The execution ground was located in the square in front of the church.
When Evan and Kiana—who had finally woken up in a daze—were brought here, it was already crowded with people.
They were civilians.
Yesterday, they were the sick, lying weakly on the roadside waiting for death. Today, perhaps stimulated by the "Grand Event" of the execution of the Saintess, or perhaps forcibly refreshed by the program to play the role of spectators, they gathered here.
Their eyes were filled with fanaticism and ignorance. They held the Indulgences purchased with their life savings high in their hands, praising the greatness of the Bishop (Overseer) and cursing the "Witch" who had stolen the sacred object and colluded with the devil.
"Kill her!"
"Burn the witch!"
The waves of sound were higher than the last. Kiana, fully awake now, looked at the ugly faces around her and trembled with anger.
"These guys... Big Sister Kallen clearly fought for them, she even got caught because she was trying to save people... Why are they treating her like this?!"
"Because they don't know anything. They are just pitiful creatures blinded by lies and fear."
Evan's voice was calm, but his gaze was locked on the platform.
There, Kallen was tied to a wooden stake. The executioner was making final preparations.
"Kallen Kaslana, you betrayed the Organization, stole the sacred object, and fell into depravity. Do you have any last words?"
The priest in charge of the execution asked loudly, trying to let everyone in the square hear.
Kallen raised her head. She looked at the fanatical people below the stage, her eyes flashing with sadness, but more than that, pity.
"I..."
Roar——!
Before Kallen could speak, a terrifying roar suddenly came from the edge of the square.
The thick city walls were smashed open like tofu. Huge Honkai Beasts rushed into the square, their scarlet eyes filled with the desire for destruction.
"Honkai Beasts! It's Honkai Beasts!"
"Run!"
"Help!!"
The fanaticism instantly turned into fear. The crowd collapsed. People pushed and trampled each other, trying to escape this hell.
This was the "accident" created by Otto. He released the captured Honkai Beasts to create chaos, trying to force Kallen to escape in the confusion.
This was the only way to save her. Or so he thought.
"Chance! Evan, let's go save Big Sister Kallen!"
Seeing the chaos, Kiana's eyes lit up. She was about to rush up, but saw a scene that stunned her.
Kallen, who should have taken the opportunity to escape, did not run.
She effortlessly broke the ropes binding her—for a Valkyrie who could contend with Emperor-class Honkai Beasts, ordinary ropes were as fragile as spiderwebs.
But she didn't run towards the outside of the city. Instead, she rushed towards the civilians who were screaming under the claws of the Honkai Beasts.
"Why..." Kiana murmured.
"Because that is her choice."
Evan took a deep breath. He finally caught that feeling.
In this repeated, despairing cycle of history, facing the choice between "survival" and "conviction," Kallen Kaslana always chose the latter without hesitation.
Even if those people cursed her a moment ago. Even if she had no weapon in her hand.
Bang!
Kallen knocked a Honkai Beast flying with a punch, saving a little girl who was scared silly. But more Honkai Beasts were rushing over. Without the Oath of Judah and without a weapon, she was fighting extremely hard.
And in the shadows, a Honkai Beast that was clearly stronger and more cunning than the others was approaching her back.
That was the "Destiny" of this script. The inevitable ending of the curtain call.
"But, I hate bad endings."
Evan stepped forward.
"Evan?" Kiana looked at him.
"Kiana, go help the others. Leave that side... to me."
Evan walked towards Kallen. As he moved, the air around him began to distort.
It wasn't the distortion of airflow, but the trembling of data.
Deep in his soul, the black blade that had been dormant finally responded to his call.
It was a key born from "Corruption," possessing the power to erode, reconstruct, and dominate data and consciousness. In this virtual space constructed of data, it was the supreme king.
I feel it.
The cold hilt, the heavy blade.
Evan raised his right hand and made a grasping motion towards the void.
"Come out."
Buzz——!
A black and red ripple exploded with Evan as the center.
In Kiana's shocked gaze, in Kallen's astonished perception, and in the "eyes" of the monitoring system of the entire database—
A long sword exuding an ominous, ancient, yet noble aura was slowly pulled out of the void by Evan.
[Jizo Mitama · Void], unsheathed.
At this moment, the wind stopped. The roaring Honkai Beasts froze in place as if their data flow had been cut off.
Evan held the sword in one hand and looked at the giant Honkai Beast pouncing on Kallen. He gently swung the blade.
There was no sword light, nor was there any fierce impact sound.
There was only a black line that seemed to cut through the world, passing through the body of the Honkai Beast.
Then, the huge monster turned into countless chaotic data streams and dissipated in the air.
Evan walked to the dazed Kallen and extended his hand to her.
"I said, when the opportunity is in front of you, you have to grab it."
"This time, let me be your weapon."
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