Dusk…
Because they had traversed almost half the globe, everyone's personal watches had almost become merely timekeeping devices.
It was much safer to judge whether it was time to rest by the local sky rather than by looking at a watch.
At this time, there was still a considerable amount of time before dark. Takatsuki, Kiana, and Raiden Mei started strolling around Aswan after dinner. Jotaro and Kakyoin also went to other places to wander, while Joseph and the others went to the hotel to prepare rooms.
"It feels like it's been a long time since we've done this."
Although the scenery was different and the world they were in was different, the people were still familiar.
Both of her friends were still here. If Father were here too, that would be perfect…
For Raiden Mei, her wish was merely this; she didn't ask for too much, only that the people she cared about were by her side was enough.
"Yeah, I think the last time was in Singapore…"
Looking at the surrounding buildings, the three were now in Aswan, a southern city in Egypt.
This city, with a population of 150,000 in this era, was also a famous ancient city, tourist city, and trade center in the future.
Of course, it wasn't bad now either.
Although there were differences compared to other countries' modernizations, and a huge gap compared to the technology of the Honkai world, at least as a tourist city, it still had its merits.
"Takatsuki, are we almost going to meet that vampire named Dio?"
"Almost. We are still over nine hundred kilometers from our destination, and there are probably about ten enemies along the way."
"This young lady wants to see what a vampire looks like. Is he a real vampire?"
"A vampire, huh…"
Takatsuki thought for a moment: "If you mean the kind of vampire from traditional stories, then probably not. Dio became a vampire through something called the Stone Mask. He feeds on human blood, fears sunlight and Hamon, but is not afraid of bullets, silver, or crosses."
"Moreover, aside from having fangs, there's nothing else different from humans. However, Dio is a very formidable person; even if he didn't become a vampire, he would still be a terrifying individual. Just standing there would give people a sense of oppression."
Kiana nodded, half-understanding. Kiana's memories were only a few years old, and she hadn't encountered too many people, so she naturally couldn't understand what Takatsuki was trying to describe.
However, Takatsuki couldn't describe it either, as his understanding of Dio came entirely from stories, and he hadn't personally experienced the kind of oppressive feeling and aura he spoke of.
"So, after we defeat Dio, are we going back?"
Raiden Mei was conflicted. If she could, she even wished to stay in this world forever, at least then, she wouldn't harm others because of the Honkai.
But in that world, there were people she couldn't abandon. Although Raiden Ryoma was imprisoned, perhaps… there was still a chance for him to get out.
"After completing the mission, we have seven days of stay time. Of course, if you want to go back urgently, you can go back early, but only after completing the mission."
"This young lady doesn't want to go back so early. It's not easy to come to another world, and one day here is only one minute there. I don't have to think about that smelly old man who ran off somewhere."
Kiana immediately said, "This whole time hasn't really been fun at all. We've been rushing through deserts and wilderness. When all this is over, I is definitely going to find a place to have some real fun! What do you say, Mei?"
Raiden Mei also nodded along, though her reasons differed somewhat from Kiana's.
Although she couldn't escape forever, she still hoped to evade for a bit longer before she had to go back.
"Speaking of which, Mei, I don't think I've told you about the cause of the Honkai Eruption in Changkong City."
Takatsuki looked at Raiden Mei and knew she was still feeling guilty about the Honkai Eruption in Changkong City, thinking it was all her fault.
Upon hearing Takatsuki's words, Kiana suddenly fell silent, looking at Mei with some concern.
Kiana also knew about Herrschers, and the source of the Honkai Eruption… wasn't it the Herrschers?
"As you both know, the Honkai Eruption occurs with the descent of a Herrscher, but this is the normal situation. However, people can now manipulate the descent of Herrschers to a certain extent. Although the appearance of a Herrscher is inevitable, the timing of a Herrscher's appearance can be controlled through certain stimulating methods."
"For example, by creating a Great Honkai around a host with the potential to become a Herrscher, to accelerate the Herrscher's emergence."
As Takatsuki spoke, both girls' eyes widened.
"But… isn't Honkai humanity's enemy? Why would anyone do such a thing?"
Kiana couldn't understand at all. Would someone actively cultivate Honkai?
"That relates to someone wanting to use the power of the Herrscher. We'll talk about that later. For now, let's just talk about Mei becoming the Herrscher of Thunder."
"That's because Mei, you naturally possess Stigmata, meaning you have excellent potential to become a Herrscher. So, a person named Cocolia planted the Gem of Conquest , which possesses the authority of the Herrscher of Thunder, inside your body."
As Takatsuki spoke calmly, the two girls grew increasingly surprised: "Wait, can you become a Herrscher just by implanting a Gem!? And who is this Cocolia!?"
"No, the Gem only possesses the authority of a Herrscher, but it cannot be used under normal circumstances. The best way to use it is to place it inside a suitable person's body. If placed inside an unsuitable person, the Gem will only corrode their body with Honkai Energy, turning them into a cripple."
Takatsuki shook his head, then his tone became somewhat disgusted: "And Cocolia is an ambitious person. She belongs to an organization called Anti-Entropy. This organization fights against Honkai, and Cocolia is part of its radical faction. That's why she could disregard human lives and cause the Honkai Eruption in Changkong City."
"And Mei!"
Takatsuki looked in Mei's direction: "Your father is also a member of Anti-Entropy, but he is a conservative faction member, opposite to Cocolia. That's why he was imprisoned—he was framed by Cocolia."
"What! Father! He was framed?!"
Raiden Mei had never known the true reason for her father's imprisonment, but Takatsuki had thought about it for a long time and decided it was better to tell her. Hiding it would only cause more trouble.
He took advantage of the ample time in this world to let Mei slowly accept these things.
"That's right, all of this was Cocolia's conspiracy. As you know, Honkai Energy contains many negative emotions, and people with more negative emotions are more likely to become Herrschers."
"Cocolia framed your father and had him imprisoned, partly to prevent him from thwarting her schemes, and partly to make you, Mei, be bullied, increasing your negative emotions to raise the possibility of you becoming a Herrscher."
"And after that, as you know, she caused the Honkai Eruption, using external Honkai Energy to stimulate the Gem of Conquest inside Mei's body, making Mei the Herrscher of Thunder…"
Kiana, hearing all this, had no doubts and cursed indignantly.
"This person named Cocolia is too wicked! If I meets her, I'll definitely teach her a good lesson!"
Mei, meanwhile, tightly gripped the wrapped katana in her hand, her knuckles turning white from the force.
"Cocolia… Father…"
Takatsuki even noticed that some electric arcs seemed to be appearing around Mei, beginning to leak electricity.
Realizing something was wrong, Takatsuki quickly stepped forward and hugged Mei.
"Don't worry, Mei, when we go back, we'll rescue your father. We now possess that kind of power."
"And Cocolia will definitely pay the price."
Enduring the tingling sensation from Mei's leaking electricity, Takatsuki still held Raiden Mei tightly until he felt the rigid body in his arms soften, then he released her.
"Thank you… Takatsuki…"
Although she couldn't let it go completely, Raiden Mei also knew that Takatsuki was right…
"Watch out!"
Raiden Mei was about to say something else when she suddenly heard Kiana shout loudly. She felt herself being suddenly embraced and moved by the person in front of her, and at the same time, a warm splash landed on her cheek.
The Dog Talisman's immortality could nullify fatal attacks, but it was useless against attacks that merely caused injury and bleeding.
After dodging the attack from Endol's water Stand with Raiden Mei, Takatsuki looked at the torn wound on his shoulder, his expression unchanged.
Mei, in her initial panic, quickly summoned Crazy Diamond to heal Takatsuki.
"Both of you, Stand behind me. This Stand is very fast!"
Looking at the puddle of water coiled on the ground not far away—this wasn't a desert, so it couldn't submerge underground—but it was like a venomous snake in front of the three of them. Takatsuki stood between the opponent and the two girls, and both girls also drew their weapons, ready for battle.
As long as Mei wasn't hurt, it didn't matter how severely he was injured, after all, he wouldn't die, after all, he…
Pfft…
A magnificent blade pierced through Takatsuki's chest, directly impaling his heart. Because it was so sharp, Takatsuki only felt the pain after seeing the blade.