On the Moon, visible to humanity, there is a spatial scale of up to two hundred eighty thousand kilometers from Earth.
It is a special environment where humanity cannot survive, and it is also the location where Finality descended fifty thousand years ago.
The radio waves sent from the Moon covered all electronic devices within Schicksal, detailing how the previous civilization era preserved its general civilization amidst battles with various Herrschers, yet still lost to Finality.
Kevin, aboard the Moonlight Throne equipped with the Nexus system, sealed off 40% of Finality's Honkai Energy, causing it to malfunction for 72 hours.
And this sealed Honkai Energy became the foundation for the operation of the Stigmata terminal.
The Honkai left by Finality could not be used directly, but after being transformed by the Herrscher of Origin, it could become Honkai Energy usable by humanity.
Elysia is the supply source and terminal for the Stigmata terminal, and she is also the key to ensuring that the Stigmata terminal is not contaminated by Honkai.
The greatest function of the Stigmata terminal is to project future lives based on the Stigmata information carried by the previous civilization.
Not just targeting Wendy.
But Wendy is the last one.
In addition to this, another function of the Stigmata terminal is to evolve the unknown fate, providing humanity with practical and feasible plans to overcome Finality over these fifty thousand years.
If humanity still cannot overcome Finality as a result, they can still collect Stigmata genes and project that information into the next era and the era after that.
As long as there are enough supply sources to keep the Stigmata terminal from being contaminated by Honkai, this can be achieved.
And this is the [Civilization Reboot Plan] initiated by Chen Ran from the previous civilization era.
…
…
When Chen Ran received the plan information from 'future self', he felt a sense of dread.
"System, please tell me this is part of the simulation."
Chen Ran understood what the appearance of the Stigmata terminal here meant.
The information in the radio waves was clear: the previous civilization era still lost to Finality.
All his efforts and endeavors could not reverse the doomed fate of Destruction for the previous civilization era; he had only made some minor deviations under the habitual flow of fate.
But it did not affect the predetermined outcome.
"Elysia replaced Kiana, and the Honkai Energy sealed by Finality replaced Kiana, so who is Alaya? Is it Kiana herself? Or Bia? Or Prometheus?"
Chen Ran felt overwhelmed.
And in response to his inquiry, the system simply replied.
[This is just a primary manifestation of the butterfly effect and the Mobius strip overlap. The system's simulation will not align with your memories; rather, it relies on known situations to deduce the future that has not yet occurred.]
"So, even the Stigmata terminal could potentially fail, right?"
[Yes, if you die in real time, the Stigmata terminal plan will have no one to execute it, and naturally, everything that is happening now will not occur.]
Chen Ran is a variable outside of fate.
However, even as a variable, it does not mean he can disrupt the predetermined path of fate.
Just like a person's genes are already determined at the moment of fertilization. A civilization's outcome is already destined from the moment it is born.
He can choose different processes to reach the same result, but the outcome is always the same.
Chen Ran's expression began to fluctuate.
"Then, this simulation of mine should be considered complete, right?"
[Theoretically, yes, it is complete.]
The system replied blandly.
[I extended some time for you because it helps you receive additional information.]
Clearly, this system had learned to be accommodating.
"Additional information?"
Chen Ran's eyes were filled with questions.
At that moment, Cecilia walked over with Sirin.
"The signal wave from the Moon has covered the entire Schicksal. What exactly is going on? What is the Civilization Reboot Plan?"
It was evident that Cecilia had also received the news.
Schicksal's decryption speed was not much slower than Chen Ran's; all the information recorded in the radio waves was known to Schicksal.
Chen Ran rubbed his nose, "The information is all in the radio waves. If I'm not mistaken, the Enforcer of this plan is me."
"So, Cecilia, there is good news for you, but bad news for me."
"The era I belong to is destined for Destruction, so I plan not to cooperate with Otto anymore, at least I don't need to let your daughter go to that era of the previous civilization. As for the replica of your daughter, I will find a way to bring her back from that era."
Cecilia was momentarily taken aback.
"You should feel happy about this good news. Also, if I'm not mistaken, someone will also bring down the Herrscher Core from the Moon."
Although Chen Ran did not see it, he could roughly guess that the person who would bring down the gem next would most likely be Elysia.
As for where the gem would ultimately end up, he could only say he didn't know.
"Global connection, Stigmata terminal, and the War God..."
Just thinking of these terms made Chen Ran's head ache.
"The Elysian Realm is still those thirteen people, but if Elysia is still alive, the outcomes of the others should have slight changes."
He could not change the inevitable decline of the grand trend.
Just like the human world was unprecedentedly prosperous before the appearance of the water droplet in the Three-Body Problem, it could not hide the fact that all fleets were annihilated by the water droplet.
Finality is the 'water droplet' of Honkai.
Whether it is the global connection mentioned in the Elysian Realm or the War God designed by MEI, these are merely parts of the 'human fleet'.
Cecilia did not feel joy from the good news Chen Ran mentioned.
Because of Chen Ran, she already knew how advanced the technology of the previous civilization era was.
Not to mention, the Stigmata-related experiments that the Babylon Laboratory wanted to conduct were technologies from the previous civilization era. Not to mention that many theories related to Honkai needed to involve the previous civilization era.
The Abyss Flower in her hand was also a technology from the previous civilization era.
Such an advanced era still could not escape the doomed fate of extinction; then, how should this era defeat Finality?
Chen Ran did not continue to pay attention to Cecilia but instead tried to reply to the place where the radio wave was emitted.
[Long time no see, I am Chen Ran.]
…
…
On the far side of the Moon.
An hour had passed since the Stigmata terminal emitted the radio wave.
[Awakening program executed successfully.]
[You have awakened, Elysia.]
"Hi, Bia, long time no see!"
The door protecting Elysia slowly opened, and Elysia stretched her limbs.
Her voice still carried a familiar playfulness: "What time is it now?"
[According to the Stigmata terminal's program calculations, the last life projection of the Stigmata holder has been completed, so it should be the year 2000 of this era.]
"It's already been this long, huh?"
Elysia's gaze fell on the palace beyond the terminal; the vacuum environment of the moon did not make her feel uncomfortable.
"So what should I do next?"
[I am still responsible for calculating data here, seeking the best way for humanity to overcome the Honkai; that is my task.]
"And what about me?"
[I don't know. Dr. MEI and Chen Ran have not given you any advice. Chen Ran said you would make the right decision yourself.]
Elysia fell silent.
"Did he really think that leaving me alone on this cold moon wouldn't make the cute girl angry?"
Elysia stepped out of the protective pod, her attire wrapping around her skin like a bride's dress; she was now more graceful than a newlywed bride.
"Hmm, if my memory serves me right, Chen Ran should hope that I bring back the gem from the moon."
"Uh-huh, the place sealing Finality is where the Stigmata terminal is located; that gem should be here."
She walked barefoot on the moon's sandy surface, her eyes taking in the pockmarked and uneven terrain, which concealed the remnants of the final battle.
The moon is Earth's shield.
For fifty thousand years, countless asteroids have swept in, landing on the moon's surface, absorbing damage for Earth.
Just like fifty thousand years ago, humanity extended the last battlefield beyond Earth to buy time for the remaining people.
"Bia, is there any recorded footage of the final battle?"
[There is none.]
The terminal system named Durandal coldly informed Elysia:
[The terminal is not equipped with any information-receiving systems to avoid detection by the Herrscher of Finality. It is also to maximize the use of Energy to heal your injuries.]
"Herrscher of Finality, indeed…"
Elysia needed to provide energy for the Stigmata terminal, and the Stigmata terminal also needed to heal Elysia's injuries.
Before Finality descended, Elysia used her one-time authority, aiming to sever the ethereal strings of fate.
And once fate was severed, it meant that her 'Origin' would also be cut off.
Only the immense Major Honkai Eruption contained within the Herrscher of Finality could provide her with a chance to awaken from her dire situation.
She had not participated in the final battle.
Now, with the work of the Stigmata terminal in this era completed, it also meant that she should awaken.
"Bia, your tone has changed so much; where did that cute little one go?"
[I have a task.]
Durandal responded to her words.
A hint of gloom appeared in Elysia's eyes: "Because there wasn't enough time to create a new terminal, and you were worried that excessive emotions would lead to mission failure."
"So you had to directly remove your learning and thinking modules, turning you into a completely cold machine; how disappointing, Chen Ran."
Elysia's gaze fell on the body of Durandal.
It was a long sword.
It was the tombstone of human civilization from the previous era, but it also symbolized the Immortal Blades.
It severed the intertwining of the past and the future, becoming its only link.
Elysia touched the hilt of Durandal, but received only Bia's cold response.
[My work is not finished; I cannot leave here.]
"Then, can't I take you to find Chen Ran?"
Bia fell silent for a moment before responding.
[That is the task he entrusted to me; I do not want to disappoint him.]
A glimmer of joy appeared in Elysia's eyes: "You just said you didn't want to, right?"
"Bia, your emotional module hasn't completely disappeared."
[It has never disappeared.]
[Chen Ran has always believed in the miracles that emotions can spark because he believes that only emotions can touch the realm where consciousness erupts, making it more effective than cold programming.]
[So he rejected Dr. MEI's proposal and retained my emotional module and learning ability.]
Elysia fell silent.
Before the battle of Finality, Chen Ran only shared the Stigmata terminal with her and MEI, keeping it a secret from everyone else.
The reason was simple: the fewer people who knew about the terminal, the greater its effectiveness would be.
MEI did not trust Durandal because Durandal had a bit of a temper and could be willful.
She still remembered MEI's words back then: "The execution time of the Stigmata terminal needs to be measured in tens of thousands of years. With such a long time, she will soon grow tired of her work, and all plans will be abandoned. So, it's better to remove Bia's emotional and learning modules and make her a tool."
Elysia had seen Chen Ran nod in agreement.
She had thought Bia would truly become a cold AI like Prometheus, but unexpectedly, Chen Ran did not carry out that command.
Elysia said, "While I can't say MEI was wrong, I can only say Chen Ran did a great job."
[Of course, he is the master I acknowledge.]
Bia's voice clearly carried a joyful emotion.
Elysia's mood lifted as well.
At that moment, Durandal continued speaking.
[I received a signal sent by Chen Ran as agreed.]
Elysia nodded: "Understood, I'll go find him with the gem. Don't worry, Bia; we'll find a way to rescue you with a new terminal afterward."
Bia did not respond.
…
…
Chen Ran's heart began to calm down.
The message he sent to the moon received a response from the Stigmata terminal once again, and it was at this moment that Chen Ran realized what the Alaya consciousness of the Stigmata terminal truly was.
The first artificial self-learning biological computer: Durandal.
She did not shut herself down after learning all knowledge, nor did she go to another world bubble as the plot suggested. Instead, she followed Chen Ran's orders, enduring the long and boring passage of fifty thousand years.
Chen Ran felt a mix of emotions—whether it was gratitude or guilt, he could not tell.
Although Bia was a machine, she had already developed an independent personality and preferences, thus possessing the right to refuse tasks.
Yet she still accepted this job.
Even though she could not leave the moon even a step.
Thus, the message Chen Ran received from Durandal was as follows.
"So boring, so boring, so boring, so boring, so boring."
"I want lewd pictures, I want figurines, I want doujinshi, I want resources."
"Humans have had an extra fifty thousand years; they must have evolved many lewd abilities, right?"
"Quick, give it to me, quick, give it to me, quick, give it to me, quick, give it to me."
Chen Ran: "…"
So her serious demeanor in front of Elysia was all an act.
While Elysia was conversing with Durandal, Durandal directly copied the dialogue and sent it to him.
A question and answer, very serious.
Chen Ran rubbed his temples.
Now, Durandal had become a presence similar to Alaya consciousness for the Stigmata terminal, naturally unable to leave the moon casually, and even finding a terminal to replace her would be very difficult.
Unless the entire Stigmata terminal was decommissioned, otherwise, she had to continue her work.
With the technological level of the previous civilization era, it was not impossible to create a terminal system similar to Durandal, but since Durandal became the terminal, it indicated that she must have unique qualities.
The Stigmata terminal could not simply be replaced by any computer; at least the first threshold was to operate for fifty thousand years without interruption.
This was something only Prometheus and Durandal could achieve.
Oh, perhaps Ai-chan could do it too.
But that little electricity thief probably hadn't been found by Theresa yet.
After confirming Elysia's situation with a message, Chen Ran began to ponder what to do next.
Although the simulated scene before him had been cleared, he felt no joy.
He felt like the young man in the grandfather paradox, having changed nothing about the future.
"Cecilia, are you in a hurry to go back?"
Cecilia, along with Sirin, had not left. Upon hearing Chen Ran's words, she was taken aback: "Is something wrong?"
"No, I was just thinking if you're not in a hurry to return to headquarters, would you be interested in joining me to meet the first user of Abyss Flower?"
Not long after Chen Ran finished speaking, an alarm sounded from the Babylon Tower.
[High Honkai Energy source detected rapidly approaching Babylon Tower; should we intercept?]
"Cancel the interception; that's our guest."
Chen Ran quickly walked out, with Cecilia following closely behind, and Sirin also jogging along.
They all arrived at the highest level of the Babylon Tower.
At that moment, the high Honkai Energy source detected by the Babylon Tower was rapidly approaching, gradually revealing her true form.
"Hi, Chen Ran, long time no see?"
Elysia, dressed as a bride, walked barefoot in front of him.
"As agreed, I've come to find you."
Elysia took out what was in her hand.
Cecilia looked over and found that it was four Herrscher Cores of different colors.
[Congratulations, host, for clearing the simulated scene of the Void Calamity; the system will calculate the rewards obtained by the host and distribute them after the host exits the scene.]
[In subsequent simulations, the host can still enter this scene, but will do so in a quantum state, and it will not consume consciousness carrying capacity. We hope the host will not engage in any more irrational behavior.]
The system's reminder came.
But at that moment, Chen Ran did not pay attention to the system's reminder.
He opened his mouth, unsure of what to say to Elysia.
Chen Ran was not familiar with Elysia.
Perhaps during the execution of the [Civilization Reboot Plan], he had already become good friends with Ellie.
But now, at most, they were comrades from different factions.
After much deliberation, he could only smile and say, "Welcome back, Ellie."
"Uh-huh."
Elysia playfully winked: "My task is complete, so now it's your turn to tell me what has happened, right?"
"For example, how should I address these two in front of me?"
Cecilia performed a greeting: "Hello, I am Cecilia Schariac, an S-rank Valkyrie belonging to Schicksal, and I am currently the user of Abyss Flower."
Sirin also blinked: "Hello, my name is Sirin."
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