Fu Hua Joins / The Labyrinth City of Orario ...

"I came in good faith, so I hope to receive your help, Fu Hua. For this world, and for the future."

Fu Hua nodded. "I will make my own judgment."

Qin Mo continued, "I know that you made a deal with Otto, joining Schicksal as a Valkyrie in exchange for having Schicksal protect Shenzhou. I also know that you came to monitor K423 in order to carry out Otto's mission. I even know what will happen in the original future."

"Many tragedies will occur in the future. St. Freya Academy will disappear. Kiana will become the Herrscher of the Void because of Otto's scheme. Himeko will die because of Kiana. So I want to change all of that."

Though he had not said much, the information contained in his words grew more shocking to Fu Hua the longer she listened.

"Did you come back from the future?"

"No, but I know the future."

The truth, the truth, and still the truth.

"Some things in the future will be of great help to us. Several Herrschers will become Herrschers on humanity's side, just like the First Herrscher. So there are things I cannot tell anyone. Otherwise, humanity may lose a reliable ally and gain a terrifying enemy."

Still the truth. Herrschers could become allies?

If someone had told her that long ago, she would never have believed it. But after meeting Welt Joyce, she knew it was not impossible. Still, could Welt's miracle truly be replicated?

"How?"

"I'm sorry, I can't say. In order for them to still be born, please don't ask. That is also why I obtained a Feather Dust to prevent my memories from being examined. I believe you would never casually pry into someone else's memories, but Otto, who possesses Void Archive, definitely would not mind doing such a thing. If he learned the memories in my mind, this world might be destroyed because of it."

Fu Hua Joins

"Why? Isn't he fighting against Honkai?"

Although Fu Hua despised Otto as a person, she knew he was also fighting against Honkai. Otherwise, no matter what, she could never have cooperated with him.

"No. He isn't entirely fighting against Honkai. The reason Otto needs Kiana is because he wants to become False God Otto."

This was actually true!? Fu Hua even suspected that Qin Mo had altered his own memories through Feather Dust and made himself believe such an absurd thing.

"Otto's ultimate goal is to revive his childhood sweetheart from five hundred years ago, Kallen Kaslana. It sounds absurd, but for Kallen, he would not hesitate to destroy the world."

"And in the end, he will betray you too, using a Surtr mimicked by Void Archive to shoot you in the head."

Fu Hua had long known that Otto was extremely despicable, but she had never imagined things could be this tangled and chaotic. For a moment, she did not know what to do or whom to believe.

"I've said all this only to make you understand whom you cannot trust. Next, I will show you the path I have chosen to defeat Honkai."

"Fu Hua, you felt it, didn't you? There is no Honkai in this world."

Fu Hua nodded. "A bubble world without Honkai is indeed rare."

Though she had never visited another bubble world, Fu Hua knew of their existence.

"No, this is not a bubble world. It is a world completely unrelated to ours. And in this world... gods exist!"

"Gods!?"

Long ago, someone had proposed the concept of a Honkai God. Fu Hua did not understand it well, but she knew how powerful so-called gods were. That was why she found False God Otto so unbelievable.

"Yes. I possess an ability that can bring others across worlds, to all sorts of different places. Every world has a different power system. Let me first show you a power I obtained before. Hold out one hand."

Fu Hua extended a hand, then saw an invisible force grasp her wrist. Her skin sank slightly beneath the pressure. She tried to grab the invisible person holding her wrist, but she could not touch it at all.

Even when she touched the spot where her skin was being directly contacted with her other hand, all she felt was her own skin.

"This is a Stand, a kind of spiritual energy. Under that world's rules, those without Stands cannot see or touch them. Every person's Stand has a different ability. Just now, I had mine grip your wrist."

Spiritual energy?

Fu Hua pondered it, then activated Feather Dust. Immediately, a mechanical-looking humanoid appeared in her vision.

"This is the Stand?"

After seeing the Stand, Fu Hua found that she could grab it. She seized its wrist, only to discover a palm-shaped indentation appearing on Qin Mo's wrist.

Seeing Fu Hua's gaze, Qin Mo said, "The Stand and its user are connected, so if the Stand is injured, the user will be injured as well. But apparently there are other ways to see Stands. It seems I can't be overly confident in their secrecy."

"It truly is a remarkable power."

Fu Hua released the Stand's wrist. "But it is not enough to defeat Honkai."

"Yes. That world has powerful abilities, but they still cannot compare with Honkai. This world is different, though. It has a power called Divine Blessing, which can draw out the potential people cannot normally uncover. It is said that reaching LV10 grants power comparable to that of gods."

The truth. Fu Hua fell into thought. "Do they know about this?"

"They do not know about the future. I didn't tell them. They are still only children, so I can bear the heavy burdens alone. I told you because you are Fu Hua, and because I hope you can help me."

Fu Hua nodded. "I need some time to think."

"No problem. There is plenty of time to think in this world. We can discuss this world's circumstances after we return. This is Bronya's first time here too, so I need to explain things to her as well."

Fu Hua nodded. "All right, but before I can believe you, I need you to make one final promise."

"What promise?"

"Promise this Feather Dust that you are acting to fight Honkai."

Fu Hua raised the feather in her hand. Qin Mo looked at it and said, "If we are talking about fighting Honkai, do Herrschers count as Honkai too? I will not harm Herrschers who stand on humanity's side. I, Qin Mo, swear here that all my actions are for a better future, and that I will always stand with humanity."

Fu Hua looked at the Feather Dust in her hand. "What you said does make sense. I will think it over. Take this Feather Dust."

"Hmm??"

Fu Hua held the Feather Dust out to him. "Since the future me gave you a Feather Dust, I will give you one now as well. It seems she left only power within that Feather Dust, not her consciousness. I will leave a portion of my consciousness inside this one to supervise you. Are you willing to accept it? Of course, it is fine if you refuse."

"No problem!"

Qin Mo immediately grabbed the feather in Fu Hua's hand. "I trust Hua, who fought for humanity in the Previous Era. I trust the Scarlet Heron Immortal, who protected Shenzhou for ten thousand years because of a promise. And I trust Fu Hua, who stands before me now."

The feather in his hand gradually vanished. Qin Mo felt a second feather appear within his sea of consciousness. He could also sense that if the Feather Dust from the Fu Hua before him tried to read his memories, the other feather would stop it.

"Thank you for your trust. I promise that before you betray me or break your promise, I will do everything in my power to help you."

Qin Mo returned to the group with Fu Hua. Looking at everyone else, Qin Mo smiled and said, "Everyone, welcome Fu Hua as our ally. Together, we will fight Honkai!"

Standing beside Qin Mo, Fu Hua clasped her hands in salute toward the others.

"Next, I'll briefly explain some rules about traveling between worlds. First, the matter everyone is probably most concerned about: time. One day in this world is equivalent to one minute in ours. In other words, staying here for two months is only one hour back home. Staying for a year is not even a full night."

They had arrived just before ten at night. In other words, even if they stayed for two years, it would only be ten the next morning.

"Second, after traveling to another world, we must complete certain tasks before we can return to our original world. I don't think anyone wants to be unable to go home, right? This world may not have Honkai, but it also does not have the family and friends we know."

Seeing the others nod, Qin Mo continued, "So first, I'll check this world's tasks. Then I'll explain this world's setting to you, and we'll set off."

Labyrinth City Orario

Task One: Join the Hestia Familia. Reward: 100 Crystals

Task Two: Raise your level to LV2/3/4/5/6/7... Reward Crystals: 200/400/800/1600/3200/6400. Click to expand.

Task Three: Please adventure to your heart's content! Reward: Based on evaluation.

The maximum duration of this instance is one year. After completing Task One and reaching any level in Task Two, you may choose to return. There is no forced return option.

This instance has activated a special side quest system. Completing it will grant generous rewards. Players, do not miss it.

There was no experience point reward again? How long would it take him to level up like this?

"I've already understood this mission. Now we are heading to Labyrinth City Orario. I'll explain this place to you on the way."

Qin Mo scanned the area and spotted a towering structure piercing the clouds in the distance. He led everyone toward it.

He did not know much about the setting of this world, but he knew the basics. His explanation was mainly to tell everyone that this world had no Honkai Energy and to explain its historical background.

Then there were the Familias in Orario.

"So, the chief gods descended from heaven for entertainment and formed families with mortals—Familias, in other words?"

After listening, Kiana thought for a moment before giving her summary.

"More or less. But you need to understand that every family is different. Things like domestic violence can exist too, so choosing a good chief god and Familia is very important. Fortunately, we already have a goal this time. We are choosing the Hestia Familia."

"This chief god doesn't have much ability."

Kiana gave Qin Mo a speechless look. "Uh, did that really need to be stated separately?"

"Of course. It keeps you from expecting too much from chief gods. The gods of this world are all quite carefree and willful. In some ways, some of them are more human than humans. So don't compare them to the gods you know from mythology."

"I got off track. Back to Hestia. She is a very lazy goddess, but she has a strong sense of responsibility and cares deeply for her Familia, treating them as family."

That was true. Hestia had many flaws, but she also had many strengths.

If Qin Mo had been alone, he might have chosen to join the Loki Familia or the Freya Familia. But he was not alone, so Hestia was the best choice. She was not overly scheming, would not plot too much, and genuinely treated her friends with sincerity.

Qin Mo and the others had too many secrets. What he needed was not a powerful chief god, but one who could accept them.

After Qin Mo's introduction, the group more or less accepted this description of Hestia. Kiana even felt that Hestia was somewhat like Theresa.

"A chief god grants their Familia Divine Blessing. Divine Blessing can draw out potential hidden within the human body. Training, adventuring, and accomplishing achievements will all be recorded by Divine Blessing and turned into a person's strength. But remember, the chief god of the Familia you belong to can reclaim these blessings at any time. If that happens, you will lose the power gained through them."

"In Orario, adventuring has rules as well. Everyone is managed through a Familia known as the Guild. This Familia is a trading organization responsible for Orario's operations and dungeon management. Its god is Uranus, who rarely appears. The Guild has no adventurers. It provides advisory services for adventurers and does not interfere in disputes, acting only as a neutral arbiter. Because it has no position, no matter how chaotic Orario becomes, the Guild remains standing. Still, Orario is fairly peaceful right now, so there is no need to worry."

"Then there is the Dungeon. Simply put, it is a place where monsters constantly spawn. If you have played games, think of it like a game dungeon. The monsters inside respawn, but there is no teleportation or option to leave whenever you want. Be careful when exploring."

Qin Mo took a car out of his backpack. Since they were already in this together, it was bound to be exposed sooner or later. Qin Mo did not hide it and simply brought it out openly, driving the group toward Orario.

However, he avoided any crowds along the way. When they were still some distance from Orario, he had everyone get out, put the car away, and instructed the others.

"All right, there are no requirements for entering Orario, but there will be an inspection. They are only checking whether you are spies from outside, so don't worry."

The group joined the queue and soon passed the inspection at the gate.

"Those people just now were from the Ganesha Familia. They are generally responsible for public order and event arrangements in Orario. In short, they are like police officers. Their chief god is an interesting god. You'll meet him someday."

As he spoke, Qin Mo looked around the roadside and found someone who appeared to be a guard. "Hello, could you tell me which way the ruined church is?"

"The church ruins? That way."

After thinking for a moment, the guard pointed Qin Mo in a direction.

"The people here seem pretty friendly."

Qin Mo smiled at Kiana's words. "We only asked for directions. There is no reason for a conflict. Besides, the Ganesha Familia people are all decent. The main people you need to watch out for are low-level adventurers. There are some things you won't remember if I explain them now, so I'll tell you once we reach the Dungeon. For now, we're going to find our chief god. Remember, you cannot lie in front of gods. Though their divine powers are sealed, they can see through lies at a glance. Any lie."

The group soon left the bustling crowds behind as they followed the road. Though everyone found the unfamiliar surroundings novel, they knew they would be staying here for a long time, so there was no need to rush.

"Qin Mo, does someone really live here?"

Looking at the ruined church that was little more than wreckage, Kiana poked a brick in the nearby wall. It immediately fell out, looking completely unstable.

"Haha, that is the problem I mentioned. This goddess is extremely lazy. She has been in the lower world for months without developing her Familia, so naturally she cannot afford a nice place."

Qin Mo looked around and found the entrance to the basement. He walked over and knocked on the door.

"..."

"All right, looks like she isn't home. She might be out working to earn money. Let's wait for a while."

Qin Mo took several chairs from his backpack and tossed them to the others, then sat down himself. "We've walked for so long, so you must be tired. Is there anything you want to ask?"

Bronya was the first to raise her hand. "Bronya wants to know why Bronya did not detect the presence of the Quantum Sea.."

"Oh, that is because this world does not belong to the Quantum Sea. I told you before, didn't I? My ability targets worlds, not travel through the Quantum Sea."

Bronya stared at Qin Mo as if she had been deceived. Qin Mo rubbed his nose awkwardly. "But don't worry. I'll help you solve your problem. If this goes smoothly, we may have a solution once we return."

Kiana blinked at their riddle-like conversation. "What does Bronya want to do in the Quantum Sea??"

Before anyone else could say anything, a girl's scream suddenly rang out.

"Ahhh!! Bell! Our home has been taken over by strangers!!!"

Hestia Familia

"I see, so you came to join my Familia! I never thought I would be this famous!"

"That's great, Lady Hestia! Now we have new companions too."

After Qin Mo's explanation, Hestia immediately accepted the situation and became rather full of herself.

"I never expected the Hestia Familia to gain six members in a single day. I'm so lucky."

"I just took Bell to register at the Guild, but it's still early. Bell, would you mind going again?"