The title appeared before my eyes.
The content revealed echoed the previous title, also hinting at the history of Kiana's ornament.
Fu Hua betrayed them and died at the hands of Otto, so it has nothing to do with this question.
Mei was willing to do much for Kiana, but at that time, she was not much different from Kiana. According to her predetermined life, she might even have been weaker.
The way she watched helplessly as Kiana was taken away by Durandal was revealing.
Bronya... was indeed a valuable companion to Kiana. Although she often bickered, she was undoubtedly very reliable in crucial moments. Damn, that wisdom is admirable.
But encouraging Kiana isn't for her.
Third answer eliminated.
That leaves only Himeko Murata.
As Kiana's teacher, she sacrificed her life to guide her student back to the right path.
She's undoubtedly the most suitable person to strengthen Kiana's faith.
But...
"She's already dead."
Einstein slowly pointed out a crucial flaw.
Bronya had seen the recurrence of the Final Lesson, and she admitted that no one was better suited to encouraging students and strengthening their faith than Himeko.
But, judging by the Final Lesson...
With Himeko fighting fiercely with the Herrscher, she seemed to be in a desperate situation. While it was unknown whether she was still alive, it seemed she had no strength left to fight.
Aside, Himeko's eyebrows trembled slightly as she listened to this, a sense of helplessness welling in her heart.
Although she knew they were discussing her own sacrifice, hearing it simply as if she were dead—that was still somewhat awkward.
However, everyone present agreed with the key point Einstein had made.
"But if it weren't for Himeko, the others..."
Theresa bit her thumbnail. Though she didn't finish her words, the meaning was clear.
As she had just done... inference.
Of these four options, only Himeko is the most suitable.
Kiana listened to everyone's confusion, pursed her lips, then pulled the hair accessory Bronya had returned from her pocket and put it on.
This action caught everyone's attention, and they all looked puzzled.
"Since we can't come to a conclusion, let me make the choice!"
Kiana once again entered Void Drifter form, and she spoke calmly.
She had no memories of herself in this form, and all she could sense was the underlying heaviness and lingering guilt.
However, since this concerns her now, why not let her make the decision in this form? Everyone agreed with this decision.
Seeing this, Kiana glanced at the four options, took a deep breath, and, following her body's instinct, opened her lips softly.
"I choose B, Himeko Murata!"
Following the throbbing in her heart, she made this choice without hesitation. Even though others suggested Himeko couldn't help her, and even though Himeko herself agreed, Kiana still made this choice.
It was somewhat willful, but no one around her showed any disappointment.
Time stood still.
In a brief moment, the answer that popped up sealed this abrupt choice. The result was [Correct]
For a moment, everyone was stunned. Those with extraordinary intelligence all looked surprised and puzzled. Even Himeko Murata herself hadn't expected this to be correct.
Stuck on the loopholes she'd pointed out earlier, Einstein, unable to comprehend the answer, frowned in disbelief and made another deduction.
"Could it be that Ms. Himeko didn't die, but survived like Kiana, and helped her in times of crisis?"
"Indeed, if that's the case, it makes sense."
Mei nodded slightly, agreeing with Einstein's theory. While this wasn't actually true, it certainly made sense given the surprisingly correct answer.
Hearing this, Theresa breathed a sigh of relief.
Himeko was her valued friend and subordinate. Although she was still vibrant and had even escaped the desperate situation she had previously struggled to resolve,
She was also quite concerned about the fate of Himeko in the video of the Final Lesson.
Now, hearing that Himeko hadn't died, she felt a sense of relief.
This was a point of contention for St. Freya's Academy, which had recently forged a bond with Himeko. The others, along with Tesla, who admired Himeko's awareness and conviction, naturally shared the same sentiment.
However, these were merely speculations based on Einstein's own assumptions.
To truly understand the situation, one needed to understand the details.
Everyone fixed their gaze on the screen, waiting for the changes.
[Honkai disaster is currently occurring in the northern part of Arc City.]
[Residents in this area are requested to evacuate immediately and seek the nearest shelter.]
Amid the blazing ruins, the sirens blaring from the radio echoed, alerting all citizens.
[Arc City Guards are rushing to the affected area.] Repeat...]
"Help!"
A citizen hugging a young child screamed. Behind them, a gun-wielding Templar-class Honkai Beast glared fiercely, its eyes ablaze with blood, ready to pierce the loving mother and child in a moment.
Kiana hid behind a nearby barrier as she stared at the perilous scene with clenched teeth, her eyes filled with anxiety.
"Kiana, you can't touch Honkai energy anymore..."
A familiar voice rang out.
The audience, familiar with the voice, fixed their gazes on Fu Hua, all with surprise.
Fu Hua was also completely bewildered.
Based on the previous footage, she should have been killed by Otto's gun.
Confused, they continued to watch the footage.
"Go! You can't do anything right now," Fu Hua advised, her voice tinged with resignation. "You can't do anything right now."
"Can't do anything?!"
These words didn't quench Kiana's thoughts; instead, they fueled a simmering anger.
"I must..."
A split-second decision was made.
"Clang!"
As the iron and stone clashed, Kiana burst from behind the barrier, blocking the incoming spear with her cold baseball bat.
"Run! Don't look back! I'll hold it back."
Kiana spoke these words to the mother and child, her voice filled with urgency.
The mother and child departed.
Kiana, now in this place, became the target of the Honkai Beasts.
One Honkai Beast after another condensed from the air, charging at the weakened Kiana. Staring intently.
"I... can't die here..."
In this perilous situation, the incredibly weak Kiana spoke firmly.
But how could she, already crippled, resist the powerful Honkai Beast?
The Templar-class Honkai Beast thrust its spear forward without reservation, charging towards Kiana.
As the shadow approached, control of her body grew increasingly unbearable. Kiana's face showed signs of struggle. The lines of Honkai began to spread, staining her azure eyes with gold, marking them with the mark of the Herrscher of the Void.
"Hehehehe"
A loud laugh echoed with this transformation.
"Leave this body to me."
"Kiana!"
Amid Fu Hua's screams, Kiana's consciousness briefly darkened.
"You said..."
Himeko's teachings, Himeko's image emerged from memory.
"If a comrade loses his mind."
"Controlled by the Honkai."
"You must end his life without hesitation."
Looking back on the past, that final moment, a faint smile.
"But why..."
Kiana's trembling voice was filled with tears and lamentation, "Why did you..."
That moment seemed like it had happened only yesterday, and Himeko's shattered figure was still before her.
The darkness dissipated, and the scene became clear again.
The eager-watching Honkai Beasts stood motionless, standing still. If they had any feelings, they would surely be filled with devotion.
Devotion to their returning queen!
"Finally, you have surrendered."
The demonic voice of the Herrscher of the Void lingered in her heart.
Paralyzed and sitting on the ground, Kiana trembled as she understood the meaning of these words.
"I..."
She gripped her pistol tightly, making a decision even though her body was already extremely weak.
"I will never let you..."
"Click"
The gun was fired, pressed against Kiana's jaw.
Outside the video.
The people at St. Freya Academy, who held a deep bond with Kiana, all had heavy eyes. Mei, who held Kiana above all else, clenched her fists, her hair sparking with crimson arcs.
In this crucial moment.
A shimmering light shone, and a crimson figure supported the suicidal gun from behind.
"Now is not the time to despair, Kiana..."
"Because..."
Amidst the plumes of light, amidst the lingering echoes, Fu Hua, now like an immortal, was filled with gentleness.
"I'm here."