Chapter 71: Elysia: "I Hope the Ending of This Story Will Warm Your Heart!"

Chapter 71 Elysia: "I Hope the Ending of This Story Will Warm Your Heart!"

Clearly, Mobius was extremely interested in the technology capable of replicating the Herrscher of Flame's powers.

『Your Great Inventor:』 "Oh? Looks like this new viewer is quite receptive to new technology."

A green comment floated across the screen... expressing Otto's appreciation for the newcomer.

It had to be said, the meeting of these two legendary scientists, who had never crossed paths before, was truly an unprecedented sight in this world...

『where did the little lab rats hide?:』 "Hehe, of course. Research should never be confined by imagination, otherwise, how could we possibly achieve groundbreaking results?"

『Your Great Inventor:』 "Hmm, I completely agree."

In the livestream chat, the two generations of scientists reached a remarkable level of agreement on one thing.

This... could only mean that both of them were forward-thinkers, unbound by conventional wisdom.

As the comments floated across the screen, Fu Hua revealed Otto's last hidden trump card.

["Before the experiment began, that man had already given orders to all the S-rank Valkyries."]

["If the experiment fails, this armor will be used as the final means to fight the Herrscher."]

["I can't use it now. You are the only one I can turn to for help right now. But the final choice... is still yours..."]

Fu Hua's intention was simple and clear.

If this armor was worn, it meant taking on the responsibility of fighting the Herrscher.

However, this armor was prepared for the S-rank Valkyries, so it should rightfully be entrusted to one of them to carry out the dangerous task.

But, Himiko didn't hesitate.

["Don't say that... I've already made my choice."]

["...Then I will help you put it on."]

Fu Hua walked straight to the armor and extended her hand.

Then, the screen displayed a system message in the dialogue box.

["Access request confirmed. Mental wavelength, authentication begins."]

["—Authentication completed. Level: Zero; Group: Konfidento."]

["—Request passed. Locking chamber open. Switching to dressing mode. Switch complete. Energy furnace, supply starting."]

With the system message disappearing, the legacy of the pre-civilization era declared that the armor could now be used.

After completing the process, Fu Hua continued.

["...Go. When you put on this armor, the Herrscher's gem will begin to corrode your mind."]

["I will try to stop its erosion, but the most important thing is you yourself."]

Fu Hua expressed her thoughts and cautions.

At this moment, she didn't seem like a vengeful person or a victim caught in events beyond her control.

["Fu Hua... who are you really?"]

["I'm just like you, someone who hopes to change the current situation."]

["..."}

At this point, asking further questions would serve no purpose.

Himiko knew that even if she continued asking, she wouldn't get any more answers.

And compared to answers, she now just hoped to change the situation.

Himiko stepped into the armor chamber, and light poured down on her.

The world in her eyes gradually turned white.

It was like the dawn's first light—pure, yet void.

As the narrative text finished, the mission completion animation appeared.

Meanwhile, a pink comment floated across the screen.

『Pink Fairy Miss:』 "I think I understand now, was this told in a flashback style? So, will Himiko defeat the Herrscher next? I think a heartwarming ending would be more attractive than a tragic one."

Clearly, Pink Fairy Miss was very curious about the direction of the next part of the story.

And she sincerely hoped that the story would have a good ending...

Following Pink Fairy Miss's comment, a more analytical one appeared from Hua.

『Today's Performance Wasn't Perfect:』 "I think with the plot advancing this far, the answer must be victory. But... did she manage to awaken Kiana in the end?"

『where did the little lab rats hide?:』 "That Divine Key... and someone still dares to use it? Hehe~ That's really reckless."

A golden-colored comment floated across the screen...

The sender was the ever-knowledgeable Mobius.

Having seen and experienced so much, she casually referred to the Vermilion Knight: Eclipse armor as a Divine Key.

The true essence of the armor was the technological relic left behind by the pre-civilization era, a Divine Key without a number, developed under Dr. MEI's guidance—The Blank Key. This suit didn't have a core but could connect to any core and release Herrscher-like powers.

Unlike typical Divine Keys, the Blank Key could fully replicate the powers of the Herrscher, but at the cost of unpredictable damage to the user.

So, using this weapon truly was reckless...

Hokuto clicked to continue to the next chapter, and the game once again transitioned into the gameplay interface.

The new chapter scene was no longer set in the laboratory.

Instead, it was in a shattered space...

As Himiko entered this space, the game began playing a somber background music.

Meanwhile, on the road ahead, blurred, human-shaped enemies began to spawn.

They all shared a single name: Phantom of Desire.

Then, the screen began to display red subtitles.

["This is the end. You've done your best."]

["You are but a mortal, you've reached your limit."]

Himiko didn't respond but used her weapon to smash the phantom to pieces...

Then, a new phantom emerged.

["That girl was born to be a Herrscher."]

["No matter how hard you try, you can't change her fate."]

Himiko still didn't respond, and the phantom shattered again under her attack.

["You still have your own life, your own future!"]

["Fool! Don't sacrifice everything here!"]

The desire to survive was ultimately suppressed by Himiko.

With the phantom's final demise, the road ahead began to form.

Himiko sheathed her sword and ran toward the distance.

["Stop! Stop!"]

As she ran, the red subtitles on the screen displayed a shocking desire to survive.

In the end, Himiko ignored the voice's plea and resolutely ran toward the future.

At the end of the road, a figure holding a blood-colored greatsword was silently waiting.

This phantom's name was The Flame of Pestilence.

["You're heading toward self-destruction! You'll kill yourself!"]

『Pink Fairy Miss:』 "The drama's getting so intense. What will happen next?"

["Stop shouting already. Have you finished talking? What exactly am I doing? If it were them, they would have made the same choice. But since it's something I can do, then I'll go back and do it."]

The allure of the gem failed to sway Himiko.

With the help of the phantoms, she defeated the gem's illusion effortlessly.

["They're still waiting for me..."]

["Our journey... won't end here...!"]

With Himiko's response, the phantom was finally defeated.

The screen faded to black...

Only the prominent text appeared in the center...

["You have overcome the inner demon. As a mortal, you have temporarily gained control of the Herrscher's power. With that, my mission here is complete."]

["..."}

["I'm glad I could help you in the end..."]

After Fu Hua's words, the chapter concluded.

In the opening of the next chapter, the game played a CG sequence.

Fu Hua closed her eyes and clasped her hands in a bowing gesture, which was shown on the screen.

["Major Himiko, I am deeply grateful for all your teachings."]

["If fate allows... we will meet again in the future."]

As Fu Hua thanked her, her figure disappeared in a burst of light.

The camera then shifted to the experimental chamber displaying combat suits.

At this moment, the Vermilion Knight: Eclipse Valkyrie combat suit was no longer visible.

As the sound of footsteps echoed, the screen showed Himiko walking out slowly, holding Surtr Muspellsverd.

["Thank you, Fu Hua."]

With the end of the CG, the game transitioned back to the gameplay interface.

As soon as the scene entered, the screen lit up with red warning flashes.

Then, at the other end of the lower levels, the Asleikr: Heimdall appeared, blocking Himiko's way.

["You're my opponent?"]

After saying this, Himiko quickly rushed forward and engaged in battle with the Asleikr: Heimdall.

After wearing the Vermilion Knight: Eclipse combat suit and acquiring the Gem of Haste, which contained Herrscher-like powers, her strength skyrocketed. The Asleikr, which had previously been difficult to defeat, soon saw its health drop dramatically.

Finally, with two powerful vertical slashes from Himiko's ultimate attacks, the Asleikr: Heimdall was reduced to a pile of scrap metal, crashing to the ground in a fiery explosion.

The huge machine collapsed in the flames, and Himiko thrust her greatsword deeply into the ground, taking a long breath.

—Her heart was boiling.

—Her body had never felt so light.

—She no longer felt the pain from her wounds.

—Her power seemed to be bursting out from within her.

["...Huff. Everyone, wait for me. —I'm back!"]

With Himiko's return, this chapter's plot was finally concluded.

Before Hokuto started the next chapter, several comments flooded the livestream chat.

『Pink Fairy Miss:』 "Himiko suddenly became so strong! I wonder what sparks will fly between her and that little sister next?"

『Today's Performance Wasn't Perfect:』 "In the end, will Himiko kill Kiana? She has Tesla's specially made holy blood, so if she injects that liquid, she could return to normal, right?"

『Pink Fairy Miss:』 "Oh? Didn't expect you to care about her so much? Hehe, I also think that in the end, she'll use that stuff to save her life."

As the livestream chat continued with predictions from the audience, the new chapter began.

The game shifted the scene from the laboratory to the Hyperion battleship.

["Honkai Energy System Laboratory 'Helheim', Southside Outer Corridor, above."]

Bronya appeared on screen.

["We're 4 kilometers away from the coordinates sent by Dr. Tesla."]

["No anomalies detected nearby."]

Soon, Tesla appeared beside her.

["Received, beginning deceleration and descent. Prepare to search for Dr. Tesla and the others."]

["All squads, stay alert. The Herrscher could launch an attack from the virtual dimension at any time."]

["Doctor, how are the injured?"]

Bronya asked, showing her deep concern.

["...Not looking good. Theresa's injuries have been barely stabilized, but she'll need a long recovery before waking up. As for Mei... when the Herrscher took the Gem of Conquest, her heart was injured. Her vital signs are rapidly dropping, and she needs heart surgery immediately."]

["Once we find Dr. Tesla and the others, we need to evacuate first—"]

Before Einstein could finish speaking, the alarm sounded once again.

Bronya reported that radar detected a massive invasion of Honkai Beasts on the battleship.

As the acting commander, Einstein immediately ordered the preparation for combat.

The game transitioned back into the gameplay interface.

Bronya was now alone on the deck, fighting off the continuous waves of Honkai Beasts.

With just herself, it was obviously difficult, but she had to take on the responsibility of guarding.

Suddenly, the screen turned black!

—The roar of steel clashing filled the air, and Bronya's vision started to spin.

Her body was thrown by inertia, tumbling across the ground before coming to a stop.

["What... happened?"]

["Did the Hyperion perform an emergency landing?"]

Her vision slowly began to recover, and through the darkness, a faint light filtered in.

["No... I need to... hurry back..."]

Bronya's vision grew brighter.

Then, she saw it.

—Fire was burning.

["Major Himiko!"]

As the screen brightened, Himiko appeared, holding Surtr Muspellsverd, standing in front of Bronya.

["You've done well, Bronya."]

["The enemy... is coming..."]

["Hurry back to the Hyperion! Leave this to me!"]

The game then transitioned to the next part of the plot, showing the scene where Himiko was about to be ambushed.

However, this time, the CG showed the moment when the Asleikr was pierced through by Himiko.

Afterward, the chapter ended, and Hokuto clicked to enter the next chapter.

[Tick-tock, tick-tock.]

As soon as the new chapter started, the dialogue box displayed a new narrative text.

["Blood drops fall onto the scorching ground, dissipating into crimson smoke."]

["—In their ears, a mocking and cruel voice rings out."]

["Oh? Did I fail to stop you? This show isn't following the script, is it?"]

The Herrscher of the Void's voice echoed, signaling her arrival to both Himiko and the livestream audience.

The chaotic sky was violently torn apart, and the Herrscher's figure appeared amid the lightning.

["Kiana..."]

Himiko murmured.

However, what responded to her was the Herrscher's casual and arrogant words.

["Finally, I found you all!"]

["Though the order was mixed up, it doesn't matter. You're just nameless ants."]

["Let's start by killing you!"]

But upon hearing the Herrscher's declaration of death, Himiko didn't show any fear.

["Heh, I've been waiting for you, sugar!" ]

With Himiko's battle-ready response, the game transitioned back to the gameplay interface.

In the game, Herrscher of the Void appeared with three gems in her possession.

However, facing the attack of the Vermilion Knight: Eclipse, her health plummeted rapidly, eventually dropping to just two bars!

["—What? That armor...?"]

["That looks painful! You're bleeding! Heh, I never expected a God to bleed?"]

Gasping for breath, Himiko mocked the Herrscher from her towering position.

["...Impossible—!"]

["I should have killed you dozens of times already!"]

And in the midst of the Herrscher's questioning, the camera focused on Himiko, holding Surtr Muspellsverd, facing the Herrscher.

["Oh, I am SO sorry.... I'm just a bit hard to deal with."]

["Isolent human!"]

As the Herrscher finished her line, Himiko interrupted.

["Don't you ever get tired calling us insect or human?"]

["I do have a name, though... Try remember it well when you go to hell…."]

["….I'm Murata Himeko!!"]

End of Chapter 71