Once the matter had been settled, Asta led the Express crew toward Herta's Collection Room. With the highest clearance in the station apart from Herta herself, they encountered virtually no obstacles along the way. Some areas still contained a few Void Trotters left behind from the earlier invasion of the space station, but with old man Welt around, those Void Trotters were crushed into grotesque lumps of flesh almost the instant they met him.
After reaching Herta's Collection Room, Shirou Emiya quickly spotted several "Cosmic Curios" that had once been tucked into the collection as game Easter eggs: Luke's cards from Mei's company's otome game Tears of Themis, what seemed to be Blondie's camera—or perhaps someone's starter Wind Glider from Mondstadt—and...
"Sword of Fallen Gods."
Stopping before the crimson fragments of a broken blade, Shirou raised his head and studied their outline. According to the Collection Room's description, these fragments would spontaneously arrange themselves into the shape of a "blade." Even with so little remaining, they still persisted in this futile act of piecing themselves together.
"A very weak 'spirit,' but... it's enough."
Shirou slowly extended a hand toward the Sword of Fallen Gods within reach. The reason he could inherit all of Shirou Emiya's abilities at once was precisely the ability he was about to display.
"Possession Fusion."
It was a spiritual medium ability originating from the world of Shaman King, essentially a bonus from the early beginner benefits. The upgraded medium constitution could not only detect the fluctuations of "spirits" with extreme precision, but also replicate every "skill" mastered by a spirit while using Spirit Possession.
An exceedingly faint "spirit" was drawn out from the Sword of Fallen Gods. As soft as weightless drifting fluff, it settled gently upon his fingertip before merging into his body.
Stimulated by the energy within his body, the weak "spirit" abruptly flared like a fire injected with flammable gas, blazing fiercely in an instant.
A faint glow of "flame-light" began to emerge from Shirou's body. His pupils spun with a vivid crimson, like burning campfires. After roughly several dozen seconds, 'Emiya' slowly parted his lips and spoke softly.
"Kiana..."
"This is... The Last Lesson."
"Himeko... she really came back!"
Welt could not suppress his excitement. If Himeko's soul could truly be recovered, then if they ever had a chance to return to their homeland, Kiana, Mei, and the others would surely be overjoyed.
Most importantly—
If Himeko were here, Theresa would absolutely have no chance of reviving Otto!
"No. There's too little of her remaining 'self.'"
Shirou spoke up, cutting off Welt's self-generated excitement, and said calmly,
"Rather than a 'spirit,' it would be more accurate to say that only 'a single thought' remains. A powerful obsession has lingered behind. While it barely retains the spiritual characteristics of Himeko herself, restoring her normal 'consciousness' will require another solution."
"My medium constitution can only ensure that her final 'spirit' does not disperse. As for anything else..."
"Is there no way?"
Welt slowly furrowed his brow. He was somewhat at a loss when it came to matters of the soul. Strictly speaking, the person he found deeply unpleasant might actually be something of an expert in this field.
"No, it's not as though there's no way. It's just that..."
"Just what?"
"It would be nice if someone desperately wanted someone else to help him accomplish something."
Help him accomplish this?
Welt repeated those words in his heart, pondering the meaning hidden within them. After a moment of silence, he spoke directly.
"Please help me restore... no, revive Himeko, Shirou Emiya."
"You really do know how to make trouble for people, Mr. Welt. But I can accept this commission."
A new commission had been received!
Revive Himeko (Client: Welt Yang): Revive Himeko, who only has faint "spirituality" remaining, to the point where she can act independently, possesses normal consciousness, and can communicate normally with others. Difficulty: Four Stars Reward: 1000 points + choose one of the "Truth," "Origin," or "Flamescion" banners to add to the permanent banner (pulls on the permanent banner cost half as much as the limited-time banner).
"Chapter 008: Ice Element, Bow, Pink Fatty.jpg (4/4)"
"I need to find a way to marry that Crumbs."
Standing before the Sword of Fallen Gods, Shirou watched the lottery interface flashing with rainbow light before him, his expression gradually twisting.
"Why wasn't I pulling from Welt's banner?! Damn it!"
"Crimson Eye (Kurapika)"
"Nen Activation," "Aura Nodes," "Master of Stealth," "Bonds and Vows"
It had only been a casual test, a single ten-pull he intended to make while the others went to admire the other Cosmic Curios in the Collection Room. Yet he had immediately pulled an SSR reward and an SR reward. Mr. Emiya should have been thrilled, but when he saw Welt's shining Core of Reason in the other banner, his heart ached terribly.
"Crumbs! Carry your bro for another round! If I pull a UR reward, I'll take double the Himekos back to see you!"
He had hit a jackpot in one round, and now Mr. Emiya's eyes were red... though that had nothing to do with the Crimson Eye. He was simply getting carried away.
He quickly switched the Hunter-series banner before him to Welt's banner. This old man's banner now looked especially pleasing to the eye. If Welt could bless him with a Herrscher Core, Shirou swore he would send him home to reunite with Dr. Lobster as soon as possible!
"Five more ten-pulls left. Let's go!"
After glancing once more at the Sword of Fallen Gods, Shirou decisively tapped the lottery screen and rapidly began making ten-pulls.
First ten-pull: SR Father Mech.
Second ten-pull: R-card Honkai Energy Adaptation ×4.
Third ten-pull: SR Father Mech.
Fourth... R-card Titan ×6.
Fifth... Core of Reason (Ascended).
Huh?
Seeing the rainbow light that appeared at the end, Mr. Emiya's expression failed to react at first. More than ten seconds passed before he rubbed his eyes in astonishment. After remaining silent for a long time, he looked at the broken fragments of the Sword of Fallen Gods and spoke solemnly once more.
"No matter the cost, I'm definitely marrying that Crumbs and bringing her home!"
Sixty pulls, two SSRs—what did that even mean?
His banners had bonus rewards for reaching certain numbers of pulls, but there was no pity system. Though he could theoretically guarantee what he wanted after several hundred pulls, the rate-up banners only lasted for a limited time, and commissions did not refresh on any fixed schedule. Someone had to make a request of him first. In a sense, just like his younger sister who had once served as a Divine Child, he occupied a role similar to that of a wish-granting machine.
He was simply nowhere near as omnipotent or convenient as his little sister.
Core of Reason (Ascended) · Possesses an appraisal ability that can actively analyze an object's structure · Possesses a manufacturing ability that can create objects with clearly understood structures · The cost of creating the same deconstructed object a second time is greatly reduced · Affinity for and control over Imaginary Energy are greatly enhanced · Honkai Energy resistance increased to Max Crimson Eye (Kurapika) · Charm moderately increased · Dynamic vision slightly increased · Gains Specialist-type abilities after Nen Activation (after activation, all Six Nen Categories can perform at 100%) · Potential aura capacity greatly increased · Nen aura control precision greatly increased
SSR cards were always more than a tier stronger than the other prizes in the banner. Although there were ultra-rare UR cards above SSR and the exceedingly rare Ex Easter Egg Reward, Mr. Emiya had never fantasized about getting anything even rarer than an SSR.
Kurapika's Crimson Eye might not seem especially outrageous in Mei's company's setting, but combined with Nen, an idealistic ability system full of imagination, it was practically a dimensionality-reduction strike in the world of Hunter.
The ascended version of the Core of Reason was even more absurd. Its standard Honkai Energy resistance and Imaginary Energy affinity needed no further explanation. Though he still needed to know the complete nature of an object—or, in other words, understand its blueprint—to create it, it now had the ability to actively analyze structures and drastically reduce consumption.
Naturally, it still had its limitations compared to the Herrscher of Truth. After all, she could create science-fiction weapons based on science-fiction novels, while he could only create products based on blueprints. The Herrscher of Truth was practically Honkai's version of Imaginary Element; an ordinary Herrscher of Reason truly could not compare.
But...
Once he revived Himeko in the future, he could toss Bronya's banner into the permanent pool. The Herrscher of Truth's abilities would eventually fall into his hands as well.
At that point, forget Excalibur—even Severing Emperor, the True World, and Atlas Academy's Seven Weapons could be created from fragmentary information alone.
In this setting where Divine Magic equaled Imaginary Internal Energy, whether it was fantasy or science fiction, the source of energy had been consolidated. Beneath this cosmic sky where Aeons clashed, the Herrscher of Truth's abilities would still be an utterly devastating game mechanic.
"Shirou, why are you still standing in front of that sword? We found an interesting Curio up ahead. Come take a look with us!"
The overly familiar Little Pink Hair suddenly popped out from somewhere and grabbed Shirou. In the next instant... she dragged him away at a run. Though she sometimes seemed a little shy when conversations turned to men and women, she genuinely appeared to have no guard at all when it came to such distinctions.
"An interesting Curio? Is it the Score-Setting Gun?"
Following March 7th at a jog, Shirou arrived before a strange miniature model gun. Looking at its shape, Mr. Emiya could not help recalling the years he had spent in his real hometown during the pandemic. This thing looked far too much like a thermometer gun.
"Quick, stand in front of it and try!"
Pushed forward by Little Pink Hair, Shirou stood before the Score-Setting Gun. After a short while, the strange eyeball at its tip rotated, abruptly projecting a simple number.
"'88'—"
"Eighty-eight points? The same score as Uncle Yang! What exactly does this thing use as its scoring standard?"
March 7th kept circling the strange Cosmic Curio, muttering continuously under her breath. Since the Score-Setting Gun could not determine her value, she was extremely confused.
"Maybe it's an assessment of strength."
"A strength assessment? This young lady is no match for Uncle Yang."
"Modest, too modest. The last pink-haired ice archer I knew was a Savior who indirectly saved the world. Back in old Yang's homeland, they called that group the Thirteen Flame-Chasers."
"Sounds cool! But this young lady doesn't have such powerful strength."
"What if you just don't remember it yet? The last person I knew who liked taking pictures, had lost his memories, and kept traveling nonstop was also called the 'World Breaker.' Maybe one day, when you get a white or magenta belt, you'll remember that your name is Tsukasa Kadoya and that you're the boss of the Great Shocker Organization."
"That doesn't sound like a righteous organization."
"It's a model organization dedicated to stabilizing the forces of the multiverse and making major contributions to the defeat of every evil organization! When you remember your name is Tsukasa Kadoya someday, March 7th, remember to make me a few Rider Cards so I can have some fun too."
"No way. This young lady still thinks March 7th is a cuter name."
"March 7th, one day you'll understand... cuteness is worthless before an authentic belt!"
"Asta, your brother definitely has terrible taste."
"Chapter 009: Through Fire and Water, Station Chief Asta. (1/4)"
As everyone knew, the early-game characters in Mei's company's games never lacked young rich ladies.
Teyvat's Tianquan Ningguang.
Changkong City's Mei's company heiress, Raiden Mei.
And in the vast map of Honkai: Star Rail, our beloved Miss Asta had elevated the very concept of a rich lady by several levels.
A proper young lady whose allowance could buy a Star Destroyer.
I have no interest in money.jpg
Mr. Ma's old humblebrag was genuinely a reality for this young lady. Faced with a commission from a rich lady who could casually throw around billions of Credits, Mr. Emiya felt unable to refuse.
It was somewhat bittersweet when he thought about it. Back when he was with the Stellaron Hunters, Mr. Emiya had worked for free. He did not seem to have ever applied for organizational funds either. Like the Geo Archon, that street-roaming fellow, his wallet had been held by that terrible gamer little hacker.
And now that he had temporarily transferred away from the Stellaron Hunters, he could hardly expect March 7th and Dan Heng—who were still waiting for Himeko and Welt to give them spending money—to serve as his wallet, could he?
Therefore—
Finding a new Wallet True Lord was imperative.
Besides, throughout this cosmic expanse, there was no shortage of technologies capable of altering and improving planetary environments. In particular, the IPC, where this rich young lady belonged, was the most mature power in the use of such technologies.
If he could complete the planetary transformation, then so long as no bastards like Old Gai or the Alien God showed up, there would basically be no major trouble on that planet. Even if some singularity, Lostbelt, or similar anomaly emerged, he could summon his own fist and express his opinion in attack form.
Did they understand the power of a three-in-one combination of Herrscher of Reason, Cosmic Hacker, and Sougo Emiya?
If he wanted to, he could directly craft a Star-Forged Holy Sword right now, use Aether Editing to remove the restrictions of the Thirteen Restraints, and fire the Star Sword at maximum output. Fake Sword Crown Candidates could only wait for others to log in and hold meetings; a true Sword Crown... he could simply go full dictatorship and solo everything!
Even the Harvest Star Vanguard could not withstand the Star Sword. The Harvest Star Vanguard could tear apart the Twelve Olympian Machines with its bare hands. Unless they fused and evolved into King of Gods Zeus or Dyson Sphere Chaos, they absolutely would not be the Harvest Star Vanguard's match.
Something like the Harvest Star Vanguard might not quite be at the level of an Emanator, but it was at least close to the strength of a UO. It would definitely not be inferior to someone like the Buli Ren Battle Leader Hulei.
Of course, Asta was not commissioning him to subjugate someone like Hulay. It was merely a simple cleanup task: clearing away some garbage left behind in the space station.
"I have something I'd like to commission you to do, Mr. Emiya."
Before you continue