The Selene Throne, a pinnacle achievement of technology from the previous era, was essentially a Honkai Energy conversion system. Its effect: transforming vast quantities of Honkai Energy into conventional forms like electrical or thermal energy. It served both as a civilian power source and a decisive weapon against Herrschers and Honkai Beasts.
To delve deeper, this was fundamentally similar to the Authorities wielded by Herrschers themselves.
Regardless of their true nature, the reality is that the Herrscher of Thunder could transform Honkai Energy into lightning, while the Herrscher of Flame could convert it into fire—the essence of the Selene Throne replicated these effects through its Honkai Energy conversion technology.
This marvel was born from human ingenuity, simulating the powers of Herrschers mechanically.
"Dr. Mei, a truly awe-inspiring genius," Zeke murmured softly after completing his design for the machine.
However, his version differed significantly from the original "Selene" technology of the previous civilization. In fact, aside from the name and final outcome, they were essentially two distinct systems.
Let's rewind sixty years back when Tesla, Einstein, and others, still affiliated with Schicksal at the time, unearthed a battleship equipped with the "Selene" device within ancient ruins.
Later, they deduced the complete "Moonlight Throne" technology based on these findings. However, the original system from the previous civilization required vast amounts of Soulium and specific materials only found during that era, unavailable to Tesla and Einstein.
Thus, these two geniuses underwent extensive theoretical derivations and experimental research, adapting the technology to suit the current era's civilization.
In summary, the new "Moonlight Throne" eliminated the need for Soulium and unique Honkai Beast materials but instead relied on four gemstones as its power source and energy conversion core.
When designing this apparatus, Einstein and Tesla initially intended to use the Conquest, Desire, Grief, and Tranquility gems—the same ones Sirin possessed back then, which were also the only known suitable gems at the time.
Now, Zeke has made further adjustments upon their foundation, replacing the four gems with the Key of Thunder, Gem of Desire, Judgment of Shamash, and—most crucially—the Herrscher of Reason Core.
"Welt, may I borrow your core?"
After meticulously calculating and visualizing the entire process in his mind, Zeke stood up and addressed Welt.
Fully occupied with maintaining the Fortress, Welt momentarily paused, turning to glance at Zeke in surprise.
"Now?"
"Right now," Zeke confirmed.
Welt observed Zeke's calm blue eyes for a moment, remaining silent. He wasn't sure what Zeke intended to do, but he was well aware of Zeke's intellect and capabilities. If Zeke sought to harness the Herrscher of Reason's Authority, it meant he must have a clear plan in place.
With a sigh, Welt managed a composed smile and said, "Be cautious then; this platform bears quite a heavy burden... Are you certain your current body can withstand it?"
"It just requires a few more months of recuperation, not much difference."
"All right. But remember to return it after use."
Zeke fell silent, his expression unchanging, though his gaze inadvertently shifted slightly.
Welt felt exasperated.
"Hey! You're not seriously planning to keep it once you're done, disregarding my fate, are you?"
"Hush! Hand it over quickly. The sooner we resolve this crisis, the fewer lives will be lost."
Zeke extended his hand and declared assertively.
If one could overlook that suspicious silence earlier, it indeed sounded quite righteous.
The corner of Welt's mouth twitched momentarily before he ultimately sighed and said:
"Alright then... It's yours."
Welt grasped Zeke's hand, and amidst a gentle smile, his body disintegrated like dissipating shadows, leaving behind only a deep crimson gemstone emitting terrifying Honkai Energy, now held firmly by Zeke.
"Wait! You intend to wield the Herrscher Core's Authority?" Hera, who had been observing for some time, showed a flicker of concern, unable to hide her surprise and opposition.
She had anticipated Zeke's intervention but not such an extreme method. Regardless of what Zeke planned, harnessing Herrscher powers with his weakened state was incredibly risky.
"Hold on! The situation isn't dire yet; don't act recklessly..."
"Otto, a small suggestion: withdraw both your alter ego within Chiyou and the forces you've deployed at sea to avoid unnecessary waste. As for Anti-Entropy, I've already ordered our retreat ahead of time. Phantom-Imitation: Star of Eden!"
Zeke interrupted, gripping the core with one hand and suddenly aiming at an unsuspecting Hera with the other. Honkai energy, marked by corrosive patterns, enveloped his body. With a twist of immense gravity, he hurled this greatest destabilizing factor straight towards the horizon's edge.
Next, Zeke stepped off Hyperion's deck, treading upon the void itself as a colossal battleship rapidly materialized beneath him, forming just in time to support his weight.
"Welt, maintain control; the core is resisting me."
"I'm working on it!" replied Welt from within the core. "Even with Joyce's will assisting me back then, it took a long time to master this power. Your current situation mirrors mine from before—it won't be easy!"
"Do your best to control it; I'll handle the rest."
"Alright! Stay cautious and don't push yourself too hard."
After a brief exchange with Welt's consciousness within the core, feeling the surging violent energy coursing through his body and intense mental impacts, Zeke couldn't help but take a deep breath.
Borrowing Honkai Energy from a gemstone versus wielding its Authority were fundamentally different concepts.
Otherwise, there would have been no need for the previous era's civilization to create numerous Divine Keys. Wouldn't it have been simpler and more powerful to simply give these gems to sufficiently strong Fusion Warriors, allowing them direct control over Herrscher Authorities?
The truth was, aside from Herrscher cores like the Gem of Reason with Welt's consciousness suppressing its power, attempting to wield an Authority without being a Herrscher through normal gemstones invariably led to certain death—Sirin's case could be considered an exception, as her encounter with the God of Honkai likely granted her some unique boon.
Thus, despite possessing the original "Gem of Desire," Zeke couldn't harness the Wind Herrscher's Authority. Currently, he could only utilize the powers of the Herrscher of Reason with Welt's assistance, and even then, the burden remained heavy.
Drawing upon his exceptional physical resilience and willpower, perhaps aided by the "Intellect from Above," Zeke, though using these abilities for the first time, demonstrated remarkable control over the Authorities.
Maintaining the combat platform below him, he simultaneously increased energy output. The battleship beneath his feet rapidly expanded at astonishing speed, swiftly covering the skies above the Hyperion within moments.
After approximately thirty seconds, on the fully formed "Selene" apparatus, Zeke sequentially inserted the "Key of Thunder," the "Gem of Desire," and "Judgment of Shamash."
Then, holding the Herrscher of Reason's core, Zeke took his seat in the sole main chair within the cockpit, gazing emotionlessly at Chiyou's remnants displayed on the monitor.
"System activation, charge the main cannon - target: Chiyou!"
Initially, the changes unfolding in the sky did not immediately capture the attention below on the battlefield.
After all, Chiyou and Zeke's colossal sword energies dominated the scene ahead, while countless giant Honkai Beasts surged behind them. In comparison, how significant could a slightly larger airborne battleship be amidst this chaos?
That is, until its prominent main cannon began charging, converging the distinct energies from four gemstones within the void.
"What is that?!"
"M-my hands... they're trembling!"
"Such an eerie feeling—it feels incredibly dangerous!"
Even the most oblivious individuals couldn't help but instinctively look up at the sky, gripped by an unnamed shiver as long as they were within sight of the battleship.
Then, a blinding white torrent split the heavens apart.
The dazzling barrage from the Selene device scattered across the sky like a meteor shower, covering a vast area of Chiyou's body—though relative to the immense size of the Chi You Continent, it was merely a small portion.
Zeke maneuvered the battleship swiftly after each volley, promptly resetting and replacing components for subsequent rounds: second, third... After eighteen consecutive salvos, encompassing nearly every part of Chiyou's body, including areas beneath the sea and beyond its back, Zeke finally ceased firing.
Following these bombardments, Chiyou's flesh rapidly lost its vitality.
From what was visible above the sea, the massive black scales noticeably faded in color, their organic texture visibly diminishing as they transformed into stone-like hues. At the edges, large chunks gradually crumbled and fell into the ocean.