Kiana—When You Wake Up
At the same time—
Inside Schicksal Headquarters.
Otto rested his cheek elegantly on one hand, golden hair draped over his left shoulder.
A faint smile played across his face as he watched what was unfolding on the screen.
"As expected… everything is proceeding according to plan."
Whether what this rating system revealed was the future,
or merely a parallel world—
Either way,
it was all the work of Otto Apocalypse.
As expected of himself.
What a pleasing turn of events.
Everything was advancing exactly as he had designed it.
Sirin's awakening.
The rescue of her companions.
And Murata Himeko—
Through the bonds forged between them,
she should be able to awaken K-423—
or rather, Kiana's consciousness.
When that moment came,
a human wielding Herrscher power would be born.
What a magnificent experiment.
Just as Otto admired Sirin's battle within the space—
Theresa spoke up, her eyes reddened.
"Grandpa… why do you have to do this?!"
"My dear Theresa," Otto said lightly,
"to be precise, I haven't done it yet."
He smiled at her gently.
"However, this is part of my original plan.
If we are to resist Honkai, sacrifice is inevitable—wouldn't you agree?"
"But… but there must be other ways!
Ways that don't require sacrifice!"
As she spoke,
Theresa bit her lip and turned away, running out of the command room without looking back.
She knew she couldn't persuade Otto.
Cecilia had been the same.
The founding of St. Freya Academy had been the same.
Her grandfather… had always been this stubborn.
But she would protect those she cherished—
in her own way.
"You'll understand one day, Theresa… my dear granddaughter."
Watching Theresa's stubborn retreating figure,
a trace of tenderness and sorrow flickered through Otto's emerald-green eyes.
Once everything unfolded according to his design…
The only one he truly worried about—
might be Theresa alone.
"Try eating some fruits and vegetables other than bitter melon once in a while."
At the side—
Listening to Otto's quiet murmur,
Amber lowered her gaze.
Perhaps only she knew—
That the Archbishop was not quite as utterly monstrous
as the chat group painted him to be.
Meanwhile, on screen—
The battle between Himeko and Sirin continued!
Or rather—
It was a one-sided crushing by the Second Herrscher.
The massive cubic structure embedding Himeko's figure
cracked and contracted in midair!
Like a collapsing space itself,
it savagely crushed her body!
Several arcs of light flashed—
searing beams sliced through the cube from every direction!
In mere seconds,
multiple attack forms—distinct yet equally overwhelming—
unfolded before everyone's eyes.
And just as anxiety gripped every viewer—
A red greatsword flew out!
Blocking Sirin's advance!
"Is that all… your attack amounts to?"
"Then…"
"…is it my turn now?"
In the next instant—
Himeko landed.
Her armor was visibly damaged,
her face marred by countless wounds.
Yet at this moment—
Himeko's eyes burned like fire.
Blazing.
Resolute.
Step by step,
she climbed toward the platform where the Herrscher of the Void stood.
"No objections, right?!"
Hearing her words,
the Herrscher of the Void froze for a moment—
Then burst into wild laughter.
"Hahahahaha!"
How amusing—
the resistance of an ant.
As Himeko ascended each step,
approaching the godlike Herrscher—
Her quiet murmur reached everyone watching the screen.
Especially those who cared about her most.
"Kiana."
"When you wake up… you'll realize everything has changed."
Like an inner monologue,
her tone carried acceptance—
and a final entrustment.
"You'll find that this world is no longer beautiful."
"That those ordinary, peaceful days will never return."
Crimson, lotus-like flames engulfed the entire blade!
With a single slash—
She blocked the Herrscher's attack!
At that moment—
Himeko's presence reached an unprecedented height.
At that moment—
Her voice rang with unwavering resolve!
"But don't give up!"
"Never—ever—give up!"