Mei said with some emotion: "As an organization, World Serpent actually prides itself on helping humanity break free from fate."
"But from the result, as an existence that continues the dark side of Fire Moth to this day."
"It has also always ignored the fate of ordinary people — it worships civilization, yet remains indifferent to life."
"For example… suppose there is a staircase in front of all of us."
"If one climbs to the very top of this staircase, they can confront Honkai directly."
"The past conflicts between Schicksal and Anti-Entropy all occurred during the process of climbing these steps."
"And World Serpent… it tries to rely on knowledge and technology inherited from the previous era."
"To ignore this thorn-covered staircase and the suffering people on it, choosing instead to board a spaceship and go straight to find the answer."
"Precisely because this snake's gaze is always fixed only on the very top, it fails to notice the ordinary people struggling on the steps."
"Treating them as insignificant."
Listening to Mei's evaluation, Kiana thought for a moment and said: "Then, what we need to do afterward seems quite simple."
"Together with everyone, we will cut through the thorns and brambles, allowing everyone to see the path to a better future."
Mei said: "Mm, you're right."
"From the current situation, World Serpent and we have major differences in our ideals for defeating Honkai."
"And whether we can surpass World Serpent and provide a better answer is a problem we must face afterward."
Kiana said seriously: "Although it's difficult, this is also a great challenge."
"Since World Serpent believes it can surpass Finality and step into the future."
"Then why can't we do the same?"
Mei couldn't help but smile upon hearing this: "Yeah."
There is nothing difficult in the world, as long as one is willing to climb.
The strongest belief of World Serpent is precisely what we already learned in elementary school textbooks.
Mei's eyes lowered slightly as her fair hand gently stroked the hilt of her blade.
The hilt seemed to respond with a slight warmth, along with a faint red glow that only she could see.
"…"
Mei murmured: "You agree too, right… Bella?"
At this moment, Kiana's pupils suddenly shrank as she hurriedly said: "Mei! Careful!"
The originally calm conversation was abruptly interrupted by a giant blade descending from the sky.
After regaining her senses with Kiana's help, Mei drew her blade and erupted with a sharp, imposing aura.
She understood very clearly that this was the goal of their journey.
—The true mental shackle!
It now appeared in the form of the Imaginary Tree God Remains — Nihilism, carrying an unparalleled sense of oppression.
But what it faced.
Were Kiana and Mei, who in the eyes of the nationwide audience had completely grown up.
Every move they made radiated competence and power. With their tacit cooperation, they continuously suppressed the enemy.
Some viewers couldn't help but sigh.
"If this were another TV drama, or even a movie, it probably wouldn't be able to show this kind of growth, right?"
"Exactly. Even without the Herrscher transformations, Kiana and Mei are truly different people compared to the beginning!"
"It can only be said that aside from the knives, Honkai Impact 3rd is not on the same level as other TV dramas."
"Not to mention TV dramas — even some fan-edited videos made out of love can be watched like movies!"
"Actually… just looking at the knives, Honkai Impact 3rd is on a heavyweight level!"
"…"
Amid the discussions of countless viewers, the opportunity created by Kiana and Mei working together arrived.
The two valiant girls, one holding a long blade and the other raising a greatsword.
"Flamescion—"
"Draw your sword!!" ×2
Under their final synchronized attack, Nihilism was naturally smashed into pieces without any surprise.
During this process, Mei also recovered her posture as the Herrscher of Thunder.
Kiana was the same, revealing her Flamescion form amid flames.
Her purple waist-length hair danced, and the white-outside, red-inside cloak fluttered like burning flames.
Looking at their fully revealed appearances, the usually lively group chats fell silent for a moment.
Kiana clenched her fist: "This should be the end, right?"
Mei said happily: "It seems you've successfully restored your Authority."
Kiana smiled and said: "Mei has too."
Mei shook her head: "I… can't say it's a complete recovery."
"But in any case, it's definitely much better than when we first arrived here."
Having regained her strength, Kiana seemed to be floating as she placed her hands on her hips: "Looks like the Stigmata Plan isn't all that after all."
As she spoke, she moved her fists and feet a bit, immediately feeling power surging throughout her body, and her reactions seemed even sharper.
Finally, Kiana looked at Mei again and said: "However… it should be said that everything went so smoothly precisely because Mei was here."
"Moreover, we can't forget Bronya, the Herrscher of Sentience, and Dr. MEI's help to us either."
Mei couldn't help but smile: "You're still the same as before in this regard."
"Speaking of which…"
The voice suddenly stopped, causing Kiana to say subconsciously: "…Mei?"
Following Mei's gaze and turning around, Kiana's eyes fell on the place where the Imaginary creature had disappeared.
A ball of light had appeared there at some point.
Mei guessed: "It looks like… that should be the door leading out of the mental space."
Kiana realized: "Ah, so that's what you were looking forward to earlier."
Mei shook her head: "Not really expecting it. Rather, I still wanted… to stay here with you a little longer."
Kiana said without hesitation: "Me too."
"After all, once we leave, the time we can spend together so relaxedly like this will be very little, right?"
In unison, Mei and Kiana stood by the ball of light for a long time without stepping forward.
Unknown challenges and approaching crises had been stirring outside the door for a while.
Just like last time — once they left this place, their time would start moving again.
As the protagonists, Kiana and Mei first had to break through the Stigmata Plan's seal on Herrschers.
Then confront the executor of that plan.
Kevin Kaslana!
And the Finality that might be lurking behind him.
Mei thought about many things and murmured: "Yeah, we still have a lot to do."
Kiana continued: "—And even more things to do after finishing those."
"So, it's time to say goodbye to this place."
After several seconds of silence, someone moved.
She proactively took the other person's hand and said words she had rehearsed in her heart many times.
And the girl beside her immediately gave her response.
"Mei, let's go home together."
"…Okay, Kiana."
"I promise you, we'll go home… together."
Under Mei's voice, their ten fingers interlocked tightly.
...
What kind of experience is falling from a dream?
This time, the girls received a brand new answer.
It was a warm sensation, as if snuggling closely with someone dear.
When they returned to reality, touch was the first sense to recover.
Or rather, when Kiana woke up from the mental space, the first thing she felt was her hands interlocked with Mei's.
Next was smell.
In the extremely dry artificial air on the Moon's surface, Mei's scent was especially distinctive.
Then came hearing.
The sound of Mei's and her own breathing seemed right beside their ears.
After a moment of silence, it was as if a special switch had been flipped — the girls laughed in unison.
Kiana said with emotion: "This really is a wonderful experience. It feels like a very long time has passed."
Mei gave a different answer: "I actually felt it was very short… after all, it was only as long as a dream."
Just like the countless similar dreams they had once fantasized about.
Kiana looked at Mei: "But… that wasn't a dream."
"At least this time — starting from this time, it's no longer a dream."
Mei also looked at Kiana: "Yeah. We don't need to have those kinds of dreams anymore."
"We have enough time to create the future together."
Kiana added: "And after that, enjoy life."
"Sigh, it's all because Durandal has been watching me so closely lately. I haven't had ice cream with everyone for almost a month!"
Mei couldn't help but chuckle lightly: "Mm. To push you to this extent, Durandal is really not simple."
"However — just looking at Kiana's current vigor, it's clear that your power has fully recovered."
Kiana said confidently: "Of course. This is the best condition of Kiana Kaslana."
"Look, I'm feeling better than ever."
"Um, what about you, Mei? How much have you recovered?"
Mei thought for a moment: "From what I feel, I should have recovered at least half my power."
"But…"
As she spoke, Mei raised her hand, then silently lowered it again.
Kukikara indeed did not respond to her summons as usual.
Mei confirmed: "Mm. As the one who entered the mental space, I haven't recovered my full combat ability."
Kiana spread her hands upon hearing this: "Sigh, looks like Mei isn't up to it."
"In that case, let Kiana Knight protect Princess Mei from now on?"
Mei gladly accepted: "Makes sense. Then how about leaving the frontline support to the Herrscher of Sentience?"
Kiana quickly said: "Hey, Mei, I was just joking."
"Mei and I have the best teamwork. Even if you can't use your full power, you're still my most irreplaceable and reliable partner!"
"Moreover, being able to fight side by side with you earlier… I was really happy."
Mei responded: "Mm. Me too."
Kiana returned to a serious tone: "Then next, just like Dr. MEI and the others said…"
"We're going to confront another Imaginary Tree God Remains, right?"
Mei asked in confusion: "…Speaking of which, where are they?"
Only at this moment did the girls, who had been immersed in their own world, finally pull their attention away from each other.
They noticed the other situations around them.
Perhaps to allow them to immerse themselves better in the mental space, or perhaps to avoid awkwardness…
In any case, Dr. MEI, who had been patiently guiding them earlier, was now nowhere to be seen.
Kiana guessed: "Maybe they've already set off?"
"In any case, let's go check near the designated location first."
Before they could do anything, they sensed a small, familiar figure not far away.
"Ah, Bronya."
As she spoke, Kiana and Mei walked over to Bronya together.
At this time, Bronya teased: "Yo, all done?"
Kiana nodded: "Mm. Sorry to keep you waiting, Bronya."
Bronya continued: "Compared to certain congratulatory progress, Bronya's waiting time wasn't too long."
As she spoke, the former emotionless loli deliberately scanned the two people in front of her with her eyes.
Kiana wasn't embarrassed at all, while Mei was a bit thin-skinned and laughed awkwardly a couple of times.
Bronya stopped while she was ahead: "How does Kiana feel? Are you ready to face the Imaginary Tree God Remains?"
Kiana placed her hands on her hips: "Of course. This young lady has never been more energetic than now."
"—Just kidding. Actually, I'm still a bit short."
Bronya asked in confusion: "…A bit short?"
Kiana said matter-of-factly: "Of course just Mei isn't enough. We still need Bronya's intelligence and wisdom."
"…"
Bronya was silent for a moment, then smiled lightly: "Indeed. Not to brag, but this is exactly Bronya's specialty."
In fact, this was also another reason they had unanimously chosen to let Mei break the mental shackles.
For the Herrscher of Reason, who represented civilization, the difficulty of imitation was directly related to her understanding of things.
If it was only tactical support, using one-tenth of her Authority was already enough.
Even if one looked back at her predecessor, Welt Yang.
For most of his time as a Herrscher, his synchronization rate with the Core had never exceeded half.
Of course, as everyone knew, this did not prevent him from becoming a hero.
Kiana spoke: "Yeah. Moreover… in fact, for anyone, knowledge and judgment are also their most important weapons."
"So, please continue to guide us, our greatest brain."
Bronya said confidently: "Mm, of course. Bronya won't let you down."
"…Ah, right."
Mei asked in confusion: "What's wrong, Bronya?"
Bronya said slowly: "Although it's a bit late, but…"
"Welcome back, Kiana."
"Welcome back, Mei."
Clap! Clap!
Two crisp claps brought everything back to the old days.
And in front of the TV, countless viewers — many emotional ones — had already burst into tears.
Even those with high tear thresholds, or those filled with emotion, or whose eyes had already grown misty.
"Sugar, it's really sugar! Kiana's voice has obviously become much brighter!"
"Welcome back! Kiana! Mei! And Bronya and Seele who are hugging me!"
"Am I dreaming? The dog director actually released such sweet sugar this time?"
"Wuuu, as an old fan who has been watching since the beginning, it's really hard to stop my tear glands from collapsing!"
"After going through a thousand sails, may you return still as youths."
"—Fight for all the beauty in the world!"
"…"