"Long time no see, Miss Mei. I see you've learned the truth."
Seeing Mei's Herrscher form—and her odd expression—Rita deduced she knew everything.
"...So why are we all here?"
"Contingency. Unlike Wendy, Anna's Herrscher transformation might be unstable. Amplified negativity could make her lose control."
Meanwhile, Durandal had already set up a barbecue grill.
"Team-building! World Serpent x Schicksal collab. Barbecue sounds great."
"...Let me cook. I have experience."
Mei felt an urge to impress Kiana's sister.
But Rita wasn't having it.
"Miss Mei, your skills are renowned—but mine are no less. I'll handle Durandal's meals."
"..."
Mei instantly recognized that look.
Ah. A fellow simp. And also into Kiana.
"Uh, Rita, anyone can cook—"
"Durandal, silence. This is a chef's duel. Stay out of it."
"Omo." ( •̯́ ₃ •̯̀)
Durandal shut up instantly—her usual authority gone.
(The Kaslana bloodline's true legacy: whipped by their wives.)
"Senpai! Me becoming a Herrscher is serious! Why's this a picnic?!"
Anna, the forgotten NPC, finally screamed.
Her reliable seniors were barbecuing before her life-changing moment?!
It was like finding out your idol was a basement-dwelling NEET.
"Relax. If things go south, we'll just punch you awake. Easy."
"SO I'M GETTING BEAT UP EITHER WAY?!"
"Mhm~."
Unlike her stoic canon self, this Durandal—raised by Siegfried and Cecilia—was cheerful and chaotic.
(Better for her parents, honestly.)
"...Fine. But I want mild seasoning."
Defeated, Anna joined them.
If she was getting punched either way, might as well eat well first.
"Yo, Schicksal folks! We late? Though, barbecuing before a Herrscher awakening? Bold."
Raven and Chen Tianwu arrived, the latter eyeing Anna awkwardly.
"Want some? Only 10 million per skewer~."
"The hell?! Even bank robbery's slower!"
"Oh? This isn't about our last encounter at all~."
"Sure. I totally believe that."
Raven plopped down, unimpressed.
"We've got time. How about... competitive UNO?"
Pulling out a deck, Raven grinned.
"...Deal."
And so, they ate and played, zero tension about the impending Herrscher.
This—no sacrifice, no tragedy—was the future Chang Yuan had fought for.
(If Anti-Entropy saw this, Welt Yang would lead a crusade against Schicksal HQ.
Everyone's thriving—except us!)
BEEP BEEP BEEP—!
Mid-UNO, the Honkai detector blared.
The eruption had begun. All eyes turned to Anna.
She shuddered, her breath frosting.
"Anna~ Hang in there! Or we'll have to punch the gay out of you~?"
"..."
As the transformation progressed, Anna faced her darkest fear—
Ever since her peers started pairing off, her parents' silent "When's your turn?" stares haunted her.
Why should she marry just because others did?!
"I... DON'T... WANT... MATCHMAKING!"
"???" x Everyone
Herrschers usually awakened from hatred, betrayal, or despair.
But matchmaking trauma?
This was a first.
"Anna? Anna! If you can hear us, say '1'! Otherwise, we're throwing hands!"
"...1...1...1..."
"Welp. Showtime, folks. Dr. Vill-V's on standby. Let's wrap this up before she arrives."
Seeing Anna unresponsive, Raven cracked her knuckles.
But then—
"No violence against a maiden~! Yuan, use your Origin powers for me~?"
Elysia arrived with Chang Yuan in tow.
"...Fine. Been a while since I fought."
Thus began Chang Yuan's first Herrscher battle in this era.
Though...
"Huh. Since when do Herrschers chant '1, 1, 1'?"