In the human body flows crimson blood. In the body of a Chrysos Heir, the blood naturally flows like liquid gold.
In the world of Honkai: Star Rail, only one powerful entity carries golden blood—Nanook the Destruction.
From this perspective, every Chrysos Heir seemingly possesses the potential to walk on the Path of Destruction. However, within the testing ground of Amphoreus, they were adjusted to simulate different Paths.
But in reality, is this so-called golden blood truly the blood of Nanook?
Certainly not.
But even if it isn't, there is surely a deep, inextricable connection. How else could Lygus use a scepter to evolve so many Chrysos Heirs and Titans? There had to be a sample. Perhaps when Nanook encountered a certain "Strongest Emanator of Trailblaze," the golden blood flowing from his chest was collected by Lygus?
Cerydra didn't know the specifics. The game was unlikely to detail such things, as it held little significance for the progression of the plot.
In reality, however, the meaning of golden blood was entirely different. Since Cerydra and Hysilens transformed from a string of numbers into true life, their blood naturally teemed with unique power. Though the source remained unclear, it was undoubtedly stronger than any creature in this world. Even those Super Class Danger Beasts could never compare to the blood of a Chrysos Heir!
This realization immediately brought one thing to Cerydra's mind: Esdeath and her future Teigu, Demon's Extract.
Demon's Extract consisted of the blood of a Super Class Danger Beast. One who drank this blood and successfully fused with it gained the power to manipulate ice. But it went further—the future Esdeath could even freeze time and space, an ability clearly belonging to that Super Class Danger Beast. One wondered how the First Imperator of the Empire managed to take down such a creature...
Despite the Teigu's apparent strength, the original Akame ga Kill! noted that everyone who drank it, aside from Esdeath, went mad. According to Esdeath herself, drinking the Teigu triggered an intense impulse for destruction. Ordinary people couldn't withstand it, but Esdeath succeeded.
She conquered the Teigu, Demon's Extract.
With such a successful case as a precedent, Cerydra immediately had a wild idea.
Upon arriving in this world, her only usable subordinate was her other self, Hysilens. Building a powerful army wouldn't be easy. Dreaming of summoning a Chrysos Heir army like the original Cerydra was pure fantasy.
In this world, Cerydra and Hysilens were the only Chrysos Heirs. There was no third.
"In that case, can I create Chrysos Heirs myself?"
Hysilens was a warrior. While proficient in combat and various life skills, her ability to learn knowledge was lackluster—one might even call her a bit dim-witted.
As for Cerydra herself, while her political acumen was excellent and her combat power wasn't weak, her scientific research capabilities could never compare to the people of the Grove of Epiphany. Thinking she could research a stable method to create Chrysos Heirs seemed a bit naive.
Consequently, Cerydra could only resort to a crude method: letting others drink golden blood directly.
Thus, the scene before them unfolded. Cerydra ordered Esdeath to drink the seawater from Hysilens' body.
If it were pure golden blood, Cerydra couldn't guarantee Esdeath would remain unharmed. So, she first had her try the seawater from Hysilens' stomach. In a sense, this seawater was part of Hysilens' body. Viewing it as diluted golden blood was perfectly acceptable.
If this method worked, Cerydra would not hesitate to slit her own wrists to let more loyal soldiers become Chrysos Heirs.
But if it failed, Cerydra had a Plan B: the authority of a Demigod!
'To obtain the power of Order, one is destined to pay an equal price...' The original Cerydra said this, implying that the Titan of Order, Talanton, possessed a similar power.
Equivalent Exchange.
By paying the corresponding price, one could obtain everything they desired. Cerydra herself exchanged the price of remaining forever a child for the status of a Chrysos Heir.
Since Cerydra could do this, why couldn't others?
If more Chrysos Heirs could be born into this world, the Imperator's army would be a hundred—no, a thousand times stronger than before!
Even if the world lacked Titans and couldn't birth a third Demigod, a Chrysos Heir who didn't become a Demigod still possessed unparalleled power. At the very least, they were beyond what ordinary soldiers or Teigu users could match.
At this thought, Cerydra could no longer suppress her excitement. She slowly rested her right hand on Esdeath's shoulder, sensing the power within the girl's body.
Just as she expected.
After drinking some of Hysilens' seawater, a unique power clearly emerged within Esdeath. This proved Cerydra's hypothesis correct. Even an ordinary person had the potential to become a Chrysos Heir.
"I am not one of those sages from the Grove of Epiphany, but perhaps it's time for a small celebration?" Cerydra picked up her scepter again, but after a moment of hesitation, she shook her head.
"No, if we're doing this, let's go all the way... Esdeath!"
"I am here, Imperator!"
Esdeath's mind was somewhat hazy due to the proximity to Hysilens, but at Cerydra's call, the girl immediately stood straight, awaiting her King's command.
However, Cerydra's next move made Esdeath's eyes widen.
The blue-and-white-haired girl used her scepter to slice her own finger without even blinking, as if the person injured weren't herself. Then, Cerydra gently extended her injured right index finger and pressed it against Esdeath's lips.
What was this for?
"I already said it, Dux Alptraum."
"If you can pass the trial after drinking the blood of the Dux Gladiorium, then you shall drink mine!"
Esdeath: !!!
'If this is the Imperator's command, I will obey one hundred percent!'
'Esdeath, from today on, you are the Imperator's most loyal servant, with no second thoughts!'
As the little snake coiled around the branch, an expression of enjoyment and happiness—a rare sight—appeared on Esdeath's face.
'So itchy!'
Despite the cool words spoken earlier, the sensation from her fingertip made Cerydra feel a bit uncomfortable. She had to force down the urge to pull her finger back.
Because this was the story Cerydra herself started.