MGSFV?! Chapter 547: Final Phase of Ideological Showdown: Whose Fist Is Bigger; The Story's Totally Sweet
It's also possible the players were just overthinking it.
Durandal probably said those things simply because she resonated with Kevin—
Not because she was conveying something Su wanted to say but never could.
To clarify this point, the story had Durandal add:
"Though it was never put into words, I believe… to him, you were the bravest and strongest of that era."
The "him" she spoke of clearly referred to Su.
"You stood before us, treating all obstacles as trifles… but precisely because—"
"Behind you was a true abyss, one no one could return from."
"You couldn't retreat. You couldn't gamble… and even so, you still placed your final hope in him—"
Durandal paused: "—and in us."
Kevin: "..."
"You don't need to validate me like this."
His tone didn't change, yet somehow, there was a subtle shift in emotion.
He and Su had parted ways due to differing ideologies.
Now…
Though those times were long gone, some things didn't require a face-to-face resolution.
As close comrades, just a few simple words were enough.
"You understand. I understand."
This unspoken mutual understanding—
Reminded people of that old internet post titled,
"Do men truly have platonic friendships?"
Top-voted answer:
"Of course not. On the surface, we call each other brothers. Deep down, we all want to be each other's dad."
It was silly, sure, but also highlighted how stubborn men could be.
Trying to get them to verbally express their trust?
You might as well see if they'll leave their backs to each other.
So for Kevin, this was a completely unexpected "gift."
However—
"I'm your enemy. That's all."
It changed nothing.
Least of all, the burden he'd carried for so long.
Tap, tap, tap—
Leaving behind that final sentiment, the man slowly walked away.
Yet for the girl still standing there, her path was the same.
Taking deep, controlled breaths, she adjusted her state—
Preparing to awaken something within herself that had long since become inseparable.
She, too, had a "plan" she wished to see bloom and bear fruit.
And nothing from the outside could change that.
"I know."
Durandal whispered:
"So if I ever get the chance to defeat you fair and square…"
"More precisely, to destroy the concept you represent—
My comrades and I… we won't hesitate."
This Kaslana-to-Kaslana conversation would inevitably shift again—
Back to a warrior's dialogue.
Just like when they first met.
The girl should now ready her blade.
The holy sword known as Durandal.
[It's time to fight.]
[Unexpected gift. I've officially fallen for Durandal. So wise, despite never entering the Elysian Realm.]
[She did undergo the entire trial in the Bubble World.]
[As Otto's "student," the strongest S-rank Valkyrie of Schicksal, inheriting the Kaslana bloodline, AND blessed by the Bubble World—she's basically a certified overpowered protagonist.]
["Durandal the Protagonist." Y'all think we're joking?]
However...
Just when players thought Durandal was going to charge ahead wielding her signature weapon for a battle of two era-defining powerhouses—
Tap—
Soft footsteps sounded behind her.
"You're here."
"I'm here."
[???]
[Whose voice was that?]
[Sounds like the class president.]
The in-game camera panned subtly—just enough to reveal a flash of crimson.
[Is the class president wearing Vermilion Knight: Eclipse?]
...
Actually, no.
But the scene didn't let players clearly see what armor Fu Hua was wearing—
Only that she and Durandal had met.
Then—scene cut.
[...?] N
Stay calm.
Not the first time this has happened.
Used to it. Totally used to—
USED TO THIS MY A—
Ahem. U-s-e-d t-o i-t~! Totally fine.
After the scene shifted—
The view switched to real-world Schicksal and Anti-Entropy.
Timeline-wise, this was just before Durandal entered the Stigmata Project.
Theresa had already made progress and nearly caused its collapse.
But the dreamscape rapidly self-repaired due to unknown forces.
Now they'd analyzed that unknown force.
In simple terms:
Kevin might not even realize it, but the power of Finality he controls—
Is unconsciously using Honkai beasts' dreams to patch the "dream collective."
In other words—
It's like dismantling a Lego model (Stigmata Project), only to glue it back with superglue (Honkai beast dreams).
So even though humanity had made its choice,
The Stigmata Project still wouldn't let go of their dreams.
Which meant—
Schicksal and Anti-Entropy were basically back to square one.
Time to blow it all up with an energy cannon.
Since the dream components belonged to Honkai beasts, it might be fine.
Except…
To counter Kevin's power of Finality,
Schicksal and Anti-Entropy faced a very real issue—
Their energy output wasn't enough.
[??? Of course there's a prophet in the livestream again!!]
[Who? Who predicted it?]
[Didn't someone say earlier… "History tells us ideological debates always end by seeing who has the bigger fist"?
Well, we're officially at that stage now.]
[Let the punching commence.]
[Objection! That's not prophecy—that's historical precedent (doge)]
[Y'all are just in denial.]
...
Back to the actual issue.
Schicksal and Anti-Entropy didn't have enough firepower,
So they had to find other ways.
One was to increase output,
The other—find new tactics.
Speaking of new tactics—
They thought of someone with anti-dream powers: Theresa.
What if she devoured all the Honkai beast dreams?
That'd not only dismantle the dreamscape and lead them to the Cocoon of Finality—
But also give them a supercharged Theresa.
In theory, perfect.
In reality?
Not realistic.
[Current Theresa can't do it, so... Theresa needs to go beyond limits (lol)]
[From loli to kaiju, that's a glow-up.]
[There's gotta be another way, right?]
Clearly, not everyone thought Theresa should 超限 (transcend limits).
[Other way? Only Theresa in Schicksal and Anti-Entropy has dream powers.]
[Hmm... but there's one person—not from either group—who could help.
And her powers are tailor-made for this situation.]
[Don't tell me…]
Right on cue—
The story had Schicksal and Anti-Entropy recall a certain "individual" who'd gone AWOL.
Someone whose domination in the Elysian Realm rivaled Finality itself.
A Herrscher whose abilities had no upper limit—
And didn't suffer from "overconsumption indigestion."
Naturally, this "individual" would be an indispensable asset moving forward.
So they planned to bring her back…
And conveniently, Li Sushang was already at Taixu Mountain. What a coincidence.
Li Sushang: "Grandmaster was truly farsighted."
Fu Hua: "..."
Still, they weren't naïve enough to think this "person" could solve everything instantly.
Because clearly, the dreamscape wasn't just human dreams.
Honkai beasts.
Power of Finality.
It was a chaotic hybrid.
Especially the Finality part—that was tricky.
But also helpful.
Nothing could help them find the Cocoon of Finality better than the power born from it.
Finality's power was its shadow.
If they could just snip off a bit, they'd be able to find its source.
Instead of first destroying the dreamscape and then locating the Cocoon—
Now it could all be done in one step.
As for how to snip that power?
Well…
It just so happened—
The strongest Valkyrie of Schicksal, Durandal,
Had once undergone a journey in the Bubble World—
And experienced something very similar.
[Su once said Durandal was a crucial piece in his plan to defeat the Honkai. Truly indispensable.]
[He even helped stabilize her inner world back then. Did he know she'd need that strength someday?]
[Wait, you all sound like you understand…]
[So what did Durandal experience? Why does it matter here?]
Due to space constraints, the main story couldn't fully recap Durandal's solo event.
They only hinted at it.
[In that event, the fictional "Republic of Inca" had a salvation plan…
Using the holy sword "Durandal" and its spatial cutting ability…]
Helpful loremasters in the chat enthusiastically filled in the gaps.
Though of course, they had motives of their own.
[That said, if you haven't read Durandal, definitely go back and do it. Great story (lol)]
Predictable.
[If you didn't use (lol), I might believe it's a sincere recommendation.
But now I get it.]
[Caught me... ahem. Don't overthink it. The story's super sweet.]
[At this point, pfft. You think I'm falling for that again?]
It's practically universal among Honkai players now.
When someone passionately recommends a story arc and says "it's totally sweet"—
Chances are, they're scheming.
They want you to go in blind.
And then come back yelling in pain.
The louder you scream?
The more excited they get.
Karmic doom intensifies.
...
Ahem.
Back to the story.
Schicksal and Anti-Entropy revised their plan.
Once everyone was up to date, they got to work.
Game perspective shifted to Taixu Mountain.
Though far from Anti-Entropy HQ,
Li Sushang—upon receiving the new orders—was already sensing how unstable the dreamscape had become.
Though she'd have liked to enjoy the scenery as a visitor…
This wandering martial artist didn't pause for a moment.
She understood just how crucial this "risky plan" was.
"Still… though Grandmaster sounded certain…
Will the Herrscher of Sentience really be here?"
Li Sushang harbored doubts—
But still searched every inch of Taixu Mountain with unwavering care.
To Elysia, she seemed even more composed than her real-world self.
Like she'd gained 500 years of elegance.
In every possible way (lol).
Thanks to her maturity,
Li Sushang conducted a thorough sweep—
And found the Herrscher of Sentience beneath a waterfall.
For some reason, seeing that waterfall reminded her of when she lost control of her qi and had a fight with her master (Cheng Lingshuang) under a waterfall.
Not so random, actually.
Any skilled martial artist has a "sixth sense" for danger, right?
She probably just had a bad feeling about what was coming.
"Hello, Herrscher of Sentience."
She pushed her stray thoughts aside and bowed respectfully.
[Bow to the Immortal Master!]
Herrscher of Sentience: "..."
Pulling her mind away from something she'd just found under Taixu Mountain.
A certain similar entity—
Tch, no, no, no, she was nothing like that thing.
Who's a whatever-key-of-whatever now?!
[Did Senti just pick up something she shouldn't have?]
They were pretty sure their eyes weren't playing tricks.
[Does Taixu Mountain hide some ancient relics?]
Speculations began.
[Fu Hua's private stash (not canon)]
[Got it. Secret "Spring Never-Withers" recipe.]
[A dish that stays green even through deep winter, hence the name "Spring Never-Withers"…]
[Sounds fancy, but isn't it just pickled vegetables?]
[Dude, the one above you was quoting Cooking with Valkyries!
Wait—you haven't watched it? You should. It's a chill food anime. Totally no emotional damage (genuine smile.jpg)]
Yep—
They got another one.
Why was the corner of their mouths twitching like that?
Ahem ahem ahem…
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