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Xia Chen emerged once again from the laboratory.
According to the researchers, the development of new armor might not progress smoothly. While it wouldn't have the same user restrictions as the Fourth-Gen Valkyrie Armor, simply adding more materials couldn't significantly increase the armor's emitted Honkai Energy power.
Currently, most Fourth-Gen Valkyrie Armors were already maximizing combat capabilities based on available materials. To improve them further, modifications would either require advancements in material science or changes in their structural design.
Both approaches presented significant challenges.
After all, there hadn't been any significant breakthroughs in materials science for over a century.
Xia Chen had minimal knowledge in this field and didn't rush the researchers either. He simply reassured them to do their best.
The biggest issue facing Schicksal now was finding a common direction that would unite its people. Having tasks to focus on was always preferable to idleness.
This sentiment wasn't just his; even Durandal shared the same view.
Currently, Durandal finally understood why something like 'image engineering' existed.
However, before receiving news from Mobius, members of Anti-Entropy unexpectedly arrived at Schicksal Headquarters once again.
This time, they brought good tidings.
"Civilization is a unique form of Honkai; I believe everyone here understands this conclusion."
In a small conference room at Schicksal Headquarters, Einstein was delivering a concise report:
"Based on over fifty years of Anti-Entropy's research, the emergence of Honkai is linked to chaotic entropy, which also explains our organization's name - 'Anti-Entropy.' I won't delve deeper into that aspect now. Subsequently, in search of ways to combat Honkai, we developed weapons capable of converting Honkai Energy into light and thermal energy, known as the Moonlight Thrones.
"According to the law of conservation of energy, once Honkai Energy transforms into light and thermal energy, it effectively disappears. Theoretically, this could completely eliminate Honkai, a process called Entropy Reduction."
Onstage, dressed formally, Einstein spoke confidently: "However, for some reason, the Entropy Reduction Theory failed. This isn't entirely bad news, as it at least revealed that the manifestation of an unknown entity has certain conditions.
"Currently, our civilization maintains a relatively 'safe' concentration of Honkai. Both excessively high or low levels would attract the attention of the Herrscher of Finality. This means attempting to prevent the Herrscher's arrival by reducing Honkai Energy is no longer feasible, unless all humanity is willing to revert to a primitive society, buying us many more years."
Einstein paused briefly before continuing, "But such a solution is meaningless."
"Following that realization, we began researching genetics, with the most crucial entry point being the Stigmata. However, neither Dr. Tesla nor I specialize in armor development, so we cannot definitively assess Project Stigma's feasibility. Time, unfortunately, may not be on our side." She glossed over her and Tesla's genetic research findings.
She then stated, "Now comes the key point. If Finality is inevitable, what exactly will it destroy? This hypothesis was proposed by Dr. Tesla, and I find it highly significant."
"Finality will annihilate creations of civilization, but its judgment isn't based on our conceptual understanding. Instead, it relies solely on Honkai. When Finality arrives, all forms of Honkai will return to nothingness. Since civilization itself is a unique form of Honkai, it too will vanish."
Xia Chen sat between Ana and Rita in the meeting room, listening intently as Einstein spoke, his heart involuntarily trembling.
Aside from the incident on the moon, he had witnessed two worlds destroyed by Finality.
The entire world would become void, with all traces of humanity utterly erased.
He had thought this was the power wielded by Finality, completely annihilating the concept of 'humanity', but never considered it as eliminating Honkai itself.
Indeed, if Finality's purpose was to extinguish humans, what would be the significance of the Imaginary Tree's trials? After all, once Finality arrives, it signifies the end of the game.
Furthermore, without such a scenario, the current era wouldn't inherit the Kindling from the previous civilization epoch.
There is only one plausible explanation: The arrival of Finality aims to eliminate Honkai.
And the civilization, being a unique form of Honkai, becomes merely collateral damage.
In other words, the means to defeat Honkai has existed for quite some time.
Taking a deep breath, Xia Chen continued listening to Einstein's elaboration: "What we must do, then, is decouple civilization from Honkai, allowing Finality to eradicate Honkai rather than destroying civilization."
"However, everything I've mentioned so far is speculative and cannot be empirically verified. Nevertheless, this path is worth exploring."
Einstein took a sip of water and said, "If anyone has any questions, please feel free to ask now."
Several individuals raised their hands to speak.
Xia Chen listened attentively as Anti-Entropy's doctor engaged with Schicksal's numerous researchers in discussion.
He, Ana, Durandal, and Rita were present merely to demonstrate the importance they placed on this meeting, not necessarily to fully comprehend the technical details.
In a hushed tone, Ana asked Xia Chen, "Do you understand what they're saying?"
"I do," Xia Chen whispered back. "Essentially, it's about using Finality to eliminate Honkai."
"Ah, but aren't Finality and Honkai essentially the same thing?"
"Possibly, this is the final challenge's complexity," Xia Chen pondered before responding. "Honkai serves as the Imaginary Tree's test for civilizations. Since it's a test, there must be a way to pass it. Dr. Einstein hypothesizes that passing this trial involves utilizing Finality."
His thoughts began to expand further.
The previous civilization era had already severed the connection between human destiny and Honkai, ensuring that even if the civilization collapsed, the world did not transform into a world bubble. This formed the foundation of the current civilization era.
However, if as Einstein suggested, relying on Finality to overcome Honkai, Honkai would still return after being defeated.
After all, considering the aspect of "defeating Honkai," the previous civilization era should have succeeded as well.
This could only imply one thing: The conditions for defeating Honkai proposed by Einstein were not complete.
Once everyone else had finished their inquiries, he shared this concern with Einstein.
Einstein's eyes slightly lit up.
"A valuable question. Regarding this point, Dr. Tesla and I have put forth numerous ideas." Einstein paused before continuing, "If the authority wielded by Finality is indeed the elimination of Honkai, then having Finality perpetually present within human society would prevent Honkai from reoccurring."
"Keeping Finality on the land... How is that possible?"
"It's not impossible."
Einstein paused again and said, "Although the Finality entity appeared in human form during the previous civilization era, it doesn't necessarily mean Finality must be human. Moreover, we have the Holy Mark Terminal."
"The Holy Mark Terminal?"
Xia Chen had previously informed Durandal about the Holy Mark Terminal, so it wasn't surprising that Anti-Entropy was aware of it as well.
"To be precise, it's Dr. Mei behind the Holy Mark Terminal. If my guess is correct, Dr. Mei is currently acting as the embodiment of the Will of Honkai," Einstein explained. "With this, all necessary elements for success seem to be in place."