The overwhelming pressure caused only mild unease for Seele, but neither Veliona nor Wendy showed any fear; instead, they appeared eager for action.
Their sole concern was—
"She looks just like Big Sister Kiana!" Seele exclaimed, somewhat bewildered by the situation.
This hesitation mirrored Veliona's and Wendy's feelings, as they were equally uncertain about Sirin.
However, this whispered comment seemed to reach the throne, causing the terrifyingly powerful Queen to frown and unleash her murderous intent.
"Whoosh!"
Instantaneously, countless Subspace Lances emerged from all directions, aimed directly at Seele, who had uttered those words.
Veliona hurled two massive metal claws that swiftly intercepted each attack targeting the little white bunny behind her.
Simultaneously, Wendy looked up, unleashing numerous blades composed of Ideal Fluid with swift, silent speed akin to a raging storm.
"Regardless of what she is, let's defeat her first before talking!" Wendy declared.
No matter the origin of this entity resembling Kiana, one thing was clear: she was no pushover. There could be no negotiation without a decisive battle.
Facing the onslaught of countless invisible and soundless attacks, Sirin remained unaffected. Despite their lack of physical presence or audible friction, their impact on the spatial dimension was unmistakably potent.
She didn't summon the Subspace Shield for defense. The Subspace Lance, as her innate ability, was both convenient and formidable; however, Ideal Fluid possessed the strongest direct physical destructive power among all abilities, making it impossible to defend against using the Subspace Shield alone.
However, Sirin didn't need to defend herself.
In Wendy's perception, the unstoppable physical attack pierced through Sirin directly, yet nothing happened.
"How is that possible?" Wendy's eyes widened slightly.
Sirin remained seated on her throne, gazing down impassively with a cold smirk at the corner of her lips.
Wielding both the Space and Dominion Authorities, this Theater of Domination had become entirely under her control. Any spatial manipulation was now merely a thought away for her.
With the addition of the Ice Authority, Sirin now possessed three abilities' powers.
Furthermore, Veliona gained her corporeal form through the Dominion Authority—using an analogy, she and each individual doll were like managers of a large corporation who could influence its direction through voting but cannot interfere with one another directly. In contrast, Sirin became the sole chairman parachuted into the scene; she has the power to dismiss any manager at will.
Outmatched by Sirin's energy superiority, absolute geographical advantage, and dominance over abilities, this battle served as nothing more than a warm-up game for her—a mere trifle.
The battle had lasted for some time, and due to the shifting spaces, it was difficult to determine exactly how long.
In any case, Veliona had lost her physical form and returned to Seele's body. Only Wendy and Seele remained, battered and suspended mid-air by the Etherial Sash, unable to resist.
"Ha~"
Sirin yawned, polishing her crystal-clear, beautiful nails with a file that seemingly appeared out of nowhere, displaying sheer boredom.
"Just who are you?"
Wendy struggled fiercely, but her severely injured body lacked any strength to fight back. Helplessly, she asked.
This battle felt utterly demoralizing!
Veliona inexplicably lost her power and was effortlessly defeated, while Seele, lacking combat experience, succumbed amidst panic. As for Wendy herself—no matter how strong her attack or defense, when the entire world's space turned against her, what could she possibly do?
Her attacks couldn't touch the enemy even slightly, and her defenses were powerless against assaults originating from the spatial realm. Such an adversary was fundamentally unbeatable.
"Why should a dying person know so much? Farewell! And under this theater's governing mechanism, become my power!" Sirin didn't look up, speaking coldly and contemptuously as countless Subspace Lances materialized in the air, targeting the now helpless duo.
In the next moment, a doll appeared behind Sirin and swung its blade downward.
"Boom!"
A burst of raw and overpowering Honkai Energy knocked the doll to the ground, shattering its body. From within the fragments emerged a black mist, resembling intangible threads that reassembled the figure, allowing it to stand up again with contorted grace.
"I wondered why there was this inexplicable energy lingering in my theater... So, who exactly are you, capable of infiltrating these worthless dolls?" Sirin finally set down her file, casting a nonchalant glance at the peculiar doll.
Simultaneously, under the theater's mechanism, the wind and death authorities converged within her. An unprecedented terrifying power, unseen by Wendy and Seele before, unabashedly radiated from her alluring form.
Wendy and Seele drooped their heads, losing consciousness.
"...Such formidable power, truly unheard-of," remarked the eerie doll, facing the imposing Sirin. Its voice differed from the clear innocence of the others, possessing a mature and enchanting quality.
"Answer my question: Who are you, and what is this ability... Or perhaps, are you using a Divine Key? Without such mastery, controlling this doll undetected would be impossible."
"My apologies, but I don't have the habit of explaining myself to enemies before securing victory. Moreover, the one I serve does not permit me to do so."
"Is that so? Then you can die now."
"Before that, please allow me to take these two young ladies with me. You no longer need them, after all." The doll stiffly tilted its head and calmly requested.
A faint, cold smile lingered on Sirin's lips, both captivating and menacing. Softly, her cherry-red lips parted: "Feel free to try."
"Well then, if you'll excuse me."
"Boom!!"
Space distorted, leaving nothing behind where the eerie doll once stood.
Simultaneously, the two girls restrained by the Etherial Sash vanished without a trace.
Sirin's grin gradually faded.
"A peculiar ability—not only controlling the doll's consciousness but also commandeering its inherent powers. It effortlessly withdrew from this theater built upon Dominion Authority... No matter; you're merely weak. Next time we meet, I'll send you straight to hell."
Shaking her head, Sirin ignored the remaining entities trapped within the corner of space. Lifting her gaze, as if peering through dimensions, she displayed a gentle, faint smile.
"Come back... Come back... my Bella, my most loyal friend!" Sirin whispered softly, warmth entering her eyes especially when uttering the words 'Bella' and 'friend'.
In the real world, amidst vast icebergs, the ground trembled violently.
"Beep! Beep! Beep!"
"Warning! Warning!"
"Honkai Energy intensity rapidly increasing within the iceberg, approaching Herrscher levels!"
"Extreme danger! Extreme danger!"
At the Schicksal base nestled at the foot of the snow-capped mountains, ear-piercing alarms blared. Staff members and stationed Valkyries sprang into action, preparing for battle while relaying updates externally.
"Boom!!"
A sudden deafening roar, akin to a volcanic eruption, echoed through the air as an enormous figure surged skyward, obscuring both sun and moon.
"The Demon Dragon Benares... has awakened!" whispered an older Valkyrie, her eyes trembling with fear.
This was a Judgment-class Honkai Beast, the highest tier rivaling even Herrschers, possessing the power to instantly annihilate the entire base.
"Prepare yourselves. We must buy time—at the cost of our lives if necessary!"
"Yes ma'am!" multiple voices responded resolutely.
The Valkyries answered unanimously, not without fear, but determined to fight until their last breath.
In the next moment, a massive black hole materialized in the sky.
"Roaaar—"
Benares let out a thunderous howl that shook the heavens and earth. Strangely, amidst the chaos below, some detected a hint of ecstatic glee in its cry.
Benares then plunged headfirst into the black hole and vanished instantly, dissipating the void with it.
In mere moments, save for the shattered remnants of the colossal iceberg, it was as if nothing had occurred at all.