Facing MEI's explanation, the Herrscher of Sentience couldn't help but ask: "Then, why…"
As soon as she spoke, due to her usual competitive spirit, the Herrscher of Sentience stopped herself from continuing.
However, MEI had already seen through the question the other party wanted to ask and spoke proactively: "You want to ask why you can't use the same method to undo your own restrictions?"
"Is it possible that Kiana went too easy on you?"
The Herrscher of Sentience's eyes widened: "What?"
MEI smiled lightly: "It was just a joke. I don't have sufficient evidence to speculate about your situation."
"However, if it's only a guess — perhaps it has something to do with the fact that the Herrscher Core is not on you."
Hearing this, Kiana asked: "But… Doctor, why didn't you just tell us these things directly?"
"The Herrscher of Sentience got angry for nothing. She seems quite wronged."
The Herrscher of Sentience immediately became unhappy: "Hey, what nonsense are you saying? What do you mean wronged… this is ridiculous."
Seeing this scene, MEI couldn't help but chuckle again: "Perhaps it's because I wanted to protect my own image?"
"If the experiment failed to achieve results, I could still completely wash my hands of responsibility, couldn't I?"
Herrscher of Sentience: "…"
MEI continued: "Alright, enough joking. You two are going to meet up with your companions, right?"
"However… if you enter the necessary path ahead right now, it might still be a bit too rushed."
"Because someone is currently behind us, having a conversation in a special way."
Kiana's face showed a puzzled expression upon hearing this.
...
Not long ago.
On Mei's side, she spoke: "Originally, I thought this was just an excuse to split up and act separately…"
"I didn't expect… that she really wanted to take this opportunity to talk with me alone."
"So… even in the current situation where we cannot use our Herrscher Authorities, can you still hear the voices of thirty thousand people echoing in the depths of your heart?"
Bronya shook her head: "I can't, but… after the Core stopped responding."
"Bronya's perception of them has become even clearer instead."
"It was during this process that Bronya truly understood that inheritance is something whose existence is proven through disappearance."
"Their voices have indeed disappeared, but their will has become even clearer."
"When making a certain decision, whether those thoughts belong to myself or to them…"
"Occasionally, even Bronya herself cannot be completely sure."
"—Just like today, when we were unintentionally influenced by the Herrscher of Sentience."
Mei thought for a moment and asked: "But if it's only this topic…"
"Even if the Herrscher of Sentience were present, it doesn't seem like we need to avoid it too much?"
Bronya agreed: "Indeed. How should I put it… in this situation, rather than Bronya and Mei."
"The ones standing here… are first and foremost two inheritors."
Inheritors — even the audience outside the TV acknowledged this.
Although the process had many surprises… two different eras had indeed each entrusted one of their greatest legacies to two young girls.
Mei was silent for a moment before saying: "…Indeed. Although strictly speaking, I haven't formally introduced the Flame-Chasers and Elysian Realm to everyone."
"But Bronya is truly Bronya."
Bronya added: "Kiana isn't stupid either."
"It's just that from her perspective, she definitely wouldn't rush you to share your story."
At this point, the double helix duck crossed her arms, chuckled lightly, and said: "You two really are something."
Seeing this, countless viewers across the country subconsciously showed aunt-like smiles.
To this, Mei also smiled helplessly: "So, from Bronya's perspective."
Bronya continued: "Bronya only has a partial understanding of Mei's experiences in World Serpent."
"Even with the intelligence Rita gathered before, it's impossible to gain the same insights as Mei."
"However, after we met again, due to the commonality between us."
"Bronya vaguely felt…"
Saying this, Bronya hesitated for two seconds, seemingly pondering how to express her point more appropriately.
In the end, the girl still decided to speak directly: "Mei, after obtaining a certain inheritance, you seem…"
"No longer unable to understand the sacrifices of others like before?"
Mei murmured: "No longer… unable to understand?"
Many viewers who saw this began complaining in their group chats.
"Obviously. She's been stabbed hard enough, both soft knives and hard knives coming one after another!"
"Question: How many times can thirteen people die in total?"
"I can't take it anymore. I really want to become the Herrscher of a Thousand People and stab the dog director!"
"…"
Even though quite some time had passed since the Elysian Realm arc, many viewers still felt indescribable emotions when recalling it.
Simply put — it was heartbreaking.
They wanted to stab the dog director back!
Of course, before stabbing him, Honkai Impact 3rd had to finish writing the script first.
On the TV.
Mei looked at Bronya: "Bronya, I… on this matter, I may not believe in myself as much as you do."
"But… from them, from the Flame-Chasers, I have indeed understood one thing."
"Before a certain irreversible moment arrives, none of us actually know what kind of person we truly are."
"However, that aside… Bronya, your tone earlier didn't seem to contain any reproach for the past."
Bronya said matter-of-factly: "Of course not. Even in the ruins of Senba Academy…"
"Mei didn't really do anything wrong."
"Moreover — Bronya knows that inheritance is a very complicated thing."
"Whether it's Mei or Bronya, whether it's Kiana or Rita and Durandal, and of course the Class President and the Principal…"
"We are all walking different paths, yet — we all reach the same destination."
"For example… in terms of attitude toward sacrifice, Mei and Kiana have actually taken completely opposite roads."
Hearing this, a trace of guilt flashed across Mei's face unconsciously.
Back during the Criminal's Lament, she really hadn't held back at all.
Bronya smiled and continued: "But precisely because the roads are completely opposite —"
"Two people as fundamentally different as Mei and Kiana can truly understand each other's hearts and help each other grow."
Mei murmured: "Bronya…"
Bronya continued: "Mei must have noticed it too, right?"
"Over the past six months, Kiana has grown a lot."
"As a friend to both of you, Bronya is genuinely happy that your wills can stand side by side once again."
"In Bronya's view — the current Mei and Kiana are only one final push away from truly reconciling, right?"
Mei laughed in surprise: "I see. This really is a topic that would sound strange to others."
"…Thank you, Bronya."
In fact, the audience outside the TV had already given Bronya a brand new title.
— Kiana-Mei CP Number One Shipper!
In the plot, Bronya responded: "You're welcome."
"However, since that's the case…"
The drill-haired girl with twin turbines suddenly summoned Project Bunny and took on a combat stance.
"Does Mei want to have a few good rounds with Bronya, who also feels she has grown?"
Mei smiled helplessly: "…Sure."
"But I've never had the habit of holding back, okay?"
Just as Bronya and Mei looked at each other and were about to start fighting.
Kiana suddenly walked over and said: "Mei, Bronya, what are you…"
"…"
Mei proactively said: "It's nothing. We were just having a heart-to-heart talk, right, Bronya?"
Bronya also spoke: "…Yes. Because I was a bit happy, I started sparring with Mei-sister."
"How was the situation on Kiana's side?"
Facing Bronya's obvious topic change, Kiana seemed like she hadn't fully reacted yet: "Uh… oh."
"Dr. MEI's suggestion was indeed effective. At least now I can activate part of the Herrscher of the Void's Authority."
"Cough cough —"
A coughing sound was heard as the Herrscher of Sentience walked over and said: "Let me make it clear beforehand — it was with my help."
Kiana smiled and nodded: "Yes, with the help of the Herrscher of Sentience, we repaired the passage to the opposite world."
"…"
After a moment of silence, the Herrscher of Sentience looked at Kiana with a subtle expression:
"It doesn't feel impactful enough. Cough, you should say it like this —"
"With the help of the great Herrscher of Sentience-sama!"
Bronya: "…"
Mei was also silent for a moment before saying: "Alright, no need to elaborate further. We already have a general understanding of the situation."
"So… can we set off now?"
Kiana replied affirmatively: "While you were talking, Dr. MEI already sent a message to Prometheus to wait for the meet-up."
"However… the area on the other side is much wider than I imagined, so it's more efficient for everyone to search separately."
"The four of us…"
Before she could finish, the Herrscher of Sentience said directly: "Hey, don't include me in such trivial matters."
"…"
Kiana scratched her head: "Then… can I ask you to connect our minds?"
"After all, it's an unknown area…"
"And only you can do this kind of thing."
The Herrscher of Sentience turned her back: "Why are you still trying to order me around? Use your own communicators."
Kiana said: "But this is the Moon."
The Herrscher of Sentience replied grumpily: "Even on the Moon, don't expect me to work overtime!"
This short sentence instantly resonated with audiences across the country and made many people lose their composure.
For example, Bronya on the TV couldn't hold back and laughed out loud.
Mei spoke at this moment: "Alright, Kiana. Three people should be enough."
"We shouldn't delay. Let's set off now."
Kiana and Bronya nodded. The three of them arrived at the bridge together.
"Alright, from here, we'll split up."
Kiana said.
"Mm, everyone be careful."
Mei reminded them.
"Of course."
Bronya nodded.
...
Watching the three people in the distance, the Herrscher of Sentience curled her lips: "Hmph."
...
After the trio split up, the perspective first shifted to Kiana's side.
She first discovered human-made armed attacks during her exploration, then noticed her power continuously draining away.
Just as Kiana was puzzled, a mechanical-style voice rang out.
"This is really troublesome."
The next moment, a mechanical girl who looked strikingly similar to Bronya appeared in a low-altitude floating posture.
"After all, the sole purpose of these industrial creations stopping you from approaching is actually to protect your own safety."
"Ever since the suppression equipment here was properly installed, this is the first time it has to be manually deactivated."
"Strange Herrscher, descendant of the Origin… you may need to take responsibility for a potential major accident."
To the audience, Prometheus was not making her first appearance — she was even the authentic version from the Previous Era.
Kiana, after noticing the other party's obvious mechanical joints, probed: "…Prometheus?"
Prometheus said calmly: "Relatively speaking, calling me No.17 is more accurate."
"You should leave first. I need to reactivate the suppression equipment."
"Even if it's only remains, even if it's also a phantom like me."
"The Honkai energy seeping from it must not be left unchecked."
The mechanical girl had just reached out her hand when she seemed to be misunderstood. An extremely cold voice came from behind.
"—You."
"I guarantee you, if you continue to do dangerous things with these hands, they will leave your body first."
Looking toward the source of the voice, Kiana said in surprise: "…Mei?"
Bronya closed her eyes at this moment: "How should I put it? The Herrscher of Sentience ultimately connected our minds after all."
"Kiana, you're the only one who hasn't noticed it yet."
Hearing Bronya's voice seem to ring directly in her mind, Kiana subconsciously said: "Ah?"
"…Alright."
After experiencing mental communication, Kiana proactively explained: "However, she didn't intend to harm me, and she is exactly the person we're looking for."
Hearing the word "person," the gray-haired, red-eyed mechanical girl tilted her head, her expression hard to read.
Turning around to look at Mei, who was pointing a blade at her, Prometheus still said calmly:
"…Although the logic is obvious, I still need to remind you."
"Replacing my arms is very convenient."
"But if I activate the suppression device immediately, Dr. MEI's schedule might have three additional funerals."
Kiana hurriedly said: "Wait, Dr. MEI is the one who asked us to come."
Prometheus replied nonchalantly: "Mm, I received the message."
"But since this is a situation where conflict may break out, I must ensure my advantage in deciding life and death."
"To put it another way, at least mutually assured destruction."
Although the mechanical girl looked cute and harmless on the outside, the extremely dangerous aura she emitted was already unmistakable.