If she could revive plants and make them even more beautiful and vibrant, then what about animals? Could other life forms also be restored using this power?
A fierce obsession took hold of "her" mind. There was barely any hesitation or consideration; or rather, the rationality that should have led to contemplation vanished without a trace. Driven by instinct, "she" used that unparalleled vitality to outline the contours of a person.
Soon, a human body had taken shape. Relying solely on memory, "she" had completed the creation of a person.
Under "her" expectant gaze, that person stood up.
"Little Seele?" The person looked at her with confusion.
"She" could not suppress her excitement. With tears streaming down her face, "she" threw herself into that person's arms and sobbed loudly: "Mom… This is wonderful… I finally… I finally get to see you again…"
"She" could finally triumph over death.
There would be no more sorrowful sacrifices to defeat humanity, and no more ruthless deaths to sever people's bonds.
Next, "she" would bring all the dead back to this world. They belonged to this world, and no one could take them away.
No one.
In the flourishing, dense forest, the tears of a short-haired girl dripped from her chin. Her red and black skirt fluttered in the dense woods, and the emotion of deep sorrow permeated the air.
She tightly embraced the hideous zombie in front of her.
…
"The Sixth Herrscher… has vanished."
Spaciel was stunned by this sudden news. One moment he was commanding the transport plane to be shot down, and the next he received a report that the Sixth Herrscher's reaction had disappeared. The transport plane was hovering over the city, and the only reaction remaining inside was a single human, the Councilman.
After reaching the city, the Sixth Herrscher had left the transport plane, and the massive Honkai Energy signature had also vanished without a trace.
What did this mean?
An existence whose mere presence caused death had silently hidden within a city of ten million people?
"What about the Councilman? What's his condition?" After a brief moment of daze, he immediately reacted. Now was not the time for shock and fear. They had to find the Sixth Herrscher, and before that, handle all other matters.
"His vital signs are very weak. His organs have suffered severe erosion, and his heart has been completely eroded. It is no longer possible to perform an excision surgery on him." The person reporting answered truthfully, "He will die within a few hours at most, and will not be converted into a zombie or Honkai Beast."
Spaciel had anticipated this situation. After a brief pause, he commanded: "Transfer him to the Fifth Branch, and send him to… the Honkai Virus serum research lab."
…
The Councilman slowly awoke. The glaring lights nearly blinded him. Endless fatigue and pain poured into his brain from his body. He felt fortunate that he could wake up this time.
"Hello, Spaciel." A person stood beside him. He was using a communicator to contact others and looked incredibly busy. "This is our first real meeting, but I imagine you are not unfamiliar with me. Judging by how thoroughly you understand the Fifth Branch's serum research, you've probably been keeping an eye on me for quite some time."
"A year? Two years? Or did it start even before… the collapse of the former Fifth Branch?"
Spaciel put away the communicator, sneering as he looked down at the expressionless Spaciel.
"It seems you've also investigated quite a few things privately." The words from the Councilman's hoarse throat were close to a whisper, but his eyes were exceptionally firm, showing no fear of Spaciel's undisguised murderous intent.
"External infiltration… Heh heh…" Spaciel chewed on the phrase, looking disdainful of it. "Did you think that something Lin could detect, I couldn't?"
"But you didn't investigate this yourself, did you?"
"Dr. Mei generously shared the clues she collected with me." Spaciel didn't deny it, then sneered relentlessly, "Do you still want to live, now? I do have a few small means to let you live a little longer, but whether that counts as truly 'living,' I can't say."
"Do you want to vent your anger?"
"Spare me that. The person I should truly vent my anger on is currently dragging a body far more debilitated than yours, preparing to fight the Herrscher, while you—a traitor, a bastard who murdered human compatriots, a piece of trash who destroyed everything gained by the sacrifices—actually have the audacity to beg me for help, wanting to survive."
After saying this, Spaciel showed a cruel smile: "Then, do you know the reason why I tolerate you lying here instead of delivering you to the Herrscher you betrayed us with?"
The Councilman closed his eyes and took a deep breath: "You plan to torture me."
"Hmm? Was there a problem with what I just said? I told you, I'm not going to do to you what you did to others." Spaciel picked up his communicator. He glanced at the information from the search team, which still had no feedback.
"Then you intend to save me? Use the serum on me?"
"Hahahaha… When all answers are negated, the least likely answer is the only one. Is that what you think? But unfortunately, ethically and rationally, I will not test the serum's effectiveness on you. I have placed you here for only one reason."
Spaciel looked down, staring directly into the Councilman's eyes. His past sorrow, anger, and despair had all settled deep down. Now, the only things visible were a pair of cold, determined eyes.
Just like Mei's eyes.
"After a Honkai Virus patient dies, their body contains serum that has a therapeutic effect on the Honkai Virus. Extracting it can provide partial relief, but the effect is minimal, not as good as traditional inhibitors."
"However, as the amount of extracted serum increased, its ability to inhibit Honkai Energy gradually turned into annihilation. That is to say, the moment the quantity of serum reaches the phase of qualitative change, it can truly cure the Honkai Virus."
"But I don't know how large this quantity is. To date, we have extracted serum from tens of thousands of Honkai Virus patients, but we still haven't succeeded. Now, we are just one kick away from the goal."
"It's impossible to estimate whether that final kick requires the life of one person, dozens, or hundreds, but any attempt is worthwhile."
"And you, Spaciel, would you be willing to offer your life for the humanity you hold so dear?"
"Finally, this is not atonement; it is merely your voluntary act. If you choose to refuse, I will not extract the serum from your body, even after you die."
After listening to Spaciel's words, the Councilman slowly closed his eyes. All the madness in them vanished.
This human, who had shed his demonic exterior, smiled.