Mei's words had made it clear.
Behind Durandal, Rita observed everything curiously.
Durandal and Kiana stared at each other, unsure what to say.
So Mei stepped in.
She explained everything she knew to help Durandal understand the situation.
At some point, Theresa had wandered over too, quietly listening to their conversation.
Meanwhile, Takumi and Otto sat down in a corner of the conference room.
"Mr. Takumi, I'm quite curious which bubble universe are you from exactly?"
Otto's eyes gleamed with curiosity.
Takumi smiled.
"Ah, you're mistaken. I'm not from a bubble universe. I come from outside the Tree entirely."
"Himeko and Bronya are the ones from bubble universes beneath the Imaginary Tree."
He shrugged, casually explaining the truth.
With Otto's intelligence, it wouldn't be hard for him to understand.
And understand he did.
"Outside the Tree? I see."
Otto's eyes widened with revelation.
So that's where Takumi came from.
Everything finally made sense.
Chapter 127: Why Not Just Get Rid of Otto?
A world beyond the Imaginary Tree
How remarkable.
That a world outside the Tree could know so much about their own realitythis truly amazed Otto.
"Mr. Takumi, since you hail from beyond the Tree, is there any way you can fulfill my wish?"
"No matter the costI'll pay it."
Otto laid all his cards on the table. That was his true purpose here.
If he could bring Kallen back into this world, he was willing to pay any price.
"I want the Divine Keys. The Void Archives, and every key in Schicksal's possession."
"In return, I'll bring Kallen back. Fully revived."
Takumi didn't hold back. He laid out his demands clearly.
Otto agreed without hesitation.
"Done. Anything else you want?"
That was it?
This cost was low, honestly.
Why couldn't he have met Takumi sooner?
If he had, he might've already reunited with Kallen.
The Divine Keys? They were all created for the purpose of reviving Kallen anyway.
If Takumi could actually make that happen, what did it matter if he handed them over?
"Deal. Go prepare everythingand bring Kallen's body too."
"I'll summon her soul and revive her. No need to fabricate a new body."
Just like that, the two struck their agreement in a few brief words.
Otto blinked at Takumi's confidence, but quickly grew excited.
Yes. Yes, this could work.
He had no objections.
"Understood! I'll make the arrangements now!"
With that, Otto rushed out of the room.
Takumi chuckled as he watched the man scurry away.
Then his gaze shifted toward Durandal and Kiana.
The sisters had been reunited.
Mei had explained everything.
Durandal, however, wore a conflicted expression.
"I I can't remember anything from my childhood."
When Takumi walked over, she confessed this with visible distress.
All her childhood memoriesgone.
Takumi grinned.
"I can help with that. No big deal."
Missing memories?
Easy.
If the Herrscher of Knowledge deemed it possible, then it was possible.
He reached out his hand with a smile.
Durandal stared at him, surprised.
After a moment of hesitation, she nodded.
"Alright. Please help me."
She wasn't sure who Takumi really was, but if he was confidentshe wanted to try.
Everyone's eyes were now on Takumi.
Even Tazi watched curiously.
Could this handsome man really restore Durandal's memories?
Was that even possible?
Before she could question it, Takumi had already begun.
He activated the power of the Herrscher of Knowledge.
With precision, he stimulated Durandal's deeply buried memories.
In moments, they began resurfacing.
Her childhood came flooding back.
Durandal stood frozen in place, stunned.
Takumi smiled.
"Take your time catching up. I'm going to find Fu Hua."
With that, he turned and left.
This was their personal business. He had no interest in getting involved in their family drama.
Bronya, seeing him go, hurried to catch up.
The two strolled through St. Freya's campus.
"You've got a lot to do here, don't you? How long are you planning to stay?"
Bronya was curious. Would Takumi leave after handling the Herrscher of the Void?
Takumi thought a moment.
"Right now, I'm copying all of Anti-Entropy's and Schicksal's tech. And World Serpent's too. Anything on the network is being downloaded. Then I'll need to visit World Serpent in person. So maybe two or three days?"
He rubbed his chin.
That sounded about right.
"Are you helping to rescue Seele?"
Bronya asked carefully.
That sweet girl was still adrift in the Sea of Quanta. And Kevin was there too.
"The Sea of Quanta, huh? Yeah, I do plan to visit. I might even find Teyvat's coordinates there. Worth checking out. I'll grab Seele while I'm at it."
It wasn't a big deal.
On his way back, Takumi was definitely heading into the Sea of Quanta.
Old man Kevin was still stuck in there.
He might even locate the bubble universes of Teyvat or Star Rail.
If he could, great. If nothe'd just bail.
He also needed to check out the Cocoon of Finality in this world.
There was still a lot to do.
"I see. I'll be heading back soon. I don't have as much free time as you. This trip was way too sudden. I didn't even have time to prepare."
Bronya looked slightly regretful.
She'd left so abruptlyjust told her office she was stepping out, and then left.
Nothing had been arranged properly.
If she didn't return soon, her company might face issues.
Takumi nodded.
"No worries. You'll have more chances in the future. You could even go visit Honkai: Star Rail and bring their Bronya over. And Silver Wolf toothey're all Bronya anyway. Just different turbo levels."
Turbo Bronya. Nothing wrong with that.
The more versions she had, the stronger she'd be.
This Bronya was currently the weakest of the lot.
Bronya blinked, speechless.
She really didn't have any turbo, huh?
Maybe she should get some curls going again.
She used to have them. But after gaining superpowers, she'd gotten lazy.
Now she looked like this.
Wait, why was she even thinking about this?
Her thoughts spiraled.
This guy was totally leading her astray!
As they walked through St. Freya, Takumi suddenly sensed something.
A burst of Honkai energy, sharp and brief.
It flaredand vanished just as fast.
Didn't even cause a ripple.
Takumi narrowed his eyes.
"Wait Bronya's become a Herrscher?"
Yes.
That surge of energy came from Bronya.
She had become the Herrscher of Reason.
Chapter 128: Awaken, O Great Herrscher of Knowledge!
Bronya was stunned by what Takumi said.
"So Old Yang from Honkai: Star Rail gave this world's Old Yang the heads-up? Told him the future and had him pass the Core of Reason to me?"
She thought for a moment. That must've been it. A letter from the future Old Yang.
That's why this world's Old Yang entrusted the core to her early.
"Probably, yeah. But it's fine. Becoming Herrscher of Reason isn't bad. Saves you from going through all that suffering."
"And you won't risk losing your license."
"Later, I'm taking everyone to Elysian Realm."
"Tch. I bet Elysia will be thrilled to see so many Herrschers with humanity."
Her sacrifice wouldn't be in vain. Amen!
Every Herrscher, a double agent.
"Tch. You really are doing this for Elysia!"
"You're planning to take them all, aren't you?!"
Bronya was exasperated. It was clear now: Takumi had come here for Elysiaand maybe the other Flame-Chasers too.
"I plan to bring Snake and Vil-V back. If possible, the rest too. They were all top minds of the Previous Era. With them, developing my civilization would be ridiculously easy."
Naturally, Takumi was eager to take them back. If he could, why wouldn't he?
"Fine. As long as you're happy."
Bronya shook her head. No point arguing.
They walked on until Takumi spotted Fu Hua.
She was currently busy helping some students.
Takumi approached.
Fu Hua noticed them coming and looked up.
"Hello. Can I help you two?"
It was clear they had come specifically for her. But why?
"Of course. I'm heading to the Elysian Realm to meet your old companions. Want to come?"
Takumi smiled brightly.
Fu Hua froze.
Elysian Realm?
"That name it sounds familiar."
She had forgotten much about the Previous Era.
Hearing the name sparked only vague memories.
Takumi chuckled and snapped his fingers.
Before Fu Hua could react, she was plunged into a trance.
The memories she'd once burned away surged back.
The Elysian Realm.
The Thirteen Flame-Chasers.
The Previous Civilization.
It all returned to her at once.
Overwhelmed, Fu Hua collapsed.
Bronya caught her just in time.
"You forced her memories back?!"
Of course, she understood immediately.
Takumi had forcibly restored Fu Hua's memories.
"Yep. And not just that"
He reached into her bodyand drew out Yu Duchen.
Her entire consciousness was transferred into the feather.
What remained was an empty shell.
Bronya was shocked.
Fu Hua, now disembodied, woke up inside the feather as her old selfCrimson Immortal.
"What's going on?!"
"Naturally, I'm creating a new Herrscher. Fu Hua can't become a Herrscherbut a Herrscher can become Fu Hua."
"Now we can craft a Herrscher with Fu Hua's memories and her hatred of the Honkai."
"Perfect, right?"
"I'll take you all to see Elysia soon. She'll be thrilled."
Fu Hua stared in disbelief.
Creating a Herrscher with her body?
How terrifying would such a Herrscher be?
Was this really okay?
She panicked.
But Takumi ignored her and turned to Bronya.
"Lay her down. And don't worry. The new Herrscher will be overwhelmed by your memories and think she is you. It'll be like a mother-daughter bond."
He activated his power.
Endless Honkai energy surged into Fu Hua's empty shell.
The sudden surge triggered Saint Freya Academy's alarm.
Everyone froze.
That much Honkai energy?
People immediately rushed to the source.
Especially Durandal.
She was first to react.
Another Honkai eruption in Saint Freya?
Was this place cursed?
Hadn't there already been one earlier?
What was happening?!
When Durandal arrived, she saw Takumi channeling Honkai energy into Fu Hua.
Floating beside them was another Fu Hua?
What the hell was going on?!
"What are you doing?!"
Durandal stepped forward, baffled.
"This is called an artificial Herrscher. Fu Hua couldn't become one, so I'm making a Herrscher into Fu Hua. And once her personality is overwritten by centuries of Fu Hua's memories, she'll be ours."
Takumi grinned, staring at the vessel before him.
Durandal was dumbfounded.
Artificial Herrscher?
Even Otto didn't go this far!
Takumi didn't respond. He focused.
Once he felt it was ready, he invoked his will to connect with the world's Honkai.
He called upon the will to implant the Herrscher of Knowledge.
And it responded.
Soon, a Herrscher Core manifested inside Fu Hua's body.
And thena new Herrscher personality descended.
Fu Hua's body began to transform.
Her plain gray cheongsam turned into a sleek black combat suit.
Ornaments formed atop her head.
Durandal grew tense, a spear materializing in her hand.
No doubt about itTakumi had done it.
He had created a Herrscher.
"O Great Herrscher of Knowledge! Awaken!"
"Join us in the fight against the Honkai!"
Takumi's face beamed with joy.
His voice rang out:
Awaken, O Great Herrscher of Knowledge!
Chapter 129: Otto, You Old Dog, Take My Fist!
Perhaps she heard Takumi's call. Or perhaps it was the overwhelming flood of memories that had finally been accepted.
Little Shiki slowly opened her eyes.
A pair of crimson pupils came into view.
"Hey! Looks like you've got some sense!" "That's right, I am the one and only, greatest Herrscher of Knowledge, lady extraordinaire!"
With that, she stood up proudly and gave Takumi a big thumbs-up.
She truly believed she was the most amazing.
Seeing this newly born Herrscher before him, Takumi smiled faintly.
"Nice to meet you. I'm Takumi! The... End."
...
Upon hearing that, Little Shiki was at a loss.
"Ehh... the End?" "Can I punch you?"
Seriously, saying that just made her want to punch someone.
She tilted her head toward Takumi.
After all, wasn't opposing the End her mission?
"You can't beat me."
Takumi's eyes glinted mischievously. Little Shiki really was rebellious. First thought was to punch him?
Typical.
"Hmm... yeah, guess you're right. Fine, I won't hit you." "Since you're the one who brought me to life, I'll let it slide."
She crossed her arms proudly, feeling like a big shot.
Then her gaze shifted to the floating spirit of Fu Hua.
"Listen up, from now on I am Fu Hua. You're just a fake!"
She even raised her middle finger at Fu Hua.
Fu Hua's lip twitched.
Please don't use my body for such weird gestures.
This Herrscher's personality was the complete opposite of hers.
"That's your mom, you know!!" "Not some imposter."
Takumi cut in with a serious tone.
Enough fooling around. She was literally your mother!
"What the hell?" "She's your mom, not mine!" "No way I'd have a mom like that!"
Little Shiki rolled her eyes hard.
As far as she was concerned, that was nonsense.
You've got to be kidding me!
Seeing her reaction, Durandal was relieved.
Clearly, this one wasn't a threat.
Soon, others started arriving. When they saw two Fu Huas standing together, they were completely dumbfounded.
"Two class presidents?"
Kiana looked the most confused.
She thought Little Shiki must have come from some parallel world.
Shortly after, Bronya also arrivednow fully dressed in her Herrscher form.
Everyone gasped.
She became a Herrscher too?!
"Why is everyone turning into Herrschers?!"
Himeko was utterly baffled.
All her students were Herrschers now?
"Saint Freya Academy really is a Herrscher school, huh."
The Himeko from Honkai: Star Rail laughed at the scene.
The so-called Far East Demon Denwhat a fitting name.
Now all the Herrschers trained at Saint Freya were accounted for:
Herrscher of Reason, of the Void, of Thunder, of Knowledge... and the coreless one of Wind.
