"All fear stems from insufficient firepower! That is the truth of Bronya and Elias!"
With Bronya's command to fire, the massive legion of over ten thousand Templar-class Honkai Beasts was instantly annihilated in a barrage of cannon fire.
The brutality of human technology was laid bare in that moment.
Yet in the next second, smoke poured from Project Bunny's frame, and Bronya lost consciousness.
[System overload, shutting down imminent... Bzzz... Mission complete.]
Controlling that many weapons wasn't as simple as pulling a trigger.
Coordinating tens of thousands of weapons for a precision strike, hitting only enemy targets and sparing allied Valkyries in the heat of battle—Bronya and Project Bunny had achieved a miracle.
Both plummeted from the sky.
Using its last ounce of energy, Project Bunny shielded its reckless master within its frame, crashing into the ground.
"Look at what you've done!"
The Herrscher of the Void burned with fury.
Her painstakingly summoned Honkai Beast army had been decimated in the blink of an eye.
"I hate these human-made weapons the most. The rest of you, go kill her!"
She ordered the remaining Honkai Beasts to finish off the now-defenseless Bronya—but...
"Bronya-sis, let Seele protect you!"
The blue-haired girl wielding her scythe danced like a butterfly across the battlefield, slicing apart any beast that approached Bronya.
White Seele had regained consciousness, revitalized by the news that Elias was still alive.
"Other me, take a rest now. Leave the rest to me."
(Hmph, I'm not tired. But if you're so determined to fight, then do whatever you want.)
Inside the mindscape, Dark Seele lounged on a luxurious chair, recharging while keeping a close eye on the outside. Despite her words, she wouldn't hesitate to jump back in if anything went wrong.
"Damn it, damn it, damn it! Useless trash, all of them! Fine! I'll send you off myself—feel honored, humans!"
Frustrated by back-to-back failures, the Herrscher of the Void unleashed her ultimate move.
"Now is the time of judgment!"
She tore open space behind her, releasing a massive surge of energy as countless Subspace Lances launched simultaneously. The firepower rivaled Bronya's earlier display.
"No! We have to stop her!"
"The area is too large, we can't block it!"
"This is bad..."
Durandal, Li Sushang, and Fu Hua turned pale. The effects of the "God-Killing Spear" hadn't worn off yet.
All three were specialized in single-target attacks. None of them had moves suited to intercepting such wide-area devastation. Even if they could dodge, ordinary Valkyries would suffer heavy losses.
Thousands of Valkyries were at risk. Even a conservative estimate suggested more than half could perish in this strike!
Once again, everyone felt the overwhelming terror of a Herrscher.
But at that critical moment—
"Oath of Judah, Zero Power Mode—Elysion Pedion!!"
S-rank Valkyrie Theresa charged onto the battlefield, launcher in hand, to save them all!
With her full strength, the Oath of Judah transformed into a golden domain. As massive golden gears turned, all Honkai energy within the area vanished!
The Herrscher of the Void's ultimate move, [Void Unleashed], collapsed instantly. Every Subspace Lance made of Honkai energy disintegrated on the spot.
"Ugh! I'm done...!"
Theresa's eyes rolled back as she collapsed to the ground.
The Oath of Judah's Zero Power Mode did not distinguish between friend and foe—all Honkai energy within its range was neutralized.
Fortunately, Theresa had activated it for less than five seconds, solely to dispel [Void Unleashed], so the backlash wasn't too severe.
"Nice work, Principal Theresa!"
Durandal rejoiced.
Though they too were slightly affected, with their Honkai energy momentarily restrained, neutralizing the enemy's ultimate attack was well worth it.
"Damn it, what kind of trick is this?!"
The Herrscher of the Void glanced at her still-trembling hands. Elysion Pedion had left a deadly impression, capable of suppressing even her Herrscher-level Honkai energy.
But thankfully, that tiny midget was already down.
She swept her gaze over Durandal and the others, summoning more Subspace Lances and calling for Honkai Beast reinforcements.
(Just a minor setback. These melee-obsessed idiots can be dealt with from a distance. The rest are small fry. The advantage is still mine!!)
Assured of her dominant position, the Queen's earlier panic vanished. But seeing those who repeatedly foiled her made her simmer with fury.
This was far from the grand entrance she envisioned—destroying everything with ease, unmatched and invincible.
"Now! Focus fire! We must wear her down!"
Durandal reclaimed her lance and charged once more at the Herrscher of the Void.
"Great Ancestor, should I unleash the Taixuan Eminence?"
Li Sushang readied herself.
"No. It's too powerful."
Fu Hua immediately stopped her.
Though the Taixuan Eminence was overwhelming, its force was excessive. Their goal wasn't to destroy the Herrscher of the Void, but to weaken her and awaken Kiana's personality.
"How dare you look down on me!"
The Herrscher overheard their conversation and was enraged. While these people were tougher than expected, in her queenly mind, victory was still certain.
Fu Hua's comment felt like a direct blow to her pride.
Just as she was about to unleash another ruthless assault to show them the true terror of the Herrscher Queen—
Boom—!!
A destructive burst attack (not really) fell from the sky.
It landed squarely between the two sides, forcing Durandal and the Herrscher to halt and retreat.
"Who goes there?!" x2
Both sides looked skyward.
A massive figure descended from the sky.
Its white dragon body gleamed like knightly armor, wings spread wide enough to block out the sun, and its aura surpassed even that of a Judgment-class Honkai Beast.
Powerful. Invincible. Supreme!
"Is that Anti-Entropy's demon dragon—Benares?!"
"Oh? Benares? Perfect timing!"
Since Welt had only contacted Elias, the others were unaware that Anti-Entropy had sent reinforcements. The Schicksal-affiliated Valkyries, including Durandal, instinctively tensed.
In contrast, the Herrscher of the Void froze momentarily, then broke into a delighted smile. Wasn't this her companion Honkai Beast? Perfect timing to help wipe out these pests!
However, Benares herself was confused.
Two figures leapt off her back—Cecilia, wielding Abyss Flower, and Sirin.
"Wasn't this supposed to be a fight between Schicksal and St. Freya? Why is a Herrscher appearing... and it's..."
"The Herrscher of the Void?! How can it be the Herrscher of the Void?!"
Sirin's eyes widened in shock as her heart pounded.
"..."
While Cecilia and Sirin were left stunned and confused, unsure of how to act, Benares flew decisively toward the Herrscher of the Void.
Seeing this, the Herrscher of the Void was overjoyed.
"Good timing, Benares! Fight with me! Let's kill all these humans!!"
Roar—!
At the Queen's command—
The white dragon's demeanor instantly turned feral.
Terrifying Honkai energy gathered in her maw. As the apex and final form of Judgment-class Honkai Beasts, Benares now possessed power even greater than some Herrschers.
"Not good! That attack is dangerous! Anti-Entropy, why did you bring such a threat at such a critical moment?!"
Durandal's expression darkened, and she prepared to intercept the dragon's breath.
But in the next second—
Something no one expected happened.
Roooarrr—!!
"Benares, what are you doing?!"
Just as she was about to unleash her Honkai breath, Benares suddenly turned her head and fired the devastating attack at the Herrscher of the Void instead.
The Herrscher was shocked and hastily opened a portal, vanishing into it.
A moment later, she reappeared a hundred meters away in midair, casting a wary glance at where she'd just stood—a massive crater now marred the ground, the earth scorched to charcoal.
"Benares, how dare you betray me—betray the Honkai! I am your master!"
She looked down at her Herrscher garb, where several white ribbons had been incinerated.
Had she not dodged in time, she would have been obliterated.
Benares' betrayal enraged her.
She had heard of Herrschers turning against the Honkai, but even Judgment-class Honkai Beasts now? Was betrayal this common in this era? It was starting to resemble a certain shady organization!
"You are not my master."
Benares spoke in human tongue, transforming before everyone's stunned eyes from a white dragon into a human girl.
Azure blue hair, jewel-like sapphire eyes, refined features, a perfect figure dressed in a white cropped top, black shorts, and white thigh-high stockings.
Her beauty was such that no one could have associated her with the terrifying white dragon from moments ago. Benares, now Bella, looked at the Herrscher of the Void with disappointment.
"I have never sworn loyalty to the Honkai. I will only ever serve my master—Elias."
"My name is Bella. My master never called me Benares. You are not him."
Bella's cold words were full of solemnity. The dragon girl's eyes were laced with sorrow.
It had been fifteen years—this year marked the promised reunion with Elias. When she sensed that familiar authority earlier, her heart brimmed with joy.
And yet...
What stood before her was something else entirely.
Though the power was familiar, nothing else resembled the Elias of her memories: not the appearance, not the gender, not the will.
There was no need to question further. This Herrscher of the Void was not the master she had long awaited. The person she revered could never become someone like this!
"Benares, do you know what you're saying?!"
"Impostor! My master would never say something as foolish as 'kill all humans'! He is the kindest, most noble soul in the world. You are just a fake who stole his power!"
Bella's gaze turned sharp with hostility.
Cyan wind swirled around her, searing flames gathered in her palms, violet lightning flickered beside her, and dark death mist coiled at her feet.
Simulated Herrscher Cores of Fire, Wind, Thunder, and Death—all four were releasing their powers from within Bella.
Her appearance left the girls familiar with Elias momentarily stunned. The resemblance was uncanny.
...
Bella recalled her past.
In the beginning, she had been a beast.
A mindless beast born alongside Elias' awakening—but even then, she had known her mission was to protect and follow him.
Bella: "My master never considered himself a Herrscher. He always regarded himself as human. Ah... and so, I too wanted to be human. I wanted to become someone he would like."
"As if he had heard my wish, my master shared his power with me—a simulated core, a human form. He even gave me a name: Bella."
Bella adored her master.
Because Elias had once told her she was his family.
"Yes, my master never treated me as a servant, but as family. And in that moment, I made a vow deep in my heart."
"I would become lightning, swearing by my life and honor to protect him through the darkness of endless night. Whether he fell or not, I would remain by his side."
But...
She broke that vow. She failed to keep it.
Because of a despicable human.
Her master had faced a catastrophic storm alone to protect everyone—Bella included.
She could never forget the pain of that day. Despite her vow to be his shield, she had been powerless. She could only watch Elias burn his life away to stop the Schicksal missile strike.
And in the very end, even in a final act of vengeance, she hadn't been there.
Elias had wanted her to survive.
That day, Elias unbound her, granting her the freedom to soar into a future not tethered by her identity as a companion Honkai Beast. He didn't want her to follow him into the end.
Bella disobeyed that wish.
She didn't want freedom. She didn't care for the future. All she wanted was to stay by Elias' side forever.
So Elias made her a promise.
A promise to reunite in the future.
But...
"Master, if this is what you meant by 'reunion,' then I absolutely refuse. She is not you. She is a thief who stole your power. I cannot accept it."
Without hesitation, Bella unleashed a fourfold Herrscher power attack against the Herrscher of the Void.
She would dig out that impostor's core—
Because it contained the power of her most beloved master.
She would protect that core until the day she truly reunited with him.
This girl, feared by Schicksal and many as the demon dragon, had a simple wish in her heart.
(Bella: "Master, I just want to see you once more... to hear you call my name one more time...")
And the power she had trained and stored for 15 years was far beyond what any newly awakened Herrscher could match.
Under her quadruple simulated Herrscher assault, the Herrscher of the Void was forced into retreat. At the same time, the others launched their attacks, finally tipping the scales.
Within minutes...
The Queen fell from the sky. Cecilia, unable to bear the sight, still pointed Abyss Flower at the Herrscher with Kiana's face.
"Damn... humans..."
"Why did you choose to oppose humanity? You have the capacity for emotion. You're not a pure monster. Where did your malice come from, Herrscher of the Void?"
Cecilia and the others looked at the fallen Queen in utter confusion, questioning her.
"What do you mean..."
"You carry Elias' core! You must have witnessed his memories, felt his deeds, seen the beauty of this world! So why would you choose to oppose it?!" Sirin demanded.
Welt had said that Herrscher cores could retain memories, wills, even souls. If this Herrscher's personality was born from the Gem of the Void, then surely she had access to Elias' memories and ideals. She should be the Herrscher most able to understand human goodness.
Yet she had become the most malevolent.
None of them could understand her hatred for the world.
But then...
The Herrscher of the Void reacted as if she had heard something unforgivable. She struggled to her feet, eyes filled with rage.
"Beauty? Of course I know it... But... wasn't he the one who kept getting hurt over and over to protect all that 'beauty' you speak of?! This so-called beautiful world... doesn't deserve him!!"
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