Chapter 140: Stargazer's First Death
["When I finished researching the new formation and went to find Rita, planning to seal the Calamity Beast together with her..."
Stargazer took another sip of wine: "I saw Rita's scythe by the riverbank.
There was no trace of the Calamity Beast left—only flower petals floating upon the water's surface."
"Rita lay in the water, as if peacefully asleep."
"Her body was covered in wounds, but they had long stopped bleeding."
"When I lifted Rita, her clothes were completely soaked, yet her body felt so light... as if all the blood had already drained from her..."
"Looking at the Prime Minister, I suddenly felt I didn't recognize her anymore, though I didn't know why."
"Holding her, I kept thinking until I could no longer see the shadow of the scythe by the riverbank. Stars rose from the sea, casting their cold light." "No matter when, whenever Rita looked at me, I always felt she was smiling—because her eyes were always smiling."
"But now... I can never see those eyes again."
Stargazer held Rita's corpse in her arms, murderous intent flashing in her eyes.] [Silver Wolf]: "Huh? Wait... you... huh? I mean—are you serious right now!?"
[March 7th]: "Stargazer... she looks so heartbroken right now. So heartbroken..."
[Kiana]: "Teacher Himeko and Class Monitor had connections with Rita too! Why didn't they help her? They'd never abandon someone like this!"
[Jing Yuan]: "Between nations, only interests matter. Personal sentiments cannot change that."
[Stelle]: "Great! Just great! Even Silver Wolf who was all tough earlier is crying and throwing a tantrum now! Haha, this is the lighthearted world of Honkai for you!"
[Silver Wolf]: 'I'm not crying or throwing a tantrum right now!' [Theresa]: "Rita... could you come to St. Freya for a bit? Somehow... I really want to see you right now..."
[Rita]: "Of course, no problem, Lady Theresa~"
[Durandal]: "I'll come with Rita too."
[The Captain wanted to say something, but seeing Stargazer's grief-stricken expression, the words died in his throat. Stargazer told the Captain that to avenge Rita, she had already slain the Hero King and Pirate King—only one target remained.
Stargazer quietly gazed at the Captain, who instinctively asked: "N-no way it's Theresa... right?"
"Of course not. Why would I kill a madwoman?"
Stargazer sighed: "She refuses to believe Rita is dead—always wanting to sing for her."
"Naturally, the Empire cannot have such a ruler, so I forced her to abdicate."
Then she gave Theresa an ultimatum: she could only sing for Stargazer alone and was forbidden from seeing Rita. This way, Theresa would keep believing Rita was still alive. "But all that is in the past now."
"I... This one suddenly feels like playing. Accompany me in a game of chess."] [Kiana]: "So that's why Theresa was imprisoned by Stargazer!"
[Elysia]: "Even Theresa... Rita watched her grow up. To Theresa, Rita was probably her only family left."
[Herrscher of Sentience]: "Tsk—so Rita was basically Theresa's regent!"
[March 7th]: "Something's off! This doesn't add up! Stargazer already killed Fu Hua and Himeko—who's the last enemy?"
[March 7th]: "Don't tell me she plans to kill herself!?"
[Silver Wolf]: "Your jinx is more accurate than Elio's prophecies! Shut up already!"
[Elio]: "Hah? That's the unobservable Quantum Sea we're talking about! How am I supposed to predict that!"
[Without waiting for the Captain's agreement, Stargazer took out a chessboard by herself. As they played, they spoke of many things—reminiscing about the past.
Stargazer moved pieces while chatting, but her breathing grew increasingly labored, the light fading from her eyes. "Captain... thank you... for playing this game with me."
Just as the Captain was about to lose, Stargazer collapsed. The wine cup before her shattered on the ground. The Captain leapt up as guards surrounded him with leveled spears. Stargazer ordered the soldiers to withdraw beyond earshot on pain of death—she had final words for the Captain alone. Under his frantic questioning, Stargazer sighed deeply... then smiled. "It seems my time has come."
Remembering Stargazer's earlier words about one remaining enemy, the Captain paled. "What... don't tell me you're planning to—"
"No, you misunderstand. This one did not drink poison willingly."
"This cup was clean—the poison was in the previous one. Those two left a final gambit—they bribed my maid to poison the wine."
Their deaths had purchased Stargazer's own.] [Raiden Mei]: "No wonder Teacher Himeko immediately charged at Stargazer with her sword..."
[Silver Wolf]: "No way... come on Captain, do something!"
[Stelle]: "Huh? Little Tesla isn't even operational yet! Can she save people?"
["If you knew the wine was poisoned then... why didn't you say anything immediately? If you'd spoken up back then—no, you definitely could've been saved!"
The Captain's face twisted with panic and confusion.
Stargazer smiled. She'd finally recognized him—the person who accompanied her a thousand years ago to seal the beast... who stayed by her side during their journey... who made her those terrible grilled fish... To contain Calamity Beast, she'd anchored herself there since Imperial Year 72. During those three years stranded on the island, Stargazer kept seeing glimpses of that person in the Captain. Now she could be certain. "You truly are that person... Though we only spent a week together back then, you influenced my entire life."
"Though your appearance differs now... the essence of a person doesn't change so easily."
"The formation split into two parts appearing three years apart last time... This time... you arrived three months after me... cough... cough..."
"If Iron Fist truly is as mysterious as she claims... if there's any way to change the outcome where Rita fell in battle and I had no choice but to seek vengeance..."
"If anyone in this world can summon her... that person... could only be you."
"So if it's you... you can definitely change everything."
With sudden strength, the girl in his arms tightly grasped the Captain's wrist. "If it's you... you'll definitely find a way..."
"Save the Empire... save Rita... save me..."] [Silver Wolf]: "Damn it! Stargazer died too! But Little Tesla really is the key item here."
[March 7th]: "Next up is the Captain using Little Tesla to go back in time and save Stargazer, right?"
[Elysia]: "A rescue across time and space... what beautiful emotions!"
[Otto]: "Do your best... Captain. Bring Stargazer back."
[Raiden Mei]: "To think Stargazer trusted the Captain so completely... she truly waited for him for a thousand years."
[Silver Wolf]: "Pfft—the Captain can literally time travel now and you're all still crying your eyes out? Wait till he gets the happy ending—won't you all look silly then?"
[Stelle]: "Take off your sunglasses before saying that."
Knowing Stargazer would eventually join the crew kept everyone relatively calm. After all, with time travel involved, how much worse could it get? Audiences across both worlds watched with hopeful anticipation. .........
You're all about to get hit with tragedy and you're still stockpiling chapters? Come suffer these feels with me!