Chapter 284: The Herrscher… is Me!?
"You broke my stuff again! One door, two walls—all specially reinforced materials with integrated electronic networks. Do you know how much that costs? That's like half a year of your food budget! How many times have I told you?! You think money grows on trees? 'Reshape all creation'? I swear, I'd rather twist your neck! I'm so mad! I'm so mad! Should've let Sigurd-boy leave me asleep instead of waking me up!"
In Fu Hua's room, the "Fu Hua" in question was kneeling obediently, while the Book of Fuxi floated mid-air, wobbling as it angrily scolded her.
Despite her tiny size, every word carried heavy force, making the recently destructive "Fu Hua" bow her head and shrink her shoulders in total silence, not daring to talk back.
After a good while, once her anger had cooled, the Book of Fuxi finally drifted over to a chair—massive compared to her—and plopped down on her knees, sighing in exhaustion.
"Tea. Now!"
Raising her miniature cup, she barked her command in a voice that sounded both childlike and bossy.
'Fu Hua' immediately jolted up.
"Coming! Coming!"
She grabbed the long-spouted kettle from the table and carefully poured a bit of tea into the tiny cup.
"Top-quality Biluochun, Little Xuan. Enjoy!"
Bowing slightly, 'Fu Hua' extended a finger to gently tap the Book of Fuxi, her blood-red eyes—normally fierce—now filled with eager flattery.
"Your attitude's not bad, but why can't you just behave?"
"I just wanted to take a walk and maybe slay some demons or something— Honestly, my body's fine! I don't want to keep sitting around doing checkups every day!"
"No!"
The Book of Fuxi crossed her little arms and sternly refused. She sighed and added:
"You know full well that while your body seems fine, ever since you woke up this time, it's like you're a totally different person. I have no clue what kind of epiphany you had or what changed, but until we're completely sure it's safe, you're not going anywhere—unless you manage to dismantle me first!"
"I would never hurt you, Little Xuan! Fine, I'll wait a bit longer… But seriously, how much longer?"
'Fu Hua' squatted down, puffed up her cheeks, and pouted in frustration, looking absolutely miserable.
The Book of Fuxi stroked her chin and said:
"The first three rounds of tests were all physical—nothing abnormal. For the rest, I've asked Otto to create specialized equipment to examine your mental and spiritual stability. Judging by the timeline, the equipment should arrive any day now. Once those are done and you pass clean, I won't stop you anymore. You'll be free to do whatever you want."
"Ugh, Otto. What an annoying name. Next time I see him, I'll show him how it feels to have his Soulium face smashed in."
"I'd advise against being rash. He's actually… kind of turned over a new leaf. Better to think of a proper excuse first—something justifiable for your actions."
"We can do that? Then help me think, Little Xuan! What's a good excuse?"
'Fu Hua''s eyes lit up immediately, clearly excited by the idea.
The Book of Fuxi gave her a sideways glance, then motioned with her tiny hand for her to come closer.
One big, one small—the two huddled together, whispering and plotting conspiratorially.
If not for the damaged door and walls around them, with worker drones still busy repairing the destruction, the scene would look like nothing had ever happened.
At this time, another conversation was also taking place in the Xuanyuan Sword hanging in front of the window.
. . . . . . . .
"Siiip~"
In a dreamlike, solitary pavilion atop a misty lake, the real Fu Hua calmly sipped her tea and asked:
"So… what's the deal with the one outside?"
"…We were about to ask you the same thing, Immortal. Seems like you don't know either."
Ji Xuanyuan shook her head, brow furrowed with worry. She went on to explain:
"Your physical body suddenly woke up a week ago. The eruption of energy and killing intent shocked everyone. Then, Lady Fuxi arrived and, miraculously, managed to calm her down. Upon seeing Lady Fuxi, that Fu Hua instantly restrained herself and began to display extreme obedience. So, using the excuse of medical observation, Lady Fuxi locked her in your room to await your return."
"Why didn't anyone contact me immediately?"
"Connecting to the Sea of Quanta isn't easy. Especially after the last war—every external comm system outside the base was wiped out. All major systems inside were being used to suppress Benares. Honestly, we only just now regained the ability to connect to the Sea of Quanta… and right after, you came back."
"I see…"
Fu Hua nodded in understanding.
The battles in the real world had reached a temporary conclusion.
After wrapping up the aftermath, Sigurd hadn't paid much more attention to what was happening on this side—he'd missed it all, but understandably so. Then again, Bronya, Otto, and Welt all had ways to contact him directly. They just must've judged that the situation didn't warrant disturbing him.
Sigurd was busy preparing to take over the reins of civilization. His attention toward the real world—well, mostly toward Kiana and the Herrscher Squad—was his own choice, and a justified one. But if others were going to interrupt him, they had to be sure the matter was worth it.
The entity that had awakened in Fu Hua's body was strong, no doubt. But when weighed against the fate of all civilization—it probably didn't rank high enough.
After all, even in just this base, there were already four Herrschers plus Durandal, the strongest Valkyrie, standing guard. Not to mention the base's absurd stockpile of weaponry and resources. "Fu Hua" really wasn't the biggest concern.
"Please don't misunderstand—Miss Bronya isn't neglecting your situation. Her intention was to figure things out first. If they truly couldn't get anywhere, she planned to reach out to the Sea of Quanta directly."
"?"
Ji Xuanyuan must've noticed what Fu Hua was thinking, and quickly explained why Bronya hadn't taken more drastic measures. In response, Fu Hua just gave her a confused look.
Then she chuckled softly and said,
"You've grown more considerate, Ji Xuanyuan. But surely, I'm not so petty, am I? I wouldn't hold a grudge over something this small. Anyway—so the version of me out there has already interacted with the others?"
"Yes. Everyone came to check the situation on the first day. During the conversations, that 'you' kept insisting that she was you. Everyone sensed something was off, but… Miss Bronya said, 'If there's no way to prove she's a fake, then based on the current evidence, we have to treat her as real.' That line seemed to work—it calmed her down a lot."
Ji Xuanyuan explained this slowly.
Fu Hua nodded.
So Bronya had likely picked up on the clone's obsession with her identity and used that to stabilize her. Smart move.
Fu Hua asked again,
"Have the others been treating her as me since then?"
"Not exactly. Only Miss Seele and Rozaliya and Liliya seem to believe she's really you. They've continued to visit her normally. The others… probably sensed the difference and, apart from the initial visit, have had little or no further interaction."
"What's she like?"
"Short-tempered, hyperactive, proud to the point of arrogance. Very self-centered—almost childish, honestly. When interacting with others, especially in front of Lady Fuxi, she hasn't shown any aggression at all. But beneath the surface, I can feel it… an incredibly intense killing aura. Like… like…"
Ji Xuanyuan trailed off, clearly hesitant.
Fu Hua was silent for a moment, then said calmly,
"Like a Herrscher."
If Ji Xuanyuan could sense it, then Fu Hua—deeply familiar with Herrschers—had definitely sensed it long ago.
Ji Xuanyuan nodded silently in agreement.
Fu Hua massaged her temples. This was starting to give her a headache.
What is even happening anymore?
Back in the day, she'd spent countless years with a brand burned into her soul: "Kill the Herrschers."
Then later—the Herrschers are all my students?
And now—the Herrscher is me!?
Fu Hua's feelings were… complicated, to say the least.
"Immortal… what do you plan to do?"
"…Observe for now. The current world order proves that Herrscher power can be used for good. Jumping to judgment and eliminating her might not be the right call. And the fact that she's held back this long means she's not some mindless, humanity-hating monster. There's a chance she can be guided."
"I think there's a good chance, actually. She keeps talking about 'defeating Honkai' and such."
"We can't just go by her words. We have to look at her actions. And we have to consider the possibility that this is all an act, and she's planning something much deeper."
"Understood, Immortal."
Ji Xuanyuan responded obediently.
After thinking it over for a moment, Fu Hua said,
"Alright. I've got a small plan. I'll need your help to carry it out. Listen closely—"
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