"Hey~ Missed me?"
"..." ×5
Seeing the familiar white-haired figure after such a long time, the five Herrschers all wore complicated expressions. Nothing in this world was eternal—not even Herrschers.
When they were first defeated by Elias, they were like ticking bombs—ready to explode at the slightest provocation. But now, after so much time had passed—and after being exposed to human culture through novels, movies, and games—they had changed, even if only a little.
Though still bound by the will of the Honkai and harboring grand ideals of destruction, each of them had shifted in some small way.
Their feelings toward Elias had changed as well. While they still saw him as an enemy, somewhere in their hearts, a trace of respect had taken root.
Especially after Elias' declaration—that he would free them from the control of the Honkai and grant them true freedom—those words had left a lasting impression.
The five Herrschers had thought deeply about it. In truth, their enmity with Elias existed only because of their opposing standpoints.
If Elias had chosen to side with the Honkai, they would have gladly made him the last—and only—human alive in the world.
"What are you here for, human?"
"Nothing much. I just realized it's been a while since I checked in on you. Looks like you're doing well. So, what do you say? Any of you interested in turning over a new leaf?"
"Human, are you joking? That's our line. Are you interested in joining the Honkai instead? We've actually discussed this lately and decided we'd be willing to give you a chance."
The Herrscher of Reason crossed her arms as she spoke.
Unlike when she had been imprisoned alone, being locked up together with the other four meant she always had someone to talk to.
And since all five of them had been captured by Elias, the majority of their conversations inevitably revolved around him.
Their favorite pastime was fantasizing about what they would do to Elias once they finally defeated him.
The queenly Herrschers of Thunder and the Void declared they would collar Elias and make him their personal servant. The slightly yandere Herrschers of Ice and Wind planned to freeze him forever in eternal ice—or lock him away in a massive birdcage.
As for the Herrscher of Reason, her tastes were... diverse. She said she liked all of their ideas.
"Still as arrogant as ever, huh? But go on—let's hear it. What's this 'chance' you're offering me?"
"It's simple. Return our Cores, surrender to us, and we'll make you one of our kind. Using Honkai energy, we'll transform you into a Judgment-level—no, a Vipralopa-class Honkai zombie!"
The Herrscher of Reason said it proudly, as if bestowing upon him a divine blessing.
"What a joke. Doesn't sound appealing at all."
Elias rolled his eyes. There was no way he'd agree to become a mindless puppet of the Honkai—and seriously, "Vipralopa-class"? What a ridiculous idea. These Herrschers had too much free time.
"Human! You've rejected us again!"
"Heh. Why should a victor accept the pity of the defeated? And another thing—don't talk to me like you're above me, or else... I'll confiscate all your novels, manga, and games!"
"You vile human! How could you?!"
"No! I haven't finished this one yet!"
"Hmph! We won't let you get away with that!"
Seeing their panicked and unwilling faces, Elias couldn't help but laugh.
"You call yourselves destroyers of civilization, yet you're now completely captivated by it. You see? Destruction is just a curse the Honkai forced upon you—it's not your own will."
"..." ×5
For a moment, none of them could say a word. Deep down, they knew he was right. They had no real reason to erase humanity or destroy civilization—it was nothing but the command of the Honkai that they could not resist.
"Human, even so, we are still Herrschers."
"I know. But even Herrschers can become human."
"That's impossible!"
"Who says it's impossible? I once knew a Herrscher who was born as a goddess—but ascended into humanity. She possessed the most beautiful, radiant soul of all—more brilliant than anyone else's."
In Elias' mind, the image of a certain Miss Pink Elf surfaced, and his expression softened without him realizing it. Seeing that gentle look on his face, the five Herrschers froze.
They had never seen Elias make such an expression before—one filled with pride and tenderness for someone dear to him. It was completely unlike the usual image of a supreme ruler who controlled everything.
"You might not be able to become like her," Elias said softly, "but I'll help you cut the chains of the Honkai, so that at least you'll have the right to choose for yourselves. After all, you're all innocent now."
"..." ×5
The corners of the Herrschers' eyes twitched. Under normal circumstances, their hands would've long been stained with blood, each having killed tens of millions—if not hundreds of millions—of people. But in reality, hadn't they all been instantly defeated by Elias the moment they appeared?
These days, they sometimes even dreamed of the moment he had reached into their chests to rip out their Herrscher Cores. Elias had already become their collective trauma.
"By the way, I brought someone I'd like to introduce today."
"What?"
"Sheele, come here."
Elias waved his hand, and a beautiful black-haired, red-eyed girl walked toward them. There was a nostalgic look in her eyes.
"The Deep End... How nostalgic."
Sheele murmured softly. She had lived here for quite some time in the past, though back then, her only cellmate had been the Herrscher of Fire, Himeko—but that was before the latter had even awakened as a Herrscher.
"Hm? Are you the new Herrscher?"
"Damn it, we lost again, didn't we."
"When will we finally be able to defeat that human..."
From the aura emanating from Sheele, the other Herrschers could instantly tell that she was one of their own—a fellow Herrscher who had been defeated and captured by Elias.
A pity, though—they found they had already grown used to it.
"Don't be too discouraged, junior. Losing to that human doesn't mean you're weak. Come on, the prison's actually quite comfortable."
The Herrscher of Ice was already trying to console her.
She thought her junior must be feeling humiliated and indignant—defeated, captured, and robbed of her Core by a mere human. She understood well. They had all gone through that stage.
However, Sheele didn't seem the least bit upset. Folding her arms, she looked down at them with haughty, disdainful eyes.
"Don't lump me together with the likes of you."
"Eh?"
"Whoever wants to sit in this cell can go ahead. As for me... I'll sit here."
Before the stunned Herrschers, Sheele casually sat down on Elias' lap, resting half her face against his chest with a contented smile, looking completely at ease and spoiled.
"Y-you... you actually...!"
All five gasped in disbelief—but it didn't end there.
"Elias, kiss Sheele."
"Mhm~"
Sheele hooked her arms around his neck, tilting her head up to meet his lips. Elias gently wrapped his arms around her slender waist and kissed her deeply.
His kiss was so tender, his eyes so filled with affection, his movements so gentle—it was as though he meant to melt the girl in his arms completely. The five Herrschers' eyes widened in shock, their lips unconsciously parting as they swallowed hard.
"The Sixth Herrscher... have you betrayed us?!"
Clang!
Sheele glared at the Herrscher of Ice, snatched the Seven Thunders of Retribution from Elias' waist, and slashed it toward her. If not for the Soulium bars blocking the blade, that Herrscher would have been bisected.
The message in the girl's eyes was unmistakable.
Sheele: (I'm kissing Elias right now. You're allowed to watch, but if you interrupt—I'll kill you.)
"..." ×5
And so, the five Herrschers watched in stunned silence as Elias and Sheele kissed for ten whole minutes. As their minds spiraled in disbelief, they had already swallowed more times than they could count.
A strange heat simmered in their chests. What was with this newcomer?! Not only was she completely disrespectful toward her seniors—but Elias was treating her so tenderly!
It wasn't fair! They had come first!
"Haa~ That felt so good."
Gulp! ×5
Sheele's cheeks were flushed pink. She licked her lips lightly, her red eyes narrowing with a mischievous glint—her expression holding a charm that was almost demonic.
Her tongue still tingled faintly from the deep kiss, the sensation of Elias' tongue moving against hers still vivid in her mouth.
Unlike the pure, timid White Sheele, Dark Sheele was bold and forward—unafraid to do anything. While the former was still struggling to gather her courage, the latter had already taken action.
And just now—she had been showing off.
It was pure, unabashed flaunting.
At the same time, it was her way of saying: I'm not like you imprisoned Herrschers—I already belong to Elias.
"Well? Seniors, now do you see the difference between us? Elias loves me."
"Mhm, I do love Sheele."
"Hehe~"
Hearing him say that, Sheele proudly puffed out her chest, her smile growing even brighter.
"You insolent rookie! Have you forgotten our noble mission as Herrschers?! How could you—k-kiss that human like that?! What are you thinking?!"
"Wait—could it be you're trying to seduce him? To make him fall to his knees before you and submit to the Honkai?!"
"Hmm... that actually sounds like a solid plan. And it does look effective... wait, could this be the right way to conquer this human?!"
The five Herrschers stared at Dark Sheele suspiciously, wondering if her behavior was part of some hidden strategy. None of them believed that the two could genuinely be in love.
After all, a romance between a Herrscher and a human? That was more absurd than Romeo and Juliet or Butterfly Lovers combined.
"Heh~ Seeing you now reminds me of my old self... How disgusting."
Dark Sheele let out a deep sigh.
"Elias treats you with such sincerity, yet you refuse to accept it—you trample over his kindness and reject his heart. It makes me want... oh, it makes me want to tear you apart piece by piece!"
There was a clear murderous glint in her eyes.
Once, she too had been arrogant—just like them. She had ignored the white-haired boy's kindness and even betrayed his trust, hurting him deeply.
Though it had all happened in the first cycle, Dark Sheele still felt an overwhelming urge to strangle her past self.
Looking at the five Herrschers before her now, she couldn't help but feel furious. These ungrateful fools—how dare they reject her Elias? Maybe she should just kill them all.
"Rookie, don't forget—you're still a Herrscher, just like us! He's human! You're different!"
"So what?"
Sheele turned toward Elias, taking his hand and pressing it to her cheek, her eyes filled with unrestrained affection.
She already knew everything—the truth about Elias, the fact that he came from fifty thousand years in the future, and the reason he kept returning to this world.
"Destroying the world might sound exciting, but... if it's for the one I love, Sheele is willing to make peace with the world. And besides... if Elysia could do it, then so can I! Elias, I'm willing to become human for you!"
"Sheele..."
Elias looked at the girl before him, moved beyond words.
For Sheele, that look alone was enough. She didn't have Elysia's boundless love for the world, but she possessed the courage to give up her life for the one she loved.
Though the regrets of her past had been healed, she still envied Elysia—the Herrscher of Origin who had grown up beside Elias and ultimately sacrificed herself for him.
"You... you'll never have a good end for this! The Honkai will destroy the world sooner or later!" shouted the Herrscher of the Void, gritting her teeth.
"Honkai? Tch~ Honkai is nothing."
Dark Sheele's face was full of disdain.
With the memories of the first cycle, she knew full well that Elias had already led the Previous Era through the Final Herrscher's descent—and won. If he could do it once, he could do it again.
"In front of Elias, the Honkai is nothing. The way you are now is the best proof. Stop resisting and kneel—submit. That's your only way to survive. Because..."
Her crimson eyes turned cold and merciless.
"Unlike the kind and gentle Elias, I won't be so forgiving. If you keep being stubborn, I'll make you regret ever being born."
"You traitor! Just wait—Honkai won't spare you! When the next Herrscher descends, we'll see who's laughing then!"
"In that case... why don't we make a bet?"
Elias clapped his hands, interrupting the argument between the two sides. While calming the murderous aura leaking from Dark Sheele, he addressed the five Herrschers before him.
"If the next Herrscher can manage to injure me, I'll grant you any wish you want. Anything at all."
"Human, are you serious?!"
"I am. I swear it on my honor."
Elias smiled as he spoke. Though he personally didn't care much about the idea of honor, this was undeniably a heavy wager—after all, it was the Savior's honor on the line.
For a moment, the five Herrschers instinctively believed him.
"Fine! Don't you dare regret this!"
"I never make decisions I'll regret. But on the other hand, if you lose... hmm... from now on, you'll wear this outfit and call me 'Master.'"
From a spatial gate, Elias pulled out a black-and-white maid uniform—a short dress with frills and ribbons. It was one Elysia had once shown him while playing dress-up, though Elysia herself had claimed she'd 'borrowed' it from Mobius.
"Human, you wish!"
The five Herrschers immediately exploded in outrage. After learning about human culture, they knew exactly what a maid outfit represented.
If they wore that and called Elias "Master," wouldn't that be complete submission?!
"What's wrong? Afraid of losing? Aren't you the ones always bragging about how powerful the Honkai is? I'm not even asking for the Seventh Herrscher to defeat me—just injure me, and you win. And yet you're too scared to take that bet?"
"Heh, what a bunch of cowards~"
Elias crossed his legs and tilted his chin upward, his eyes full of mockery. Beside him, Sheele giggled softly, adding to the taunt.
The five Herrschers: (／‵Д)／~╧╧
"Fine! A bet it is! Who's afraid of you, human?! You'll regret this! The next Herrscher will definitely draw your blood!"
"Then we'll see. Sheele, let's go."
"Mhm~"
Hand in hand, Elias and Sheele left the Deep End.
As soon as they were gone, the five Herrschers huddled together in a circle, their faces full of confidence.
"This time, we've got the advantage!"
"Exactly!" ×4
"That human probably doesn't know—the next Herrscher will be significantly stronger. Even if they can't defeat him outright, injuring him shouldn't be a problem!"
"Right!" ×4
"The only issue is whether the Sixth Herrscher will tell him about it... but that girl's clearly been blinded by love. She might forget entirely. And even if she doesn't, that human's arrogance won't let him take it seriously!"
"Agreed!" ×4
The more they discussed it, the more convinced they became that victory was within their grasp.
However, what they didn't know—was that Elias was a reincarnator. And they had also forgotten one crucial fact.
Every single one of them had been defeated in an instant.
None of them had ever actually witnessed Elias' true power. Not even the [Reverse God] from the Artificial Cascade had forced him to reveal it.
And so, some time later...
Elias: "Let's give a warm welcome to the Deep End's newest resident—the Sixth occupant, the Herrscher of Fire!"
One day, the white-haired boy, completely unharmed, tossed a red-haired woman into the Deep End.
The Herrschers: "..." ×5