"As I said before, if there's any issue, Herta can contact me online. Also, I have some new ideas about this project."
"New ideas?"
Ruan Mei glanced at her and reminded, "Honkai."
Honkai?
Kiana frowned slightly. She had new ideas about the project—new ideas involving the Honkai?
The Simulated Universe and the Honkai?
How was that supposed to fit together?
Kiana's expression turned strange. She couldn't make sense of it and asked in disbelief, "Ruan, do you mean to add the Honkai into Herta's Simulated Universe?"
Could that even be done?
Obviously not!
If Herta's Simulated Universe were to collapse because of the Honkai, things would get ugly fast.
"No. The Simulated Universe is led by Herta—it's a collaborative project between us."
Ruan Mei had indeed entertained that thought.
But she also knew such a thing couldn't be done. So it remained just that—a thought.
Still, the idea served as a reminder.
Not here, not at Herta Space Station.
But once the Space Station's Simulated Universe succeeded, she could create something similar on her own... and then test her theory.
Kiana let out a quiet sigh of relief.
"Then why did you call me back, Ruan?"
Why indeed?
Kiana hadn't refused her summons, but on her way here, she had been quietly wondering what it was about.
Ruan Mei looked at her, then at Acheron—who had stopped watching them—her thoughts drifting back to that day.
"Do you still remember the promise you made to me?"
"Promise? What promise?"
The one who spoke was Acheron. Hearing this, she could no longer restrain herself and turned to look at Ruan Mei—the woman who had taken her place by Kiana's side all this time.
Caught off guard by the question, Kiana froze for a moment before realizing what Ruan Mei was referring to.
It must be about what happened before.
"Of course I haven't forgotten!"
Kiana recalled the promise she had made back then. Under Acheron's gaze, she forced herself to repeat it: "I said that as long as you still need me, I won't leave. I'll stay and cooperate with you always."
Won't leave. Always stay...
Acheron's brows furrowed even tighter.
"Good."
Ruan Mei nodded. It sounded like praise, yet her expression was calm—so calm it was impossible to tell whether she was pleased or displeased, whether she cared or not.
"Why did you make that kind of promise to her?"
Perhaps she shouldn't have asked at this time, but Acheron needed an answer from Kiana.
Even though the influence of Nihility dulled her emotions, even she couldn't ignore this.
Was it because Ruan Mei had brought Kiana out of Euphorion that she made that promise?
A promise from the time she'd lost her memories?
Her chest tightened slightly in frustration.
She cared about Kiana—there was no way she could ignore what Ruan Mei had just said.
Ruan Mei had emphasized the word "promise."
The implication was clear—she was reminding Kiana to remember it, to uphold it.
But what exactly was that promise?
Not to leave.
Ruan Mei's tone was unhurried. "Kiana, do you also remember what else I told you? I despise lies, and you said you'd never go back on your word."
Acheron's voice grew lower. "Kiana?"
She tried to suppress the turmoil rising inside.
"I haven't gone back on my word."
Hearing both their voices, Kiana's head started to ache. She turned to explain to Acheron, "Calm down, Mei—it's not what you think!"
It really wasn't what it looked like. Why did this suddenly feel like some kind of love triangle?
"When I spoke to you that day, you hesitated."
Ruan Mei ignored their exchange and continued speaking calmly.
"That's because you spoke to me right after I'd found Mei again."
Kiana explained helplessly, "I never meant to go back on my word. I always keep my promises."
"Kiana."
Just from the way Kiana addressed Ruan Mei, Acheron's heart sank. Her eyes dimmed slightly.
"Calm down, Mei. Ruan and I were talking about the Honkai energy problem."
Seeing that Acheron's mood wasn't right, Kiana quickly turned to hold her hand. "Ruan is interested in studying the Honkai energy—she's helping with research on Honkai energy and Stigmata."
Honkai energy?
Kiana's explanation did manage to calm Acheron down. Thinking about it, Ruan Mei was part of the Genius Society. If she and Kiana were researching the Honkai together, then...
Still, wasn't that kind of promise a bit strange?
Regardless, Acheron finally stopped frowning and accepted Kiana's explanation.
After soothing Acheron, Kiana looked back at Ruan Mei and said, "You can rest assured, Ruan—even if I've found Mei, I won't go back on my word."
Acheron lifted her eyes toward her, her expression unreadable.
Ruan Mei remained silent. She had indeed heard what she wanted from Kiana's mouth, but unlike before, this time she couldn't simply let it go.
Even after hearing the exact answer she wanted, she couldn't suppress a faint doubt—was what Kiana said really true?
Such emotion was new to her.
It was both novel and... unexpected.
"I don't believe you."
Those three words made Kiana freeze.
She stared at Ruan Mei, utterly speechless. She didn't understand why Ruan Mei would think that way. She hadn't lied to her!
If those words had come from Mei, she could've understood—but this time she really hadn't deceived Ruan Mei.
Faced with the situation, Kiana could only stay silent for a while.
Should she ask why Ruan Mei didn't believe her?
Or ask what it would take for her to believe?
"It's fine. I'll make you believe me."
Researching the Honkai was mutually beneficial anyway, and she had no reason to back out. There was no need to explain further.
That was what Kiana thought.
But Ruan Mei's next words made her eyes go wide in disbelief.
Ruan Mei said calmly, "I want you to stay by my side from now on—without taking a single step away."
Acheron's voice turned cold. "And why should she?"
No time limit—just 'always'?
She narrowed her eyes, barely keeping her composure as she studied Ruan Mei. "I'm grateful that you saved Kiana, but demanding that she always remain by your side isn't appropriate, is it?"
"She's my lover."
"Lover?"
A flicker of surprise passed across Ruan Mei's otherwise calm face. She looked at Kiana thoughtfully. "So that's how it is."
That wasn't like Ruan Mei at all.
Kiana rubbed her face, forcing herself to focus. Ruan Mei didn't even understand emotions—so she had to interpret her words without their misleading implications.
Did Ruan Mei have some major plan coming up?
Did she need Kiana's cooperation?
But the Simulated Universe wasn't finished yet, and she might have to return to the Space Station at any time. Getting involved in another project now clearly wasn't suitable.
Kiana couldn't make sense of it. "Just say it, Ruan—what exactly do you need me to help you with?"
"An experiment."
The expected answer made Kiana exhale in relief. Just as she thought.
"Ruan didn't mean anything else. I'm staying to cooperate better with her."
Kiana quickly turned to explain to the visibly displeased Acheron. It was best to clear up potential misunderstandings before they caused trouble.
"...You're acting as her test subject?"
Piecing things together, Acheron finally understood—and a spark of anger flared within her.
She looked straight at Ruan Mei, her expression turning darker. "You're experimenting on Kiana, aren't you?"
Kiana was special. Acheron had realized this long ago, back in Izumo, and she had always been careful to prevent such a thing from happening.
"You're right."
Ruan Mei didn't deny it. Faced with Acheron's hostile stare, she remained calm as ever.
"It's a deal between her and me."
"A deal?"
Was she using a favor as leverage after saving her? Or was she simply interested in Kiana's unique condition?
But Kiana seemed to trust her deeply.
So it had to be voluntary. Kiana must have believed Ruan Mei was trustworthy—and she hadn't harmed her, after all.
"I actually don't know much about the Honkai myself. Ruan is helping me too."
Kiana tugged lightly on Acheron's sleeve, signaling her not to misunderstand Ruan Mei or assume the worst.
"...I apologize."
After some thought, Acheron offered a brief apology for her earlier attitude.
Ruan Mei didn't seem to mind. She simply said, "If you'd like, I can run some tests on you as well."
She had never encountered a Self-Annihilator who had walked this far along the Path of Nihility and still retained her sense of self.
How fascinating.
"I must refuse."
Acheron declined without hesitation. She understood her own condition perfectly and saw no need for Ruan Mei's assistance.
Besides, if Ruan Mei examined her, Kiana would surely become curious.
She didn't want Kiana—who had gone through so much to find her—to worry again.
"Very well. If you change your mind, you can come to me anytime."
Being refused didn't bother Ruan Mei. It was just a pleasant bonus if accepted. If not, no loss either. Her focus remained on Kiana.
"Kiana, I heard that during this time, you and Miss Robin have been visiting many worlds affected by war."
How did Ruan Mei know that she and Robin had traveled to so many war-torn worlds?
Kiana was a little stunned. Not many people knew about that, and the news hadn't spread far.
"That's true—but Ruan, weren't you busy discussing the construction of the Simulated Universe with Herta and the others?"
"You've been traveling with Miss Robin to those war-torn worlds?"
Acheron, who had reunited with Kiana several days ago and met Robin once, hadn't known about this.
"Ah, yes. Robin wants to spread the voice and ideals of Harmony to more worlds. I think it's a meaningful cause. Besides, I owed her a favor—she's my friend..."
It hadn't been particularly dangerous. In fact, compared to her earlier plans, it was much safer.
After all, her first idea had been to go solo—to confront the Borisin and the Antimatter Legion on her own.
"If you plan to do that again, I'm going with you."
She would no longer let Kiana face such things alone.
Kiana didn't respond verbally—she simply nodded, a trace of thoughtfulness in her eyes.
"Did you gain anything from it?"
Acheron wasn't good at words of comfort, so she got straight to the point.
"Gain? In what sense?"
Kiana didn't quite understand what she meant. "From Harmony, you mean? There's no way I could resonate with Harmony. But working with Robin... I did gain a few insights here and there."
"The Honkai. Did you gain anything new—perhaps new abilities or ideas?"
Harmony?
Ruan Mei wasn't interested in studying the power of Aeons through Kiana. Her focus was different—she even sought to find a way to eliminate the lingering traces of Nihility from Kiana's body.
"That, huh..."
Kiana hesitated slightly. She thought back to her earlier conversation with Ruan Mei—how Ruan had said she hoped Kiana could become the master of the Honkai, and that she would help her walk that path.
"So you did, after all."
Ruan Mei was somewhat surprised and quickly noticed, "Not only that—you've also come up with new ideas."
Caught off guard by how easily Ruan saw through her, Kiana stiffened slightly. She hadn't even decided whether to bring it up yet, and somehow Ruan had already seen right through her hesitation.
"Still planning to hide it from me?"
"...Of course not, I just—I just haven't figured it out yet."
Kiana's tone lacked confidence. After all, Ruan Mei could easily tell whether someone was lying to her.
It was simple for her.
Given how close they were—and how well Ruan understood Kiana—she never left any room for evasion. She said exactly what needed to be said, without a single wasted word.
Acheron couldn't help wondering whether Kiana and Ruan Mei's relationship could really be summed up by the word "friends."
"Haven't figured it out yet? That's fine. You can still tell me. During your journey practicing Harmony with others, what new ideas came to you?"
"It doesn't have much to do with that journey."
Ruan Mei nodded once and asked, "Then what is it about?"
What was it about?
Kiana hesitated and glanced away, only to meet Acheron's gaze unexpectedly.
"Sorry, Ruan... there's something I've never clearly explained to you."
"The reason I can't fully control the Honkai energy—and why I sometimes lose control—I actually have a guess in my heart."
A guess?
Those words immediately caught Ruan Mei's attention. She wanted to hear what Kiana had to say.
Acheron, however, focused on one particular word—"lose control." It brought back memories of what had happened in Izumo.
"I've said before that I'm the Herrscher of Finality. But my Herrscher transformation isn't complete—it's only about fifty percent."
"I can forcibly amplify my power and reach full Herrscher form, but that makes my condition unstable. Once the battle ends, it quickly drops back to its previous state."
"Those moments of losing control—and the incidents that followed—are probably all related to that incomplete process."
"Why only fifty percent?"
Ruan Mei, ever precise, seized on the key detail. She didn't ask anything else—just that.
Kiana fell silent for a moment before lowering her head. "Maybe because I didn't follow the proper path. I forced the transformation."
"Proper path? So you're saying there was a way to steadily progress through this process before?"
Kiana looked toward Acheron, her expression faintly uneasy. "You could say that."
"Why didn't you tell me before?"
That was what Ruan Mei fixated on most. She had told Kiana before that she was walking the path toward divinity.
Now she was even more certain of it.
Not only was Kiana on that path—she had already walked halfway along it. And yet Kiana had never once mentioned it.
"This is something very important."