"You can find the Sixth Herrscher?"
Spaciel's first reaction upon receiving this information from Lin was that the Sixth Herrscher's Honkai Energy signature had been captured, but no corresponding intelligence had come from the monitoring staff. Thus, he asked skeptically: "How?"
Lin's voice coming through the communicator was mixed with some noise, suggesting he was outside the Fifth Branch: "The Herrscher persona is divided into two types: one where a new personality replaces the original one, and the other where the original personality is corrupted. The difference is that the former is more like an AI program, while the latter possesses strong anti-human tendencies and a lack of common sense."
Spaciel frowned upon hearing this. He was certainly familiar with this basic knowledge related to Herrschers: "But in either case, the original persona is essentially completely dead. Even with personality corruption, it transforms into an entirely different personality, inside and out. If anything, Herrschers resulting from personality corruption are more dangerous."
Herrschers of the personality corruption type retain more human characteristics in addition to their Authority, meaning they are more adaptable and skillful in using their power.
"Are you suggesting the Sixth Herrscher is a personality corruption type? But even so, you…"
"She can be found. The Herrscher of the Fifth Honkai was also the same type." Lin's tone was extremely calm. "The Fifth Herrscher retained her original memory and personality after Herrscherization. She could speak normally and say the names of people she knew, and she would subconsciously go to locations that were important to her."
The Herrscher of the Fifth Honkai, the Herrscher of Ice, was the nun Veliona. After Herrscherization, she could recognize Lin, kept mentioning the name Anna, and nested at the orphanage to enhance her control over her Authority. These were all behaviors not demonstrated by the Herrschers of the first four Honkai outbreaks.
In other words, Veliona was still Veliona. Her personality hadn't changed significantly. The only change was that she would ruthlessly and cruelly kill humans, even if it was Anna, the person most important to her.
Perhaps it was subconscious modification, or some deeper, elusive aspect, but in any case, it signaled—
The Herrscher consciousness is not entirely unfathomable.
"Are you suggesting you know that location?"
"…There are two possible locations in this city. One is the Fifth Branch. The fact that she hasn't come to the Fifth Branch means she went to the other place."
Lin gazed into the distance. The Ferris wheel, reaching into the clouds, stood before him.
He and Seele had come to this amusement park once. It was here that Seele had sworn her vow to fight for the dead and for the living.
He knew Seele was there.
He upheld his vow.
So he had to kill Seele.
For another vow.
…
"She" had "resurrected" another person: Lin's friend, the former Head of R&D, Delta. Seeing his surprised expression, "she" couldn't help but chuckle: "Alright, don't be so surprised. I'll take you to see Lin in a while. He'll surely be shocked to see you too."
"Oh, right, I also need to cure Lin's illness. I can do it," "she" muttered to herself. "I won't let anyone die anymore. And, the people I killed must also be resurrected… No…"
Killed people?
"She" shook her head, feeling a little confused. How could "she" think that?
"She" had never killed anyone, had she?
"She" clearly remembered fighting for comrades and friends all the time. How could "she" possibly kill people?
Right, it must be a mistake. All those "she" killed were monsters, monsters created by Honkai!
"She" must not have rested well, which is why her mind was a little confused. It's okay. After "she" finishes these things, "she" can live happily with everyone.
And "she" still had a gift from Diostia to give to Lin. When he saw it, would he be happy? Or astonished?
Hehe, "she" was really looking forward to seeing the expression under his helmet.
This time, "she" absolutely had to see what he looked like. He must be a very stern-looking person, right? After all, he was always a man of few words. He had to be a stern, handsome guy to fit the image.
"She" excitedly wanted to continue resurrecting more people. Behind "her" were already quite a few people standing. They were all people "she" remembered—those who had died on the battlefield or in accidents: members of the former Seventh Squad, members of the Fifth Branch, members inscribed on the "tombstone"…
"She" didn't know what some of them looked like, but resurrection didn't require thinking. As long as "she" knew the name, her mind would automatically fill in everything about that person, including appearance and memories.
But just as "she" activated the power of "Creation," an outsider accidentally stepped into the green shade.
"Gawk—"
"Her" expression froze. "She" turned around in terror and saw a pale figure.
A distorted zombie was standing at the entrance to the path, staring motionlessly at her with cloudy, yellow eyes.
A zombie?
How could a zombie appear here?
No…
"She" subconsciously shielded the people behind her. "She" roared: "No!"
Did they want to take her friends away again?
Did they want to take away the people they cherished again?
Did these monsters want to continue taking lives and creating death?
"I won't let you do that. Right, I have power…" "She" smiled, full of murderous intent. "I have power now! I'll use that power to make you die! To make you feel what death is!"
"You…"
"Monsters!"
A vast black mist surged out of her body, instantly enveloping the zombie. In less than half a second, the zombie screamed and vanished into the black mist.
Nothing was left.
"She" laughed loudly, feeling that "she" had finally succeeded.
This is great. Next, "she" had to do more.
For Lin, so that he wouldn't have to fight anymore, "she" had to do even more!
"She" searched with her eyes for the figures of other monsters. If there was one zombie, it meant there were more Honkai creations!
Honkai Beasts, zombies, or even Herrschers… none were to be feared!
She had mastered life and death!
Using life for humanity!
Using death to defeat monsters!
This is justice! This is the justice Lin had taught her all along!
So, she looked outside. Beyond the path, she heard footsteps.
She smiled, leading her friends, comrades, and important people toward the battlefield outside.
The battle wasn't over yet, but soon…
A person fell to the ground, the fear before his death still lingering on his face.
And she, without even glancing at the human corpse, walked toward where more people were.