I Am Honkai

Clad in a crimson cloak with golden trim, the figure exuded majesty. Behind her head, the radiant golden Sun Wheel, symbolizing the authority of the Imperial Guard's commanders, shone brilliantly.

"Your Majesty!"

A man knelt on one knee, bowing his head deeply in respect. The Imperial Guard's commander displayed nothing but humble reverence as he paid his obeisance.

"Laurenst, I have a task for you."

Standing before him, Selene materialized the Imperial Arm World Chronicle – [Rongorongo] in her hands. As the book connected to Schicksal's organizational database, she flipped through its pages, stopping at the records of Schicksal's Siberian Research Institute.

Her focus zeroed in on information related to the institute, particularly those who had participated in the Herrscher Host Experiment Project—Project K.

Selene had never been one to let go of grudges. On the contrary, her vengeance was always swift and fierce.

"The Siberian Research Institute, Project K… Head of the project… K-404… Hmph, found you."

Her lips curled into a chilling smile as she gazed at the image of a middle-aged man on the page.

That face… It left a deep impression on her.

This was the man who had stood beyond the glass window of the laboratory, watching her with contempt—as if she were nothing more than garbage.

"Here is my command: every single Schicksal researcher who participated in Project K—the Second Herrscher Sirin Host Experiment—whether retired, active, defected, or even deceased, is to be included. Their direct relatives, no matter their age or gender—execute them all."

At that moment, Durandal, Kiana, and Raiden Mei overheard Selene's merciless proclamation of a clan-wide extermination order.

Selene, expressionless, continued to elaborate, "Except for those on the protected list, it is better to kill mistakenly than to let anyone go."

Perhaps it was true that those researchers bore no personal malice—they had simply done their jobs. But Selene, seeking retribution for the atrocities inflicted upon her body, was equally justified in her eyes. And because Selene was stronger, it was her rules that governed the game.

"By your command!"

Thud! Thud! Thud!

The sound of Laurenst's heavy footsteps reverberated as he took his leave. The massive doors to the hall groaned as they slowly closed, the Imperial Guard carefully shutting them behind him.

For a brief moment, the grand hall was plunged into an unsettling silence.

The quiet was so absolute that even the sound of a pin dropping could be heard, broken only by the audible, labored breathing of Raiden Mei, who was still weakened.

Kiana and Durandal both stared wide-eyed, their horrified gazes fixed upon Selene.

The collateral damage and casualties caused by war were one thing, but for Selene to so casually issue an order condemning thousands of families to annihilation was something they could never bring themselves to do.

At the end of the day, Kiana, Durandal, and Raiden Mei were little more than girls who had just reached adulthood.

Yes, it was undeniable that countless lives had been lost due to Kiana and Raiden Mei.

The Third Honkai Eruption that destroyed Nagazora City, the global devastation caused by the Herrscher of the Void—these catastrophes had resulted from their actions, even if unintentionally.

While murder remained murder, and guilt could not be denied, the pain and destruction they had caused were not something they had ever wished for.

Kiana, in particular, had nearly been crushed under the weight of her guilt, driven to seek atonement at all costs.

This starkly contrasted with Selene's deliberate, personal issuance of a clan extermination order.

At that moment, the vast chasm between Selene's values and their own became painfully clear. Her utter disregard for human life was laid bare for all to see.

Closing the World Chronicle, Selene spoke with calm indifference, "It's a trivial matter."

Her crimson, rhombus-shaped pupils glanced sideways at them. "What? Is there a problem?"

Her smile was warm and ordinary, her tone soft and gentle.

Yet Kiana, Durandal, and Raiden Mei couldn't help but shudder. It felt as though they had plunged into an icy abyss, the chill rushing from the base of their spines to the crowns of their heads, leaving their entire bodies frozen.

What kind of smile was this?

It was the sort of smile that, despite its outward warmth, could only elicit fear—a smile that concealed an unfathomable, terrifying coldness.

Raiden Mei had believed that, ever since she made the decision to join World Serpent, she had shed her naivety and innocence. She had grown accustomed to the sight of life and death. Even her comrades in World Serpent often remarked that she had matured, becoming a completely different person compared to before.

But now, standing in the presence of Selene—this newly revealed elder sister of Kiana—Mei suddenly felt that her supposed maturity was a mere joke.

With her casual, conversational tone, Selene had just ordered the extermination of thousands of families, affecting at least tens of thousands of lives.

Compared to that, what was Mei's so-called familiarity with life and death? Child's play?

Selene took a single step forward, her gentle, spring-like smile remaining unchanged. Yet the overwhelming pressure she exuded, coupled with the trembling fear emanating from the Herrscher core within Mei, left her utterly terrified. It was as if she were being stared down by an unstoppable force of nature.

"..."

After a long silence, Kiana suddenly let go of the trembling Raiden Mei in her arms. Lowering her head, she walked to stand before Selene. Her pale, jade-like fingers fidgeted nervously as she choked out, "Selene-sister… you don't have to go this far for me."

"Huh?"

In the next moment, Selene immediately understood—Kiana had misunderstood the situation.

Kiana assumed that Selene's thorough vendetta against the researchers involved in the Herrscher Host Project K was an act of vengeance on her behalf.

Going along with the misunderstanding, Selene instinctively spoke, her response slipping out before she could think. Under the curious gaze of Raiden Mei, Selene casually and skillfully reached out to place a hand on Kiana's fluffy, snow-white hair.

"You're calling me your sister, aren't you? As your sister, how could I not show a little support? Not a single one of those participants will escape, I promise you that."

"I…"

Kiana's feelings toward the researchers who had created her were complicated. She didn't harbor outright hatred, but there was certainly no fondness either.

"There's no need to say anything more—they're my enemies," Selene interrupted without hesitation.

As she spoke, Selene began ruffling Kiana's soft white hair. Her movements were deliberate, much like how she would pet the large orange cats and hamsters kept in the imperial gardens of Shanglin Park.

"Mm…"

Perhaps due to Selene's exceptional "petting technique," perfected from countless sessions with Elisa and other soft creatures, Kiana let out a sound resembling a small animal's whimper.

Given the height difference between the two, Selene's head-patting gesture seemed even more natural, while Kiana, overcome with a mix of guilt and embarrassment, blushed faintly.

If this had been the Kiana of her St. Freya Academy days, she would likely have protested passionately, perhaps even trying to convince Selene to spare the families of those involved.

But now? Selene had already gone to such lengths. For Kiana to continue arguing would only make her seem ungrateful. After everything she had been through, Kiana had matured and learned the importance of compromise.

"Ki…"

Breaking free from her instinctive fear, Raiden Mei stared at the scene with an aggrieved expression, her violet-red eyes fixed on Kiana, who seemed to be enjoying herself under Selene's hand.

For a brief moment, she looked like an abandoned puppy.

However, if Mei had to be honest, Kiana standing next to her sister Selene did seem remarkably fitting…

"Oh, that's right!"

After enjoying the head pats for a while, her cheeks still tinged with red, Kiana quickly slipped out from under Selene's hand and dashed over to the stunned Raiden Mei.

"Selene-sister, this is Mei. She's my best friend."

Kiana, much like a child proudly showing off their favorite toy to a parent, pushed the dazed Raiden Mei a few centimeters closer to Selene.

"Hello, Sister Selene," Mei stammered.

Leaning against Kiana for support, Mei's years of elite training and upbringing compelled her to muster the most proper etiquette she could manage, even as her body trembled slightly.

Yet, in this moment, Mei couldn't shake the strange feeling that something was off.

Why did this situation feel so much like a "shy bride meeting the in-laws"?

Awkwardly, she managed to squeeze out her greeting.

"Hm."

Selene nodded indifferently, her tone calm and detached. "Raiden Mei, I know who you are—the daughter of Raiden Ryoma, once the young heiress of ME Corp."

As she spoke, Selene glanced at Kiana with an amused expression.

"Is she your best friend? Or perhaps just a little girlfriend who only wants to cook for you? Heh—if there's time, she can have a chat with my head chef, [Susanoo]."

Selene's teasing words left both Kiana and Raiden Mei chuckling awkwardly in embarrassment.

"Your Majesty Selene, what do you need us to do now?"

In the end, it was Durandal who stepped in with a well-timed topic change, sparing Kiana from further embarrassment.

"Ah, just in time. I'm about to send off an old friend. You have a choice: you can either remain aboard the flagship and deepen your understanding of the Empire by accessing its archives—if you need anything, simply call for an attendant.

"Or, you can return to the surface to assist Theresa in managing Schicksal's surrender process."

The Mediterranean, Schicksal Headquarters Floating Islands, Midgard

(Note: The Schicksal headquarters consists of nine main floating islands, named after the nine realms of Yggdrasil in Norse mythology.)

"Hey, Commander Alex, Commander Sanguinius, what's with the long faces?"

Standing on the deck of the airstrip, Theresa tilted her head up to address the two men. Both Alex and Sanguinius appeared visibly agitated.

"It's no secret. We just received word from above: the Imperial Guard and the Inquisition are sending people here. A lot of people are probably going to die soon," Sanguinius, the blond, warm-hearted commander, replied, crossing his arms as he looked down at the petite white-haired girl pacing around his knees.

Even now, he couldn't quite reconcile the fact that this clumsy little thing was Schicksal's Great Overseer. The realization struck him anew every time he saw her.

Honestly, when Sanguinius first learned that someone like this was the leader of Schicksal, the thought "Schicksal is doomed" had immediately taken over his mind.

Theresa bristled at his response, her tone sharp. "Didn't we agree earlier not to kill innocents? Did your Empress approve this?"

"Watch your words, Theresa Apocalypse," Alex replied with a shake of his head. "Not your Empress—our Empress. Know your place!"

"Innocent? If the Empire declares them guilty, then they are guilty!"

Alex let out a cold snort and turned his gaze toward the Valkyrie units and Schicksal's Honkai-powered mechs lined up on the deck. Without turning back, he continued, "You're aware of the Herrscher Host Experiment, Project K, aren't you?"

"Huh?" Theresa blinked in surprise but nodded after a moment. "I know about it. Why are you bringing it up? Don't tell me…"

"That's right. The targets for the Imperial Guard and the Inquisition's purge are all personnel who participated in the Herrscher Host Experiment, Project K."

As Alex finished his sentence, Sanguinius raised a hand to point at a nearby monitor and said, "They've arrived."

Theresa and Alex both turned to look at the screen.

The monitor displayed the low-Earth orbit above them, where several massive, golden assault ships were detaching from the flagship. These ships were now descending toward different regions of the planet's surface, their entry paths glowing brightly as they pierced the atmosphere.

Alex immediately recognized the identity of the incoming forces.

The resplendent gold plating of the assault ships, the embossed twin-headed eagle, the crimson tassels, and the crossed guardian spears—all of these were unmistakable symbols of the Imperial Guard.

Not long after, one of the assault ships landed on the floating island. The massive, gold-armored Imperial Guards disembarked, their presence immediately suffocating. Among them, the Sisters of Silence brought with them a restrictive Honkai energy field that plunged the entire deck into chaos.

Many of Schicksal's creations, which relied on Honkai energy, abruptly ceased functioning. The Valkyries scattered in panic, while Theresa's eyes widened as she cried out in alarm, "They're here again?! And in such numbers?! The Herrscher of Binding?!"

"Disable the restraint field. This floating island is now imperial property—ensure there's no unnecessary damage," Laurenst, the commander of the Imperial Guard, ordered the Sisters of Silence accompanying him.

Laurenst turned to acknowledge the three figures before him, giving a respectful nod. "Commander Alex, Commander Sanguinius."

"Greetings, Commander Laurenst," Alex and Sanguinius replied politely.

Without further preamble, Laurenst raised the twin-headed eagle insignia in his hand and declared, "Commanders Alex and Sanguinius, by order of Her Majesty: all personnel involved in Project K—the Herrscher Host Experiment—are to be executed, along with their entire bloodline!"

"We understand and will cooperate fully."

The moment Alex and Sanguinius laid eyes on the insignia, they immediately straightened up, saluting it with solemn respect.

Theresa, however, was left in shock, her voice trembling as she murmured, "Why would such an order be given…?"

Before Theresa could finish speaking, Laurenst's sharp gaze fell upon her, cutting into her like a blade. His eyes swept over her repeatedly, unrelenting and piercing.

After a moment, Laurenst dismissed her entirely with a wave of his hand. Immediately, a large number of black-robed figures stepped forward from the golden ranks of the Imperial Guard and the Sisters of Silence.

Armed with capture ledgers in hand, they stormed into the various corners of Schicksal's headquarters, their presence oppressive and chilling.

These individuals were dressed in tight, jet-black power armor cloaked in dark robes. Though their frames were smaller than those of the imposing Imperial Guard and their individual combat strength far inferior, the suffocating stench of blood that clung to them sent shivers down the spine of anyone nearby.

The emblem of a skull balanced on scales adorned their chests—a nightmare for all lawbreakers within and outside the Empire. They were the Imperial Inquisition, a name far more fearsome than even the Imperial Guard or the Astartes Legion.

Falling into the hands of the former typically meant swift death. Falling into the hands of the Inquisition, however, meant that death was merely the gentlest punishment.

The Inquisition were the Empire's true enforcers of cruelty. The dungeons of the Imperial Inquisition were filled with countless tormented souls, their wails of anguish a testament to lives worse than death.

Soon, amidst cries of despair, a group of middle-aged and elderly researchers in white lab coats were dragged out of the research facilities.

The Inquisition's enforcers shoved them roughly onto the deck, forcing them to kneel by smashing their kneecaps with a brutal kick.

"Ian Whittier, researcher of the Sanctus 7308 Institute. In Selene's name, you are hereby sentenced to death!"

"Carl Hsu, researcher of the Sanctus 4308 Institute…"

"Ivar Harkins…"

The enforcers coldly recited each name and affiliation as they went down the line, sentencing each individual without hesitation.

Then, they drew explosive handguns magnetically attached to their waists.

Bang! Bang! Bang!

Gunshots echoed through the air, loud and merciless.

Theresa stood there, utterly stunned, her mouth agape and her expression frozen in disbelief.

Meanwhile, at the World Serpent Headquarters

Bang!

Kevin Kaslana swung his massive sword, Judgement of Shamash, with lightning speed. The blade spun violently, slashing through the air and sending out bursts of explosive flames so fast they were nearly imperceptible.

His cerulean eyes shone like stars, a faint glimmer of hope in the suffocating darkness. He was the trailblazer for humanity's future, carving a path forward in the never-ending fight against Honkai, driving back the ever-encroaching calamity.

Every move Kevin made was flawless. Every strike he dealt was precise and lethal. No matter how fiercely Robert counterattacked, Kevin flawlessly parried every blow, the searing, corrosive flames surrounding his opponent never even grazing him.

Yet Kevin's heart grew heavier with each exchange.

He had struck Robert many times, and yet…

Every attack proved futile. The strange void-like defensive field surrounding Robert, coupled with his heavy armor, rendered all of Kevin's efforts ineffective.

Judgement of Shamash's zeroth-rated power output could not decide the battle in such a short time.

Kevin silently contemplated his next steps.

Would he have to resort to his Final Form? If he did, his stamina wouldn't last through subsequent battles.

Though Kevin had absorbed the energy of the Judgement-Class Honkai Beast—Chiyou—it had only partially restored his strength.

Damn it!

The premature descent of the Herrscher of the End had caught Kevin completely off guard, leaving many of his contingency plans unprepared.

And then, at that moment—

Kevin could no longer sense Raiden Mei's presence. She had vanished.

Raiden Mei had been fighting that man named Budo… Had she escaped? Or had she been defeated?

"In battle, losing focus is a fatal mistake!"

Robert unleashed a powerful slash to suppress Kevin and then followed up with a crushing kick to Kevin's torso.

Bang!

Kevin brought Judgement of Shamash up horizontally in an attempt to block. The impact drove him deep into the burning seafloor, carving a long furrow into the ground. His internal organs churned violently, and he felt an overwhelming urge to vomit.

The next moment—

Crackle! Boom!

"Thunder Prison—Descend!"

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