[Under Welt's delaying tactics, Siegfried successfully collected the Honkai sample. In Welt's plan, Plan B was... for Siegfried to directly pilot the Alahato and leave the moon.
Siegfried's heart was tangled in conflict. Even if he joined the battle directly, the chance of victory was no more than one percent. Thus, amidst his inner turmoil, Siegfried responded to his own conscience:
"...If sacrificing my life could save all of humanity, I wouldn't hesitate for even a second. Neither would Welt."
"The choice we made was precisely to save humanity... and what I sacrificed was more precious than my own life."
"I sacrificed you."
Siegfried killed the justice in his heart and silently boarded the Alahato. "A choice between one person and billions of lives."
"It's come to this again... I already have my answer."
"This is my choice—"
In silence, Siegfried masochistically downed an entire bottle of alcohol. As the countdown to launch began, the Alahato started its journey back to Earth.]
[March 7th]:"Mr. Yang... you fought alone against the enemy on the moon like this?"
Upon seeing this scene, the Astral Express crew was in disbelief. Welt never expected them to witness such a past.
[Kevin]:"A wise choice..."
The entire Elysian Realm fell into silence. For the Flame-Chasers, who had experienced countless battles against the Honkai, this was something they had all gone through—especially Kevin. Yet, witnessing such a scene still filled them with unbearable sorrow.
[Kalpas]:"Damn this Honkai!!!"
[Aventurine]:"An excellent gamble. Choosing the path with the highest probability of survival for your civilization, no?"
Even Aventurine couldn't help but admire the decisive resolve between Siegfried and Welt!
[After Siegfried completed his mission and returned to Earth, only three people remained on the moon. Though Welt's simulated black hole didn't completely consume Sirin, by utilizing the unique properties of the black hole—its gravitational effects and time dilation—he successfully bought Siegfried an extra hour.
Only when Welt sensed Siegfried's return did he dispel the simulated black hole. It was through Bella that they realized they had been locked in stalemate for over an hour. Sirin, both shocked and furious, angrily demanded to know what Welt had done to her. Welt didn't explain that this was a strategy devised by him and Dr. Einstein. His body, already battered from previous battles, could barely hold out for five more minutes of combat. Staggering to his feet after collapsing, Welt muttered, "Even if I'm exhausted... I can't fall yet!"
Sirin didn't even acknowledge Siegfried's existence—her entire focus was on Welt. She summoned three Void Lances and hurled them at Welt, but now he lacked even the strength to stand! Disappointed, Sirin glared at the man who couldn't rise and angrily lifted several massive boulders, hurling them toward Earth. "What are you doing?!"
"You promised that if I came to the moon, you wouldn't—" Faced with Sirin's betrayal of their agreement, Welt ignored the Honkai energy corroding his body and mustered every last ounce of his strength. Countless warships and artillery manifested behind him once more! Yet even then, Welt was powerless against her—the gap in raw power couldn't be bridged by sheer will alone.
After using everything he had to shatter four of Sirin's meteorites, Welt finally reached his limit. As he lay weakened before her, Sirin floated down arrogantly and reached for his chest—intent on devouring Welt's Herrscher Core! In a final act of defiance, Welt grabbed her wrist and pulled her close. The marks of Honkai corruption spread across his body... and then onto hers. This was Welt's last resolve—to detonate his own Herrscher Core and take the Second Herrscher down with him! But fate had other plans. Just before the explosion, a panicked Sirin tore out Welt's core with sweat pouring down her face. "Traitor. Human intellect is no match for God."
Deprived of all his power, Welt collapsed onto the desolate lunar surface in bitter defeat. Meanwhile, Sirin, now armed with the knowledge of the Herrscher of Reason, gleefully constructed countless cannons like a child with a new toy and haughtily declared: "It's time to return to Earth... and bring divine punishment upon those insects who call themselves humans!"]
The Astral Express fell into complete silence. Witnessing their comrade fall in battle left no one unaffected.
[March 7th]:"Mr. Yang... is this what you've been avoiding talking about? Not just severe injuries... but actual death?"
Tears welled up in March 7th's eyes—and indeed, every member of the crew now looked at him with the same expression.
[Sushang]:"GHOST!!! If Mr. Welt died back then... then who's been chatting in this group all along?!"
[Honkai Impact: Welt]:"Ahem. I merely reconstructed my body using my Authority. No need for alarm."
[Kevin]:"Indeed. The Herrscher of Reason is notoriously hard to kill."
Having slain Welt countless times in the Sea of Quanta, Kevin spoke from experience.
[Kiana]:"Sirin looks like a pufferfish after getting all that new power!"
The group thought about her inflated demeanor and nodded in agreement—it was an oddly fitting comparison!
[Herrscher of the Void]:"Shut up! You're just a vessel!"
[Mobius]:"Now that the Second Herrscher has six cores... why does she still seem so weak?"
With six cores inside her, the Flame-Chasers expected at least some synergy—if not 1+1>2, then at least competent usage of her abilities! Yet she nearly lost to a half-dead Herrscher of Reason? After stacking so many buffs... this was all she could do?
[Vill-V]:"It's likely due to lack of proficiency. Once a Herrscher gains human emotions, their Authority becomes tied to their psyche. Thus, wielding their full power requires extensive knowledge.Compared to our era—where Herrschers were essentially puppets of the Honkai yet could wield their abilities flawlessly—the difference is night and day!"
[Mobius]:"Perhaps it's also due to differences in core structure. Back then, once a Herrscher was slain, their core became inert—only usable for crafting Divine Keys.But now? These cores can be directly assimilated by humans—something previously impossible! This suggests even their fundamental composition differs!"
Staring at Sirin on-screen, Mobius' eyes gleamed with hunger. How she longed to strap her onto an operating table for thorough examination! Did they think Mobius hadn't tried creating new Herrschers from cores back in her day? The only feasible method had been forging Divine Keys!