The video playback ended, and the exposed scandals caused an uproar throughout the Honkai world. Otto's nearly perfect public image was shattered in an instant, transforming from being the 初恋 (first love) of almost every Valkyrie into some sort of outrageous figure.
It took Otto a considerable amount of time to suppress this storm, though given how he'd ruled the world for so many years, he still retained that much authority at least. The truth of the Second Honkai War had been exposed to the public eye, making Schicksal's concealment of the facts utterly irrelevant.
Frankly speaking, this revelation drove the fictional historians of the Star Rail universe to despair. These mystery-worshipping folks loved fabricating histories everywhere they went. Otto's move of hiding history had struck right at their hearts, making them clamor for him to join their ranks. But for Otto, this viewing session brought more disadvantages than benefits.
That interstellar civilization's grand cosmic stage couldn't even produce a single scholar proficient in the Tree-Sea theory—who knew whose tech tree had grown so crooked? Originally, Otto had thought that since their world's technology was so advanced, there must be scholars who understood the Imaginary Tree and Quantum Sea. His greatest difficulty would be exchanging his primitive (not even interstellar-level) technology for their support, only to discover that his own research was actually top-tier in the universe.
Instead of gaining benefits, he found himself swamped dealing with all the exposed scandals. And now, here came his dear granddaughter Theresa and old friends to demand explanations.
Theresa was easy to handle—he just told her about Durandal's true identity and, to prevent K423 from learning unbearable truths, made her swear secrecy while deftly changing subjects. Thus the matter passed.
The real challenge was Fu Hua. With Kevin's return, the lurking World Serpent had regained its boldness and begun acting openly. Especially that Elysia in the so-called Elysian Realm—for whatever reason, Kevin obeyed all her suggestions with near-indulgence.
After seeing Fu Hua's experiences, Elysia also grew deeply concerned about her counterpart in the outside world. Being a mere memory spirit, she couldn't leave herself. But Kevin was out there—especially with his overwhelming combat strength, making Siegfried's life-risking attacks look like normal strikes. He'd just appeared and immediately devoured a Judgment-class Honkai beast alive.
Most importantly, the World Serpent acknowledged Fu Hua as their sovereign, the warrior of [Floating Life]—a secondary identity Otto never knew his old friend possessed. With such a group standing behind her, Otto couldn't even temporarily sideline Fu Hua now.
After rounds of interest exchanges and backdoor deals, Fu Hua chose to remain at St. Freya Academy. The Herrscher of the Void's consciousness was already bickering with Kiana in the chat group, and with only Theresa at the academy, she couldn't rest easy.
One thing puzzled Fu Hua though—why did that future Welt suggest separating her consciousness from her body? But given her body's accumulated hidden injuries and mostly dormant Honkai genes, Schicksal's rehabilitation pods that could restore her to peak condition seemed perfect for physical treatment. It would also verify whether Welt's information was accurate.
She "borrowed" a Divine Key body from Otto, molding it to her own form—unlike that future Void Archives who delighted in using Otto's appearance for fun. Meanwhile in the chat group, their world's Void Archives was furiously cursing that future "liberated" version, much to everyone's amusement.
Following Otto's suggestion, Fu Hua donned formal attire and accepted Gray Serpent's invitation to visit the Elysian Realm. Though Fu Hua remembered almost nothing, Elysia and others in the realm still stirred complex emotions within her. She couldn't possibly break her promise to Elysia's invitation anyway.
Now bodiless (as the Divine Key couldn't support her full combat strength) and with her undercover identity exposed, there was no need to maintain pretenses anymore.
Arriving at the realm, Elysia had been waiting. To Fu Hua's eyes, she looked both familiar yet strange.
Elysia: "Hi~ Should I say 'nice to meet you' or 'long time no see'?"
Elysia smiled brightly as she approached the stunned Fu Hua.
Elysia: "Now, whatever grievances you've suffered outside... Hua, welcome home~"
Home?
Fu Hua froze. How long had it been since she last heard that word? Five thousand years guarding Shenzhou alone—her life had been nothing but partings and betrayals. At this moment, even this unshakable immortal felt her eyes reddening.
Elysia: "Come on, smile~ It won't look pretty if you really cry, Hua~"
Mobius (from behind): "Little mouse~ Keep this up and you'll take a trip to my lab, won't you?"
Mobius' sudden remark made Fu Hua shiver instinctively despite her lost memories, completely disrupting her emotional moment. Yet this reaction felt right—this was exactly how Mobius should be!
Meanwhile at Schicksal headquarters...
Inside the medical pod containing Fu Hua's body—despite her consciousness having departed—new conscious activity emerged. Archbishop Otto arrived immediately, notifying Li Sushang and Durandal as well.
Having personally witnessed Fu Hua's consciousness transfer, Otto knew this new presence must be a Herrscher. Even wearing his most powerful combat body, Otto was no match for "Fu Hua," who grabbed his collar and punched his face repeatedly.
Herrscher of Sentience (Senti): "What? Thought you could execute me here just because I'm a Herrscher?
You clearly don't know how formidable I, the Herrscher of Sentience, am! That fossil Fu Hua might indulge you, but I won't!"
While speaking, Senti kept pummeling Otto relentlessly.
In this world, though influenced by Fu Hua's memories to oppose the Honkai, this Herrscher of Sentience never considered herself as Fu Hua. How could she? The chat group's [Herrscher of Sentience] had been there since joining—undeniable proof.
Just then, Li Sushang's flying swords shot forth to rescue Otto. With a casual wave, Senti dissipated all sword energy effortlessly.
Senti: "So you're that traitorous disciple's child? Let me test your skills for that old fossil then!"
Seeing her seemingly possessed master, Li Sushang accepted the challenge without hesitation. Though both knew the Taixu Sword God technique, Senti's full Herrscher power gave her a clear advantage.
After the fight, Senti's newborn rage subsided. Now she planned to visit World Serpent to play with Kevin and Elysia. Leaving all messes for Otto to handle, Senti swaggered toward World Serpent while chatting online:
[Herrscher of Sentience]: "All Anti-Entropy members—check this out!
[Video: Otto's Divine Key face makes such satisfying punching sounds]"
[Tesla]: "When did another Herrscher appear? Pfft... HAHAHA! Serves you right, Otto!"
[Star Rail Welt]: "Hmm? That can't be—the Herrscher of Sentience emerged this quickly?"
[Herrscher of Sentience]: "Excuse me? What kind of question is that? Is this how you talk to me, Welt?"
[Star Rail Welt]: "My apologies, Lady Herrscher of Sentience!"
[Herrscher of Sentience]: "No no no—you should be shouting: LONG LIVE LADY HERSCHER OF SENTIENCE!"