Chapter 67 - The Sage Art

In an instant, the thunderbolt descended—like the wrath of a furious god, striking head-on against the blazing Lava.

But much like a Kamen Rider facing a new monster form, every new transformation inevitably faces its downfall after the first victory.

The Third Herrscher had already used up her "newbie bonus" when she attacks Bronya.

Now, even the massive bolt of lightning crashing down was like a drop of water falling into a stream—barely enough to stir a ripple.

Violet-red lightning burst forth in all directions, only slightly peeling away the lashing flames dancing on the lava's surface, before being absorbed into the searing heat and spreading as erratic, dazzling currents around it.

The blazing lava, is like an artificial sun, easily pierced through the column of thunder and light.

What once looked colossal from the ground now shrank as it soared higher, eventually becoming no larger than a dot of light.

Then, at a height of a thousand meters—

'BOOM!'

A deafening explosion tore through the sky and earth alike.

The blinding radiance mimicked a collapsing star, tearing a gaping wound into the dense, overcast heavens with its endless energy storm.

Scorching flames erupted, turning the clouds into a gaping black pit—like a miniature black hole—that gradually dissipated, as if the sky itself had been shaken to its core.

The storm clouds scattered.

Dawn broke in an instant.

The world was bathed in light once again.

The intense glare surged like solar flares boiling across the surface of the sun, giving birth to a breathtaking sight—like stars igniting in celebration.

The poor storm didn't even stand a chance.

It vaporized in an instant, transformed into a searing mist that floated skyward.

Stray bolts of lightning—shining like rivers of stars—danced between the clouds and the fireball's surface.

They exploded along with the raging lava, rolling across the sky, connecting heaven and earth in a storm-woven symphony.

Below, everyone's vision was consumed by that fiery orange-red brilliance.

And then—came the impact.

Like a tidal wave crashing down from the sky, the force slammed into them with unimaginable intensity!

Everyone who witnessed this apocalyptic scene was utterly speechless.

"Aba… aba… aba…"

Even the amoeba-like onlooker had gone completely dumbstruck.

She couldn't comprehend how Nagami—who just this morning looked like a regular person—could possibly...

Her vocabulary was simply too limited to describe what she was feeling or what she was seeing.

Both the heiress Kiana and Cocolia, who was viewing everything through Bronya's perspective, widened their eyes in shock.

Though they had expected something big... they were not prepared for this.

Not for the sheer overwhelming power of Nagami's attack.

What was most terrifying—Nagami looked completely unbothered, even relaxed.

"Two-fifths… Now this is the real rasengan!" Nagami murmured to himself, equally stunned by his own handiwork, as he stared up at the blazing artificial sun he'd created.

Meanwhile, the Third Herrscher was gritting her teeth, eyes locked on the blazing inferno above.

That was supposed to be her energy!

Her potential wasn't weakened by a lack of Honkai energy at awakening, but right now, the reserves inside her had clearly dropped drastically.

She was like a malnourished child barely meeting the minimum threshold to awaken as a Herrscher.

In truth, it might've been even worse than that.

And even though she was furious and humiliated, somewhere deep down, the Herrscher had held back—without even realizing it herself.

On the other hand, Nagami driven by the overwhelming surge of power in his body—had no reason to hold back.

After all, his opponent wasn't Mei.

So, he casually unleashed two-fifths of his total Honkai energy reserve in one go.

"Ahem... so, Herrscher-san, how about we sit down and have a nice cup of tea?"

Nagami narrowed his eyes and offered the warmest smile he'd ever worn.

"I know. You're not under the control of the Honkai Will."

As the true instigator behind this entire series of events, Nagami had already deduced this truth.

In fact, this was all part of the plan.

He'd considered the possibility of converting the Herrscher's personality beforehand—this scenario had been accounted for.

Now, his hunch was simply being confirmed.

The emotions boiling in her heart had mostly been vented with her earlier furious outburst.

Nagami's words carried certainty—there was no doubt that what he said was the truth.

The Third Herrscher's expression turned complex.

She remained silent, the arcs of lightning still dancing across her body, crackling with quiet fury.

In her crimson, slit-pupiled eyes, the reflection of the young man stood still.

After a moment of contemplation, the floating Raiden Mei finally curled her lips into a smirk and looked down at him with haughty arrogance.

Then, in a flash of lightning, her figure vanished—only to reappear behind Nagami in an instant.

Her cherry-pink lips brushed lightly against his ear.

"So, what exactly do you want to talk about?"

The hexagram beneath her flickered with lightning.

As it spun, Nagami turned his head toward the Herrscher Mei, who wore a sly, ambiguous smile.

He frowned slightly.

Her abrupt action had taken him by surprise, and he couldn't quite guess what she was thinking.

Meanwhile, the ojou-sama followed C.C. to Nagami's side, dragging the dumbfounded tuna along.

She eyed the overwhelmingly regal Third Herrscher with suspicion, brows slightly furrowed.

Weak.

So weak.

Was this really the extent of a Herrscher's power in this world?

In her current state, the Third Herrscher could've effortlessly killed the ojou-sama—assuming nothing like the Will of the End intervened.

And yet, she still thought she was unimpressive.

The heiress Kiana was confident that either of her parents could easily deal with this Herrscher if they were here.

Back in her own world, she'd never fought a Herrscher directly.

But the historical footage of Honkai outbreaks was enough to show just how terrifying Herrschers could be.

No wonder Nagami told her not to take things too seriously.

Were the differences between the two worlds really that vast?

Staring into those mesmerizing red eyes, Nagami offered a carefree smile and spoke calmly.

"I know. A Herrscher personality isn't a separate entity. You are Mei's Herrscher persona—in essence, you and the gentle, kind-hearted Mei are one and the same."

"And since you haven't been corrupted by the Will of Honkai, you don't bear any hatred for humanity."

"You even have all of Mei's memories."

"What are you trying to say!?" The Third Herrscher's gaze sharpened, her voice cold and tinged with irritation.

Nagami just shook his head with a wry smile.

Her attitude didn't faze him at all.

"What I mean is—someone like you doesn't have to serve Honkai."

"We could be friends."

He extended his hand for a handshake, raising an eyebrow at her.

The Third Herrscher fell silent, staring at the hand stretched out in front of her.

"Besides, it's not like you could beat me anyway~"

"Y-You insect!!" The sudden shift in tone made the Herrscher explode with rage.

Her earlier coldness had clearly been a mask to hide her own confusion.

Nagami's words had rattled her.

Because everything he said was true.

She had never communicated with the true will of Honkai—no divine decree had been issued for her to destroy civilization.

And with both Nagami and the protozoan around, she had never truly fallen into despair, nor did she bear any real hatred for humanity.

The traces of Honkai influence from the energy she'd absorbed at her birth were present, but in the grand scheme, it wasn't much.

Which meant this Herrscher Mei had no clear objective.

Destroy humanity? Bring about calamity? Collapse the world?

She felt no such impulse.

She didn't even have full authority over Honkai beasts—at most, she could barely nudge them.

While she inherited all of Mei's memories, she was an independent personality.

Naturally, she didn't see herself as Mei and had no reason to treat Mei's friends or family as her own.

All this left her… uncertain.

What should she do? Where should she go from here?

When Nagami said he wanted to be friends, she was a little touched.

But then his next line shattered that emotion like glass.

'Does this guy even know how to talk to people!?'

'If you don't know what to say—just shut up!!'

Herrscher Mei roared internally, furious… but helpless.

Because he really was stronger than her.

"You're the one who stole the energy that was rightfully mine!"

She batted away Nagami's hand and slowly floated upward, seating herself cross-legged in mid-air like a queen on a throne.

A bolt of lightning arced down, slamming into the ground in front of Bronya, stopping her from trying to quietly slip away.

"You think I couldn't tell? Even if I hadn't intervened, how much of that Honkai energy could you really absorb?"

Nagami glanced at the frozen Bronya and continued.

If he hadn't intercepted the birth of the Herrscher and siphoned off that energy.

All the excess Honkai energy—far beyond the required threshold—would've been unleashed in the form of devastating catastrophes.

That second portion of energy would've dwarfed the amount needed just to awaken a Herrscher.

"You arrogant human… don't get cocky!"

Her elegant smile now radiated a chilling edge.

What Nagami said was true, but how could a proud Herrscher possibly admit it?

She opened her mouth again, only to be interrupted—by herself.

Seated in the air, the Third Herrscher glanced around at the girls who had gathered near Nagami.

Her eyes swept over their delicate features, and certain memories from Mei's mind began to stir.

A sly grin crept onto her lips.

"Fine then~"

As everyone froze in confusion, Herrscher Mei's eyes sparkled with mischief.

She lifted her right leg—encased in sheer black stockings—and teasingly nudged Nagami's chin with her toe.

Her words carried a strange, seductive tone.

Her left leg suddenly erupted with chaotic purple lightning, destroying the remnants of her stocking in a crackling burst.

Her long, smooth, porcelain-white leg now gleamed in the open air.

She slowly extended it in front of Nagami.

"If you lick my feet, I'll agree~"

Looks like the Honkai influence she absorbed at birth might've had more impact than she—or anyone—thought.