What appeared next was the successor to the Divine Key of Genesis, Black Abyss White Flower—the person closest to the title of the strongest, S-rank Valkyrie, Durandal.
This was also her first appearance in front of the audience.
She simply sat high above, watching the two: "Stop, Rita."
"Understood." Rita sheathed her scythe.
Durandal then turned to Fu Hua: "Go, Fu Hua. We cannot provide you with assistance, because our battle is not only for our own beliefs, but also for the people we cherish. If I were in your position, I would make the same choice as you."
Fu Hua thanked her once and turned around, leaping off the edge of the floating island, disappearing into the chaotic sky.
The two simply watched her leave in silence.
Finally, Rita broke the silence first: "You… why didn't you stop her? —She will die."
Durandal replied: "That is her own decision."
At this moment,
all the viewers fully understood what Fu Hua had meant in the live stream back then.
They also completely realized that she was not the so-called villain and should not have endured those insults from before.
However…
even knowing this,
no one said anything.
They just wanted to see what Fu Hua could do and finish watching this episode before apologizing to her during her next live stream.
And in the plot,
Fu Hua quickly arrived at the battlefield.
After roughly assessing the situation, she blocked in front of Bronya: "Bronya, don't look back. Take them and leave here. That is not an enemy you can handle."
Bronya looked at Mei and Theresa lying on the ground, already unable to fight.
She nodded: "Bronya understands. Thank you, Squad Leader. And thank you for bringing Bronya out of the Herrscher of the Void's dream."
Fu Hua did not say more: "Hurry and go!"
The Herrscher of the Void watched Bronya carry the others away and snorted coldly: "Heh, humans are like inexhaustible vermin—kill one, and several more emerge."
"But even clustering together cannot change your insignificance."
"Has no one told you that interrupting someone's banquet is very rude?"
Fu Hua directly interrupted her with an attack: "Cut the nonsense!"
"Heh…" The Herrscher of the Void instantly teleported into the sky: "I remember you—the same ridiculous outfit, the same detestable face. It brings back many unpleasant memories. Are you here to protect that girl as well?"
Fu Hua was nothing like Theresa—she couldn't be bothered to listen and charged again: "Done talking?"
Her goal was simple!
To stall the Herrscher of the Void and let the three escape.
The Herrscher of the Void was also provoked, locking her gaze on her: "Hmph, ant. Pay the price for your rudeness!"
At that moment,
Bronya escaped with the two.
Fu Hua did her best to hold off the Herrscher of the Void.
But in reality, the gap between them was still far too vast.
In just a few minutes, the Herrscher of the Void defeated her and choked her neck.
With the fusion of the Gem of Serenity, the Herrscher of the Void's power was no longer something she could overcome.
However…
the Herrscher of the Void was also curious: "How strange… even in the earlier fight, you didn't use your full strength. —Why? You clearly possess two divine swords, yet you refuse to use the other one."
"Do you think it's not yet time? Or… can you not control it? Or perhaps, you simply cannot use it at all?"
"But it doesn't matter—this changes nothing."
"—Die!"
Just as she was about to strike,
clap clap clap clap clap clap…
An untimely applause made her halt the lance in her hand.
She followed the sound and discovered an uninvited guest had appeared on the battlefield at some point.
This person was none other than Otto Apocalypse.
"What a splendid battle."
"As expected of the Queen of Honkai. Your figure is always so radiant, no matter when."
The Herrscher of the Void stared at him: "You—I know you. You are the one who awakened me, the one who covets the power of god, a pitiful human."
"Hehehe, it is my honor to be remembered by you. Then, as repayment for granting you a second life, could you please show mercy to her?" Otto spread his palms, pointing toward Fu Hua in the Herrscher of the Void's grasp.
At the same time, a crimson fluid emanated from his body.
The blood-like fluid spiraled upward along Otto's arm.
Finally, it converged into several sharp cones.
The blood cones pointed straight at the Herrscher ahead, as if ready to burst forth at any moment.
"She is my friend. I do not wish for her to be harmed."
Otto's tone remained playful and frivolous, just like his usual cynical demeanor.
But the Herrscher did not see it that way.
She instinctively felt unease from those blood cones—a substance that was familiar yet somehow different.
She casually threw Fu Hua to the ground: "Hmph… she is not worth my effort. If you want her, take her. I have no interest in you—the little girls are my targets."
"…But for a person like you to become king—humanity truly is pitiful."
With that, she vanished directly.
Otto walked to Fu Hua: "Ah… how embarrassing. The last time I saw you this gravely injured was five hundred years ago at Taixuan Peak, wasn't it?"
"In any case, I'll treat you first—as congratulations for the successful completion of the experiment's first phase."
Fu Hua weakly questioned: "Why…"
"Hm? You can still speak?" Otto was somewhat surprised.
Fu Hua continued pressing: "Why… let her go… Don't you know… her target is…"
Otto's tone turned serious: "Theresa, I know. I'm afraid it won't be long before they are caught up to. This time, no one else will interfere."
"—Their battle will continue to the end."
Fu Hua was shocked: "What did you say??"
Otto put away that serious facade: "Oh right, I haven't told you yet. Rest assured—it's definitely good news for you. —K423 is not dead yet, and I need her to stay alive."
"Right now, two consciousnesses reside in that body."
"The consciousness of K423, whom you call 'Kiana,' and the consciousness of Sirin, the Herrscher of the Void."
"After absorbing the Gem of Serenity and high concentrations of Honkai energy…"
"The consciousness of Sirin residing in that body began to activate."
"And successfully took over this vessel, ultimately leading to the reawakening of the Herrscher of the Void."
"Heh, but this is not the outcome I desire."
"Up to this point, we call it the first phase. Next… is the true experiment."