Her words were not an exaggeration.
Leaving aside the nature of the Honkai—the kind of corrosive force that could erode both the living and the dead—let's talk about Kiana herself.
Long-term observation data had already proven that the energy within Kiana was so immense that even if she did nothing—simply released it without any technique—it would be enough to destroy an entire planet.
If Honkai creatures were to be ranked by level—
Then this one would be the lowest kind: a primitive organism driven purely by instinct, attacking all that remained untainted by the Honkai.
But Kiana...
Within the hierarchy of the Honkai, her existence was nearly equivalent to that of a 'god'.
The difference between them was like an unbridgeable chasm—something that could not be erased by simple dilution.
"So you're saying... it basically burst from being filled with my blood?"
Ruan Mei was silent for a moment before sighing softly. "If you wish to understand it that way... it's not wrong."
"When you're outside, don't get injured casually. Don't leave behind traces that might draw attention."
She erased the marks on the ground, destroying the blood that Kiana had spilled.
Kiana's condition was too unique. Ruan Mei had no desire to let anyone else notice that uniqueness.
That would cause trouble.
After all, Kiana was the one she had found most likely to ascend to godhood—already walking upon that path—and she liked Ruan Mei, obeyed her every word.
"It won't happen again."
The shameful routine they had gone through had been completely useless, and Kiana was already at her limit.
"Let's go. You don't need to experiment with any abilities this time. Just control one Honkai creature."
"That's easy!"
After what had just happened, Kiana felt that controlling a few Honkai Beasts should be a simple matter.
After some time—
Ruan Mei and Kiana had nearly walked through the entire city. Having seen enough, Ruan Mei now had a clear understanding of the situation.
Through testing, she had finally discovered what it was that she had been missing before.
Now, she had her answer.
An unexpected answer—even she found it surprising.
—War.
"Silicon-based lifeforms... war can spread this kind of Honkai phenomenon..."
"So it's because of war?"
Kiana's expression was a little strange. "Then doesn't that mean that if the people of this planet don't stop fighting, the Honkai will keep spreading until it covers the entire world?"
Meeting her somewhat worried gaze, Ruan Mei shook her head slightly and explained, "I've just examined it. Things aren't as serious as you imagine. In fact, once you leave this planet, the disaster here will stop."
Kiana froze for a moment, then lowered her head in disappointment. "So it really is my fault, after all."
Ruan Mei looked at her in confusion. "Why would you say that?"
Kiana hesitated, speaking softly, "Well, you warned me before—to keep my distance from others when I'm outside. I knew my condition, yet I still recklessly came here... and even used the power of the Honkai."
"Weren't they the ones who attacked you first?"
"They were!"
"Then they can only blame their own misfortune."
Ruan Mei didn't care how many people had died here. "You are you, and the power is the power. At least for now, you cannot fully control what that power represents."
Ruan Mei's reasoning did make sense. It had been those attackers who had rushed toward their own doom.
"I've seen enough. Let's find a quiet place where we won't be disturbed."
"No problem!"
...
Robin: Are you still in Bury City?
A little later, Kiana received a message from Robin.
Kiana: I am. What's wrong? Why are you asking?
Robin: I just learned from Mr. Kerr that the IPC has sealed off Bury City.
Robin: There's an abnormally strong energy there—extremely corrosive, and its intensity keeps rising.
Robin: It's dangerous there.
Kiana: Don't worry. This power can't corrupt me.
Robin: Aren't you planning to return for now?
Kiana: I'm helping Ruan with some research. We might need to stay in the city for a few more days.
Kiana: By the way, I remember the reason you came to this planet was to stop the war that's happening here, right?
Robin: ...Yes.
To stop the war raging on Kasbelina-VIII...
Even such a catastrophe couldn't make the two sides cease fire, even temporarily. From what she had learned through the IPC, both factions had merely withdrawn their main forces from Bury City and moved the battlefield to another city.
Not even a disaster could make them stop fighting. She didn't know what she could possibly do to...
Kiana: Then this is your chance!
Robin: Huh?
Kiana: According to Ruan's observations, the spread of this power is related to war. War accelerates the reaction, creating stronger bursts of energy.
Kiana: You could use that—find a way to make them pause the fighting. Try negotiation, resolve their conflict peacefully.
Related to war?
She found it hard to connect the monsters she and Kiana had encountered in Bury City with the concept of war.
The conflict on Kasbelina-VIII had already started before they arrived.
Yet this kind of phenomenon hadn't appeared before. She couldn't help but feel a trace of doubt toward Kiana's words.
Maybe Kiana was mistaken.
Still, Robin didn't reject Kiana's good intentions. Even if it turned out false, it was worth trying.
The disaster's arrival hadn't lessened the intensity of the war—in fact, it had made the confrontation even more desperate.
Just last night, the local army had bombed the rebel command center, and even now, the fighting still hadn't ceased.
Robin: Thank you for the suggestion. I'll give it a try.
Robin: Also... if possible, you should leave that city soon. I'll be waiting for you back at the camp.
Kiana: I'll contact you once I'm out.
For ordinary people, this was a dangerous place, but for Kiana and Ruan Mei, it made no difference at all.
Within this city, Ruan Mei's research was progressing remarkably well.
Before, she had been cautious—worried that pushing Kiana too far might trigger the unstable forces within her.
Now, there was no need to hold back.
Experimental material could be found everywhere here. Every day, countless Honkai creatures were born, and the concentration of Honkai Energy was rising steadily.
The reason for that...
After discovering that frequent use of her Honkai Energy could suppress the power of Nihility, Kiana followed Ruan Mei's suggestion, using the wild Honkai creatures in the city to experiment with her so-called 'Power of the Saint'.
After several days of continuous testing, the influence of Nihility over her lessened bit by bit, and her memories began to return.
For instance—she realized that she was not a human of this world, nor even of this universe.
She was a transmigrator.
Finally, the eighth day arrived.
It was as if she had awoken from a long dream—those disjointed fragments of memory in her mind, along with the bits and pieces she had recalled recently, all connected together at last.
She remembered the past she had forgotten.
The things she had experienced in Izumo.
"The aftermath really hits hard."
Now that she remembered her past, Kiana felt grounded again—not as lost and directionless as before.
That she could be influenced by Nihility...
It was something she hadn't expected.
But at least she had survived.
...She had survived—but what about the others?
What about Yae Sakura and the others?
Recalling the past did not bring her happiness. A heavy stone pressed against her heart, leaving her stifled and uneasy.
What about Mei? What about Sirin?
Had they survived?
How many years had passed since that event?
She was filled with unanswered questions—questions that only the people from her past could resolve.
She had gone to Euphorion to search for her memories, and even before reaching that place, the lost fragments had already returned to her.
But still—she had to go to Euphorion.
Perhaps... perhaps Mei was still waiting there?
She dared not think too deeply about it, only strengthening her resolve to make Euphorion her next destination—to find Raiden Mei.
And, she wanted to return to Izumo once more.
"Remembered something important?"
Ruan Mei's voice came from beside her.
"How did you notice?"
Kiana stared at Ruan Mei in surprise. Over the past few days, she had recalled many things in fragments, but she hadn't mentioned any of them to Ruan Mei.
She was focused on her experiments.
Even if Kiana dared to interrupt her, Ruan Mei wouldn't have listened. Once she concentrated on a subject, everything else became secondary.
"Your reaction is obvious."
"...I don't get it."
She had only just remembered everything—how could she be that obvious?
She couldn't guess it at all.
"Your expression gives it away."
Seeing her confusion, Ruan Mei sighed lightly. "You've been in low spirits these past few days."
"Eh? You noticed, Ruan?"
Kiana's eyes lit up with pleasant surprise. She had assumed Ruan Mei was completely absorbed in her experiments as usual.
The memories she had regained merely filled the blank spaces in her life—they hadn't turned her into someone else.
The year she'd spent with Ruan Mei hadn't been an illusion. Remembering everything only made her realize how lucky she'd been to meet Ruan Mei in such a place.
"The experiment ended two days ago. I noticed the environment here seemed to be affecting you, helping you recall your past, so I didn't disturb you."
"I see... Yeah, I remembered everything. Every blank space."
Ruan Mei showed a flicker of curiosity. "Everything? So, you remember what the Honkai really is as well?"
"...Uh, Honkai, huh? I think it's something I was just born with."
The question caught Kiana off guard. She knew Ruan Mei was curious about the Honkai, but she hadn't expected that to be her first question after learning Kiana had regained her memories.
"As expected."
Kiana truly was an extraordinary existence.
"As for the Honkai, it actually—"
"I already have the basic information," Ruan Mei interrupted, raising a hand. "I'd rather uncover its secrets step by step myself."
"If there's anything you're unsure about, you can always ask me. Though honestly, I don't understand its true nature all that well either..."
Perhaps, in the end, Ruan Mei would come to understand the Honkai far better than she ever could. While Kiana relied on her past-life knowledge of the Honkai, Ruan Mei was capable of uncovering its essence from scratch.
Ruan Mei truly was a remarkable genius.
After regaining her memories, Kiana now understood that truth on a much deeper level.
"I'm more curious about how you came to be tainted by the power of Nihility."
Kiana fell silent for a moment before answering, "That's... a long story. I suppose it was my arrogance—too much confidence in myself."
She had simply believed that no matter how recklessly she acted, she would never truly die. That was why she pushed forward with Project Ark and stayed behind with Yae Sakura and the others to take one final gamble.
But she hadn't expected the power of Nihility to be so troublesome.
She had failed the expectations of those who trusted her.
"Mm, let's not talk about that!"
Kiana shook her head, pushing those thoughts deep into her heart for now. She grabbed Ruan Mei's hand and said, "You've finished your experiments, and I've gained a lot myself. Do we still need to stay here?"
"Let's go back."
The lower-level Honkai Beasts and zombies here had already been studied thoroughly. No higher-level Honkai creatures had appeared, so Ruan Mei had lost interest.
She was far more eager to return and examine the changes in Kiana's condition.
There might be a major discovery waiting.
"Okay!"
This planet wasn't marked as a target by her. Once she left, the concentration of Honkai Energy would gradually decrease.
But Honkai was still Honkai. Wherever it went, it left traces—it could never completely disappear.
The few Honkai Beasts born from the lingering energy wouldn't cause much trouble. Conventional firearms alone would be enough to suppress them.
Seven or eight days had passed. Remembering what she had told Robin earlier, Kiana sent her a message once she had decided to leave Bury City.
But Robin didn't reply.
Maybe she was busy and hadn't seen it.
Kiana didn't dwell on it, putting the thought aside as she walked with Ruan Mei toward the road out of the city.
On the way, they encountered several scientists in protective suits collecting samples in Bury City.
They were likely dispatched by the IPC.
Ruan Mei had no intention of approaching them—since they were complete strangers, Kiana didn't bother either.
Still, as they were leaving Bury City, they ran into a minor inconvenience.
Due to the city's energy being hazardous to human bodies, the IPC personnel stopped them at the checkpoint and requested an inspection.
That was easily resolved.
All it took was mentioning Ruan Mei's name.
"Are you going to say goodbye to your new friend?"
After they passed through the IPC's defense line smoothly, Ruan Mei spoke suddenly. "The ship can depart at any time."
"Ah?"
Kiana blinked, realizing only then that Ruan Mei intended to take her back with her—that was why she had asked the question.
"But I'm going to Euphorion."
"Euphorion? Haven't you already remembered your past?"
Ruan Mei looked at her in confusion.
"...I'm going to find someone."
Under her gaze, Kiana pressed her lips together, her voice soft but resolute. "Someone very important to me... a friend."
She had once expressed her feelings to Mei, but back then, it hadn't been a confession—she hadn't said those words directly, and Mei hadn't given an answer. Later, as the situation in Izumo grew worse, neither of them brought it up again.