The Real Cheat Code in Honkai Is Alicia! Chapter 32

Listening to Gwen's introduction, Raiden Mei nodded lightly. She couldn't help comparing the two in her mind, but in the end, she still shook her head somewhat dejectedly.

"They're completely like two different people..."

Although, as a former seasoned chuunibyou, Raiden Mei could easily accept Kiana's kind of setting, actually saying that two utterly different figures were the same person was still somewhat difficult for her to accept.

Chapter 58: Mei's Embarrassing Little Thoughts...

Moreover, as she compared the images of Kiana and the Queen in her mind, Raiden Mei's thoughts began to wander, and she involuntarily started imagining what she would look like if she truly handed her body over to the consciousness in her mind—

Long hair like the Herrscher of the Void's, loose and flowing amid surging energy, lightning crackling around her body, as though she were...

"That's enough!"

Though she figured that if she truly appeared, she would probably look much like what Raiden Mei had imagined, actually watching Raiden Mei slowly construct that scene in her mind still made the second consciousness in Mei's head feel a burst of embarrassment and annoyance. She hurriedly spoke up to interrupt Raiden Mei's imagination.

"You should've graduated from your chuunibyou phase by now, shouldn't you?!"

"...Sorry..."

Realizing that there was another resident in her mind, Raiden Mei blinked, immediately feeling guilty. She spoke softly, abandoned the half-formed image, and looked toward Gwen on the sofa to her left.

"Then... Gwen, how will Schicksal treat Kiana?

Will they imprison her, or...?"

Raiden Mei had seen records about Herrschers in the materials Gwen had previously given her while introducing the existence of Honkai. She knew that the first two recorded Herrschers had both died.

Because of that, Raiden Mei couldn't help worrying about what kind of future awaited Kiana...

"Don't worry, Mei. Kiana won't be in any danger of losing her life."

Gwen could easily guess what Raiden Mei was thinking. After reassuring her, he continued explaining.

"Perhaps Bishop Otto has no feelings for Kiana, but between a living Herrscher of the Void who can wield her power and might be of use to him, and a Herrscher Core that can only lie there, endlessly releasing Honkai Energy and causing trouble, Otto will still make the choice that benefits him."

"So Kiana... will be okay?"

A look of delight appeared on Raiden Mei's face.

Though Raiden Mei, who had not caused the Third Honkai Eruption in Changkong City and the deaths of tens of millions, had yet to experience death on an aesthetic level, and had not been saved from it by Kiana, did not feel such intense emotions toward the white-haired girl.

Still, Kiana's kindness toward her when she had been in trouble, along with the time they had spent together afterward, was enough for Raiden Mei to regard her as a friend. She cared about her well-being and felt relieved for the safety of her life.

However, before Gwen could respond, the smile on Raiden Mei's face stiffened slightly—

"Idiot, think a little more."

Though she was called a Herrscher consciousness, she had actually appeared in Raiden Mei's mind before the Gem of Conquest was implanted into her body. The consciousness, whose will had followed her growth like a shadow, spoke up again—

"In her current state, there's absolutely no possibility of her mastering Herrscher power through her own will.

If that Otto wants to obtain someone with Herrscher power, he'll inevitably have to use other methods.

And right now, the most effective method is right in front of you..."

However, Gwen, who was deep in thought, did not notice the subtle change in Raiden Mei's expression and continued.

"At least for now, while the Kiana personality we know is in control of her body, Kiana won't be in danger of losing her life.

But only after she has completely taken control of the power belonging to the Herrscher of the Void—and only if that personality can remain stable by then—can Kiana's life truly be guaranteed."

Gwen did not mention Otto's troubling plans. For now, he did not want to provoke Raiden Mei too much.

"...So... Kiana needs to be like me and use that kind of state to gain control over Herrscher power?"

After hesitating, Raiden Mei spoke, cautiously probing for an answer.

"She'll most likely have to go through that process."

Gwen nodded and said solemnly.

"However, Kiana's situation is different from yours. This method may not necessarily work for her—

When we underwent One-Body Fusion earlier, I could sense the existence of another consciousness within your body.

But during the Herrscher transformation process, she didn't obstruct it. On the contrary, she did everything she could to help complete it, which was why your transformation went so smoothly.

But you saw what happened when Kiana's Herrscher consciousness took control of her body. She clearly isn't going to give up on her desire to destroy the world and obediently hand her power over to Kiana.

And even if she completed that step, even if Kiana reached your current state, she would still be far from fully mastering Herrscher power—"

As he spoke, Gwen paused and asked Raiden Mei beside him.

"Mei, do you think you can completely unleash the Herrscher power within your body now?"

"...No."

Mei decisively shook her head.

Although after ending the One-Body Fusion with Gwen, Raiden Mei had only felt that, if she wanted to, she could wield the power that had seemed capable of destroying the world, she had never actually used it herself.

But Raiden Mei was also quite certain about Gwen's question—

There was no way she could perfectly control this terrifying power—

At the very least, Raiden Mei knew she could not use the skill Gwen had unleashed earlier.

Yet as she shook her head, even Raiden Mei herself did not notice what kind of emotion was surging within her heart at that moment.

Raiden Mei, who was ignoring certain thoughts she should not have been having, likewise failed to notice that the shadow-like consciousness in her mind was also giving off unusual emotions at that moment...

"So, Kiana's situation is far more complicated than yours, and the danger she faces far exceeds yours."

In the end, Gwen summed it up like this:

"Rather than worrying about Kiana, whose life isn't in any immediate danger right now, Mei, you should get some proper sleep first. Once you finish the paperwork tomorrow, prepare to begin training.

After all, only strength held in your own hands truly belongs to you."

"Mm..."

Having instantly been struck at a certain point in her heart, Raiden Mei nodded in agreement and said solemnly:

"I'll work hard to master this power. I won't let all the effort you put in go to waste, Gwen."

"It's not just about not letting my efforts go to waste."

Gwen gently shook his head, stood up, and pulled Mei to her feet as well. Smiling, he said:

"It's also so that the consciousness that helped you won't have made its sacrifices in vain—and, more importantly, so that you can truly have your safety guaranteed, Mei."

"Don't flatter yourself."

The Second Consciousness's voice rang out in Raiden Mei's mind, making its stance clear.

"Then... good night?"

"Good night."

After wishing each other good night, the two returned to their respective rooms...

Hi~?

A little later, after washing up, Gwen saw something that had abruptly appeared on his back through the mirror—

That intricate and beautiful blood-red pattern, like a crystal flower. Even though Gwen had never deliberately memorized the Stigmata patterns on his Valkyries' backs while playing the game, he recognized it at a glance. It was Alicia's Stigmata.

And upon seeing the Stigmata on his back with his own eyes, Gwen finally confirmed that his earlier guess had been correct.

At that moment, a voice that had been offline for several hours suddenly appeared in Gwen's mind again—

"Hi, I'm back.

So, what do you think? Isn't my Stigmata pretty?"

"..."

After a brief silence, Gwen replied in his mind:

"Sorry, but my artistic sensibilities are limited. All I can say is that it's very pretty."

"Hmm?"

The playful voice replied with a smile:

"As long as it's praise, whether it's grand or simple, I'll gladly accept it~?"

"As long as you like it..."

Gwen nodded gently. After thinking for a moment, he still said in his mind:

"Miss Alicia..."

"Oh my!"

Alicia seemed rather surprised that Gwen had identified her at once, but the next moment, she replied in that cheerful tone:

"Could it be that my name has actually been passed down to this era?

Can you tell me how those records described me?

A cute and charming beautiful girl?

Or a mysterious and powerful magical girl warrior?"

"..."

Faced with Alicia's curious question, Gwen fell silent for a moment—

I can't exactly tell her I've heard her voice lines as a game character, can I?

At least, not yet...

As he remained silent, Gwen's hand resting against his chest quietly opened, revealing the exquisite little music box in his palm:

"It told me."

"This is..."

As though she could share Gwen's vision, Alicia immediately recognized what it was and said brightly:

"The necklace Eden gave me?

Mm, for it to have survived until now, that really is fortunate~?

Could you face the mirror and let me see what you look like wearing it?"

"Of course."

Gwen, not quite understanding what Alicia wanted to do, responded and turned around as she had asked, pulling his bathrobe snug before looking into the mirror—

Could she really just want to see what her necklace looked like on someone else?

"Hmm... it looks pretty good..."

Before Gwen could come up with an answer, Alicia's voice gave him one:

"It should look even better once you change into formal clothes...

Remember to take good care of it, okay? The reason I didn't wear it after I got it was because I was worried about damaging it~?"

"...Thank you."

Gwen replied in his mind, not expecting Alicia to be so generous as to give him a necklace that held no small significance for him.

"You're welcome."

Alicia replied brightly:

"If you praise me a little more, Alicia will be even happier~?"

"Then...

Would the cute, charming, wealthy, and generous Miss Alicia care to spend the whole night talking with me?"

Hearing that, Gwen unceremoniously borrowed Alicia's own words, displaying an energy unlike his earlier composure—

Never hand the topic over to Alicia. That woman could lead it into who knew what obscure corner—by a certain green-haired female doctor who wished to remain anonymous.

"If you invite me so warmly, then of course Alicia will live up to your expectations~?"

Alicia was as reliably on form as ever.

"Then... let me ask the first question—

Alicia, when did you come here to me?"

"That question... I'm not entirely sure myself..."