Chapter 342

Bronya explained the situation in a low voice. Even Bronya didn't know how to solve the current situation. Indeed, as the doll said, there was only one way to get to Kiana's area. However, they couldn't kill this kind of enemy. It was a difficult situation.

"... It's alright, leave it to me. It seems there's no other way. The Herrscher of Consciousness shouldn't have gone too far. Bronya, I'll sever their connection with their host. I severed the connection between Sirin and the Honkai Consciousness during the Second Honkai, and the principle is similar."

When Fu Hua saw the Herrscher of Consciousness, this thought came to her mind: there was only one way to break through the puppet's defenses without harming the human host.

"But, Class President, you no longer have Feather Dust."

Fu Hua spoke with such ease, but Bronya knew the danger of the matter. It was definitely not as easy as the Class President made it out to be. The Class President said that the Feather Dust had already dissipated, but could she really do it with her current abilities?

"That's right, I can't do it with my own power, so I have to rely on the power of the Herrscher of Consciousness. Although it's a bit dangerous, I have to try. This distance shouldn't be a problem."

Using Herrscher's power in the Domination Theater is dangerous, but even if it means having her power taken away, she'll do it anyway. Fu Hua closed her eyes and sank into the depths of her consciousness. The Herrscher of Consciousness was also in the Domination Theater, so establishing contact should be easy. Although she felt a little guilty towards her, well... she could just have Shen Gonglin apologize to her later. She had already apologized to many people because of him, so making him apologize to her once more wouldn't be a big deal.

Fu Hua felt the heavy chain. One end of the chain was connected to her, and the other end was connected to some unknown place. The person on the other end still refused to move an inch in this direction. What a stubborn and arrogant person. Even Shen Gonglin was not as difficult to deal with as her.

Listen to me, I know you can hear me. Kiana is in danger, and I need your help. I need your assistance.

Fu Hua's inner whisper received a response; the chains trembled slightly, and after a moment of silence, the voice of Shibao came through.

[Ugh... You old fogies, you guys are always bothering me, aren't you tired of it?! Can't you just pretend you don't see me? I have nothing to do with you. I'm only here because someone asked me to. Don't tell me you need my help. Do you think I don't know that using my Herrscher ability on these guys will steal my power?]

Knowing that pretending to be silent and not hearing would be useless, Shibao, hiding in an unknown corner of the theater, responded helplessly. Did this old fogey think she was stupid? What did she mean by needing her help? She just wanted to use her as a pawn.

Do I look really stupid? No way, Shibao think I'm pretty smart.

Chapter 187 You Can't Trust Beautiful Women

[You've really got a good plan, haven't you? What's this all about? Are you trying to use someone else to do your dirty work, or kill two birds with one stone? Oh, I see. You must have been turned into one of those wooden puppets, right? Heh, I guess so. Your failed life would easily be crushed by them, unlike me. Someone as smart and capable as me wouldn't be played by these wooden puppets.]

Shibao's voice was smug. She knew that Fu Hua had not been defeated by the puppet, but she just wanted to annoy Fu Hua. Why would she think she would help her? Because of her pretty face? She had that face too, and she didn't want to help Fu Hua!

I am not one of them, and now they are using the lives of innocent people to blackmail me. I need your help.

Fu Hua patiently explained to Shibao, but Shibao wasn't so easily appeased. Did she think the feud between them could be resolved so easily? She had lost so badly back then, and if she wanted to apologize now, she should at least bow and kowtow three times and then send Shen Gonglin Lin to her in a box. Why did she think she would help her just because she said a few words?

[You say you haven't changed, so you haven't changed? If you haven't changed, why are you trying to fool me into handing over your power?]

No, this is not surrendering our power. As long as we defeat them, our strength will not be taken away, and we will triumph.

Fu Hua patiently tried to persuade Shibao, but Shibao was not interested in such things at all. The only person she cared about was Shen Gonglin. It was Shen Gonglin who asked her to be here, not because of her. So she said they would win... Heh.

[Hmm, great! Let's applaud your future victory—Hmph, but what does this have to do with me?]

Shibao continued her sarcastic remarks, Fu Hua sighed inwardly. It seemed she still couldn't reason with her. If she could, she really didn't want things to be like this... She would try a little harder.

Kiana needs you.

[No way, no way? Isn't what she needs the Class President?]

I need you too.

"Don't say that, it's so cheesy. I just want Shen Gonglin to need me. If you promise to keep your distance from Shen Gonglin in the future, then maybe I can..."

Upon hearing Fu Hua's words, Shibao felt a little... well, how could this girl say something like that without batting an eye? What, that she needs him? Tsk tsk, it sounds so cheesy.

"That's impossible! Don't even think about it! I'd rather die than agree to it."

Before Shibao could finish speaking, Fu Hua decisively refused. She wasn't Kiana, who would willingly pick up a hat and put it on her own head. To make her keep her distance from Shen Gonglin over this matter? Did this Herrscher of Consciousness think she was stupid?

[You old fogey! What kind of attitude is this? You expect me to help you with this? Don't even think about it! I'd rather die than agree!]

Fu Hua's attitude infuriated Shibao. Look at that, is this how you ask for help? Fu Hua seemed to be reflecting on her attitude just now. She couldn't help it, she couldn't help it when it involved Shen Gonglin. This was a matter of sovereignty, the kind that cannot be violated in the slightest. Feeling the force on the other end of the chain weaken slightly, Fu Hua took a deep breath and continued her efforts. Come on, just a little more.

[I understand... Kiana once denied you, but after spending time together, you realized she wasn't a bad person. Her denial that you were Fu Hua wasn't because she disliked you; quite the opposite, we all believe you are an independent person, a unique soul. You have your own thoughts, your own principles, and the unwavering dedication to upholding those principles. You don't need to care who you are, because you can decide who you want to become.]

Fu Hua tried to tell Shibao what was on her mind. She would never have said such things before, because she was not good at it at all. But after spending so much time with Seele, she had learned to do it this way... Could it be that Shen Gonglin often asked her to talk to Seele more for this kind of moment?

"Perhaps coaxing those Herrscher of Consciousness will have a miraculous effect," was what Shen Gonglin told herself back then.

[I've always wanted to tell you this... Kiana, and I, we both want you to come back.]

After speaking, Fu Hua waited for the Herrscher of Consciousness's response, but she became somewhat anxious. Reality did not allow her time for a long conversation. If the Shibao continued to ridicule her, she might have to think of another way.

[Hmph, you seem to be a little better at talking than those wooden dolls... Well then, from Monday to Friday, you're not allowed to talk to Shen Gonglin. Keep your distance from him, and maybe I can help you a little that way...]

How come this old man is so eloquent? Does everyone want me to come back? If that's the case, going back isn't out of the question. Shibao is fighting for her legitimate rights. As long as she doesn't have designs on her man, it's not impossible to communicate.

[Impossible.]

To everyone's surprise, Fu Hua flatly refused. Shibao had expected this, since the price he had asked was indeed a bit excessive. No problem, he could negotiate.

[Then, on odd-numbered days each week...]

Shibao lowered its stakes, but Fu Hua has always been very serious about these kinds of issues. She's determined not to give an inch. How could she possibly try to use this as a bargaining chip? There's no going back once, Fu Hua would never do that.

Forget about it, it's impossible, not even for a day. Give up!

Fu Hua's resolute attitude nearly made Shibao furious. Was this really how she asked for help? She actually wanted his help? No way!

[Fine, I gave you a chance but you didn't use it. In the end, this is a mess you made yourself! Whoever caused the trouble should clean it up... Yes, if you're so capable, go and deal with it yourselves...]

The conversation inevitably broke down. It seems Fu Hua still hasn't mastered the art of coaxing children. No time to waste arguing with Shibao any longer, Fu Hua sensed the chains loosening and released the power she had been accumulating. Shibao ...

I'm sorry!

Taking advantage of the Herrscher of Consciousness's momentary lapse in concentration, Fu Hua forcefully pulled on the iron chain, and the power instantly poured into her. Although she felt somewhat apologetic, given the urgency of the situation, she had no time to worry about it.

[You old-fashioned relic! You...]

Realizing she'd been tricked, Shibao's voice trailed off. "Damn it, I should have listened to Shen Gonglin!" she thought. But who would have thought that such a rigid, old-fashioned woman would fall into this kind of telecom fraud?

Chapter 188 Unexpected Support

The long-lost feeling of power returned to her body. Although Fu Hua felt a little guilty for deceiving a newborn child, perhaps because she had spent too much time with Shen Gonglin, this fairy-like Class President had learned to temporarily hide her conscience. Now she didn't have time to argue with the Herrscher of Consciousness, so this was the only way to regain her power as soon as possible.

Not much, but enough, right now!

Fu Hua has returned to her Chiyuan form, her gray hair turning blazing white. In her Immortal Chiyuan form, Fu Hua can do things she couldn't do before. Flame birds fall from the sky, and attacks mixed with the Herrscher Authority of Consciousness are very effective against the puppets that connect the human hosts to them. The sound of the threads breaking can be heard, and with this attack, the connection is finally severed.

"What? You couldn't use that power... Damn it, I took away the power of the Herrscher of Consciousness!"

Without a human host to threaten them, the puppets knew their fate was sealed, but they absolutely couldn't let them get away with it! If it were a fully-fledged Herrscher of Consciousness, they definitely wouldn't be able to take it, just like they would with Raiden Mei. But they weren't afraid of Fu Hua, a half-baked Herrscher who was tricked and bullied by children. If someone dared to do something like that, they had to be prepared to have their power taken away!

"Hmm... I see. So this is what it feels like to have your power taken away?"

A strange sensation came from her body. Fu Hua rubbed her head and returned to her previous state. This was even worse than the trial card. However, it was the only way to break the deadlock. She just felt a little sorry for her.

"Class President, how is the Herrscher of Consciousness doing?"

Knowing what Fu Hua had done, Bronya asked her with some concern. The Class President and that Herrscher of Consciousness didn't have a good relationship to begin with, and this time she even used such a fraudulent method to obtain her power. She'll probably be very angry this time, and it won't be easy to appease her. Sigh, this is really difficult.

"She's fine... It's just that our conversation was interrupted. I guess I'll have to have a proper talk with her next time. She didn't inform me beforehand and just forced me to do this... I forced her when she was only slightly swayed... Sigh, now that I think about it, it really shouldn't have been like this. It's probably because I'm often with Shen Gonglin Jingu. You become like those you associate with."

Fu Hua shook her head. She guessed that she had really offended the Herrscher of Consciousness this time, but there was nothing she could do about it.

"She must be furious right now."

Bronya said this aloud, but in her heart she was actually thinking, "The Class President has really gone astray. Whether it's her attitude towards the Herrscher of Consciousness or her current attempt to shift the blame onto Shen Gonglin, it all proves that the Class President has changed quite a bit and seems to be more like a normal girl."

"I will find her and apologize to her properly. I can grant her any request as long as it's not excessive... This is also a problem I must solve, but for now, let's rescue Kiana first. Now we can safely break in."

Fu Hua shook her head and put this troublesome matter aside for the time being. Things had to be done one at a time. Now that the connection between the doll and its host had been severed, the two of them could finally be free to do as they pleased.

"Damn it! Don't even think about getting through here. So what if we lost a few hostages? We gained the power of the Herrscher of Consciousness! A one-for-one trade is a perfect deal!"

The dolls swarmed forward, eager to use their new toys. Herrscher of Consciousness, they used their power to control consciousness and showed the consequences of being interfered with by their own power. They actually used Herrscher Authority to exchange for the lives of those hostages. These Valkyrie are really all fools!

My field of vision is obstructed; it seems like I can't see anything at all.

The power of the Herrscher of Consciousness affected Bronya, but before the girl could panic, Fu Hua grabbed her hand. Then, the Class President's calm and steady voice rang out. Since she had made that choice, she had a way to deal with it. There was no reason for the Herrscher of Domination to so easily control the power that they had learned through countless trials!

"Calm down, Bronya. They can't use it freely yet. These are just illusions. Stay calm and deal with them. They are no match for us."

Fu Hua closed her eyes and attacked based on instinct. This was not a difficult thing for Fu Hua, a master of martial arts. She had also simulated the possible battle with the Herrscher of Consciousness, so she was not flustered in the current situation. Calm and composed, this was what she should do.

"Interesting, very interesting. What would it be like if the power of the Herrscher of Consciousness were combined with the power of the Herrscher of Reason? If you're so capable, try hitting this thing blindfolded."

The dolls were very happy to receive the new toys. In this space where consciousness was disturbed, blue constructive energy created many mechs. If they opened their eyes, their consciousness would be disturbed, but if they closed their eyes, dealing with these things would indeed be a bit troublesome. It was quite tricky.

"Bronya, set the location in your mind and move towards Kiana. Leave the rest to me."

Bronya had not received any specialized training, Fu Hua was tasked with protecting her. Currently, the puppets could only use the power of the Herrscher of Consciousness to simply interfere with vision, which was still within Fu Hua's ability to handle. Upon hearing this, Bronya chose to trust Fu Hua. Kiana's location should be over there.

"Move that way? Easier said than done. Now that I possess two Herrscher powers, you... Aaaaaaah!"

The dolls stood in front of the two, laughing and joking, but before they could finish speaking, a bolt of red lightning suddenly swept over one of them. A painful scream startled Fu Hua and Bronya. What was happening? Why were the dolls slowly collapsing, and what was this lightning...?

"Red lightning... Is that Shen Gonglin? No, or maybe Mei?"

Bronya couldn't help but show a look of surprise when she saw the lightning. Whether it was Shen Gonglin or Mei, this was powerful support. Now was the time to act!

Meanwhile, Mei, who was isolated from the theater and about to drift back to reality, was using her power recklessly. Red lightning raged in the space. Now, this was the only way she could attack indiscriminately. Whether it was to damage the theater or to help the other people in the theater, Mei was happy to cause trouble for the Mei.

After all, this is the only thing I can do right now.

Chapter 189 Reunion

"Alright, alright, long time no see... Kiana, why are you still crying after such a touching reunion?"

Amidst the blanket of snow in St. Freya, two figures clung tightly to each other, both clad in familiar red armor. Murata Himeko gently stroked Kiana's head, while the white, elfin-like girl held the woman before her tightly, as if afraid that if she let go, she would vanish. Words caught in her throat, struggling to form sentences. The figure before her was so familiar, as if it were still yesterday, as if she had never left.

A whimper, like that of a wounded animal, came from Kiana's throat. She couldn't utter a single word, but Himeko understood; she knew what Kiana wanted to say.

"Did I... appear too suddenly?"

Gently stroking Kiana's head, Himeko whispered these words. To be able to see Kiana at this time was already a blessing from heaven. She looked up behind Kiana but didn't see another figure... Then Himeko shook her head. People shouldn't be too greedy.

Unable to speak due to her emotions, Kiana could only shake her head vigorously. Himeko smiled gently and released Kiana. The red-haired woman looked at her student with a very gratified expression.

"That's good... Kiana, you've changed so much."

Slender, long fingers gently wiped away the tears from the corners of the girl's eyes. She clearly remembered that Kiana used to be so clumsy, but looking at Kiana now, Himeko felt a sense of reliability. It seemed that during the time she was away, the girl she had always wanted to protect had grown into someone who could protect others.

"Hmm... Teacher Himeko, you haven't changed at all."

Kiana finally regained her ability to speak, her voice trembling with a hint of tears. She had imagined their reunion countless times, but now... what happened?

"Really? Well, I'm actually quite happy to hear that."

She smiled gently at Kiana, which was the best blessing for a woman of her age. But it couldn't be changed now, could it? Forever twenty-seven years old, it felt pretty good.

"Teacher Himeko... this is just a remnant of consciousness, isn't it?"

Kiana's excitement gradually subsided, and the truth she least wanted to face resurfaced before Kiana eyes. Although she wanted to deny it, neither St. Freya in front of her nor Murata Himeko, who exuded warmth just by standing there, were they... merely afterimages residing in the jewel?

"... Right, at least time doesn't flow here. But we can still talk like this. I'm sorry I couldn't always be by your side."

With a hint of sadness in her eyes, Himeko still mustered her spirits and patted Kiana's head again. This child must have gone through a lot during this time, otherwise she wouldn't have become like this. If she could, she really wanted to stay by Kiana's side and grow up with her, but now... really, she can't do that anymore.

"No, it's okay... I'm glad to see Teacher Himeko again. At least, I can say goodbye to you properly in this way."

Kiana took a deep breath, raised her head, and tried to smile at Himeko. The silly, carefree girl from before had become like this; it was truly like a lifetime ago. Kiana was no longer the same as before.

"Kiana... really, I'm sure I'm not the only one who thinks you've changed a lot, right?"

Time is both the worst and the best teacher. The girl in front of her was completely different from the one she remembered, but the sparkle in her azure eyes made Himeko extremely gratified. This girl has grown up. And isn't all of this her responsibility, their responsibility? Seeing Kiana now, Himeko felt that she had also found her own life goal.

"Hmm... Everyone says that, but only Shen Gonglin says I haven't changed at all... I'm still the same as before when I'm with him."

Kiana smiled at Himeko. She knew what her teacher was worried about. It was alright; this was a part of her growth that she had to go through. But even so, she still had a safe haven... Was it just her imagination? Why did Himeko's expression seem a little stiff just now? It must be her imagination.

"Is that so? The relationship between the two of you is indeed... So, you ultimately defeated the Herrscher of the Void, right?"

Biting her lip, Himeko changed the subject. After all, she didn't want to die with a mouthful of dog food in her mouth. The fact that Kiana was here and had become like this meant that she had done what she wanted Kiana to do.

"Yes, this is also thanks to everyone's help."

"Ha, I believed you could do it. Let's not talk about that now. Kiana, do you want to go back to St. Freya for a visit?"

Pointing to the snow-covered academy behind her, Himeko chatted with Kiana, feeling that it was better to stay there.

"Yes, I'd love to."

The two walked into the St. Freya Academy side by side, eager to share their thoughts with each other.

"Damn it, I really don't know why I'm doing this for you... Human, are you treating me like a laborer?"

In the purple, ethereal world of imaginary numbers, two small figures traversed the towering, rugged peaks of imaginary numbers. At this moment, the Herrscher of the Void showed no dignity befitting a queen; she was diligently lifting rocks in search of something. The queen felt like a mischievous child catching crabs in a stream, her eyes, adorned with golden star rings, glaring at Shen Gonglin Herrscher of the Void, who was doing the same thing.

If I had known I would have to do this kind of work with him, I would have preferred to be dead. He just saved me and now he makes me do this. He doesn't even try to comfort me. The Herrscher of the Void feels like a stupid wife who has been tricked into a ditch. Not only have I not enjoyed a single good day, but I also have to do hard labor. I would rather be dead!