For You, I'd Tear Out My Heart and Bones Without Regret, Even unto Death.

Summer.

The boy leaned back on the soft sofa cushions, half asleep and half awake in the cradle formed by the surging cicada chirping, surrounded by the illusory waves. His clear black and white eyes were closed, and his mind seemed to be immersed in this rare laziness and rest.

Under the intertwining of [consciousness] and [bewitchment], this real illusion is unbreakable, just as the consciousness named Su Qing'an truly crossed the untraceable time and returned to that warm afternoon when there was still a chance to avert the tragedy and see that person again.

The realm of Abyss Flower fell into deathly silence, yet the essence of power still resided within the temple of the soul. He should have had room to resist, but amidst these secrets concealed to the death by his closest loved ones, he chose self-exile.

Christianne seized the boy's weakness.

If this person truly cares about Seele Fulei, then he has no choice but to bow down and continue to obediently indulge in this unfolding drama, until the final ending.

Su Qing'an wanted to find the answer, to understand the cruel truth hidden within the flesh and blood Stigmata, and to... linger a little longer for that person's smile and warmth.

Even if it might be false, or a deception, and he understood it was nothing more than an enemy's conspiracy, he still chose to allow the interference of power to gradually and profoundly seep into the Soul Hall.

The pristine Abyss Flower field was slowly stained with a tragic crimson hue, and the butterflies that had been swirling on the scales for so long silently hovered at both ends, as if they had suffered the same fate.

Tick-tock, tick-tock.

The perfectly round, sparkling water droplets, like falling tears, symbolize profound sorrow, falling one by one onto the scales.

This is a bargaining chip whose weight is measured in the measure of the soul.

This Soul Scale autonomously absorbed the scattered sparks of light emanating from the churning abyss of emotions, turning them into bargaining chips.

The more powerful the Soul Essence becomes, the more precious the value that emotions can embody becomes.

Before the Third Herrscher died, Su Qing'an needed to rely on his own exchanges and burning to create equivalent bargaining chips, but now...

Even the waves splashed around the sea of sorrow are enough for the scales of the Soul Scale to collect into sparkling, tear-like chips.

Su Qing'an rarely sheds tears anymore, but the teardrop-like glitter on the scale seems to replace those outward tears, proving that the scars have not faded.

Before the influence of the power penetrated to the bone, break free from this illusion, ascend into the void, and slay the demons and monsters before you.

You can do it.

This is not the bewitching of Inner Demon, nor is it fearless self-confidence, nor is it false rhetoric.

Just as Flora believed, she never thought that three powers would necessarily reach Su Qing'an's limit; she was simply certain that those people were very important to Su Qing'an.

So important...

Even though he clearly had the ability to break free from all kinds of prisons, he chose to willingly succumb to depravity.

"Elder brother?"

Amidst the flowing soundscape, a familiar voice slowly entered my ears, radiating an exceptionally bright joy and bitterness. My heart beat at its usual rate, yet it felt as if a cold, bone-chilling knife was slowly scraping through it.

The boy opened his eyes, his complex expression vanishing as he looked at the girl's face so close to his own and smiled.

"Seele." He hesitated, then whispered.

The little girl sat beside him, her hair tied into two tangerine-blue buns with Black Rope. Her cool outfit of short sleeves and shorts, along with the salty-smelling popsicle in her hand, combined with the gradually subsiding and then rising cicada chirping, created a very summery atmosphere.

Seele switched the TV to a documentary channel, which told the story of a country's decades-long water conservancy project construction, mainly recounting how the many difficulties were overcome.

Seemingly due to a lack of education and near-illiteracy, she has always enjoyed watching similar channels to increase her knowledge.

The girl heard Su Qing'an's response and felt that his voice sounded somewhat strained because he had just woken up.

Is it just morning grumpiness?

She paused the documentary for a moment, quietly and carefully observing the boy's aloof expression gradually melt into a warm, spring-like warmth, finding it all rather novel.

Seele felt a little guilty. She woke up Su Qing'an because the sunlight outside the window was shining on the sofa and the air conditioner wasn't on in the room. Her first thought was that Su Qing'an would get heatstroke.

But upon further reflection, he realized that common sense applied to Su Qing'an was somewhat meaningless.

After all, when they spent that winter in Canghai City, their clothing wasn't much different from what it is now.

She thought for a moment, then jogged to the refrigerator, grabbed an ice cream, and leaned close to the boy, asking in a flattering tone:

"Want some popsicles? Cantaloupe flavored."

Su Qing'an obediently took the popsicle from her hand and said softly, "Okay."

The two watched TV quietly and ate popsicles together. Their conversation was rather trivial, consisting of casual, disjointed remarks.

Amidst the deafening chirping of cicadas, this summer seems like it will never end.

He watched the girl intently watching TV, biting into an ice pop. Her eyes were slightly upturned, her lips were curved upwards, and her shallow dimples were very cute. Her smiling and happy appearance made it hard to imagine the torment she had recently endured in the Sea of Quantum experiment.

Su Qing'an was suddenly stunned, and then realized that she had never shown any sadness or regret about it.

I am neither sad nor regretful, neither fearful nor hesitant.

Otherwise, Kenshin, with his perfected state of mind, would not have been able to fail to detect any flaws.

And this is precisely what he finds most distressing, the reality he considers the most tragic.

Seele Fulei was more pleased with it than anyone else.

Su Qing'an couldn't blame her, nor could she stop her from making that choice.

This is Seele Fulei's way of realizing her self-worth and hoping to reach the desired outcome.

Dissuasion and interruption will only cause the girl to wither and perish; already twisted and deformed, she is destined to go down this path.

The root of all this is simply that he was too weak.

So weak that without the other party, the future would only lead to a worse outcome.

So weak that if Seele Fulei hadn't sacrificed herself, Su Qing'an would have burned to nothing long ago.

Even though this is not the path the boy wanted, it still cannot change one fact.

Perhaps everyone in this world has the right to blame her, but he alone does not.

The boy held the girl's body close, not wanting anyone to see his current expression, silently savoring the undeniable warmth, and whispered in a hoarse, nasal voice:

"Sorry."

Seele was stunned for a long while. Even though this scene was rather abrupt, she still hugged the man's thin body with worry, stroked his soft, silky hair, and asked cautiously:

"What's wrong? Did you suffer any mistreatment outside, brother?"

"Because I'm so weak, so weak that I should have died long ago without Seele."

The little girl couldn't understand the boy's murmurs; she could only awkwardly stroke his head and softly comfort him:

"It's alright, even if your brother is weak, he's still Seele's brother."

"I didn't become part of my brother's family because he's strong."

Su Qing'an murmured:

"But because of this weakness, I made Seele pay a heavy price. I forced you to do the things you clearly hated and feared the most."

Seele was taken aback by these words; her gaze softened, yet also softened with a hint of apology.

"My brother already knows about the experiment."

"Um."

Seele tried to discreetly observe the boy's expression, but found she couldn't see it. She didn't know what to say, nor what kind of accusations she would face, yet she couldn't help but whisper:

"I don't want you to blame yourself, nor do I want you to blame Sister Mei."

Even at this point, her first thought was still about how others felt.

Su Qing'an said softly:

"Yes, I know, I won't blame Mei."

"But I can't help blaming myself; I'm a bad older brother."

"I didn't give you a safe environment to grow up in; I didn't give you the ability to study properly and to face your coming of age; I didn't keep you away from the forces of Honkai and threat; I didn't give you the right to avoid sacrifice, sadness, and profound realization."

"I... am useless."

Seele's head was forced to rest against his chest, the texture of his shirt clinging to her skin, transmitting his slightly warm temperature. The faint scent of citrus and lemon in her nostrils was a little cloying, and she subconsciously snuggled closer, then made a muffled sound due to the physical contact:

"That's because my brother sets too high a standard for himself."

"The Seele was able to escape from the lab without being captured, survive the Honkai outbreak in Canghai City unharmed, and even enjoy a life of comfort afterward, is all thanks to her brother. In that respect, he has already done more than enough."

The girl muttered under her breath:

"Maybe my brother has the people-pleasing personality described in books. If I didn't know you liked Sister Hua, I'd be afraid you'd have big problems finding a partner in the future."

She raised her head and said seriously:

"Some things are just impossible to do, and it's understandable to struggle and suffer because of them. But for me, you've done your best within your capabilities. You've always tried your best and never given up, so you shouldn't feel sorry at all."

Even among true family members, how many would truly give their all for each other to the very limit of their own capabilities? You've already done an amazing job.

"My brother is a very good older brother. No matter what fate awaits Seele, I will always believe that. Meeting you is a very lucky thing."

The theater hadn't completely dispersed after the second act, but the girl's words had already faded into the distance, leaving behind a heart-wrenching yet subtly warm feeling.

The boy realized that this was just a disillusionment, but his emotions still lingered uncontrollably.

Su Qing'an understood that the day that had just been presented was the period between the time when the agreement was made with him and the appearance of the Herrscher of Death.

And continuing to push forward...

The seaside dream continued to sway, but the man's whisper broke the flow of thought:

[Act III, Caliban.]

Su Qing'an's consciousness continued to sink into a deeper layer. He knew very well that what he was about to see was no longer Seele Fulei, but... the Herrscher of Death, who still evoked unspeakable feelings in him.

The bewildered whisper of a girl whose self was overshadowed by Seele Fulei's personality at birth:

"I am Seele Fulei, and I have become... Herrscher."

Under the boy's silent gaze, she repeatedly ripped open the artery in her wrist with a pencil sharpener, the bright red blood gushing out like a fountain, turning the entire room into a poignant and tragic scene.

[Creation] The power to heal itself from injuries forms a stubborn cycle with the force of the blade pulling back and forth.

The girl's nightgown was stained with a murmur of crimson, and she was delirious, muttering repeatedly:

"I can't let my brother see Seele now, but I can't die. Why can't I die? Why am I still not dying even though it hurts so much?"

Except for their souls, she was no different from the real Seele Fulei.

The girl asked Mei, who initiated the video call, with a bewildered look, "I can't die, what should I do?"

Mei couldn't answer that question, and neither could Su Qing'an.

Tick-tock, tick-tock.

Tears of sorrow, like drops of blood, fall onto the Soul Scale, just as blood drips ceaselessly from an artery.

She asked:

[Seele, who is the most important person to you?]

She answered:

[It's my older brother.]

[It's Su Qing'an.]

The girl's unwavering answer, delivered in a daze, convinced Mei to trust her.

At that moment, the boy who saw through the truth at a glance chose to tip the Soul Scale.

His cowardice granted the lava-covered mountains a layer of snow-covered armor, allowing them to catch their breath, but also causing them to miss the slightest possibility of saving the Herrscher of Death.

Inhumane experiments, utterly cruel depictions, and bloody, horrific deaths.

Those sacrifices, day after day... buried beneath the mundane.

These histories, which Su Qing'an knew nothing about and which they all bore and erased, have thus quietly emerged amidst the malice of the Thousand Herrscher.

He watched as she tested her power through self-torture, and finally asked to cooperate with Mei.

He watched as she dismantled her limbs like a toy, scooping out the marrow from between her bare bones.

He watched as she calmly accepted all the horrifying experiments, yet still hoped to speed things up.

He watched as she nearly lost control during the experiment at the Herrscher Core, and thus learned the truth.

This scene unfolds in countless ways, where warmth and coldness intertwine, bloodshed and purity dance together, despair mingles with despair, and sorrow meets sorrow.

Su Qing'an understood that it was over.

The history and answers that were once buried deep in the dust are now unfolded in the soul in the most authentic and immersive way.

He had no reason to continue following the schemes and plots of the Thousand Herrscher and watch the next scene unfold.

What remains are details and images that can be obtained through inference and speculation, while what is about to be obtained may be the distortion and correction of one's own personality.

Having initially abandoned the use of power as a shield, Su Qing'an had already allowed [bewitchment] and [consciousness] to penetrate the depths of her soul.

If left to his own devices, he will become a puppet of Honkai.

Even if it meant Soul Scale and paying a heavy price, the young man was unwilling to miss anything related to her.

Both the Thousand Herrscher and the missionary understood that once Su Qing'an saw the third act, she would not choose to leave.

[The final act.]

Someone was whispering; it was Seele Fulei's voice.

Without any resistance, his consciousness sank again...

How long can this kind of life last?

After realizing that she was not Seele Fulei, the Herrscher of Death also learned the answer that Su Qing'an had long seen through the situation.

Once all the fog is cleared, she can only walk towards her destined end.

Therefore, the game that the two of them had played together became particularly meaningful.

If Su Qing'an is roughly equivalent to the Undead Knight in that story, then the Herrscher of Death is destined to be the Miko who is killed by the knight with the Dream Spike.

The hidden secrets of the perfect Stigmata were too profound. Even though Mei replicated it with 100% accuracy, she still couldn't bring about a transformation in Su Qing'an.

But she knew exactly what was needed for the perfect Stigmata to truly revive.

The answer is the soul.

So the girl already knew what consequences the ending she was about to reach would bring. She clearly knew that she was not Seele Fulei, but she was still willing to inherit and identify with the vision given by this emotion, and walk towards a hopeless future.

On that day, the Herrscher of Death was very obedient.

She obediently finished her green pepper and beef dish, went to bed on time at the designated healthy time, and didn't play games anymore. She then cunningly repeated her promise to Su Qing'an once again.

For that girl, this was something that was uniquely hers.

Even if it is ethereal and intangible, it certainly exists.

Then, the stage play that was so vivid in my memory arrived as promised.

In order to avoid revealing any flaws, the Herrscher of Death went so far as to reconnect with the Honkai Consciousness to maintain her perfect disguise.

The impact of the Honkai Consciousness was like a surging ocean wave, causing mountains to collapse.

All kinds of emotions arise from the heart, and power and physical body seem to be on the verge of slipping out of one's grasp at any moment.

But this soul, created by the gods themselves, endured the negative emotions constantly being transmitted from the other end of the link simply because it didn't want to be disliked by its brother and didn't want to cause trouble for Mei.

Su Qing'an had actually understood long ago.

The Herrscher of Death and Seele Fulei are two different people.

But it was only when he personally experienced the final scene from another perspective, from the point of view of the Herrscher of Death, that he truly realized this.

They are the most similar, yet truly different, individuals in the world.

Clearly recognizing this is merely the most basic form of respect.

But until the very end, the boy was unable to verbally express his agreement with the other person.

He killed her with the blade forged from Jacaranda.

Yet this is precisely the ending that the Herrscher of Death sincerely hopes to achieve.

As Su Qing'an fell into a coma, she bestowed upon [Creation] the power and the key to the perfect revival of the Stigmata, her soul reduced to only a few scattered rays of light and her remains.

Only now does Su Qing'an understand.

This perfect Stigmata is the flesh and soul of Seele Fulei and the Herrscher of Death.

That's all they could give.

A long time.

The boy gazed at the snickering puppets in the theater, and his Soul Hall slowly collapsed.

It turns out that there really were people in this world who went into the abyss for him, and who would tear out their hearts and bones for him, never regretting their sacrifice, only to face the annihilation of their souls and be unable to enter the cycle of reincarnation.

But he only found out now.

Tell me, isn't that ridiculous?