A piercing sound tore through the air as several platinum Void Spears, shining with radiant light, pinned Kiana firmly in place. Stripped of her strength, she was unable to move.
Sirin then turned her gaze toward the Architect, who stood slightly hunched, wearing a fawning expression.
The Architect trembled internally, hastily offering a deep crimson gem with both hands.
"Oh great Queen of the Void, this is a gift from us, the Herrscher of a Thousand. It will aid you in fully manifesting your physical form."
Sirin said nothing, her emotionless golden eyes staring at the Architect as if she were nothing more than a lifeless object.
The Architect felt as though she was sweating coldly—despite her mechanical puppet body lacking the function to sweat.
Then, Sirin grabbed the gem.
"Insects, you are bold. However…"
A cold and exquisitely beautiful smile graced her lips as the gem began to merge into her palm.
Immediately, an oppressive sensation surged through the Architect's body—or rather, through every puppet still in existence.
"…This suits me perfectly."
Her shallow smile deepened as her indifferent gaze shifted back to the Architect, causing her entire body to tremble.
"Great—"
Shing!
Long, razor-sharp white ribbons sliced the Architect's puppet body into countless pieces. The ribbons then recoiled behind Sirin, transforming into a silver Void Spear.
Simultaneously, an overwhelming wave of Honkai energy erupted from the goddess-like figure, lifting her into the air.
Dust particles, gravel on the ground, and clouds in the sky quivered silently.
"This feeling…"
"Humans…"
"Judgment has arrived!"
BOOM!
With the Queen of the Void's proclamation, a devastating shockwave surged outward, obliterating everything within a hundred miles.
<+>
In a distant, shadowy corner, four puppets stood in silence, all burdened by an inexplicable pressure.
"Host, explain," the General said coldly.
The Pope and the Dean also turned their eyes toward the Host, who was gazing into the distance.
The Host turned back, nonchalant.
"When the Herrscher of the Void accepts our core, two outcomes are possible: one, she uses our power to resurrect but is drawn into the rules of the 'Collective,' becoming just like us; or two… she, as the Herrscher of the Void who once wielded other Herrscher powers, manages to dominate the power of Domination. It's not impossible."
"—What does that mean?"
"It means we are mere extensions of the power of Domination, while she has become its master."
"What are you still scheming?"
"Nothing anymore. You know, the more one relies on schemes, the more one realizes their limits… What I mean is, the esteemed Queen of the Void was beyond our reach from the very beginning. Now, let us submit to fate."
The Host sighed, a mix of regret over her helplessness and relief.
Yes, all schemes have their limits. No matter how they stirred chaos, they could not stop Anti-Entropy and Schicksal from deciding to unify the world.
To fight a true powerhouse, only another powerhouse would suffice.
Thus, even knowing the risk of the Herrscher of the Void turning the tables, the Host still played her moves carefully, step by step—until the situation spiraled completely out of control.
But at least the stagnant situation had changed!
Submission to the strong had always been the rule. There was nothing shameful about it. As long as their master was strong enough to lead them in overthrowing the world—even servility was an honor!
The Host ignored the reactions of the other three, instead tidying her clothes and hair, preparing herself in appearance and spirit to await the master's summons.
<+>
"This feeling... Familiar power, familiar authority, and this…"
Sirin raised her hand, where crystalline ice fragments formed, sparkling like tiny stars.
"The power of Ice? How novel!"
"Sirin!"
BOOM!
A black gauntlet, radiating ionized blue flames, clashed against crossed Void Spears, sending a gust of wind that tousled Sirin's pure white hair.
Sirin glanced sideways, her golden eyes emotionless as they fell upon the black-armored girl beside her.
Kiana's body was like that of a sleek and powerful panther, exuding a raw, untamed beauty brimming with potential energy.
Unfortunately, Sirin had no appreciation for such beauty. On the contrary, she felt an intrinsic loathing for the girl who shared the same origin as herself and now appeared identical in every way.
"Still don't get it? A blasphemer without faith, wallowing in her own degeneration, is unworthy of divine grace. Evidence? Since our separation, the power granted by the gods has not favored you in the slightest. Only I am the chosen emissary of the gods. Die, weakling."
Void Spears materialized in the air, their sharp ends all aimed at Kiana's black armor.
"Your armor might repair itself, but let's see if your body can keep up. This is the real world—let's test how far your so-called resolve can take you!"
BOOM!
With a malicious and dangerous smile, Sirin unleashed a barrage of explosive Void Spears at Kiana.
Unsurprisingly, Kiana was struck down, crashing into the ground. She rolled a few times before gasping for air and standing back up. The damaged black armor was visibly repairing itself at an accelerated rate.
"You keep babbling about gods. I don't get a word of it! Bottom line—you're not allowed to cause trouble! And give me back that power—it can help Sig!"
Boom!
Kiana's black armor surged to full power, blue ion flames trailing behind her as she leaped into the air to clash with Sirin.
Fists shattered the air, unleashing destructive force with each strike, only to be perfectly deflected by Sirin's agile Void Spears.
Unlike their previous confrontation in the mindscape, Sirin now wielded the full power of the Herrscher of Void. Meanwhile, Kiana was at her weakest, her strength significantly diminished.
The gap was not something mere willpower could bridge.
Floating lazily, Sirin yawned.
"I'm bored. This game ends now. Goodbye, foolish weakling."
The Void Spears transformed into ribbons, wrapping around Kiana and gradually crushing her black armor, which began to crack.
Under Sirin's cold gaze, the ribbons hurled Kiana to the ground, dragging her across the terrain.
The black armor kept breaking, repairing itself in resistance to the crushing force of the Void Spears. But the rate of repair could not keep up with the damage.
BOOM!
After smashing through a hill, Kiana was flung into the air and landed heavily on the ground. Her powerless body tumbled a few times before lying motionless.
At the same time, her black armor retreated back into its leg-ring form and shattered with an electronic buzz, falling from her thigh.
Above the unconscious Kiana, countless Void Spears appeared, their tips aimed downward.
"Disappear," Sirin said, seated regally in the void. She waved her hand, and the spears rained down like a storm.
<+>
Tn: If you want to see more chapter of this story, please go to my Patreon[1], just for $5 each month, you can read till the latest chapter.
Latest Chapter in Patreon: Chapter 307: This Is a Coup[2]
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[1] https://www.patreon.com/collection/95348?view=expanded
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