The Thousand-Person Ruler's Personal Opinion

Titans, mechs—to a certain extent, they're also a type of puppet.

Since they count as puppets, that falls within the scope of Dominion Authority, making it entirely possible for them to become Anqi's avatars.

Unfortunately, Titans are packed with too much black tech; who knows what kind of network systems they're connected to? If something gets noticed by Anti-Entropy's network during the conversion process, that would be bad.

"Let's take down Cocolia first. She's a leader-level figure in the Radical Faction, so she must know a lot about the Titans' inner workings and have enough authority. Then I can try to dominate the Titans..."

Holding onto hope for the future, Anqi stood up and left the hillside.

Chapter 26: Anqi Sets Her Bottom Line

"Kuerla..."

"Kuerla..."

"Hey! Kuerla!"

"Cough! I'm not dead yet... quit yelling..."

"Thank god! Yes! Hang in there, the fight's over, we're taking you back for treatment right now—don't die!"

Deep in the smoke-filled snowfields, a group of heavily armed special forces soldiers methodically cleaned up the battlefield. Some gritted their teeth and choked back sobs over gruesome corpses, while others wept with joy at finding surviving comrades.

They gathered their fallen comrades' remains and salvageable equipment. Soon, those with lighter injuries drove sturdy, heavy armored vehicles, while the critically wounded were loaded onto faster armed helicopters, pulling out of the wasteland in a massive convoy.

A fierce, biting wind howled up, bringing endless flurries of snow. It was easy to foresee that when the storm subsided, all traces of battle here would be buried, and no one would ever know of the monsters that once existed or the human soldiers who fought them to the death.

"Multiple fractures, severe hypothermia, frostbite—but thanks to the cold, blood loss isn't too bad... How many fingers am I holding up?"

"Three."

"Good. Stay awake. Looks like brain function is still normal, and internal injuries seem manageable. Hang in there—once we're back at base, you'll be fine!"

"Alright..."

The silver-haired female soldier replied weakly, her slightly hollow blue eyes staring blankly at the helicopter ceiling as the medics fitted an oxygen mask over her face.

'Kuerla Endrabid—so that's your name.'

'Her family all died to Honkai Beasts, leaving only an uncle who's a minor logistics officer.'

'Her wish is to take revenge on the Honkai...'

'Then, as the Ruler of Domination, taking over her body is nothing short of desecration, isn't it?'

The Anqis in the Theater of Domination shared the memories of the deceased Kuerla, their expressions turning complex and somber.

The Ruler of Domination's strength didn't need repeating, and when it came to Honkai Beasts, they lacked the Herrscher of the Void's ability to mass-produce large swarms. Instead, the Ruler of Domination could fully dominate Honkai Beasts—though not in overwhelming numbers.

So, in the battle just now, Anqi had the power to save these soldiers, including Kuerla's life.

But she didn't. She only watched from afar, waiting until the dust was about to settle, then found a corpse that suited her taste and took it over.

'Never before have I been so clearly aware that I'm no longer human.'

'...'

The Anqis fell silent.

They hadn't controlled the Honkai Beasts to attack humans, and today's battle would have happened even without their observation.

But in the end, they chose to watch rather than help.

'Look on the bright side.'

'At this point in time, as the Thousand-Person Ruler, we have no other choice.'

'When it comes down to it, whether it's me in this world or the other, we don't love this world, do we?'

'We're just trying to survive.'

The Anqis in the theater comforted themselves, quickly donning the same cold expressions as they resumed their training in martial arts, authority, Honkai Energy control, firearms, and various knowledge.

At this moment, only the ever-increasing stats with each passing second brought some solace to Anqi's heavy heart.

After a week of playing dead, Kuerla (Anqi) walked out of the Medical Department.

"Hey! Our dear squad flower is finally discharged! BBQ, sausages, and Water of Life are ready—just waiting for you to show up!"

"Thump!"

Anqi drove an elbow into the teammate who jumped over to hug her, sending him crouching to the ground clutching his stomach.

She ruffled her messy, sharp silver short hair, her delicate, icy face wearing the same impatient expression her teammates remembered, and said:

"No drinking for a while. The doctor said if I don't recover properly, I might not be able to go back to the front lines... By the way, any new orders from Lady Cocolia lately?"

In the Bear Country's Anti-Entropy, it was basically the Reformist Faction's turf, which more or less equaled Cocolia's domain. A good portion of the soldiers serving here were veterans who'd once had ties with Cocolia, and by now, most of the military forces followed that woman's commands.

You could say that in this region, recognition of Cocolia even surpassed that of the Supreme Commander.

The teammates exchanged glances, not bothered by Anqi's dampening mood, and answered her question:

"Haven't heard of any special operation plans."

"But going by routine, after this round of big sweeps, Lady Cocolia should come to the front lines for a visit, right?"

"Yes, yes, she never misses a funeral ceremony."

"I see... During this recovery period, I want to think some things over in peace. Don't bother me unless it's important. Have fun, you all."

Anqi walked past her teammates without a second glance, waving a hand, leaving them with the captivating sight of her slender waist, long legs, and taut, poised figure.

The teammates exchanged looks and shrugged, clearly used to their old friend's cold-beauty act. Soon enough, they headed off to the gathering spot, laughing and joking—no doubt a drunken binge where no one would be leaving early.

Kuerla (Anqi) arrived at "her" room.

It was a room with a heavy military vibe. No girly pink elements in sight. Opening the wardrobe revealed only uniforms, a black down jacket, jeans—clothes with a rather stern style.

Anqi shed the clothes on her body.

From the full-length mirror embedded in the wardrobe, she saw that this body had fair skin and was in its most beautiful, vibrant years. Long, shapely legs, a perfect, alluring figure, every feminine curve rounded and proud in just the right places. And clearly well-trained—the muscle lines were pleasing, with a toned set of abs on her stomach. It was a body brimming with wild, healthy beauty.

"Thank you, Kuerla."

"I have nothing to repay you with, so call it hypocrisy if you will. From now on, this 'me' will be the sharpest blade against the Honkai, the most steadfast and fearless warrior."

Anqi stood before the mirror and set the persona for this body.

Only toward Kuerla did the act of taking her body stir a sense of guilt in Anqi. And the more she saw Kuerla's beauty, the more she felt she had wronged her resolve to fight the Honkai to the death.

'From now on, I'll try not to take bodies like Kuerla's.' This thought earned a nod of agreement from all the Anqis.

Because of Kuerla, the Anqis set themselves a bottom line: no longer defile the corpses of good people.

It was fine to dislike the world, and even to do bad things to survive. But never let yourself live too ugly—that didn't fit Anqi's aesthetic.

As the rank-and-file soldiers knew, Cocolia appeared at the funeral ceremony after the Great Purge. In the solemn, dignified ceremony, she stood in silent mourning alongside the soldiers and laid carnations—the flowers used in this nation to honor the dead.

After that, Cocolia stayed at the frontline base. As per custom, she would continue to personally visit the lower-ranking soldiers, award medals to those who had distinguished themselves, and handle various issues big and small that arose from the purge operation.

For Cocolia, these were quite busy days.

But if you want to wear the crown, you must bear its weight. Since Cocolia had climbed to the position of leader of the Reformist Faction, she naturally had to do what a leader should. And no matter what beliefs she held, at least in the things she was supposed to do, she had always been more than satisfactory.

"Thump! Thump!"

A knock came from the office door. Cocolia, flipping through some documents, looked up at the door with a frown.

"Come in. What is it?"

"Lady Cocolia, a soldier says they have important intelligence to report to you."

"What about? I don't have the energy to worry about every trivial matter."

Cocolia's frown deepened as she sized up the guard, considering whether she should bring a few sharper subordinates next time.

The guard's heart tightened. He instinctively straightened his back and saluted.

"Ma'am, this soldier was very insistent, and they're a loyal fighter who nearly died on the front lines, so I... Anyway, they gave me this letter and said you would see them once you read it."

"Sigh! Fine, give it here."

Cocolia shook her head with a sigh and casually took the white envelope from the soldier.

'Probably another report about corrupt or derelict officers, or a complaint about some research base conducting human experiments. It's always the same old stuff.'

Cocolia guessed as a matter of course and tore open the envelope.

The Serpent sends its regards.

Cocolia froze. Her jewel-like purple eyes narrowed sharply.

Chapter 27: Anqi, Successfully Secured

"So even this remote frontline base has your traces. The Serpent truly has far-reaching influence."

In the brightly lit but very quiet office, Cocolia sat with her legs crossed, arms folded, propping up the heavy, full burden on her chest, straining her green military uniform taut, as if it might burst at any moment.

A smile played on her lips as she watched Kuerla, but her enchanting purple eyes flickered with displeasure.

Kuerla stood straight as a ramrod, exuding a cold, military bearing. Her delicate but not overly heroic face wore an indifferent expression, and she replied in a cool voice:

"Just an ordinary hidden piece. Without a keen eye watching the world, how could the Serpent lurk in the shadows? If I've displeased you, Lady Cocolia, I'll disappear from your sight after this."

"Heh, no need to disappear. I'm not that petty. Speak—what message are you trying to deliver to me by revealing this perfect hidden piece of yours?"

Cocolia leaned back, speaking casually.

Disappear? Don't make me laugh!

A spy like this was far safer kept under her nose than vanished. Cocolia would rather this woman stay in the military. But by then, who would be watching whom was anyone's guess.

Right in front of Cocolia, Kuerla slowly reached into the collar of her uniform, pulled out a coin-sized rhomboid ruby from her chest—only slightly less ample than Cocolia's—and placed it on the table.

Cocolia glanced at it. Seeing that Kuerla wasn't speaking, she asked:

"What is this?"

"I don't know."

"Ha?"

"Gray Serpent will discuss the details with you in person. I'm only here to deliver this item to your hands. What it is, how to use it—I don't know, and I don't need to know."

Kuerla said expressionlessly.

When the Anqis used their clones as puppets, they could completely suppress the body's emotional responses, perfectly concealing all feelings.

Cocolia couldn't glean any information from Kuerla's face either. She could only shake her head and say:

"You people really are thorough mystics. But since you're willing to expose a sleeper agent to deliver this, it must be something quite remarkable, right? Fine, I'll take it. Anything else?"

Cocolia casually picked up the gem, pinching it between her thumb and forefinger, holding it up to the light to admire its crystalline, translucent crimson luster.

She couldn't be blamed for her lack of caution.

Mainly, from years of cooperation, Cocolia had long since concluded that the World Serpent was just as troublesome as Schicksal, so she fully trusted they could plant sleeper agents within Anti-Entropy. And given their extremely secretive modus operandi, simply uttering words like "Serpent" and "Gray Serpent" was enough to confirm Kuerla's origins.

Cocolia found nothing suspicious, and besides, she was on her own turf—there was even less reason to be on guard.

Then, Cocolia watched as the gem suddenly seemed to melt, vanishing between her fingers.

"To some extent, you could be called a mother. But just for the Changkong City incident that took my parents away, Cocolia, you deserve to die."

Kuerla's rigid expression softened at the same time. Her body leaned forward slowly, and finally, across the table, she stared at Cocolia's dazed, wavering face and spoke without a shred of pity.

"Mom..."

"Mom Cocolia..."

"Mom Cocolia, what are you doing? Come over here!"

Ahead, in a grand house surrounded by blooming flowers, Bronya, Seele, An, Rosaliya, Liliya... all the children were there, laughing and waving at Cocolia.

Bronya's back too... but why is Seele here? Did I already rescue her... and what was I just doing...