AQK 211-230 (Patreon)

30 Chapters. 

For some reason, it went from 212 into 223 and skipping numbers. The author probably forgot the numbering and didn't bother changing back. It didn't skip any content whatsoever, it's just the numbering being off and changing it would be a hassle so I didn't bother correcting.

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Chapter 211: "Long Time No See, Kiana"In fact, if the power of the Herrschers were quantified, Wendy would currently be the strongest.Her power completely surpassed that of Kiana and Bronya, who were enhanced by their items.However, this was unavoidable, as the Herrscher of Wind stigmata that Wendy possessed represented the pinnacle of power in a certain world.While stigmas don't represent the entirety of power, even inheriting only a portion of the Herrscher of Wind who single-handedly destroyed Schicksal's headquarters, combined with her own inherent strength, made Wendy incredibly powerful.In this state, Wendy's enraged attack, even if it's a simple wind blade without any charging was enough to inflict terrifying damage.Schicksal's initial attack tore Chiyou's body to shreds.The subsequent strike from Kiana and Bronya instantly drained most of Chiyou's life force, drawing agonizing cries from him.Wendy's enraged wind blade strike delivered the final blow to Chiyou.The terrifying power cleaved Chiyou in two and even split the sea apart for hundreds of miles.Having suffered such a series of blows,Chiyou, who had originally wanted to swagger and restore the glory of the Judgement-Class Honkai Beas, could only desperately curse these despicable humans and Herrschers for their lack of martial ethics and actually besieging their millennia-old comrade.After Chiyou's death...During that period, the global anomalies, coordinated by the Anti-Entropy and Schicksal organizations, were uniformly described by various countries as a "special disaster."Regarding Chiyou's corpse, due to its enormous size and to avoid attracting outside attention, a three-way agreement stipulated that Chiyou be thrown back into the Seal where it was once sealed.The Schicksal fleet returned to headquarters, and whether due to the agreement or other reasons, Otto became much more subdued.Anti-Entropy continued its normal development, maintaining communication and technological exchange with St. Freya.St. Freya also returned to a relatively peaceful period.It's worth mentioning that after the war and upon learning that Cecilia had come back to life, Siegfried rushed to St. Freya.When Siegfried saw his wife who had passed away many years ago standing alive before him and smiling, this large man couldn't help but weep.Embracing him, Cecilia listened to her husband recount the hardships of the past years and his guilt toward her.Upon hearing about her real daughter, although she was somewhat prepared, tears still streamed down her face.However, Cecilia was never a fragile woman.After a long silence, she sighed and then smiled again.What's gone isn't necessarily irretrievable. Wasn't she herself the best proof?Besides, perhaps her real daughter wasn't truly gone.St. Freya and the Far East Branch's separation from Schicksal's control certainly had its advantages, allowing Otto to stop using rebellion and subservience as pretexts to pressure and cause trouble.However, separation from Schicksal also meant the end of support from headquarters.In fact, the Far East Branch and St. Freya Academy were already in dire financial straits and frequently running deficits. Now, with their main source of funding cut off, it was truly a disaster for Theresa.Fortunately, the cooperation with Anti-Entropy helped mitigate some of the losses, and Mei's side also started to progress...Yes, Mei also left.Due to the severe financial deficit and some personal ambitions, Mei chose to leave St. Freya.Of course, this wasn't like in the future where she left due to disagreements with Kiana.She left St. Freya simply to go home and obtain some resources from her father to help St. Freya generate revenue herself.The reason she started her own business instead of inheriting Ryoma's ME Corporation was quite simple:While Raiden Mei, as the heiress of ME and Ryoma's only child, certainly had the right to inherit ME, and given Ryoma's doting nature toward his daughter there wouldn't be any legal obstacles, ME Corporation's position was extremely special.Although Raiden Ryoma did have the authority to make decisions unilaterally and the company was indeed his, ME Corporation also served as the main source of funding for the Anti-Entropy conservative faction.Aside from the portion allocated by Congress, Tesla and Einstein's research funding largely came from Ryoma's ME Corporation.If Mei were to inherit ME Corporation and then take over this vital artery of the Anti-Entropy conservative faction, the alliance would be over.Even if she had a close personal relationship with Einstein, it would definitely make her not look at them favorably.Therefore, for the sake of harmony, Mei could only start her own business, at most borrowing some resources, channels, and manpower from her father.Upon closer inspection, Mei realized that her new venture was almost entirely based on her father's resources.However, she didn't mind.It's not shameful for a daughter to take what her father has.By the way, Mei's new business was called:[Super Electronics Corporation] Main business: High-tech.Of course, although she had started her own business, her roots were still in St. Freya.So she still occasionally went back to St. Freya, and in her free time, she video-called Kiana, Bronya, and the others."Bronya, how's it going on your end?"After a meeting, a tired Mei, wearing a white lab coat and glasses, reclined in a chair.Before her, two images appeared: Kiana and Bronya.On the other end of the video call,Bronya, with her neat single-curl hairstyle and dressed in winter clothes, remained expressionless. "It's alright. With Sin's help, things are back on track."Bronya had also left St. Freya.As Cocolia's adopted daughter, she should have had the legal right to inherit Cocolia's Russian Heavy Industries.However, Sin had been handling it all along.Because of Mei's departure, Bronya felt a pang of emotion and went to inherit the foundation left by Cocolia."Busy as you may be, don't neglect your battles!"With her hair loose and now wearing the Schicksal coat just like herself in the Q&A Space videos, Kiana casually mentioned this.She didn't go out and start a business like Mei and Bronya.Well, even though she'd grown, Kiana still wasn't cut out for that.Moreover, and more importantly, Cecilia and Siegfried didn't have any inheritance for her.Although Cecilia once held the title of Schariac Saintess and Siegfried was the Kaslana family's most outstanding warrior, those were all Schicksal's assets.Now that they were separated from Schicksal, those inheritances were naturally ineffective.On the other end of the video call, Bronya smiled slightly and spoke calmly."Bronya won't lose to Kiana, not even to Mei-neechan!"Although she inherited Russian Heavy Industries, her most important identity was clearly still the third Herrscher of Reason.Bronya naturally understood this.Even outside of St. Freya Academy, she trained day and night, expanding her intelligence and learning the Edge of Taixuan taught to her by the Class Monitor.Hearing herself mentioned, Mei couldn't help but feel a little helpless."You two can compare yourselves."She's just an ordinary support staff member. Don't bring combat into it; it's scary.Although she thought this, the corners of Mei's mouth unconsciously turned upward.A faint crimson arc of electricity flickered in her eyes, which inadvertently reddened.During this time, Kiana on the other end of the video call scratched her cheek."Hmm... I kind of miss Mei's cooking."These words instantly deflated Mei's reserved demeanor like a punctured balloon.Don't mention cooking!She was a little annoyed, but seeing Kiana's greedy look, Mei couldn't help but cover her mouth and smile."Alright, alright, we'll go back to St. Freya in a few days, and you can eat your fill.""Hehe, Mei's the best~" Kiana chuckled.Bronya, on the other hand, was speechless, though she herself was actually quite looking forward to it....The three of them, separated by the video call, felt it was a return to the past.The video ended.Mei's smile instantly faded into calmness, her face expressionless as she stared at the notification from Fu Hua on the terminal.[Kevin is freed]...In the unfathomable depths of Jiyou, Chiyou's corpse had long since vanished.Or perhaps this had all been premeditated.Awakening Chiyou during the great battle between the two sides was a crucial part of the World Serpent's plan to welcome back their Lord, hidden in the shadows.Thousands of years had passed, and even the former strongest MANTIS, Kevin, bearing the Signet of "Deliverance," had long since come close to breaking free.Chiyou was exceptionally unique even among Judgment-level Honkai Beasts as it possessed a massive, mountain-like body containing Honkai energy that could clearly compensate for some of the deficiency.In fact, the seal that Su had painstakingly set up was never truly effective against Kevin.For someone who held the title of the strongest MANTIS, this seal could be broken with a flick of the wrist.It wasn't so much that Su's seal trapped Kevin, but rather that Kevin sealed himself away.Perhaps out of consideration for his former close friend, or perhaps because he himself disliked the cruel plan.But whatever the reason, now, a thousand years later, at this juncture when Honkai stirred once more, he could no longer remain silent.First, second, third, and fourth…From Thirteen Eruptions, Four had already been completed. Kevin knew he had to complete the Project his lover had entrusted to him before Finality arrived.Thinking deeply, Kevin looked at his subordinate beside him—Grey Serpent—and spoke calmly. “You didn’t bring any of the gems, did you?”He didn’t need to know anything about the outside world. He simply couldn’t sense the power of the Herrscher Gems from Grey Serpent.“Your subordinate is incompetent.”Grey Serpent knelt on the ground.The Gems of Conquest and Desire already had owners.With these two precedents, both the remaining Gems of Haste and Serenity were under strict guard.Adding to the inexplicable targeting, the spies World Serpent had planted in Schicksal were no longer enough to obtain them.He raised his head, revealing his crimson mechanical compound eyes, and said respectfully.“However, your subordinate has found other substitutes.”“Oh?”Kevin was surprised.The Herrscher Gems was actually useless to him. At most, it was just to replenish Honkai energy.He only needed it because this place was the Sea of Quanta, and to return to reality, he needed a guide.If there was a substitute, it wouldn't be a problem."This is an artifact I obtained while infiltrating Anti-Entropy. It can replace the Herrscher Gem, guide direction, and anchor reality."Grey Serpent knelt and presented the item he had prepared beforehand as if it were a priceless treasure.It was a bracelet.If Einstein and Mei saw it, they would probably curse.Because this was the very device they had jointly developed to help Bronya bring back Seele.It's important to know that this kind of technology was highly confidential within Anti-Entropy.Very few people had access to it.Previously, when Tesla took advantage of the opportunity to hammer Heliopolis Life Sciences, she also purged a wave of internal traitors within the Alliance.Even so, World Serpent still managed to get their hands on it.It really just showed that without Anti Entropy to profit from resale value...After hearing all this, Kevin stared at the futuristic bracelet, and subconsciously, his deceased lover surfaced in his mind."...The people of this era are not bad."He left those words behind, then looked in a certain direction.A figure approached.It was a handsome blind man.Hmm... probably."You want to stop me?"Seeing his former best friend appear before him, Kevin remained expressionless.Durandal hadn't met Su yet, so Su was still alive.Having sensed Kevin breaking the seal, he naturally had to step forward.Faced with Kevin's questioning, Su remained silent.No words were needed; for the two who knew each other so well, their expressions spoke volumes.Oh... he's blind.That was probably an admission.Kevin looked at his former best friend and spoke calmly."You can't stop me."He was sealed away purely because he wanted to be sealed away.And now, the time had come for him to fulfill his mission.No matter what, Kevin would fulfill his mission, even if it meant drawing his sword against his former best friend."Sigh."A sigh escaped his lips.Following Kevin's gaze, Fu Hua, displaying her former brilliance, appeared before him."Long time no see, Su."She greeted her former comrade first, then looked directly at the comrade she had just met and said softly, "Kevin..."Standing firm amidst the fleeting world, she was a MANTIS who would grow stronger with the passage of time.Although initially among the Thirteen MANTIS, Hua was not among the top, but after thousands of years of accumulation, even if she was still not as strong as Kevin, she was now an existence Kevin could not ignore.That's how it should be.As the strongest warrior, Kevin was incredibly perceptive. He calmly met Fu Hua's gaze and spoke indifferently."Even now, you can't stop me."Her Sword Mantra was shattered, and her SWARA fell silent.Fu Hua, who inherited Garuda's genes, was never the type to rely on physical strength.This remained unchanged even after thousands of years of accumulation.Fu Hua remained silent.She knew her own situation.Of course, she understood that she couldn't possibly be a match for Kevin, even if he had recovered to only a fraction of his former strength. Even with Su's help, the outcome would be the same.She had made a bold statement earlier, but now she was utterly helpless.Recalling her earlier boast of blocking Kevin's path and looking at herself now, Fu Hua couldn't help but let out a bitter laugh.But when looking at Kevin, her expression remained firm as she spoke solemnly."Such extreme methods are no longer necessary.""The previous arguments?"Kevin remained expressionless as he said calmly."Empty arguments are not convincing. If you want to convince me, prove it to me—"At that moment,Time stood still.In the re-entered Q&A Space, Kiana saw a familiar figure.Familiar, yet completely unfamiliar, that chilling figure greeted her with words unheard for fifty thousand years."Long time no see, Kiana."

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Chapter 212: [Kiana] and [Mei]

Months later, the wondrous Q&A Space finally reappeared.

This time, one familiar figure was present.

And as before, many familiar yet unfamiliar figures had also appeared.

"Damn it, where am I…?"

A well-built woman wearing a wolf-head mask was completely bewildered. She had still been conducting her experiment, but before she could say anything, she suddenly noticed a familiar figure.

"Your…Your…Master?!"

Jackal, a World Serpent executive and one of the most outstanding scientists of this generation, yet also one with the lowest moral standards, trembled upon seeing the white-haired youth not far away.

She immediately knelt on one knee. A figure not far away also knelt down in unison, respectfully speaking.

"Welcome back, Lord." x 2

Natasha Ciora, a World Serpent executive who had been taken from the Second Eruption by Grey Serpent and trained into a top-tier mercenary, was also the Raven who had appeared multiple times in previous video.

"May I ask, Lord… where is this…?"

Her expression was respectful, but her brows furrowed with confusion and anxiety as she eagerly awaited an answer.

Before entering, Raven had been caring for the children she had taken in at Nagazora City.

Suddenly finding herself in this strange place, Raven worried that something might have happened to Sora.

Beside Kevin, Grey Serpent, who had accompanied him, reprimanded the woman before him—whom he had raised and who could be considered his adopted daughter—with a hoarse mechanical voice, showing no mercy.

"Mind your attitude!"

As Kevin's most fervent follower, Grey Serpent would never allow his great lord to be slighted, not even by Raven, whom he had personally nurtured.

Kevin raised a hand. Grey Serpent understood its meaning, instantly falling silent and stepping back.

He glanced at Raven, not answering his subordinate's question. Instead, he turned to Hua, who had arrived with him, and calmly asked.

"Is this the possibility you referred to?"

Su remained silent with his eyes closed, but his eyebrows twitched slightly, a sign of his concern and a stark contrast to his usual unmoved demeanor.

In fact, Su was also quite interested in the possibility Hua had mentioned.

Possessing the Seed of Sumeru and designated for "Project VALUKA," he had been striving to complete the mission assigned to him by Dr. Mei, as well as secure humanity's future.

However, he had not observed the slightest sign of the future Hua had proposed.

If they were not former comrades, and if Su did not know that Hua would never speak without reason, he might have thought she was simply making things up.

"Yes."

Hua had not intended to hide it any longer. Since the others had come along, she naturally admitted it readily.

"The reason?"

Kevin was sparing with words.

"Further explanation is useless. You can figure it out for yourself."

Hua was never one for words. She did not intend to answer Kevin's questions, instead allowing him to experience it for himself.

Once he felt the power of this strange space, nothing more needed to be said.

She strode forward, carrying Book of Fuxi and Water's Edge, leaving behind a calm statement.

"Let's go. I can sense the presence of others."

Perhaps because there were an unusually large number of people this time, the Q&A Space was unlike before, where people could see each other at a glance.

The initial distance between visitors had been extended into a vast, impenetrable boundary.

This also gave them time to adjust.

"My Lord, what about us?"

Watching Hua walk away, Jackal looked at Kevin tentatively.

"..."

Silence spoke volumes.

As his subordinates, they followed Kevin's footsteps.

...

—The other side of the Q&A Space

"Is this the so-called Q&A Space?"

Siegfried looked at the pale surroundings. Although Cecilia and Kiana had mentioned it, seeing it for the first time still felt somewhat novel.

Raiden Ryoma, who had also arrived, looked around expressionlessly.

As one of the most important executors of Anti-Entropy and also Mei's father, the existence of the Q&A Space was no secret to him.

Naturally, he was not surprised.

Unlike Siegfried, who had a playful and mischievous personality in his youth, Ryoma was always calm and composed, unmoved by external circumstances.

Of course, this did not change the fact that he was a doting father at heart.

"Mei isn't here…"

Ryoma looked around, a hint of disappointment appearing in his gaze when he did not see his daughter.

Cecilia, who had entered with Siegfried, shook her head slightly and looked in a certain direction.

"They're here. I can sense Theresa and Kiana's presence."

Her eyes held a hint of confusion.

Cecilia could sense Kiana's presence, but what puzzled her was why... there were two?

…Was it an illusion?

...

While she was wondering,

at the heart of the Q&A Space… or perhaps its core?

Kiana was happy to reunite with Mei, Bronya, Theresa, and Himeko after so long apart.

But as she watched the figure slowly approaching, the one she had longed to see again, Kiana should have been happy, joyful, even delighted.

But…

“What is that—”

Wendy, pale-faced, stared at the figure that entered her field of vision. Looking at the face identical to Kiana's beside her, her whole body trembled.

Bronya's expression also changed drastically.

No… or rather, anyone whose mastery of Honkai energy had reached a certain level trembled with primal fear upon seeing that person.

Bianka, who had arrived with Kiana and the others, stared intently at the figure and could not help wanting to ask Otto for his opinion.

But when she tried to speak, she suddenly found her body frozen, unable to utter a sound.

The atmosphere was so tense that it was suffocating.

A purple robe trailed behind her, and a luminous halo hovered above her head. With a face so familiar to Kiana and the others, she gazed at Kiana, whose smile remained frozen on her lips, with those emotionless golden eyes and uttered this greeting that had lasted for fifty thousand years:

"Long time no see, Kiana… or perhaps I should say, I am from another world. Or maybe a substitute for me from another world?"

This was Kiana from another world who had entered this space before.

And she had not come alone.

The white mist dissipated. Another figure gradually approached her side.

Staring at the figure that followed, at that cold and indifferent face, Kiana utterly shocked, cried out.

"Mei...Mei?!"

Purple lightning wings spread behind the patterns on Kiana's face, enveloped in lightning. "Mei" glanced at Kiana upon hearing the voice, remaining silent.

However, upon seeing the Mei wearing glasses beside Kiana, her expression shifted slightly.

"Another...me?"

"Mei."

The two similar yet different individuals spoke in unison, their reactions remarkably synchronized.

However, "Mei" was far more indifferent. Though surprised, her expression lasted only for a moment.

"Stay away from those two!"

Within Mei's mind, bathed in purple lightning, the Raiden Mei in her mental space bluntly warned her.

Also present within Seele's body was Black Seele. Having witnessed everything, she was terrified, and, with an urgency so intense that she even resorted to a commanding tone she had never used before, she forcefully stated.

"Those two... you absolutely must stay away from them, no matter what! Otherwise, you'll definitely die! Do you hear me, Seele?!"

If forced to, even if Seele disliked her, Black Seele would absolutely seize control and force Seele away from those two.

Meanwhile, the main Kiana was also frozen in place, as she also received a warning.

A warning from the Herrscher of the Void within her.

"Those two... if you don't want to lose everything, absolutely do not approach them. Run..."

The Herrscher of the Void, who had always been at odds with Kiana, now reacted exactly like Black Seele and Stigmata Mei, desperately trying to dissuade them from approaching the two figures before them.

But just as she was about to say they should escape, she suddenly remembered that this was the damned Q&A Space.

No one could leave until the Q&A was completed.

"Damn it, damn it, damn it!"

Within Kiana's mind, the bound Herrscher of the Void roared with resentment.

This damned place—even if she, as the Herrscher of the Void, exhausted all her strength, she still could not escape.

And if she could not escape, then running into these two in a place like this meant there was no way out.

"...Why?"

Kiana was still in a daze. The Herrscher of the Void's warning made her subconsciously ask a question.

The bound Herrscher of the Void, her face contorted with rage, laughed bitterly.

"Why?"

"That girl is the Herrscher of Finality!" she roared hoarsely without hesitation.

There was no way she could be mistaken.

As a registered Herrscher belonging to Honkai who had never betrayed Them, even if she knew nothing of Their existence or had never even heard of Them, the Herrscher of the Void would understand the moment she saw Them.

Logically, the appearance of the Herrscher of Finality...

She, who had always wanted to break free from her constraints and destroy humanity, should have been happy.

But…

You want to die?! Don't drag Cecilia down with you!

Even as Sirin's manifestation of evil, an existence utterly beyond redemption, the essence of the Herrscher of the Void was still Sirin.

And she had experienced everything Sirin felt during her encounters at the end of Siberia.

Cecilia was her second mother.

Even the Herrscher of the Void acknowledged this.

No matter how much she hated humanity, no matter how much she wanted to destroy it,

Cecilia was the only one she absolutely did not want to, and would never, harm.

“…The Herrscher of Finality?”

Kiana repeated the words listlessly.

None of those present had poor hearing.

Whether it was Theresa, Himeko, Otto, or even the later-arriving members of Anti-Entropy, upon hearing this name, their expressions changed drastically as they looked at expressionless Kiana with suspicion and uncertainty.

This girl… is the Herrscher of Finality?!

Faced with the wary, fearful, and suspicious gazes of the crowd, Finality Kiana remained expressionless. Looking at Kiana with a single glance, she saw right through her.

She said calmly, “You recognized me, huh? Because of that thing inside you?”

"You...you..."

Seeing Kiana stammer, Finality Kiana saw through her thoughts and calmly asked.

"You want to ask me why I became like this?"

But before Kiana could think further, she coldly uttered.

"It's meaningless."

Everything was meaningless now.

The past was past; what was gone could never be retrieved.

I am the unforgivable sinner who destroyed everything.

"This place is not bad."

Kiana's gaze lifted slightly as she suddenly uttered those words.

...Unfortunately, I can't commit suicide.

She did not say the second half aloud.

Kiana suddenly looked in a certain direction.

Someone was approaching.

It was a familiar, nostalgic aura.

Just as Kiana realized this, her expression changed drastically.

The Herrscher of the Void within her sensed it as well. Her face darkened, and she furiously urged:

"Damn it, damn it, damn it! Cecilia's here! Get them out of here! Get them away from here!"

Even if they could not escape, as long as Cecilia did not get close, then even if she and these damned people died here, Cecilia and the others could still return alive once the conditions were met.

But if they met, it would be too late.

Because no one could slip away under Finality's nose.

"Seele, Wendy, you two leave first..."

Bronya had also figured it out. Staring expressionlessly at Finality Kiana, she made a decision and spoke to Seele and Wendy, who were standing behind her.

Her own death mattered less than the lives of those around her.

"...No!"

This was Bronya's personal decision, but neither Seele nor Wendy could possibly agree to it. Leaving Bronya behind alone, they spoke in unison, their voices resolute.

Seele's resolve was so intense that one might suspect she was possessed by Black Seele, but... it was indeed her own will.

"Seele!"

Bronya coldly demanded.

"No..."

As if sensing something, Seele resisted fiercely.

"No, absolutely not... If you do this, I'll never speak to you again..."

Red instantly surged forth. Black Seele was online.

"Seele and Wendy are in your hands now."

Bronya looked at Black Seele, who was holding Wendy back, and smiled faintly.

This startled Black Seele. She lowered her head, obscuring her expression, and muttered.

"...Sister, please take care of yourself!"

But before she could drag the fiercely resisting Wendy away, "Mei" stretched out an arm and blocked their path.

"Damn it!"

Black Seele gritted her teeth, but this was the Q&A Space; she could not use force.

...Why could they not use force and still have to run? And why was she so afraid of these two?

Of course, it was because they were the Herrscher of Finality!

Who knew whether the rules of this lousy space could even restrain Them?

"Another Seele? Don't worry."

Linking arms with the gritting-teeth Black Seele, "Mei", who understood everything about her and Bronya's thoughts, looked at the face identical to that of her former companion and softly comforted her:

"Neither Kiana nor I will hurt you."

Before entering this place, she definitely would not have been able to guarantee that.

After all, outside this space, she herself was fine, but Kiana, as the Herrscher of Finality, was always under control and unable to restrain her own actions.

But in this strange space, she no longer needed to worry about the control of the Will of Honkai.

The wariness in Black Seele's eyes did not lessen in the slightest.

You say you won't hurt us, and that means we should believe you?

If Herrschers kept their word, pigs would fly!

---

Chapter 223: Fu Hua! Did You Betray Us?!

Cecilia and Siegfried arrived first.

Upon seeing the group already gathered, the initially smiling Cecilia who was about to wave hello at the familiar figure froze before she could utter a word.

The figure turned, facing Cecilia and the others directly.

Cecilia looked at the figure in purple who was so much more mature than the Kiana she remembered, yet exuding a completely unfamiliar aura and a chilling beauty. Her raised hand hovered in midair, and she called out uncertainly.

"...Kiana...?"

Sensing something was amiss, Siegfried grabbed Cecilia's arm, shielding her behind him without hesitation. Then he stared gravely at the figure who resembled his daughter.

Suppressing the trembling in his heart, he asked in a trembling voice.

" Who are you?!"

Facing the two, Kiana was expressionless. Her eyes, marked with golden divine patterns, reflected Siegfried and Cecilia. They trembled slightly before returning to calmness like still water.

She parted her lips slightly, uttering emotionless words as she looked at the two:

"Dad... and... Mom...?"

Hearing this address, both Cecilia and Siegfried were stunned.

Staring at this being who looked exactly like their daughter Kiana yet exuded an inexplicable aura of danger that chilled them to the bone, they were momentarily speechless.

This area was now unobstructed.

Kiana and the others came into Cecilia and Siegfried's sight.

"Cecilia! Siegfried!"

As Kiana turned and spoke, realizing she had spotted Cecilia and Siegfried, Theresa quickly approached.

Himeko, Kiana, and Mei followed suit.

Of course, they bypassed Finality Kiana.

Finality Kiana remained motionless, showing no reaction as she calmly watched them reunite.

Tesla, who had already arrived and witnessed Kiana and Kiana's meeting, warily watched Kiana's back as she turned away, nudging Einstein beside her with her elbow.

"Hey, Mophead, is this girl really the Herrscher of Finality from the records?!"

Einstein stared intently at Kiana but rolled her eyes in response to Tesla's question.

"Since you already know it's from the records, why ask me?"

Instead of asking her, who was about as knowledgeable as she was, it was more reliable to look toward Joyce, the first Herrscher, and Welt, the second.

Welt, who was being observed, stared intently at Finality's back.

"I don't know... but this person is far stronger than the Second Herrscher in the Second Eruption. In fact, there's no comparison between the two."

"Just one glance from her, the Honkai energy within me is howling and trembling. I can't even muster the thought of fighting her."

As the successor Herrscher, Welt, the second-generation Herrscher, wasn't as sensitive to Finality as the Herrscher of the Void, a current Herrscher.

However, based solely on these superficial observations, he still solemnly gave his assessment.

"This Kiana… might truly be the Herrscher of Finality from the records."

Tesla wailed in despair at her own Herrscher's confirmation.

"Huh?! That's the Finality…!"

According to records unearthed from the Previous Era, the Herrscher of Finality was an incredibly powerful monster that destroyed the Previous Era.

Now, they hadn't even fully completed the Previous Era's Moonlight Throne, and Finality had already slammed into their faces. This was clearly a done deal!

"That's not the only bad news."

Joyce added, expressing his feelings about the Parallel world Mei:

"Mei, who appeared with that Kiana-san, is definitely no less dangerous to humans than the Herrscher of Finality."

Anti-Entropy was discussing the existence of Finality.

Otto naturally couldn't remain silent.

His usually composed demeanor, along with his ever-present smile regardless of the storm, was now extremely grim.

This was to be expected.

The two main goals that the sinner named Otto Apocalypse had fought for were to resurrect Kallen and to create a peaceful world where Kallen could live out her days in peace.

The appearance of the Herrscher of Finality, which could signify the end of an era, was not just bad news for Otto.

It was devastating news.

"Your Excellency, what should we do?"

Rita's smile vanished. Instead, she looked to Otto, the decision-maker, for advice.

As an S-rank Valkyrie of Schicksal, the existence of the Herrscher of Finality was no secret to her.

Rita knew of the Herrscher of Finality's existence.

But it was precisely this knowledge that made her feel helpless and filled her with despair.

She wasn't the type to lack her own opinions, but with the destructive Herrscher of Finality before her, no one could remain calm.

At such times, only Otto, who had led Schicksal for five hundred years and whose wisdom was as deep as the abyss, was worthy of anticipation.

But when asked how to deal with the appearance of the Herrscher of Finality, even someone as intelligent as Otto ould only remain silent, unsure how to answer.

While he was silent, "Mei" made a move.

She walked to Kiana's side, appearing in Raiden Ryoma's field of vision.

Ryoma, who had initially been intimidated by Kiana along with Siegfried and Cecilia, noticed the strangeness in the room.

Looking at Mei, with her lightning wings and cold expression, and then at the bespectacled Mei he knew so well, he was stunned.

"...Mei? Two...?! What's going on?!"

For a doting father, the appearance of two daughters should have been a cause for celebration, right?

But...

Looking at Mei standing next to the extremely dangerous Kiana, equally icy, Ryoma felt his thoughts in turmoil and was completely bewildered.

However, who among them could possibly understand the situation?

After encountering Kiana, who looked exactly like the goofball in St. Freya and learning of her identity as the Herrscher of Finality, it was likely that no one would be without confusion, apprehension, and fear.

"Mei" gazed at the chaotic Raiden Ryoma. Although he differed from her memories, seeing that familiar face still prompted a soft greeting.

"Father? Long time no see."

Unlike Kiana, she still retained much of her emotion. However, during the long years she spent with Kiana, no one but Kiana had ever allowed her to vent those feelings.

Now, seeing her father again, though not the one she knew… she should still feel joy, shouldn't she?

But… how could she feel joy?

The expressionless Mei tried to find a way to feel joy from her memories spanning fifty thousand years.

Thinking back, her gaze shifted in a certain direction, and she reminded them in a cool voice.

"Someone is approaching."

Finality Kiana's gaze didn't waver, remaining fixed on Cecilia, Siegfried, and Kiana.

To "Mei"'s warning, she coldly replied.

"No threat."

"Besides, there's no need to eliminate anyone here."

Following the Honkai's will, elimination—eliminating targets that needed to be eliminated—was something Kiana had been doing for fifty thousand years. It was something she had no choice but to do.

...Although on that now-destroyed planet, there were no targets left to eliminate.

Mei remained silent.

...Perhaps it was just a habit.

Waiting patiently, the last few appeared.

It was Fu Hua and Kevin.

But…

The instant they met, Kevin's cold, unchanging face underwent a dramatic transformation, shifting from nostalgia to palpable fear.

Su also opened his eyes, a rare occurrence, his gaze filled with solemnity.

The two of them stared intently at Kiana not far from them.

Although slightly different, this feeling… was exactly the same as the Herrscher of Finality they had faced in their final battle on the moon… no, perhaps even stronger.

At least the Herrscher of Finality of the past hadn't possessed this aura that instilled fear and even trembling in Kevin, humanity's strongest warrior, simply through her presence.

Kevin's lingering gaze seemed to question Fu Hua, demanding an explanation.

"What happened to the 'possibility' you mentioned?"

"Your 'possibility' refers to this Herrscher of Finality?!"

"Actually, Hua, were you referring to the possibility of causing humanity's complete collapse?"

"Have you betrayed us?! Hua!"

"..."

Fu Hua looked at Kiana warily, but she was completely bewildered by the gazes of her two former companions.

Who knew that a Herrscher of Finality would suddenly infiltrate this Q&A Space?

And it was a Kiana, no less!

If she hadn't recognized the Kiana she knew, Fu Hua would have thought something had happened to her.

"...Interesting."

The hostile behavior of Kevin and the other two didn't bother Finality Kiana. She looked at Kevin, whose face was icy and whose eyes held chilling coldness, then even at Su and Fu Hua.

She immediately noticed something and calmly spoke.

"You seem to have fought her before."

Finality's existence was special.

Those like Kevin and Fu Hua, who had fought Finality at the end of the Previous Era, were incredibly conspicuous in Finality Kiana's eyes.

But to Finality Kiana, that was all.

If this were outside, she would probably follow Honkai's will and eliminate these survivors.

But in this completely isolated space, Kiana could make her own decisions.

"You…"

Kiana also came to her senses. Looking at the Finality Kiana before her, so cold and different from the one she remembered, she couldn't help but ask.

"What…"

She truly didn't understand.

She didn't understand why, in this reunion, the other's identity had changed from that cheerful, lively girl who would laugh with her into this emotionless, cold Herrscher of Finality before her, the one who had destroyed everything in the records.

In this respect, Kiana desperately wanted to understand.

Cecilia stared at Finality Kiana, who exuded a dangerous aura.

As a mother, she instantly sensed the abnormality, the difference between Kiana and the one beside her.

Gazing at Kiana's face, so identical to Kiana's yet cold and emotionless, Cecilia was stunned. Remembering how Kiana had addressed her and her husband earlier, she couldn't quite believe it.

"Are you Kiana?"

Himeko and Theresa both stared at Kiana, who was marked as the "Herrscher of Finality."

They had seen her before, but she was so unfamiliar now.

Even after she greeted them, they couldn't believe this was the same Kiana they knew.

Kiana didn't respond to Kiana's question.

That past was an unhealable wound for her.

Even if it was meaningless, she didn't want to bring it up again.

Kiana could sense the fear and apprehension these people felt toward her.

"Don't worry about it. I've fulfilled my promise to you… As for Mei and me, you don't need to worry about us. We won't interfere."

This was meant to reassure them, as she spoke these seemingly comforting words in a cool tone.

But how could anyone trust the words of the Herrscher of Finality?

The fear remained.

But along with the fear, a different emotion crept into their hearts.

For example, a sense of strangeness.

Although the Herrscher of Finality's words were not to be trusted, their ability to converse so rationally surprised Kevin and his companions, who had fought Finality before.

The Herrscher of Finality of the past rarely spoke nonsense to humans, nor to them.

She never displayed the arrogance and contempt for humanity shown by Sirin during the Second Honkai.

She simply crushed humanity's resistance with an expressionless face, like someone crushing ants.

Only Kevin and the Moonlight Throne, who had jointly inflicted "severe damage" on her, had earned a glance from the Herrscher of Finality.

"..." Finality Kiana stared at them expressionlessly.

Amid their wariness, she raised a hand.

A massive surge of Honkai energy erupted from her slender palm, covered in purple Honkai patterns, instantly raising everyone's sense of crisis to its peak.

Everyone thought the Herrscher of Finality was about to cause trouble.

But the next second, the Honkai energy vanished instantly, as if it had touched some forbidden taboo.

Nothing was more reassuring than the truth.

Having done all this, Finality Kiana remained silent, simply standing there.

Otto understood as well. He let out a sigh of relief and no longer appearing worried.

The wise ones all realized...

Even the less perceptive among them realized what was happening.

"Even the Herrscher of Finality is restricted?" Bronya asked incredulously.

This space was protected by restrictions on individual combat abilities, designed to prevent visitors from immediately engaging in conflict and escalating into a full-blown brawl.

They all knew this.

But they had also believed that such restrictions had limits.

The Herrscher of Finality, who was recorded as having destroyed an entire era, was clearly beyond that limit in the minds of those who knew the truth.

However, Kiana's actions showed them that even the power of the Herrscher of Finality could not transcend these restrictions.

Upon learning this, everyone except Kevin, Su, and even the World Serpent executives who had arrived later breathed a sigh of relief and ceased their wariness toward Kiana as the Herrscher of Finality.

With everyone present, the first question appeared:

【1. In the tracing back, which of the following options is the main reason Kiana became the Herrscher of Finality?】

【A. Her encounter with Mei】

【B. The news of Siegfried's death】

【C. Otto's coercion】

【D. Himeko's pursuit】

---

 Chapter 224: [Ragnarok]

The sudden appearance of the question left newcomers like Kevin and Su somewhat bewildered.

But for those who had already experienced it several times, it wasn't surprising.

However, everyone was still astonished.

For no other reason than the content of the question itself. It was enough to pique the curiosity and bewilderment of almost everyone.

Even the previously cheerful girl, who wasn't foolish but occasionally a bit tongue-tied...

The reason why she had become the cold, ruthless, and dangerous Herrscher of Finality before them was something that probably no one except Kiana herself could ignore.

However, regarding the appearance of this question, "Kiana" herself glanced at it with an icy expression and coldly uttered:

"A boring, twisted sense of humor."

But aside from this indifferent remark, she made no other move.

"Mei", on the other hand, revealed long-lost displeasure in her slightly reddened, somewhat lifeless, icy eyes.

The fact that these two dangerous individuals didn't react much to the question relieved Einstein and Theresa.

Although the Herrscher of Finality's power was also restricted in this space, if they could, they truly wouldn't want to confront these two.

Frankly, even just meeting their gaze was enough to send chills down their spines from the sheer coldness emanating from them.

That dangerous aura caused the heart rates of everyone except Otto, Gray Serpent, and even the mechanical creations like Little Ancestor and Tesla Zero to spike.

Only Raiden Ryoma and Cecilia, those connected to Kiana and Mei, endured this immense psychological pressure and occasionally glanced at those two silent, dangerous beings.

Although Otto was somewhat flustered by the two dangerous individuals beside him, his five hundred years as an Overseer were not for nothing.

During the Second Eruption, he had directly faced the God of Honkai. While the Herrscher of Finality was a bit more terrifying, she was not enough to disturb his train of thought.

After recovering from his sullen state, Otto composed himself, regained his smile, and calmly spoke.

"Once the answer to this question is revealed, everything you want to know will become clear."

In any case, the theme of this space was answering questions.

He needed to bring back his beloved Kallen, and this was also through this means.

The appearance of this Finality only made Otto more eager to obtain the opportunity to resurrect the saintess he admired.

Therefore, lingering here was not a wise choice.

Otto's topic was also very timely,

relieving everyone's tension from having Finality standing around.

The wiser group reached a consensus and moved away, keeping their distance from Kiana and the other person. Then, Fu Hua was responsible for explaining the existence of this space to her two former comrades.

The remaining individuals began to analyze the question and even the answer.

"Regarding the tracing line mentioned in the question, I think it's probably similar to the concept of different timelines or parallel worlds. On the surface, it doesn't seem to provide any useful information."

As the one who proposed the concept of parallel worlds, Einstein took the lead and analyzed the question word by word.

She sighed as she discussed what she'd extracted from the question's opening.

"Besides that, there's really nothing meaningful to extract from the question itself."

The question's greatest value was piquing their curiosity about the Herrscher of Finality.

Otherwise, it seemed there was nothing that could be used for a Q&A.

"If the question doesn't work, then we'll look at the answers. It's a multiple-choice question with just four options. One of them is bound to be correct."

Tesla waved her hand, then bluntly exclaimed, "But if you ask me, look, Otto's name is in the question!"

"Given Otto's jerk-like behavior, I think we don't even need to consider the answers. If Kiana becomes the Herrscher of Finality, Otto will be in big trouble!"

She made no attempt to hide her hostility toward Otto, directly pointing the finger at the Otto mentioned in the question.

As she spoke, Tesla glared fiercely at Otto.

"Although it's hasty, I can't argue with it."

Tesla's subjective opinion was strong. Normally, Einstein would have objected, but regarding pinning the blame on Otto, Einstein had to agree.

Theresa, Himiko, and Kana—everyone present who knew Otto's character—unanimously agreed with Tesla's view.

Most surprisingly, even Rita and Durandal, Otto's supposedly loyal subordinates, expressed their approval.

"..."

Otto was at a loss for words.

Normally, he would have offered some explanation.

But he knew his own limitations.

Otto knew exactly what a scoundrel he was.

If it were a parallel universe and Kiana was the product of a marriage between the Schariac and Kaslana families, he wouldn't be Otto Apocalypse if he didn't resort to underhanded tactics.

Although he knew his hands were probably not clean, Otto didn't take all the blame. Instead, he calmly retorted.

"Perhaps my counterpart in that world did do something, but I don't believe my actions would lead to the birth of a Herrscher of Finality."

"So you're admitting you're partly to blame?"

"Undeniably... but according to Dr. Einstein's parallel universe theory, the same person in different worlds can be very different, right? Evil people can become good, and good people can become evil."

Otto's retort made Tesla stomp her foot in anger and glare at Einstein.

Einstein shrugged. She was only responsible for proposing theories; she certainly couldn't control who used them or how they were used.

In short, Otto's rebuttal cleared him of a lot of suspicion.

After all, no one could be certain that Otto in Kiana's world was definitely a bad person.

Of course, it also couldn't be certain that Kiana becoming Finality wasn't Otto's fault.

"Options A and D can both be ruled out, in Bronya's opinion."

Bronya stated her opinion expressionlessly. As everyone's gazes gathered on her, she slowly said:

"Although Mei-neechan possesses the identity of the Third Herrscher, it's too strange to say that Kiana's encounter with Mei-neechan was the main reason Kiana transformed into the Herrscher of Finality and destroyed everything."

Her opinion was based on her own experience interacting with Kiana and Mei.

Frankly, it wasn't comprehensive.

After all, they didn't know the relationship between Mei and Kiana in the other world.

But...

Bronya looked at the two of them and declared loudly and firmly:

“Although I don’t know why, even now that they’ve become Herrschers, Kiana and Mei-neechan are still appearing together. I think Mei-neechan and Kiana have a really good relationship!”

These words, once spoken, created ripples in the still water like a pebble dropped into a lake.

"Mei" locked her gaze onto Bronya, looking directly into her grey eyes—eyes that trembled slightly but held no fear.

A hint of nostalgia flickered in her reddened eyes.

“Mei-neechan… that’s such an old title… even though you’re not the Bronya I know… this feeling…”

"Kiana" also glanced at Bronya. As the Herrscher of Finality, her pressure was even greater than Mei’s. Even without hostility, that single glance almost shattered Bronya’s carefully constructed mental defenses.

“…”

Looking at the pale-faced Bronya, "Kiana" remained silent and turned her gaze away.

All the past events...

She felt regret, pain, and even despair...

But meeting Mei...

was something Kiana would never regret...

As for option D, regarding Himiko's pursuit...

"I'm just an ordinary A-rank Valkyrie..."

Seeing that she had a role to play, Himiko twitched her lips, feeling a bit overwhelmed...

That's Finality, after all...

Please, don't get involved with her!

Even if it were her counterpart from another world, Himiko didn't believe that her pursuit of someone would cause that person to become the Herrscher of Finality. That was too absurd.

Of course, no one else believed that Himiko's pursuit could create a Herrscher of Finality, so this answer was naturally eliminated.

With options A and D eliminated, only option C—Otto, who might be blamed—and option B—Siegfried's swift death—remained.

Upon seeing this, everyone connected to Siegfried had somewhat unnatural expressions.

Siegfried himself unconsciously touched his face.

His own death...

He felt a weight on his arm. It was Cecilia, hugging him with a worried expression.

This made Siegfried somewhat amused and exasperated.

He was alright.

Even if something happened, it would be his counterpart from another world, right?

While amused, Siegfried couldn't help but look up at Kiana, who stood with her eyes closed.

This was his daughter from another world...

Could it be that she became like this because of his death...?

No way, Siegfried felt uneasy.

He truly hoped it wasn't for that reason.

As parents, they all hoped their children could live better and happier lives.

But if the death of his other self caused his daughter to become such a cold, lifeless being, identifying as a tool, a puppet, a walking corpse...

To be honest, just looking at Kiana like this made Siegfried's heart bleed.

However, denying this possibility was clearly irrational.

Of the four options, besides Otto, who often took the blame, only the death of Kiana's father, Siegfried, which was most closely related to her, seemed the most suspicious.

Mei looked at "Mei" and asked.

"Can you tell us the truth?"

Although this "Mei" was as cold as Kiana, through the few words she exchanged with Seele and Bronya earlier, Mei could sense that this Herrscher-like self was much more approachable than Kiana.

Of course, this could also be her illusion about her other self.

"..." "Mei" , the one being asked, opened her eyes, her slightly reddened gaze calmly meeting Kiana's.

She was sparing with words, yet still gave her answer:

"Perhaps."

In that past memory, for "Mei", the beginning of that tragedy was indeed caused by Cocolia's exposure of the cruel truth.

But exactly why....

As someone who experienced it firsthand, "Mei" didn't know.

...Now, she didn't care anymore.

"Mei's" answer was undoubtedly very vague.

However, from Mei's and the others' perspective, Mei's answer, given alongside Kiana as a Herrscher, was undoubtedly the most realistic.

And the so-called "perhaps," although somewhat vague, was most likely just a vague statement because she didn't want to bring up those past events.

After this internal speculation, everyone focused their attention on option B: Siegfried's death.

This question concerned Kiana, the Herrscher of Finality, so the choice naturally rested with her.

"Kiana" mustered her courage and spoke.

"...You..."

"..."

Those eyes, branded with golden divine markings, met Kiana's gaze.

Her purple skirt trembled slightly with the movement, and her arms, covered in Honkai energy markings, twitched slightly.

A clear, cool voice rang in her ears, giving Kiana her answer.

"Whatever you say."

For her now...

There was nothing left to pursue.

...In fact, "Kiana" had basically gotten everything she wanted.

She came here, kept her appointment, met her parents, met her former companions, though not the ones she remembered.

She was free from Honkai's control and had Mei by her side…

For someone who had been tormented for nearly 50,000 years, nothing could bring Kiana more satisfaction than quietly enjoying all this long-awaited peace.

The choice was simply tossed to Kiana with a single sentence.

“…”

Kiana clearly showed no joy whatsoever.

She gazed at "Kiana" who had fallen silent once more, and felt an indescribable pang of sorrow.

"I choose... B. The news of Siegfried's death."

Kana made her choice with a hollow feeling in her heart, then stared intently at the screen.

Whether the question was right or wrong no longer mattered to her.

For Kiana, all she cared about now was why the Kiana Kaslana who had once laughed and talked with her, full of hope, had become like this!

[Incorrect answer: The correct answer is A. The encounter with Raiden Mei]

The moment the answer was revealed, everyone froze, including "Kiana" and "Mei."

They both looked at the answer on the screen.

"..."

After confirming that she hadn't misread it, a long-lost killing intent and chilling coldness flickered in Kiana's eyes, which were etched with divine markings.

This wasn't directed at Mei, but at the space itself.

For her now, Mei was the only thing truly important, the only thing she could never let go of.

And the answer this space gave was undoubtedly a desecration of her and Mei's lives.

The murderous aura capable of destroying a civilization was enough to suffocate most of those present.

Fortunately, the answer space seemed to classify the murderous aura as an attack, so it directly blocked it after Kiana's killing intent exceeded the limit.

Otherwise, those with weaker willpower, like Seele and Einstein, might have suffered cardiac arrest if they had directly encountered such a massive amount of murderous aura.

"Mei," who was holding "Kiana"'s arm, shook her head slightly, causing Kiana to pause for a moment. After exchanging a glance with "Mei" , "Kiana" returned to normal.

Under the watchful eyes of everyone, each with their own thoughts,

—the tragedy known as [Ragnarok] began—

---

Chapter 225: Companion's Belongings

The video labeled as a retrospective memory slowly unveiled.

At the beginning of the video, a girl named Kiana Kaslana appeared. While searching for her missing father, Siegfried, encounters Raiden Mei, the young lady of ME Corporation, who is in dire straits and despairing of reality due to the drastic change in her circumstances.

The events that unfold between the two are revealed scene by scene in this footage.

From their initial meeting to her battle with Mei, who has collapsed and become a Herrscher, she relentlessly rescues her from her deepest despair.

With only a cheap baseball bat and the frailty of a human body, she defeats the Herrscher consciousness that has taken over Mei's body and gives this young lady, who feels she has lost everything, a new hope.

That hope is called companionship.

"..."

Kiana and Mei looked at this situation, so similar to their own, yet having taken different paths and developed in different ways due to different turning points. They were both silent, their hearts filled with mixed emotions.

If it weren't for the appearance of this magical Q&A Space, they probably would have had similar experiences.

"Mei", the one directly involved, rescued from Honkai's clutches by that carefree girl, gazed at this beautiful moment from her memory. Her dim, slightly reddish eyes flickered slightly before falling silent again.

That fleeting emotion was nostalgia…

But now, what was the point of recalling everything from the past?

Under Mei's calm and unwavering gaze…

In the video, the younger version of herself, along with Kiana, escaped from Senba Academy, the very place that had fallen into Honkai's clutches.

In the aftermath of their ordeal, perhaps to lighten the mood, the quick-witted Kiana, after saying something inappropriate, jokingly suggested that she and Mei were part of a "girls' alliance searching for their missing fathers."

Siegfried and Ryoma: ...

Although they knew it didn't refer to them, watching it like this still evoked a strange sense of guilt.

However, upon closer reflection, in reality, Siegfried and Ryoma from Kiana's world were strikingly similar to them now.

Siegfried was also missing.

Ryoma was also imprisoned for embezzlement.

Different times, similar fates. Was this a cruel twist of fate?

In the video, Mei and Kiana escaped Senba Academy, but during their escape, white mechs appeared with a roar.

And atop those mechs were familiar figures.

“Bronya Onee-chan…”

Seele saw Bronya standing on the white mecha in the video, somewhat surprised yet unsure what to say…

Although her appearance was almost identical, that expression and tone of voice were like those of an emotionless robot…

This…

In fact, Bronya herself defined herself as “an embedded general-purpose weaponized girl, Bronya, the suitable carrier for Project Bunny.”

This was Bronya’s answer in the video to Mei’s question.

Bronya herself was stunned.

...A weaponized girl?

Ha...

Yeah, that's true.

Wasn't she a similar existence in the past?

"The other me was like that too..."

Seeing her other self in that state now, Bronya was somewhat lost in thought.

But she was also somewhat relieved.

If she hadn't been rescued by the gentle Seele at Cocolia's orphanage, she probably wouldn't be any different from that other self in the video...

In the video, the mechanical Bronya ruthlessly piloted her mecha, attacking Kiana and Mei.

Flesh and blood cannot match steel, but how could Kiana, who had defeated the Herrscher as a human, and Mei, who had been saved, possibly back down?

Kaslana's generations-old gun-fighting technique and the swordsmanship inherited from the Hokushin lineage five hundred years ago, combined with the girls' wisdom and ultimate skills, caused even the rigid machinery to inevitably reveal its flaws, forcing it to retreat under the combined efforts of the two.

But this encounter wouldn't end so hastily.

Meeting a girl named Bronya Zaychik was also a predetermined part of Kiana and Mei's destiny.

Unusual signs and Mei's insistence reluctantly led Kiana and Mei to meet Bronya, who called herself a "girl weapon," once again.

This time, however, no battle ensued.

Raiden Mei successfully used her words to make the machine-like Bronya flee in panic.

However, Mei's determination to save Bronya was clearly not extinguished.

Together with Kiana, they caught up with Bronya, who had reverted to her mechanical self and was devoid of emotion.

Just as Kiana had saved her, Mei used her intelligence to successfully rescue Bronya from the cage known as the Personality Suppression System.

Those scenes, witnessed by Bronya, moved even her habitually expressionless face.

“…Even Mei-neechan from another world is just as gentle.”

She sighed, sincerely thanking Mei-neechan for saving that other version of herself.

But…

“…”

"Mei" calmly observed all this, looking at what was clearly her past, her slightly reddened eyes showing no emotion.

And this, too, was seen by Bronya.

"..."

She pursed her lips, looking at the doll-like "Mei," so unlike the gentle figure in the images, now only cold and lifeless.

She felt a strange pang of heartache.

Mei-neechan.

You saved another me.

But... how did that gentle you become like this?

"Bronya Onee-chan..."

Seemingly sensing Bronya's sadness, Seele took her trembling arm.

Although the future Bronya Onee-chan believed she could heal hearts, what could she do? What could she say now...?

"...That C... Hmph, that unpleasant attitude... it really is that she-vixen Cocolia, isn't it?!"

Tesla's focus, however, was on the arrogant self-proclaimed "C" who appeared after Mei saved Bronya. She curled her lip, quite displeased, and said:

"Even in other worlds, that woman is just as restless!"

Cocolia was a hardened hawk, and her relationship with the conservatives was already very poor.

And in the video, suppressing personal emotions and treating a living girl as a human weapon...

Heh...

You're something else, Cocolia!

"The dead are gone..."

"Tch."

Tesla dismissed Einstein's words.

The dead are gone? Stop talking about it?

What a joke!

Some people are so despicable that even in death, they deserve to be despised!

In Tesla's judgment, Cocolia and Otto, those two scoundrels were the kind who deserved to die and be infamous for eternity!

Einstein raised a finger and said casually.

"No, I mean Cocolia is a decent person. Spit on her."

"..."

Seele clenched her fists, somewhat at a loss.

"Ahem."

Welt coughed twice, signaling the two to stop.

Although Cocolia was indeed a bit of a scoundrel, Bronya and Seele, who were present, were both Cocolia's adopted daughters.

Bronya was alright; she saw through Cocolia's actions quite clearly, so she only felt a sense of loyalty. But Seele was different.

Gentle as she was, even knowing Mother Cocolia had many faults, she still remembered their days together in the orphanage.

【1.① In the final stages of their escape from Nagazora, Kiana and Mei complied with Bronya's wishes and went to ______】

【Reward: Homu Doll x1】

The question paused, and a supplementary question appeared.

Looking at this supplementary question, everyone was somewhat confused.

Who knew where they went?

…Oh, there were actually two people who should know.

But…

Both Kiana and Mei were in such a state that it was hard to even think about asking them.

Even Mei, who had just proactively asked the other person, felt the same way.

If it weren't absolutely necessary, she wouldn't really want to communicate with them… not out of fear, but mainly because communication was too… heavy.

Besides the pressure, just looking at the other person brought a strange sadness.

“This question isn't too difficult… Bronya’s wish. Is there anything in Nagazora City that Bronya cares about?”

Himeko started to exert herself at this point, resting her chin on her hand as she asked.

Of course, she mainly looked at Mei and Ryoma. These two were native residents of Nagazora and should know the place better.

Of course, Ryoma could be completely ignored.

As the president of ME Corporation and an executor of Anti-Entropy, it was understandable for him to remember what his daughter liked. After all, he was a doting father.

But Bronya…

Ryoma's knowledge of Bronya was limited to her being his daughter's friend and Cocolia's adopted daughter.

Having spent so much time with Bronya, Mei could give a clear answer on this matter.

"Bronya's favorite things... are probably games and... Homu, right?"

She thought for a moment before answering, then continued.

"In Nagazora City, there are quite a few game-themed facilities... but I'm not too familiar with them."

"But if it's Homu, I remember there's a Homu-themed amusement park near the border of Nagazora City that's supposedly the world's largest and most luxurious..."

Although they were different worlds, there were some unexpected overlaps.

Seeing Bronya's eyes widen instantly upon hearing about the Homu-themed amusement park, Mei stroked her chin.

"Hmm... looks like the answer is decided."

There was no debate about this question; even Otto wasn't particularly interested.

Since it was a supplementary question and the reward had already been set, Bronya was given the opportunity to answer it and receive the reward.

"This looks like just an ordinary Homu doll, no matter how you look at it."

Tesla raised an eyebrow, looking at the Homu doll Bronya was holding.

But…

"Mei" and "Kiana", unchanged, both stared intently at the doll Bronya was holding.

“That…”

“Yes,” "Mei" replied indifferently to "Kiana"’s question, her slightly reddened eyes lifeless and blank.

“…Sorry.”

"Is there any point now?"

"..." Kiana remained silent.

Meanwhile, out of curiosity, Kiana and the others opened the description of the Homu doll.

【Homu Doll】

【A companion's keepsake, just an ordinary Homu doll】

It was only a short sentence, but the simple words "companion's keepsake" left Kiana and the others stunned.

A companion's keepsake...

Kiana's companion, the companion who loved Homu... who else could it be...?

"...So, it's another Bronya's..."

Bronya, who had been holding Homu with some joy, looked down at the Homu in her arms, a hint of sorrow in her gray eyes.

Her own keepsake... this really wasn't something to be happy about.

"...How could this be..."

Seele covered her mouth, tears streaming uncontrollably from the corners of her eyes as she shook her head in disbelief.

The Bronya Onee-chan of another world... was she really dead?

However, this was a fact that should have been understood long ago.

After all, standing there was the Herrscher of Finality, who destroyed everything in the records.

The end of the question set the gears that had stopped turning back on track.

Kiana and Mei in the scene were so warm and inviting.

They chatted and laughed, occasionally discussing the girl named Bronya.

Even though Bronya's attitude toward Kiana was rather harsh, Kiana didn't show any explicit dislike. Instead, she expressed her goodwill toward Mei.

On the Homu-themed Ferris wheel, bathed in the setting sun, the two sat facing each other and smiled, gazing at Bronya's sweet sleeping face.

What happened at Homu Park was a part of Mei and Kiana's most beautiful memories.

Now, seeing this past unfold again, both "Kiana" and "Mei" felt a slight emotional ripple.

Unfortunately, it didn't last long.

This was a fragment of their most beautiful memories.

But… it was just a memory.

Beautiful things are always fleeting.

This memory seemed to be no exception.

Although they left behind their most beautiful memories at the deserted Homu Park, devastated by the Honkai outbreak, this brief stay led to an unexpected turn of events.

Amid Bronya's warning and the trio's vigilance, a truly colossal floating warship branded with Schicksal markings appeared in their field of vision, obscuring the sky.

The three, because of their perceived intention to attack, were imprisoned inside the warship as Anti-Entropy spies.

But neither Bronya nor Kiana were the type to passively accept their fate.

They ultimately chose to escape.

However, this hope inevitably encountered resistance.

The Hyperion, the name of this warship.

The Valkyrie Himeko Murata, captain of the Hyperion, made her appearance.

Of course, the conversation between the hot-blooded Kiana and Himeko seemed discordant.

At least, Kiana herself seemed oblivious to her choice of words.

This led to Himeko, now in menopause, becoming enraged and starting to chase after the three.

This scene made Himeko's lips twitch slightly.

Last time, it was the same situation…

This brat has no manners at all, making her quite angry. She never expected that she, in another world, would be addressed in the same way…

But what should she say?

Now, looking at Kiana, so different from before, transformed into the Herrscher of Finality with such an emotionless and cold demeanor, and recalling the Kiana from before, the difference between the two…

Should she be angry? Or annoyed?

Or perhaps neither.

----

Chapter 226: The Gold of the Rhine

The video continued, and just as Kiana and her companions were about to engage in a fierce battle with Himeko, far away in St. Freya, Theresa Apocalypse appeared on Himeko's personal terminal through communication.

She stopped the fight and extended an invitation to Kiana Kaslana, her niece.

The presence of Theresa, shown through the personal terminal in the video, caused Rita to prop up one cheek. Her face was slightly flushed as she exclaimed.

"Even Theresa-sama from another world is so adorable~"

"Yes, indeed… indeed, Theresa is adorable no matter which world she's in, hmph."

Otto, a doting grandfather, clapped his hands in agreement and praised her.

Even though the current Theresa had established her own power base and even defied him...

Otto's affection for his beloved granddaughter remained unchanged.

(Image shifts)

Kiana, Mei, and Bronya, at Theresa's invitation, unsurprisingly joined St. Freya Academy and received training from Theresa.

Amid those beautiful memories, one day, an accident occurred.

As if by fate, Bronya betrayed them.

Although controlled by Anti-Entropy, she still became the betraying Silver Wolf, just as she was now.

They infiltrated the most confidential area of St. Freya Academy.

Furthermore, the exterior of St. Freya Academy was also attacked by Anti-Entropy.

Under these circumstances, Himeko, having subdued Bronya, led Kiana and Mei's Fifth Squad onto the Hyperion and launched a fierce counterattack.

During the battle, Bronya was once again controlled and even attempted to perish alongside the warship's nuclear reactor.

However, thanks to the persistent and unwavering efforts of Mei and Kiana, Bronya eventually awakened.

Bronya successfully reversed the chip controlling her through sheer willpower.

This scene was incredibly moving.

But Bronya herself seemed somewhat embarrassed.

Ultimately, this seemed rather mind-bending.

The mention of mind-bending techniques reminded her of that awkward moment in the Honkai heroine's video, where she impulsively performed a "mind-bending" act for entertainment.

Fortunately...

The Bronya in the video wasn't actually experiencing mind-bending.

The reason the control chip was damaged was because Kiana smashed its physical structure.

That seemed even stranger...

However, at least in that world, Bronya didn't end up in the ICU like the real Bronya.

Bronya's recovery was a good thing, but at the same time, the Hyperion was subjected to an intrusive attack from the outside.

Through the compromised communication channels, a figure familiar to Bronya and Seele appeared:

"...Sin!"

Looking at the image of the person with light purple hair, a somewhat boyish air, and a pretty face full of unbridled arrogance, Bronya instinctively called out her name, even though she differed slightly from Bronya's memory.

"Tch, it's that bastard!"

Sin's appearance triggered the PTSD hidden within Seele's Black Seele side, causing her to purse her lips resentfully and mutter a curse.

Because of the incident where Sin tried to bully Seele years ago, Black Seele's impression of and attitude toward Sin had always been terrible.

The invading Sin first launched into a tirade of mockery at Bronya, then wreaked havoc inside the Hyperion.

Just like in the previous footage of Seele's One-Day Adventure, even hearing Bronya's name would trigger an extreme reaction.

After Kiana and the others repelled Sin, it became clear that the already disadvantaged Hyperion was struggling against the attack from the Anti-Entropy warships, with its main guns damaged and multiple power plants shut down.

This was to be expected.

Although the Hyperion was a flying warship, in terms of sophistication within Schicksal, it could only be considered an old-fashioned small-to-medium-sized floating warship.

While Anti-Entropy wasn't as advanced as Schicksal, its expertise in floating warships was certainly no less than that of a small-to-medium-sized warship like the Hyperion.

Faced with this frustrating aerial combat, after some conversation and discussion, they decided to fight fire with fire.

If the other side could launch an invasion, why couldn't they do the same?

"You must come back alive!"

Under this command, Bronya, Kiana, and Mei, under the cover of the Hyperion, successfully infiltrated Anti-Entropy's warship.

Kaslana's warrior, the successor of the Hokushin Itto-ryu style, and the carrier of the self-propelled mecha "Project Bunny,"

After being trained by Himeko, the three of them became a vanguard.

But this was, after all, the enemy's home base.

Besides the numerous ordinary enemies who despite being drawn to the Hyperion were still present. Sin, who had previously infiltrated the Hyperion, once again blocked their path.

"Looks like you're really getting excited Not bad, not bad It feels so exhilarating to nip someone's hopes in the bud Kukuku"

Sin's face remained as unrestrained and arrogant as ever, filled with mockery and madness.

But even Sin ultimately still lost to Bronya.

Watching her go from madness to weakness and finally to being controlled and turned into a machine for Bronya's purposes,

"This was also done by Mother Cocolia... How cruel."

Seele covered her mouth, tears welling in her eyes as she felt inexplicably angry.

When Bronya Onee-chan was manipulated and treated as an android by Mother Cocolia, Seele had felt terrible.

But her feelings for Mother Cocolia kept her from speaking.

Now, seeing yet another familiar companion treated this way, even knowing it was Mother Cocolia from another world, Seele's anger became uncontrollable.

Sensing this emotion, which was almost unheard of in Seele, Black Seele residing in the mental space smiled and enticingly suggested.

"Hmm... Hate her? How about trying to give this annoying person another beating, like before?"

Through Mystic Eyes of Distortion, they had previously accomplished a super-level assassination that transcended time, worlds, and space, directly eliminating that old geezer next door.

One of the reasons they did that was because Seele had also felt anger at the time.

"Can I do it... No... I can't do that!"

Hearing Black Seele's words, Seele paused for a moment but immediately rejected the idea.

She did indeed dislike and feel angry about what Mother Cocolia in the image had done.

But no matter what, she was still Mother Cocolia... Even if she was furious, Seele wouldn't consider carrying out an assassination beyond the usual scope.

No... rather, Black Seele had acted on her own initiative the previous time.

"Tch, so dramatic..."

Leaning back on the sofa, Black Seele curled her lips in annoyance.

"But even if you wanted to, you couldn't do it now."

That cross-dimensional attack before had only succeeded because of a series of unexpected factors.

Replicating that move afterward was basically a pipe dream.

Just understanding the existence of those concepts would be enough to stump Seele.

"Hey... I'm going to play cards with the guys next door, bye-bye!"

Black Seele left with those words, then disappeared before Seele could even react.

"Huh... huh?!"

...

Within Kiana's body, logically, there should only be the imprisoned Herrscher of the Void.

However, at this moment, a purple figure wreathed in lightning appeared alongside Black Seele, who was dressed in black fashion.

The purple figure was Mei's second personality.

This referred to the Herrscher persona that had appeared not long ago.

Originally, Mei who had avoided the predetermined path and was able to control her Herrscher core no longer had the fertile ground necessary to develop a Herrscher consciousness. In fact, she hadn't developed a second personality as originally planned.

However, because the knowledge and wisdom brought by the glasses were so disconnected from Mei's other aspects, one day, to save time, Mei casually created a second Herrscher personality.

The difficulty wasn't high.

Because Mei already had a nascent personality embryo, and Mei herself possessed considerable knowledge and had researched personality extensively, through a series of clever maneuvers, this Herrscher person who was tasked with helping Mei hone her abilities, appeared.

Normally, Mei only needed to conduct research, while Herrscher Mei was responsible for enhancing combat power.

Hmm...

So why were these three beings, essentially second personas, gathered together?

Actually, Herrscher Mei discovered this.

Because she could utilize the knowledge and wisdom of her original self, while in this space, she suddenly realized that the boundaries of this space weren't so clearly defined.

This gave these second personalities who lacked physical bodies the basis for temporarily detaching themselves from their originals.

After discovering this, the bored Herrscher Mei, perhaps wanting to help Kiana, went to Kiana's place to hang out with the Herrscher of the Void.

But even the two of them weren't having much fun, so after some thought, Herrscher Mei dragged Black Seele over from Seele's side as well.

Well, so far, Kiana hadn't realized that her body had already hosted several entertainment parties.

While the Herrscher of the Void and the others were all gathered at Kiana's place for entertainment...

The video outside continued to play.

After defeating the elite monster Sin, following the clues, Kiana and the others arrived at the core power zone.

"This is the core power zone... This thing with 'Sirin' written on it must be the reactor, right?"

Mei looked around, then at the rather huge device with prominent English lettering, and rested her chin on her hand.

"Hmm..."

Kiana's expression changed slightly, and she staggered. Noticing this, Mei looked surprised and worried and quickly asked.

"Kiana? What's wrong!"

"Hehe~ It's nothing, just a little tired from fighting for too long."

Kiana chuckled and shook her head, making up a flimsy excuse.

Just then, the voice of Cocolia, the long-awaited villain of Honkai and the god of the Anti-Entropy civil war, rang in their ears.

"Finally here?"

Cocolia, with her blonde hair and purple eyes and dressed in a dark green military uniform, came into Kiana's view with a cold smile.

"Let me praise you first for managing to get here with just the three of you."

"Mom, Bronya..."

Seeing Cocolia's appearance, Bronya opened her mouth to speak, but before she could finish, Cocolia interrupted her without any politeness:

"Don't call me Mom, we're enemies now."

"What exactly is your purpose?!"

Faced with Kiana's question, Cocolia snorted coldly, glanced contemptuously at Kiana and Mei, and said:

"Hmph, you Valkyries raised by Schicksal only blindly throw away your lowly lives. How pathetic."

This dismissive tone, like a superior addressing an inferior, enraged Kiana, her face contorting with anger:

"What did you say? We're fighting to protect humanity from Honkai!"

This wasn't just for her and Mei, but also for the Valkyries fighting on the front lines against Honkai.

Given Himeko's teachings, Kiana would not allow anyone to insult the honor of the Valkyries.

This overreaction and Kiana's words only made Cocolia sneer.

"Fighting for humanity? How naively adorable! Your power hasn't destroyed the Honkai. Instead, it's allowed it to grow unchecked."

"What does that mean?"

Faced with Mei's question, Cocolia readily explained, calmly stating:

"The history of humanity's birth and development has been accompanied by Honkai invasions. Constant resistance and slaughter are merely meaningless prolongations. The Honkai cannot be destroyed; your resistance will only hasten their arrival."

"The Honkai will continue to evolve alongside human technology, forever surpassing humanity and driving us to our doom. This is the consciousness of the universe, the law of natural development. The extinction of humanity is unavoidable."

 Cocolia spoke these words with absolute certainty, and when they fell upon Kiana's ears, she did not become angry.

Instead, she stared at the other woman expressionlessly and asked in return.

"So... the goal of Anti-Entropy is to destroy all of humanity's hope and leave us to sit around waiting to die?"

"Don't jump to conclusions, kid. Regardless of our allegiance, we are all human. No one wants to see their race destroyed by the boring laws of nature, so we too are searching for a way to save humanity."

Cocolia smiled, paused, and then said with a rather righteous air:

"However... our method is to trigger the Final Honkai Eruption and release all the Honkai so humanity can be saved!"

Silence...

A deathly silence.

Originally, everyone was curious about the method Cocolia described in the video for saving humanity.

Even Kevin couldn't help but listen, though he held no hope.

But when Cocolia revealed the method of redemption and what Anti-Entropy was about to do, everyone except those two figures shared nearly the same thought:

She's insane!

This girl is absolutely insane!

"She's actually thinking of releasing all the Honkai energy at once! Cocolia... does she want to destroy humanity?!"

Tesla shuddered at the thought of the consequences.

Even Otto, known for his ruthless actions, had to admit that Cocolia who proposed such a method in the video was a once-in-a-century madwoman.

In the video, Kiana's face paled slightly in response to such a crazy answer.

Even so, she stood tall, her resolve unwavering, though she inexplicably coughed.

"You guys must be insane! Cough cough... If the Great Honkai is triggered, everyone in this world will die! I won't let you succeed!"

Madness itself isn't inherently terrifying.

A madman with a sufficiently insane plan isn't terrifying either.

What's truly terrifying is a madman with a sufficiently insane plan and the ability to put it into action.

And as an executor of Anti-Entropy, Cocolia was clearly such a capable and insane person.

She smiled coldly, facing Kiana and the other two without fear, and said:

"Such impulsive young people. Let's try it, then!"

Cocolia was no pushover.

Her combat strength was comparable to that of some A-rank Valkyries.

This was why Cocolia dared to wait alone in the core power zone for Kiana and the others.

Even with Himeko's training, Kiana and the other two were no match for the battle-hardened Cocolia.

Moreover...

"Huff... huff... my body feels so heavy."

Kiana gasped for breath, clutching her heart, which felt as though it would leap out of her chest, as she struggled terribly.

This made Mei increasingly worried, causing her movements to become more hesitant and timid.

"Kiana! Are you alright?!"

Distraction in battle is a major taboo.

The Raiden family's Hokushin Ittō-ryū style emphasizes focus even more.

A moment of distraction made Mei's already disadvantaged situation even more precarious.

"I'm fine... Mei-senpai, you don't need to worry about me..."

The heavy serrated chain sword rested on the ground. Cocolia, not pressing her advantage, coldly watched the three of them, sighed, and said with considerable incomprehension:

"You really are incorrigible. Wouldn't it be better to preserve your lives and enjoy your last moments before the apocalypse? You will witness humanity embark on a new journey. This will be the transition between two centuries!"

"Nonsense! I will never allow such an ending to happen... The idea that death brings new life is a lie! I will save everyone!"

Kiana's agitated reaction made Cocolia raise an eyebrow. Looking down at her, she coldly rebuked:

"Don't you understand? The more Schicksal seals the Honkai, the more accumulated Honkai energy will grow, leading to humanity's extinction when it finally erupts. Your current resistance is nothing but a merciless slaughter of humanity!"

"What..."

While Kiana was still in a daze, Cocolia calmly spoke.

"We continuously push the limits of human technology in the shadows of the world, using technologies that surpass the Honkai to protect a segment of humanity before the Honkai evolves. Then we trigger the Honkai, and this segment of humanity will survive."

She became increasingly agitated as she spoke, fixing her gaze on Bronya as she continued:

"And Bronya, you are a product of this technological limit. My daughters will become the first evolved beings, traversing the scorched earth and the corpses of their predecessors to create a new world after the Honkai dissipates. This is the only way to survive!"

"..."

While Bronya remained silent, Cocolia reached out her hand and smiled slightly.

"Bronya, come back. Come back to your mother's side. Let's go to a new world together and return to the happy times we had at the orphanage."

It was an incredibly tempting offer.

At least, for the children at Cocolia's orphanage, nothing could be more beautiful than those times.

But...

Bronya raised her head, her gray eyes filled with apology and resolve.

"I'm sorry, Mother... If only Bronya can survive alone, then Bronya will choose to perish together with Mei."

If she were still the same person she used to be, the one treated like a machine, she probably would have agreed without hesitation.

But things were different now.

Her interactions with Mei had made Bronya realize that she wasn't a machine.

She could have her own thoughts...

At the same time, it had also enabled Bronya to distinguish right from wrong.

In her judgment, what Cocolia's mother was doing was absolutely not feasible; it was undeniably an act of evil!

Looking into Bronya's resolute eyes, a look she had never seen before, Cocolia smiled with relief before her expression turned cold.

"Is that so... Bronya, it seems you've grown up. This is your choice, and I won't interfere with your thoughts anymore. So, as your guardian, let me fulfill my final duty..."

"Disobedient children should be killed by my own hands!"

Her murderous intent was palpable, standing in stark contrast to her previous smiling demeanor.

That expression even made one wonder whether her earlier gentleness had merely been a facade.

"The reactor is just ahead! I will never let you destroy St. Freya Academy!"

Seeing Kiana who was determined to stop her and still struggling stubbornly, Cocolia snorted coldly, glanced at her with disgust, and spoke contemptuously.

"Hmph, don't you understand? I have no interest whatsoever in Schicksal's human experimentation academy. The foolish Schicksal will only become history on the final judgment day. No one will care whether you ever existed."

She sneered.

"But to achieve human evolution, triggering the Honkai Eruption requires an activation tool, and that tool is located beneath this academy. I'm only here to retrieve it."

Mei exclaimed in surprise:

"An activation tool? Is it the thing you found in the church when you controlled Bronya?!"

"That's right. The thing that should have been entrusted to Anti-Entropy, but because of Overseer Schicksal's trickery, wasn't successfully retrieved. Today, I'm simply taking it back."

Cocolia confirmed Mei's answer as if it were the most natural thing in the world.

This aroused Kiana's suspicion.

"Then what... is that?"

Faced with this question, Cocolia chuckled as though playing a cruel joke.

"It seems Schicksal hasn't done a good job educating the children it raised. You didn't even know there was such a dangerous bomb hidden beneath your own academy."

"It's the product of the Second Eruption that occurred back in 2000—the Second Herrscher."

Cocolia's answer left Mei stunned.

"The Second Herrscher..."

Seeing her reaction, Cocolia crossed her arms, a hint of mockery in her voice.

"It seems the peaceful days have made you forget your identity, Raiden Mei."

"That's right. What's buried beneath that church is something like you, except you're still alive, while the one beneath is merely the remains of the Second Herrscher."

She revealed the true nature of what she was searching for, completely disregarding the fact that she and Kiana were enemies.

This was natural; the arrogant Cocolia had never taken the three seriously.

She only took the time to explain because she happened to have spare time.

"The Valkyrie data records this history... In 2000, the Second Eruption broke out in Siberia. Schicksal led the Valkyries in a fierce battle against the Second Herrscher, ultimately destroying the Second Herrscher..."

Cocolia corrected Mei's account of history and sneered:

"It's 'captured,' not 'destroyed.' Tampering with history isn't a good habit."

...

Deep within Kiana's heart, in the sealed space:

"Four 2s."

"Oops, you're involved... It seems the you from another world was also swiftly and decisively eliminated."

Black Seele tossed down four of Mei's level-8 weapons, glanced at the image outside, and taunted the Herrscher of the Void whose face was covered in paper.

As if that wasn't enough, she added another correction.

"Oh... captured... a captured Herrscher. That sounds even lower~"

A vein bulged on the Herrscher of the Void's fair forehead.

If you want to fight, just say so!

She casually tossed out two cards.

"Aces."

Black Seele looked up, a question mark appearing on her face.

Weren't they teammates?

...

But for Kiana, what was the point of what Cocolia said?

The things that needed to be done had already been made clear.

So...

She glared at Cocolia, questioning and rejecting her:

"Who cares if she's the Second Herrscher or whatever! What use is something dead... Uh! Your goals are definitely more than that!"

But unsurprisingly, she earned only contempt in return.

Cocolia snorted coldly, looked at the disheveled Kiana with a mocking expression, and said sarcastically:

"Hmph, I thought the Valkyries of Schicksal were just machines that blindly obeyed orders. It seems their intelligence is even lower than a machine's; they should be called puppets~"

"What did you say?!"

Cocolia ignored Kiana's anger and continued speaking.

"Our goal has never changed: to trigger the Great Honkai Eruption and open the door to the next era."

"And to trigger the Eruption, two important things are needed: the strongest weapons created by the Honkai to destroy humanity. One is the Second Herrscher beneath the cathedral."

Cocolia looked at Kiana with a half-smile and mysteriously said:

"And the other... guess what it is?"

Kiana wasn't stupid. The mention of the Herrscher immediately brought the answer to mind.

"The other one... could it be?!"

But...

"Ugh!!"

Sin silently crept up behind Mei and delivered a sudden, unexpected blow to the unsuspecting Mei, causing her to cry out in pain.

Kiana, her eyes wide with rage, charged forward screaming:

"Mei-senpai!!"

"You guessed it! That's the 'Third Herrscher,' Raiden Mei!"

Cocolia wore a sly, fox-like smile that was utterly infuriating.

Tesla, at least, saw it and was already preparing to turn around and jump on Cocolia's grave several times.

She figured she couldn't jump on the neighbor's grave, so she e could only vent her anger on her own.

"Let go of Mei-senpai!!"

Kiana tried to rescue Mei from Sin's grasp, but...

"Bang!!"

All that remained was Kiana's painful cry.

"Ughhh!"

So powerless... so fragile.

"Kiana" slightly opened her eyes.

She calmly gazed at her former frail self in the image, her golden eyes serene as still water.

Under Finality's gaze, Cocolia in the image laughed loudly.

"Hehehe... that's right, Sin. Unleash the power of the gem within you! You are your mother's last hope. Show your mother the fruits of your growth!"

"Yes... Mother."

Kiana gritted her teeth and stood up again.

"Damn it... I won't let you hurt Mei-senpai!!!"

Sin was not in good condition.

She was already covered in wounds from her previous battle with Kiana and the others.

Their current actions were merely a desperate attempt to prolong their lives.

After forcibly unleashing a certain amount of potential through unorthodox methods, Sin's battered and bruised state clearly rendered her incapable of fighting any longer.

"Mom... I'm sorry. I'm still too weak. I can't even stay alive..."

"Sin... It's alright. We'll be free soon. Mom will lead you to a new shore... where there will be no bloodshed or slaughter... only endless wheat fields and lullabies sung in the wind."

Perhaps it was Cocolia's only remaining tenderness that made the exhausted Sin murmur before closing her eyes:

"Sin hears Mom singing a lullaby... it feels so warm..."

"Sleep now. When you wake up next time, it will be a new world."

"Yes, Mom..."

"..."

Kiana collapsed to her knees, coughing incessantly. A metallic taste filled her throat, and she coughed up a mouthful of blood.

"Cough! Cough! Ugh! Pfft!"

Mei, who had been rescued, anxiously helped Kiana up. Her voice was filled with worry and encouragement.

"Kiana! Cheer up! Kiana!"

Perhaps the encouragement really worked.

Or perhaps it was Mei's encouragement that worked.

Kiana's complexion improved slightly. She stood up again, her pale face unable to conceal her resolute determination:

"It's over... I said I wouldn't let you destroy everything I love..."

But...

This resolute determination did not concern Cocolia.

She merely stared coldly at the three of them, snorted.

"Hmph, you're all so naive. When this 'Moonlight Throne' arrived in this airspace, everything was already destined."

"This power unit named 'Sirin' is not only the power core of this warship but also the key to opening the gate to a new world—the Second Herrscher's 'Herrscher Core.'"

Hearing this, Kiana's heart skipped a beat.

"Herrscher... Core?"

"Everything is preordained... the extinction of humanity, the cycle of worlds. We are merely grains of sand in a turbulent river... no matter how we struggle, we cannot create a ripple."

Kiana tried to retort

"That's just you refusing to acknowledge your own possibilities..."

"Possibilities? Then prove them to me..."

After saying this, Cocolia turned slightly and shouted loudly. 

"Sirin, wake up, my last 'daughter,' and pave the final path for your mother!"

"Yes, my mother."

An unnamed mechanical voice rang out.

Accompanying it was a deafening earthquake throughout the warship.

Rumble!!!

Kiana looked somewhat confused.

"Uh! What happened..."

Bronya, however, was unusually reliable at this moment. She reported the situation expressionlessly.

"The Moonlight Throne's reactor detected a massive amount of Honkai energy... but the ship's power has stopped, and the Moonlight Throne is falling..."

"Contact with the New World has begun..."

Aboard the crashing ship, Cocolia sighed, slowly opened her arms, and burst into maniacal laughter.

"Let the final Honkai arrive in the light of the Second Herrscher's resurgence!! Hahaha!!"

---

Chapter 227: Using Herrschers to Fight Herrschers

In the video, Cocolia, in her madness, laughed with great arrogance.

This made even the more righteous members of Anti-Entropy, who had a poor relationship with the other side of this world. Even the people of St. Freya Academy, somewhat displeased.

"Oh... I didn't expect that woman to be so crazy in another world..."

Raven, standing to the side, stroked her chin while looking at Cocolia in the video with considerable surprise.

Behind Cocolia stood World Serpent, a pawn planted by her adoptive father, Grey Serpent.

Due to her own needs as a mercenary, she knew a bit about this guy.

That resume was downright awful, but... compared to the woman next door in the video who tried to sacrifice all of humanity... cough cough, it was like comparing a small fry to a big fish.

"But... her plan... it feels a bit like our Project Stigma, doesn't it?"

Raven's comment made Jackal, a researcher at World Serpent, spit out her saliva and retort without hesitation.

"Pah, that idiot is just a madwoman!"

"Her so-called salvation is nothing but blatant slaughter, reckless and foolish behavior. How can it be compared to our sacred Project Stigma!"

Jackal's voice was filled with fanaticism as she defended the Project Stigma.

But to Tesla, her words were utterly laughable.

"What's the difference between your so-called Project Stigma and that madwoman Cocolia's? It's all just slaughter."

The essence of the Project Stigma is to activate dormant DNA fragments within humans, thereby transforming humanity into a new kind of fearless being capable of coexisting with Honkai.

This point had already been clearly stated in previous video, and even by Hua herself.

This cruel act of sacrificing the vast majority of humanity to defeat Honkai was far more extreme than Cocolia's foolish attempt in the footage to destroy the entire map in one fell swoop, then hide and reappear after Honkai disappeared.

At least in terms of action, both involved killing ignorant humans.

The only difference lay in their feasibility.

How could Jackal possibly back down from Tesla's counterattack and rebuke?

She scoffed, her arrogant mockery and disdain evident in her voice

"Hmph... When Honkai fully erupts, humanity will be wiped out. Since that's the case, why not use that early annihilation, at the cost of those destined to die, to prolong humanity and create a new civilization?"

"You fools can't understand the grandeur of the Project Stigma. You only see the people before you... humanity's top scientists? You lot are nothing but frogs in a well, utterly ignorant."

Einstein and Tesla were the greatest scientists in human history.

But in Jackal's eyes, those scientists were nowhere near her level.

After all, World Serpent was an organization that inherited the wisdom of an entire civilization.

Possessing the legacy of an entire civilization, she far surpassed these reckless fools.

Tesla, enraged, was about to speak again, but Welt beside her pulled her back.

No words were needed.

As long as World Serpent still harbored the thought of carrying out that insane Project Stigma,

Anti-Entropy would fight them to the bitter end!

"...So noisy."

Kiana, witnessing all this, calmly uttered those words.

A repeat of that foolish woman's behavior.

The struggle between humans.

These things seemed meaningless to her now; she simply found them noisy.

"Mei" paid no attention, her slightly red and lifeless eyes fixed on the slowly advancing images.

She reminded Kiana.

"Next, this is the end."

It was a reminder, but... it was also a question.

Putting aside the past, what was etched in her memory after this was the tragedy caused by that foolish human, Cocolia.

That was the day that extinguished humanity's hope.

It was a nightmare Kiana had dreamt of countless times for nearly fifty thousand years.

Therefore,

"Kiana" shouldn't watch, and neither should she.

To see everything from that day again would be torture for both her and Kiana.

"..."

"Kiana" didn't answer, only staring silently at her.

But

"Mei" already had her answer.

Her slightly red and lifeless eyes remained unchanged. After a long silence, she managed to utter.

"I'll stay with you."

What's the point of torment...?

For tens of thousands of years, hadn't "Kiana" been doing the same thing?

Repeating that despairing day, experiencing again and again the sorrow of piercing her companions' chests with her own hands, her hands stained with their blood.

...

"Warning! Warning! Moonlight Throne is falling! Too low! Too low!"

Moonlight Throne's warning blared from the surrounding communication devices, accompanied by flashing red lights.

"Fifth Squad! Can you hear us?! The Anti-Entropy warship is plummeting! Get out of there now!"

Theresa's voice came through Kiana's personal communication terminal, filled with anxiety and absolute urgency.

But Kiana didn't respond. Instead, she wiped her mouth, coughed violently twice, and looked at Cocolia with a slightly pale face.

"Cough cough! Cocolia, are you trying to kill us all...?"

However,

Cocolia's expression was solemn at this moment. She spoke thoughtfully and passionately:

“Death... is the beginning of eternal life. When God's messenger descends, all sins will be forgiven. Only by choosing death can one achieve true freedom of heart!”

“Humanity fears God! They see the God who destroyed them as their savior, and death is God's final salvation for humanity. Everything I have lost will be repaid!”

At this moment, she resembled those medieval, cryptic priests who swayed the world with their mystical pronouncements.

Even Otto, the Overseer of the Schicksal Church, had to give her a thumbs up.

He exclaimed, “So professional!”

However, the new era had clearly abandoned such old tropes.

Facing the fanatical, seemingly religiously indoctrinated Cocolia, Kiana raised her voice and retorted with indignation.

"Who would accept such a negative outcome! Only the living have meaning... No one has the right to take another person's life!"

To this denial, Cocolia scoffed and slightly opened her arms.

"Hmph, foolish girl, it's useless for you to say these things now. God's scales have tipped in favor of Anti-Entropy! All people will usher in final liberation!"

She spoke these words, and Kiana, as before, refused to yield.

Facing this so-called god, she gritted her teeth, her face hardened, and shouted.

"Since that's the case, let me teach God a lesson!"

Kaslana's creed of protecting the people would never be violated because of some so-called divine decree!

Even if it were a god, Kiana Kaslana would never yield.

She was so resolute, but...

This scene, in Kiana's eyes and in the eyes of others, appeared incredibly ironic.

Because

Kiana's current state was the most ironic response to that arrogant statement.

“Kiana! Where are you going?!”

Faced with Mei's questioning, Kiana stared intently at the enormous furnace, coughing, but with unwavering determination.

“Of course, I'm trying to shut down that furnace... cough cough! Although I don't know why, this furnace is definitely the key to resurrecting the Herrscher...”

And all of this was naturally transmitted verbatim to Theresa on the other end through her portable personal terminal.

Knowing what Kiana was about to do, Theresa, on the other end of the communication line, harshly and urgently reprimanded her:

"Kiana, don't do anything rash! The situation is complicated! Obey orders and disembark from the warship!"

"I'm sorry... Principal Theresa, my physical condition prevents me from disembarking. Please take Mei and Bronya with you!"

Hearing Kiana's words, Theresa on the other end of the terminal was immediately filled with shock and anger. She roared without restraint, completely disregarding her image.

"Damn it! What nonsense are you spouting! I promised Cecilia I would protect you! If anything happens to you, I... click"

But before she could finish, silence fell.

Mei, watching Kiana hang up the communication, stared blankly.

"Kiana... you..."

Seeing Mei's stunned, confused, and uncertain expression, Kiana offered an apologetic look, coughed twice, and then prepared to take action.

"I've made up my mind... cough cough, sorry, Mei-senpai. You guys go first."

But Cocolia wasn't dead yet!

How could she watch Kiana shut down the furnace?

And hinder the Anti-Entropy plan?

Cocolia raised her arm and gave the order to the approaching Moonlight Throne's autonomous combat forces.

"Don't even think about succeeding! All Moonlight Throne forces, attack! No one will get out of here!"

Boom! Boom! Boom!

A dazzling display of fire erupted, accompanied by the smell of gunpowder smoke.

The already dwindling number of autonomous units was instantly wiped out.

"Uh..."

Kiana turned to look at Bronya, who was fighting alongside Project Bunny, and exclaimed in surprise:

"Bronya?!"

Bronya had been primarily holding back the arriving autonomous mechs, avoiding engagement with Cocolia as much as possible, naturally out of consideration for her.

But...

Looking at the now-enraged Cocolia, Bronya made a decision.

"Don't worry about Bronya... I don't want to see Mom suffer anymore, Kiana. Leave the cover to Bronya. Let's end this."

"Yes... Kiana, I won't let you fight alone! Let's stop this disaster together!"

Mei, wielding the Valkyrie-equipped katana against Honkai, joined them.

Kiana paused, then smiled.

"Mei-senpai... hehe I still love Mei-senpai the most"

"Let's shut down that damn machine together!"

She said this, and Mei, sword in hand, nodded solemnly.

"Okay!"

This scene reminded Kiana and Mei of their time in Nagazora City.

Back then, they fought side by side like this, battling against Cocolia, who sought to exploit all of Nagazora City.

But the more Kiana and Mei's connection appeared on the screen, the more they felt something and then they looked at the two figures not far away, a sense of melancholy inevitably arose.

…

The scene shifted to Theresa.

With her communication cut off, Theresa stomped her foot in frustration.

“Kiana! Kiana! Answer me... Damn it, they cut off the communication... That bastard!”

Beside her, Himiko reluctantly reported the data detected by the Hyperion:

“Headmistress... Moonlight Throne’s signal has disappeared. According to ground forces... it crashed after colliding with the cathedral...”

“…”

Theresa fell silent.

What kind of damage would the crash of a floating warship cause?

Those who hadn't experienced it probably didn't know.

But... those who had probably all died.

Understanding how difficult it was to survive in that situation, Theresa's eyes reddened, tears welling up, and she slammed her hand heavily on the table.

"Damn it! Damn it!! Why didn't you obey my orders! What kind of hero are you! I finally... finally saw you again... why..."

"They're just children, and we stood by doing nothing! Damn it! I'm so useless!"

Seeing Theresa's unprecedented vulnerability, Himiko was momentarily at a loss for words to comfort her.

"Headmistress..."

It wasn't so much comfort as she herself was deeply saddened.

Although they hadn't spent as much time together as she had imagined, in Himiko's heart, Kiana and the other two were undoubtedly her students.

How could she not feel pain when something happened to her students?

"Beep beep beep beep."

Amidst her sorrow, Himiko's personal terminal rang.

She suppressed her grief and browsed the information reported by the Valkyrie Squad on her terminal.

Upon learning the situation, she was somewhat incredulous.

"The cathedral... a Honkai energy reaction? How could this be..."

However, Himiko still reported the truth to the grieving Theresa.

"Headmistress Theresa! A strong Honkai energy reaction has been reported at the crash site of the Moonlight Throne! It's still expanding!"

Hearing this news, Theresa paused for a moment, then sighed deeply.

"The slumbering demon has finally awakened. From the beginning, we chose the wrong ending. It seems it's time for atonement."

Himiko seemed to sense something and tentatively asked,

"Headmistress, you mean...?"

Theresa glanced at Himiko, regained her composure, and gave the order with a hint of helplessness:

"Order the Hyperion to land. Notify Schicksal headquarters... St. Freya Academy will fight to the last moment. This is our final salvation for humanity... After that, we can only leave it to God's will."

"...Yes, sir," Himiko nodded.

Theresa's order was quickly relayed, and soon the battered Hyperion landed at St. Freya Academy as commanded.

After disembarking from the Hyperion, Theresa gazed at the massive hull billowing black smoke and glowing with fire at St. Freya Academy and murmured:

"Is this the wreckage of the Moonlight Throne that struck the Grand Cathedral?"

As she murmured to herself, another figure familiar to everyone appeared.

"Eh... is that me from another world..."

Seele looked at the figure appearing on the screen, a hint of surprise on her pretty face.

Although she knew there should be a version of herself in another world, seeing her in person was still quite surprising.

"The Seele from another world is cute too~"

Wendy, propping her chin on her hand, stared at Seele on the screen and gave a cheerful comment.

"Hmm..." Seele's face flushed slightly.

…

Seele, still quite childish and sporting a bob haircut, panted as she reported on the progress of the operation. Then, looking around anxiously, she spoke.

“Principal Theresa! The ground mech forces have been wiped out! What about Bronya Onee-chan!? Is she alright...?”

Looking at Seele, Theresa didn't know how to tell the child the news that Bronya, whom she was waiting for, had crashed with the ship.

But concealing it would undoubtedly hurt her even more. Understanding this, Theresa could only tell the truth with deep regret.

“They're still inside the Moonlight Throne. They crashed with the warship...”

She was the one who approved Kiana and the others to go on the landing operation.

And this outcome, naturally, was also partly her fault.

Upon hearing this answer, Seele's previously hopeful face froze, replaced by disbelief, sorrow, and a gasp.

"...How could this be, Bronya Onee-chan!"

Himiko, unable to bear watching any longer, approached. Though uncertain, she said:

"There are still remnants of Anti-Entropy mechs operating in the wreckage. Maybe Kiana and the others are still alive?"

Sometimes, just a possibility can ignite hope.

 And in this situation, Theresa and Seele clearly needed that possibility—

the possibility that Kiana and the others were alive.

"...You're right! Order the Valkyrie squad to storm the church wreckage with me! Find them, even if they're just corpses!"

Like someone grasping at a straw, Theresa disregarded her grief, anxious appearance. Seele nodded firmly.

"Yes! Seele's going right now!"

The Moonlight Throne crashing into St. Freya Academy was a major event in itself.

Under the frantic guidance of Seele, the Valkyrie forces resisting the Anti-Entropy invasion were assembled at an astonishing speed.

This ability even made Himiko glance at Seele with newfound respect.

The ability to quickly assemble the scattered Valkyries, even a highly skilled Valkyrie force, demonstrated Seele's considerable leadership skills.

"It's me from another world..."

Seele was also taken aback by the speed of her other self, but she turned her face away from Himiko's praise.

Indeed, it was Seele from another world.

But people of the same kind often share common traits.

Perhaps they, as Seele, also possessed similar traits?

“Gala!”

Himiko, leading her Valkyrie squad into the academy, noticed the unusual noise and issued an order with a wary expression.

“Is that the remnants of Anti-Entropy!? Begin the attack!”

But the sharp-eyed Theresa saw what it was and raised her hand to stop them.

“Wait, that’s Project Bunny!”

The collapsed building was overturned by Project Bunny, and Mei, covered in dust, stood among the rubble, coughing incessantly.

“Cough cough.”

Bronya, who was much cleaner than before, asked with concern,

“Mei-neechan…are you alright?”

“Yeah…I’m fine, thanks to Bronya’s protection…Kana! Where’s Kiana?!”

Mei shook her head, praised Bronya, then noticed something, looked around, and cried out in alarm.

Bronya hesitated for a moment, then honestly replied,

"Kiana…she rushed into the furnace and never came back. Bronya only saw Mei fall into the furnace."

Hearing this, Mei instantly recalled everything. Her expression broke down, and tears welled up in her eyes.

“Kiana…why! She pushed me out at the last minute…why did she do this!? Didn’t we promise to stay together?!”

“...” Theresa, who was walking over, heard everything and, with her intelligence, understood what had happened.

Seeing Theresa, Mei sobbed, filled with guilt.

“Headmistress Theresa…I…I’m sorry…I…it’s all my fault.”

They promised to stay together…

But she ended up alone, leaving Kiana behind…

Looking at the weeping Mei, Theresa patted her shoulder and spoke seriously yet comfortingly.

“No, you did nothing wrong…If I were Kiana, I would have done the same. She’s such a foolish child.”

After saying that, she turned to Himiko.

"Himiko...keep searching. You must find Kiana!"

Comforted, Mei looked up, utterly exhausted but pleading earnestly.

"Yes, please let me come too...she must still be alive...at least let me see her one more time..."

Given Mei's condition, letting her rest was the best course of action.

But...

Looking at Mei's expression, Theresa understood that unless she saw Kiana with her own eyes, this silly girl would absolutely not be at peace.

So, after a long sigh, she agreed.

The search team for Kiana gained another member.

After reaching a certain depth, Himiko, the leader, said solemnly.

"Headmistress Theresa, just ahead lies the core area from which Honkai can emerge."

Looking at the area ahead, Theresa's expression showed expectation. She then became serious and gave the order.

"The Dogmatic Zone...so that's how it is. Order the Valkyries to be fully armed! This might be our final battle..."

Himiko, hearing Theresa's resolute tone, was somewhat puzzled.

"Headmistress...what exactly is ahead...?"

Mei, recalling what Cocolia had told them on the Moonlight Throne, could not help but ask at this moment:

"On the Anti-Entropy warship, Cocolia said...that the Second Herrscher is buried beneath the Cathedral. Is that true...?"

Theresa's expression changed for a moment, but considering their current situation, she ultimately sighed.

“…Although this is top secret, there’s no need to hide it anymore.”

“That’s right. Buried here are the remains of the Second Herrscher, born during the Second Great Honkai…”

She admitted it without hesitation.

This startled Mei.

“Could it be that the resurrection of the Second Herrscher is true?”

Hearing Mei mention this, Theresa was somewhat surprised.

But remembering that Mei had heard it from Cocolia, she didn’t dwell on it.

“It’s not certain yet because no one has ever accomplished this. Schicksal’s only experiment failed… We are still researching the Herrschers. Resurrecting a Herrscher is just a theoretical conjecture.”

Bronya grasped the key point.

“You mean Schicksal also considered resurrecting a Herrscher?”

Upon hearing this news, Himiko, being the most traditional Valkyrie, looked on incredulously and questioned:

"What?! Resurrecting a Herrscher!? Why would Schicksal do such a thing!? Isn't our mission to destroy Honkai and its creations?!"

Theresa had anticipated Himiko's reaction.

Most of Schicksal's Valkyries were like this.

They were taught to be irreconcilably opposed to Honkai.

But…

"Understanding the Herrschers is for the purpose of fighting Honkai more effectively. If we can utilize the Herrschers' abilities to combat Honkai, then humanity will have new hope."

Theresa, as the leader of the Apocalypse family, one of the three great families, saw things more clearly.

“Hope for a new life? Aren’t the Valkyries hope?! Why rely on the Herrschers!? They are the root of humanity’s destruction!”

Himiko clearly couldn’t understand and shouted angrily.

The Valkyries were selected from those whose families were destroyed by Honkai.

She was one of them.

Theresa sighed.

“Himiko, without the Herrschers’ information, there wouldn’t be the St. Freya Academy we know today.”

Himiko hated Honkai, but she wasn’t stupid. Hearing Theresa’s words, she realized something, and a look of surprise and uncertainty appeared on her face.

“Could it be that the Valkyries are…”

Theresa nodded in agreement, confirming her thoughts, and then frankly stated:

“Originally, only the three major families and a very small number of Honkai candidates could become Valkyries because it has very strict requirements regarding Honkai adaptability. It was precisely because of the research on the Second Herrscher after the Second Eruption that the application of Honkai abilities was greatly enhanced.”

“Therefore, St. Freya Academy was able to become a base for recruiting and training Valkyries, training more Valkyries.”

Hearing this answer, Himiko wasn't surprised. Or rather, she had already suspected it.

“So that's how it is…”

But in Mei's opinion, there was still a problem.

She rested her chin on her hand, quite puzzled, and said:

“Since Herrscher research has progressed, why revive a Herrscher?”

The Valkyrie force was complete. Logically, they should no longer need to rely on a Herrscher's power.

Not to mention resurrecting a Herrscher.

Theresa gave Mei a deep look and said in a low voice:

"The reason is simple: to fight the next Herrscher…that is, you, Raiden Mei…and many more Herrschers who will be born afterward."

"The Honkai frenzy has never stopped. The scars left from fighting the Second Herrscher still burn fiercely in the glacier. We have paid too high a price. Without a decisive means, it will be difficult to defeat the powerful enemies that appear later."

As she spoke, she uttered words that made Mei, Himiko, and the others' expressions change slightly:

"And the best weapon to fight against Herrschers is a Herrscher."

Theresa gave this answer.

...

Otto, on the other hand, revealed a satisfied smile.

Judging solely from Theresa's attitude toward Honkai and the leadership qualities she displayed in the scene, he was already very satisfied.

If only his lovely granddaughter could be as reassuring as Theresa from another world...

Frankly, now that he had found the possibility of resurrecting Kallen, Otto felt it wasn't impossible for him to abdicate immediately and let Theresa inherit the position of Overseer of Schicksal.

Unfortunately, his granddaughter was still somewhat immature.

Otto glanced at Theresa with a hint of regret.

Although she had grown considerably, she was still too inexperienced.

At that level, while she wouldn't completely ruin Schicksal, managing such a vast organization would be an extremely difficult task.

At least, unless absolutely necessary,

Otto would never give Theresa the position of Overseer of Schicksal.

That would be irresponsible toward Schicksal.

…

Deeper inside, even Himiko couldn't help but cough, her expression strained. She muttered,

"Cough cough! The concentration of Honkai energy is getting higher and higher… Even Nagazora City hasn't encountered anything like this…"

The concentration of Honkai energy here had reached an extremely terrifying level.

Noticing this, Theresa raised her hand and gave an order:

"Anyway, ordinary Valkyries can no longer resist the corruption of Honkai. Himiko, take the others and evacuate first."

Even for ordinary Valkyries, there was a limit to how much Honkai they could endure. Although she needed to search for Kiana, as the headmistress of St. Freya Academy, Theresa could never allow her subordinates to risk their lives just to find her niece.

The rest of the journey was up to her.

However, Himiko objected to this decision. Though struggling, her attitude remained resolute:

"No! At least let me stay by your side! That's my only request! And…Kiana is also my student. I have an obligation to bring her back."

Seeing Himiko's expression, Theresa felt a headache coming on.

Given Himiko's constitution, continuing like this would definitely cause permanent damage.

But…Himiko's resolute attitude and the reasons she gave made it impossible for Theresa to refuse.

Reluctantly, she could only nod and agree.

"Hmm...okay."

Unlike ordinary Valkyries, Mei appeared remarkably relaxed in this high-Honkai energy area.

She rested her index finger on her chin, recalled what Theresa had just said, and asked with considerable confusion:

"Will our opponent in the upcoming battle really be the Second Herrscher...? If even Schicksal couldn't successfully revive a Herrscher, will Anti-Entropy really..."

Theresa, walking along, explained.

"Judging from the current situation, it's not that Schicksal lacked the ability to revive one, but rather that one of the essential elements for reviving a Herrscher was taken away by Anti-Entropy."

"A Herrscher Core..."

Bronya remembered the thing Cocolia had mentioned.

Theresa nodded.

“That’s right. After the Second Eruption, Schicksal’s power was greatly weakened. At that time, a mysterious organization appeared and demanded that we hand over the remains of a Herrscher—that was Anti-Entropy.”

“And Anti-Entropy’s bargaining chip was their leader, the self-proclaimed First Herrscher, ‘Welt.’”

Bronya, Cocolia’s daughter, frowned upon hearing this name.

“Welt…the founder of Anti-Entropy. But Bronya has never met him; he seems like just a fictional character.”

Theresa sighed, her eyes filled with recollection:

“But it was indeed this First Herrscher who demonstrated his power to Schicksal…Having just experienced the Second Eruption, Schicksal was powerless to resist another Herrscher and could only agree to their request…but we didn’t reveal everything.”

“While we handed over the most important Herrscher Core to Anti-Entropy, we secretly kept the other elements of the resurrected Herrscher hidden away in the Dogma District. Therefore, Anti-Entropy’s goal this time is to combine the core with the other fragments.”

She said this, but Mei still had doubts after hearing the answer.

"Is this really possible...to resurrect a Herrscher or something..."

Theresa remained noncommittal.

"But this is just a theoretical report. Hopefully, this isn't the final result."

She gazed ahead, her expression serious.

"Let's hurry! The Dogma District is just ahead. No matter what, immeasurable danger stands in our way..."

…

“No way…that Welt from that world…he sounds like some kind of villain?”

Himiko raised an eyebrow, glancing at Welt.

Since it involved their own organization, Tesla felt a little less confident, but she still offered an explanation:

“…Anything’s possible…and wanting the wreckage doesn’t necessarily mean they’re doing bad things.”

After all, it was their organization. Even if it was from another world, Tesla didn’t want it to be villainous.

"Heh...your Cocolia's really putting on a villainous act, making such a big fuss while your own leader didn't even rebel. I bet your leader in that world is either dead or surrounded by a bunch of snakes and rats."

Jackal, who had a bit of a falling out with Tesla, seized the opportunity to mock her.

This infuriated Tesla, but she had to admit that what Jackal said might actually be true.

With Cocolia making such a big fuss, Welt, as the leader, couldn't possibly have been oblivious unless he was deaf or blind.

Yet Cocolia's actions went so smoothly; this was clearly tacit approval.

Einstein knew this was true, but she couldn't just stand by and watch her colleague be bullied by the World Serpent. Frankly, she also disliked Jackal.

So, with their mutual dislike, Einstein retorted without hesitation:

"Perhaps the stance of Anti-Entropy in that world is indeed controversial, but...aren't your World Serpents similar?"

The underlying meaning was clear: perhaps Anti-Entropy wasn't exactly benevolent in another world.

But judging from their goals, the World Serpents weren't exactly saints either.

Jackal scoffed.

"Hmph...just foolish thinking. How could you possibly understand the existence of the sacred World Serpent? The World Serpent is a great organization that cannot be judged by good or evil!"

Joyce and Welt exchanged wry smiles.

"Mommy...where are you..."

Kiana, in an unknown space, was puzzled upon hearing the childish, gentle voice. She then scratched her head, recalling what had just happened:

"Uh...what's that voice? I remember rushing into the furnace just now, and then..."

A small figure appeared before her.

Long purple hair cascaded down her back, and her childlike, exquisitely beautiful face had bright eyes that seemed to sparkle with tears.

She tilted her head and looked at Kiana.

"Mom...is that you? Did you come to pick me up...?"

Hearing this address, Kiana's pretty face fell.

I'm still a young girl in the prime of my life. I can't possibly be called "Mom" by you.

But seeing the girl's frail appearance, Kiana couldn't bring herself to be angry. She simply hesitated, politely declined.

"No...I think you've mistaken me for someone else. I'm not your mother. My name is Kiana."

The girl paused, and her eyes dimmed for a moment. She looked up at Kiana, her voice soft and weak:

"Not...Mom...but you smell like Mom, a warm smell like the sun..."

"Ahaha That's too kind Who are you? Can you tell me where this is?"

Kiana chuckled and scratched her head sheepishly. Looking at the girl, she realized she didn't know her name and asked curiously.

The little girl held her head high and clutched her clothes as she replied innocently.

"I'm Sirin...this is my world..."

Hearing this, Kiana was puzzled.

She rested her chin on her hand and looked around, somewhat confused.

"Your world? It looks quite desolate here. Besides some scrap metal, there seems to be nothing. Aren't you lonely?"

But Sirin appeared confused by the question.

"What does loneliness mean? I'm waiting here for Mom...because Mom said she'd come to pick me up..."

Having received an answer, Kiana looked at Sirin. A thought crept into her mind, and she smiled gently.

"Really? You're waiting for someone important too? But just waiting won't get you anywhere. You have to reach out and hold their hand yourself~"

Sirin tilted her head, slightly puzzled.

"Reach out...myself?"

"That's right Let me take you to the outside world! Your mother is definitely waiting for you there"

"..."

Faced with Kiana's invitation, Sirin's eyes reflected Kiana's image, and she nodded obediently.

"Um!"

---

Chapter 228: Kiana....?

“Sirin?... Isn’t that Sirin? Come to think of it, this little girl is actually the Second Herrscher? She’s quite different from the one we remember.”

Tesla had personally experienced the Second Eruption and recognized the presence of Sirin in the video. Comparing her to the one she had seen before, she couldn’t help but click her tongue in astonishment.

Although she didn’t know the details, judging from Sirin’s behavior in the video, her obedient demeanor made it impossible for her to believe that she was a fierce Herrscher. Instead, she seemed more like a naive, obedient, and lovable child.

The Second Herrscher they had encountered was different.

Although both were young, their personalities were extremely twisted. Every word and action revealed malice and slander toward humanity.

The difference between the two was like heaven and earth.

Cecilia shook her head and spoke seriously.

“...No, if we’re talking about Sirin... Sirin, who hadn’t experienced those things, should have been a good child.”

Unlike Anti-Entropy, who was always fighting Sirin to the death, she had personally experienced that period of time with Sirin, even if it was fictional.

But Cecilia was certain that Sirin, by her side at that time, was definitely a good and obedient child.

“...That’s true.” Tesla nodded in agreement with Cecilia’s statement.

How bad could a child in their teens be?

The reason she became so hateful toward humanity... was purely due to the pressure of her surroundings.

So...

In the end,

“It’s still Schicksal’s fault!”

Tesla glared at Otto with displeasure.

If it weren’t for that Tower of Babylon, filled with sin, how could that accident have happened and turned a young child into a great enemy of humanity?

Otto smiled and offered no explanation.

The tragedy of the Second Herrscher was indeed caused by Schicksal.

However, the technology that leaked from that Babylonian laboratory played a crucial role in Schicksal’s later resistance against Honkai and maintenance of world peace.

Therefore, Otto expressed the highest respect and apology to the persecuted children for creating that tragedy.

But he would never regret doing it.

Even if given the chance again, and even knowing that doing so might create a devastating Herrscher, Otto would likely focus more on how to nip the future Herrscher in the bud.

... 

Kiana’s Mental Space

“Oh... you were quite cute in that world, but now you look so deadpan... I can’t imagine it... well, definitely not as cute as my Seele.”

Black Seele, seizing the opportunity, mocked the Herrscher of the Void without hesitation.

Then she was kicked back to her own home.

“Well then, I won’t linger.”

Sensing the Herrscher of the Void’s extremely bad mood, Herrscher Mei discreetly left after saying this.

...

The image continued, connecting to the previous one.

Theresa, leading a small group forward, looked at the area and couldn’t help but sigh:

“We’re now in the Dogma Zone... Even I couldn’t enter without headquarters’ permission.”

Meanwhile, Mei looked around, pursed her lips, and shouted loudly, trying to get Kiana to hear her.

“Kiana’s here!? Kiana!”

“Wait! Don’t make any rash moves...”

Theresa understood Mei’s reaction, but still helplessly stopped her. Looking at the breached ceiling, she said with a headache,

“The top of the Dogma Zone has been smashed by a warship... I didn’t expect Anti-Entropy to have such a method of breaking in.”

She turned to Bronya and asked,

“Bronya, can you detect the nearby Honkai energy fluctuations?”

Because of the rush, she hadn’t brought any Honkai energy detection equipment. But as far as she knew, Bronya possessed this ability.

However, in such a high-concentration area, Theresa wasn’t sure if she could find anything unusual.

Bronya didn’t disappoint her. Although she found it somewhat difficult, she quickly arrived at a result:

“The Honkai energy concentration nearby is very high... If we were to pinpoint it, there’s only one slightly different spot, located directly below the Moonlight Throne, right in front of us.”

As Bronya spoke, Theresa looked directly at the Moonlight Throne and nodded slightly. Then she solemnly addressed the person beside her.

“Understood. Prepare for battle. No matter Kiana’s condition, we cannot act rashly, understand?!”

(She knew who she was referring to.)

Mei remained silent before replying, “Okay...”

Below the Moonlight Throne, in the spot Bronya had scouted, a figure was already standing there.

It was Cocolia!

She, too, hadn’t died from the warship’s crash.

But Cocolia looked somewhat disheveled.

However, she stood with her hands on her hips, laughing and cheering wildly as if possessed.

“Hehehe... haha, all the conditions are met! The final symphony has begun, and humanity will welcome the gods of a new world!”

Thump!

A dull thud echoed as Kiana landed on the ground.

“Ouch! That hurts... How did I fall like that?!”

Kiana scrambled to her feet, rubbed her aching bottom, and cried out in pain.

Mei, who had just seen her, immediately beamed with joy.

“Kiana! Are you alright?!”

Himeko and Theresa, who had been worried about her safety, also breathed a sigh of relief.

“It’s good that you’re alright.”

“Mei-senpai?! You’re all alright too? That’s great~”

Kiana was also pleasantly surprised to see them.

However, Cocolia’s mood was clearly not as good as theirs.

After a moment of silence, she glanced at Kiana with considerable surprise and spoke unhappily.

“...You’re still alive?”

“Hmph~ I’m not that easy to kill! I still have a lot of things to do!”

Kiana wiped her nose, a smug smile spreading across her face. Then, staring intently at Cocolia, she said with absolute certainty.

“First, I have to stop your crazy antics!”

“Hmph... you wretched girl, still so annoying in the end!”

Cocolia didn’t give her a friendly look, and neither did Kiana.

“That’s wonderful! Let’s settle all our scores, old and new!”

“Cocolia... it’s all over. Your plan failed.”

Theresa looked at Cocolia and spoke in a low voice. Cocolia merely chuckled and shook her head slightly.

“Heh... no, as long as my daughter is alive, she will definitely fulfill my wish...”

These words instantly made Kiana think of something. She glanced at Cocolia strangely before saying unhappily:

“Daughter... you mean Sirin? She’s not your daughter!”

How could that well-behaved child be this crazy woman’s daughter?

“!?!”

Theresa’s expression changed in surprise. She tentatively asked,

“Kiana... you saw the Second Herrscher?”

This reaction puzzled Kiana. She readily admitted it and frankly recounted her ordeal.

“Yes~ In a desolate place, there was a little girl waiting for her mother and looking very lonely. I promised to take her to find her mother. Anyway, I also have to find my awful father...”

But...

Thump!!

In an instant, a heavy sound came from her chest and struck Kiana like a thunderbolt. She clutched her chest and collapsed.

This sudden situation startled Mei, who looked at Kiana anxiously.

“Kiana... what’s wrong?!”

Bronya, who was beside her, seemed to notice something. Her brows furrowed. After checking again, she looked at Kiana, who was clutching her chest in surprise and doubt, and murmured:

“Intense Honkai energy flow detected. Honkai energy in the core area is converging. This is... emanating from Kiana’s body... the energy of the Herrscher core...”

“Waaah... what is this...? My body feels so awful!”

Kiana’s painful reaction, coupled with Bronya’s report, made Theresa pause. She looked at Kiana in disbelief.

“The Second Herrscher... Could she have fused with Kiana?!... How is this possible?”

This sudden situation was also unexpected for Cocolia.

However, having sensed something from Kiana’s words and actions, she looked at her with great confusion before quickly realizing a possibility...

A look of surprise and uncertainty appeared on her face as she hurriedly asked:

“Able to bear the power of a Herrscher core... Who is this girl...? Wait! Is your father named Siegfried?!”

“Uh... How did you know?”

Kiana, enveloped in discomfort, subconsciously replied, which plunged Cocolia into ecstasy.

She laughed loudly, far louder than before, then looked at the pained Kiana and said in a strange, mocking tone:

“Heh heh heh... Hahaha!! So everything is working according to God’s will! Kiana, you don’t need to look for your father anymore, because Siegfried, he...”

In that instant of pause, Theresa understood what Cocolia was trying to say and exclaimed in shock and anger.

“Don’t tell her!”

But it was too late.

“He’s already dead!”

Upon hearing this, the pain coursing through her body seemed to vanish in an instant. Kiana paused for a moment before looking at the mocking Cocolia in disbelief and roaring:

“What... what...? Impossible! How could Dad be dead?!”

This reaction was exactly what Cocolia had expected.

In fact, it was exactly the reaction she had hoped for.

Looking at the angry and completely disbelieving Kiana, Cocolia gave a cold laugh and revealed the information she possessed:

“Heh heh heh... what an ignorant little girl. According to Anti-Entropy’s intelligence, Siegfried died in 2012. The cause of death was his involvement in the Schicksal hunt for the Herrscher prototype’s rampage... It seems the so-called Herrscher prototype is you, little girl!”

She spoke while looking at Kiana with considerable surprise.

To be honest, even for her, Kiana’s identity was quite a surprise.

Of course, it was now a pleasant surprise.

After hearing Cocolia’s revelation, Theresa showed a look of disbelief and uncertainty. She denied it, yet seemed to consider a possibility... her face turned extremely grim.

“Retrieving the Herrscher prototype... Impossible! The report I received said it was due to accidental injury during the pursuit of the traitorous Siegfried and his daughter... How could this be...? Could it be that the Second Herrscher resurrection experiment back then was...”

This expression, in Kiana’s eyes, meant something.

She looked at Theresa with disbelief, hope, and excitement, even calling her by name.

“How is this possible...? Theresa! You’re telling me she’s lying! Daddy isn’t dead!”

For Kiana at this moment...

She desperately hoped that Cocolia was lying.

That Theresa would step forward and deny everything that crazy woman had said.

That she would tell her that her father was still alive.

But...

Theresa looked troubled, hesitant, and uncertain.

“Kiana... I...”

This seemed like confirmation, but Cocolia wasn’t satisfied.

Looking at Kiana’s hopeful face, she smiled and revealed even more malice.

“Hehehe... It seems there are still many communication problems at Schicksal headquarters~ Well then, let me tell you another truth...”

“The place where Siegfried died was the ruins of a massive Honkai attack, and Siegfried died from Honkai corruption, which means...”

In Kiana’s despairing eyes, Cocolia, with a mocking expression, uttered the cruel truth word by word:

“He was killed by his own ‘daughter’!”

These short sentences, each word like a red-hot iron, left an indelible mark on Kiana’s fragile heart.

Her once bright, sky-blue eyes, free and hopeful, were now filled with chaos, deep despair, and disbelief.

She staggered backward, ignoring the strange sensation in her body.

“Ah... impossible... this can’t be! I killed Father... how could it be?! I don’t believe it!!”

And this was exactly the reaction Cocolia had hoped for.

Looking at Kiana, who had reached this point, Cocolia laughed and delivered the final blow with malice:

“Hahaha! The evidence is obvious! You can accept the power of the Herrscher core! This proves you are the prototype Schicksal created to resurrect the Second Herrscher! You are the ‘god’ who will destroy the world!!”

In an instant.

Kiana’s already shattered spirit and remaining will to persevere seemed to crumble completely.

Desperate and furious, she repeatedly denied the answer until finally, the sorrow and despair contained in her words resonated deeply with everyone around her.

“No! No!! No!!! No!!!!!!!!!”

Seeing Kiana crumble under the cruel reality, Mei panicked but still tried to comfort her.

“Kiana! Calm down!”

She tried to approach Kiana, but a massive amount of Honkai energy was already gathering around her.

It was so powerful that even Mei, as the Third Herrscher, could barely move and was unable to advance an inch.

Bronya, meanwhile, covered her face with her hands and anxiously reported to Theresa:

“The Honkai energy has exceeded the critical point. A new Honkai eruption is about to occur. Mei-neechan, Headmistress Theresa, Bronya suggests immediate evacuation.”

But at this moment, even Theresa’s judgment was affected.

Looking at her niece, engulfed in deep despair and surrounded by Honkai energy, Theresa desperately called out:

“Kiana!!!”

But...

This couldn’t soothe Kiana’s broken heart.

It only fueled her despair and agitation.

Tears streamed down her face as Kiana looked at Cocolia, Theresa, Mei, Himeko, and Bronya.

Her heart, consumed by despair, roared:

“You’ve all lied to me!!!!”

Cocolia, on the other hand, laughed even harder, spreading her arms wide and loudly encouraging and provoking:

“That’s right! More hatred! Hatred for one’s own powerlessness and helplessness, that’s humanity!!”

That infuriating behavior made Tesla and the other viewers want to rush in and tear that bastard’s mouth apart.

How could people be so evil?!

“Stop Kiana! We can’t let her merge with the Herrscher core!”

Unaware that her actions had enraged the enemy, Cocolia chuckled coldly at Theresa, who was still struggling, before turning to Mei, who was barely moving:

“Heh... she’s not a true Herrscher yet. There’s only one condition left to open the gate, Raiden Mei... Only when you return the Second Herrscher’s essence within you to its rightful owner will God truly descend!!”

Under her cold gaze...

Bronya realized the situation was irreversible and sighed. She summoned Project Bunny, took a deep breath, and gave the order:

“The Honkai energy rampage is out of control... Project Bunny, deploy and prepare to receive the impact.”

Defying the Honkai energy, Mei rushed forward recklessly.

“Kiana!!”

This caused Theresa’s expression to change.

“Mei!! You can’t go!”

Amid the Honkai energy so dense that it obscured her vision, Mei lost her way and frantically called out the other girl’s name.

“Kiana... Kiana!!”

BOOM!!

Watching the Honkai eruption suddenly subside, Theresa stared in disbelief.

“The Honkai energy rampage... it’s stopped?”

“Kiana... where is she?”

With her vision clearing, Mei stood blankly while frantically searching for the figure she so desperately wanted to see.

“An extremely powerful Honkai source has been detected ahead... This level surpasses the peak of the Third Eruption...”

Bronya was protected by Project Bunny but still severely injured. She had shocking white marks on her arm and cheek. However, she remained expressionless while staring intently ahead.

“That figure... could it be...?”

Theresa stared at the indistinct figure with uncertainty.

Mei, meanwhile, stared blankly at the figure—completely different from the Kiana she remembered, devoid of warmth, with only coldness in the purple robes and golden eyes.

“Kiana...?”

 Chapter 229: The March of Finality Can No Longer Be Stopped....

"It turns out... That's right... What is it?"

Kiana looked at the video, then at the expressionless "Kiana". She didn’t know what to say for a while.

The part revealed in this image evoked bad memories in Kiana's heart.

It was the same accident that happened when her father took her to avoid Schicksal's pursuit in a border town.

The only difference between her and Kiana was that the father in Kiana's world was dead, while her own father was still alive.

But... for her at the beginning, just knowing that Siegfried had lost an arm because of her was enough to fill Kiana with regret.

And if it were her learning that the father she had been searching for all this time had actually died because of her, Kiana felt that she would completely collapse as well.

“… So it's because of me?”

The final answer was before him, and his expression became terrible after realizing that Kiana had become such a heartbreaking figure because of his death in another world.

Siegfried gritted his teeth and looked at Kiana angrily.

"...really useless..."

This was not directed at Kiana, but at his dead self from another world.

Why did he die like that?

Leaving his daughter like this was too irresponsible!

"This can't be helped..." Himeko sighed.

Many times, how can a person's life and death be decided by themselves?

Seele also rubbed her red, tear-soaked eyes, whimpered, and gritted her teeth.

“… It's really sad... Mother Cocolia...is too terrible..."

If the previous scenes had only made Seele disappointed in Cocolia from that world, then the cruelty and malice that drove Kiana into despair and turned her into this left only sadness and hatred in Seele's heart.

Bronya did not know how to evaluate it, so she could only reach out and pat Seele's head comfortingly while sighing.

Bianka, who was full of justice, was no longer silent. Her beautiful face was filled with disgust and anger.

She spoke unhappily, "What a disgusting person..."

Perhaps because of Otto, Bianka's view of good and evil was not so absolute.

However, Cocolia's crazy and malicious actions in the video were enough for even Bianka to regard her as an evil that had to be eliminated.

"Hmm..."

Otto did not show the slightest anger. Instead, he touched his chin and revealed an interested expression.

He was a wicked man.

A scumbag who could disregard human ethics and betray humanity without hesitation in order to achieve his goals.

He dismissed foolish people like Cocolia.

But the result she obtained aroused Otto's interest.

After all, that was the Herrscher of Finality.

According to the records, an entire era had been destroyed by that existence.

That foolish and uncontrollable plan had ultimately given birth to the Herrscher of Finality.

Otto was curious about such a variable.

Driven by this curiosity, the video slowly advanced.

After seeing Kiana's appearance, Cocolia opened her arms toward the sky like a madwoman and approached with a wild smile.

"Ahh! Success! The door to the realm of the gods is finally open! Come on! My daughter, please grant us eternal life and strength!"

Seeing her posture, Theresa's expression changed, and she warned loudly.

"Cocolia! Get out of there! Humans will be infected immediately by such violent Honkai Energy."

Although the other party had caused many incidents and stirred up trouble countless times, they were still different from villains like Cocolia, who had no moral bottom line at all.

Even if she hated her, Theresa still did not want to see another human die under Honkai's assault.

However, how could Cocolia pay attention to Theresa's warning at this time?

She walked toward Kiana without hesitation, sneering, laughing, and acting crazily as she moved.

"Hehe...... Theresa! Do you see it?! This is my daughter... How beautiful! How powerful! No one can take her away anymore!"

"Mom... Are you here?"

Sirin's crisp voice sounded. Upon hearing it, Cocolia smiled happily and hurriedly responded:

"Yes! Mom is here! Come back into your mother's arms!"

"Mom..."

"Hahaha!! Hahaha!!"

Looking at Cocolia laughing wildly while being overwhelmed by Honkai Energy, Theresa felt especially heavy-hearted.

"Cocolia... was swallowed by Honkai in the furnace..."

“…”

There was no time to think about anything else. Sensing Kiana's cold and chilling gaze and recalling what Cocolia had just said, Theresa reacted and rushed toward Mei urgently while saying to the others.

"Protect Mei! Now there's still a way to stop the great Honkai eruption from happening!"

Mei herself was still frozen in place. Looking at Kiana's murderous and cold expression with tears in her eyes, she was still unwilling to believe it.

"Kiana...... It's not true... Wake up!"

She recalled the energetic girl who would smile and call her Senior Sister. Seeing her like this now made her feel as though her heart were being cut apart.

"She's not Kiana anymore... She's a puppet controlled by the Second Herrscher. We must bring Kiana back."

Theresa rushed to Mei's side and dropped the Oath of Judah she was carrying. The heavy Judah embedded itself into the ground.

She skillfully pulled out an obsidian javelin from Judah. It was already cracked. Staring solemnly at Kiana, she said decisively:

"Prepare for battle!"

As this scene unfolded, Jackal revealed an expectant expression.

"Oh oh... Is this the next battle between humanity and the Herrscher of Finality? Although there is information about the Herrscher of Finality in the records of the Previous Era... this is the first time I've seen it with my own eyes. We should be able to obtain excellent data from this, right?"

Hearing this, Kevin's cold face twitched slightly after having already figured out the situation from Hua.

"Herrscher of Finality..."

Su sighed. After learning the full truth about this space from Hua, he could not help but become solemn when facing the enemy that had destroyed their era.

He even opened his eyes, revealing pupils filled with depth.

"Hehe... Let me witness the power capable of destroying an era."

Otto clapped his hands and smiled. Like Jackal, he looked forward to the upcoming display of Finality.

Mei, Bronya, and the others connected to Kiana remained silent.

They were also curious about the power of the Herrscher of Finality and the battle fought against her in another world.

But...

Even if she was the Herrscher of Finality, she was also their friend, Kiana.

Recalling everything they had seen before regarding Kiana and their shared experiences...

They had fought side by side and escaped together from Nagazora, the city infested by Honkai.

Yet in the end, Kiana, who had once fought alongside them in another world, had become their enemy.

How could that not weigh heavily on them?

Expectation, mixed emotions, everything was reflected in Kiana's eyes.

Her golden eyes shifted slightly, revealing only a trace of sadness.

Mei took the initiative to hold Kiana's hand and looked at her sideways.

After that, no more words were spoken.

Next came the end.

——That painful day.

Under everyone's gaze, the stagnant image changed.

In an instant, the scenery shifted.

The surrounding environment was no longer pale.

"Here... St. Freya Academy?!"

Wendy recognized the place immediately and looked around in surprise.

Although it looked abandoned and differed greatly from the St. Freya they remembered, it was still St. Freya Academy.

Not the St. Freya they knew.

But the St. Freya Kiana had experienced.

“… We're back in this place..."

Kiana also moved slightly, pacing a few steps while scanning the surroundings. Her eyes carried traces of complexity and melancholy.

At that moment, Seele screamed and pointed in a certain direction.

"Look over there!"

Everyone followed Seele's gaze and saw Kiana, the "Herrscher of Finality," standing there exactly as before, dressed in purple and holding the Judgement Gun.

And then...

Himeko, armed with a greatsword, charged toward Kiana.

Amid sorrowful and indescribable ballads, the "Herrscher of Finality" Kiana raised the weapon in her hand expressionlessly.

"Clang!"

The blades collided.

But there was not even the slightest stalemate.

The greatsword infused with all of Himeko's strength shattered effortlessly.

And Himeko herself...

"Himeko!"

"Himeko-sensei!"

"Ahhhhhhh!!"

Watching this happen, Kiana's pupils shrank slightly as rage surged uncontrollably within her.

In an instant, the Honkai Energy around her swelled violently, transforming her into the Blue-Eyed Herrscher form.

The Subspace Lance that appeared alongside Kiana shot toward the "Herrscher of Finality," piercing her chest before disappearing.

Sensing the weight against her body, Kiana turned around and saw Himeko.

Himeko smiled helplessly.

"Kiana, I'm fine."

At that moment, Kiana and the others reacted.

This was only an image.

… Even knowing this was just an image...

Even knowing this was not the Himeko they knew...

Watching her death with their own eyes still caused Kiana to burst into tears.

Tears of sorrow overflowed endlessly.

And it was not just Kiana.

Bronya, Theresa, and the others who were close to Himeko also shed tears simultaneously, but Kiana's emotions were the strongest.

Mei sighed softly.

Was that all?

Because Himeko's death was so shocking...

… But what they needed to know was that this was only the beginning.

Himeko's death was by no means the last.

The next one to fall before the Herrscher of Finality was...

Theresa.

Seeing her subordinate die before her eyes, Theresa could not care about the sadness in her heart. She gritted her teeth so hard it seemed blood might spill from them.

She charged angrily at Kiana, her former niece who was now the Herrscher of Finality.

The incredibly sturdy obsidian spear was hurled at the opponent with all her might.

But...

The incomparably hard obsidian spear shattered instantly under an overwhelming force and scattered across the ground.

Then, the second victim appeared.

The small figure leaned weakly against Judah, her body covered in wounds as her unwilling eyes closed forever.

The bloodstains spreading across her torn clothes were horrifying.

"Theresa!"

Himeko and Cecilia cried out simultaneously before exchanging bitter smiles.

They said those children could not distinguish reality from illusion.

But now, after witnessing the deaths of their closest companions, what difference was there between them and Kiana?

"Lady Theresa..." "Senior Theresa..."

Rita's beautiful face was filled with sorrow, and Bianka, who regarded Theresa as her senior, could not stop her tears after witnessing the death of another Theresa.

“…”

Otto remained expressionless, but his hands trembled slightly.

A self-proclaimed rational villain should not display emotions like ordinary people.

After all, he clearly understood the distinction.

However, humans were human precisely because they possessed emotions in addition to rationality.

Otto was a rational villain, but he was still human.

Even rational evil could not escape this truth.

Simply put, he was angry.

But...

The tragedy clearly had not ended.

Under the furious gazes of Kiana and the others, Kiana floated in the air like a god high above everything else.

In those indifferent eyes, anyone who attempted resistance was no different from ants.

She turned toward her next targets:

Seele and Bronya, who were standing close together.

A cold light flashed in the eyes of the "Herrscher of Finality" Kiana.

The area around Bronya and Seele became surrounded by terrifying Honkai Energy, forming an ominous magic array.

Then, from the sky...

An even more terrifying power descended. Its mere appearance made everyone present — even Kevin, Hua, and the MANTIS soldiers of the Previous Era — feel suffocated.

"My god..."

The little girl standing beside Hua trembled in fear at the sight of the sphere of light and immediately clung to Water's Edge.

The sphere descended directly toward the center of the magic array where Bronya and Seele stood.

"Crack!"

In an instant, Project Bunny suffered heavy damage.

The armor originating from the Previous Era — said to be capable of withstanding enormous attacks without major damage — shattered instantly.

Project Bunny collapsed.

The next death followed immediately after.

To protect the weakened Bronya, Seele gripped her scythe and charged resolutely toward the Herrscher of Finality.

Seeing this scene, Bronya seemed to realize the outcome. Her usually expressionless face completely fell apart.

"Don't go! Seele!!"

She reached out almost simultaneously with Black Seele, who suddenly emerged.

However, they were only bystanders after all...

In the desperate eyes of Bronya and Black Seele, Seele was killed by a single strike from the Herrscher of Finality.

Her strength and vitality vanished as she fell weakly from the sky before dissipating within Bronya's grasp.

Their reunion, which should have been filled with joy, became a farewell instead.

“… Seele…”

Bronya froze after witnessing Seele's death with her own eyes.

The Herrscher Core within her chest lost control, and Honkai Energy instantly eroded her body, transforming her into her Herrscher form.

Dark golden gears spun frantically.

“Seele… Seele… Seele… Seele!!!”

Seeing Bronya's crazed expression for the first time, "Kiana" remained emotionless.

She raised a hand.

In an instant, like a punctured balloon, Bronya returned to normal, and the violent Herrscher Core inside her dimmed.

Everything happened too quickly for either Welt or Joyce to react.

Even if they had acted, it would not have mattered.

Within this Q&A Space, Bronya would not truly be harmed.

If Kiana had not acted first, the Q&A Space itself might have stepped in to suppress Bronya's outburst.

“… Seele…”

Wendy's eyes also filled with sorrow, and the Honkai Energy around her became unstable.

Bronya's reaction in the video was one of complete despair.

But only for a moment.

In the video.

Soon, Bronya appeared to have made some kind of decision.

She turned toward Mei, who remained standing there, and revealed a final smile.

Then...

Boom!!

The heavily damaged Project Bunny sensed its master's determination and once again fought alongside her despite its ruined state.

Then, in the confrontation against the Herrscher of Finality... it vanished instantly.

After Theresa, Himeko, and Seele, Bronya also died.

At this moment, Mei was the only one left in the ruined St. Freya Academy.

"Why... Kiana, why did it become like this..."

Like a puppet, Mei picked up the last thing Bronya had left behind — the scarred Homu doll — and looked up at Kiana with confused eyes.

"Himeko-sensei... Principal Theresa... Seele... Bronya..."

She called out the names of those important companions one by one after witnessing each of their deaths.

Tears overflowed uncontrollably as Mei questioned her in confusion and anger:

"Why did you kill them..."

“Kiana!!!”

She hugged the final relic left behind by her companions and roared angrily.

In an instant, thunder crackled across the sky.

Looking at Mei like this, the Herrscher of Finality smiled faintly.

"Those who stand in my way... will die."

“Kiana! Weren't you trying to protect the world?!”

Mei's eyes were also filled with traces of Honkai. She stared directly at Kiana and declared firmly:

"I will definitely stop you!"

"It's useless...... You... can't stop it."

During their confrontation, Kiana spoke stiffly and coldly:

"I will... comply with... the will. Destroy... humanity..."

Boom!!

Finality collided with the power of thunder and lightning, unleashing terrifying waves of energy through the atmosphere.

From St. Freya Academy to the upper atmosphere, the battle continued until it broke beyond the planet itself.

In the end, Mei still failed.

With all her strength, she delivered one final weak punch toward Kiana.

Kiana caught Mei's hand expressionlessly, stared at her, and grabbed her by the throat.

"Cough..."

Looking at that face, memories of the past smiles resurfaced in Kiana's mind.

Yet her indifferent expression did not change.

But... she loosened her grip and gently stroked Mei's dying face.

"The End cannot be stopped..."

"Death is the beginning of a new life. Return the human soul to the beginning, and the world will return to peace..."

"We, as messengers of the gods, should complete this final ritual together..."

“Kiana…”

Looking at Mei calling her name through tears, Kiana quieted down and murmured softly:

“… Why are you crying?"

"Why... do I feel so sad inside..."

An indescribable sadness overflowed from her heart.

Looking at her last companion and only love before her, tears also overflowed from Kiana's eyes.

"Mei......"

"I'm sorry......"

"At least in the end... let's return together."

"Back to everyone..."

"Goodbye."

---

Chapter 230: Kiana... You Must Be in a Lot of Pain.

The devastating Honkai energy emanated from the divine mark between the brows of the Herrscher of Finality, beginning its predetermined eradication of this planet.

Unaware and living in peace, the people perished unwittingly under the Honkai death spots that swept across the globe.

Painless, instantaneous deaths.

This was perhaps Kiana's final act of kindness toward humanity.

Kiana and her companions experienced it firsthand. They faced this divine judgment that destroyed the entire surface and killed the vast majority of life.

Faced with this absolute power, the previous anger and sorrow became insignificant.

For only fear remained…

Only at this moment did Kiana and the others understand the true nature of the Honkai they faced.

Having witnessed this scene once again, "Kiana" unusually spoke first, and coldly stated.

"That wasn't a battle. At best, it was a massacre, a one-sided massacre."

"My beloved comrades were killed by my own hands. The world I wanted to protect was destroyed by my own hands."

She raised a hand. Her palm, covered in Honkai markings and shrouded in purple, was spotless, yet undeniably stained with blood.

Facing the crowd's varied expressions, "Kiana" spoke directly and softly:

"This is the truth you wanted to know about me, the truth about Kiana Kaslana, and the truth about the Herrscher of Finality."

That cold voice struck like a heavy hammer against their hearts.

What they had just experienced had undoubtedly cast a shadow over them.

Everyone's heart felt heavy.

“Cecilia!”

Only Cecilia rushed forward amid Theresa's gasp and everyone's shock, instinctively embracing… Kiana.

She embraced the sinner who destroyed an era, who murdered all her comrades.

“…”

"Kiana", unusually surprised, glanced down at Cecilia, who was tightly holding her.

“Why?”

She was puzzled, confused by Cecilia's actions.

Having witnessed everything,

having witnessed her murder her comrades, shouldn't Cecilia be afraid, disgusted, terrified of her?

Why… why was she embracing her?

Kiana was puzzled, but she silently restrained the Honkai energy emanating from her body.

As the Herrscher of Finality, the ultimate weapon of Honkai, even from a distance, most people would be intimidated and corrupted by the surging Honkai energy.

Upon arriving in this space, this continuous damage had been suppressed.

But if Cecilia made such a bold move as embracing her, even if this space healed her, the process would still be incredibly painful.

The feeling of being burned by Honkai energy was unbearable.

Facing Kiana's astonishment and confusion, Cecilia held her tightly, enduring the burning pain. Tears streamed down her face, yet she still smiled as she answered.

"...Isn't it natural for a mother to hold her daughter?"

For a moment, "Kiana" was lost in thought, murmuring:

"...Mom...?"

"Destroying the world, killing comrades... those things were indeed terrible, but... those weren't Kiana's intentions, were they?"

Cecilia gently raised her hand and stroked Kiana's cold face as she softly spoke:

"In that case... then, as a mother... let me bear this guilt."

She spoke softly, filled with deep sorrow:

"Kiana... you must have suffered so much these past years..."

In an instant, a moist sensation arose.

"Kiana"'s cold face, like melting ice, overflowed with tears she thought had dried up tens of thousands of years ago.

For nearly fifty thousand years, the sorrow that had nowhere to go burst forth like a flood breaking through a dam.

“…”

"Mei" watched calmly, a slight smile unconsciously curving her lips.

After all these long years...

…finally, there had been a positive change.

“…And you?”

Noticing "Mei"'s smile, Mei spoke first.

She understood the tragedies Kiana had endured, and she could comprehend Kiana's despair and regret.

But in Mei's eyes, this other self was different.

She and Kiana were different beings.

Mei could tell at a glance that this version of herself showed absolutely no regret, despair, or pain.

But…

That was only natural.

"...For me… for Raiden Mei, all that's left now is staying by Kiana's side, being with Kiana. That's all I have."

Companions, the past—everything had been forgotten over the long years, until even who she was had faded away.

But only the purpose of always being with Kiana was something Mei could never forget, and it was what drove her to act.

From a certain perspective…

The girl named Raiden Mei had actually died tens of thousands of years ago...

Now, she was merely Raiden Mei's obsession, a stigmata memory created to accompany Kiana and prevent her from being alone.

"Experiencing that despairing power again... it's truly a complex mix of emotions."

After seeing the Herrscher of Finality's world ending attack, Su was now filled with mixed feelings.

On one hand, he was troubled by the existence of the Herrscher of Finality.

On the other hand, he was concerned about what had happened between Kiana, the others, and the Herrscher of Finality...

The Herrscher of Finality, representing destruction, was actually so agreeable. How could these remnants of the old era, who had been utterly crushed, not have mixed feelings?

"...That power even surpasses what we've encountered before."

Kevin stated succinctly.

He estimated that if he had encountered that same power back then, he wouldn't even have been able to exchange blows with it.

It's lucky they weren't instantly killed like the other MANTIS.

But what was the point?

For them, being destroyed once or ten times made no difference.

"...Sigh..."

Fu Hua sighed.

The depressing video ended.

The surrounding environment, stained with Finality's death spots, returned to white.

No one cared to delve deeper into it. Instead, they looked toward the next question:

[2. Following Kevin's advice, Mei chose to leave Kiana. What happened between Mei and Kiana at the time of their separation?] 

[A. Kiana wanted to become an astronaut] 

[B. Mei cooked Kiana a farewell meal] 

[C. Kiana and Mei had a fierce battle] 

[D. Mei vs Kiana] 

Upon seeing the title, everyone who knew the situation was stunned.

Then they all turned toward Kevin.

"You big-eyed bastard!"

"So it was you who made Mei join World Serpent?"

Before, Kiana had been heartbroken and unable to understand why Mei would leave her in the future.

But now she realized that her ancestor was partly to blame.

"You old geezer, you're so wicked! You actually stole my Mei!"

"...Me from another world, and Kiana..."

"Mei" glanced at the title and raised an eyebrow.

...This was worth looking forward to.

But something seemed a little strange...

Mei rested her chin on her hand, her eyes scrutinizing the question.

"Hmm, by the way..."

She naturally knew about the Q&A Space.

When Kiana returned to her side, she excitedly told Mei about it.

At that time, Mei had been somewhat skeptical, but now that she was here in person, she no longer had any doubts.

“...”

Having regained her composure after Cecilia's embrace, "Kiana" stepped away.

Her expression returned to its previous blankness.

However, unlike before, she no longer looked as cold.

She looked up at the questions, then glanced at Kiana.

'Your life? Let me see…'

"I hope… it won't be as tragic as mine…"

She thought to herself.

They looked forward to both the process and the result.

But before that, analyzing the question was indispensable.

The useful information that could be extracted from this question was very limited.

And the answer…

“Hmm… seems to be another persecution answer.”

Fu Hua looked at the obviously unserious options and couldn't help but feel helpless.

“Next, we need to find the correct answer among these unserious choices.”

“First, let’s eliminate answer B. A breakup dinner is too much.”

Mei couldn't help but raise her hand and eliminate one answer.

She was leaving Kiana, yet she still had time to cook for her? How little pressure could she possibly be under?

And… a breakup dinner?!

She and Kiana clearly had a purely platonic friendship!

Breakup my foot!

"Let's cross out answer A too... it makes absolutely no sense."

Himeko remained noncommittal, pursing her lips as she removed another option.

Kiana wanted to become an astronaut?

What did Kiana wanting to become an astronaut have to do with Mei leaving her?

It was completely unimaginable.

Options A and B were eliminated without hesitation.

That left only C and D.

"As for D... it shouldn't be impossible, right...?"

The little darling looked up, resting her chin on her hand and looking incredibly cute.

"V... Impossible, absolutely impossible!"

Just thinking about it made Mei vehemently reject the idea.

Who was she, Raiden Mei?! Why would she go to Kiana before parting?! ...Even if she really liked Kiana, she could never do something like that!

"Then that leaves option C... It seems proper, but Bronya feels it's also somewhat improper... It just feels weird."

Bronya glanced at option C suspiciously, but after thinking it over, she still couldn't make sense of it.

"Couldn't there have been an option like me leaving silently or something...?"

Mei hesitated and tentatively raised one finger. She also found the answers rather strange.

Compared to the more exaggerated options...

Putting herself in Kiana's shoes, if she ever had to leave someday...

Mei was certain she would leave quietly, avoiding too much contact with Kiana and the others.

"Given the way this space has always operated, we can't rule out the possibility of that happening later. But right now... it's probably impossible."

Einstein bluntly dashed Mei's hopes, causing her to puff out her cheeks in frustration.

Seeing this, Einstein raised an eyebrow.

"Why don't you put your glasses on first?"

Without her glasses, Mei was a bit silly, her IQ completely out of sync with theirs.

But that was precisely why she could get along with Kiana.

"Forget it, forget it. I'll rely on you guys. If it really doesn't work, I'll figure it out myself... Wearing those glasses all the time is really uncomfortable."

Mei complained as she waved her hand.

She actually quite liked that wise feeling.

In that state, Mei felt like she could do anything.

But staying in that state all the time was really tiring.

So now she only wore them when necessary.

"Anyway, I'll just pick any answer... We probably don't need anything here... Hmm, well, maybe we do..."

Mei muttered to herself.

The answer was decided extremely casually:

"Choose C. A fierce battle ensued between Mei and Kiana."

And thus, the answer was decided.

But the right to choose began to circulate.

Based on fixed priorities, regarding this question, Kiana, Mei, and even Kevin could participate.

Kiana and Mei could originally have participated as well, but neither of them had much interest in the Q&A.

Entering the Q&A just to make a choice...

They were more interested in the outcome.

The selection method was... Russian roulette.

The Q&A Space provided each contestant with a fully loaded revolver.

They could shoot themselves, betting on whether the revolver jammed or not while experiencing the feeling of being shot in the head.

Seeing this, Fu Hua's smile strained. She almost couldn't help but exclaim:

I'm an expert!

Have you ever experienced a headshot?

Kiana and Mei both withdrew.

"Are you brain-dead?! Are you trying to kill yourselves over a Q&A?!"

Otto wore a regretful expression.

If it were him, his head would have been blown apart.

And after that, he could still laugh, pick up the shattered pieces, and put them back together.

Soulium was just that shameless.

Kevin won without a fight.

He himself showed no reaction at all. Holding the revolver, he didn't even respond for a moment.

He had originally planned to forfeit.

Although, as a MANTIS, a headshot shouldn't be fatal, Kevin didn't want to be tortured.

Unfortunately, Kiana and Mei were a cut above the rest. After understanding the rules, their speed in surrendering was comparable to a certain magician.

This time, Kevin could only accept the Q&A selection rights with tears in his eyes.

And then…

He looked at the question.

He immediately selected "A."

Yes, Kevin ultimately chose "A."

It wasn't that he hadn't heard Kiana's discussion about the question.

His choice was simply based on personal preference.

"Hey... Mei... my Mei..."

Is this something like that?

Kevin glanced at Mei wearing glasses and realized he had definitely taken an interest in her.

No... or rather, he had been observing Mei the entire time, even when she wasn't wearing glasses.

The one who wore glasses earlier had a ninety-nine percent resemblance.

Even their auras were similar.

Given a Mei like this, if Kevin had to choose, options B, C, and D—all of which were clearly somewhat strange—were obviously out of the question.

So naturally, Kevin followed his instincts and sent Kiana off to become an astronaut.

"...Suddenly, I feel a little annoyed..."

Kiana scratched her cheek, a look of displeasure appearing on her face.

She really wanted to beat up Kevin, this so-called ancestor of the Kaslana family.

[Incorrect. Correct answer: C]

Kevin's answer was predictably wrong.

After all, Kiana couldn't possibly become an astronaut.

But he himself didn't care at all.

He merely stared at the changing screen.

Because what followed was a fierce battle between Mei and Kiana!