before a weapons operations desk, looking to the sky.
Subconsciously, upon seeing the golden figure, the words "Heavenly Tyrant" flashed through his mind.
He even neglected other concerns because of it.
Right beside him, an instrument monitoring global energy-level intensity indices displays a world map now littered with fluctuating red dots—symbols of high-energy warnings.
At this point, in the air—
As the red lines faded, the golden figures… the "Dominator Doll Gilgamesh" Void clenched his right fist.
A "sword" with an even stranger shape was drawn forth and manifested in this world.
It had just taken form—and already made the surrounding space extremely unstable.
This is the treasure possessed by "Gilgamesh."
EX-rank treasure, anti-world class — the Deviated Sword.
At the same time, in North Africa.
"Another new form!"
At that moment, Raiden Mei and others, still entangled with thousands of "Dominator Dolls: Hanabi," also saw the vision in the sky.
"That thing in his hand—"
"Bang~"
Her thoughts were interrupted by "1% Kevin" swinging his sword in an attack from the side.
Nevertheless, the image remained etched in her heart.
A deeply ominous feeling surged in Raiden Mei and the others.
They were desperate to break through the defensive circle formed by the "Dominator Doll Hanabi" as soon as possible.
However, whether it was the transformed "1% Kevin" in disguise or the illusion of the swimming fish, both were too difficult to deal with.
To the extent that, let alone storming World Serpent Headquarters, the power of the Herrschers accompanying Raiden Mei, Kiana, Bronya, and Fu Hua had been suppressed one after another. Now they could only orbit around the four S-class Valkyries led by Youlaude. They were united in combat power, but even self-defense had become a problem.
Barely hanging on without suffering losses.
Of course, they had no idea that even this was intentionally arranged by Ling.
After all, they were all "guests."
Dominating within the theater.
"I must say, compared to the current situation, the 'Noble Phantasm Release Chant' I remember that can maximize the power is really suitable."
"It's a pity I don't want to walk with the 'people' here. Otherwise… I could really try borrowing a wave of Enkidu's Noble Phantasm chant to recreate the famous scene in the Honkai version."
"After all, this is also a 'tree.'"
Ling Ke's body, sitting alone upon the throne, wore a faintly playful expression, then stepped forward.
He clasped his hands before him.
A mass of golden-orange Imaginary Energy slowly began to form.
It was like a delicately scenic orb, elliptical and egg-like, with a pocket-sized, leafless light tree slowly growing within.
As if it were a super-miniature Imaginary Tree.
"Bine."
Suddenly, a blessing came upon the soul.
In this moment, everyone—
Yes.
"The day of farewell has come..."
Ling Ke: "To celebrate the arrival of this final 'feast' as scheduled, let us now present the grandest performance…"
Clustered golden figure: "Oh Deviated Sword, sing as you please!"
"Boom!"
The outer world, beneath the distant blazing sun, echoed with repeated sounds resounding across the third planet.
The movement composed of cause and effect, transforming into a tune of calamity, was enacting an extermination polyphony.
Swords alongside the strange "blades" began to spin around one another, creating rifts... Even the strange wind pressure within the rift-world—survivors from across the world saw dense red star-crosses in the sky simultaneously.
What followed were tyrannical lightning bolts and a swift tornado.
Clouds and fog, flying sand and rocks.
"A torrential downpour fell."
Even in the Sahara Desert of North Africa, dry all year round—this devastation was no exception.
Raiden Mei and the others struggled to raise their hands, standing before the storm.
It was clear from the track that those attacks in the sky were not aimed at the floating craft below, helpless before the gales, just barely managing to stay upright without crawling on the ground.
But the sense of danger—tearing and ominous—eroded them like a tide.
This scene needed no fancy adjectives.
It was "Judgment Day."
And it didn't occur in just one place.
But across the entire world, throughout the globe.
Thousands—synchronized!
Now, billions of "people," who no longer held the qualification to walk with God, as the moment of judgment drew near, could only depend on each other, clinging to warmth and—
The next moment, Ling Ke's body moved with his heart, like an elegant conductor waving an invisible baton with his soul.
The golden kings in the sky began, ruthlessly, to chant the entire hymn in their own solemn manners:
"Describe the original scene…" ×N
"When the world was created, 'nothingness' also sent a congratulatory message…" ×N
"Those who shatter the world are my Deviated Swords…" ×N
"The mortar that encircles the stars…" ×N
"The Hell in the sky is the end of the eve of creation——" ×N
As the fervent proclamation resounded through heaven and earth, thunder, fierce winds, and torrential rain intensified.
Eventually—
"KA... KA~"
Cracks appeared in the surrounding space.
Across the world, the last survivors watched in horror as everything unfolded.
They could not resist.
The crack.
From the Moon, hundreds of thousands of kilometers away, Earth's surface was now connected by countless bizarre "erythema" filled with extinction, like an extra layer of irregular cobwebs.
At this moment, this innocent planet mourns for the sinners pretending to be righteous.
"This—
In a world on the brink of collapse, Walter (the world) and everyone else could no longer summon the slightest strength.
Most of them—even the weapons in their hands and various auxiliary equipment—fell to the ground.
They couldn't understand why the Law of Domination, which "wasn't strong in solo combat" in pre-civilization records, would be so... terrifying in this era.
They (humans)... have ushered in the "end" of their own creation.
But for a moment—
[The Deviation of Heaven and Earth—Star of Opening!!!]
Because "things turn upon reaching extremes."
The world, from its constant bustle, instantly became supremely silent.
With the fragmentation of space, sound no longer propagated through any medium.
The "true name" of a foreign land was not transmitted into the ears of native inhabitants.
Everyone remained in a silent world, watching one "Heavenly Tyrant" after another laughing maniacally, as if watching a farce that delighted them, mercilessly brandishing the sword of judgment in their hands.
Almost simultaneously, within the Dominion Theater—
"A broken (unstable) world is indeed easier to operate…"
"Buzz~"
Ling Ke, unwilling to be a companion of "people," had already reached the "Throne of God" with the golden-orange Imaginary Energy in his hand, displaying tree-like light and shadow.
Using it as the cornerstone—
Erosion.
Then—
Restriction.
The two powers of this era, not yet born, like wedges, descended into the Dominion Theater (Hall of Rebirth) with Ling Ke's permission.
It was not about seizing power—
But instead embedding something even more essential.
At this point, his divine-filled voice began an indifferent countdown:
"Ten (Domination)."
The dolls echoed in unison.
"Nine (Stars)."
Gravity increased, annihilating all.
"Eight (Consciousness)."
Immortality, illusions.
"Seven (Flame)."
Burning mountains and boiling seas, utter destruction.
"Six (Death)."
Creation withers—in an instant.
"Five (Ice)."
Absolute zero—all things stagnate.
"Four (Wind)."
Ideal fluid, breaking nothing.
"Three (Thunder)."
Cosmic cornerstone, median of the world.
"Two (Void)."
The wedge of eternal calamity—space reigns.
"One."
Ultimate truth, omniscience… that is, omnipotence.
All are reflections of the "end."
And finally—
"Zero (Person/Origin)."
In the Dominion Theater, Ling Ke's body slowly opened his wicked eyes.
In his gaze now appeared a vast sea of stars.
"So this is the power of 'man' and 'origin.'"
Once, before time-traveling, Ling Ke could not understand what Alicia's power—the "original Herrscher"—symbolized.
Now, he knew.
The power of the "Law of Man" is—connection.
And the power of the "Law of Origin" is—restoration.
The latter can return the world to its original form.
It is not reversing time, but… that essential world is unaffected by any supernatural elements.
This is precisely the source of Alicia's ability, in the original plot, to interrupt the Erosion Herrscher's return to the "Land of the Past."
At the same time, this is also the reason why the current Herrschers of the era of civilization can retrieve the opportunity of human nature.
Because they are all "restored" to some degree.
Restored to before they were chosen by Honkai Impact.
As for... the power of the Law of Man—
"The core component of communication with the 'end'?"
Ling Ke only thought of that adjective.
Inexplicably, he thought of Alicia.
The... Herrscher who truly loved everyone.
In the end, he sneered: "Cocoon of the End, Cocoon of the End, you clearly have the ability to create the most perfect being yourself, so why chase after those superficial, whitewashed fakes?"
"Isn't the flawless 'true self' more deserving of a future than a bunch of 'fake things'?"
At this moment, from his own perspective, he arrived at this conclusion—with the "arrogance of a time traveler."
"Buzz~"
Invisible energy fluctuations, like root tendrils crawling along walls, began to spread across the entire planet.
In that moment, the "world destroyer" on the throne thought of a certain demon king called "ZERO" with flamboyant wings in his eyes.
"I destroyed the world (era), and I... recreated the world (era)."
God save my king~
Is the day of light approaching~?
Shall we bathe in your glory and triumph~?
A silent Requiem, transformed into an original blessing.
It is a story born of me (tragedy).
It is the time for me (miracle).
Oh world.
"It needed healing long ago."
Dominating the theater, Ling Ke's body stood up from that throne.
"Then—end it."
In an instant, he "connected" with all Dominator Dolls in external reality.
Immediately, he took them as anchors.
Ling Ke's body closed his palms, as if to shatter the golden-orange Imaginary Energy of tree-like light and shadow.
As if to shatter an entire ugly world (era).
"Heal (Return to the Past)!!!"