As Himeko's body gradually fell apart bit by bit, Kiana was also able to control the Herrscher's power.
Fu Hua watched this scene and felt slightly relieved: "Kiana... relying on your own will, you have controlled the power of the Herrscher of the Void."
But for Kiana, this brought another kind of pain: "But if I could have done it sooner... if I could have done it just a little earlier, maybe..."
Fu Hua comforted her: "Kiana, what Teacher Himeko wanted to see was not your guilt and remorse. The reason she was willing to stake her life and give you that final lesson was because she believed in you wholeheartedly—believed that you would ultimately become the one to change everything."
Kiana took deep breaths.
Trying to stabilize her emotions as much as possible: "I understand... I won't let myself fall into the pain of the past again. I will fulfill my promise to Teacher Himeko."
At some point, the rain had already stopped.
The dark clouds dispersed, and sunlight shone through the clouds onto the earth, also falling upon Kiana.
Fu Hua's illusory figure extended her hand to her: "Let's go. Although the personality of the Second Herrscher has been temporarily sealed, no one can guarantee she won't awaken again. From now on, we still have a long road ahead, and there are many things left to do."
Kiana faced the sunlight and walked forward together with Fu Hua.
Seeing this,
The viewers' grieving hearts finally felt a little better.
They all felt happy for Kiana: "She finally came out of it. She has at least suppressed the Herrscher of the Void's personality."
"It really wasn't easy. My Kiana is finally doing better. That dog director can be considered somewhat human this time."
"As expected of my big bro Kalpas. Once he infiltrated the company, the plot started improving. Later on, Teacher Himeko will definitely be revived, right?"
"Fu Hua is really too good. I misunderstood her before. Without her help, Kiana would definitely have been tempted by the Herrscher personality."
"Great, great. My Kiana has finally come out of it. Ahead is a bright future. I hope everything goes well for you."
"Waaah... Teacher Himeko, the reason we have this relatively good outcome is all because of you."
"I've decided to let the dog director off for now. As long as he doesn't mess around later, I won't squat outside his house today."
"No way, bro, you're still squatting? I squatted for three days without seeing him come home and gave up."
"That's nothing. I've been squatting for seven days already—today's the eighth. I absolutely have to beat him up."
"..."
Just as everyone was chatting, thinking this episode was about to end.
The scene switched to Rita's side.
She stood on the rooftop of the tallest building in Arc City, reviewing the latest information.
Two weeks ago, someone witnessed the Herrscher of the Void appearing here. To search for her whereabouts, both Schicksal and Anti-Entropy had simultaneously begun operations.
"Lord Bishop, I have arrived in Arc City. Please issue further instructions."
Otto's voice came through: "Two weeks ago, Arc City detected a Honkai energy leakage incident. Subsequent investigation of surveillance records revealed traces of the Herrscher of the Void."
"Your task is to find her whereabouts."
"Understood." Rita inquired: "However... it has already been two weeks since the surveillance footage was taken. The Herrscher of the Void has likely left this city by now. Does this intelligence still have value worth pursuing?"
Otto said: "The uploader of the photos is an intelligence broker in Arc City, nicknamed 'Gray Serpent.' He possesses a technology that allows him to monitor the city's network information... screening valuable intelligence from it to sell."
"Gray Serpent releasing the photos is his way of hinting to potential buyers that he holds information on the Herrscher of the Void's whereabouts."
Rita said: "I understand. According to the latest intelligence received, someone has sighted a traitor from the Far East Branch also appearing in Arc City. To make Lady Theresa unable to hold back and risk exposing her whereabouts to come here searching for clues, I can only conclude that the credibility of this intelligence far exceeds imagination."
Otto thought for a moment and instructed: "No matter what means you use, obtain the intelligence before Theresa does."
"Understood."
Rita followed orders, located Gray Serpent, and negotiated with him, ultimately reaping 'this Gray Serpent's' life with her scythe.
At the same moment, Theresa, along with Bronya and Raiden Mei, also entered Arc City.
By the time they arrived at the transaction site, only the remnants of Gray Serpent's body remained on the ground.
Gray Serpent's death made them even more vigilant. Theresa wanted to leave the area as quickly as possible, but Bronya, thinking of the suffering Kiana might be enduring, firmly wanted to stay and find her.
Rita, hiding in the shadows, also contacted Otto: "Lord Bishop, I contacted Gray Serpent as instructed, but the other party was unwilling to provide any valuable clues... and at the end, he even said something strange: 'Now... you too are in the eye of the snake.'"
Otto immediately understood: "This guy is an agent placed in Arc City by World Serpent."
Rita guessed and asked: "Could it be... that this intelligence is fake? Just bait thrown out by World Serpent to cause chaos?"
Otto said: "I'll handle World Serpent's matters. You don't need to worry about it. Just take care of things in Arc City."
He knew Rita must have already prepared.
And just as he thought, Rita had left a small clue in Gray Serpent's remains—a clue sufficient to make Theresa take the risk of staying in Arc City and finding leads about Kiana.
The subsequent plot of the TV drama involved a confrontation between the two sides. Theresa did not disappoint Rita; based on that clue, she found a robotic girl who controlled all information in Arc City.
Rita, one step ahead of them, obtained all the robot's information and then formatted the robot, sparing its life.
"Rita Rossweisse, reporting for duty."
"Lord Bishop, the intelligence has been uploaded. The mission is successfully completed. Thank you for the rescue airship; the timing was perfect."
Otto said: "Although it's regrettable to destroy the humanoid machine, at least you completed the most important task. Well done."
Rita said: "As long as Schicksal requires it, I will eliminate any obstacles in Schicksal's way one by one."
Communications closed.
Rita looked in the direction Theresa had left: "Humans have two hands—one to take away... and one to give..."
At the end of this episode, Theresa and the others placed their hopes on recovering the humanoid machine's data and headed to Sea Abyss City for that purpose.