Watching the scenes on the television about everything from Himeko's past, the hearts of all the viewers were touched, and they could all feel Kiana's sadness.
Inside the Golden Courtyard.
Last week it was just two people drinking, but this week it had become four.
Eden had specially invited Himeko over as well, and the remaining one was a bodyguard that Elysia had specifically asked Eden to find for her husband Hessian; now was the perfect time for everyone to meet and get acquainted.
Eden watched the television with a heavy heart. This drama always managed to tug at her emotions at any moment, making her unable to stop watching.
She raised her wine glass in a toast to Himeko: "This glass is for the greatest 'ordinary person'."
Elysia also raised her wine glass: "Himeko! You've really moved me too much. I want to drink with you too!"
Seeing both of them raise their glasses, the bodyguard SAKURA, who had been invited by Eden, glanced around and also raised her glass.
Himeko, seeing this, did not stand on ceremony: "Thank you all."
She directly downed the wine in her glass in one gulp.
It had to be said!
As expected of the wealthiest Eden—this wine was of exceptional quality, the best Himeko had ever drunk.
After drinking, Himeko said with emotion: "To be honest, the one I should thank the most is Director He. It was he who gave me the identity of a teacher, he who shaped this life for me, and he who made me understand fighting for what is beautiful."
Then she quickly added: "Of course, I should thank Elysia even more. Thank you for signing me to the company."
Eden also agreed quite a bit: "Yes, he really is an excellent man, but he loves courting death too much. SAKURA, you have to protect him well from now on."
SAKURA nodded: "Don't worry, I won't let him die."
Elysia said: "After we finish watching the TV and drinking, I'll take you to meet her."
"Alright, Miss Elysia."
Elysia smiled and said: "You can just call me Elysia. I really like cute girls like you, you know."
The four of them chatted briefly for a bit.
Then, without prior agreement, they all turned their attention back to the television.
On the television, the Herrscher of the Void spoke again: "Humans always repeat the same mistakes. To save others, they sacrifice everything they have without hesitation."
"But she never once considered that, along with her sacrifice, she left a wound in your heart that can never heal—a crack that allows me to return once more."
"This is why you can never escape me."
"Any momentary distraction, any painful memory, will give me more freedom, turning every place where you linger into ruins."
"Escape? Where exactly can you escape to?"
"Because I am you, Kiana!"
Under the influence of her consciousness.
Combined with Himeko's words constantly echoing in her mind, Kiana's emotions broke down even further, and the energy within her body gradually lost control.
Fu Hua had no choice but to speak up: "Take deep breaths and stay calm!"
Countless Honkai beasts also chased after her, completely surrounding her.
Kiana could only break out in a direction away from the crowds, trying her best to lure the Honkai beasts away.
The Herrscher of the Void continued to tempt her: "Kiana, why not use your power? Do you really want to die here? How pitiful, you coward who only knows how to run away."
"But where can you run to? This world has never had a place for you."
"..."
Kiana ran in silence, not daring to use even a bit of the Herrscher's power, nor daring to use Honkai energy.
She was sent flying by the Honkai beasts, and the wounds on her body gradually increased...
In the end, her escape route was completely blocked by the Honkai beasts, and she weakly knelt on the ground.
The Herrscher of the Void let out a triumphant voice: "Finally, you've submitted."
Kiana gripped her handgun tightly. In her mind, scenes of Himeko flashed back, along with the happy times at St. Freya Academy. Tears slid from the corners of her eyes as she made her resolve.
She pressed the gun against her chin: "I... will never let you..."
Just as she was about to pull the trigger.
Feathers fell.
Fu Hua's voice rang out, deflecting the handgun from her grasp: "It's not time to despair yet, Kiana. Because... I've come."
The Herrscher of the Void grew furious: "You persistent pest... Is it that hidden Key of God that granted you this power? Whether in reality or in the mental world, knowing full well that you will fail, you still challenge me again and again."
"This pitiful stubbornness even makes me feel a bit of respect for humans. It's just that, no matter how hard you try, it's futile."
"Because this girl was destined from the very beginning to become the vessel for my return to the world."
"Her past, her name—these are the shackles you humans forged to imprison a god."
"The girl you're desperately trying to save has only ever been an illusion from the start."
"She has completely given up everything. She won't respond to your calls."
Fu Hua faced the Herrscher of the Void directly: "I... once made many mistakes because I trusted others too easily, and I lost faith in humanity, merely carrying out my mission in vain."
"But even so, I still want to be stubborn one more time. There's no profound reason... simply because... I believe in the person who was willing to sacrifice herself for her."
Under the power granted by Fenghuang Down, Fu Hua engaged in direct combat with the Herrscher of the Void.
But this alone was not enough. Kiana's heart had already died; she had no fighting spirit left, and victory was impossible like this.
"My power alone is not enough. Please, Teacher Himeko... fight together with me."
Fu Hua used her final strength to suppress the Herrscher of the Void, reducing her influence on Kiana: "The rest is up to you now, Kiana!"
All the illusions and influences vanished.
The sound of rain around them rang out once more, and the ground was covered with the remains of Honkai beasts.
Kiana panted, wanting to rest for a moment.
But even more Honkai beasts discovered her and attacked.
Kiana had already given up fighting and could only instinctively run away. And in that moment, time froze—everything came to a halt, and the sound of rain disappeared once again.
Only those familiar footsteps echoed from afar. That place seemed separated from reality by a barrier, yet it still could not stop her—Himeko's arrival.
Himeko stepped through the barrier one step at a time, coming to Kiana's side, standing behind her, guarding her back, and slightly turning her head: "Kiana, what are you still waiting for?"
Tears completely soaked Kiana's cheeks.
The Herrscher's power surged from within her body, destroying all the approaching Honkai beasts.
"Teacher Himeko, I won't run away anymore."