At Schicksal Headquarters—
After examining Kiana Kaslana's body, Otto found no trace of a Herrscher Core, and even the residual Honkai energy was minimal.
The final Honkai energy self-detonation had merely been a complete release of Honkai energy from within her body.
As for what had taken over Kiana Kaslana's body, Otto had a vague suspicion—but he wasn't certain.
"This is…"
He frowned.
Honkai energy was repelling Honkai energy.
What was going on?!
Honkai energy was known for its mutual attraction—it gathered together naturally to form what was called a "Honkai Source."
But now—
The energy was repelling itself.
It completely contradicted all research data from the Previous Era and everything Otto had collected so far.
No way…
As he stared at the experimental data, Otto's expression grew heavier.
A bold hypothesis began to form in his mind.
That was—there wasn't just one Will of Honkai.
There was a new Will of Honkai.
A new god.
One different from the god he had witnessed during the Second Honkai Eruption.
When news arrived that numerous small-scale Honkai Eruptions were occurring worldwide, his suspicions were further confirmed.
Otto furrowed his brow in thought.
If this was indeed a new god of Honkai—
Then what was its purpose in descending personally?
At first, he believed its target to be Kiana Kaslana. But later, he realized the real target wasn't her—it was K-423 and Sirin's Herrscher Core.
K-423 was an experimental subject he had personally created. There was nothing inherently special about her.
Which meant—the problem lay with Sirin's Herrscher Core.
What was so special about Sirin's Core that it warranted the personal descent of a new god of Honkai?
"Amber."
"Yes, Overseer. What are your orders?"
Behind Otto stood a white-haired girl dressed in Schicksal's nun uniform—high heels, thigh-high stockings, a golden crystal-patterned cape, and golden crystal goggles atop her head, her hair tied into a side ponytail with a single ahoge swaying above.
Otto gazed at the island displayed on the screen. After a brief silence, he spoke: "Forget it. Notify all Schicksal branches to handle the Honkai incidents."
This new god of Honkai had attacked him on sight and mocked him.
Unlike the one he had seen during the Second Honkai Eruption.
Although his only memory of the god witnessed through Sirin was the scene of its self-destruction, he was certain—they were not the same entity.
"Yes, I will convey your orders immediately," Amber replied, nodding before turning to leave.
Once Amber had gone, Otto opened a communication channel.
A gray-haired girl appeared on the screen.
"My old friend," Otto said with a smile, "I need your help."
"What is it?"
Fu Hua frowned. She had been about to deal with a Honkai outbreak when Otto contacted her at such a time.
"I need you to track someone."
As a precaution, Otto didn't have Fu Hua engage the new god of Honkai directly.
This new god could possess different hosts.
When it had taken over Kiana Kaslana, it had instantly granted a child the power of an S-rank Valkyrie.
But when possessing K-423, the body had shown signs of corrosion from Honkai energy.
Clearly, it required a vessel with high adaptability to fully unleash its power.
Considering his old friend's condition—
Hmm.
Otto felt she could at least protect herself from the possessed K-423.
"Track someone? Who?"
"An experimental subject who escaped from my lab. She carries Sirin's Herrscher Core of the Void. She's dangerous."
Otto didn't reveal the full truth about the Will of Honkai possessing K-423, only hinting that Sirin might have resurrected within her.
"…"
Fu Hua fell silent for a moment. "Where is she now?"
"I've sent you her location. Just follow her quietly. If she detects you and attacks—run."
Dealing with an unfamiliar Will of Honkai was nothing like facing a childlike Herrscher such as Sirin.
He still didn't know the full extent of this being's abilities or methods.
Otto reminded himself not to let his old friend throw herself recklessly into danger.
"Otto, is there something you're not telling me?"
Hearing his warning, Fu Hua immediately sensed that Otto was hiding something.
The experimental subject K-423 likely wasn't as simple as just carrying Sirin's Herrscher Core of the Void.
"No, my old friend. Just be careful. I trust your abilities," Otto replied with a faint smile.
Since he wouldn't say more, Fu Hua didn't press the issue.
"Alright."
After ending the call, she opened her device and checked K-423's current location.
Whatever Otto was hiding—she would understand once she saw K-423 herself.
...
Uninhabited Island.
K-423 ordered the Honkai Beasts under her control to catch seafood for her.
This body of hers was made of flesh and blood—it required food to replenish energy.
Unlike Honkai creatures that could sustain themselves purely through Honkai energy, she couldn't.
Receiving Honkai energy transmitted from her true body,
K-423 created Honkai Beasts imbued with both flame and ice attributes.
The flame-type beasts served as living campfires, roasting the lobsters, crabs, and fish caught from the sea.
The ice-type beasts produced fresh water—and conveniently chilled coconuts to drink.
Even without any seasoning, the simply grilled seafood was still delicious.
"No wonder seafood is so expensive—it's amazing," K-423 muttered, patting her stomach after eating her fill.
Since her main body had become a lifeform of pure Honkai energy, she hadn't tasted normal human food in a long time.
"It'll take a bit more time to stabilize."
Once the interdimensional passage between the two universes stabilized, she planned to leave this world.
Instead, she would move on to invade other universes.
Under the current restrictions, continuing to fight against Schicksal, Anti-Entropy, and World Serpent—three organizations well-versed in combating Honkai—along with a Honkai agent lurking in the shadows, would be nothing short of idiotic.
It was time to focus on more important matters.
"Now then… Sirin, my little cutie, do you know who I am?"
Entering the mental space, the Will of Ruler appeared in the form of Cecilia.
"Cecilia? How are you—wait, you're not her!"
Sirin's initial surprise quickly turned into fury. "You're not Cecilia! You imposter!"
Energy gathered beside her, forming the Subspace Lance as she prepared to attack.
Watching the angry purple-haired girl brandishing her weapon, the Will of Ruler found her adorable—like a puffed-up little pufferfish.
So cute!
"Waaah~, little cutie, you're being mean to me!"
The Will of Ruler pouted dramatically. "I never said I was Cecilia! I only took on the form of the person you most wished to see."
Appearing as Cecilia, her expression of gentle grievance struck Sirin like a mental blow, instantly softening her hostility.
"Hmph! You imposter—who exactly are you?" Sirin demanded coldly.
Seeing this, the Will of Ruler smiled warmly and stepped closer.
"Don't come any closer!"
Sirin backed away warily.
"My name is Will of Ruler. Humans call me the Will of Honkai—the god of Honkai."
"You're… a god?!"
Sirin's eyes widened. Ever since that flat-chested white-haired woman had cut her down, her connection with the god had been severed.
"Mhm~."
The Will of Ruler approached and gently placed a hand on Sirin's head.
"Little cutie, you've suffered so much."
"Mmh…"
The gentle aura radiating from the woman before her made Sirin momentarily lose herself in a daze.