In the current Elysian Realm, Aponia is undoubtedly the most unique existence.
Because among all the Flame-Chasers...
She is the only one fully integrated into it as a "person."
Within her exists a coordinate that can serve as an anchor point.
By using it—putting aside for now the matter of the "cost"—Ling Ke can accurately locate a specific point in the era preceding the current civilization, just like Otto once toyed with Klosterman in the original storyline.
That is: the eve of the eruption of the "Third Eruption" of that time.
Of course, in theory, anyone who personally lived through that period should possess similar coordinates.
For example: Kevin, Fu Hua—who are currently outside the Elysian Realm—or Griseo, who still floats in the sky.
But under that criterion, excluding Fu Hua—who is already in a hostile relationship with Ling Ke—and Griseo, whom they cannot currently locate… why doesn't Ling Ke ask for Kevin's help?
The reason is simple!
Kevin, Fu Hua, and Griseo—the three Flame-Chasers who survived into the present era—have their consciousnesses "dormant."
The traces of "time" within them are far fainter compared to Aponia, who has remained "conscious" all along.
Although in the Realm of the Past there is also an "Armed Doll Klein" that has survived tens of thousands of years...
Unfortunately, she was created only after the "Tenth Eruption" of the pre-civilization era.
It's not the right time.
Only Aponia, who remembers her best friend—Alicia's past—how she survived, how she fought, how she walked through the mud and rose as the Queen of Thorns...
How, in the end, she attended her final banquet in a new outfit...
Only Aponia has preserved the complete memory of that "Daughter of God."
And this nun has been alone for a very, very long time.
From over 50,000 years ago until now.
That's why only Aponia can provide the most precise coordinates, and she alone is qualified to be that "anchor point."
That point gave Ling Ke—who had just made contact with the so-called "Will of the Collapse" and received a massive influx of knowledge—a clear understanding.
He admired this spiritual will, so powerful, capable of remaining alone in the deepest darkness for over 50,000 years.
Because he could not have done it.
But Aponia did.
Now, thanks to the "malice" Ling Ke brings, the pre-civilized era may receive a "second chance."
Put simply...
—"Now, your era's 'second chance' is before you."
In the hall of the Realm, the "Dominating Doll Ling Ke," standing before Aponia, repeated in a calm and distant voice:
—"Will you seize it as a once-in-a-lifetime—no, once-in-eternity—opportunity? Or would you rather become a sacrificial victim of this era?"
Seeing that Aponia didn't respond immediately, the "Dominating Doll Ling Ke" added on her own:
—"If it were me… even the naive version of me from the past wouldn't hesitate to accept this deal."
—"After all, whether or not there's a future for this era... it's not the one I belong to."
—"And as long as a single spark of hope remains in my 'home,' I will not hesitate to become the villain."
—"Besides…"
The "Dominating Doll Ling Ke" sneered:
—"Even if you refuse, this era has no future."
—"Now that my design is complete, in thirteen hours, my vengeance will be carried out without fail."
—"The only difference is in how it will be done."
After those words...
—"Sigh~."
A long sigh echoed from afar.
The pink-haired figure finally appeared.
Alicia, second among the Thirteen Flame-Chasers, bearer of the "True Self" inscription. This Daughter of God, who has always loved everyone, is in truth the one who most regrets the emergence of an avenger like Ling Ke.
She had already learned more about him through Mei Raiden.
If possible, she truly wished that Ling Ke could emerge from the haze of the past.
However, she hadn't shown up from the start because, while secretly observing the "Dominating Doll Ling Ke," just one glance confirmed a cruel truth—the same that her friend Eden had seen.
That dark-haired young man's "heart" had long since been broken.
When water spills, it's hard to gather it back… is this really the time to negotiate peace?
For the first time, she didn't know how to persuade someone.
At this moment, Ling Ke resembled a prosecutor more than any other defender of the pre-civilized era.
And then...
—"Mr. Prosecutor, I have a question."
Another voice, deliberately provocative, reached the "Dominating Doll Ling Ke."
Following the sound, in the opposite direction, a small green-haired figure could be seen sitting atop a floating suitcase.
Mebius, tenth of the Thirteen Flame-Chasers, bearer of the "Infinity" inscription.
This memory, who dares to calculate even against the main body, had just one question for now:
—"You just said you'd give our era a 'second chance.'"
Mebius narrowed her charming serpent eyes slightly:
—"So I wonder—if your plan succeeds… what will become of us (these memories)?"
To that...
—"Simple."
Ling Ke, clearly long prepared, remotely controlling the "Dominating Doll Ling Ke," replied:
—"You are not my enemies."
—"So, as part of the agreement, I can guarantee your continued existence."
—"And I won't keep anything hidden from you."
—"First, I'll seal the entire 'Elysian Realm' into my Theater of Domination and isolate it."
—"Then... more transactions will follow."
—"Of course, those (memories) who don't wish to continue existing may also choose to perish along with this era."
—"However, I personally suggest you don't rush that decision."
—"Because now it may be my enemies' turn to 'destroy the world.'"
—"Among them is Raiden Mei… the one you helped and placed your hopes in."
After hearing this...
—"Then I'm in."
Mebius smiled and, with a casual attitude, raised her arms:
—"I don't want to miss the chance to profit without lifting a finger."
Clearly, she had already made her decision.
As for the others...
—"Sigh~..."
Aponia sighed as well, just as Alicia had.
She understood clearly that the Thirteen Flame-Chasers...
Nearly all deeply regretted the past.
However, the decision they now faced was to exchange the future of billions for a "second chance."
With her personality, she naturally couldn't judge what each person truly thought.
Therefore...
—"Then... let me, who is already marked by sin, bear this 'guilt' alone!"
As she said this, Aponia turned her gaze toward a certain direction.
There, for some time now, a fox-eared assassin had appeared.
She hadn't said a word.
Aponia remembered well the cause and effect between them.
Over 50,000 years ago, it was precisely because of her "decrees" that Sakura's sister had been killed…
—"It's time to return this 'karma.'"
And at that moment...
—"We…"
—"Accept your deal."
A deep voice reached Aponia's ears.
Kevin… within the Realm, as a memory, stepped toward the "Dominating Doll Ling Ke" with a determined expression.
—"As part of the agreement, always remember: this is a joint decision of the 'Thirteen Flame-Chasers.'"
—"It's not Aponia's unilateral act."
He turned to look at his comrades, who at some point had all appeared:
—"I'm sorry, everyone. From this moment on…
—"We are all sinners who, with our own hands, stripped the world of its hope and 'destroyed' it."
Upon hearing that, Alicia smiled.
At the bar, Eden raised her wine glass to him.
In the workshop, Vilvi gave him a hearty thumbs-up.
Qian Jie, already recovered, crossed his arms and snorted coldly, saying nothing.
Su, who had arrived with Kevin, showed a resigned expression and laughed.
And Sakura, Cosmo, Mebius, Griseo, Hua… they were all there.
Finally, Padophelis—though disheveled—also arrived.
—"Boss Kevin! Even if I don't really get what's going on, we've always been with you!"
—"Eh, wait, wait…"
The catgirl scratched her head:
—"This time, weak little cats like me aren't supposed to fight, right? Hellooo~?!"
Her "interruption" suddenly dissipated much of the tension in the air.
At that moment, the "Dominating Doll Ling Ke," witnessing everything, visibly curled her lips into a smile.
And slowly spoke:
—"As part of this deal… allow me to correct one thing…"
She indirectly conveyed the words of the original Ling Ke:
—"No matter what others say, how they criticize, how they accuse... I, the 'worst,' will accept it all…"
—"You are the heroes who 'saved the world.'"
—"Because that is the truth…"
—"I fell into darkness, and you… returned to the light!"
Upon hearing that, all the Flame-Chasers were momentarily stunned...
But quickly composed themselves.
In that moment, the "Dominating Doll Ling Ke" restored her cracked face:
—"Then the deal is struck. Let's begin the operation!"
After saying so, she extended her right hand downward.
The Thirteen Flame-Chasers stepped forward one after another, placing their right hands as well.
Though Mebius wore a twisted expression of irritation...
Though Sakura was allergic to cat hair and couldn't get too close to Padophelis...
In the end, it was Aponia who held her right hand.
And at that moment...
A "salvation" plan born of malice...
Was officially set into motion!
Right at that moment...
[Congratulations to the host for acquiring a new character template from the game: Gilgamesh!]
Inside the Theater of Domination...
A playful smile appeared on Ling Ke's face.
—"Oh… now this...
—"What a coincidence!"