"Why not kill them all, and then catch up to that man?"
A cold, bewitching whisper suddenly echoed in the deepest part of Wendy's soul.
Following the implantation of the Gem of Desire, the newly born Stigmata Will was absorbed, converted, and reshaped by it like a drop of water merging into the sea. In an instant, it evolved into a true persona of the Herrscher of Wind.
The reason the process was so smooth was that the essence of a Stigmata is to simulate a Herrscher Core. Every human who awakens the highest-tier Stigmata can be said to be a natural reservist for the corresponding Herrscher.
If there had already been a consciousness residing within the Gem of Desire, there might have been a life-or-death struggle between the two.
However, as one of the four fragments of truth split from the Second Herrscher, with the true lord having fallen to the Honkai Fission Bomb, this gem was currently empty inside, offering no possibility of resistance.
As the newborn Herrscher persona, she naturally desired for her host, Wendy, to submit completely, completing the final Herrscher transformation.
As for the surging energy to induce a Great Eruption? A stable channel linking to Imaginary Space existed within the Gem of Desire. As long as the host nodded, a super-large Great Eruption of over 2000 HW would instantly explode centered on her.
After that, naturally, the sky would be high for birds to fly, the ocean wide for fish to swim—no longer bound by anything.
Yes, this was Schicksal Headquarters, where powerful warriors were as common as clouds, and experts were as numerous as carp crossing a river.
But so what?
She was the free and unfettered Herrscher of Wind! In terms of speed alone, how many people in the world could catch up to her?
Regrettably, Wendy remained unmoved by the Herrscher persona's seduction.
Don't think you can make me relinquish control of my body with just a few words, you evil lackey of the Honkai God!
The girl clenched her fists, declaring with unwavering firmness in her sea of consciousness: I am a Valkyrie who swore to fight for all that is beautiful in the world. I will never compromise with an apostle of the Honkai like you!
"Beautiful? What a joke!" The Herrscher persona sneered shrilly. "Even while being tortured like this by these insects who treat you as a lab rat, you remain so naive?"
Because there are still people in the world who treat me well!
Wendy was resolute. Between her fingers, a uniquely shaped badge quietly emitted a warm glow.
The Oats of Octavia. A precious item with special significance given to Fuli by Theresa.
It stored a Critical-grade reality distortion field, granting the holder the powerful ability of "Speech Spirit" (words becoming law) before the energy was exhausted.
Fuli had secretly stuffed this into Wendy's palm so she would have the power to resist if bullied.
Besides this, before leaving, he had used the Star Saint's Path—the First Rated Power of Jizo Mitama—to charm Wendy. Utilizing its various derivative effects, he significantly reduced the pain and suffering she would endure in the future.
The cries of pain the girl made earlier were an act, specifically performed so the researchers wouldn't detect any flaws.
However, this disguise and protection became the killer move used by the Herrscher persona to attack her heart.
"Fine, fine, fine. Since you say you want to fight for this fake 'beauty'." Her voice rose steeply, carrying a malice that pierced through everything. "Then why don't you tell those insects about my existence?"
Indeed, since she had decided to fight for humanity, why didn't Wendy just come clean and reveal everything she knew?
The answer was simple.
"Because you're afraid of death!"
The Herrscher persona's wild laughter vibrated through the consciousness space. "Once you reveal everything about me, those bastards at Schicksal will either immediately extract the Gem of Desire that houses me, or execute you, who is already infinitely close to being the Herrscher of Wind, right on the spot to prevent future trouble!"
"And no matter which choice, you will close your eyes forever, never again able to see this world you strive so hard to protect!"
Y-You're talking nonsense! Wendy retorted loudly. I'm not afraid of death at all! Before, I—
"Yes, before, when you learned in Theresa's office that you might become a Pseudo-Herrscher, you didn't hesitate to pull out a dagger to commit suicide."
The Herrscher persona's tone turned cold, carrying a mockery that saw through human nature. "But people change, Wendy! Why were you not afraid of death then? Because you, for whom everything had always gone smoothly, hadn't yet understood the value of life. And even if you really died, it would have been an honorable sacrifice in the name of a hero on the path of fighting the Honkai."
"But what about now?" She curled her lips. "Did it hurt when the gem was implanted? Was the pain on the operating table stimulating every minute and second? That torture far exceeding a thousand cuts—did you realize just how terrifying death is? The most ironic thing is, you are no longer a hero, but the soon-to-be-born Herrscher of Wind!"
"A Herrscher, the public enemy of all mankind! No one will sing your praises after you die. Those flies will only chant that you are an enemy of humanity, leaving a stench for ten thousand years! Before your tombstone, there will only be spittle and curses!"
"..."
Wendy bit her lip until it turned white, failing to voice a rebuttal for the first time.
"Moreover, are you willing to die now?"
The Herrscher persona's gaze felt tangible, landing on the hand where the girl clutched the badge.
Her attitude became extremely ambiguous: "That boy named Fuli... you've fallen for him, haven't you?"
"I have not!"
Wendy denied it immediately, a tremor in her movements barely perceptible.
"That face is indeed likable. While lying in the darkness before, you imagined his appearance quite a lot to relieve your loneliness, didn't you?" The Herrscher persona's words seeped in like venom. "When you were pushed into the abyss after the experiment failed, at your most desperate and helpless moment, he was the first to visit you. Humorous conversation, gifts... not only relieving your pain but also passing on the love token Theresa left him (The Oats of Octavia) to you, telling you to make a big scene if you get bullied and he'd come back you up."
"He's done all this, and you're an innocent maiden who's never been in love. It's quite normal to be a little moved, right?"
"I... haven't..."
This time, the girl's response was as weak as a mosquito's buzz.
"But so what if you're moved? Look at yourself now!"
Hearing this, Wendy subconsciously looked at her own body.
Wrapped in bandages, faintly seeping blood.
Hideous, raised purple crystalline veins were visible through the gaps. The scars on her legs were so ugly that even she turned her head away in disgust.
"Is this riddled appearance pretty? Can legs full of wounds still wear the white silk stockings he likes best? Do you want to look in the mirror again and see how much charm is left in the face and figure you were once so proud of?" The Herrscher persona was full of seduction. "Durandal, Rita, Asta... the women around that guy are prettier than the last... Don't you want to lock him up and make him completely yours?"
"But as long as you accept me! As long as you become a Herrscher, everything will get better!" She spread her arms, standing like a cross, resembling a martyred Jesus Christ. "Immortal divine body! Invincible power! Ultimate authority governing the universal laws of physics! What Kiana? What Raiden Mei? What Theresa? None of them are enemies who can last a single round against you and me!"
"You just—SHUT UP!!!"
Perhaps her mentor's name hit a sore spot, or perhaps she had been suppressed to the limit. A roar that seemed to tear her soul apart finally exploded in the ward!
Wendy, her will burning, gasped violently like a dehydrated fish, relying on the explosive anger to temporarily suppress the maddening echoes in her mind.
Catching a glimpse of the bedside out of the corner of her eye, she found that while the blue and white porcelain bottle containing the Ice Coagulation Pill was gone, the fruit basket filled with heartfelt care had been returned intact.
An exhausted yet stubborn smile spread with difficulty across the girl's pale lips. The Oats of Octavia held tightly between her fingers transmitted a warmth just like the boy's palm.
She stared unfocused at the ceiling, whispering softly so only she could hear:
"I won't compromise. Please believe in me, Mr. Fuli..."
"Please wait for me, hee..."
"Don't let those lab guys get greedy with my stuff, awooo. Otherwise, I'll show you what it means to be enraged for a moment."
"Relax, I've already said hello to Plague Knight Levi."
"Also, help take care of little angel Wendy. If you do, I'll treat you to a drink next time we meet."
"Finished all the Immortal Brew, huh?"
"Heh heh, I have something better here!"
"Then I'll be waiting with anticipation."
After saying hello to his reliable and capable good bro Ella, and bidding farewell to Durandal who had rushed over, Fuli hurriedly embarked on the journey back to the Hyperion.
It wasn't that he didn't want to stay at Schicksal for a few more days, exercise with the tender and juicy Big White Goose, and shed sweat together. It was mainly because Bronya sent news that Kiana was sick and currently bedridden.
Those on the Honkai side could also get sick; basically, it was physiological feedback triggered by psychological illness.
Ever since being injected with the Htr-type modification agent, the horrifying scenes witnessed in the hallucinations had haunted Kiana's mind, making her restless and unable to eat or sleep well. Even her appearances were fewer than usual.
Unexpectedly, exhausted in body and mind, she was laid low by illness, curled up under the covers with a fever-flushed face.
The character "Kiana" held a billion points of imperial status in Fuli's heart, so he immediately dropped all other pending matters and took the first opportunity to return to the Hyperion.
"Waaah! I was wrong, let me go!"
And then he encountered a little white-haired Tuna being chased by a herd of cows, scurrying around the deck with her head in her hands, screaming "waaah."
Seeing her fiancé return, Theresa's eyes lit up. Her two short legs wrapped in pure white stockings exploded with astonishing power as she shifted into full gear and charged fiercely towards Fuli!
"Little Li, save me!"
He scooped up the panicked little thing, stuffed her into his arms, and stepped on a lotus flower condensed from a void flash, rising tens of meters into the air.
He patted the hoof prints off the Principal's body while turning to ask the virtual image appearing beside him: "Sis, what's the deal?"
Kallen, also wearing white stockings, passionately planted a mwah on her little brother's lips as a welcome, then explained with a speechless face: "After she arrived, she ran off to Mt. Taixu on her own, wanting to lead a few cows back to St. Freya for extra food. Ended up pissing them off and getting chased here."
"Not extra food!" Theresa in Fuli's arms waved her small fists in protest. "It's because I like them and wanted to pet them!"
"Even if it was for extra food, it shouldn't be this bad."
Fuli stared at the red-hot herd of cows below. Daring to hit people today means daring to kill people tomorrow; they are already courting death!
He had always drawn a clear line between people and beasts.
"Normally it wouldn't be; cows are usually docile." Kallen was expressionless. "But when Theresa was leading the cows, not only did she feed them beef jerky like a maniac, she also used Judah to whip their butts to make them move faster. You could say it was purely an accident caused by a lack of personal moral character."
"..."
Fuli lowered his head to look at the Principal in his arms, who was blinking innocently.
"Tehepero~"
Acting cute! Theresa is the world's number one cutie!
"Ouch!"
Having suffered a flick to the forehead, she stared angrily at Fuli, cheeks puffed out like a little pufferfish.
Fuli ignored her and turned to instruct Kallen: "Tell Sauce to come and get them all back."
Ella had instructed before leaving not to tell Kallen about her situation.
People have to look forward. Kallen had finally gained her freedom; don't drag her back in with these leftover matters.
One could only say, as expected of Otto.
Three minutes later, amidst Sauce's awooos as she moonlighted as a sheepdog, the cows glared hatefully at the white-haired nun making faces at them, then lined up and marched back with heavy steps.
Theresa let out a long sigh of relief.
Fuli looked at her sideways. "You adjusted your mindset pretty well."
Who was the one acting like it was the end of the world because of the Wendy situation earlier?
"This is the responsibility of an adult, Little Li."
The girl stood on tiptoes, trying hard to pat Fuli's shoulder, her tone old-fashioned. "Once you see the mountain-high pile of documents waiting for approval at St. Freya, you realize being sad is just too much of a delay."
Her voice lowered slightly for a moment, then immediately rose again. "Besides, isn't that child Wendy still alive? As long as she's alive, there's hope!"
Recalling the events of fourteen years ago and seven years ago, a trace of imperceptible pain flashed deep in Theresa's eyes.
Although it's hard to compare levels of sadness and misfortune, having experienced the departure of Cecilia and the Real Kiana, it was hard for anything to thoroughly defeat her now.
Fuli put the girl in his arms down and patted her head. "So you came personally this time?"
"Of course, to see my sick, dear grand-niece, and by the way, sign a few more material trade contracts with the Hyperion!" Theresa rubbed her hands together, symbols of greed flashing in her eyes. "Like that Htr-type modification agent, and usage rights for the equipment enhancement and fusion device, guhehehe..."
"Hey! Your drool is dripping on my clothes!"
Fuli dodged aside in disgust, but he could understand this guy's covetousness.
Just by successfully enduring extremely intense pain after injection, one could obtain fierce physical fitness close to A-Rank, personalized abilities, and extremely powerful regeneration; failure still retained an enhancement equivalent to a C-Rank Valkyrie.
Back then, the Third Reich of Germany relied on this stuff to hammer both the Allied Forces and the Soviet Union in the early stages, forcing the usually detached Schicksal to personally intervene. And now, Mei, the Doctor of Super-Electromagnetism, had actually perfectly deconstructed and reproduced it?
Theresa didn't just violently raid the place with Judah because she was wary of the Judgment-class Honkai Beast, Kurikara.
And since violence wasn't an option...
"Want to buy? Sure." Fuli raised his eyebrows, teasing, "Are you prepared to get ripped off big time?"
The raw materials for that stuff were quite expensive. The price of the finished product would definitely have to be raised at least a few dozen times, though that was still the fiancée friendship price.
"Darling, mwah..."
The dignified future Overseer of Schicksal directly hugged her fiancé's arm, her soft, cute, and coquettish call sickeningly sweet.
The long sleeves of her nun habit wrapped tightly around Fuli's arm. Her small head rubbed against his shoulder, and she even stood on tiptoes trying to kiss him.
"Gwah! Get away from me!"
Fuli pushed Theresa's small forehead away with one hand. He thought to himself: Just finished comforting the little disciple Wendy, and in the blink of an eye, being treated like this by her master... Why is this damn immoral feeling so fresh and thrilling?
"Hey! What are you planning to do to my young and beautiful little brother, you old hag?"
Kallen quit on the spot, grabbing Theresa by the scruff of her neck. The two, sharing the same origin, instantly fought into a ball.
In a sense, does this count as mother and daughter (?) getting jealous over the same man?
Bronya, passing by as a casual observer, thought.
First master and disciple, then mother and daughter? Haki-Li, you guy, truly enviable...
"I feel like you're thinking about something messy. You're thinking right, stop thinking." Fuli, arriving beside her, said, "Also, even if you've grown up, call me Onii-Chan. And quickly take me to Kiana's ward."
"Yes, Your Majesty!"
Big Bronya dragged out her voice, looked down regretfully at her bulging front armor.
After a period of adaptation, Fuli no longer reached out abruptly for "physical changes" like he did at the start.
Regarding this, Bronya felt only loss in her heart, not even a tiny bit of happiness.