Herrscher of Ice

While you and Pardo were enjoying your time together, Vill-V was working hard to research the third Divine Key—the Key of Retribution, 'Seven Thunders of Retribution.'

At twenty years old, early in the year, the Flame Chasers detected a strong Honkai energy fluctuation.

The Fifth Herrscher—the Herrscher of Ice—had appeared, and her arrival point was Chiyou's village.

Because your squad had the most combat experience, you were appointed as the First Combat Squad to gather intelligence on the Herrscher and, if conditions permitted, to eliminate her.

Due to his excellent performance in the battle against the Fourth Herrscher, Kevin was appointed as the deputy captain.

He chose to go alone to the Herrscher of Ice's location to minimize casualties.

After passing through streets covered in ice and snow, he found no sign of the Herrscher of Ice.

What greeted his eyes was a crater as if struck by a meteor. The air was filled with a chilling cold and the smell of burning, evidence of a great battle that had taken place.

The Herrscher Core at the center of the crater told a clear story—the Herrscher of Ice had already been eliminated.

Everyone processed this fact and reported the intelligence to their superiors.

Watching everyone's performance, you knew that the Herrscher of Ice had just appeared when she encountered Chiyou, and the nascent Herrscher, not yet having had time to develop, was instantly killed by Chiyou.

Afterward, Chiyou, whose village had been destroyed, began to wander. He eventually drifted to Twilight Town, where he was taken in by Apponia, the owner of the Twilight Town sanatorium, and became a porter there.

You chose to observe, but the Flame Chasers did not agree. The organization assigned you and Pardo, who are from Twilight Town, to conduct an in-depth investigation to find the mysterious person who killed the Herrscher, while others would escort the Herrscher Core back to the Flame Chasers.

Your personality meant you wouldn't resist such a minor matter, so you accepted. Following the trail, you found your and Pardo's hometown—Twilight Town.

You knew who the mysterious person was, but you didn't intend to have Apponia and Chiyou join the Flame Chasers at this time.

So, you decided to go home first to retrieve something you had stored there.

"Oh my, nothing has changed here in so many years, it's so nostalgic!" Pardo followed Yoshikage Kira into the house, looking at the familiar room with emotion.

If I hadn't met the Boss, I probably wouldn't be living so comfortably now. Past memories flooded back, and Pardo couldn't help but think fondly of Yoshikage Kira.

"You stay here and don't move. I'm going to get something." Yoshikage Kira instructed, looking at Pardo, who was reminiscing behind him, before heading to his room.

"Found it." After opening the photo frame, an Arrow fell out. Feeling its texture in his hand, Yoshikage Kira told himself it wasn't time yet.

He couldn't awaken it now.

Placing the Arrow in his inner pocket, ensuring it wouldn't poke through his clothes, Yoshikage Kira walked out of the room, called Pardo, and they left.

But they still had to make it look like they were doing their job; they couldn't go back so early. So, Yoshikage Kira and Pardo began to wander around Twilight Town.

However, after driving away the Sixth Wave of people who tried to rob them, Yoshikage Kira deeply realized that aimlessly wandering in Twilight Town was an incredibly foolish decision.

"Hey! How did we end up here? Boss, I'm telling you, there's a nun in there who might lecture us!"

Hearing the cat's words, Yoshikage Kira looked forward and realized they had walked right in front of Apponia's sanatorium.

But Yoshikage Kira didn't want to cause any trouble, so he quickened his pace and left.

"Hey, Boss, wait for me!" Pardo quickly followed as Yoshikage Kira sped up.

Inside the sanatorium, Apponia looked at the departing Yoshikage Kira with a confused expression.

How can I not see that person's fate?

After wandering for a day, the two returned to the Flame Chasers.

As you expected, the Flame Chasers didn't expect you to bring back any useful information, so you gave a brief report and left.

Back in his room, Yoshikage Kira carefully placed the Arrow and straightened his clothes in front of the mirror.

"Boss, I'm here to mooch a meal again!"

Hearing the familiar voice, Yoshikage Kira responded:

"Coming."