"Gray Serpent, I have two pieces of news for you."
"Raven, I hope what I'm about to hear are two pieces of good news."
"I'm sorry, but what you're getting are undoubtedly two pieces of bad news."
The crimson sun rose from below the sea level. In the warm glow of dawn, Raven, dressed all in black, was particularly conspicuous at the edge of the coastline, becoming a total spectacle for the whole world.
But compared to the man who was currently in the center of Manila, attracting the attention of the entire world like a focal point...
Her level of spectacle was merely the light of a firefly.
"The plan you set up in Manila has failed. The Gem of Serenity was taken back by Schicksal."
This was the first piece of bad news.
But Gray Serpent didn't react just yet, because he knew the second piece of bad news must be strongly related to the first.
"The second piece of bad news is that the Gem of Serenity was absorbed by that guy named Brian."
Two different pairs of red eyes stared at each other across thousands of miles, a strange silence hanging between them.
Schicksal's experiments on the Gem of Serenity were no secret.
Many Valkyries facing retirement, after their opinions were sought, would join the experiments on the Herrscher Core.
In the experiments led by Dr. Magi, these Valkyries became strings of cold experimental data. None survived, and their bodies were even disintegrated by the power of the Gem of Serenity.
But for Raven to dare say this now, there could only be one possibility...
"That guy managed to tame the Gem of Serenity and became the Herrscher of Death?"
"That's right. I find it incredible myself."
Her red, vertical pupils still held a trace of fear. Raven recalled the scene of that man absorbing all the Honkai energy in that underground space like a great whale drinking water, and she felt a chilling sensation.
The reason was simple. His behavior before and after was as if he was certain that nothing would happen to him, and that he would definitely become a Herrscher.
Becoming a Herrscher was just a bit unusual, but this confidence in being able to become one...
Was terrifying to the point of being incomprehensible.
Gray Serpent: "..."
"Truly an unexpected variable."
One of the reasons for choosing the Gem of Serenity over the Gem of Desire was because the Gem of Serenity was more difficult to contain. Even using a Valkyrie as a vessel was unlikely to succeed.
But he never expected that what a Valkyrie couldn't do, that man who came out of nowhere could accomplish.
The plan had failed, and the fault was not Raven's, so Gray Serpent had no intention of holding her accountable.
Although a World Serpent executive could hold their own against a Herrscher for a few rounds, that was only when they had a Divine Key.
The Manila plan had failed completely. There was no need for Raven to stay there any longer.
"Raven, the Manila plan ends here."
"Alright then. It's time for me to take a good long vacation."
Under the crimson sun, the imposing shadow of the Hyperion spread with the light, engulfing Raven's figure.
The Sovereign of World Serpent had not yet returned. Now was not the time for World Serpent to engage in a full-scale conflict with Schicksal.
Everything had not yet reached the appointed time.
...
Manila City Center...
"Breaking news, a terrorist attack has occurred in downtown Manila. No terrorist organization has yet claimed responsibility for the incident..."
The voice from the television speaker echoed as the black-haired youth lay leisurely on a soft, large bed.
If one didn't know this man's true identity, didn't know what he had done last night, one might even mistake him for an ordinary boy next door.
But!
"Bronya, my shoulders are sore. Give me a massage."
Bronya: （ᗜ˰ᗜ）
"..."
Bastard, do you think I'm that illiterate Dropout who didn't complete nine-year compulsory education, Kiana?
You are the Inner World Protagonist X Herrscher of Death, whose fighting spirit and endurance are astonishing.
With your powerful regenerative abilities, you won't be considered dead unless you're reduced to ashes!
Despite this, Bronya obediently did as she was told.
"Is this the spot?"
Her slender hands lifted the man's head and placed it on her lap. Bronya used the skills she had honed in the orphanage to give Brian a massage that left him feeling completely relaxed.
"Bronya, your massaging skills are amazing."
"Of course. This is a craft I've perfected on my younger sisters."
The cute girl lifted her head slightly, her silver-gray Twintails swaying back and forth with her legs.
Although her legs had no feeling, and this lap pillow position might even be hurting them...
Bronya still did it.
It wasn't because this man had become the Herrscher of Death and could use his powers to heal her body's injuries.
The only reason she fulfilled this man's request and performed such an intimate action was—
"Don't get the wrong idea. I agreed to give you a massage not because I like you, but because you saved everyone, and you saved this city."
Outside the window, the world was bustling with traffic, completely unaware that it had just narrowly escaped death.
There is no such thing as a peaceful and quiet life in this world; it's just that someone is carrying the weight for these ignorant people.
If it weren't for the man whose head was resting on her lap, she would probably be fighting Honkai Beasts and Honkai Zombies right now, not giving this guy a lap pillow and a massage.
In consideration of the labor he had spared her, serving him well could be considered a good value in a certain sense.
However...
"Now that you've become a Herrscher, have you thought about what to do next?"
With a little force in her small hands, the girl asked a crucial question.
He saved the city by becoming a Herrscher, but now all the problems were focused on him alone.
How would Schicksal treat him? What would the Overseer's attitude be? Why was he able to become a Herrscher?
The attitudes of the various factions, the mysteries surrounding him, and all the things that were about to happen—just thinking about them was enough to make one's head spin.
"What to do?"
Brian felt that Bronya's short legs were very comfortable and shifted his position to enjoy it more. "Things will sort themselves out, of course."
There was no need to worry about Schicksal. The Schicksal Overseer's attitude wouldn't change just because he became a Herrscher, because that man's eyes were only set on one thing: resurrecting Kallen.
All that was left was to deal with the researchers and cooperate with the routine research tasks.
However, as Brian saw it, a more likely development was that the Schicksal high command would know about this while others wouldn't, directly saving him the trouble of being harassed by researchers.
After all, in Otto Apocalypse's eyes, everything was insignificant compared to resurrecting Kallen.
"Alright, since you're so confident, I won't ask anymore."
Although she didn't know where this guy's confidence came from, Bronya didn't press the issue.
This guy had always been mysterious; maybe he had some special trick up his sleeve.
Next question.
"You saved the Snow Lotus Squad. Have you thought about how to handle them?"
"Why do they need to be handled?"
"You should know who I'm talking about. You saved that girl more than once."
Handsome, reliable, powerful, gentle, and he had saved her life, as well as a city of tens of millions.
And that girl looked so innocent, like she could be tricked into bed a hundred times over!
"I don't think that's a question for me."
...
A wall separated the floors above and below.
"Natalie, what do you think of this outfit?"
"I don't think it's very good."
The young woman with wheat-colored skin leaned against the wall, watching her subordinate strike poses in front of the full-length mirror.
Honestly, Natalie couldn't understand Ana Schariac's train of thought at all. She couldn't figure out why this girl would do something so...
So...
"..."
She couldn't find the words to describe it.
"Ana, what on earth are you thinking?"
As she said this, Natalie couldn't help but look up at the ceiling.
This was directly below the Herrscher. Theoretically, if she just punched upwards, she could leave the man who had become a Herrscher with a hole through his heart.
But thinking about the thrilling events of last night...
A Valkyrie was not an ungrateful person; she could never make such a choice.
Even if they all hated the Honkai, they couldn't bring themselves to raise a blade against the man who had saved the Snow Lotus Squad and this city.
Besides, the Far East Branch, which was already aware of the situation, hadn't ordered them to subjugate the Herrscher, only to find a place to separate him from ordinary people.
Hopefully, everyone could get a happy ending.
In front of the full-length mirror, the Valkyrie holding a white dress was all smiles, her pair of pale pink eyes shimmering with a radiant light.
"What am I thinking... Perhaps it's just to make sure this experience doesn't end with a lifetime of regret."
In the room, where only the two of them were present, Ana Schariac had already changed into a matching set of underwear. Her skin, like white jade, glowed with a smooth luster.
Everything that had happened in such a short time was both thrilling and unforgettable.
The first time, he saved her from the Herrscher clones.
The second time, he blocked the bullet the assassin fired at her.
The third time, he stopped her from dying under the power of the Gem of Serenity.
She had been saved three times!
There was no way to repay this kindness and affection!
With a sweet smile, Ana saw her own hand in the mirror, as flawless as ever, without a single blemish or scar.
Even the wounds from last night's battle had completely vanished, as if she had never gone through it at all.
But she could only feel the warmth of that man's hand still lingering on her palm. It was he who had used the power of the Herrscher of Death to heal everyone's injuries, snatching her teammates back from the hands of death.
If she were to count all the kindness he had shown her...
Saving this city, saving her teammates, healing everyone's wounds...
The debt of gratitude was simply too great.
And she had no way to repay it.
So...
"You're planning to offer yourself to him?"
From Natalie's angle, she had a perfect view of Ana Schariac's back.
In the full-length mirror, she looked full of youthful innocence in her white floral dress.
But from Natalie's perspective, looking from behind, Ana Schariac's current attire was clearly that of someone who was going to sleep with a man.
—This was the style she had gone out to pick up overnight.
The excuse was that last night's desperate battle had been too intense, and her clothes had been torn to shreds.
Natalie wouldn't even comment on how plausible that excuse was, but with a style like that, which was as good as wearing nothing, weren't you just wearing your thoughts on your sleeve?
And from the evaluation of an experienced person...
"Three band-aids would be better."
Ana: "Natalie, what did you just say?"
She seemed to have heard some strange comment.
"Nothing. I just think you should think it over carefully."
This was a matter of a lifetime, not a game for you to unlock the 'Semen-al Romance' achievement.
And getting intimately involved with a Herrscher somewhere other than the battlefield... your kink system is a bit too ahead of its time, isn't it?
However, Natalie chose to respect her subordinate's choice.
"The Hyperion will arrive off the coast of the Philippines in half an hour. You have about two hours to do what you want to do."
As the captain of the Snow Lotus Squad, Natalie was now in direct contact with Theresa, the highest commander of the Far East Branch, and could get real-time updates on the Hyperion's movements.
"Natalie, thank you."
A happy smile appeared on the beautiful girl's lovely face.
She placed one hand on her smooth lower abdomen, warming herself with her palm.
"No, this is your own courage."
Hugging the brave girl, Natalie helped Ana Schariac change into the carefully selected white floral dress.
She watched as the chestnut-haired girl walked out the door, her delicate face disappearing as the elevator doors closed.
Natalie didn't know what awaited Ana, she could only offer a silent blessing: "I wish you happiness, Ana."
...
"I think she's the one who wants to sleep with me, not the other way around."
Casually popping a couple of peanuts into his mouth, the Inner World Protagonist, Brian, didn't think he was drunk off his ass.
Although they had only known each other for a short time, not even 24 hours, and Ana Schariac was still a young maiden...
But when Brian recalled the look in the beautiful girl's eyes when he was healing her, it felt like a thirsty she-wolf about to devour him whole.
Excluding the possibility that she had some strange kinks for Herrschers, there was only one other possibility...
"She's a love-struck fool, and you've completely conquered her."
Bronya reviewed their entire encounter from beginning to end and easily came to this conclusion.
She approached this man with a certain curiosity, and curiosity was the first step to her downfall.
Knowing that this guy carried some heavy responsibility made him appear much taller in Ana Schariac's eyes.
Before the Welt II legion attacked, he got her out of danger, creating the first life-saving debt.
When she was determined to use her own death to delay the Honkai Eruption, this guy snatched the Herrscher Core from her hands.
Finally, as a Herrscher, he used his powers to save all her companions from the brink of death.
Add to that his not-bad looks and his rather outstanding skills...
"Congratulations, your harem has gained another member."
And that Schariac surname could even form a sisterly CP with Kiana.
The man said modestly: "I can't help it. There are too many women in this world who covet my body, just like you."
"So that they don't have to spend their nights alone in an empty boudoir, I have no choice but to sacrifice myself, cutting off my own flesh to feed the eagles."
Bronya: "..."
First of all, I don't covet your body; second, I'm not a woman in your harem; and finally, you're not the Buddha!
She opened her mouth, about to refute this guy's shamelessness.
Suddenly...
*Knock, knock, knock—!*
A crisp knocking sound came from the entryway. The heroine of their discussion had arrived on the battlefield!
"She's here. I should go."
"No need."
This sentence made Bronya pause. Was this guy planning to throw her out?
The next second.
The silver-haired girl felt the world spin, and the slightly dim space under the bed became her temporary shelter.
"..."
So...
Why was she, like Kiana, stuffed under the bed?
...
Opening the door, a youthful and beautiful girl appeared before him.
After carefully dressing up, Ana had brought out her natural beauty to the fullest.
The white floral dress outlined the girl's slender figure. The long legs beneath the hem of the dress glowed like warm jade; she wore delicate women's sandals.
"Ana, what can I do for you?"
Brian feigned ignorance, just flashing a sunny smile that fluttered the girl's heart.
The chestnut-haired girl blinked: "Aren't you going to invite me in to sit?"
Although this area had been cleared out by her Snow Lotus Squad, a hallway wasn't exactly a suitable place for... what was to come.
There were no roses or seas of flowers, no blessings or companionship, so at the very least, she should have a big bed.
"Sorry, my mistake."
As the door closed, Ana's heart beat faster with each footstep.
The two sat down in the room, making small talk like friends.
"This time, I really have to thank you. If it weren't for you, not only the Snow Lotus Squad but this entire city might have been destroyed."
"Don't worry about it. Resolving the situation in Manila was also part of my mission."
"..."
The beautiful girl smiled, peeled an apple with a small knife, and fed it to Brian's lips.
"This apple is very sweet. Would you like to try it?"
"Thank you."
Her tender fingers became slightly moist, making the girl's already shimmering eyes even more hazy.
Even though he hadn't done anything to her, this guy could make her heart flutter with just a few casual movements. It was so unfair!
Unconsciously pouting, Ana Schariac still obediently fed Brian the apple.
The chestnut-haired beauty was thoroughly enjoying this ambiguous feeling, but she also knew that her time was short.
If she didn't act soon, then when this man's girlfriend arrived, there would be no chance for her to have a taste.
In the ambiguous atmosphere, the beautiful girl picked up another bright red apple and asked a question that seemed completely unrelated to the current situation.
"Did you know? During Christmas in Shenzhou, boys often give an apple to the girl they love, giving the apple a special flower language."
"Ana, little children shouldn't be asking about adult matters."
"I'm not little anymore."
Her heart was pounding in her chest. Unable to bear it any longer, the girl stood up and moved closer to the man. She wrapped her slender arms around his neck, her exceptionally tender lips breathing orchid-like fragrance.
"You are my hero. You not only saved me, but you also saved the Snow Lotus Squad, and you saved this city!"
"I know that there might not be a future for us, but no matter what, I don't want this unforgettable experience to end with regret!"
*Riiip—!*
An unprecedented passion ignited in the chestnut-haired girl's eyes.
"Come, my hero!"
"No, at least not now..."
The girl's voice was like a succubus's: "Could it be... you don't think you can do it?"
On the man's body, the Stigma from Yae Sakura flickered faintly, then returned to its calm state in the next instant.
'Oh well, I've been forced to be a spectator so many times anyway.'
Under the bed, Bronya lay silently on the cold floor, feeling the cold temperature of the floor against her flat chest, remaining silent.
She hated this world that was not gentle, and she disliked this vulgar man who used her for his strange games.
He didn't even include her, and instead stuffed her under the bed just like Kiana.
Despicable!!!!
...
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