From the moment Ling Ke pulled out his pencil to sketch the new character template from the game "Medical Transport Aircraft," to the instant he decided to bomb, occupy the Moon, and officially implement his plan, no more than two and a half minutes had actually passed.
And during this time, the leaders, high-ranking officers, and core members of the three major organizations—Destiny, Anti-Entropy, and World Serpent—had already adjusted their mindsets.
They knew that today, humanity needed to have a "conversation" with Ling Ke.
Otherwise...
After the Tenth Eruption, human civilization had barely managed to preserve 15% of its cities.
This time, the damage would only be worse.
Because this time, it wasn't just "thousands" ravaging the world.
It was under this dire premise that...
—"Have you chosen a 'representative'?" said a voice.
In the cell where space had been temporarily sealed by "Senkai Ichijo," the "Dominator Doll·Ling Ke" had been waiting for a while, filled with a certain irony.
To this day, his appearance and demeanor still radiated elegance.
But everyone present knew that beneath that refined mask hid an essence of unmatched tyranny.
Its source: resentment.
Its name: Vengeance.
Suddenly...
—"First time we meet, Mr. Ling Ke."
From a spot near the window, someone stepped forward.
Just as Ling Ke had expected.
The representative chosen by humanity turned out to be the source of most of his hatred: Otto Apocalypse.
Thinking about it, even Walther understood that under such circumstances, probably only a manipulator like him could handle the situation.
Of course, Dr. Tesla was far from happy about this arrangement.
In her own words:
—"Let a twisted bastard negotiate? What could possibly go right?"
And maybe she wasn't wrong.
Because...
—"This is indeed our first meeting," Ling Ke said.
Inside the sealed chamber, the "Dominator Doll·Ling Ke" was synchronized with the senses of the real Ling Ke, who was controlling him directly.
—"However, I know your name and your many 'great deeds' all too well."
—"After all... there are just too many of them."
—"Let me think…"
The "Dominator Doll·Ling Ke" smiled disdainfully as he shifted his gaze from Otto… to someone standing beside him.
—"To this day, even though the three organizations have allied, you've yet to officially disclose the fact that 'Yolandele is the real Kiana Kaslana,' have you?"
—!!!
With just one sentence.
The emotions of most human negotiators exploded.
—"What?"
—"Yolandele… is Cecilia's daughter…?"
—"Me?"
For a moment, the senior officers of Anti-Entropy, Delisa, Yolandele herself, and even K-423—who had been given the name "Kiana Kaslana" by Siegfried during childhood—were completely stunned.
It was explosive news.
Because among all those present, aside from a very few like Otto and Rita, girls like Delisa and even the white-haired, blue-eyed one believed that the real Kiana Kaslana had long since died.
And yet...
—"I must say, she is worthy of the 'Kaslana + Schariac' bloodline."
—"Descendant of the strongest fusion warrior and bearer of sacred Estonian blood."
—"Even as a child, without any training, she could fall headfirst from ten thousand meters and survive."
—"Sadly, with such colossal talent—envied by billions—someone still manipulated her entire life to the point that this mother-killer saw him as her mentor."
—"I truly wonder… how do you feel now, true 'Kiana Kaslana'?"
—"Ah, no."
The "Dominator Doll·Ling Ke" smiled.
—"You can't even claim that name anymore."
—"Because your biological father gave it away, ha ha ha!"
Upon hearing this...
—"Bastard!"
Dr. Tesla gritted her teeth.
It wasn't clear whether those words were aimed at the strange Ling Ke or… at the true culprit: Otto.
Maybe both.
But then...
—"Yolandele, Yolandele…"
—"Known as the strongest S-class Valkyrie in history—do you really think your achievements are purely your own effort?"
The "Dominator Doll·Ling Ke" curled his lips mockingly.
—"Unknowingly, you give poisoned motivational speeches to the Valkyries who admire you, never considering that you are the greatest beneficiary of bloodline supremacy..."
—"This world has never been fair. Even if an ordinary person trained to death, they wouldn't withstand a single wave of Honkai radiation."
—"But you can anchor a bubble world… and dare to say it's all due to 'hard work'?"
—"Also…"
—"I suppose you've always trusted that comrade you just rescued. Does she know your true identity?"
—…
From her place, Yolandele turned to her short-haired companion in disbelief.
—"Rita… you…"
—"Rita was assigned to your side."
Otto's calm voice echoed in every ear.
He didn't even glance at Yolandele, who once called him "mentor."
He simply said coldly:
—"I needed to ensure you matured properly."
—…
Yolandele fell silent.
Undoubtedly, her heart was in turmoil.
Because the current situation was really bad.
She, "Yolandele," had not awakened from Kaslana's Stigma Space by fighting Otto to reach the "Tianyuan."
It had been Ling Ke who cruelly tore off the scars.
And the worst part...
—"Kiana…"
Off to the side, Raiden Mei and Bronya were deeply worried about the white-haired girl.
But they no longer even knew if they should still call her "Kiana."
Not because they despised her experimental origin.
But because... the real "Kiana Kaslana" was standing just a few steps away.
We must admit that Ling Ke had chosen the perfect moment to reveal this truth.
Once again, the malice of this "Legislator of Domination" manifested with disturbing realism.
And everyone felt it clearly.
This is only the beginning!
If humanity can't even bear this level of malice, then there is no point in dialogue.
That's why...
—"A name is just a code."
The leader of World Serpent... Kevin, suddenly spoke.
—"The conviction in my heart cannot be shaken."
—"Then you are a warrior worthy of respect," responded the "Dominator Doll·Ling Ke" upon hearing him.
—"Really?"
The "Dominator Doll·Ling Ke" smiled.
And without giving time for Kevin's words to settle with the others, he directly launched his next question:
—"Kevin Kaslana…"
—"I remember your creed well: 'No matter the cost, humanity will defeat the Honkai.'"
—"That was your promise, wasn't it?"
—"Then here's the problem."
—"I know that now, even if you had to sacrifice all of humanity, you would still want to defeat the Honkai."
—"But what if the price were something else...?"
The "Dominator Doll·Ling Ke" spread his arms again, forming a human scale.
—"For example: if the only way to defeat the Honkai was to kill with your own hands the person you love the most…"
—"Could you do it?"
—"And I'm not talking about some illusion from a bubble world."
—"But about the one who was the last leader of MOTH over 50,000 years ago…"
—"The most important person in your heart, the one for whom you're willing to pay any price…"
—…
Kevin fell silent.
He clenched his fists.
He was clearly not at peace.
Finally...
—"Your words are nothing but empty chatter," he said in a deep voice.
—"But you avoided my question," the "Dominator Doll·Ling Ke" replied with a mocking smile. —"Tsk, tsk. 'No matter the cost,' huh…?"
—"What a pity… just like that Raiden Mei over there, you're also a fan of pretty speeches."
—"And…"
In the Theater of Domination, Ling Ke's smiling face grew even more dangerous.
At last, he delivered his most terrifying bait.
—"Who ever told you… that my empty words were truly useless?"