Chapter 523

The white-haired woman's voice was filled with surprise and anger, and then the fragment of memory abruptly ended. Bronya rubbed her head, trying to ease the pain of the sudden memory cutoff. Her mind had been forcibly jolted away by this abruptly ended memory fragment; before Gray Serpent pulled the trigger, that body must have already been completely corroded. And this fragment of memory, with him as the protagonist, had naturally come to an end. However, aside from increasingly incomprehensible confusion, the girl still gained nothing.

"Yutu... like Bronya, she didn't just appear in Siberia. It's more like... she was born in Siberia. No wonder this place is a snowfield. And... her temperament back then was completely different from now. So, what did she go through?"

Drawing on her past experiences, Bronya made a vague guess, but she didn't dwell on it for too long. After all, her willingness to read through that old story wasn't simply to understand the other person. She wasn't Shen Gonglin; if it were his past, Bronya would have happily watched it all night with popcorn.

So now... let's move on to the next step.

"Heavy-duty Rabbit, how many Archetype Seed are left here?"

Upon accessing another memory, Bronya felt something was still amiss... Thinking of something, Bronya asked. Her longtime mechanical assistant then gave her a number.

[16]

"Huh? You didn't miscount?"

Despite asking this seemingly impossible question, Heavy-duty Rabbit still reported the number 16, indicating that while Bronya was trying to advance further, her opponent had already implanted more new information into her surroundings. At this rate, any further attempts to advance would only lead her further away from the finish line. Although the scenario was similar, this was clearly not an ordinary game; in the time it took Bronya to make a move, her opponent had already placed more than ten pieces.

"So that's how it is. Someone was cheating from the very beginning."

It was visible to the naked eye that the number of Archetype Seed in the vicinity was constantly increasing, and at this rate, it would be impossible for him to peel off all the Archetype Seed.

The opposite of Schariac Holy Blood is the idea that it will deepen the influence of Honkai energy... If she was the first Form to exist in the world, even though Siberia was an abandoned land, Schicksal and Anti-Entropy couldn't have been completely unaware. So... did the Second Honkai become a cover for her?

Before she could even think this far, Heavy-duty Rabbit's count had already surpassed 30. For every step she took, others could take ten. This kind of disadvantage seemed almost insurmountable, and the situation seemed extremely difficult... However, in order to deal with herself and the Herrscher of Reason, she had in fact revealed her past as her trump card.

So, Bronya's mind raced, and she came up with a way to break the current situation. If Shen Gonglin were here, she really wanted to show off her intelligence to him. She would be even happier if he praised her.

So now, what Bronya needs to do next is... Heavy-duty Rabbit announced the number 33, which is the progress of the other party's transformation, and at this moment, the girl also confirmed that she should stick to the strategy.

Bronya must go through that history to find her weaknesses and improve her tactics. In other words, she should continue trying to peel away... this seemingly clumsy method should probably be kept secret from Shen Gonglin.

With this in mind, Bronya continued to explore these "historical" events, and this history... seemed to be when Yuto tried to end her own life?

"No... no... it can't be, I... I should be dead, why..."

Siberia, the land forsaken by the gods. She, this pure ideal named after Saniyat, descended once more. In the deep snow, she cried and crawled, trying to find any living thing around her, but... just as when she first came to earth, everything in her presence was instantly Honkai and eroded, and after a brief and futile struggle, it completely perished right before her eyes.

There must be some way... there must be some way to end all of this. There is absolutely no thing in this world that cannot be destroyed. I must... I must try again.

In her memory, Yuuto prepares to continue her suicide attempt, while Bronya has accessed this memory, rests her chin on her hand, deep in thought. Sure enough, just like all the others she's seen before, a story ends after the memory's owner dies... But despite this, she always finds herself participating in all of this from Yuuto's perspective. Why...?

If all of this truly made her wish she were dead... then why was she able to appear before them today as if nothing had happened? What happened in between?

Bronya was deep in thought, while the memory of the Feathered Rabbit continued its journey across the snowfield. The aimless Honkai Beast on the snowfield instinctively attacked her upon seeing a "living creature," but the abnormal Honkai energy she caused was too much for even the Honkai Beast to withstand. Before they even reached her, the Honkai Beast collapsed and dissipated.

If it were an ordinary human being... they would probably have died hundreds of times by now.

Yu Tu continued forward, and then the sounds of battle came from not far away. The girl hesitated and slowly approached. In the distance, there seemed to be a mecha unit fighting against Honkai Beast. Obviously, like all those who were unwilling to leave their homeland after the Second Honkai, this squad had not rashly entered this ravaged land. However, it seemed that they were about to lose.

Chapter 418 A One-in-a-Million Qualified Person

Upon seeing someone, Yuto's expression immediately turned worried. She instinctively stepped forward, wanting to jump down and offer help, but her actions at this moment only seemed to reach that level.

If I get close, they'll probably die instantly.

Filled with deep conflict and self-blame, Yu Tu found that all she could do seemed to be stand still and watch, and just then, the Gray Serpent appeared beside her once again.

"It seems that after all these attempts, you have finally learned a better way to deal with them."

Gray Serpent spoke, holding his umbrella, standing alone in the wind and snow, gazing at the hellish path the woman had created simply by walking. Judging from his attitude, he seemed to have been waiting here for a long time. His voice made Feather Rabbit raise her head. The girl bit her lip and remained silent, and Gray Serpent didn't care whether she responded or not.

Is this... the time when Feather Rabbit and Gray Serpent meet?

Through Yuuto's perspective, Bronya begins to learn about the past of this Stigmata type.

"I understand how you feel right now. After all... those Honkai Beasts were created precisely because of your existence."

Finally, Yu Tu spoke.

"... I don't know who you are, nor how much you know about me, but if you still value your life, please try to stay away from me."

The girl spoke slowly, then she no longer paid attention to the newcomer. Yu Tu raised her head to look at the battle not far away. Although she thought she had learned not to take strangers too seriously, watching the battle gradually take its course, she couldn't help but feel sadness in her eyes. This feeling of being unable to do anything about it was truly nauseating.

"It's alright. I've patiently calculated the radius of your influence, and I happen to be standing within it. Besides, since I've decided to come before you, death is a perfectly acceptable price to pay."

Gray Serpent shook the black umbrella in his hand. His mechanical profile was faintly visible. "Everyone believes that the irregular Honkai eruptions in Siberia are a remnant of the Second Honkai... but that's not the case, is it?"

Gray Serpent said this, but Feather Rabbit's attention was clearly not on that. She shifted her focus slightly to the newcomer and finally noticed his unusual behavior. He didn't seem to be an ordinary human; this mechanical aura...

"... Is it remote control technology? You're not here?"

"I am omnipresent, but according to the definition of that creator, the body standing before you can indeed be called life, even human. To be fair, I also hope you can answer my question."

By revealing his "secrets," Gray Serpent brought the issue back to the present. The source of the irregular outbreaks of Honkai in Siberia should be this seemingly harmless girl in front of him. The Lord needs her presence, which is why he is standing here.

"Since you're already convinced I'm the culprit behind everything, why ask the question you already know the answer to?"

Fairness? Yu Tu doesn't mind adhering to this so-called fairness to some extent, which can be considered an answer to his question: Was it himself who caused this situation?

"I came here originally to find a candidate for another mission. When I set off, I never expected that you would be my greatest gain. Unfortunately, it is only today that I have the opportunity to see you in person. Your form of existence is unstable, which, while preventing Schicksal and Anti-Entropy from realizing your existence, has also created some obstacles for me in finding you. In the past, whenever I finally obtained a clue, your form would involuntarily disappear from the real world and return to the place of the concept... the Stigmata Space."

Gray Serpent's words finally piqued Yu Tu's interest. The girl widened her eyes slightly, revealing a surprised expression. She had never expected that he knew about this.

"Ah, don't be surprised. Among those who have witnessed the miracles of the Stigmata, I am actually one of those who know very little. So... you still can't stabilize your own existence in reality?"

Having asked this question, Yu Tu's expression quickly returned to normal, as if to stabilize her existence in reality and remain there indefinitely.

"I shouldn't have been here in the first place; I should have disappeared completely. And yet, you still found me."

"That's simply because you and I are too similar. In terms of self-perception, I am, like you, a byproduct of something that should have disappeared. However... aside from certain beliefs about a grand vision, I can be seen as a businessman. And that is why I came to find you."

Looking at the girl in front of him, Gray Serpent decided to make a deal with her.

A businessman? Yu Tu certainly understood the meaning of "businessman," but for the moment she really couldn't think of anything she had that she could use as a bargaining chip.

"I would like to invite you... to join World Serpent."

Having stated his purpose, Yu Tu also thought of what he could be used as a bargaining chip. Was it because he coveted his ability to cause indiscriminate death to all living beings around him? Well then, I'm sorry.

"Unfortunately, if you want to use me as a weapon, you've come to the wrong person. And even putting aside my own wishes... in trying to use me to hurt others, you'll end up hurting yourselves first."

Yu Tu shook her head, unwilling to agree to this so-called deal. Did they want to use her as a weapon to hurt others? That was impossible, and if they did, they would undoubtedly be the ones who got hurt.

"Oh... you misunderstand. You are not a weapon more powerful than the Lord. In my opinion, your nature is not important... what you are capable of is what matters."

Gray Serpent shook his head, denying Feather Rabbit's words. In terms of combat power, the Lord was the sharpest sword in the world. They didn't need Feather Rabbit to perform the same work as the Lord. Her significance lay elsewhere.

"What can I do...? You want me to activate the Stigmata within a human body?"

Since they didn't want her to be used as a weapon, Yu Tu thought of her other ability: activating the Stigmata within humans. Was this what the organization called World Serpent wanted her to do?

"No, that's not it. Although you can do it as easily as breathing, which can be called a divine skill... the World Serpent also has its own technology to achieve it. Besides, you also understand the limitations of that method; only one in ten thousand is suitable for it."

Chapter 419 Foul

If they don't want to use you as a weapon, nor do they want you to activate the Stigmata within a human body, then what exactly does this organization called World Serpent want you to do?

"Perhaps, it's something you consider worthless. Oh..."

At this point, Gray Serpent suddenly paused, turning his head to look at the battlefield to the side. The screams of the Honkai Beast had long since faded away. Just as they had expected, only the wreckage of mechs remained on the pale ground, waiting to be buried by the snow.

"It seems they didn't make it. So, at this moment, do you still feel remorse for not being able to save them? Or is it that killing them with your own hands would lessen your guilt?"

Turning her gaze away from the ruins of the battlefield, Gray Serpent could see the sorrow in Feather Rabbit's eyes. She was helpless in this situation; there was nothing she could do but stand by and watch. She wanted to help them, but the result was that they died even faster.

To offer help... In the beginning, Yuto tried to confine herself to a cave inaccessible to humans, thinking that this would prevent her from harming anyone. At that time, she didn't know that the "amplification" she brought would cause Honkai Beast to be generated endlessly. Soon after, she herself sensed the disaster they caused. If her senses were like those of an ordinary person, she would probably have remained comfortably imprisoned there, believing that she had done everything she could and that she wouldn't cause any damage to the world.

But...every time she reappeared in this world, pain, resentment, death...similar thoughts would relentlessly surge forth from all directions. It was then that Yuuto understood that even though she didn't approach any being, she was undoubtedly the source of the disaster. Later...she left that place, trying to make amends for her mistakes with her own hands. For example, by eliminating the Honkai Beast. Those Honkai Beast were naturally no match for her, but...the result was that while she could indeed save people from being torn apart by the Honkai Beast, her presence only allowed them to die in another way, without exception.

"Perhaps it would seem like I'm being nosy to say this... but in my opinion, no one should be held responsible for their own talent."

At this moment, the Gray Serpent interjected, but the feathered rabbit just smiled helplessly.

No matter what, I am Saniyat. I am the embodiment of this ideal of salvation, and I cannot forgive myself for the reasons the Gray Serpent gave me. That strongest Valkyrie sacrificed more than half of her blood to allow countless humans and families on this snowfield to survive, and I... So, I cannot convince myself with such a reason.

"I understand. So that's why you thought of awakening the Stigmata within humans, trying to make them adaptable to you?"

Gray Serpent's words caused Yu Tu's expression to freeze for a moment. The girl clenched her hands, her nails digging into her palms.

"... I wish I had never had that thought."

"It's not hard to understand. That was indeed a massacre in the secular sense."

"As you can see, if my birth was a curse... but now, I have made myself a monster. What do you want from a monster like me... and what can you possibly gain?"

Feather Rabbit asked this question, but these words did not make Gray Serpent abandon his original purpose. In his view, she had not realized her own role at all.

"As expected. You didn't mention anything about what I really cared about. In your view, it was indeed just a pointless expedient. Of course, even with precedents, I'm still not sure you can really do it. So... the true purpose of my life should be revealed at this moment."

His words carried the awareness of a martyr. Yu Tu looked around slightly, wondering what the true purpose of his life was.

"There is an action that, in your view, is merely a means of preserving people's stories, without truly redeeming those who died because of you. But to me, it represents a miraculous future. Because of your nature, I am gradually dying, beyond saving. Come, just as you once did... transcribe my existence in reality into pure data, and preserve it in a rational form. After obtaining everything from me, through a communication method far more efficient than language, you will know... what the true Stigmata Plan is."

The Gray Serpent opened its arms as if preparing to meet death, and that memory stopped at that moment, abruptly ending. Bronya, upon receiving this information, was also stunned.

Yuto, she is not only the key to the Stigmata Plan, but even... to some extent... the origin? That means... Bronya looked at the memories that had just been extracted, this record named "7125 The Legend of the Gray Serpent" by Yuto's consciousness, like all the Archetype Seed here, was once a living existence in the real world.

As they faced their impending demise, all or some of their experiences were transcribed by Yuto and preserved as data on the Stigmata side. And right now, the information implantation she is performing on the Herrscher of Reason is a similar, but simpler and more direct, process.

That means that she is more skilled than anyone else at this game chosen by Yu Tu, and can even use the Stigmata Plan to cheat for herself.

Thinking of this, the girl turned her head. In her vision, it was difficult to find any chess piece that resembled herself; they were all occupied by Yuuto's memories. Of course, she no longer needed Heavy-duty Rabbit's counting.

This behavior... acting as both player and referee, trying to apply her rules, is futile. There is no more time or opportunity. I must now find the key to turning the tide using everything I know, or... give up completely and surrender everything to the Herrscher of Reason.

Bronya certainly wouldn't do that, but up to this point, she truly had no direct means to retaliate. Prometheus's help was meaningless given Yuuto's cheating. In other words, if she wanted to achieve final victory, she had to reverse her thinking.

Think about it, Bronya, what choices should you make in this situation to turn the tide and win?

Chapter 420 Colleagues in My Memories

However, Prometheus was right about one thing: changing the way the Herrscher Core is organized could indeed allow Bronya to overturn the game. But even if she wanted to do that... before that, Bronya needed an opportunity she had never had before.

Bronya's mind raced as she calmly considered the situation. In any case, Feathered Rabbit, to a certain extent, represented the operational essence of the Stigmata Plan; one could even say she was backed by another, much larger Herrscher of Reason. This project didn't just involve 300,000 people, but attempted to encompass all of humanity.

As events have consistently suggested, Yuto had no reason to be so fixated on the Herrscher of Reason; from a purely professional standpoint, all the Herrscher of Reason needed was a seal...

Thankfully, Shen Gonglin isn't here, otherwise these brain-taxing things would definitely overwhelm him. He needs to grasp every factor of the situation. Calmness and thinking are Bronya's greatest strengths. Think about it, is there anything else he might have missed... Right!

Recalling the suspicious points she had just noticed, the girl came to a seemingly extreme conjecture... To verify this conjecture, Bronya raised her hand and cleared the surrounding space to construct various weapons. They were somewhat different from the previous perfect constructions. Although they could not be perfectly replicated, they were sufficient for use.

Within this space, Bronya was indeed no match for the power of the Stigmata Plan. However, it wasn't without an opportunity to overturn the game; all she needed was a trigger. With unwavering confidence, the girl prepared to implement her strategy.

Under the girl's manipulation, these imperfectly constructed weapons abruptly turned the muzzles of their dangerous lasers toward her own body, the location where her body housed the Herrscher Core. This seemingly suicidal act... I hope my guess is right.

The girl closed her eyes and parted her thin, cherry-like lips slightly.

"Bronya, I concede defeat."

"... Did we fail after all? Did we Bronya, did..."

In another space, after Bronya made that decision, Yuto sighed softly. Beside him, Shen Gonglin waited for her explanation, looking completely bewildered. After regaining consciousness from her brief coma, she found herself with Yuto, while Kiana, Mei, and Bronya were not by her side. As Shen Gonglin considered whether she should just deal with Yuto, she blurted out those words to herself.

What did she fail at? And who is this "she" she's talking about? Why do people like to use riddles? Can't they just speak properly?

"I know you have a lot of questions, but wait a minute... Ah, it seems it's really over."

Turning to smile at Shen Gonglin, Yuto briefly closed her eyes to sense the situation. In her perception, Bronya's resistance had completely vanished. At this point, the Herrscher of Reason's power seemed to have completely fallen into the hands of this World Serpent executive. Perhaps Bronya felt that, until now, she had been playing a game of chess with her?

Bronya might think so, but from Yuuto's perspective, the game was already over by the time Bronya became aware and took action. For her, not only did she not need to fight against her with all her might, she could even leisurely reminisce about her past self with her opponent... thereby solidifying her current desire for the Herrscher of Reason.

From beginning to end, all Yu Tu needed to do was occasionally distract herself by reclaiming the lost territory. With the help of the Stigmata Plan, this was easy.

"Do you think I lacked planning? What if... I had shown her this whole story from the beginning?"

She turned to look at Shen Gonglin, as if seeking his opinion, but Shen Gonglin still couldn't understand what she was talking about. Had Bronya failed? Shen Gonglin didn't quite believe it; that girl should have a Plan B.

"I don't know what Bronya is planning... but you just appeared in front of me like this. I was wondering if killing you would help stop the Stigmata Plan? Anyway, you're definitely an enemy, right?"

Shen Gonglin sharpened his sword and glared at Hato. He didn't care about anything else; all he wanted to do now was slaughter. Since Hato was the one who caused all this trouble, wouldn't taking care of Hato help the current situation?

"Not necessarily. Maybe I'm not an enemy. After all, in terms of relationships, I should be considered Bronya's little... Hmm, it all makes sense."

Having no intention of fighting Shen Gonglin, Yuto couldn't explain why she wanted to stay with Shen Gonglin. Perhaps she wanted to share her memories with someone? Unable to figure it out, she dismissed these unnecessary thoughts and turned her gaze to the mountains and terrain in her memory.

"Look, this is Siberia ... the Ural Mountains. Come to think of it, I've never been back here since then."

As Shen Gonglin described the scene before her, just like Bronya had just had her memories invaded, Yuto's gaze moved uncontrollably. This made her smile bitterly to herself. Even if this was a story she had recorded, could she only see it from another version of herself, like Bronya?

"Come on, let's walk through this together again. I think you'll be interested in this memory too."