"Well, well, isn't it the renowned Anti-Entropy Alliance Leader, Welt? Running here to Schicksal's Far East Branch at this late hour—just to pick on little girls?" Hera gently descended onto the ground, holding up her dress hem as she stood bathed in moonlight, her smile picture-perfect.
Rita glanced briefly at Durandal, still struggling against gravity, concern flickering across her face. Nevertheless, she remained respectfully positioned slightly behind and to the side of Hera, not daring to act without permission.
Welt slapped his forehead and let out a resigned sigh.
"It's been a while, Miss Hera Schariac. After all these years, your charm remains unchanged—as does your tenfold gravity." As he spoke nostalgically, a blue sphere materialized in his hand, instantly exerting immense pressure on Hera, causing her knees to unexpectedly buckle slightly.
Hera maintained her smile, raising an eyebrow.
It wasn't surprising that Welt knew her name and true identity; after all, he was the leader of Anti-Entropy, and Zeke would naturally have briefed him with relevant information.
However, launching such an immediate show of force upon meeting seemed odd. Although there might be intent for retaliation, this decisiveness didn't align with Welt's usual dove-like approach.
Then, Hera turned towards Durandal, who was slowly rising from under the crushing gravitational force.
"Durandal, what are you waiting for?"
"Yah!"
As Hera's voice echoed softly, Durandal finally amassed enough energy to counteract the immense pressure weighing her down. With a swift side kick, she lunged at Welt amidst a burst of displaced air.
"Crack!"
Welt's body shattered like fragile glass instantly.
Unfazed, Durandal swiftly turned and unleashed a powerful punch.
"Boom!"
Under her full-force strike, his crimson energy shield trembled on the brink of shattering.
With strands of hair blown by the force of her attack, Welt shook his head, intensifying the gravity around Durandal. Before she could adjust, he struck the back of her neck.
"Hiss—"
Amidst the sound of decompressing air, a blue syringe pierced Durandal's nape, injecting its contents.
She stumbled backward, once again overwhelmed by the crushing gravity.
This time, unable to muster a counterattack, she felt her strength rapidly draining away.
"Zeke mentioned that among Schicksal's Valkyries, you're currently the only one who poses a threat to me, with your limitless potential. Indeed, meeting you surpasses reputation alone. This inhibitor can briefly dilute even Herrscher power. Considering your rumored defense surpassing Honkai Beasts, I used a Soulium needle. So, take some rest now. You're still young; it's not yet your time to shine."
Welt gently patted the girl's head, his smile warm and reassuring, like a caring older brother soothing his mischievous sister rather than confronting an adversary.
"Chuff!"
Suddenly, a tiny fist pierced through his body.
Welt's grin froze as he looked down, surprise evident on his face.
"I didn't expect...to end up here..."
His legs seemed to lose strength; Welt took a step back, gradually starting to topple over.
Durandal collapsed first, hitting the ground unconscious.
Hera narrowed her eyes.
Could it be that easy?
In the next moment, as expected, a smile returned to Welt's face. His slowly falling figure dissolved into a flurry of shimmering particles, dispersing amidst the moonlight.
Then, right before everyone's eyes, an unscathed Welt reappeared at the same spot.
"Hmm?"
A glint flashed in Hera's gaze as she studied Welt, gradually revealing a radiant smile akin to blossoming flowers in spring.
Welt scratched his head and glanced at Murata Himeko and Theresa, whose expressions were stunned. He smiled and said, "As the First Herrscher, wouldn't it be quite normal for me to effortlessly create a new body if my original one encounters issues?"
"Isn't that quite abnormal?" Hera queried confidently. "Did Zeke resolve your body's instability issue?"
Welt nodded.
Indeed, Welt's biggest challenge had always been his status as not the original Herrscher. Despite Joyce's unwavering will, the Herrscher of Reason's Core constantly rejected him, causing immense strain on his body.
After the Second Honkai Eruption, his reconstituted physique became increasingly fragile and struggled to withstand the energy from the Herrscher of Reason's Core.
Zeke adjusted Welt's physical structure, providing the optimal blueprint for a Herrscher's body, significantly reducing the burden on him. Additionally, he offered numerous effective suggestions for improving Welt's use of Herrscher powers.
Combining these enhancements, after several months of adaptation, Welt finally regained his peak condition.
Under Hera's watchful gaze, Welt knelt down on one knee, gently lifted Durandal lying on the ground, and signaled Rita to approach and take over.
Rita hesitated momentarily, looking at Hera.
Hera smiled warmly and nodded. "Go ahead. Our Mr. Welt seems particularly chivalrous today!"
"It's not really about chivalry; I just thought that if she woke up during the journey and we were this close, I might have to regenerate my body again. To be honest, it still hurts quite a bit," Welt confessed candidly.
Hera and Welt locked eyes—she with her warm, inviting smile, he with his gentle, sincere one. They gazed at each other without speaking for a moment.
Just as Theresa was about to lose patience, ready to intervene despite not understanding the situation, Hera leisurely remarked, "It seems you've changed."
In the past, whenever encountering Otto, the animosity and apprehension on Welt's face were nearly impossible to conceal. The slightest provocation would easily send him spiraling into panic or fury.
But today, he appeared almost excessively composed.
Moreover, his use of power seemed to have skipped the clumsy experimentation phase, displaying remarkable mastery and ease.
Durandal's defeat wasn't entirely surprising; she was still young with much room for growth. However, the ease with which he overcame her raised eyebrows.
Welt shook his head, deeply moved, and smiled. "I've merely journeyed far and gained some clarity along the way—it's not significant at all. Compared to you, there is so much more I need to learn."
"Oh? Do you wish to become like me?"
"Not exactly. But I do believe you're someone worthy of admiration. After stepping beyond my old world and reflecting back, while I still don't agree with your methods, I must acknowledge that I should respect you. If given a chance, I'd genuinely try to persuade you to return to the righteous path—even if it meant setting aside past grievances, it might be worth attempting. Yet, deep down, I know I cannot change you. When the time comes and necessity demands, I will take your life."
Welt smiled faintly, his demeanor calm and devoid of any hostility, as if stating a universally acknowledged fact.