Himeko Risked Her Life to Light the Lamp of Humanity: Otto Even Treated Her Love as Tempering Fuel

"K-423," he said softly. "You will become a more perfect vessel than her. A kind consciousness, combined with the Authority of a Herrscher. A living key, a key that can choose its own direction."

"He... created her?" Xiao Xiao's lips trembled.

"It wasn't simply the creation of a life." Huo Yuhao spoke in a low voice, his Spiritual Eye reflecting the dim blue optical fibers on the screen. "He was assembling her. He used a Herrscher vessel as bones and a 'kind consciousness' as the heart. What he wanted was someone who could bear the Authority of the Kong Law User without being consumed by it. Not an inanimate object, not a weapon, but a living heart still willing to believe in the world."

"He even had to design a child's 'kindness.'" Tang Wulin's voice seemed to be forced from the depths of his throat. "From the moment this girl named Kiana was born, even 'being a good person' was a program Otto wrote for her."

"But a program needs to be activated," Tang San suddenly said.

Sure enough, the scene shifted, and fire spread like a sea. The roars of Collapse Beasts were deafening as buildings collapsed in sheets. Kiana had already grown up. She gripped her weapon and charged into the battlefield, her silver hair reddened by blood and fire. Behind her, a red-haired woman stood between her and a Great Beast, her back like a wall burned red-hot.

That was Himeko.

On the screen, Himeko turned back and smiled at her. That smile held exhaustion, reluctance, and a tenderness she desperately wanted to convey until the very last moment. She said something, but her voice was swallowed by explosions. Only a few words could vaguely be made out: "Live on... See this world for me..."

Then, the