Redeeming a Herrscher? (Continued)

The agents of Honkai, the powerful can easily destroy the continent.

Their God Key, passed down through Schicksal, was made from the Herrscher Core.

"... Excuse me, what does 'unformed' mean to her?"

Otto had a question on his mind.

"Is it simply that it's just one step away, or is it unable to take shape due to some other reason?"

The Previous Era is 50,000 years old! The Schicksal has been established for 2,000 years!

This thing isn't even finished yet?

Is it you who's poisonous or me who's sick?

"How would I know? After all these years, it might have already taken shape long ago. It's just a matter of opening this box." Imaginary Archive said uncertainly.

"Can you open it?" Otto always felt that the idea of Imaginary Archive was a bit reckless... Well, Otto admitted that he was also a little tempted.

How can the journey of exploration be complete without the element of courting death?

"What are you thinking? I'm not a master key." The miniature girl said dismissively. "But if I can't open it, can't... can't Dad open it?"

Imaginary Archive pointed to the air beside him.

"So you're using me as a universal key, huh?"

Liu Bai sighed—though upon further reflection, he truly was a genuine master key.

"Okay, let me see what's going on inside?"

Liu Bai immediately possessed the Black Box.

Although there might be Firyukimaru or Himeko inside... after he possesses her, he has all the advantages of timing and location. As long as you are still part of the Black Box, even if you are still a fully Herrscher of Corruption Liu Bai, he is not afraid.

Upon entering the Black Box, Liu Bai's vision went completely black.

Yes, a true black mark.

"... Doesn't anyone turn on the lights?"

Liu Bai subconsciously complained.

But in this deep, silent, abyss-like, lightless space, Liu Bai could vaguely sense a road extending outwards.

"... What the heck?"

Liu Bai hesitated for a moment, then decided to test the permissions he had gained after possessing the body.

I said, "Let there be light!"

"..."

It was still pitch black.

"... So this isn't the Black Box? No, if this thing and the Black Box were independent of each other, I wouldn't be able to enter this space by possessing someone."

Liu Bai stroked his chin, lost in thought. He was certain that he had completely taken control of the Black Box.

"Hmm... It's part of the Black Box, but it's not under my control..."

Liu Bai already had a vague guess in his mind—what was it that was not under his control after he possessed the body?

Living creatures!

This space is definitely part of the living things.

And if we speculate in this direction... this is the Herrscher of Corruption, that is, Rin's consciousness?

But perhaps it should be called Firyukimaru now?

After pondering this, Liu Bai sighed. If things really went this way, he would have no choice but to continue down this path.

After all, there was no way I could choose to open the box directly.

Relying on his intuition, Liu Bai walked cautiously and carefully in the darkness.

That said, Liu Bai felt that this darkness didn't seem like a friendly place, but he didn't sense any danger.

It's a rather strange feeling.

Liu Bai didn't know how long he had walked, but finally, he saw a hazy white light in front of him.

This made Liu Bai raise an eyebrow, and he quickly walked towards the light.

That ball of white light really piqued Liu Bai's curiosity—after all, given the environment and Ling's mental state, even if it was light, it should at least be a ghostly light, even if it wasn't a blood-red light.

They can even add special effects like a murderous aura.

So Liu Bai realized something was wrong.

However, that hazy white light that gives off a sense of holiness...

Liu Bai walked to the outer edge of the white light and finally saw the scene inside—a little girl with cherry-colored hair was resting her head on the long, beautiful legs of a brown-haired nun, seemingly having a sweet dream.

... This atmosphere really doesn't fit into this space.

Liu Bai looked at the nun in front of her, but the nun lowered her head and gently stroked the girl who was resting on her lap.

"Welcome, person from the future."

The nun's voice was ethereal and had a purifying effect on the mind and body.

"Future?"

Liu Bai smiled as he looked at the nun in front of him.

"For me, it should be said that it's been a long time since we last met."

However, Liu Bai also knew that the Aponia that appeared in front of him was at most a pre-set phantom—like an NPC in a game.

After all, the characteristics of the Herrscher of Corruption are a kind of restraint for most beings.

However, upon hearing Liu Bai's words, the usually serene Aponia showed a hint of surprise and looked up.

"... Lord God?"

"... Aren't you part of the pre-programmed sequence?"

Liu Bai was also surprised by Aponia's reaction, even though it should have been a phantom.

"The pre-set program for this child could not have lasted until now."

Aponia's expression calmed down.

"I am the Divine Sound — the Divine Sound formed from a portion of Aponia's spirit, and only in this way can I resist the child's unconscious erosion."

"Then she..."

Liu Bai looked at the bell that was resting on Aponia's lap.

"What's her state of mind? Does she go berserk once you're no longer controlling her?"

If that's the case, then the problem becomes quite complicated.

"... I don't know."

Aponia —or rather, the Divine Sound —answered.

"..."

Liu Bai hated this kind of answer the most.

However, considering that the other party was Divine Sound left behind by Aponia, Liu Bai couldn't say anything.

"Then tell me about her. She shouldn't be a complete God Key, right?"

"That's right. Back then, Dr. Mei and Sakura reached an agreement to seal Rin away and use special technology to create God Key that retains its own consciousness."

"... This sounds a bit eerie." Liu Bai's lips twitched. "They agreed?"

"I agree." Divine Sound nodded. "Dr. Mei's other option is to kill Rin directly and then use the core to create the God Key normally."

"..."

Okay, with these two choices put together, Sakura, as the older sister, knows exactly which one to choose.

"Moreover, Rin had already gone berserk once, causing great losses to the entire Moth Chasers to Fire. Many people wanted to kill Rin out of fear, and Sakura's agreement was a helpless move."

...?

Liu Bai suddenly sensed something was wrong.

Bell goes berserk?

Shouldn't Rin's power only fully awaken and go berserk after she is killed by lower-ranking personnel without authorization?

Hmm... the butterfly effect I brought upon myself?

After all, apart from Sakura, it seems that everyone involved in this matter has some connection to him.

"... Is she alive?"

"It was alive before the renovation."

Divine Sound nodded.

"..." Liu Bai's feelings were slightly complicated. "What happened back then? Could you tell me in detail?"

"I apologize, my Lord God. I am only a small part of Aponia's spiritual power. I know these things because Aponia had a very deep impression of them when she cast the Divine Sound."

Divine Sound gave the man in front of her an apologetic look.

She is Divine Sound, conveying the voice of the gods.

It was able to recognize the other party because Aponia had a strong impression of it.

"Aponia ..."

Liu Bai repeated the name, then shook his head and looked at the sleeping girl.

"Can you wake her up?"

"Wake up..." Divine Sound hesitated for a moment, "If we wake up Ling, it might make this space even worse—this space wasn't originally like this, it's only been eroded by Ling's subconscious for 50,000 years..."

Upon hearing this, Liu Bai subconsciously glanced at the deep space behind him. No wonder he felt something was wrong; it turned out this was the power of the Herrscher of Corruption.

As for why he's completely unaffected... it can only be said that Liu Bai hasn't yet seen anything that can directly interfere with him.

At most, Feather of the Wind could only observe him.

"Mei will have a backup plan."

Liu Bai glanced around.

"As long as it's something Mei made, she'll definitely have a backup plan—she won't gamble unless she has no other choice."

Yae Sakura opened the box. In the 500-year history of the Stigmata Space and the Reincarnation of the Firyukimaru, the conversion program in the box could still be used. Even if it has changed now, Liu Bai really didn't believe that it could fail!

"I see."

Divine Sound bowed her head to Liu Bai like the most devout nun.

"Then, I'll leave the Lord God."

The Divine Sound disappeared.

"Waaah..."

With her head no longer supported, the girl made direct contact with the ground.

Divine Sound...

Although the other party was only wearing Aponia's face, Liu Bai still felt a little lost watching the other party disappear before his eyes.

However, the hazy white light remained in place, which allowed Liu Bai to still see the bell clearly.

"Waaah... Is it morning already?"

The girl on the ground covered her head, slowly got up, but still looked sleepy.

"... Where is this?"

Ling rubbed her eyes, looking around in confusion, before finally fixing her gaze on the only being she could seem to communicate with.

"... Who are you? No... who am I?"

... Huh?