"What Herrscher Core are you planning to use to obtain the power of the Herrscher of Origin?"
Elysia was curious which Herrscher Core Noldrei would choose as his power source.
On that point, Noldrei had already made his choice.
It was, of course—
The Herrscher of Reason Core.
"It's her."
In Noldrei's hand was a unique entity, like a liquid lifeform, writhing and searching for something to devour.
It shifted between forms—sometimes like plasma in a flame, sometimes like a viscous liquid, and at other times, like a substance with a metallic texture. It constantly altered its shape, cycling through these different states.
"Wh-What is that thing?!"
Elysia never imagined a Herrscher Core could look like this. She stared in shock at the Core, which was completely different from the ones in her memory. For the first time, she truly felt the overwhelming, unreasonable power Noldrei possessed.
"This is the Herrscher Core. I used the Herrscher of Reason Core to reverse-engineer its structure, turning it into a new lifeform capable of generating human consciousness. So, what do you think of the little one I created?"
Noldrei proudly showed off his masterpiece.
Kiana's eyes bulged. She too was completely floored by this sudden maneuver.
"What are you doing?! Why would you do something as terrifying as turning a Herrscher Core into a living being! How am I supposed to control Finality if you do this?!"
Kiana was just as stunned. She never thought the Core of Reason could be used to reverse-engineer itself and construct a new lifeform. The Core of Reason could simulate the existence of molecules, so in theory, it really could become a conscious new being.
"Don't worry! This is a child I created for you. Once you control the power of Finality, she will be our third-generation imperial heir."
Noldrei wasn't worried about the Reason Core's state. This little thing was a completely new lifeform, no different from a normal infant, only knowing how to eat and drink.
She would most likely grow up as a new child by Kiana's side. However, her growth would be relatively slow, and Noldrei had no intention of letting a dunce like Kiana raise another dunce.
Kiana's scalp tingled. She was still technically a 'minor' by the old era's standards. How did she suddenly end up with a child she didn't even know?
The little one was just as strange as Noldrei had been.
It was in the exact same state as when Kiana first met Noldrei, evoking a strange sense of nostalgia in her.
Thinking of this, Kiana couldn't help but suggest a name. "Let's just call her '04'!"
"I'm K-423, you're 03, so it's only natural to call her 04, right?"
Kiana was quite pleased with her naming skills.
Noldrei was surprised that Kiana was so in sync with him. He had indeed planned to call this newly created little one '04.'
He praised her, "As expected of my outstanding heir! I was thinking the exact same thing!"
You two are real naming geniuses! Don't use that as the standard for judging the quality of an heir!
Elysia was speechless. She was starting to worry about what a difficult life this newborn being would have.
This little creature wasn't a Herrscher descended into a human body, nor was it a simple Core. It was a unique lifeform constructed from an active Core. It could manipulate its own form of existence, change its conscious structure, and even feel emotions like a person.
It was a completely surreal, super-lifeform.
It was also a deeply unsettling being. This lifeform neither possessed the human morality of the first Herrscher, Joyce, nor did it have a steadfast ideology like Noldrei. It wasn't even a dunce like Kiana.
It was an infant, a child, a super-lifeform driven only by its biological instincts.
Elysia found this little thing far more troubling than any Honkai Beast or Herrscher.
"Ely, from now on, you're this little one's nanny. I'm entrusting you with the great responsibility of educating the next emperor! You'll be the Imperial Tutor! Aren't you thrilled?"
Noldrei patted Elysia on the shoulder, assigning her a truly terrifying task.
"Im-Imperial Tutor?"
Elysia didn't think this little one should be treated this way. How could she possibly be a good Imperial Tutor? Such a great responsibility should be given to Grandma Mobius!
"That's right. I think someone like you is well-suited to take care of children. Especially with your penchant for coming up with all those weird, chuuni names. Kids love that kind of stuff."
Seeing how Kiana had turned out, Noldrei knew he wasn't cut out for the fatherly role. In that light, Elysia was a much better fit for the maternal role.
"..."
Despite Noldrei's teasing, Elysia refused to yield to his aesthetic sensibilities.
She retorted indignantly, "Those are terms a lady has carefully thought up! You're being too mean! Why did you make such a momentous decision without consulting any of us?"
Noldrei shook his head. "I originally planned to have her be born an adult. But then I thought about the societal situation I've guided into being, and I realized I'd have a hard time integrating her into the conflicts of your era."
"So, I came up with a better idea. Once Kiana controls the Honkai and humanity has mastered Imaginary Energy, what should we do with the children of the new era? We certainly can't just implant our memories into them. So, I thought I'd let 04 grow up on her own in Kiana's new era."
"This way, the conflicts of the new era will converge upon this child, and she will bring new possibilities to humanity."
"Ely, I trust that you can raise her well!"
Kiana's ears perked up. She looked at Noldrei in confusion. "You said, 'she'? Why 'she'?"
Noldrei explained, "The reason it's 'she' is because in the next stage after you, the right to procreate will be liberated once again. Humanity in that phase will have a deeper understanding of the essence of life's reproduction. At that time, we will need the next generation to follow their own path."
Kiana's brow twitched. She never imagined Noldrei would have everything planned out, even for after she stepped down.
Is this the overpowered cheat of someone from the future? While everyone else is thinking about stabilizing the present, this guy is already planning for the day the house collapses.
Kiana wasn't discouraged, but she felt like her growth had always been under Noldrei's protection.
It seemed she would never escape Noldrei's shadow in this lifetime.