Everything unfolded as if foretold—each prophecy, each prediction, coming true. The situation continued to spiral down the worst path imaginable.
Theresa had become the Herrscher of Binding.
All of St. Freya had now become her domain, encased in golden dome of light. Within this barrier, all Honkai Energy was suppressed. Even those inside the villa couldn't help but turn pale as they looked toward the upper floors.
From the stairs on the second floor, faint footsteps echoed clearly. The long-awaited enemy had arrived—the one who was once so familiar in their daily lives.
But she no longer wore her pajamas and slippers.
Now, she stood before them dressed in a refined outfit, taller than before. Her white hair fluttered despite the still air, and within her eyes glinted a chilling golden light.
(T/C: 🤭)
There were no weapons at her side. Step by step, she ascended the stairs, her invisible pressure astonishing everyone—but for a moment, none could bring themselves to attack.
Because she was Theresa.
A friend they had known for so long. A comrade they trusted.
Beyond St. Freya's shielding, golden gears shimmered faintly in the void, gradually descending onto this world.
Her expression remained unchanged as she looked upon everyone gathered.
She held no particular view on the fact that they had survived.
Seeing this, Luo Mo let out a quiet sigh. No matter how terrifying the enemy, being constantly on edge was unwise. After all, even a thousand locks can't stop a determined thief.
Still, time was short.
Even if the constraint energy was already nearing its limit, as Luo Mo predicted, the true battle had only just begun.
"Theresa! Wake up!" Kallen shouted in worry. Durandal also called desperately to the headmaster, but clearly, it had little effect.
Words alone weren't enough to defeat their opponent.
Luna, Irene and the others were visibly pale. The weaker ones were already overwhelmed by the oppressive aura. And even those who wanted to help were restricted—some higher rule forbade them from acting.
The rules of this world restrained them. This was a world crafted as a trial.
They couldn't interfere.
Otherwise, the consequences could be unpredictable.
And even if they did interfere—what could they do?
Of those still standing, Rita was in the worst shape. She collapsed instantly with a loud thud, unconscious.
In situations like this, combat skill wasn't what determined your survival.
And so, Luo Mo remained unharmed. He had no control over Honkai Energy—but perhaps because of that, he was fortunate.
As mentioned before, the Herrscher of Binding's true suppression targeted Honkai Energy.
Fusion warriors (Mantas), Herrschers, Stigmata... these were the main targets.
But it was only suppression—not absolute nullification.
Right now, Kallen slowly straightened her body. Confused, she glanced at her hands, which were covered in a faint golden glow—emanating from the Stigmata on her back.
Otto Apocalypse.
A source from the world of conviction.
The elaborately dressed Theresa standing on the stairs looked toward Kallen, extended her hand, and clenched it in the air.
Above, the golden gears stirred, and pressure descended heavily upon Kallen.
She felt danger—pure, primal danger—from her instincts.
The girl standing before her emitted a terrifying power, something that truly threatened her. This sensation was new to Kallen.
Within this domain, everyone was suppressed—herself included.
But in theory, she should have been the least affected.
There shouldn't be anyone stronger than her in this domain… unless the domain itself was being rewritten.
That was why, back in the subconscious realm, she had dared speak so arrogantly to the original Theresa.
Suddenly, blood trickled from the corner of Kallen's mouth. Durandal's eyes sharpened—she lunged forward with her lance, aiming not at a vital point, but to stop Theresa's advance and protect the headmaster.
'Now!'
As one of the few who could still move, Durandal proved herself capable. She resisted the Herrscher's suppression and still acted.
But the Herrscher of Binding turned to her with a calm gaze.
Just as Durandal prepared to strike again, the sky darkened. The golden gears were tinted purple, their motion slowed by another force. The pressure on everyone lightened slightly.
'What!'
The Herrscher of Binding was visibly stunned. She hadn't expected this change.
---
A few minutes earlier...
Inside the villa, Himeko also found herself within the constraint field.
All electronics stopped working. Kiana, doing her homework, suddenly collapsed onto her desk.
For a moment, she thought someone had attacked her from behind.
But a second later, her Herrscher of Flamescion core was forcefully suppressed, and the idea faded.
Before she could react, the Stigmata on her back activated. A hidden power quietly emerged, shining from her back.
Kiana instantly felt a portion of the pressure fade.
It was the silent "Kiana Kaslana" Stigmata, the one her boss had entrusted to her—the so-called "hope of salvation."
Until now, she had never been able to use it.
But finally—it worked.
"What... is happening!?"
Kiana raised her head defiantly, glaring out the window toward a particular direction.
Her aunt's villa.
The Honkai Energy response from there made her hesitate… then her eyes widened in fear.
She realized something.
A Herrscher.
No—an enemy Herrscher.
"Urgh—!"
Beside her, Mei was in even worse shape. Her pot of food fell to the ground, spilling everywhere—but she didn't care.
Lightning flickered in her eyes as she struggled to resist the pressure.
"It's… coming from the headmaster's direction..." she muttered, bent over in pain.
In this domain, perhaps only Herrschers could endure—and even then, barely.
But they could still retain some consciousness, even if their movements were restricted.
"Mei! You—"
Kiana rushed over, supporting Mei. Her Stigmata glowed, allowing her to lift Mei onto a chair.
"Kiana… you..."
"It's because of this Stigmata on my back—it's even stronger than my Herrscher core."
Kiana smiled, trying to reassure Mei. She clenched her fist, checking how much power she still had.
"Let's go see how Bronya and Himeko-sensei are doing."
Mei nodded, but couldn't move. She bit her lip, feeling bitter, frustration and unwillingness flashing in her heart.
「I… I can't do anything.」
Her mind recalled a certain line from the game. It felt like her character was locked to that same phrase.
But now that this scene had become reality… she could only rely on Kiana again.
She had never desired power so much before.
Even if it meant Herrscher power… it still wasn't enough!
"…Alright, I'll go check on them now!"
Kiana responded without hesitation and rushed out immediately.
"…Kiana."
Mei called softly, her eyes hazy as she watched her go.
By the time Kiana left the room, Bronya was also nearby. Kiana saw her just as she reached the stairs, trying with difficulty to move forward. When the two met, Bronya paused slightly, seemingly not expecting Kiana to act so decisively.
"Kiana, it's the Herrscher of Binding. Seele… she…"
"Yeah, I understand."
Kiana nodded firmly, her eyes shining with determination—without a trace of fear or hesitation. It was as if she was waiting for something.
"…Even if it's a Herrscher, we still can't fight back? No, even the previous era's heroes didn't have it this bad."
Bronya smiled bitterly but didn't back down. She shook her head and said,
"If I were outside the Binding Field, maybe I could try constructing the Moonlight Throne… but right now, we can't even get out."
Her eyes dimmed slightly.
Bronya had originally intended to apply tactics from the game, but clearly, that method was not suitable under these current conditions.
"Stigmata,"
Kiana said seriously, her gaze sharp. This was the reason she came to find Bronya.
"…"
Bronya revealed a puzzled expression.
Her Stigmata could indeed provide more energy and was less affected by suppression. But using it… was another matter entirely.
"Help me try,"
Kiana said with a serious frown. Then, recalling the sensation from earlier, she attempted to channel the power of her Stigmata.
Compared to simply enhancing Honkai Energy or her physical abilities, the ability she had sensed earlier seemed more mysterious—it wasn't something she could grasp until the Binding Field descended upon her.
That power—originating from the Realm of Tranquility—was only a fragment of its authority. Against the full power of the Herrscher of Binding, it was like a droplet in the ocean. But at least the Stigmata truly contained part of that might.
A violet glow emerged behind Kiana. She focused on the sensation of her Stigmata being passively activated earlier, trying to draw that power forth toward the golden barrier surrounding them.
Bronya's eyes lit up in astonishment, quickly turning into joy.
She also began trying to activate her own Stigmata.
Compared to the others' Stigmata, theirs were clearly different.
Everyone else—Himeko-sensei, Elysia, Mobius—could at least attempt to draw upon their Stigmata powers.
But this didn't apply to Kiana, Bronya, and Mei. Luo Mo had once explained this: the power within their Stigmata wasn't for the present—it was meant for the future.
He had even hinted that Mei's Stigmata was the same.
The three of them shared a trait in common.
Bronya didn't fully understand what that trait was, but it didn't stop her from trying. Her Stigmata began to stir faintly.
This was a crisis—but also a chance.
Under the pressure of life and death, they had no choice but to fight back.
A faint glimmer of Tranquility's light slowly bloomed, spreading from Kiana's back toward the sky, toward the golden gears above. The two forces met—merged—beginning to interfere with each other, causing the gears to produce strange reactions.
If the Realm of Tranquility was complete—if Kiana could fully release its power—the Binding Field could've been shattered instantly.
But for now, she could only endure the burden of its tiniest spark.
Yet even that… was enough to change the tide.
After all, she wasn't the only one trying.
…
Elsewhere, Kevin had been watching closely.
Just like before—when he sent Raven there—this was not a coincidence. He had a feeling. Another Herrscher would eventually appear at that place.
Even if you ignored everything else, the signs of a Herrscher awakening were there.
Of course, the appearance of the Herrscher of Binding now, right in the heart of St. Freya, encompassing all key personnel… was something even he hadn't expected.
Even after rushing to the scene immediately, he couldn't help frowning.
Only 5km away…
It was still too far. Whether his attacks could penetrate the barrier and reach the Herrscher of Binding was uncertain.
Besides… what if his blade hit his allies?
And then there was Luo Mo.
The supposed savior hero—awkwardly stuck—squinted, trying to observe what was happening.
Then, his brows lifted.
He actually saw the Binding Field contracting, Honkai Energy inside reacting. Herrschers... how many were in there?
Five thousand years ago, after the appearance of the Herrscher of Binding, researchers studied its deeply.
She was a strange Herrscher. Not invincible—not at first.
(Of course, no Herrscher is truly invincible, so saying that sounds redundant.)
Even the most merciless gods give humanity a sliver of hope.
By absorbing energy from all biological deaths within her domain, the Herrscher of Binding continuously expanded her power. Over and over…
Until she enveloped the entire globe.
And then, complete silence.
Exploration proved utterly futile. That was the conclusion they discovered too late.
Fire Moth, desperate, gambled everything. They threw all their MANTIS warriors into the fray, unwilling to spend more time searching for better solutions—because none existed.
The Binding Barrier couldn't be broken.
No attack could even scratch her.
Even using the Herrscher of the Void's powers only offered a sliver of a chance—nothing more than a desperate gamble.
Only when the Barrier cracked… could others try to act.
Back in the Previous Era, this situation never happened—multiple Herrschers never gathered in the same place. They cut off expansion early and kept the tide in check.
As expected… only a Herrscher could defeat another Herrscher.
Kevin thought to himself but remained calm. A turning point had appeared—he wouldn't panic anymore.
Suddenly remembering something, he moved quickly—capturing Anna and Su Lu from the company, preparing to send them in.
But unexpectedly, the barrier "stepped aside," deliberately avoiding the two.
Both collapsed onto the ground, confused. When they finally looked back—
"Th-the Herrscher of Binding …?"
Su Lu shouted in shock.
The game had become reality, and she was truly terrified!
Anna looked calmer at first, but quickly remembered who was still inside St. Freya—and her calm turned to panic.
If they really were dead… she didn't dare imagine what the world would become.
Maybe… it was better to rush in now and try to save them!
Meanwhile, Kevin stared at the golden gears above, now tinged with purple lines, and fell deep into thought.
Tranquility? The Power of the End?
This… this wasn't supposed to show up now!