"Boom!"
Under continuous external interference, the Honkai Energy within Theresa experienced a sudden surge. The abundant golden light transformed the blue experimental cabin into what seemed like a vat of liquid gold—radiant but blinding. Even Otto couldn't help squinting against the brightness.
"Little Theresa..." murmuring his granddaughter's name, Otto opened his eyes immediately after the glow subsided to check on her.
He saw Theresa floating in the fluid-filled chamber, instinctively curled up, yet completely motionless as if lifeless.
"..."
Otto remained silent, quickly pulling up nearby status windows to inspect, confirming that Theresa still retained consciousness before quietly sighing in relief.
Silently, Otto pulled up nearby data windows to inspect Theresa's condition, relieved to confirm she still maintained her consciousness.
"Glug!"
A burst of bubbles suddenly surfaced within the tank. Theresa's curled body shuddered as vivid red veins spread from her back onto her exposed arms and neck, resembling vines growing by absorbing nutrients from their host.
"The vital signs fluctuate within predicted ranges; the Stigmata has been successfully activated... Zeke, we were right—Dr. Mei's Project Stigma aimed to catalyze the creation of Artificial Honkai Beasts indirectly. Aside from Herrschers, who else could withstand the tide of Honkai Energy that would obliterate civilization?"
Otto sighed softly, unsurprised by this conclusion they had long since reached through research and discussion.
Theresa's Stigmata had been pushed back to its primal state, with all artificial stabilizing structures disintegrating. From here on out, even without further intervention, her Stigmata would inexorably shape her towards becoming a Herrscher. Either Theresa would undergo metamorphosis into a being akin to a Herrscher or... the Stigmata would completely consume her, transforming everything about her into vast amounts of Honkai Energy, explosively radiating into the ocean and atmosphere.
This was also the fate awaiting all humans after Project Stigma's initiation—oh wait, my mistake; this would be the destiny for only a select few. The majority lacked the innate talent and would instantly drown amidst the Honkai Energy environment.
"Next, initiate Phase Two."
Otto forcefully suppressed his emotions, maintaining a composed expression as he inputted new commands.
A circular opening appeared on the laboratory ceiling, through which a massive golden Cross adorned with shimmering patterns descended slowly, carrying two translucent crystals securely fixed to it.
The Divine Key known as Oath of Judah, Theresa's weapon—and Kallen's before her. Otto valued Kallen's legacy, but he understood well the distinction between people and possessions. If necessary, even something as revered as Judah could be modified or utilized at will.
As for the two crystals, they were cores extracted from Pseudo-Herrschers. While incomparable to true Herrscher Cores in terms of energy level and uniqueness, they served adequately as sources of Honkai Energy and catalysts for creating artificial Herrscher Cores.
"Ah! The key issue isn't how to guide a qualified Valkyrie down the path of becoming a Herrscher but rather transforming her into a suitable vessel for the Twelfth Herrscher, the Herrscher of Binding, and thereby capturing the attention of the God of Honkai."
Otto adjusted the command data, muttering to himself both to calm his emotions and further organize his thoughts.
Under Otto's control, each Pseudo-Herrscher Core extended a strand of white light, converging, intertwining, and entangling before Judah.
Simultaneously, the meticulously crafted propulsion device emitted a gentle blue glow, guiding the power from the Pseudo-Herrscher Cores into Judah's intricate golden patterns.
"Rumble!"
The Cross began vibrating, radiating a dazzling brilliance.
"Kallen, Judah, pass this strength on to Theresa. She needs you, and so does this world," Otto murmured as if offering a devout prayer, his gaze fixed intently on a beam of light emerging from behind Judah, slowly winding its way towards the experimental cabin.
Retreating to the laboratory wall, Otto created ample undisturbed space for the delicate process of constructing the artificial Herrscher Core.
The beam penetrated the liquid-filled chamber and, under Otto's control, slowly infused itself into Theresa's forehead. Simultaneously, vivid red Stigmata patterns rapidly spread across her face, attracted to the Honkai Energy imbued with Judah's essence.
Theresa's eyes abruptly snapped open, her golden irises uncontrollably trembling and darting around as waves of Honkai Energy surged like tidal surges, each one stronger than the last, rhythmically erupting from her.
"Rumble!"
A thunderous rumble echoed throughout, vibrating the entire colossal warship at sea.
Thousands of miles away, Mobius and Einstein monitored their surveillance equipment silently, observing the fluctuations of Honkai Energy emanating from the ocean's center.
From ten steps back, Otto knew that the Herrscher Core was beginning to inscribe itself within Theresa's genes and Stigmata while gradually taking shape in her soul and mental domain.
"The next part of this journey, you must walk alone, but I will always be watching over your shoulder, Little Theresa."
Otto placed his hands behind his back, observing through the transparent virtual screen as Theresa's body contorted amidst intense Honkai Energy, struggling as if a drowning prisoner.
"Boom!!!"
"Boom!!"
Amidst an indescribable shockwave, Theresa's eyes flew open as her hazy consciousness abruptly cleared up. Instead of seeing the laboratory and Otto, she found herself in a pristine white space filled with countless golden gears and chains.
"This place is... Ahhh!"
Just as Theresa began pondering her situation, a searing pain engulfed her entire body, scattering all rational thought. It felt like being torn into thousands of pieces, omnipresent and soul-deep, causing her to clutch her head and roll wildly on the ground.
"Ahhh!"
Wave after wave of agony struck her, culminating in one final, excruciating surge. Forgetting everything else, Theresa sprang up, nearly tearing her throat from screaming, before collapsing heavily onto the floor, prostrate and utterly devoid of strength, unable even to move a finger.
"Huff... Huff... Huff..."
Breathing heavily, Theresa's thoughts gradually reassembled amidst the lingering pain, following a long moment of stillness. As she lay prone, she noticed a pair of small, pure-white feet and fluttering edges of white garments nearby.
Where am I? Who is this person?
Theresa's mind sluggishly formed questions, lacking even the strength to voice them aloud.
She could only slowly move her eyes upward from those pure-white feet.
A miniature stature, slender figure, an expressionless yet exquisitely delicate face, and familiar snug-fitting nun robes.
Theresa's pupils contracted.
Despite being entirely pure white—from skin to eyes and clothing—how could Theresa not recognize herself?
The Divine manifests in myriad forms. If you encounter your own pure-white self, it signifies that you have reached the final and most crucial step. Otto's words echoed within Theresa's thoughts, causing her heart to tremble.
Is this...the God of Honkai?!
Instinctively, Theresa blinked.
In an instant, the deity who was already mere steps away appeared directly before her.
The movements of God were not fluid like ordinary phenomena but rather akin to individual frames of animation. One moment, standing upright; the next, bending down; then, extending a flawless, pristine finger toward Theresa.
And finally, God froze, motionless.
One breath passed, then two, but God made no further move. He simply extended His finger towards Theresa at a reachable height, leaning forward with a gentle smile.
In the midst of complex emotions—dread, fear, hatred, and uncontrollable admiration—Theresa's eyes flickered incessantly.
If they don't act, neither will I. This gives me time to regain my strength, she initially thought. However, it felt as if time had frozen around her; there was no sign of her energy recovering even slightly.
Gradually, Theresa realized that all she possessed the strength for was to reach out and touch God. She had no other choice.
If I touch Him, can I become the Herrscher of Binding and succeed in this experiment? What should I do?
Confused by the situation, the options to act or not clashed fiercely within her mind.
Just when Theresa assumed the stalemate would persist indefinitely, she noticed both her body and the world before her gradually fading away.
"?!?"
Her thoughts remained clouded, unable to discern truth from illusion or perceive the reality unfolding. Yet one idea rapidly intensified in her heart: I cannot fail!
Before her mind could fully process, her hand moved ahead, trembling as she gently touched God's finger.
"Whoosh! Whoosh! Whoosh!"
The airship Hyperion hovered above the ocean's surface, the crashing waves audible below.
A Valkyrie clad in fiery red armor stood at the ship's bow, gulping down wine from a bottle.
"Ah! The taste is truly unique, as expected from Zeke's cellar! Don't you agree, former Archbishop Otto?"
"Zeke wasn't particularly fond of wine. If you're interested, I possess some genuine rarities myself."
An illusory golden-haired man materialized beside Himeko, matching her gaze towards the spreading golden gears in the distant sky, and responded nonchalantly.
The shockwave from Theresa transforming into a Herrscher erupted around her, intersecting with the Confinement Force Field. Caught off guard, Otto's physical body was torn apart, leaving only this projected illusion behind.
Himeko tossed the wine bottle over her shoulder, shattering it on the meticulously polished deck. "Let's talk about wine later," she said. "For now, did Theresa succeed or not?"
"She succeeded, but not entirely. Only when she regains her humanity and escapes the control of the Will of Honkai can we consider it a true victory."
"In other words, if she doesn't manage that, you'll resort to overwhelming firepower and blow her away?"
"That sounds rather harsh, but you're correct, School Commander Himeko."
Otto's will projection turned to finally acknowledge her.
The crimson armor showcased the pinnacle of Honkai energy technology. Its familiar structure and energy fluctuations told Otto that this suit was originally his property.
"The Divine Construct: Key of Blankness, embedded with a flame-powered Pseudo-Herrscher Core... Did you trade your achievements for it? That must've been quite expensive."
"Well, Kiana, that silly girl, always feels guilty around me, so I might have pulled some strings... But no, I didn't buy it; I borrowed it just for today."
"It won't help. Regardless of which Divine Key you wield, within the Confinement Force Field, there is only death awaiting you. Step back, School Commander Himeko. The battlefield ahead is not one you can intervene in."
"I'll ask you just one question—If I die here, is there a chance she could regain her sanity?"
A fiery blaze ignited around Himeko, its vivid red blending seamlessly with her long hair, making them indistinguishable from each other.
Otto was momentarily taken aback.
From this woman he had never considered significant, Otto recognized something familiar—a fearless hero's spirit.
After a brief silence, he nodded.
"It seems you're aware of the experiments I conducted on Kiana."
"Ever since Theresa became more astute, she's uncovered quite a lot. Considering my...destined connection with the Herrscher of the Void and our friendship, it was only natural that I'd learn about some things. Tell me—would sacrificing myself help her?"
"You promised her you wouldn't seek death."
"Hah! It's not the first time I've tricked that little fool." Himeko rolled her eyes, smiling nonchalantly.
Then, transforming into a blazing inferno, she swept across the ocean surface, soaring toward the golden gear looming in the sky above.
Otto didn't answer directly, but his response was clear enough.
And naturally, Himeko had reached her own decision as well.