"Die, Third Herrscher!"
The fiery red figure spoke, her words weaving through the sky filled with a tapestry of flames and lightning, blurring the world's true colors.
"I don't know who you are, and I don't know what a Herrscher is, but... give Mei back to me!!!"
The lightning must have dyed the girl's white hair a distinct purple. Only her azure eyes were spared, and through them, one could faintly glimpse the shape of her "self."
Then, a searing pain erupted on her back, as if a piece of her own flesh had been brutally torn away. She felt her lips move, as if saying something, but the girl before her paid no heed, raising the plain baseball bat in her hand and bringing it down with all her might.
Her vision plunged into darkness once more. Yet, she found it not strange at all, as if it were meant to be.
As if she, herself, was meant to be in such darkness.
But the next moment, the darkness shattered.
A purple lightning ring lit up before her, and with it, a familiar silhouette.
For the first time, the girl saw her eyes. Unsurprisingly, they were identical to her own. But within them swirled an inscrutable color, which in the end, faded into a soft sigh.
"You're so lucky... Heh, but it doesn't matter. This is just the beginning. A single body can't contain two consciousnesses. One day, I will take everything from you."
Listening to this voice, the girl's heart remained surprisingly calm.
Like the fragmented images and sounds before, this must have been something that had already happened.
And so, the purple light gradually dimmed, and her world returned to chaos.
The girl tried to focus, to fish out more meaningless fragments from this dark ocean, but she suddenly felt something in her mind snap. Then, a beam of light tore through the darkness she had been immersed in for so long.
"Urgh... uh..."
The tightened muscles in her throat twitched slightly, and she heard her own groan.
Struggling to open her eyes, the sliver of light gradually expanded to fill her entire vision. Finally, what appeared before the girl was an unfamiliar ceiling.
She blinked, then squeezed her eyes shut. Her once blurry vision gradually cleared until she could see every crack in the ceiling with perfect clarity. But just as her vision cleared, it was stung by the square fluorescent light in the center of the ceiling.
Sunlight slanted in from the floor-to-ceiling window on her left. Once inside the room, it seemed to be submerged in water, dyed with a layer of pearly white... or perhaps the light had always been pure and flawless, and it was just her own eyes that had applied a filter.
The pearly white light cut diagonally like a knife, dividing the entire room into two distinct worlds. Mei's eyes drifted upward, her gaze following the dividing line between light and shadow on the wall behind her. Following the line to the right, she saw only an IV tube and a pile of medical instruments.
Lines she couldn't understand curved across the monitors, and colorful numbers flashed beside them.
The saline in the IV drip fell drop by drop into the tube without a sound, but the tiny vibrations made Mei mentally fill in the "drip-drip" sound.
"Awake?"
Only then did she notice the figure sitting by her bed.
"Michael..."
She struggled to sit up. Her body was already exhausted, and after sleeping for so long, the connection with her brain had been severed for too long. For a moment, she couldn't even perform such a simple action.
Michael didn't help her. He just put down his book and watched Mei on the hospital bed silently, until she used all her strength, her hands and feet working together, to prop herself up against the head of the bed.
"Where... is this?"
In the pause of Michael's silence, she seemed to hear the chirping of birds outside the window.
"St. Freya High School. Of course, it has another name—Schicksal Far East Branch."
Hearing this name, Mei's heart tightened slightly. Not long ago, the organization Schicksal was no different to her than the names of countries. She respected it, of course, but she never thought she would have any connection with this organization.
What's more, she had often complained to her father in the past, feeling that a giant transnational, transregional organization like Schicksal, which didn't interfere in specific international affairs, seemed to have no reason to exist.
But now she understood.
Many things didn't need a standard answer; facts would naturally provide the answer. If not to deal with a disaster like the one in Nagazora, she couldn't think of any other reason why Schicksal had to exist.
But she... wasn't she the culprit of that disaster?
She hadn't forgotten what that strange robot had said before she became a "Herrscher." She was not only the culprit of this disaster but also a highly valuable experimental sample. She...
"Don't worry. I'm here. It's okay."
Michael gently placed his palm on the back of Mei's hand. His soft, comforting voice gradually swept away the panic in her heart.
Mhm, if Michael was here too, Mei felt she wasn't so scared anymore.
"Kiana... what about them?"
"They should be resting in their rooms now. Kiana wanted to stay here and wait for you to wake up, but I saw she hadn't slept for almost three days, so I sent her back. Speaking of which, it's a coincidence. St. Freya's principal happens to be Kiana's aunt... Ah, she also said before she left, to tell you not to worry about that bad guy called the Herrscher. If she dares to come out again, she'll hit her back with a stick just like before."
Hearing this, Mei touched her still-swollen forehead and smiled silently—that really was something that idiot would say.
"So, I slept for more than two days?"
"Mhm."
Michael gently stroked the back of Mei's hand and, after a brief silence, spoke again.
"Schicksal's Far East Branch is relatively independent, and I have some connections with the Schicksal Overseer. If you're willing to stay here, no one will expose your identity as a Herrscher. You, including Kiana, Bronya, and Seele, can join St. Freya High School as prospective Valkyries. Of course, no one will force you. If you're not willing, I can also take you to a place where no one will find you."
Mei didn't make a choice immediately.
She looked down at her right arm, which was wrapped in bandages but which she couldn't feel at all. She took a deep breath but still didn't dare to look up at Michael.
But in fact, if she had mustered the courage to look up, she would have found that Michael's expression was identical to hers.
"I'm sorry..."
Suddenly, the two of them spoke at the same time, as if they had read each other's minds.
"What?"
Mei was a little confused. She didn't understand why Michael was also apologizing to her. But she sensitively felt that she had overlooked something. And so, an indescribable, unbearable sense of panic swept over her in a very short time.
Her mind was still a mess, not fully awake, but she quickly found the so-called overlooked point. Or rather, with her identity, it would be strange if she really couldn't find it—
Since she woke up, Michael had not yet mentioned her father.
Mei knew that Michael was not the type to explain everything clearly. It was also possible that since she had only asked about Kiana, only asked about "them," and not about her father's whereabouts after she woke up, he was happy not to say anything.
But if that was the case, why say "I'm sorry"?
Reason had already told Mei the answer before Michael did. It was just a matter of whether she was willing to believe it.
Mei was not willing to believe it. Until the very last moment, who would be willing to believe that tragedy had befallen them? They would always hold on to a glimmer of hope, numbing themselves, convincing themselves, believing in a good outcome they didn't really believe in, only to be met with empty joy and hurt in the end.
Mei's left hand gripped the bedsheet tightly, then slowly relaxed after a while. She waited for Michael to reveal the answer.
Time passed bit by bit. The air conditioner on the ceiling blew out warm air at a leisurely pace, but it only made one feel stuffy and irritable.
This calm lasted for about five minutes before it was broken by Mei's trembling gasp.
"Michael, you don't have to apologize. Your only mistake was not killing me sooner."
Michael watched Mei calmly, his eyes deliberately devoid of all emotion, just watching.
He just watched this kind girl, who from beginning to end, was the undisputed victim. But she just silently endured it all, giving a rational reason for everything fate had forced upon her. She would rather take all the problems on herself than blame others.
And so, Michael, the instigator of it all, his eyes trembled slightly.
It was just a very small movement, but Mei saw it. Not only did she see it, but she also successfully misunderstood this look. She only felt that what was pouring out of those pink pupils was an uncontrollable sorrow.
"The one who should really say sorry is me. I destroyed all of Nagazora and also killed Mobius."
"Don't say any more, Mei..."
"Michael, the problem now is not whether I want to stay here or go to a place where no one can find me. It's... Michael, can I still live, am I still worthy of living?"
She had been torn between life and death back in Nagazora. She knew she couldn't control the Herrscher's power. She didn't even dare to ask Michael how many survivors there were in Nagazora. So, to prevent the same thing from happening again, perhaps it was better for her to die.
But she didn't want to die. This was both a biological instinct given to her from birth and the conclusion she had reached after careful consideration.
As for her bet with the Herrscher... if she joined St. Freya High School and became a Valkyrie, would that mean she was accepted by the world?
A trace of scorching heat rose in Mei's heart, but it quickly cooled down again. Of course, she hoped so, but she also knew that the initiative in this matter was in the Herrscher's hands. Even if the Herrscher stubbornly refused to fulfill her promise, there was nothing she could do about it.
"Are you still worried about this?"
Michael reached out and ruffled her hair.
"You don't have to die, and you didn't do anything wrong. The Herrscher's power is just power. You can think of it as a sword. It doesn't have to be wielded against the weak to create slaughter. It can also be used to protect, to save—just like what you did at the last moment. Before Schicksal and I arrived, it was you who defeated that giant Honkai beast and saved Kiana and the others. You can do the same in the future."
Mei was about to argue, but after thinking about it, she pursed her lips and said nothing.
But Michael knew what she was thinking.
"This is why your father and I never thought of killing you. Power is just power, and you are the one who wields it. You can use it to save as many people as it has killed. Of course, you can't control this power now. You can't suppress the Herrscher's consciousness either, but it's okay. We'll find a way.
"And before that, we can also use some little tricks to suppress her... Your right hand, I made you a special prosthesis. Don't worry, it won't feel any different from the original, and you won't be able to tell the difference. Most importantly, I deliberately left something inside that should be able to suppress the Herrscher's power. But... if you plan to join St. Freya, the research department there has two backup plans. The first is this!"
Michael took out a black collar from his hand. The outer layer of the collar had a bright luster, like a curved screen, and the inner side was matte and smooth, made of metal, no doubt.
"If you're willing, put this collar on your neck. Once you enter a fully Herrscher-fied state and your internal Honkai energy reaction rises, the collar's safety will automatically be released, and then—Boom!"
Michael deliberately made an exaggerated gesture, but Mei's gaze only swept over the collar before looking away.
"Uh... then it looks like you might prefer the second option."
Michael pinched his thumb and forefinger together and held them up to the corner of his eye.
"This is a nano-bomb. If you're willing, implant this in your heart. The effect is actually the same as the collar. Once you're Herrscher-fied, it's also... Boom! It's just that the collar will blow your whole head off, while this small bomb will only blow up your heart. It looks much better from the outside."
Seeing the corner of Mei's eye twitch, Michael suddenly realized he had gotten the priorities wrong...
"Uh... this brain of mine really needs to be fixed..."
He propped up his forehead, feeling both speechless and helpless.
"Actually, it can be upgraded. For example, we can set a fuse to trigger a countdown. If the Herrscher-fied state is terminated within the countdown, the fuse won't be triggered. If it's still in a Herrscher-fied state after the countdown, then..."
Michael's clenched fist suddenly opened.
Mei understood. Michael had said so much, of course, she understood his plan.
Because of this, a glimmer of light appeared in her long-dimmed eyes.
That's right. All this time, she had thought that in her relationship with the Herrscher, she was the completely passive one.
She couldn't do anything about the Herrscher, but the Herrscher existed within her, ready to take over her body at any time. And although she could briefly resist this "takeover," this resistance carried no threat.
If she couldn't pose a threat, then she could only passively accept everything the Herrscher proposed.
But she was wrong. She had a bargaining chip that could threaten the Herrscher, and that was her own life!
If worse comes to worst, we'll all die together!
Thinking about it carefully, the few times the Herrscher had compromised in Nagazora, wasn't it always when Mei's life was in danger?
"I understand. I choose... the nano-bomb."
She was still a girl who cared about her appearance. Wearing a thick, hard black collar all day was a bit...
Michael's eyebrows rose.
"So, you've decided to stay at St. Freya?"
"You said before that St. Freya's principal is Kiana's aunt. She'll definitely choose to stay here, right?"
Michael raised his hand, then lowered it.
His palm rested on his knee. Michael seemed to use a lot of strength to stand up.
"So, you're choosing to stay just because Kiana will? What about you?"
Mei was stunned for a moment, then thought for about ten seconds before slowly shaking her head.
"I just... just..."
She just didn't want to be alone. Michael understood.
"I get it. You rest and recover. I'll arrange everything else."
Leaving these words, he walked slowly toward the only door in the room.
"Michael."
When he passed the hospital bed, Mei suddenly called out to him.
"What is it?"
"Aren't you sad for Mobius?"
Michael's breathing was still as calm as ever, and there was no fluctuation in his back. He thought for a full three seconds before speaking.
"You've been lying here for two days, haven't you?"
Mei's lips pursed as she carefully chewed on this seemingly irrelevant answer.
She had been lying in the hospital bed for two days. He had received news of Mobius's death two days ago.
"Michael, can't you hate me for once?"
Michael reached the door and gently turned the handle, seemingly not wanting to pay attention to Mei's words.
But when the handle turned all the way and the lock made a soft "click," Michael spoke again.
"I'm sorry, Mei... I... couldn't bring your father back."
After quickly saying this, he slipped out of the room and slammed the door behind him.
Even so, a faint sobbing sound still inevitably reached Michael's ears.
"Was I really wrong?"
This question had been hanging in Michael's mind since fifty thousand years ago.
But no matter how many times it came up, his answer would not change—
"I was wrong, but as long as the final outcome is good, so what if these mistakes and sins drown me?"
He walked away step by step until, at the end of this long corridor, he met Hua, who was leaning against the wall, resting.
He knew Hua was waiting for him. His footsteps stopped, and he turned around, leaning his back against the cold wall just like Hua.
For a full half-minute, neither of them spoke. Then, Michael, with his back against the wall, slid down to a sitting position.
He hugged his knees like a girl, his head buried deep within.
If his so-called humanity had not been forcibly preserved, perhaps he would not be so uncomfortable now.
He wasn't resentful... he didn't resent, and it was impossible for him to resent Ely. Everything was his own choice. He had brought this upon himself, and it was something he had to do.
It was just that these negative emotions had to be hidden well in front of others. Only around certain people could he reveal a little bit of his true self.
"These four girls will all stay at St. Freya. Me too. I'll probably get a teaching position and stay here."
Michael's voice was as flat as water.
"You..."
Hua seemed to remember something, her voice rising and falling slightly.
"It seems the Second and Third Herrschers are very important in your plan."
"Mhm."
Michael did not deny it.
"Then I'll stay too."
Michael did not refuse.
"Did you kill Raiden Ryoma?"
"Mhm."
"What about Lixue?"
"She should be with that tone-deaf girl right now."
"I see."
Hua nodded, her high ponytail swaying gently.
Michael closed his eyes. He thought Hua would sit down next to him and quietly accompany him for a while, but what awaited him was only the sound of Hua's footsteps getting farther and farther away.
"Michael."
"Mhm."
"I always feel that my self from five hundred years ago has something to say to you."
"What is it?"
"I don't remember."
"..."
"I don't remember, so there's no need to say it."
"I don't remember, so there's no need to say it," Michael repeated.
"Mhm."
Hua's reply echoed in the corridor. When Michael opened his eyes again, he was alone once more.
Looking up, he saw an unfamiliar ceiling
(End of Volume X: Year of the Branch Bearer)