"Sure—"
Sirin agreed to Wendy's invitation without even thinking.
Because the truth was—this outcome had been predetermined.
…What?!
The Second Herrscher just—agreed??
From below, Teresa almost doubted her own hearing.
Just moments ago, Sirin had been fighting them to the death.
And now, simply because Wendy spoke a few casual words, Sirin not only returned Kiana… she even agreed to tag along?
No—this wasn't "joining them."
Sirin was simply choosing to follow Wendy.
Which meant…
Did Wendy already know Sirin?
Teresa's mind spun rapidly.
"Sirin truly is a partner of justice~
Everyone is redeemed—perfect!
But as the Savior, I must work harder.
Today's battle was far too lame."
Jiu Xiao beamed with satisfaction.
Yet she also knew—she was still too weak.
To be a "Savior," she couldn't afford to fail again.
Partner of justice—or not…
Teresa recalled the battle just now.
She knew very clearly:
If Sirin truly wished to kill them, they would've all died before they even reacted.
But… was that really the case?
Teresa wasn't sure anymore.
"Well then, Sirin, hand Kiana over~"
Wendy floated down beside Sirin happily.
"Mhm—"
Sirin nodded. With a wave, she tore open a rift in the Void.
Inside, Kiana lay quietly asleep.
"Kiana!!!"
Seeing her, Teresa rushed forward instantly.
This presence… How annoying.
As Wendy carried Kiana out, she felt the faint, lingering Saintly aura inside the girl's body.
A power that suppressed Honkai energy.
A power that could immobilize beasts, restrain Herrscher cores.
An excellent anti-Honkai ability—
just not something Wendy was worried about.
"Kiana—"
Seeing her still unconscious, Teresa's face tightened.
She knew how severely Kiana's body had been eroded by the core.
"Relax. She's perfectly fine~"
Wendy handed Kiana over casually.
— Meanwhile, at Schicksal HQ —
"Bishop, the Second Herrscher has not approached our perimeter."
On Otto's screen, Durandal's report came through crisply.
Earlier, the Schicksal satellites detected Sirin's reappearance in Changkong City.
Otto had immediately canceled his personal departure, ready to mobilize the Valkyrie reserves if necessary.
The Zero Rated Output of the Second Divine Key could not be interrupted.
The observation experiment was too important.
Fortunately—
Sirin showed no intention of interfering.
"Excellent. Maintain your position."
"Yes, Bishop!"
Once the call ended, Otto's gaze returned to the screens.
The images captured by the Divine Key were breathtaking:
Branches of the Imaginary Tree—
fragments of countless worlds—
each an entire reality.
A planet where skyborne sea-creatures drifted like living clouds.
A Rita from another worldline.
A civilization perishing beneath the final eruption—
Worlds diverging.
Worlds thriving.
Worlds dying.
Like leaves on a vast tree—
each grew, flourished, withered, and fell alone.
Fascinating.
In the dim laboratory, Otto watched without blinking.
If the world truly existed like this…
Then what must he do to achieve the one desire he had chased for five centuries?
Hm?
Suddenly, Otto felt it.
A presence.
Someone—or something—watching him.
He swept his gaze across the room sharply.
Nothing.
Yet the sensation persisted.
Like standing behind one-way glass.
And on the other side, something watched silently.
Otto's fingers tightened.
Then—
Clatter—
His elbow knocked a tool off the table.
Otto froze.
Because on his screen—
He saw himself.
Standing in a glowing white void.
"...The Will of Honkai?"
Recognition struck instantly.
He had seen that form once before—
over ten years ago.
But why now?
What did it want?
This time, Will did not speak.
It did not attack.
It simply stood there, staring calmly at him.
Unmoving.
Silent.
A suffocating stillness filled the room.
"What are you… trying to tell me?"
Otto murmured.
Then—
The figure on screen slowly extended a hand toward him—
And the image dissolved.
The screen returned to normal.
"Bishop, the experiment is complete—"
Durandal's voice cut in.
"I see.
Good work, Durandal.
Bring the Divine Key back."
"Yes, Bishop!"
The room fell silent again.
Otto leaned back, staring at the ceiling.
What…
Do you want me?
Changkong City — Aboard the Hyperion
"B—Big Auntie?"
Kiana blinked awake, confused.
"Kiana! You're finally awake. Everyone was so worried."
Teresa immediately moved to support her.
"Where's Mei? I need to find her."
"Mei… ah…"
Teresa hesitated.
She didn't know how to explain what Mei had chosen.
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