She borrowed a concept she had previously learned within the Simulated Universe.

"I feel that the relationship between the Black Tide and humanity is perhaps more akin to the contamination of Inorganic Life by the 'Anti-Organic Equation' and the subsequent confrontation with organic life. The Nautilus of 【Strife】 was affected by a similar contamination, developing an intense desire to slaughter humans, and all its minions kill on sight as well."

Frieren rested her chin on her hand: "...No wonder Phainon calls those Nautiluss enemies. As long as all the Nautiluss in the world who have fallen into madness are killed, humanity should be at peace."

“Lady Frieren, I feel that doing so would be far too reckless.” When the words 'kill all mad Nautiluss' were mentioned, Fern's brow furrowed almost imperceptibly. “To achieve permanent peace, we should first investigate the source of the Black Tide. If it is a crisis triggered by a Stellarone, similar to Jarilo-VI, then the Stellarone must be sealed first.”

“Otherwise, it would be like destroying a murderer's weapon but letting the murderer himself go; it treats the symptoms but not the root cause.”

—

【Stelle was shaken awake by Dan Heng.】

【She didn't know how long she had been sleeping while riding the Earthbeast. When she opened her eyes again, she found that the sun had risen, and Dan Heng was desperately shaking her shoulders.】

【“...Hey, something's happened, wake up! The city is under attack!”】

【“Huh??”】

【Stelle wiped away her drool and snapped awake instantly. She saw artillery fire flying across the sky, constantly exploding around them. Some even directly blew apart the pillars on both sides of the road, completely blocking the path ahead.】

【“You call this safe?! This is completely different from what Tribbie said!” Stelle grabbed her bat and saw quite a few statue-like monsters closing in behind them.】

【“They are enemies encountered in the Chongyuan... It seems this attack is also the handiwork of the Nautilus of 【Strife】.”】

【Fortunately, they had already fought these monsters before, and the two of them quickly dispatched them in short order. Seeing this, the nearby civilians who were under attack gathered around excitedly: “You two are so brave; could you be the Chrysos Heirs from another land?”】

【Stelle and Dan Heng glanced at each other and tacitly chose not to answer.】

【Seeing their silence, the other party began to plead sorrowfully: “Please, save Okhema! The Mad King Nicadori has returned. Look, chaos, strife, it's everywhere...”】

【“Calm down. Leave this to us; go take cover quickly.”】

【After watching the group leave, only Dan Heng and Stelle remained to cover the rear. He looked up at the crowds fighting in the distance and shook his head slightly: “I thought the Holy City would be a solid sanctuary, but I didn't expect it to be so restless. Let's stay on the battlefield and lend a hand.”】

【“This Nicadori couldn't be related to 【Destruction】, could he...”】

【“I don't think so. The difference between these followers and the Antimatter Legion is quite obvious. The priority right now is to regroup with Phainon.”】

—

Legend of Sword and Fairy 3.

The moonlight was like water, pouring over the top of the highest tower in Mount Shu.

A thin layer of night dew condensed on the glazed tiles, shining under the moonlight. The upturned eaves and corners of the tower top outlined sharp silhouettes against the night sky, as if they were about to pierce the full moon.

Jing Tian sat cross-legged by the edge of the eaves, holding a wine jar in his hand. He shook it, heard the sound of a small half-jar remaining, and gave a satisfied “Mm.”

“I say, Old Xu, don't you think that Mad King Nicadori is a bit like that... Evil Sword Immortal we dealt with together back then?” He turned his head and looked at the person beside him. “I really don't know what this Nicadori is trying to do. If he's a Nautilus, a deity of Amphoreus, isn't it better to just accept the Offerings of mortals? Why must he keep killing humans?”

“Perhaps he only has the instinct for slaughter left.”

Xu Changqing stood with his hands behind his back, his white robes fluttering slightly in the night wind. He looked up and quietly gazed at the Celestial Screen, the moonlight casting a cold hue over his face: “Therefore, the priority is for Amphoreus to assemble all the Chrysos Heirs and jointly crusade against Nicadori. Even if he cannot be killed for a time, he must be suppressed.”

“But Phainon said it seems all Nautiluss are enemies of humanity. I'm afraid Nicadori isn't the only one who's gone mad; it's likely all—or at least most—of the Nautiluss have gone mad.”

That Nicadori was able to shoot the Astral Express down directly with a spear from tens of thousands of feet in the air, which shows he is no easy target. That giant sword hanging over the Suspended Blade City is probably his weapon, right?

Slaying a god with the power of a human still felt far too crazy...

“—Then they should all be killed off.”

A cold voice suddenly rang out from behind.

Jing Tian was startled and almost slid off the tower top. He scrambled to grab onto the tiles and looked back—

Under the moonlight, Chong Lou had stood behind the two of them at some unknown point.

“Why is it you?” Jing Tian's eyes widened.

Chong Lou's gaze swept across his face and fell on Xu Changqing, his brow furrowing slightly.

“Why can it not be me?”

Jing Tian was stunned for two seconds, then suddenly burst out laughing: “Fine, fine, fine, it can be, it can be. Your presence, Chong Lou, truly brings light to my Mount Shu—wait, no, this is Mount Shu, it's not mine, it's Old Xu's.”

“Wine.” Chong Lou reached out his hand.

Jing Tian threw the wine jar over: “This is aged fine wine from Zuixian Restaurant that I specifically brought from Yuzhou City. Drink sparingly and remember to leave some for me. By the way, you just said to kill all the Nautiluss—you aren't talking nonsense because you're lightheaded, are you? I suspect the strength of the Nautiluss here is not below Dan Heng's High Elder form!”

Xu Changqing shook his head: “They shouldn't be stronger than Dan Heng in his High Elder form, right? Well... perhaps it depends on the environment Dan Heng is in. If Nicadori were brought to a water-filled ocean environment, Dan Heng should be stronger. After all, the High-Cloud Quintet is a title recognized by the Xianzhou; they should be more powerful than monsters from an unnamed planet like this.”

—

【The two of them headed forward and soon met up with Tribbie and Phainon ahead.】

【“The main road is blocked! Teacher Tribbie...”】

【“Don't panic, don't panic, leave it to *us*—I call upon you, Oronis!”】

【Seeing this, Stelle also tried to imitate Tribbie's incantation in her heart, silently reciting word for word along with her: “Unveil the curtain of Remembrance—stir the ripples of the past!”】

【The collapsed stone pillars blocking the way began to rise toward the sky, quickly clearing a path.】

【“What’s the situation?” Dan Heng stepped forward and asked.】

【“You two... sorry for getting you involved again.” Phainon's expression was grave. “I didn't expect Nicadori to lead an army and raid the Holy City at this time... He has always been the mortal enemy of Kephale, but now he has collapsed into madness like a savage beast.”】

【“Now humanity is utterly defeated.” Stelle held her forehead.】

【“There is no need to panic; Okhema is not unprepared. The oracles have long warned us. This is a natural disaster, but it is not a fatal end.”】