Chapter 338

With a sigh, Kiana looked at the person appearing in front of her. Although they had the same face, their auras were completely different. Remembering what Shen Gonglin had said, Kiana took a deep breath. The time to meet her had finally come. No matter how much she tried to avoid it, this day would eventually come.

"Long time no see, my container☆. The last time we met was in Sky City, wasn't it? You weren't here when we came out of the Anti-Entropy base. So much time has passed, but you haven't changed a bit in your death throes, Kiana. You keep running and running. But where can you run to? In the end, you still succumb to the pain and kneel before the cracks in your heart."

The Herrscher of the Void strolled down from the sky with an air of nonchalance. The Queen, who had always been high and mighty, was now standing on the same plane as Kiana. She had a premonition that this time, it would be the end.

"I am not the same person I was back then, and I will not give in to you."

Looking directly at the Herrscher of the Void before her, Kiana showed no fear or avoidance. Like the Herrscher of the Void, she knew that this was the end.

"Haha, you really dare to say that. But if you hadn't wavered, how could I be here, standing in front of you, controlling this body?"

As if she had heard a funny joke, the Herrscher of the Void covered her lips and chuckled. She was afraid to face herself and refused to confront herself. This was the reason why Kiana buried herself deep in her heart.

"My shackles have been removed, and no one will disturb us. All your long-term efforts and everything you have done so far have been in vain."

The Herrscher of the Void declared victory, and before Kiana could respond, a slightly awkward voice rang out.

"No one will bother us... So, did I come at a bad time? Should I leave?"

With the help of the Herrscher of Consciousness, Shen Gonglin appeared on the battlefield that should have only included Kiana and the Herrscher of the Void. He scratched his head awkwardly. The Herrscher of the Void had already said so, but he had just appeared like this. Wasn't that a bit disrespectful to her?

The atmosphere suddenly fell silent. Kiana looked surprised, while the Herrscher of the Void was a bit confused. Why was Shen Gonglin also in their consciousness space? Is this what it feels like to be slapped in the face? Oh well, it's not the first time she's been slapped in the face by him. It's good that he's here. It's good that he can witness the outcome of their battle, although she will definitely win.

If I say I'm leaving, will you leave?

Looking at Shen Gonglin with a resentful gaze, the Herrscher of the Void sighed. Oh well, he's special after all. He can't be lumped together with those ants. When she reigns supreme, he'll still need to be by her side. So, she'll make an exception for him.

"Well... Anyway, this place is so big, one more person won't make a difference. You guys chat, you guys chat. I was just too worried about Kiana, so I came to check on her."

Sitting obediently to the side, Shen Gonglin took on the look of a bystander. If it were any other enemy, Shen Gonglin would of course choose to fight alongside Kiana without hesitation. But this was the Herrscher of the Void. Putting aside the fact that this was a feud between them, Shen Gonglin simply couldn't bring herself to actually attack the Herrscher of the Void.

Although this Herrscher is very bad and wicked, she is truly kind to Shen Gonglin. Despite meeting her so many times, she has never been ruthless towards Shen Gonglin. Back then, during the War of Schicksal, she was able to take revenge on Otto because she obtained her power... although it wasn't entirely of her own volition at the time.

Therefore, in short, Shen Gonglin couldn't bring himself to be ruthless towards this Herrscher.

"Hmph, you're smart to know what's good for you."

The Herrscher of the Void glanced at Shen Gonglin, whose reaction surprised her. After all, she wouldn't have been surprised if he stood by Kiana and focused his Herrscher of the Void on her. But his attitude now... was quite good. Although she wasn't afraid of the two of them attacking her together, she was even more pleased with his Herrscher of the Void to harm her.

Why does it feel like I've suddenly been fed dog food? That can't be right, even if it's dog food, it should be me and Shen Gonglin are feeding it to others. Kiana suddenly feels like an outsider and feels very uncomfortable. She needs to quickly bring the topic back on track.

Why do you want to help the Herrscher of Domination?

Kiana worried that she wouldn't be the heroine if she didn't speak up, so she questioned the Herrscher of the Void, and the Queen finally turned her attention to her.

"Help? Hahaha! Don't compare those puppets to me. They're a bunch of hopeless losers, pathetic ants, spouting incomprehensible words, their every move exuding the same weakling aura as you. These guys came to me on their own, presumptuously claiming they'd rescue me. They looked utterly ridiculous. But I'm still happy to give them a chance to enjoy a clown's farce—and I really didn't expect they'd actually bring you to me."

The Herrscher of the Void spoke eloquently, claiming she helped those laughable puppets? There's a limit to insulting people.

"But to be honest, I'm only disappointed right now. You're not even as good as them, you don't want to be called a container by me... half-body☆"

Chapter 172 Who Am I

The Herrscher of the Void strolled leisurely; this wasn't a joke. After all, she was a formidable enemy who had suppressed him for so long, yet she was outmaneuvered by these rabble. How utterly useless.

Kiana remained silent, lost in thought. The Herrscher of the Void, however, was somewhat angered by her reaction. Kiana shouldn't be so calm. Seeing her appear, she still maintained such composure. In the Queen's eyes, this was an insult. She should be more fearful and terrified, just like when the Queen herself appeared before Kiana in Schicksal.

"Alright, I've said enough of the opening remarks. I hope you cherish this time and reflect on the last moments of your life... You are not allowed to interfere; this is between her and me."

Shaking her head to shake off her unpleasant emotions, the Herrscher of the Void declared her battle cry. At the same time, she warned Shen Gonglin beside her that as long as he didn't interfere, Kiana could easily be taken down by herself. It wasn't that the Herrscher of the Void was afraid of Shen Gonglin, but if he intervened, things would become very troublesome.

"Don't worry, he won't interfere. This is between the two of us, and it's time to make a decision."

Before Shen Gonglin could answer, Kiana spoke up. The girl took a deep breath. This time, she didn't need Shen Gonglin's help. This scenario had played out in Kiana's mind countless times. This day had finally come.

What does this mean? Does she think she still has a chance of winning? She's clearly a loser, yet she dares to say such things. What a spineless person she is. Doesn't she know how vulnerable she is without Shen Gonglin's help?

The Herrscher of the Void frowned as she looked at Kiana. There was no fear or trembling in Kiana's eyes, only calmness and tranquility. Let her see how cruel the truth is. Without the help of others, she can do nothing!

"Come on, Kiana, this is a theater for just the two of us, a stage that belongs only to the victor. Obediently submit to my control; this is your inescapable fate."

Having declared their battle, the Herrscher of the Void and Kiana clashed in a fair fight within the three-person arena. The Spear of the Void and the twin pistols collided, the sound of steel clashing remarkably powerful. Shen Gonglin looked up at the two clashing in the air, watching their constantly flashing figures. A hint of relief rose in Shen Gonglin's eyes. Kiana had grown. She was no longer the fool who only knew how to run away. During her wandering days after leaving Schicksal, she had matured a lot, and now, she could finally stand face to face with the Herrscher of the Void.

This girl is really amazing.

"... Why? Your attitude is really unpleasant."

The development of the battle displeased the Herrscher of the Void. She hadn't been able to defeat Kiana easily. Was it because of the number of cores? No, that wasn't the reason. It was because of Kiana's attitude. The battle gained a slight respite. The Herrscher of the Void stared at Kiana, her beautiful and proud little face turning somewhat gloomy.

"I broke your shackles and took over the core authority. Everything is just like that day, and it won't be long before I replace you and become the master of this body. You will be crushed and reduced to nothingness, leaving not even a fragment of your consciousness... But why are you not panicked at all? Not afraid at all? Not desperate at all?"

Kiana's calm and composed demeanor, which had voiced her doubts, greatly displeased the Herrscher of the Void. What did it mean that Kiana acted as if everything was in her plan, as if this was all part of her vision? In other words, was she already prepared?

How can I put it? Saying that with Shen Gonglin here to protect me, I'm not afraid at all? That seems a bit much.

"... I knew this day would come sooner or later. Shen Gonglin said that the purpose of a seal is to wait for the day it is broken. No seal can be effective forever; it only postpones the decision. Sooner or later, there will be a showdown between us that will settle everything. We are like water and fire, incompatible and unable to compromise. Since there is no possibility of reconciliation, we can only end it in this way: the winner stays and the loser disappears."

Kiana took a deep breath, not only because Shen Gonglin was there, but also because she had realized that only one of her and the Herrscher of the Void could remain. And in order to make this world her, the world they desired, Kiana absolutely could not lose.

"... Oh? Now that things have come to this, do you think you still have any hope of winning? You never have. Those agonizing memories, those heavy shackles, you can't let go of them. You want to escape, but you can only sink deeper and deeper into the swamp, because this body is a container, and the soul it carries is too heavy, too heavy for you to bear. And I am just here to take back what rightfully belongs to me."

As expected of the great literary figure whom Shen Gonglin called the Herrscher of Literature, the Herrscher of the Void spoke with an air of culture, which even Shen Gonglin admired. These girls all have the skill of verbal sparring, something that Shen Gonglin, as the protagonist, longed for. If he could also spar, he would be amazing. But unfortunately, all he can do is engage in verbal battles.

Just think about it, Mei, Raven, Einstein, the Class President, Little Herrscher of Consciousness, they all know how to talk a good game... Oops, I got the wrong idea, my apologies.

Unbeknownst to the only spectator watching, the clash between Kiana and the Herrscher of the Void continues. These are two incompatible philosophies, and the outcome remains to be seen.

"... In Sky City, you once said that I could never get rid of you. In the days that followed, I kept thinking about the meaning behind those words, and the answers to two questions: Who are you, and who am I?"

Kiana said in a deep voice that this question had been bothering her for a long time, but today, when she saw that mirror, Kiana had the answer.

"I have no interest in discussing philosophy with you. I am Sirin, the Herrscher of the Void, and you are test subject K423. This is a predetermined answer. Therefore, everything was done by the Herrscher, not your responsibility or your fault. Isn't this the excuse you and your companions love to use when you stick together for warmth?"

The Herrscher of the Void's answer was nonchalant: Who is she? Who am I? What a boring answer.

Chapter 173 Two Opposing Forces

Kiana acted as if she hadn't heard the Herrscher of the Void's sarcasm. The answer wasn't like that. They were two different individuals, but in essence, she and the Herrscher of the Void were two fruits that grew from the same tree.

"... There is a fact that I was unwilling to admit in the past, but only by accepting it can I fill the gap in my soul and have the possibility of standing up to you. I am you. We are two selves belonging to the same body, two existences born from Sirin's desire. You and I are both extensions of Sirin."

Having spoken the words she had been avoiding and unwilling to admit, Kiana is now prepared to accept everything. She is Kiana, the experimental subject K423, the Herrscher of the Void, and also Sirin's extension.

Upon hearing Kiana's words, the Herrscher couldn't help but burst out laughing. The Queen of the Void, floating in the air, clutched her stomach, almost laughing until tears streamed down her face. Did this girl even know what she was saying? Was she going crazy because of the immense pressure?

"Hahahaha... I thought you were going to say something. So now you're claiming to be Sirin? You're just daydreaming. Have you lost your mind? Fine, I'll see. Since you say you're Sirin, how do you plan to fulfill Sirin's wish and destroy the world she couldn't destroy?"

The Herrscher of the Void looked at Kiana with great interest, as if she were looking at a broken doll. This nonsense was beyond Kiana; she was already broken.

"Yes, this is the method you've been using all along. You identify yourself as Sirin and vent your malice and hatred at will, using this method to separate me from the real Sirin and make me refuse to face my own identity. But that's just your wish, not Sirin's wish. In her dreams, there is turbulent, filthy darkness, but also calm, warm glimmers of light. Complex and contradictory emotions are intertwined in her heart, but you only want me to see the resentment in them."

Having already discerned the Herrscher of the Void's methods, Kiana is close to understanding the truth. Sirin's dream is not just destruction; even at the very end, light remained in her heart. Theresa, Cecilia, Siegfried... the presence of these people ensured that she never lost her hope for a better life. And those hopes ultimately shaped her into a side completely opposite to the Herrscher of the Void. If the Herrscher of the Void symbolizes destruction, then she herself represents the other path that Sirin chose in her heart.

That phrase, "Ich liebedich..." is the best proof of everything!

"... You saw some past memories and then projected yourself into them? Okay, let's talk about it then. Hope, trust... People always like to use these words, repeating lies over and over again. Those sanctimonious researchers took Sirin away in the name of hope, but pushed her into hell, to face a fate worse than death. The seeds of hatred were sown then, and it was humanity itself that made Sirin unable to trust others again."

Defeating Kiana directly seemed to imply that she dared not argue with her, so the Herrscher of the Void temporarily stopped her attacks. She looked at Kiana and told her about the despair Sirin had experienced, that this was her own story. Now, did she still dare to say that she was herself?

"But there, she also met Agatha and Bella. These are the names of the friends Sirin met in that laboratory, and the names she held onto until the very end. She never forgot them. The Honkai tore Sirin's heart apart, but it could not erase their images from her heart. Whenever she recalled these names, Sirin would feel longing and sadness. Until the very end, she longed to reunite with everyone."

With her eyes closed, Kiana felt as if she could touch Sirin from that time. Until the last moment of her life, she still remembered those names, those names that gave her a glimmer of light in the darkness, burning in her heart like a torch, bringing a little warmth to the Siberia snow.

"However, it was also humans who took them away from Sirin. These children eventually became victims of the Babylon Laboratory. They died, and the dead cannot be brought back to life. Even the Herrscher of Death cannot do that. With nothing left, Sirin was left only with revenge. She used the power given to her by the gods to wash that hell in blood and bring down the judgment that those demons deserved. There were also innocent people in that tower, but Sirin no longer cared. She inflicted her own pain on another person without any scruples because she no longer wanted to be with humans."

Sensing something was wrong, the Herrscher of the Void recounted the despair Sirin had suffered, attempting to break down Kiana's barrier by claiming she was Sirin's continuation—a laughable statement. Did she know Sirin's desires? Did she know Sirin's despair? The Babylon Laboratory, now a wasteland, was the best proof. This was exactly what she had been doing since her birth.

What are those two talking about...?

Kiana and the Herrscher of the Void were talking, but Shen Gonglin, sitting nearby as a bystander, couldn't understand a word. Having never experienced Sirin's life, he could only glean a general idea. Although he possessed the core of the Herrscher of the Void, Shen Gonglin Shen Gonglin's core was completely pure, devoid of anything else. Therefore, his understanding of Sirin's experiences was limited to the virtual simulation he and Kiana went through in the St. Freya Underground Chapel. So, Shen Gonglin couldn't quite grasp what they were saying.

The only thing we know for sure is that the Herrscher of the Void seems to be wavering. Kiana is gradually closing the gap between them, and eventually, she will stand on the same level as the Herrscher of the Void. This girl is really amazing.

"But even then, there were still people who wanted to save her."

Undistracted by the Herrscher's words, Kiana recalled Sirin's memories and transformed all the beauty and hope in those memories into weapons to fight against the Herrscher of the Void. These things would be her strongest shield.

"Huh? You mean Theresa? She's all talk and no action, never caring about Sirin's true feelings? Or Siegfried? He's a coward, timid and indecisive, ultimately accomplishing nothing. Yes, he shouldn't even be included. As for Cecilia ..."

Upon hearing this name, even the Herrscher hesitated. Even she couldn't deny her existence.

Chapter 174 The Audience Leaves

"Her words may have stemmed from a strange affection for Sirin, but love is too pale and powerless in the face of hate. The world did not allow her to do so. In the end, she could only turn against Sirin. They killed her together. This is the salvation you speak of, the so-called kindness and understanding, but it is the deepest irony of Sirin's fate."

Even the Herrscher of the Void cannot deny Cecilia's feelings for Sirin, but what good does it do? In the end, she still killed Sirin. Such love is too insignificant in the face of hate. How naive to think you can use this to refute yourself.

"No matter what you say, their images remain in Sirin's heart. In the boundless darkness, Sirin has recurring dreams. The warmth you scorn is the treasure she most desires in her dreams. She longs to start over, to be an ordinary person, to have friends, to have an ordinary but happy family. She longs for her parents' love, to hear her mother's voice again, to feel the warmth of her arms and embrace again. She longs for hope, she longs for happiness. She keeps silently repeating the words she heard from Cecilia."

Kiana placed her hand on her chest. This was the answer Sirin had given her. If she could do it all over again, she would want to experience this kind of life. Sirin's wish was definitely not just about destruction. Her own existence was proof of Sirin's desire to change everything.

"All of this is engraved in the core memory, transcending time, sending her last prayer into the future, giving birth to a new consciousness, and that consciousness is me."

Kiana pointed to herself; she was the other chance that Sirin longed for. The Herrscher of the Void understood everything as a binary opposition, but the human heart is never such a simple thing. The two of them were two souls born from Sirin's wishes, two branches growing from the same tree, stretching in two different directions. They shared Sirin's feelings and memories, but ended up walking two completely different paths.

Kiana didn't know what affected the Herrscher of the Void. Was it the pain of the experiment? The allure of the Honkai? Or the hatred etched into the core? Those broken memories were a warm dream for Kiana, but for the Herrscher of the Void, they were like an unbearable, scorching curse.

Kiana is really amazing.

Hearing the girl's words, regardless of what the Herrscher of the Void thought, Rin Shen Gonglin's eyes widened. He had considered the possibility that Kiana and the Herrscher of the Void might be Sirin, but he had only told Kiana this speculation. He had never taught Kiana to say such things. This girl seemed carefree on the outside, but the subtlety of her thoughts was beyond Shen Gonglin's imagination. She was too amazing.

"Heh... Even the same memory will appear as different scenes in different eyes. I don't know what you think, and I don't care. My purpose in coming into this world is to destroy everything and bring about its demise. Humanity created Sirin's suffering, and must also bear her wrath and pay the price. No one can escape from this vortex."

Kiana's words seemed to have no effect on the Herrscher of the Void. Even so, what could she do? Even if Kiana was another wish of Sirin, it didn't mean she would lose to her. That kind of pain was unforgettable. The Herrscher of the Void knew what she had to do.

"The chain of hatred has no end; you are just creating new suffering just like the humans you hate the most."

Kiana shook her head. She knew that such words could not stop the Herrscher of the Void, but she still wanted to say it. She wanted her to understand the meaning of her choice. Could the positive and the negative really never be understood or coexist?

"But you can't stop me. Count how many people have been affected by you so far, how many have been dragged into this endless nightmare? They've been displaced, homeless, and even lost their lives, and you can only watch it all happen, powerless to do anything. Oh, and by the way, because of you, this little guy has also been hurt."

As the Herrscher of the Void snapped her fingers, a familiar dragon's roar rang out. Kiana stared in astonishment at the white Dragon-Type Honkai Beast that appeared before her. Belenaus? Wasn't it... already dead?

"Come on, defeat it, give it the final blow, you've already killed it once anyway."

The Herrscher of the Void controlled Belenaus to attack Kiana, and Kiana thus confirmed another thing: it seemed that this was indeed not the Domination Theater anymore, but a shared consciousness space between the two of them. If that was the case, then she should also be able to do something.

"See? So what if you're also Sirin? The core choice is still me. You don't have the will to fight me. Do you really think you can defeat me? Even the illusion I created was so difficult for you. You don't really think you can beat me, do you?"

The battle didn't last long, as if it was just to break down Kiana's mental defenses. Belenaus's phantom lay sprawled to one side, while Kiana, panting heavily, looked on in such a sorry state. How could she possibly be a match for her?

"Kiana, use the power of the Herrscher of the Void. All along, it hasn't been the Herrscher Core rejecting you, but you rejecting the Herrscher Core ... You and she are one. There's no reason she can use the Herrscher of the Void's abilities while you can't. Quickly..."

Seeing Kiana struggling in the battle, Shen Gonglin couldn't help but offer a word of advice. This kind of help clearly angered the Herrscher of the Void. She had already said that he only needed to be a spectator, but helping her like this... was he afraid that she would lose to him? As expected, what he wanted was her, not himself!

"So noisy!"

With an angry wave of her hand, even though Shen Gonglin also possessed the abilities of the Herrscher of the Void, the Herrscher of the Void still had absolute control in this space of consciousness that belonged to them. The light circle instantly engulfed Shen Gonglin. This guy, I'll deal with him properly when I control the body and rule the world!

"Shen Gonglin... what did you do to him?"

Kiana glared at the spot where Herrscher of the Void Shen Gonglin had disappeared, while the Herrscher of the Void Queen of the Void descended from mid-air, pacing back and forth on the ground like an angry little girl whose wishes had not been fulfilled.

She was really angry.

"Dead! I killed him. Did you think I wouldn't be ruthless? I've torn him apart!"

Hearing the Herrscher say that, Kiana felt relieved. It seemed that Shen Gonglin was alright. In that case, she would face the Herrscher of the Void alone.

Chapter 175

"Shen Gonglin is right. Actually, I've been rejecting the Herrscher Core all along. I'm afraid of the echoes of the past, afraid of accepting the fact that I am one with you. I thought I had made up my mind to face it, but my heart was still unconsciously running away. But this cowardice will end today. I will face all the past that I didn't want to face, those memories that I sealed away, the life that was intertwined with yours. I will cross these and accept... my true self."

Putting her worries about Shen Gonglin aside, Kiana understood that although the Herrscher of the Void spoke harshly, she shouldn't pose much of a threat to Shen Gonglin, because she was just like herself.

The most important thing right now is to accept yourself.

"Alright, since you say you want to accept it, then see it for yourself, experience it all. Our origins, our experiences, our fate. After you've gone through all of this, I want to see what happens to you."

With a wave of her Herrscher of the Void instantly changed the surrounding environment. What an arrogant fellow! Does he think he's invincible just because he saw a few memories? After experiencing that kind of despair firsthand, she doesn't believe she can still maintain her original heart.

In an unknown corner of the Domination Theater, a golden halo unfolded from the sky, and Shen Gonglin fell out of it. Whether it was the malice of the person who created this teleportation channel or not, the opening was more than ten meters above the ground. Shen Gonglin and she realized her height. This guy, all I did was speak up to help Kiana, why is he bullying me like this? So high, does he want me to fall to my death?

Screaming and yelling in the air, Shen Gonglin, suffering from acrophobia, was even prepared to land face-first on the ground. Just then, a flash of red lightning streaked across the Shen Gonglin smelled a familiar fragrance, along with a soft touch...

"Have you touched me enough? I should have made you land face down earlier."

The warm embrace vanished instantly, and in front of Shen Gonglin was Mei, a power-saving version of herself, covering her chest with one hand. The girl's cheeks were flushed with embarrassment and indignation. After arriving at the Domination Theater, she had been exploring, and then she heard Shen Gonglin's scream. Without thinking, she rushed to her rescue, only to be pinched hard by Shen Gonglin. Needless to say, her cheeks were definitely red.