The Power of Multiple Herrschers Gathered in One Body: What Otto Wanted Was Not a Weapon, but a Key That Could Walk on Its Own

"The most formidable thing about him is this." Zhou Weiqing gave a soft laugh, utterly devoid of warmth. "He didn't control her with magic, nor did he break her with violence. He had her family light the lamp with their lives, had her friends protect it with their lives, and made sure her love and hatred were both just right. Then he stepped out and told her: Want to save them? Come, become the key."

"But Himeko's sacrifice clearly made her more resolute." Ning Rongrong suddenly spoke, tears in her voice, yet also a light that refused to bow. "She truly wasn't consumed by the Herrscher. She held on to herself. Doesn't that count as getting one step ahead of Otto?"

"One step ahead." Gu Yuena spoke softly, her voice like snow falling upon a lake. "But Otto had long since factored 'her holding on to herself' into his equation. The more resolute she was, the more human she remained, the more she fulfilled the condition of being 'controllable.' Every time she gritted her teeth, every time she refused to give up, every time she turned back for her companions, she added another lock to herself. Those locks protected her, but they also imprisoned her."

"Then who in this world can save her?" Xiao Xiao asked tremulously.

On the screen, Kiana stood high above, her silver hair whipping wildly in the wind. She looked back. Her companions were still there. Some had already fallen, while others were covered in blood, yet not one of them retreated. She smiled, and that smile was just like Himeko's back then—exhausted, gentle, and burning hot.

"She doesn't need anyone else to save her." Tang San suddenly spoke, his voice carrying the toll of some distant, weighty bell. "What she needs is the day when