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"An artist, a penholder...," Hera mused.
Holding Theresa with one hand and her teacup with the other, the faint white steam enveloped her face, which seemed to reflect a profound depth. She continued,
"The one who controls colors stands outside the painting, overseeing all things and sketching the destinies of countless beings—put that way, do you wish to become God?"
The corners of Hera's lips lifted as she gazed at Welt, her eyes filled with expectation, even encouragement.
Welt shook his head, smiling wryly.
"How audacious. I am merely an insignificant individual among the masses. How could I aspire to be a deity? My goal is simply to find the method for creating a perfect masterpiece and discover the process to achieve it."
"Kindness, understanding, mutual care, unity—all the answers you seek have been written prominently since thousands of years ago, passed down through word of mouth. Everyone knows them, yet no one truly values these qualities. After centuries, nothing has changed; thus, your efforts are futile."
"Haha! That's profound; I must jot it down. The essence of all noble qualities has been inscribed within human history for ages. What we need is to guide and amplify this force. The goodness of one individual is a feeble yet beautiful virtue. To harness the benevolence of millions, coupled with systematically restraining evil desires, that is the true path to global harmony!"
Welt, appearing enlightened, scribbled something in his well-used notebook, maintaining a gentle smile unaffected by Hera's dismissal as "futile effort."
Hera raised an eyebrow and asked, "With such unwavering conviction, what kind of answer are you truly seeking?"
Welt gently caressed the notebook's cover, smiling faintly.
"In precise terms, it should be a guiding ideology. I believe individuals have their limits, but ideas do not. Once I find the correct idea and spread it, it will endure and evolve through centuries. Eventually, it can steer humanity towards painting that perfect picture. As for me, my duty is to persevere until the end—either fully realizing my goal or falling along the journey. Neither outcome matters. I will strive relentlessly, knowing full well that success may not come during my lifetime. It suffices for me to believe that realization is possible someday."
"... Naive." Hera slowly uttered this word and put down her teacup. She continued, "Relying on humans to achieve unity by themselves is less feasible than you ascending as a god first, using your own will to reshape the world according to your vision. That would be more realistic."
Just like the former Schicksal, which was once a decaying and absurd religious institution, if not for Otto's rise to power and his deliberate efforts to maintain stability, forcefully steering everything in a new direction, today's Schicksal would never have taken its current form.
Welt sighed deeply.
"Indeed, I could do that. But then what? How long can a system imposed by external force endure? No, perhaps the question should be, how long can my dominance last? Once I fall, wouldn't everything dissipate like smoke? Only by finding the correct ideology, allowing people to grasp it, accept it, and willingly adhere to it, can we guide them to spontaneously establish the order they need. This is the path to true longevity."
Hera's eyes flickered with understanding. Yes, this was precisely the predicament of the present-day self and Schicksal.
Without a suitable successor, once Hera—or rather, Otto—lets go, this powerful organization united against external threats will decay and crumble from within, gradually returning to its starting point. Human nature's flaws are indeed stubbornly persistent and seemingly irredeemable.
Hence, she calmly stated, "It's impossible. Humanity's inherent flaws have remained constant throughout history; there is no order that everyone would universally accept."
"Then, have you asked every single person?"
"What?" Hera was taken aback.
Welt, maintaining his gentle demeanor, replied, "Clearly, you haven't asked them; it's just your own belief. However, I've decided to inquire, to engage with them in discussions and research, seeking an order that works—even if not for every individual, at least one that the vast majority willingly follow and uphold. It must exist; as I move forward, my conviction in this grows stronger. After all, deep down, we are all humans with tender hearts. Why can't we join hands and progress together?"
"... Naive."
Hera repeated her earlier assessment.
Then, she raised her teacup.
"But you know what? I actually don't dislike naive people. So here's to you!"
"Ha ha, thank you. It's quite an honor."
Their cups clinked together gently.
"I admire those who are upright and courageous. You certainly possess great courage, but I still believe this journey is utterly absurd. I hold no expectations for the future you describe. When it comes to understanding human nature, my perspective far outweighs yours."
"Yes, it's indeed challenging. But someone has to try, and if not me, then who?"
"How did you become so confident again?"
"People are inherently contradictory, after all. On one hand, I feel it's difficult; on the other, I think... amidst this vast universe, who else could rise to the challenge if not me? Is that strange?"
Shrugging, Hera smiled without offering a direct response.
She changed the subject once more.
"Do you believe there truly exists something called 'God' in this world?"
"I don't think so. Everything merely stems from human circumstances and choices," Welt replied.
"If there's no God, then where does Honkai originate from?"
"That... you've stumped me. If, hidden within the depths of existence, there really is some guiding will orchestrating Honkai as humanity's nemesis, silently observing the relentless struggle until one side meets its end—such an entity might aptly be described as divine." Welt spoke with profound emotion, his words heavy and tinged with sorrow. The tale of Honkai has always been woven from threads of blood and tears, throughout history.
Hera continued, "If such a God truly exists, how would you respond?"
"First, extinguish Honkai; then, breach the barrier between worlds and marshal our forces beyond—uprooting trees, filling seas."
The "trees" referred to the Imaginary Trees.
The "seas" meant the Sea of Quanta.
In truth, they were neither literal trees nor seas but merely metaphorical concepts. Anyone who simplistically interpreted these fundamental principles spanning countless worlds as just ordinary trees and oceans would be undeniably foolish.
Nevertheless, Hera understood what Welt implied.
Suddenly, she burst out laughing uncontrollably.
"Ah-ha-ha!"
"I'm...I'm going to die from laughter!"
"Haha-ha!"
"How could you...how could you have such an idea? Even dreams aren't this absurd!"
"Hahahaha!"
The girl's laughter shook her with mirth, her golden hair shimmering like ripples in the night, harmonizing with her clear, bell-like giggles—a dazzling sight, captivating enough to charm nations.
Welt simply watched her, observing as her unrestrained laughter gradually faded away.
Then, he calmly countered, "So, according to you, do humans have any other choice?"
"What about fleeing?"
"Fleeing where?"
"To the Sea of Quanta or world bubbles, perhaps?" Hera asked with a grin.
Welt's expression turned subtle.
"Vagabond Earth? Zeke's plan? Surely he didn't stumble upon something by pure coincidence?"
"Oh no, why would I have such a peculiar scheme?" Hera sidelong glanced at him with a sly smile, clearly indicating she was lying.
Welt stared intently, unable to discern whether Hera genuinely had a plan or if she was merely teasing him in a roundabout way.
Finally, Welt sighed and said, "If escape were truly possible, it could be a viable path for survival. However, I remain skeptical. By hiding within the world bubble, would Honkai truly stay away, rather than intensify? Moreover, even if Honkai did recede, can there truly be peace and safety amidst the elusive Sea of Quanta? In my view, we have only one course—victory. Aside from victory, there is no other option."
"Victory, yet another fairy tale," Hera murmured softly, recalling the previous civilization already decimated by Honkai and her brief encounter with the God of Honkai, momentarily lost in thought.
Then, she raised her glass once more.
"To you again, Welt Yang!" Using his full name, Hera looked at him with calm and gentle eyes.
He was no longer just Joyce's shadow; he was Welt Yang.
Hera silently repeated his name to herself—Welt Yang—and knew there was yet another person she needed to remember.
Welt clinked glasses with Hera, drained his cup, then glanced at his watch. Without bothering to lower his voice, he muttered to himself:
"Hmm, about time. The task Zeke entrusted me with is complete. Surprisingly smooth!"
Hera's smile froze.