"The power to conquer, the radiant light of thunder. What will you use to resist me now?"
The Herrscher of the Void stood atop Benares, looking down with amusement at Theresa and the others.
Mei was weakly held in Keqing's arms, Keqing herself covered in wounds.
Fu Hua and Bronya, who had rushed to reinforce them, were in similar states.
Yet the Herrscher of the Void was completely unharmed.
"Do you wish to reclaim this body, to save this girl?"
"Yes? Yes? Is she your important comrade, your important family?"
"Did you create precious memories together? Did you forge unbreakable promises?"
"If so—then let me use her body, her hands, to kill you all, one by one!"
"Let the people she cherishes most suffer the most vicious pain, the most cruel death in order to save her."
"Let beautiful past moments shatter, piece by piece, and vanish into despair and grief."
"I want those twisted faces, those broken limbs, to be the last sights in her eyes."
"Family, friends, happiness, dreams, future, hope—"
"She shall not have it, she does not deserve it, she will not have it!"
"Now, it is time for judgment!" wΑp.kanshu伍.net
The Herrscher of the Void waved her right hand, and countless spatial gates appeared behind her. A large number of void spears slowly materialized, preparing to deliver the final blow.
"Damn it."
Sakura gritted her teeth, her eyes red. An astonishing sword intent erupted from her body, and a layer of green light appeared on her surface.
Her figure immediately vanished from the world, and the Mist Blade, stuck in the ground, shot up abruptly, darting into the air.
"Zing!"
"Hmm… interesting."
The Herrscher of the Void seemed to sense something. She reached out her right hand, fingers pinching, and with a "clang," the tip of the Mist Blade was firmly held between her fingers.
"How amusing, attacking from within space… but alas, I am extremely sensitive to spatial fluctuations!"
The Herrscher of the Void gave a sharp flick, sending the Mist Blade flying out and embedding itself deeply into the ground.
"Sakura!!!"
"Don't worry, it's your turn soon!"
Just as the Herrscher of the Void was about to bring her hand down, she sensed another movement and smirked.
"Heh, it seems another uninvited little bug has flown in—"
*Boom!*
Fu Hua, clad in the **Shadow Knight: Moonluna** battlesuit, descended from the sky.
"You're… Classmate?!"
"Your opponent is me!"
Fu Hua stared intently at the Herrscher of the Void, her black and gold gauntlets appearing. These were the **Absolute Space** gauntlets, one of the Tenth Divine Keys.
However, Fu Hua, clearly not at her peak and with various injuries, was no match for the fully awakened three-core Herrscher of the Void, who had fused with the **Serenity Gem** and the **Conquest Gem**.
"How strange, even in the battle just now, you didn't go all out."
"—Why? You possess two Divine Keys, yet you consistently refuse to use 'the other one'?"
"Do you think it's not the right time to use it? Or perhaps… you can't control it?"
"Or, is it that you simply cannot use it at all?"
"But it matters not, this will change nothing. —Perish!"
The Herrscher of the Void, still choking Fu Hua, was about to deliver the final blow.
*Clap—clap—clap—clap—*
Inappropriate applause made the Herrscher pause her spear.
She followed the sound and saw an uninvited guest had appeared on the battlefield at some point.
Otto walked over slowly, a mocking smile on his face as he clapped.
"What a spectacular battle. Truly worthy of the Queen of Honkai. Your presence is always so radiant."
"...You, I recognize you. You are the one who awakened me, a pathetic human who covets divine power."
The Herrscher of the Void looked at Otto with utter disdain.
"Heheheh… It is my honor to be remembered by you."
Otto let out a laugh, whether in mockery or self-deprecation.
"Then, as a return for granting you a second life, would you be so kind as to spare her?"
Otto spread his palm, pointing at the hostage in the Herrscher's hand.
Simultaneously, a scarlet fluid emanated from his body. This blood-like fluid spiraled upwards along Otto's arm, eventually forming a sharp spike.
It was less a request and more a threat, though Otto maintained his smile.
"She is my friend. I do not wish for her to be harmed."
Otto's tone remained playful and flippant, just as he usually was.
But the Herrscher of the Void did not think so. It was not Otto, but the blood spikes, that made her instinctively uncomfortable.
It was a substance that felt familiar, yet subtly different.
"Hmph… She is not worth my effort. Since you want her, then I shall leave her to you."
The Herrscher of the Void released her grip on Fu Hua's neck. Fu Hua immediately fell to the ground. The Queen chose not to fight this time, out of disdain (or perhaps cowardice).
"As expected of the Herrscher of the Void, who caused humanity's greatest disaster, the Second Honkai Outbreak."
"Not only do you possess power comparable to a god, but your foresight in observing the entire situation is truly remarkable."
Otto praised.
"Hmph, tiresome flattery."
The Herrscher of the Void glanced dismissively at Otto and, with a look of disgust, swept over Keqing and the others before vanishing into the void.
Seeing the Herrscher of the Void depart, Otto sighed and approached Fu Hua, looking down at her.
"Ah… how disheveled. The last time I saw you so heavily injured was five hundred years ago on Mount Tianqiong, wasn't it?"
Fu Hua remained silent, only looking at Otto.
"In any case, I'll heal you first. Consider it a congratulation on the successful completion of the first phase of the experiment."
"...Why..." Fu Hua clutched her wound, glaring at Otto with difficulty.
"Hmm, you can still speak?"
"Why… did you let her leave… Don't you know her goal is to…"
"It's Theresa, I know. I suspect they'll be caught up soon. There won't be anyone else to interfere this time."
"...What did you say?!"
Otto was remarkably calm. He looked towards the direction of the Hyperion, then suddenly seemed to recall something and turned back to Fu Hua.
"Oh, right, I haven't told you yet. Don't worry, this will surely be good news for you—K423 is not dead, and I need her to stay alive."
Hearing this, Fu Hua was very confused, not understanding Otto's meaning.
"Currently, two consciousnesses reside within that body. K423's consciousness, whom you call 'Kiana,' and Sirin's consciousness, the Herrscher of the Void."
"After absorbing the two gems and high-concentration Honkai energy… Sirin's consciousness, residing within that body, began to activate."
"And it successfully took over this vessel, ultimately leading to the Herrscher of the Void's reawakening."
"Heh, but this was not the outcome I desired."
"Up to now, we call this the first phase. Next… is the real experiment."
"K423's consciousness fell into slumber due to the Herrscher's awakening, but she has not disappeared."
"But conversely, what would happen if K423's consciousness were to defeat the Herrscher of the Void's consciousness?"
Otto asked himself with a mocking smile, then answered his own question.
"The answer is, a 'human' possessing the power of a Herrscher."
"This has already been confirmed by the Third and Fourth Herrschers. Even if the Herrscher's consciousness is suppressed, the Herrscher's power remains."
"Controlling a human is far simpler than controlling a Herrscher. Of course, it's not easy for K423's consciousness to defeat the Herrscher's consciousness, but it's not entirely impossible."
"Could it be!?"
Fu Hua looked at Otto with disbelief. She had already figured out Otto's intentions. She glared at Otto in anger.
"I believe you've guessed it. Yes, it's 'emotions.' Emotions will create miracles."
"You! They… they will be killed!!"
"I understand. The gap in combat power is obvious. However, there is still one person who has not joined this battle."
"You mean… Ling Feng!"
Fu Hua's pupils widened. She had not seen Ling Feng during her fight with the Herrscher of the Void.
But she knew of Ling Feng's uniqueness. After all, Ling Feng was his "comrade." At this moment, she surmised, Ling Feng should be somewhere improving his strength.
"That's right. Ling Feng's strength is enough to contend with a Herrscher, even to kill one, but… will he do so?"
Otto said mockingly, as if he could already imagine the scene.
"You don't mean!"
Fu Hua's pupils were wide with shock. One could imagine the anger in her heart at this moment.
"Heheheh… According to my calculations… when a sacrifice appears, K423 will reclaim this body…!"
"I believe in them. To kill the Herrscher with love… this is a great feat only they can accomplish!"
He's gone mad!
This man is completely insane!
No! From the very beginning, he was a complete lunatic!!
"Heh heh… Hahahahaha…"
Fu Hua let out a mournful laugh.
"My friend, I am now asking you earnestly. Your actions have gone beyond my control, so I have chosen to tell you everything. Even so, do you still intend to resist me?"
"Even so, do you still intend to resist me? Do you still intend to stop me?"
The laughter ceased abruptly, and then, using almost all her strength, she replied—
"Friend? There is not a shred of conscience in your words… only bottomless selfishness and lies…"
"Trampling on others' emotions, playing with others' fates… you never even for a moment… thought of yourself as a villain…"
"Otto Apocalypse… you make me feel utter… pity… and hatred…"
*Rumble!*
Thunder flashed across the sky, and darkness obscured it—also obscuring Otto Apocalypse's face.
Golden light condensed in his right hand, gradually taking the form of a firearm. **"Mimicry: Heavenly Fire Holy Decree"** appeared in his hand.
He slowly raised the muzzle and aimed it at the person lying on the ground.
It was a long process. So long that these five hundred years of memories, like a dream bubble, dissipated before his eyes, turning into nothingness.
It was an extremely short process. So short that by the time he came to his senses, he had already made his choice.
"Vermillion Bird Immortal… I did not lie…"
*Bang—!*
And in another place.
—Flames spread in the darkness.
—Like sparks from a prairie fire, like the dawn's first light.
—Bathing everything in flames.
Himeko, clad in the **Knight of Bloodied Moonlight** battlesuit, slowly emerged. Her greatsword, equipped alongside her, spread out like wings by her side. The **Plague Gem** on her chest emanated a crimson firelight.