The representatives from both sides ascended to the dais and took their seats across the black circular table. On one side were Zeke and Einstein of Anti-Entropy; on the other, Hera and Amber representing Schicksal.
Their gazes converged at the center—though primarily because only Schicksal's lineup had changed significantly. Aside from the two Enforcers leading the charge for Anti-Entropy, the rest were machines with little room for variation.
In any case, the previous tension dissipated, replaced by a solemn atmosphere that compelled everyone into silence.
With this, the treaty negotiations officially began.
"Firstly, regarding the recent battle against Chiyou, I express my condolences on behalf of Anti-Entropy for the fallen Valkyries. If there are any needs related to compensating the martyrs' families, we will provide unconditional support without hesitation. Additionally, as a gesture of respect, Anti-Entropy will supply all participating Valkyries with free anti-Honkai energy inhibitors for the next three months."
With Zeke's opening remarks, the negotiations officially began.
Hera responded with a smile: "There is no need to worry about compensation; Schicksal has always honored its fallen heroes. The Archbishop insists that there be dedicated oversight for arrangements honoring our sacrificed warriors. Anyone who cannot resist their greed... regardless of rank or number, will face execution by hanging."
"Oh? In this day and age, Schicksal still upholds such ancient traditions?"
"What's wrong with tradition? Human technology and thought may indeed advance, but I don't believe abolishing cruel capital punishment signifies progress. Upholding justice, enforcing strict discipline, rewarding merit, and punishing wrongdoing—these are the foundations upon which Schicksal stands. As it was a thousand years ago, so it remains today—a truth within truth! Without these principles, how could Schicksal achieve unity and unwavering resolve? And what would we rely on to combat Honkai, humanity's greatest enemy?"
The dialogue between Hera and Zeke echoed throughout the grand hall, reaching the ears of spectators outside as well.
The Valkyries present couldn't help but straighten their postures, feeling proud of their organization.
For the audience watching from afar, this exchange painted a more nuanced picture of Schicksal—an ancient institution steadfastly upholding justice with strict discipline and clear guidelines for rewards and punishments.
This impression of venerable tradition, combined with recent footage of Valkyries fearlessly battling Honkai, evoked even greater admiration and yearning among viewers.
Zeke sneered. "The truly correct approach to tradition is to extract its essence while discarding its flaws. Has Schicksal achieved that? Countless human experiments, countless young lives sacrificed, and when real crises strike, civilian lives barely register in the leaders' considerations—just like back then. You claim to save the world, yet at your core, you trample on humanity and morality. That's precisely why I am now part of Anti-Entropy."
With these words, Zeke countered Hera's argument while also providing a plausible explanation for the identities she had previously exposed.
Hera's smile faded as she calmly responded:
"Regardless of how Anti-Entropy views our principles, the truth is that Schicksal has safeguarded the world for millennia. Especially since Archbishop Otto took power, each Honkai threat—from the Black Death five centuries ago, to the First Honkai Eruption sixty years back, to the Second Honkai Eruption just over a decade ago—along with countless other dangers big and small, have all been contained effortlessly by Schicksal. The reason humanity could continuously thrive, peacefully and unthreatened, up until now, can you provide any alternative explanation beyond Schicksal's protection?"
"And so, here comes Anti-Entropy! During the Second Honkai Eruption, it was our Alliance Leader Welt who fiercely battled Sirin on the moon, dragging her back to Earth, enabling your decisive strike later on. The battle against Chiyou further demonstrated the superiority of mechanized forces. Humanity's past owes gratitude to Schicksal's guardianship. However, humanity's future is destined to be guided by us, Anti-Entropy! Times have changed, tyrant of Schicksal!"
Zeke calmly countered.
While these were well-worn topics, for the grassroots members of both organizations and the billions of ordinary people outside, this clash of information and ideologies felt novel and intriguing—in a sense, the outcome of this debate would determine the allegiance of individuals within both groups for a long time to come.
Under Zeke's guidance, the debate commenced, and Hera belatedly grasped its significance.
Zeke genuinely wanted to win, aiming to secure more resources for Anti-Entropy's development.
As for Hera... she didn't have a strong desire for victory or defeat. Regardless of the outcome, she would remain the esteemed archbishop, never lacking the research resources she needed. However, debating with Zeke itself was highly intriguing, so naturally, Hera had no intention of giving up easily.
"A tyrant? Perhaps, I don't disagree, and I'm sure Director Otto would even accept such an assessment with a smile. But it doesn't matter. As long as we can overcome Honkai, even if future generations brand us on the pillar of shame, we will face it with smiles. Times indeed change; the threat of Honkai grows increasingly severe, compelling us to publicly disclose information, making people who lived under protection aware of the danger. Yet, some things never change! Great endeavors invariably require sacrifice, and victory cannot be achieved through weakness and naivety! Schicksal embraces both Valkyries and machinery technology, while your Anti-Entropy accepts only machinery and rejects Valkyries. Which side truly represents the future?"
"The cost of producing a standard Titan is one-tenth of a percent that of a Divine Machine, yet its performance can reach ten to even one-hundred times their effectiveness. Moreover, we've already achieved mass production on assembly lines, ensuring future costs will only decrease while performance improves. Once you exhaust the remaining Soulium from the previous civilization, will your Divine Machines still be producible? How many advanced Valkyrie Armors can you continue manufacturing? Now consider my hive and Dr. Ein's fighter swarms... Wake up, Hera! Clinging to past power holds no meaning! The future lies with us—with Anti-Entropy, who are determined to protect more lives and forge new paths!"
Hera and Zeke locked eyes, expressions calm but radiating unwavering determination, each unyielding against the other.
Then, Hera smiled charmingly, her tone mocking as she retorted, "If you're truly so confident, why seek an alliance with Schicksal? Why not simply follow your path and overthrow them? If you could indeed achieve that, the archbishop would only feel relieved, gladly passing the responsibility he has borne for five centuries onto you, then willingly face your so-called Trial."
"Why seek an alliance?" Zeke responded. "Because time is running out, and more importantly, because we cannot bear to witness fellow humans slaughtering each other."
Zeke replied.
"Bang!"
Hera slammed her fist on the table, her expression cold as if suppressing her fury. She spoke icily, "Even you know time is running out! Schicksal's path has proven effective; millennia of history attest to this fact. The future Anti-Entropy envisions sounds ideal, and everyone acknowledges its appeal. But where does humanity find the luxury to embark on your new course? We have honed our existing power, built upon foundations laid over centuries, specifically to confront Honkai. Should we abandon all that progress just because you deem it too harsh? Will Honkai halt and wait while we explore this so-called 'new path'?"
"That's precisely why we've come to propose this covenant! That's why Anti-Entropy developed the anti-Honkai energy inhibitor—to heal those pitiful test subjects, safeguard the Valkyries threatened by Honkai Energy corruption, and protect countless civilians who will face similar dangers in the future! I never deny Schicksal's achievements and contributions, but change is necessary. Treating human lives as expendable, sacrificing innocent girls continuously... Such practices and ideologies must evolve!"
Silence fell heavily between them.
The debate continued for hours, with a torrent of information pouring forth that deepened civilians' understanding of both organizations.
On one side stood an ancient anti-Honkai organization, boasting advanced technology and the most powerful Valkyries. However, this came at the cost of countless young girls sacrificed in laboratories, even those successful ones treated as expendable assets with shortened lifespans. The dual aura of greatness and cruelty harmoniously enveloped Schicksal's head.
On the other hand, there was Anti-Entropy, prioritizing humanity and delving deeply into mechanical power. Though relatively younger and less established, their approach resonated more closely with the public's emotional perceptions. Moreover, they stood resolutely on the front lines against Honkai, driven and determined.
As the debate unfolded, people gradually found it increasingly difficult to discern who was right or wrong.
Or perhaps, facing such formidable and majestic organizations, ordinary individuals—even individual Valkyries—had no authority to judge what is morally correct. They could only choose which side aligned more with their beliefs, nothing more.