"My Queen, as per your command, the ranks of the 'unorganized masses' have been fully replenished. They stand ready to face fire or flood for you at any moment. However, we are uncertain about our next course of action. Your guidance would be greatly appreciated."
The host knelt on one knee below the pure white staircase, her response delivered with utmost deference. Behind her, thousands upon thousands of identical dolls were neatly kneeling on the ground, completely silent amidst the gentle breeze, resembling lifeless statues.
Above the steps, the Queen of the Void sat atop the massive claw of a white dragon, offering no reply. Instead, she stared blankly at the empty sky, lost in thought.
Benares lowered its grand draconic head, which should have been proudly raised, allowing its queen to gently caress the elongated and graceful ivory snout. In this reunion after many years, these moments were already Benares' most blissful times.
After a long while, Sirin glanced sidelong at the motionless host.
"You may withdraw now and await further orders."
Her cold voice carried an unmistakable authority, brooking no dissent.
"Yes ma'am!" × N
The dolls responded in unison before simultaneously leaving the area.
In the desolate world, only Sirin remained, accompanied by the great dragon coiled around her.
"Hmph, a swarm of deceitful insects, truly filthy and ugly. Bella, only you will remain forever loyal to me, won't you?"
"Roar~"
[Forever! My Queen!]
"I knew it. Come, absorb this Dominion Gem fragment and gain the ability to rebirth by seizing their existence... Bella, I won't let you leave me again."
Sirin integrated a gem fragment into Benares' body, gently stroking the scales on its head with a faint smile.
However, there were no noticeable changes in Benares' massive form. This was expected; the Herrscher of a Thousand People's Core primarily offered only the power of rebirth, providing minimal energy benefits to Benares.
The Queen's gift prompted Benares to instinctively nuzzle Sirin's cheek, expressing affection and delight.
Sirin reciprocated Benares' closeness, seeing not just the white dragon bowing its head but also the Dragon Girl leaning against her, face filled with attachment—the creature she created, forever loyal and steadfastly devoted until death.
"This world doesn't need humans; having Bella is enough for me, isn't that right?" Sirin murmured, as if confiding in Benares, but mostly trying to convince herself.
"Roaaar—"
"Of course, my Queen!" Benares responded affirmatively through its deep dragon roar.
With a deep, resonant roar, Benares affirmed her words and expressed her obedience.
Sirin fell silent for a moment.
"Yes... Yes, I only need Bella; the rest is fake, all pretense! As long as Bella is by my side, that's enough."
Placing one hand on Benares' snout and the other over her heart, Sirin felt intense emotions recede from her inner lake, leaving behind only pure indifference in her eyes.
"Rrrroooar..."
Sensing Sirin's discontent, Benares let out a low growl, suggesting they simply freeze those disloyal dolls—after all, their sole purpose was to serve as sacrificial tools, so keeping them alive sufficed.
This served two purposes: first, it changed the subject, and secondly... In Benares' perception, this indeed didn't align with Sirin's usual approach. The Queen of the Void had always been assertive and self-centered.
As Sirin stroked Benares' hard yet smooth scales, she chuckled softly.
"The me back then... was too inexperienced. Beyond resentment, I knew nothing about the depths of this world, leading to repeated failures. This time, I won't make the same mistakes. Five abilities are far from enough for that monstrous entity."
Sirin spoke coldly, her heart filling with killing intent as she recalled her past humiliations.
Over these years, Zeke had forcefully pressed Kiana's head and compelled her to learn vast amounts of knowledge. Since Sirin shared the same source with Kiana, whatever Kiana acquired, Sirin also benefited from significantly—strategies, tactics, understanding of the current situation, all included.
Zeke showed no caution whatsoever around Kiana. Both what she should know and shouldn't, numerous advanced technologies and hidden powers were revealed to her—naturally, Sirin became aware of them as well.
Additionally, during their mental battle on the moon, that frenzied Kiana didn't diminish Sirin's anger or arrogance but instead brought forth her rationality.
Under this series of influences, the present Sirin was highly lucid.
Once possessing six cores yet still meeting defeat, now with only five abilities, Sirin knew it was far from enough.
"Five years ago, that guy could harness four Herrscher energies to incinerate the continent with a single strike. After another five years, his strength is impossible to gauge. I must become even stronger to kill him!" Sirin murmured, her eyes momentarily unfocused before they filled with intense malice.
Benares growled, somewhat perplexed. She didn't know who her Queen was referring to, but whoever it might be, if they dared obstruct the Queen's path, Benares would tear them apart without hesitation.
Sirin chuckled and gently patted Benares' dragon snout, reassuring her.
"No need for that. Only I can handle that monstrous creature. But before then, I must first reclaim the Gem of Haste and the Herrscher of Thunder's abilities, followed by seizing the Herrscher of Reason's powers. With eight abilities under my control, combined with the strength of immortality, this time, we will undoubtedly annihilate all humanity!"
In simple terms, Sirin's potential could be described as follows: Other Herrschers possess only one ability because that is their limit; however, Sirin, once blessed by the God of Honkai, holds six abilities merely because there were only six available at the time. Her potential seems boundless, even to herself.
"Roar—"
[Your Majesty shall surely achieve your desires!]
"Wait, Bella," Sirin murmured softly. "We need the right moment."
As her mood shifted, the light in the space dimmed, akin to nightfall descending.
Nightfall, under the starry sky.
Kiana once again found herself at an observation deck, where she felt as if she could pluck stars from the heavens with her bare hands. Facing the glittering expanse above, she held a warm cup of milk tea, her expression serene.
"Kiana, I knew you'd be here."
Raiden Mei's gentle voice drifted over from behind, soft like a breeze.
Kiana turned to see the graceful young lady approach on delicate silk sandals, her long dress flowing gently and eyes reflecting a tender smile.
"Mei, what brings you here?"
"People who know you well understand that when you're upset, you come to this spot for some scenery... Must've been something you picked up from Zeke, right? He liked resting here too."
"Heh, mentioning Zeke doesn't make me shudder anymore. Seems crossing the threshold to become a Herrscher has improved my mindset!"
"Kiana, as long as you don't deliberately startle me, just hearing his name doesn't really bother me... So, feeling down because of the Herrscher of the Void?" Raiden Mei spoke half-amused and half-resigned, blinking as if seeing straight through Kiana.
Kiana shook her head, smiling slightly.
"It's not that I'm upset, just... When she left this body, she left behind memories I couldn't access before. Now, it feels kind of overwhelming."
"Don't worry, Kiana is still Kiana, and we all know that."
"Yes, yes, I get it! And by the way, stop acting like you're afraid to upset me; I've already said I'm okay with it. Besides..."
Besides, Zeke had comforted her—recalling this, Kiana blushed and turned away awkwardly.
Raiden Mei tilted her head and asked, "Besides what?"
"Besides, maybe the truly pitiable one is her, not me. Since I arrived in this world as a blank slate, from the start, I had the power to make my own choices. And so far, I've been fortunate enough to experience much happiness. But for her... inheriting all that hatred and power, perhaps she never had a choice but to turn against this world," Kiana explained, initially trying to change the subject. In the end, however, she sighed with mixed emotions.
Raiden Mei recalled the figure exuding coldness and malice from head to toe, then paused before responding:
"Kiana, do you feel sorry for her?"
"I know it might not be appropriate, but she's like another version of me. Comparing our experiences and circumstances, I can't help but empathize."
"I understand. It's all right; I've always been able to sense your kindness and gentleness, Kiana."
"...She may not see it that way," Kiana muttered, recalling the mental battle on the moon. Back then, driven by her need to make amends with Zeke, she had acted like a rabid dog drowning—hard to say who was more unhinged at the time.
With that thought, Kiana finished her milk tea and smacked her lips.
"Well, never mind. In the end, we're enemies standing on opposite sides. She has her beliefs and desires, and there are things I must protect at all costs. If we meet again on the battlefield, I'll give my all to defeat her and reclaim this power," Kiana declared firmly.