Soul Hall's Butterflies

Moth to Fire, Australian Branch.

Underground research institute.

Mei gazed at the magnificent gem suspended in the center of the enormous instrument, and whispered:

"The core of the Herrscher of Death... has encountered a problem."

Kevin frowned, somewhat doubtful. The fact that the Herrscher Core was experiencing problems was unprecedented and unheard of at this stage.

The so-called Herrscher Core is the hub and core driver of all such beings.

Whether it's the power to reach the heavens and the earth, the ability to link to Imaginary Space, the permission to obtain infinite Honkai Energy, or even the ability to assist in controlling Honkai Energy, all of these functions are provided by a miniature medium the size of a gemstone.

Killing Herrscher is something that has already been accomplished, but significantly interfering with or even brutally destroying the Herrscher Core is a realm that current civilization cannot even begin to explore.

So Kevin understood perfectly what Mei's words meant, and he asked:

Is the reason why the teacher is still in a coma related to this?

Since that day, Su Qing'an seemed to be immersed in a long dream, and did not Awakened for nearly half a month.

The instruments showed that his body was getting closer and closer to the Honkai Energy level of the original Herrscher of Death every moment. According to the previous judgment, perhaps after the invisible and colorless changes completely reached their end and were perfected to the point of Honkai Energy immunity, his consciousness would truly awaken.

If we assume that the core of the Herrscher of Death itself was damaged because of this incident, it's hard not to suspect that there might be some strange connection between the two.

Whether this connection exists or not, and whether it is good or bad, is something only MeI is most likely to know.

She pondered for a moment, observing the data provided by Prometheus, and whispered:

"It's still uncertain, but Seele's core is missing many key elements. The permission to link to the Imaginary Space remains intact, but the part concerning the Herrscher of Death's powers... is decisively incomplete."

"Should we say that it couldn't be used for some reason, or that a portion of it was simply forcibly taken away? This is an incredibly unbelievable and incomprehensible event."

"In short, I'm not sure if this is related to Mr. Su's slumber, but at least for now, it doesn't seem like a bad thing."

Kevin paused for a moment, realizing that with his limited knowledge and information, he could only attribute it to one possibility.

That is, in addition to giving Su Qing'an the so-called perfect Stigmata, Fulei, as the Seele of Herrscher of Death, also gave him more things. But this was too absurd and too illogical, so he could hardly be sure of the answer that first came to his mind.

He suppressed his doubts. Whether the truth was true or not, it was not a bad thing, just as Mei had said.

Kevin continued to ask:

"Does this mean that the research value of this Herrscher Core is not as important as that of previous Herrscher Core?"

Mei responded softly:

"Not necessarily, but it could be."

"If the higher-ups believe that the core of the Herrscher of Death has lost the powers they care about most, then its value and importance will be greatly reduced. In this way, the resistance to the Divine Key Project may be reduced."

She gazed at the orange-blue gemstone, her heart surging with emotions, and murmured:

"At least, obtaining this core for experiments with the Divine Key shouldn't be difficult."

"We're getting closer to the next Herrscher. Whether it's the Fusion Warrior Project or the draft of the Divine Key, we can't be stingy with any means that can increase our chances of winning."

The previous confrontations with the Herrscher went too smoothly, which led to an unwarranted arrogance growing among the upper echelons. Even though those in High Command power knew that the current situation could change drastically at any time, this arrogance could not be erased.

To believe that the secrets of the Herrscher Core can be further explored, rather than directly trying to transform it into a weapon, is itself a manifestation of arrogance.

Mei's abilities were not only mythologized among the common people, but also in the eyes of the upper echelons.

Perhaps in their view, Mei is fully capable of researching the true secrets of the Herrscher Core, thereby elevating the entire civilization to another dimension. This would be far more meaningful than simply turning it into a source of power for a personal weapon.

Even though she personally stated that it was completely impossible, the higher-ups still had to hold high expectations for it. In addition, the other Herrscher Core were almost all involved in research progress in various fields. Once the Divine Key Project was approved, all the data and gains from previous research could be declared as waste.

Therefore, research on the Divine Key Project has never been truly carried out; it has only been estimated in Prometheus's computational library.

Since persuading the client was already a waste of time, and the conditions for using the Divine Key that was to be created were very demanding, the girl did not insist on approval from her superiors.

Otherwise, given her current status, securing the right to use a Herrscher Core wouldn't be difficult.

Now, the core of the Herrscher of Death presents the best opportunity to truly launch the Divine Key Project.

Putting aside the obstacles to approval, the key reason that truly prompted Mei to do this was that... the boy Herrscher of Death was the best master to create the Divine Key from the Herrscher Core of Death.

The so-called adaptability and various demanding requirements no longer pose any obstacles for Su Qing'an.

This means that the entire plan only needs to focus on success, without needing to consider how to implement it effectively after success. As long as it is handed over to the teenager, it can realize its true value.

Kevin was silent for a moment, then he said:

"Do you have other candidates for the Fusion Warrior experiment?"

Given Kevin's personality, he wouldn't back down out of fear of his own life. The reason he would ask this question is that the scarcity of experimental personnel means a low margin for error.

With only one researcher involved, success would likely require an extremely flawless, ideal scenario.

Mei retrieved the data from the database without concealing anything, saying:

"There are a few individuals who meet the current standards, but the exceptional qualities required to meet these standards at this stage are invaluable. Without concrete results, the probability of successfully persuading them to participate in such extremely dangerous human experiments is very low."

The girl glanced at his cold, stern face, pursed her lips, and said:

"Once Mr. Su Awakened, we can use his ability to absorb Honkai Energy as a protective measure during the experiment, which will greatly improve the safety. However, fusing the genes of Emperor-class Honkai Beast still poses great risks in other aspects."

"At the purely genetic level, there are only a handful of Emperor-class genes that barely meet the matching standards. Among them, Parvati currently has the highest compatibility with you, still has a 37% risk of genetic breakdown."

"And if the experiment fails fundamentally in terms of gene adaptation and fusion, even Mr. Su's abilities will only be able to barely save your life."

Kevin remained silent, thinking that perhaps there really wasn't any other reason for Mei to take unnecessary risks in conducting this initial experiment.

Given that the teacher obtained the perfect Stigmata, the Divine Key Project was gradually unfolding, and the Fusion Warrior Project still had room for improvement, persisting on this path and dancing cheek-to-cheek with Death was unwise, and it wouldn't be an exaggeration to call it foolish.

However, Kevin Kaslana also understood that reducing the risk meant spending more time making corrections, and that more time under such circumstances meant having to consider the worst-case scenario of whether research could be conducted in time in an emergency.

If Herrscher's level far exceeds their previous strength, it's not entirely impossible that such a predicament could occur.

The requirements for the Fusion Warrior experiment are very demanding, and he is the best experimental subject. As long as he gains some experience for this experiment, or even has successful cases, it will undoubtedly save a lot of time.

Mei understood what Kevin was considering, but in her eyes, it wasn't worth it to have the only person she truly cared about risk their life for this.

Kevin, who had anticipated this, raised a question:

"Do you think the teacher is still capable of fighting, Mei?"

He gazed at the girl's stunned and then lowered eyes, and repeated:

"Can a teacher who obtains Stigmata in this way and gains even greater power still fight?"

This is an unquestionable question.

Now free from constraints and limitations, Su Qing'an had no reason not to fight.

The boy in the past possessed the resolve and courage to fight any enemy while dragging his frail body like a candle in the wind. After obtaining the perfect Stigmata and gaining greater power, he should naturally be able to fight stronger enemies, save more people, and buy more time for the whole world.

Su Qing'an had no reason to put down his sword.

This is a conclusion that seems perfectly reasonable at first glance, but by comparing the differences before and after, and reflecting on the distinction between the past and the present, one can discover an extremely deep and dark darkness.

Kevin stated softly:

"After encountering the Honkai Fission Bomb alongside the Third Herrscher, he slept for half a year, and the price he paid upon awakening was a damaged personality."

"And this time? It wouldn't be an exaggeration to say that he has completely lost his emotional attachment to family. Seele Fulei's existence is that important to him."

Su Qing'an was already all alone in this world, inevitably needed emotional support to sustain her reason for fighting, and even the meaning of her survival.

If Fu Hua's existence represents the emotional attachment to love, then the emotion residing in Seele Fulei is familial love.

It's not a matter of which is more important, but rather a matter of basic supply and demand that humanity itself needs.

Under these circumstances, Su Qing'an personally killed Seele Fulei.

If this process of events, inferred from the current situation, is the truth at the time, then it wouldn't be surprising if something happened.

Kevin said indifferently:

"A noble person cannot ignore any sins they bear, and a resilient person is often unwilling to escape from themselves. But the more such a person cares about the sins they have committed, the less they can avoid the core of the problem, and the more likely they are to end up collapsing."

Everyone has their limits.

"No one can guarantee that this isn't the teacher's limit, and even if it isn't..."

"Using this power in battle would likely become torture in itself. The ease and comfort that a body that should be nearing the end of its lifespan would gain after breaking free of its shackles would instead become a deadly blade, leaving scars that can never be forgotten."

"Perhaps he will still be more resilient than I imagined, choosing to continue fighting despite bearing these burdens, but perhaps my teacher will no longer be able to wield a sword because of this. In any case... I respect his decision."

"But whatever the outcome, I cannot allow someone else to continue to bear all the responsibility."

The man's azure eyes softened, and he whispered:

"Mei, I want the right to protect you."

"This outcome was not achieved through the power of other people and other things, but rather through my own choice to create that future."

"To possess such rights by merely paying some risks and unknown costs is already considered gentle in such a world."

Kevin Kaslana had made up his mind a long, long time ago.

The twilight of that day turned into a beautiful color, banishing the azure in her eyes. Countless demons stretched out their claws towards the girl. It was also on that day that she first sensed the existence of Honkai Energy and, amidst deep fear and confusion, comprehended how to use it to enhance her physical abilities and physical fitness.

At that time, Mei only knew that Kevin Kaslana was fearful and confused, but she did not know that this fear and confusion was never for his own sake.

What Kevin fears and is confused about is the future brought about by this weakness.

Mei's future is lost.

The same applies then as it is today.

If you can't get stronger in this experiment, it means that your limit is just this.

If the future is destined to be unattainable, then perhaps... it's better to simply turn to [Ashes].

The girl's pupils trembled slightly. Her fingers, hidden in her sleeve, gripped the corner of the fabric until her knuckles turned white. She was terrified of losing him in the future, but in the end, her lips parted, and she gave him her consent.

"... good."

It was clearly such a willful, arbitrary, and distressing request, yet it was also so firm and gentle that it was impossible to refuse.

So, just like before, Mei couldn't refuse Kevin's earnest request.

She turned to look at the dim, lifeless Herrscher Core, her fingers, which had been gripping the fabric tightly, loosened slightly. Her heart was surging like the sea, her thoughts wandering. How could she possibly reach the future that person desired?

It seems there is no other way out but to continue holding onto that initial ideal.

But at the end of the road, how much of what we cherish will remain?

This is a question that cannot be answered, but one thing is certain: as long as we can hold onto even the smallest spark of hope in the future, then all our efforts will not have been in vain.

Therefore, the experiment needs to continue.

[Self-inspection applicant: Mei.]

[Present medical history: Honkai Energy infection, estimated remaining life expectancy is ■■,■■■■■,■■■■■■...]

[Physical examination: Values do not meet normal standards, moderate anemia, organ failure, ■■■■,■■■■■.]

[Diagnosis result: ■■■■.]

Whether in the past or the future, all that is beautiful seems to come at a heavy price.

Fu Hua sat by the bed, gazing at Su Qing'an's face. The emotions from that day had gradually settled in her Mind Lake after half a month of calm, becoming an indelible mark.

He still couldn't Awakened from his coma, as if the world in his dream had become a cage, confining him and making it difficult for him to break free.

I should be worried, anxious about when he will Awakened.

Can...

She pressed her face against the boy's chest, listening to his long breaths and the rhythmic beating of his heart, and thought sadly that perhaps it wouldn't matter if Awakened a little later, or if she could face this reality a little slower.

Perhaps a longer period of rest, maintaining this state of sleep where there is no need to think about anything or feel sad, would be a kind of gentleness.

Fu Hua sensed the body temperature and recalled the words she had once spoken to the boy.

[Su Qing'an, don't be sad.]

Her lips curved slightly upward, as if she were drawing a hint of sweetness and warmth from them.

But the fleeting blade severed the memory, pulling it back to reality.

The smile faded from Fu Hua's lips; she knew she could no longer say such things to this person.

People who know nothing about the subject can always ask others to do things that seem simple in a relaxed and confident tone.

At that time, she could not understand the real predicament the boy was facing, but she easily alleviated his sorrow simply by recognizing the weight she held in his heart.

But now, precisely because she understands, and can even empathize with, some of these feelings, she is unable to express similar words.

The girl gently stroked his soft hair and whispered:

"It's okay to sleep a little longer."

"I will try my best to make sure you won't be this sad again."

If I were to enter the Void Realm and comprehend the Sword God's teachings, would I then have the power to stop your sorrow?

Between the Mind Lake, a resilient bouquet slowly sprouts and grows, like a twisting spiral spreading...

The Soul Hall.

The illusory scales swayed slowly, with two butterflies, one a deep blue and the other a dark red, fluttering around them as their origin.

The final remnants extracted from the lingering souls of Seele Fulei and the Herrscher of Death constitute the new mechanism now established within the Soul Hall.

Through their invisible collaboration, the things stolen from the Honkai Consciousness and the Herrscher Core were completely integrated into the boy's soul and settled in the center of this hall.

That is, half of the power of the Herrscher of Death.

However, due to the lack of Herrscher Core as a crucial intermediary, this link of power had to be entirely carried by Su Qing'an's own soul. The resulting terrifying oppression and delay in adjustment were the real reasons for his half-month coma.

Based on the phenomenon of the birth of these two butterflies, the mechanism of exercising power is thus fully established.