To create Honkai Impact 3rd in a world where Kallen exists.

Karen frowned, wondering what the other person wanted to do now.

The situation is quite clear: Kevin is their enemy... If it's a negotiation, letting Durandal demonstrate her power first would be a good option.

But what does the World Serpent want?

Judging from the other party's movements, Karen had no idea what their purpose was.

...Unless it's really just about causing trouble and pushing forward the Stigmata Project, but if that's the case, Kallen can only say she absolutely won't tolerate it.

Aside from once going to the Apocalypse family's secret location to retrieve a broken ancient artifact, Kallen didn't even know where that place was. After all, it was a place the Apocalypse family specifically set up to guard against her, and she only found out afterward that they also hid a Divine Key.

But it's said to be so badly damaged that no one can use it...

Leaving that aside for now, Karen is very interested in the bargaining chips used by both sides, as she can use them to try to figure out the other party's purpose and the details of Otto's plan.

Her eyes widened, anticipating the conversation to come.

...

"Wow! Boss Kevin is so strong! No wonder he's Boss Kevin!" Pado exclaimed, patting her chest as she watched the two fight.

This level of combat is terrifying!

Thankfully, Boss Kevin won't attack us.

Glancing at Kevin's ever-cold expression, Paddy scratched the back of her head and smiled.

Uncertainly, I thought: Surely... he shouldn't know we stole his instant noodles... right?

Pado wasn't too worried at first, but watching the fight in the video, she suddenly didn't find the seafood instant noodles she'd secretly eaten a couple of days ago appealing anymore.

"Don't be afraid, Paddy, believe in yourself,"

Paddy cheered herself up, her eyes hardening. "If they ask, just say it ate canned food! It already ate it anyway!"

Chapter 76 Long Live the World Serpent

"I didn't expect there to be such a strong person now. I saw her last time... It's a pity I couldn't capture her and study her properly last time."

Möbius licked his lips, his vertical snake-like eyes filled with profound meaning.

She was very curious about the source of Durandal's power, who was capable of fighting Kevin.

The last time I met him, I felt he was no ordinary person, but I never expected that he could fight Kevin to this extent.

As for defeating Kevin... sorry, she never even considered that.

Even so, based solely on the level of combat shown in the video, the previous civilization didn't achieve much.

In addition, Durandal's age is also an important factor to consider; youth means potential, the potential to become stronger.

"Durandal, huh? As expected, Schicksal's strongest Valkyrie is quite skilled," Qianjie remarked, watching the two fight, his hands clenching occasionally.

Honestly, he hasn't been in a fight in a long time.

Seeing two powerful opponents fighting, I felt a sudden urge to join in.

Unfortunately, he wasn't strong enough; even if he confronted his opponent, he wouldn't be able to win. He just wanted to warm up with a fight; he wasn't in a hurry to die. He knew his limits.

After thinking for a moment, he gestured to Kevin, "Kevin, wanna play a round?"

If they are all of the same energy intensity, it seems that they can only choose from the heroes present.

Kevin stared coldly at the other person, shook his head, and remained silent.

"Tch, what a disappointment," Qianjie said dejectedly.

...

In the void, in the small garden, two men sat facing each other.

They were the top leaders of two major powers, even though their areas of expertise differed.

But those who can engage in dialogue with them on an equal footing must have already reached the pinnacle of humanity.

Golden light flowed, shifted, and reflected ever-changing scenes. This realm, created by the Divine Key Void Treasury, completely isolated the two from the outside world.

Otto sized up Kevin.

Those eyes were cold and empty, devoid of any emotion, memory, or warmth—not a trace of what a human gaze should possess.

This made him somewhat nostalgic, as he had rarely felt looked down upon since becoming a bishop.

But Otto still welcomed his arrival.

"Long live the World Serpent!"

The blond man spoke in a joking tone, his manner still as cynical as ever.

His eyes kept scanning the other person's expression, but unfortunately—there was no change.

"Just kidding. Getting back to the point, welcome—the leader of the World Serpent. I knew that one day I would meet you."

"I know your name, I understand who you are, and I admire your deeds."

"You are the ancestor of the Kaslana bloodline, a hero who led the pre-civilization humanity in their struggle to the very end; but at the same time, you are also the 'Lord' of the World Serpent, the executor of the Stigmata Project..."

He paused, his previously smiling face turning cold, and asked, word by word,

"Kevin Kaslana, have you come here to declare war on me?"

It was only after saying this that his dignified bearing as the Archbishop of Destiny was revealed.

...

[Long live the World Snake? Haha, Kevin was completely baffled.]

Although I know this is just rhetoric, I still want to say that Otto is quite good at being a clown. Damn it, why did he treat the bug like that?

I initially thought Otto would be at a huge disadvantage against Kevin, but I have to say, as a leader, Kevin held his own. He was polite yet harbored deadly intent. Compared to Kevin's straightforwardness, Otto's words were much more diplomatic.

"Long live the World Serpent?" Kallen couldn't help but smile, watching the conversation on the screen even more intently.

Otto first revealed the other party's identity, then lavished praise upon her, and finally maintained his composure. This, combined with Durandal's initial probing...

This made his final threat no laughing matter. It really was him; he was becoming more and more adept at it, Karen thought to herself.

...

"Just from this passage alone, it proves that those people from the previous civilization were indeed useless,"

Mebius offered her assessment, mercilessly criticizing those parasites who had destroyed humanity in the past, yet she still felt that Otto might be one of her 'kind'.

“Kevin was under their command at the time, but they didn’t even have the courage to face Kevin directly. They would only do dirty tricks on Yingjie behind his back. It’s ridiculous.”

"Compared to him, I'm starting to appreciate the person in front of me more and more. At least, he—is crazy enough."

“Actually… I think things would have been better if May had taken power sooner,” Alicia said, touching the corner of her mouth, trying hard not to show any unusual expression.

Sorry, she still doesn't really like him.

What she longed for was a more innocent and beautiful person, someone who had almost transcended human emotions, chaotic and insane, whose true nature was obscured.

Of course, she also admitted that the other party's abilities were outstanding.

"Hmph, Mei's personality dictates that she'll only seize power when there's no other way. She's incapable of climbing the ladder at all costs... Oh well, there are no 'what ifs'."

Mebius looked at Alicia, but ultimately didn't say anything more. In her view, Mebius was unsuitable to be a leader, at least not as the first leader vying for power.

As Alicia said, May is still kind enough.

Unless it was May later, she was certainly capable of being a leader, but unfortunately, there wasn't enough time.

...

"Huh~, why are these two together? Hmm, they both look like villains, they have something in common for some reason."

Kiana complained with a bitter face.

These two people on the screen were people she knew intimately, each more ruthless than the other, so Kiana naturally didn't have any good feelings towards them.

If a comparison must be made, perhaps she still harbors some lingering affection for her ancestor, Kaslana...

"Yes, with the leaders of two major powers gathered together, it feels like the world is about to change drastically..." Mei narrowed her eyes, watching the two negotiating.

Putting aside prejudices, she felt that Kevin did indeed resemble Kiana somewhat. Could it be because they shared the same bloodline?

"Sigh—I hope that in reality, Bishop Karen won't also have to negotiate with them. Think about it, in reality, Karen really did do the same thing as that blond clown in the movie,"

Ever since Kiana witnessed the Second Collapse, she's been referring to Otto by the clown mask he only appeared in once—after all, he caused her so much trouble.

She always expresses her dislike very directly; for example... it's obvious from how she addresses people by their names.

"But that unscrupulous boss probably wouldn't dare, since miHoYo seems to be under the control of Destiny."

Kiana thought for a moment and said,

Actually, she wasn't quite sure about the relationship between the other party and Destiny, but since she and the others were working under him as prospective Valkyries, their relationship shouldn't be bad, right?

Although she always talks about her unscrupulous boss, she is actually quite grateful to him. It seems that the only way she can repay him is by taking her work and voice acting seriously.

Hmm...why don't you try saying nice things about him to Aunt Flo?

She instinctively felt that this could be considered a way to repay the other party, at least it wasn't framing them, right? Moreover, it would also resolve her aunt's long-standing issue of being single, so it was killing two birds with one stone.

Okay, it's decided, Auntie Period, I'll help you!

Kiana nodded in confirmation after imagining it, thinking with unusual certainty.

...

"Achoo—" Luo Mo sneezed, wiped his nose with a tissue, and said with annoyance, "Damn it, who is planning to harm me?"

Then he turned to the screenwriter standing to the side, his most trusted planner, and asked:

"Is that you, Su Luo?"

Faced with Luo Mo's questioning gaze, she could only think that if someone cursed you and you sneezed every time, you'd probably be sneezing all the time.

But when her boss asked her that question, she could only reply, "Of course not, how could I possibly have such thoughts!"

"That's good," Luo Mo nodded in agreement, ignoring the fire burning beneath Su Luo's dark circles.

"Boss, why do you think Otto did that?" Su Luo became inexplicably interested in the plot, mainly to cover up her disloyalty to her boss.

...