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"Why don't you go back and rest? I'll handle things here," Hera suggested promptly, noticing Zeke's unusual demeanor.
Zeke looked at her and shook his head. "No need. With you overseeing everything, I can't help but feel uneasy." His blunt response conveyed a hint of distrust through his dead-fish eyes.
On one hand, Zeke didn't want Hera to lose control like during the Second Honkai, where instead of defeating Chiyou, she inadvertently aided its growth into a planetary-level Honkai Beast—a threat potentially surpassing even Sirin from years past. Regardless of how slim the chances were, Zeke refused to take that risk.
On the other hand... Kiana and the others were still down there. Without keeping an eye on them, Zeke couldn't relax; what if Hera harbored ulterior motives once he was gone?
Hera quietly observed Zeke without showing any discomfort. Once assured that his weariness stemmed solely from fatigue and not serious injury, she leisurely resumed their discussion:
"So you're suggesting that Chiyou wasn't intended as a trial for our present time or even the Shenzhou of five thousand years ago. Instead, it was designed for the future's aerospace era?"
"I believe this interpretation is accurate."
"Could Honkai predict the emergence of an advanced aerospace civilization... Wait, considering its divine status, foreseeing the future isn't implausible; in fact, one would expect nothing less." Hera pondered briefly, recalling her brief encounter with the so-called "God of Honkai" during the Second Honkai Eruption, and nodded.
Indeed, it made sense now.
Even with remnants of power from Fu Hua and the previous civilization, the overall strength of ancient Shenzhou five thousand years ago should not have provoked a Honkai Disaster like Chiyou, capable of clashing directly against continental forces.
Reflecting on it, the historical records describing ancient demonic calamities were likely just referring to ordinary Honkai Beasts naturally spawned from Chiyou, generally of low tiers. According to those accounts, although the monstrous Chiyou inspired terror akin to swallowing heaven and earth, there were no explicit records of it directly attacking the mainland.
In other words, the challenge faced by Shenzhou five millennia ago was essentially just the Honkai Beasts birthed from Chiyou's body.
And Chiyou itself was prepared as a disaster specifically for the future aerospace civilization—possibly this era or perhaps the next.
No one anticipated how fierce and resolute the progenitor of Shenzhou would be. By attacking the very source of Honkai Beasts, they, along with the power left behind by the previous civilization, managed to defeat Chiyou—a mere infant seeking peaceful growth.
"This is intriguing. As for the juvenile planetary-level Honkai Beast, I want one of its legs."
"Agreed, but first, we need to kill it."
"I concur. Regardless of which era it originates from, it now poses a massive threat. We cannot simply ignore it."
"Do you have any feasible plans?"
Zeke calmly regarded Hera.
With his strike using "Red Lotus," Zeke had essentially revealed one of his trump cards. Meanwhile, Hera—or rather, Otto—had remained inscrutable thus far. If they could both eliminate Chiyou and assess this cunning old bastard's hand simultaneously, that would be ideal.
Hera naturally picked up on Zeke's intentions and responded jovially:
"You think too highly of me. Even your sword strike from outer space couldn't fully resolve the issue. Against such a terrifying behemoth, what options could I possibly have? I'm just a frail and powerless researcher!" Hera gently patted his chest, feigning a fearful demeanor.
However, his brute strength displayed moments ago, tearing through countless Honkai Beasts, contradicted these words.
Zeke stared expressionlessly with dead fish eyes and said:
"Really? I highly doubt that."
"Trust me, why would I deceive you? At most, I might have produced some insignificant Honkai Fission Bombs. They're decent against ordinary Honkai Beasts, but as for a behemoth like Chiyou, covering an entire continent—you know well it's barely scratching the surface. Honestly, I'm out of ideas!" Hera's words were laced with a coy tone, her big eyes blinking innocently and adorably.
If not for knowing Otto, Zeke might have fallen for her act.
"And here I thought only I was being cautious around you. Seems you're just as guarded, lacking any sincerity."
"Not at all! So, dear friend Zeke, do you perhaps have any suggestions?"
"Well, there is one..."
"Oh? Do tell."
With Hera eagerly awaiting his response, Zeke looked back at her, a hint of mischief in his eyes, and nonchalantly said:
"The Supremacy of the World Serpent, Kevin Kaslana."
Hera fell silent, momentarily speechless. Her gaze swept over the others present.
With Zeke's assistance, Welt had already regained his combat prowess and experienced significant personal growth, becoming quite formidable.
As for their old friend Fu Hua, even from the brief glimpse during the battle atop Chiyou's body, Hera detected a change. She likely had recovered much of her strength—combined with Zeke's influence, it was safe to assume she would no longer obey Hera as unquestioningly as before.
Zeke himself represented the greatest variable, untouchable yet growing at an uncontrollable pace.
In summary, Hera's control over the world faced considerable challenges. Adding the unpredictable Kevin Kaslana to the mix would undoubtedly exacerbate the loss of control.
Hera—or rather, Otto—did not particularly care about wielding power over the world. However, this situation threatened many of his plans, which ultimately affected Kallen's resurrection process... To be honest, Otto did not wish for Kevin Kaslana to enter the fray; maintaining the current status quo was most advantageous for him.
"I feel like it's not quite the right time yet," Hera cautiously suggested.
There was little choice; with Jackal's technology under Zeke's control and the Gem of Desire also in his possession, it was Zeke who decided when Kevin Kaslana would enter the scene, not Otto.
"I agree. We should wait until our resurrection techniques achieve significant breakthroughs before bringing him back," Zeke concurred, hinting at deeper implications within his words.
Once there's decisive progress in resurrection, Zeke's own capabilities should be sufficiently developed as well. At that point, the authority to initiate Project Stigma will rest solely in Zeke's hands. With the added possibility of retrieving Dr. Mei, even if Kevin is immensely powerful, he'll have no choice but to obediently serve their purposes.
Currently, however, there's no guarantee Kevin would willingly comply.
On one hand, in the original narrative, Kevin had indeed taken action against Chiyou, and his combat prowess alone could effectively end Chiyou's immobility. On the other hand, doing exactly what enemies least desire often proves advantageous.
No, I shouldn't think this way. Kevin remains an unpredictable factor, potentially affecting us too... However, it seems Otto's resistance to involving Kevin is stronger, so perhaps applying some pressure on him wouldn't hurt.
Zeke stared straight at Hera, the corners of his lips curving slightly upward.
"Hey! You're not seriously considering this, right?" Sweat beaded on Hera's forehead, her smile betraying unease.
In a rare display, Zeke smiled softly and replied, "I have no choice! We've exhausted all our options, and aside from seeking help from that monstrous entity beyond the world, we have no other alternatives."
Hera paused, puffing out her cheeks before deflatedly conceding,
"Fine, let's drop the act. First, Honkai Beasts continuously spawn from Chiyou, draining both its physical body and Honkai Energy. Based on my observations, as Honkai Energy diminishes, the degradation of Chiyou's flesh accelerates. I can administer a massive dose of medication to Chiyou, causing relentless spawning of Honkai Beasts. This will gradually deplete its flesh and life force until it ultimately perishes. Second, several of my prosthetic units are already inside Chiyou. From what I've seen, there should be key energy supply nodes within its body. Destroying these would directly cripple Chiyou. With a two-pronged approach, it won't last many more days, eliminating the need for Kevin Kaslana to intervene."
This approach would minimize reliance on hidden tactics while still taking care of Chiyou, making it Hera's preferred solution.
"Good plan. Let's proceed with this strategy. I'll be waiting to see your results," Zeke said leisurely, playing with his intricately crafted golden orb—the Soulium toy containing the Gem of Desire and the key to Kevin's return.
Hera understood this as a threat: either she exerts more effort to swiftly defeat Chiyou, or Zeke will unleash Kevin, significantly disrupting her carefully laid plans.
"You win this round. Consider it done."
"Hmm, let's step out onto the deck and enjoy the scenery then. This is my first time at the East Shenzhou Sea."
"What scenery could there possibly be now? Honkai Beasts everywhere, and Chiyou itself lies beneath the sea!"
"Don't be so gloomy. Enjoying some sunlight isn't bad."
Unfazed by their surroundings, they discussed their agreed-upon solution as if alone.
Welt and Fu Hua exchanged glances, silently sipping their tea. They couldn't fully grasp the situation, but since a plan was in place, all that remained was to observe its execution.
But "Kevin Kaslana"... That name...
Fu Hua gazed at her cup of tea, her eyes gradually growing distant with a hint of indescribable sorrow.