"So, what's your choice?"
In the dark room, Zeus sat quietly on a chair, speaking to Himeko, who was leaning against the wall in the corner.
Himeko's silence was her answer to Zeus.
She still couldn't quite believe that the problem that had plagued her could be solved so simply.
Although she deeply trusted that Zeus wouldn't lie, she still found it hard to believe that this problem, which even Schicksal's most powerful scientist, Lord Otto, couldn't solve, would be resolved by Zeus.
"If you still haven't decided, then go back…"
"No, I've decided."
Zeus glanced at her watch, feeling that if she waited any longer, she wouldn't get any sleep tonight.
She stood up, drank a glass of water, and began to speak to Himeko.
However, before she could finish, Himeko interrupted her.
Although being interrupted wasn't very pleasant, Zeus was still very happy because she finally had a result.
Whether she agreed or not, there had to be a conclusion, right?
"Then, what's your answer, Himeko?"
Zeus looked expressionlessly at Himeko, who was staring intently at her.
"I… I want to live."
Himeko clenched her hands tightly, not even noticing her fingernails digging into her palms. Blood dripped from her fair hands onto the carpet, clearly showing Himeko's current mental state.
"This must be your true feeling, Himeko!"
"Yes, it's my heart's desire. Everyone wants to live happily, don't they? Laugh if you want to! I'm just a coward."
Himeko's answer didn't surprise Zeus at all. However, it seemed Himeko had clearly misunderstood. Zeus had no intention of mocking Himeko; it was perfectly normal. Wasn't it just a biological instinct? Unless someone had completely despaired of life, who would choose to end their precious life?
Even in the midst of war, the people who lost their lives in the end weren't filled with hatred for their enemies, but rather a longing for life. They didn't want to die; they wanted to live ordinary, happy lives with their families and children. But sometimes, who can predict the future? They could only do things they didn't want to do but had to. So they picked up their guns, went to the battlefield, and lost their lives there. It was truly lamentable.
"I never mock those who cherish life, Himeko."
She could understand Himeko's feelings. If she hadn't gone out to buy instant noodles back then, perhaps she would still be him, living happily at home, leading a carefree otaku life. Looking at Himeko, Zeus suddenly felt a sense of empathy. So, she cupped Himeko's beautiful face with both hands, bringing her eyes to meet her own, and said seriously and sternly:
"R-really?"
"Of course."
Himeko, suddenly feeling such unexpected happiness, felt a pang in her nose, and tears streamed down her beautiful face. She had been prepared for Zeus to mock her, but to her surprise, Zeus not only didn't mock her but even comforted her. This stirred a mix of emotions within her, making her so excited she didn't know what to say.
Then Zeus suddenly struck, knocking Himeko unconscious. It wasn't to do anything illicit, but because the upcoming treatment might be a little painful. Just a little painful, really~!
Placing Himeko on the bed, Zeus took out a golden gem from her space earring. This was a Honkai Gem she had recently taken from Kiana when Kiana wasn't paying attention—the one that could evolve Kiana into a Herrscher. It had been hidden in Kiana's body for many years and was now mature. With just a small catalyst, Kiana would transform into a Herrscher, bringing destruction to the world.
However, Kiana's chance of becoming a Herrscher was now zero. Zeus wouldn't do that. Such immense energy was excellent nourishment for repairing her divine personality, but it wasn't enough. Zeus still needed more Honkai energy. Why was she taking out this gem now? Because Zeus had set up several magic arrays on it to continue collecting Honkai energy. Now she would use the Honkai Gem to easily collect the Honkai energy from Himeko's body.
"When you wake up, you won't have to worry about Honkai erosion anymore."
Zeus said gently, looking at Himeko lying quietly on the bed like a sleeping princess. Then, Zeus released the gem from her hand, but the gem did not fall to the ground as Newton's law of universal gravitation would suggest. Instead, it floated in mid-air and slowly drifted towards Himeko. After fixing its position above Himeko's body, the gem emitted a faint light. Wisps of purple-black gas slowly drifted out of Himeko's body and were absorbed by the gem without a trace. During the gem's absorption, Himeko's body began to convulse. If Zeus hadn't knocked Himeko unconscious, she would probably be disturbing the peace by now.
Himeko's convulsions were due to extreme pain. Even in a coma, Himeko, who should have felt nothing, was now experiencing nerve spasms due to the intense pain in her body. After about five minutes, when no more purple-black smoke emerged from Himeko's body, Zeus put away the gem.
Next, from gate of babylon, she found a potion-like item. Its specific name was unknown, but from the functions written on it, it was a drug that strengthened the user's genes, allowing them to better adapt to fused energy. After feeding it to Himeko, Zeus also deliberately carved Shennong's Stigmata onto Himeko's back. This way, Himeko could better use Honkai energy without being eroded.
While Zeus was busy, in the deep forest not far from Chang Kong City, a beautiful figure dressed in an armpit-baring miko outfit sat like a statue by a torch. A poor wild chicken, already disemboweled, hung above the flames, its wide eyes staring unblinkingly at the creature that had slaughtered it, unwilling to rest in peace.
But at this moment, Yae Sakura had no time to heed the food's resentment. She was currently immersed in her consciousness, communicating with Kallen.
"Zeus sent a message. We can act soon."
When Kallen said this, she was actually very conflicted, because her next target was her childhood best friend, Otto Apocalypse. In her memory, the blond young man, who had a bit of green on his head, smiled so gently. She never expected him to become like this after so many years. This made her feel both self-reproach and immense heartache. Self-reproach because he had become like this because of her, and heartache for the children who were used as experimental guinea pigs.
"Mm! Let's put an end to it!"
Looking at the conflicted Kallen, Yae Sakura reached out and embraced Kallen. They held each other in a selfless embrace, completely oblivious to the two pairs of eyes watching them. The one person and one beast watching from the side expressed that dog food was delicious and they could eat another bowl.
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