Behind-the-scenes video of the beginning of Honkai.

"No, it's just because—whoa! Magician, when did you get there?"

Iserlin was startled to see Merlin suddenly appear beside her.

"It probably started when you were so engrossed in the data that I couldn't bear to interrupt you.

"So, is there any progress regarding the connection between Honkai energy levels and the progress of human civilization, as well as... the operational module of the God of War."

"Thanks to you, the mathematical model has been basically analyzed after importing the data provided by Totori."

"But to be honest, I still have a vague feeling about this hypothesis."

"Hehe, this is indeed an astonishing insight, but since it came from the personality AI of that Stigmata Terminal, I think it should be somewhat plausible."

"No, I'm not referring to the issue of truth or falsehood. Rather, so far, both Anti-Entropy and Schicksal have conducted numerous studies on the application and nature of Honkai energy, but have rarely considered viewing Honkai as a system."

"If Mei's thinking about the Honkai has reached this level... I find it hard to imagine what kind of Honkai would have happened to such an advanced civilization in its early days."

The more I studied, the more I realized how profound Dr. Mei's understanding of the Honkai was, and how terrifying the technology of that era was!

However, human civilization possessing this technology was easily destroyed in the face of the Honkai. Although the reason for its destruction is unknown, what we know now proves the power of the Honkai, which makes her increasingly less confident in defeating it.

"After all, according to this model, even a planetary-level Honkai Beast... if the God of War were at his peak, it wouldn't be like this..."

"Alright, Iselin, technology is humanity's wings, humanity's ladder. But it's not that the strength of technology guarantees victory in the fight against the Honkai."

"Only with proper guidance and use can technology become a sharp weapon for humanity to fight against the Honkai. Otherwise, it will become a stopgap measure to compromise, just like the original civilization."

"In my opinion, their failure was due to the fact that they had been under the protection of technology for so long that they lost their most primal human survival instincts. Perhaps when the Honkai was about to break out, they simply did not understand how great the threat was."

"So that's why you came up with such a crazy plan. Forgive my bluntness, but you are more like the threat to humanity today than Otto."

"Me? Hmm... that's a much better compliment than Thunder Dragon Horse's."

"I wasn't praising you..."

"Hehe, don't worry, Iserline. Great magic is always accompanied by a dangerous stage, but behind it, there is often a carefully designed safety device."

"That's why you exist, isn't it?"

"Alright, now that everything is ready, I think it's time to gather those important figures. Inform Cocolia and have her prepare for the on-site arrangements."

"The board members of the People's Union are still anxiously awaiting our results."

After Merlin finished speaking, she left the research lab directly. Watching Merlin's departing figure, Iselin muttered to herself in a voice only she could hear.

"Magician, you've probably misunderstood me."

"What you're doing now is still just imitating the old path of the primordial civilization. Replicating their research, reviving their technology..."

"Can it really be done as you think, by deceiving everyone...?"

……

The Huangshi Military God Bunker Base, under the Human Union, is where Merlin has gathered important figures from all over the world.

"—Gentlemen, that concludes our findings on the God of War's bunker."

"Although we have not yet found a way to reproduce the personality system of the God of War, as a strategic weapon against the Honkai, it can still provide great protection for humanity."

Merlin showed the council members the God of War she was facing. After all, it was the Human Covenant, so naturally she had to show off some good stuff to all the countries to prove that the Human Covenant was necessary.

"Hmph, we've invested so many resources in you, far exceeding our projected budget for the national treasury. You'd better understand what the consequences will be if this massive machine is just a shell, completely useless!"

"Hehe, please rest assured, everyone here. It is thanks to your strong support that we have been able to get to where we are today. Of course, the God of War is not yet perfect. The reason I have gathered you all here today is to let you witness the feasibility of this ancient guardian god with your own eyes."

Merlin naturally had a way of dealing with the board members' questions; this was originally meant to show them the results.

"If you still have any questions, why don't we all come together to witness the initiation of the God of War..."

"It's disgusting!"

At that moment, a voice interrupted Merlin's words.

"You are the representative of the forest rangers. You seem to have something to say."

"Azta, you have no right to speak here!"

The council member next to him pointed and told Azta to shut up. In his opinion, this small forest ranger clan had no right to be here, and now he dared to interrupt. He didn't even know his own limitations.

“Hehe, Miss Azta, please speak freely. The Forest Rangers have given up their homeland where they have lived until now, and for that I give you the highest respect.”

"That sounds nice, but it was you who forcibly conscripted us. We were the ones who were expelled, and now we are the ones being conscripted."

Merlin's politeness did not quell Azta's anger; instead, it made her even angrier, since no one would be polite to someone who had taken away their home.

"Don't think I don't know what you're thinking. Protecting humanity? A united front? That sounds nice, but your next plan is to divide up these terrifying weapons to ensure your own national strength, isn't it!?"

Chapter 349 The Birth of the Herrscher of Rock

"Watch your words, Councilor Azta! As a member of the council, you should be proud that our home contributes to the common prosperity of mankind, not maliciously stirring up trouble."

"Hmph, the so-called council is nothing more than a means for you to silence our clan, a bunch of selfish humans."

"I am ashamed to be one of you!"

After saying this, Azta also expressed his unwillingness to stay in this filthy place and associate with these people, and chose to leave.

boom!

"This is outrageous! He's such a shameless bastard."

"Hehe... This is quite an unpleasant incident. I thought the council members had already reached a consensus."

Merlin watched all this indifferently, making no attempt to stop it. After all, what did this have to do with her? The more divided these council members were, the more likely she was to seize control.

“It’s alright, Meryl Cavendish. Ignore that country bumpkin and continue with your plans.”

"Understood. Then... Cocolia, activate the War God."

"Hmph, magician, let me see your performance."

The giant God of War was activated under Merlin's control, and its program began to run.

"Self-Disciplined Personality System: ERROR"

"Manual driving: ON"

"ALLLINECLEAR, initiate activation of Honkai Integration Terminal Unit 1..."

boom!!!

[System] Alert! Alert! Increased Honkai concentration detected! Honkai bio-detection in progress. All personnel enter Level II combat readiness status!

"Merlin! What on earth is going on?!"

The council members were stunned to hear that the Honkai concentration had increased. What was going on?

[System] Multiple Honkai creatures have been detected. Bunkers are now on Level 1 alert. Repeating...

"A Honkai creature? Merlin, what on earth is going on?"

"The activation of the God of War will cause a civilization singularity to appear here, and the Honkai energy level will naturally expand. So none of you read the documents I presented before you came here."

Why wasn't this kind of thing emphasized beforehand?

"Hehe, don't worry, this bunker has been prepared with defensive measures in advance, it is the safest place."

"For many years, you have been shrouded in the shadow of destiny, but now that destiny no longer exists, let us, who hold the future of humanity in our hands, take this opportunity to witness the weapons we now use to fight against the Honkai."

Merlin couldn't possibly say she did it on purpose, since her original intention was to unite humanity through the Honkai, so why would she emphasize that beforehand?

"You... bastard!"

The council members weren't fools, and they naturally understood that this was a scheme devised by Merlin. But it was too late to say anything now; the God of War had already been activated, and they could only obediently sit where they were and try to save their own lives first.

"Cocolia, permission is granted to lift the restrictions on the armed systems."

"Hmph, magician, I don't need you to teach me about the upcoming war."

Under Cocolia's control, the God of War's immense power was fully displayed at this moment. With a deafening roar, this single strike leveled the entire continent. While everyone was shocked by such an attack, only one person watched this scene with immense pain.

"Ah...ah...! Our...homeland..."

Azta watched as his home was destroyed by this shell, his eyes filled with despair and hatred!

Honkai... what exactly is it...?

It is the culprit that destroyed human civilization...

It doesn't matter how you handle that kind of thing.

We are a people who are far removed from civilization.

Ultimately, humanity should not consider itself the master of this land.

If the collapse is a symbol of calamity, then why is that wind-like girl able to wield the power of a god so freely?

For us, the mountains and rivers... the animals... and my people, that's all.

If even all of this is to be taken away...

So which side is the real calamity?

[System] Warning! Warning! The Honkai energy level has exceeded the critical value! Activate the Great Honkai contingency plan!

“Miss Azta, it’s good that you’re safe. The alert is still in effect. Please follow instructions and return to the bunker.”

"Merlin, is this ravaged land your destination?"

Looking at the ravaged land, Azita's eyes were filled with hatred for humanity.

“Miss Azta, I understand how you feel. But as you can see, humanity is constantly facing the threat of Honkai, so this loss is understandable.”

“Director Azta, this is a critical moment. Judging from the Honkai energy level, it is very likely that the Law will appear—*sizzle, sizzle*.”

"Communications have been lost... It seems the Honkai energy level is still rising. Miss Azta, hurry and come with us—"

"Get out of here!!!"

Azta pushed Bronya away as she tried to take her to safety, her eyes flashing with madness.

"The Oath of Judah! Unfurl!"

Theresa and Ninti arrived at this moment and discovered that Azta had begun to transform into a Herrscher.

Humans are the true cause of disaster.