Evan did not engage in a battle with the Herrscher personality of Raiden Mei. After he rejected the Herrscher Mei's invitation to destroy the world and instead asked her to save it with him, the Herrscher Mei gave him a deep look and then faded away, allowing Mei's normal personality to regain control of her body.
Knowing that the Honkai outbreak would soon attract the attention of relevant parties, Evan immediately brought Mei back to the inner city of Nagazora after eliminating the few giant Honkai Beasts. Thanks to the fact that the Herrscher Mei didn't conflict with him and his movements were fast enough, the alarm in Nagazora City had just sounded when they returned. If they had been any slower, the city would have entered a state of martial law. Although Evan and Mei returning from outside the city wouldn't necessarily be barred from entry, their personal information would definitely be registered. If someone investigated closely, they might really find some clues.
Mei wasn't an ordinary person ignorant of the Honkai. As Raiden Ryoma's daughter, even though her father had intentionally hidden many things, she knew very well about the existence of the Honkai. She just never expected that one day she would be the one to trigger it.
Along the way, Mei was somewhat silent. Perhaps because Evan had awakened the Herrscher personality in advance, Mei's own personality didn't fall into a slumber after her body was taken over by the not-yet-fully-powerful Herrscher personality. Instead, she witnessed everything from a perspective similar to a bystander. Mei saw Evan effortlessly destroying the Honkai Beasts, saw "herself" making dangerous statements about destroying the world, and heard Evan's invitation to save the world.
Too many things had happened in a short time, and Mei needed time to digest them slowly. However, because of the reliability Evan showed throughout this series of events, Mei didn't feel too much hesitation about the future.
As long as Evan stood by her side, any difficulty could be overcome, right?
Now, what Mei cared about most was her dangerous Herrscher personality. No matter who it was, discovering another personality in one's body would be somewhat hard to accept.
"You've already given me enough trust, so now it's my turn to work hard. Don't worry, Mei. At worst, when your Herrscher personality wakes up, I'll sacrifice my looks and trade my body for world peace, then wait for you to wake up."
"What kind of boy sells his body to a girl!"
Mei retorted to Evan's half-serious, half-joking remark, then noticed some words in his speech, and her body suddenly tensed up.
"Herrscher? Isn't that..."
"The Apostle of the Honkai, the Destroyer of Worlds. Is that what you want to say? You aren't a true Herrscher, at least not right now. I talked to your nascent Herrscher personality earlier and found confusion in her words about destroying the world. So, everything can be changed. Besides, even among true Herrschers, there are those who fight to protect the world. So, this is just a power. You should be happy."
"You seem to know a lot of things?"
Mei blinked at Evan, revealing her curiosity. To this, Evan scratched his face.
"I do know a lot of things I shouldn't know. I'm currently trying to find a reasonable excuse, so please be patient."
Evan was practically telling Mei bluntly that even if he gave an answer later, he would be lying.
At this, Mei puffed out her cheeks angrily, but soon sighed weakly.
"Alright, I won't ask you, and I'll do as you say and pretend nothing happened. But will my Herrscher personality wake up suddenly? If so, I feel like I should drop out of Senba Academy."
Mei was still that kind girl willing to restrict herself for the safety of others.
"Judging from what just happened, no. Your Herrscher personality seems to be influenced by some of your emotions. If you have a strong enough will not to hurt others, there shouldn't be any danger."
"...Shouldn't?"
"Mei, what you need to do isn't worry about dangers that might happen, but believe in yourself, and please believe in me."
Although Mei still had a lot to say, she had already been brought to Senba Academy by Evan. If she wanted to continue living a peaceful life, she had to appear at the right place at the right time. At least right now, she should be in Senba Academy and be seen by other students or teachers to create an alibi.
Evan naturally needed to leave as well. A small-scale Honkai eruption had occurred in the outskirts of Nagazora City, so Theresa would definitely send someone over. Even if they were just looking for Kiana, Evan needed to let them see his existence to clear himself of suspicion, although normally, he shouldn't have any suspicion on him anyway.
Evan comforted Mei one last time and started heading back to his dormitory.
This time, although a true super-large-scale Honkai eruption didn't occur, Mei's Herrscher personality had awakened, and Honkai Beasts had been born. In Evan's eyes, the Third Honkai Eruption had quietly begun.
The future wouldn't become peaceful; there would only be more and more Honkai descending until that true super-large-scale eruption appeared.
Although he hadn't solved the matter of Mei's Herrscher personality, there was good news—
The Herrscher Mei hadn't completely taken destroying the world as her goal; she had a lot of humanity. At least, she didn't intend to hurt Evan.
And on St. Freya Academy's side, with this small eruption, they were bound to become vigilant. They should deploy more advanced Honkai energy detection devices in Nagazora City. Even if a large-scale Honkai really erupted in the future, the citizens would likely be evacuated in advance. Evan's original goal of avoiding too many deaths could be considered accomplished.
Read ahead with 40+ chapters now with daily updates!
@patreon.com/Zefyrus