Bronya's mental world.
At this moment, Duck was resonating in fusion with the Herrscher Core of Reason. As the degree of fusion increased, Bronya finally established a conscious connection with the Gem of Reason.
Soon after, the girl's consciousness arrived within the Core itself.
What she saw was a ruined city engulfed in flames. After briefly identifying the remnants of the city's original appearance and the surrounding terrain, the clever Bronya immediately recognized it.
This ruined city was Berlin—the birthplace of the First Herrscher of the Current Era, the Herrscher of Reason, Welt Joyce.
Suddenly, at that very moment.
Countless figures appeared around Bronya. They looked at her not with malice, but with eyes of scrutiny.
"So that's how it is. You are the three hundred thousand minds residing within the Herrscher Core of Reason."
Bronya endured the gazes of those three hundred thousand people. She knew this was a trial she had to face.
The Herrscher of Reason was a special Herrscher. The minds of three hundred thousand people had jointly constructed this Herrscher's Core, and it was precisely this Core that had allowed their thoughts to be passed down to this day—.
Therefore, the figures appearing before her now—
None of them were the Herrscher of Reason.
And all of them were the Herrscher of Reason.
It was precisely because the wills of these three hundred thousand had gathered together that every successive Herrscher of Reason had been spared from the control of a Honkai personality, and could instead choose to fight for human civilization.
"Look, a child has come!"
"Is she also a victim of Honkai?"
"Ah, she comes from the same homeland as I do."
"Is it her, who has inherited the Herrscher of Reason?"
"Is it her, who has inherited our name?"
At this moment, the three hundred thousand wills whispered endlessly at Bronya's ears.
Bronya knew this was the Core questioning her, examining whether she truly possessed the qualification to [inherit].
"She can already use the authority of the Herrscher of Reason. Why has she come here?"
"Because Mr. Welt's recognition alone is not enough for Bronya to fully release the power of the Herrscher of Reason."
Bronya stated the reason she had come.
Although the moment the Gem of Reason was embedded into her chest, she had already gained the authority to construct all things.
But it was not enough. Far from enough.
To fully unleash the power contained within the Core, Bronya Zaychik had to gain the recognition of the three hundred thousand minds within the Herrscher Core in order to become the true Herrscher of Reason.
"You are also a warrior against Honkai?"
"At such a young age?"
"Though she has a firm will."
"She is still somewhat childish."
"Can we truly entrust our power to her?"
Countless thoughts continued scrutinizing Bronya—some stern, some gentle, some rejecting, some affectionate.
But without exception, all were extremely cautious.
Because all three hundred thousand clearly understood how immense the potential of the Herrscher of Reason truly was. Just as in the Previous Era, Elias had already proven that it could even construct a world.
Therefore, they had to choose a suitable successor before handing over this authority. They could not simply give it to Bronya just because she looked cute.
"Bronya knows you are questioning her, and Bronya also knows why. In truth, Bronya herself does not understand why Elias recommended her to become the Herrscher of Reason."
In Duck's mind first appeared the figure of the white-haired boy, followed by the image of a Flame-Chaser who had only recently joined St. Freya Academy—dressed in extremely steampunk fashion.
Vill-V, bearer of the [Helix] Signet.
If one were to ask who was most suited to become the Herrscher of Reason, Bronya personally believed no one in the world was more suitable than Vill-V. After all, that person's talent was simply outrageous! If paired with the Herrscher Core of Reason, it would practically be cheating!
"But since Elias chose Bronya, then there must be a reason. And Bronya does not want to disappoint him, so... I will definitely make you acknowledge me!"
"In any case, let Bronya begin with a self-introduction."
As she spoke, Bronya released her memories, displaying her past experiences to the three hundred thousand minds.
Her difficult yet warm memories with her mother in childhood, the painful and despairing memories of being abducted and trained into a child soldier, the memories of being redeemed and loved after meeting Elias, and so on.
Aside from certain inappropriate parts, Bronya revealed the entirety of her life's memories up to this point.
"..." xN
At this moment, the three hundred thousand minds fell collectively silent.
Faced with Bronya's experiences—so vastly different from those of an ordinary child—they all realized that the girl standing before them had already endured countless trials of fate.
In the past, Elias had once believed that under his protection, Bronya—spared many of the hardships from the original timeline—might lack sufficient tempering of character.
But that had been a mistaken judgment. Because the girl named Bronya Zaychik had already experienced more than enough at a very young age. Her heart, though still pure, had long endured the wind and rain of destiny.
She had already tasted the most painful suffering in this world. Like a butterfly that had once fallen into mud and could not take flight—had she not been fortunate enough to be picked up by a white-haired boy, her wings might long ago have broken.
"Actually, when Bronya learned that the meaning of Mr. Welt's name is 'world,' Bronya felt that perhaps she was not suited to become the Herrscher of Reason."
Bronya slowly clenched her hands, baring her heart.
"Because in the past, Bronya hated the world. She even resented it, believing it to be utterly terrible."
Duck had once been deeply wounded by the malice of humanity.
When she was forcibly abducted from her mother's side and trained into a child soldier, treated as a tool for killing, her heart had been filled with gray despair. It was only natural for her to resent the world.
If she had been chosen by Honkai at that time, then without question, Bronya Zaychik would have become a Herrscher standing against humanity, carrying out the mission to destroy the world.
Because to her at that time, the world had been ugly and unbearable.
It forced Bronya to stain others' lives.
And then used those lives to stain her hands in return.
"But just when Bronya had fallen into despair over everything and believed this world beyond saving, someone became a beam of warm light that illuminated my heart and redeemed me."
The girl's memories replayed once more within the Core's space.
It was the day she had received an order to assassinate a young orphanage director named Elias. In the end, however, the infamous 'Silver Wolf of the Urals' had been easily counter-killed and captured instead.
Ultimately, Bronya became his daughter. Under Elias' care, she transformed from a killing weapon back into a human being.
"Bronya will never forget that day."
"It was Elias who saved the me who had despaired of the world and let Bronya understand that the world is not as terrible as she once believed."
"Every day spent at the House of the Hearth, every second by his side, is Bronya's most precious memory."
Bronya raised her hand and pressed it against her chest.
A faint blush appeared on the girl's cheeks.
The more emotionally perceptive minds immediately understood. Bronya was not only a young Valkyrie with a tragic past—she was also a girl who had fallen in love and awakened to her feelings.
Thus, some of the minds were already smiling knowingly...
"So, how do you now view the world?"
"The world itself... however it is, it does not matter much to Bronya. Although Bronya no longer hates it, she has not come to love it either."
Bronya met the questioning mind's gaze directly.
"I see. That cannot be helped."
Some of the minds nodded in understanding. The mere fact that Bronya had been able to lay down her hatred toward the world was already something most adults could never achieve.
Yet they could not help but feel regret.
Because the Herrscher of Reason is a power meant to protect the world. Without the will to guard the world itself, they could not hand over the complete Herrscher authority to Bronya.
However, in the very next moment, Duck continued.
"However... although the world itself does not matter much, there are many people in this world who are important to Bronya."
"There is reliable and virtuous Sister Mei, foolish yet brave Kiana, gentle and adorable Seele, Sister Eden who sings beautifully, and many others... and—Bronya's most, most beloved person, Elias."
"It is they who have stayed by Bronya's side. It is they who have shown Bronya the world's gentle and beautiful side. Therefore, in a sense... they are Bronya's world."
The girl took a deep breath and straightened her back. Her sincere gaze swept across the three hundred thousand minds, all of whom wore expressions of shock, as she continued.
"Bronya likes them. And she likes the world that has them in it. So—"
"So that the people Bronya loves can live happily."
"So that the one Bronya loves will no longer continue to be hurt."
"For them, and for everything they cherish, I, Bronya Zaychik, am willing to become the third Herrscher of Reason who fights for humanity—the true Herrscher of Reason!"
"So please, lend Bronya your strength!"
The girl's voice echoed through the mental space.
So young. So resolute.
So strong. So brave.
If Welt Yang was a pure hero—if that man protected the world out of selfless will—
Then Bronya Zaychik's reason for protecting the world was the complete opposite. It was selfish. She was not a hero. She chose to guard the world for the sake of her own important people.
But what was wrong with that?
Feeling the purity and sincerity of Bronya's heart, the three hundred thousand minds felt themselves stirred. The silver-gray-haired girl before them truly possessed an unwavering will—to protect what was beautiful, to protect the world.
Thus, the minds began to respond.
"This child once harbored resentment."
"But she has already let go of that understandable hatred."
...
"She once hesitated."
...
"But she has overcome the confusion in her heart."
"She once felt fear."
"But she has conquered the cowardice within."
"Therefore, she is worthy to become another Herrscher of Reason."
"Her will is no lie—firm and mature."
"Then we too should do our utmost to help her."
The three hundred thousand minds acknowledged "Bronya Zaychik." They acknowledged the goodness within her heart, the things she wished to protect, and...
Her identity as the new Herrscher of Reason.
At this moment, the ideals of the multitude converged.
The three hundred thousand minds resonated in unison, playing a hymn of rebirth. Their souls transformed into the flawless and complete authority of the Herrscher of Reason, blossoming in radiant blue light.
"Come, Bronya Zaychik. Inherit our will. Inherit our power. To protect the beauty within your heart—become the third Herrscher of Reason!"
"Bronya... has long been prepared!"
The girl stepped forward and grasped the radiance in her hands.
In that instant, she felt all three hundred thousand of them.
Each of them had once walked a path different from her own. Each had experienced doubts and hesitations unlike hers.
Each possessed a distinct personality—some resolute, some brave, some timid, some cautious, and so on.
These three hundred thousand thoughts, three hundred thousand wills—each had once owned a unique and irreplaceable world, a unique life.
Yet in the end, they had all made the same decision.
To protect this world that belongs to humanity!
...
And it was precisely that shared decision that allowed the ideals of three hundred thousand to converge into a single grand wish.
To become this Herrscher Core of Reason!
"Guh—!"
Bronya clenched her teeth. At this moment, she was accepting the entirety of the three hundred thousand. The process was anything but easy.
She felt as though her soul were being torn into countless fragments, as though she were standing upon a storm-tossed sea, ready at any moment to be swallowed by the raging waves of thought.
But Bronya did not give up. The girl's young yet steadfast will seemed to transform her into the sea itself, embracing all three hundred thousand completely.
In the end, the complete authority merged into her petite body.
Invisibly, the authority of the Herrscher of Reason rose at a speed Bronya could scarcely comprehend—fifty percent, seventy percent, ninety percent, one hundred percent!!
In the past, whether it was Elias or Welt, when using the authority of the Herrscher of Reason, they could only create things they themselves had already understood. Though still powerful, it was filled with limitations.
But the complete Herrscher authority need not care about such restrictions.
As long as the object to be constructed was something attainable by mortal flesh, as long as it was a miracle civilization could achieve, as long as it was a shore civilization had once reached—
Then the Herrscher of Reason could create it instantly!
Having obtained the complete authority, Bronya had now truly become the Herrscher of Reason.
But—!
"The real show... begins now!"
Having gained the complete authority, the girl did not stop. Instead, she chose to go even further!
"What is she planning to do?"
"She is advancing toward something even higher?"
"She is attempting to... surpass us?"
"What an unbelievable girl."
"She is moving toward Truth!"
The three hundred thousand minds watched Bronya in shock. She had already obtained complete authority, already inherited everything from them, yet she was not satisfied.
She was carrying the authority of the Herrscher of Reason toward an even higher peak—seeking to become an ascended Herrscher.
"I'm sorry. For Bronya, even a complete Herrscher of Reason is still not sufficient power. It is not enough for Bronya to truly become Elias' support."
"Therefore, Bronya must shoulder all of you—and then surpass all of you. Only by becoming the Herrscher of Truth can Bronya share the burden that person carries."
The authority of the Herrscher of Reason, formed from the grand wish of three hundred thousand, was indeed powerful. Yet invisibly, it also became a shackle, setting the upper limit of the Herrscher of Reason there.
Thus, only by bearing the ideals of the multitude and then transcending them could Bronya reach the realm of Truth.
"No, this is too reckless!"
"It is too early for you!"
"You have not yet grown familiar with the Herrscher of Reason's authority!"
"After inheriting all of us, both your mind and body are exhausted. Challenge this next time!"
Faced with the urging of the three hundred thousand minds, Bronya stubbornly shook her head, then revealed a small smile.
"It's alright... Bronya... has a lucky charm."
In reality, the girl tightly gripped a sapphire-blue gem in her hand—the Herrscher Core of Death.
—
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