ALL NOVEL Chapter 216: Persuasion and Ice
Kevin's voice was sincere, but Mei felt insulted. First Schicksal, then Anti-Entropy, then the Obsidian Concord, and now World Serpent. Was she nothing more than a tool to them?
But her anger stemmed from something else. This man, who had just attacked Kiana, now invited her to join his organization. It was a hypocrisy she couldn't stomach.
"I would have thought the leader of World Serpent would take the Honkai more seriously. Inviting a Herrscher to join your ranks… aren't you afraid of your subordinates' reaction?"
Despite her polite tone, the sarcasm was evident.
Kevin, however, seemed oblivious to her derision. "Saving the world isn't easy. People in this era understand so little about the true nature of the Honkai. Even Herrschers are mere puppets.
To fight the Honkai, we must unite all our forces. Someone has severed the threads that bind humanity. As long as one fights for humanity's sake, even a Herrscher can be a valuable asset."
"Such noble words from the man who just tried to kill Kiana. How laughable."
Kevin shook his head. "An uncontrolled Herrscher is a disaster. You're different. Your mind, your power… they're stable. I don't know who taught you to control your Herrscher powers, but such mastery requires a deep understanding of the Honkai."
The gem had resided within Kiana for so long. Normally, for Mei to reclaim the Gem of Conquest, she would have to open a pathway to the Imaginary Tree, exposing herself to the Will of the Honkai's influence, risking instability, like Kiana and Bronya.
But with Ren's help, the Herrscher of Dominance's power had extracted the core, allowing Mei to bypass the Imaginary Tree, becoming a complete Herrscher.
"There's nothing more to say. You tried to kill Kiana. That makes World Serpent my enemy."
Kevin didn't press the issue. Had Mei not yet awakened, they could have offered assistance as leverage. But now, as a fully realized Herrscher, only force would suffice.
"Then I apologize. It seems I must demonstrate World Serpent's power before you understand what's at stake."
Black ice materialized around him, the previously calmed blizzard reforming.
Mei gripped her katana, her expression grim.
A mere gesture from this man radiated such power. And she, drained and weakened, had no chance of victory.
But she had to buy time for Kiana. Even if it meant sacrificing herself.
Mei attacked first. Kevin, without moving, neutralized her lightning.
Ice shards, like falling stars, rained down.
Only by focusing my remaining power can I hope to break through. Mei knew this. She abandoned all defense, channeling her remaining strength into her blade, seeking a single opening.
[Narukami: Susano'o!]
She became the blade, a flash of lightning, striking at Kevin.
Clang.
A sharp, metallic ring echoed through the air.
The flash of lightning froze, suspended mid-strike.
"Such power, even at your limit. I chose well."
Kevin's voice was calm, unwavering, as he caught her blade with a single hand. Mei's heart sank.
"I have no desire to be your enemy, Raiden Mei. Have you considered why the Herrscher of the Void is in this state? She has absorbed the power of other Herrschers, repeatedly. Even your power, the authority of thunder, was once a part of her. Even if you save her now, she will eventually tread the same path.
Only by joining World Serpent, by helping us seal the Herrschers, can we prevent her from losing control. I promise you, once the Stigmata Project is complete, both you and she can return to a normal life."
Kevin's words struck a chord, but before Mei could respond, a spear of Honkai energy streaked towards him.
"Let Mei go!"
Space distorted as Kiana appeared beside Mei, pulling her away from Kevin. But as she tried to teleport again, the space around them froze.
"Kiana! Why did you come back?!" Mei, unafraid even when facing Kevin, was now panicked. She had hoped Kiana was safe, that her sacrifice would have meaning. Now, Kiana had returned, placing herself in danger.
"Idiot! Do you want to throw everything away?!"
"I won't abandon you," Kiana replied softly.
She turned to Kevin, her gaze hardening.
The frozen space, a phenomenon beyond her understanding, finally drove home the sheer power of their enemy. But she wouldn't leave, not while Mei and Ren were still here.
"Fine. Stay then."
Kevin gestured, and a cage of ice formed around them, constricting. Physical attacks were useless against the dense ice. They would be frozen, trapped.
Against such overwhelming power, resistance seemed futile.
But Kiana hadn't given up. She pulled a syringe from her pocket, a Schicksal-developed inhibitor she had obtained from Ren.
She injected herself without hesitation. A wave of warmth spread through her body, numbing the pain.
"Kiana, what are you doing?!" Mei watched in horror.
"Listen, Mei. I'm going to send you away. I don't blame you for joining the Obsidian Concord, but you have to protect yourself." Her voice was low, urgent.
"They're monsters, just like World Serpent. If you get the chance…"
"What about you?"
"I…" Kiana looked towards the sky, the warmth of Ren's presence still perceptible despite the icy barrier. "I'm staying… with him…"
The Herrscher of the Void's power surged, amplified by the inhibitor, breaking through the spatial lock, creating a temporary pathway in the Imaginary space.
"Goodbye, Mei."
Kiana pushed Mei into the portal. It was too unstable to transport them both.
It was a long-range teleportation, its destination vaguely set towards ARC City.
With Mei gone, the icy cage closing in, Kiana clutched the bracelet, waiting for the inevitable.
Then, the sky melted.