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"Can you lower your voice? Can you lower your voice? Can you LOWER YOUR VOICE?! Ahhh!"
"...Who told you to scare me first?"
"Do you have any fucking idea? This is Anti-Entropy's territory! You know Welt Yang, right? Zeke Kaslana, too? And the Herrscher Brigade? The slightest stir would've meant certain death for both of us—physically for me and socially for you! Do you get it now?!"
"...My apologies."
As they walked through the dim space tunnel, Ana's expression suddenly turned somewhat peculiar.
Wait, why should I, a proud Valkyrie of Schicksal, apologize to this Herrscher of a Thousand People?
Oh, right—to lower her guard and seize an opportunity for a decisive backstab!
Well, that makes sense.
Ana silently blinked, holding onto the incessantly chattering head while following the headless doll towards the brightly lit portal up ahead.
Just as they were about to exit the dark corridor, the head on Ana's hand stared at the feather hanging from her chest and unexpectedly remarked:
"Fenghuang Down's feather, isn't this your charm to maintain tranquility?"
"Huh?"
Ana's heart skipped a beat.
In the next moment, the head wriggled free from Ana's grasp, snatched her feather between its teeth, and vanished without a trace.
"Ha ha ha ha!"
"This is killing me with laughter! Oh, it really is!"
"So tell me, was this a trap or was that Hera truly so easily swayed?"
"Meh! Who cares?! Since she walked right into our hands, the reason doesn't matter at all!"
"Ha ha ha!"
"Welcome, welcome!"
"Welcome to our Theater of Domination!"
"Now, tie your threads and dance for the Herrscher of Dominance!"
"Ha ha ha!"
Suddenly, Ana's surroundings brightened, transforming into a vast amphitheater. She found herself at its center, surrounded by countless identical dolls either standing or sitting in elevated spectator seats.
She hadn't physically crossed any threshold. In truth, there was never a need for such passages. From the moment she held up that disembodied head, she had already entered the Theater of Domination.
"You...never intended to make a deal from the start?"
"Dealing with a five-hundred-year-old monster? Do you think we're insane? Should we trust that ancient creature's integrity, or would she believe in our group of Herrschers' credibility? It's utterly ridiculous! Ha ha ha!"
"Uh...give me back my feather!"
Clutching her chest, Ana frowned, her gem-like eyes flickering between their usual purple and an unusual icy blue.
"Oh dear, poor little Ana, barely out from under your feather's protection, already feeling overwhelmed?"
"Useless!"
"Coward!"
"I heard your entire squad was wiped out due to your incompetence? Were their screams as they died particularly melodious?"
"Look at you! With such immense power, why resist? Become a Herrscher, join us—and pass judgment on this ugly world!"
"Ah-ha-ha-ha!"
A barrage of malicious taunts bombarded Ana from all directions, accompanied by ear-piercing laughter that threatened to split her head open.
Feeling herself losing control, Ana sensed not only her own Honkai energy surging but also a peculiar force within this space intensifying her emotions uncontrollably.
Staggering backward, she scanned her surroundings, desperately searching for her life-saving feather.
Suddenly, a force wrenched apart her arms, then took command of her legs and body—transparent threads bound her limbs, emitting eerie, pulsating blue light, almost as if breathing or drawing some energy from her.
"Ahh!"
"Oh no, she's lost control!"
In the conference room at Anti-Entropy Headquarters, Kiana watched as Ana's limbs were stretched out and her body suspended like a marionette on display. She bit down hard on her thumb.
"Wait... She hasn't yet signaled for help. Ana Schariac is one of the finest Valkyries, truly exceptional among thousands. She understands her mission well," Wendy said calmly, though her delicate brows furrowed slightly as she gazed at the live feed.
Raiden Mei added, "Furthermore, we can't guarantee intervening now would resolve the situation completely. If we fail this time, the Herrscher of a Thousand People will become even more vigilant, putting us at a significant disadvantage."
Kiana nodded with a sound of agreement, restraining any impulse to act rashly.
Seele also observed the screen, her expression deeply concerned.
Apart from them, Fu Hua was present as backup support, monitoring the unfolding events. In fact, the very footage they were watching came through another feather implanted within Ana by Fu Hua.
Fu Hua shook her head and silently sighed—she couldn't intervene. This mission belonged to five young Herrschers; Fu Hua was merely there as insurance during moments of crisis. Even being able to provide some assistance here was bending the rules.
No matter whether these girls succeeded or failed, how they got hurt or discouraged, Fu Hua could only watch quietly without interfering. Otherwise, this trial would be meaningless.
"Sip..."
"Great tea!"
"One more cup, A'Lin!"
On Fu Hua's palm, Book of Fuxi sat upright, holding a tiny teacup with both hands, seemingly oblivious to the tense situation unfolding around them.
Beside Fu Hua, a little loli dressed in elegant crimson attire, carrying an ancient golden sword on her back, and wearing a serene expression poured tea from a long-spouted pot for the Book of Fuxi. Despite the minuscule size of the cup and its limited capacity, she managed to pour accurately and steadily, without spilling a single drop—a testament to her likely formidable martial cultivation.
"Little Fuxi, don't drink too much tea; it's not good for your stomach," Fu Hua gently admonished, tapping the tiny girl on her palm with affection.
Fu Hua gently tapped the tiny figure on her palm and spoke with affectionate tenderness.
The Book of Fuxi lifted its head, rolling its eyes at her.
"Aiya, you're so stubborn and annoying, wooden-head. I'm a robot, not human; do you think I'd get stomach trouble? A'Lin, don't learn from her—living like an old antique is no fun."
"No, Ji Lin's utmost admiration for an immortal's cultivation and state of mind remains unwavering," Ji Lin replied earnestly, holding the long-spouted teapot. She sounded like a little loli pretending to be grown-up—but everyone knew she was a revered Honkai Warrior, an ancestral figure from Shenzhou.
Her current appearance was merely a projection manifested through mental power, as her true soul resided within the golden sword she carried—a hero who, despite existing as a ghost, still stood ready to confront Honkai, deserving every bit of praise and accolade this world could offer.
Clutching his head in exasperation, the Book of Fuxi groaned, "No! Absolutely not! One stubborn blockhead is already more than Little Fuxi can handle. If there's another...my wallet simply won't survive it!"
"If Lady Fuxi is short on funds, Ji Lin recalls there once was a golden altar at Northhill Mountain. The artifacts within, if unearthed now, would likely be valuable antiques by today's standards—perhaps they could fetch some money."
"Spill the details!" Book of Fuxi discarded her tiny teacup, and suddenly, a miniature tablet displaying a map appeared in her hands. She flew over to Ji Lin, eyes turning into dollar signs.
Watching as Book of Fuxi and Ji Lin huddled together, quietly discussing potential wealth opportunities with that mini tablet, Fu Hua couldn't help but chuckle and shake her head.
To Fu Hua, seeing Book of Fuxi like this was quite comforting.
It wasn't that the Book of Fuxi truly lacked empathy; she simply never existed solely for combat. Her purpose has always been to accompany Fu Hua. Thus, maintaining this lively smile and spirited personality was the best support she could offer Fu Hua.
Fu Hua then turned back to Ana's live stream, silently observing the unfolding situation with concern.