Honkai: Strijder (Honkai Impact 3 Male MC)

The negotiation teams ascended to the high platform and took their seats, separated by the black round table. On one side were Sigurd and Einstein representing Anti-Entropy, while on the other side were Hera and Amber representing Schicksal.

The eyes of both sides converged on the central position—mainly because there was a change on the Schicksal side. On the Anti-Entropy side, except for the two flag bearers, the rest were all machines, unable to change much.

In any case, the original tension disappeared, replaced by a subconscious solemnity.

The negotiation for the alliance officially began.

"First of all, regarding the recent battle with Chi You, I, representing Anti-Entropy, express my condolences for the sacrifice of the Valkyries. If there are any needs for martyr compensation, Anti-Entropy can provide unconditional support. Additionally, for all Valkyries who participated in the battle, Anti-Entropy will provide the required Honkai Inhibitors free of charge for the next three months as a gesture of respect."

Sigurd took the lead, initiating the negotiations.

Hera replied with a smile, "There's no need to worry about compensation. Schicksal has always upheld the tradition of not mistreating martyrs. The Archbishop has always insisted that there be dedicated supervision for the arrangements of compensating fallen soldiers. Anyone who can't control their greed... regardless of position or quantity, will face the death penalty."

"Oh? In this day and age, Schicksal still maintains such ancient traditions?"

"What's wrong with tradition? While human technology and ideology have indeed developed, I don't think abolishing cruel executions is progress. Upholding justice, maintaining a strict system, rewarding the worthy and punishing the guilty—this is the foundation of Schicksal. It was like this a thousand years ago, and it will remain so a thousand years from now. This is the right thing to do! Without this, where would Schicksal's unity and determination come from, and what would we use to confront the Honkai, civilization's greatest enemy?"

The conversation between Hera and Sigurd echoed in every corner of the hall and reached the ears of the audience outside.

The Valkyries present couldn't help but straighten their backs, feeling proud.

The audience outside gained a more vivid impression of Schicksal—a venerable organization that upholds righteousness and strict discipline.

And with the recent scenes of the Valkyries fighting fearlessly, this ancient traditional image, combined with the valiant actions of the Valkyries, evoked even more admiration and reverence.

Sigurd sneered. "When it comes to tradition, the truly correct approach is to take the essence and discard the dross. Has Schicksal done that? Countless human experiments, countless sacrifices of young girls in their prime. When real crises arise, the lives of civilians are not even considered by the upper echelons—just like before, you talk about saving the world, but in essence, you trample on human nature and morality. It's because of this that I'm now a part of Anti-Entropy."

Sigurd refuted calmly, also putting a reasonable patch on the "identities" Hera had previously revealed.

Hera's smile faded, and she calmly replied, "Regardless of how Anti-Entropy evaluates our ideals, the fact is that Schicksal has guarded the world for thousands of years. Especially since Archbishop Otto took office, every threat of Honkai—whether it was the Black Death five hundred years ago, the first Honkai outbreak sixty years ago, the second Honkai outbreak ten years ago, or the countless other major and minor dangers—was all suppressed by Schicksal. Can humanity have continued to develop and thrive safely without Schicksal?"

"So we, Anti-Entropy, have come! It was our leader, Welt, who fought fiercely against Sirin on the moon, dragging her back to Earth, which led to your later decisive blow. And in the battle with Chi You, it was a demonstration of the superiority of our mecha forces. Humanity's past owes thanks to Schicksal's protection. Humanity's future is destined to be guided by Anti-Entropy! Tyrant of Schicksal, the times have changed."

Sigurd argued calmly.

Although these were old topics, for the grassroots of both organizations and the billions of ordinary people outside, the collision of these ideas and beliefs was unfamiliar and intriguing— in a sense, the outcome of this debate would determine the loyalty of the people to both organizations for a long time to come.

The debate was initiated by Sigurd's guidance, and Hera had just realized its significance.

Sigurd genuinely wanted to win, to secure more development resources for Anti-Entropy.

As for Hera... she didn't have much desire to win. Regardless of the outcome, she was the lofty Archbishop, and she didn't lack the research resources she needed. However, debating with Sigurd was very interesting in itself, so Hera naturally didn't want to give up easily.

"A tyrant? Perhaps. I don't object. I believe Archbishop Otto would also accept such an evaluation with a smile. But it doesn't matter. As long as we can defeat the Honkai, even if the future generations of humans nail us to the pillar of shame, we will smile in response. Yes, the times have indeed changed, and the threat of Honkai is becoming increasingly serious. We even have to publicly disclose relevant information to let those who have always lived under protection realize the threat. However, the essence of the times has never changed! A great cause is inevitably accompanied by sacrifices, and victory is never obtained through weakness and naivety! Schicksal accommodates both Valkyries and mecha technology, while Anti-Entropy only accepts mecha and rejects Valkyries. Which side truly represents the future?"

"The conventional Titans cost only a fraction of the God Machines, yet their performance can reach one to ten percent of the latter's height. Moreover, they are already being mass-produced, and in the future, their costs will only become lower, and their performance even more superior. Can your God Machines still be produced after exhausting the remnants of the previous civilization's Soul Steel? How many advanced Valkyrie armors can you produce? Take a look at my beehive, and Dr. Einstein's fleet of combat aircraft... Wake up, Hera. Holding onto past greatness serves no purpose! The future lies with us, with Anti-Entropy, who are determined to protect more people and to blaze new trails!"

Hera and Sigurd locked eyes, their expressions calm yet exuding unwavering determination, confronting each other without yielding an inch.

Then Hera smiled sarcastically and asked, "If you are so confident, why bother signing an alliance with Schicksal? Just continue on your path and overthrow Schicksal, wouldn't that be better? If you can truly achieve that, the Archbishop would only be relieved and would smile as he hands over the responsibility he has carried for five hundred years to you, and then calmly accept your so-called judgment, right?"

"Why sign an alliance? Because time is running out, and because we cannot bear to see fellow humans killing each other."

Sigurd replied.

Bang!

Hera slammed the table, her face cold, as if suppressing her anger, and said coldly, "You also know that time is running out! Schicksal is walking on the right path, as proven by thousands of years of history. The future described by Anti-Entropy sounds good, and everyone would agree, but where does humanity find the time to follow your new path? The existing power has laid a foundation for thousands of years, but if we don't continue to optimize it to the extreme to deal with the Honkai, just because you find this too cruel, are we supposed to give up? Will the Honkai stop and wait for us to explore your so-called new path?"

"So that's why we're here to sign the alliance! So, Anti-Entropy has developed Honkai Energy Inhibitors to treat the pitiful experimental subjects, all the Valkyries threatened by the Honkai Erosion, and the countless civilians who will face the threat of the Honkai in the future! I never deny Schicksal's achievements and contributions, but things should change. Treating human lives as expendable, letting innocent girls sacrifice endlessly... This way of doing things and these beliefs should change!"

"..."

"..."

The debate continued, lasting for a long time, with a large amount of information being revealed, allowing ordinary people to gain a deeper understanding of the attributes of the two organizations.

One was an ancient organization dedicated to combating the Honkai, with mature technology and the most powerful Valkyries, but the cost was countless sacrifices of young girls in laboratories. Greatness and cruelty, two halos harmoniously shrouded Schicksal's head.

The other was Anti-Entropy, which focused on humanity and delved into mechanical strength. Relatively immature and inexperienced, but more in line with the emotional cognition of the general public, and also actively and firmly stood on the front line against the Honkai.

Right and wrong became increasingly unclear during the debate.

Or perhaps, facing such powerful and towering organizations, ordinary people, and even individual Valkyries, were not qualified to judge what was right or wrong. They could only choose which side they had a higher degree of approval for, that was all.

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