"Reason?"
Jyahnar looked innocently at Kiana. "It's an instinct. Something that doesn't need to be spoken or taught—it's simply understood naturally."
Kiana fell silent.
Jyahnar said that everything she knew came from instinct. What kind of reasoning was that?
Could the Honkai really disregard all logic like this?
Kiana felt a headache coming on.
"As long as a new world is assimilated, the Izumo dilemma you're worried about will resolve itself, Kiana."
No more exhausting herself thinking about how to separate Izumo from Nihility.
Kiana's expression grew complicated.
She had never planned to bring the world of Jarilo entirely under the rule of the Honkai.
In Belobog, what she was doing was more of an experiment—to test whether she could accelerate her Herrscher transformation.
But to fully turn Jarilo into a world of Honkai—that...
Izumo was an obsession for her.
But still…
"Don't bring that up again."
Kiana took a deep breath and spoke seriously. "I won't do it."
Even if Izumo's situation had been an accident, whenever she thought of its outcome, she didn't dare to take that risk again.
Belobog's case wasn't the same as Izumo's—Izumo had been beyond saving.
So drastic measures could be taken.
In hopes of a miracle.
"Why?" Jyahnar frowned, looking puzzled. "It's the simplest solution, and doing so could even benefit you."
"There's no why..."
Because when something wasn't absolutely necessary, people should have boundaries—and she didn't think this was one of those moments.
"...Fine."
Jyahnar withdrew her confusion, murmuring, "Humans truly are incomprehensible creatures."
Acheron, who had barely managed to suppress herself just moments earlier, quietly exhaled. She was relieved that Kiana had made this choice.
But upon hearing Jyahnar's last comment, she couldn't help but think to herself—non-human beings really couldn't understand humanity's perspective.
"Let's talk somewhere else."
Acheron took Kiana's hand and said softly, "It's not appropriate to stay here."
"Alright. Jyahnar, suppress your aura and come with us."
Kiana had no objection.
Staying here any longer would indeed be strange.
It'd be better to head back, find a quiet place to sit, and talk slowly.
Jyahnar watched their movements, hesitated for a moment, then placed her hand in front of Kiana. "Kiana, could you hold my hand?"
"...Huh?"
Kiana, who had been about to leave, froze. Instinctively, she turned to check Acheron's expression—seeing no particular reaction on her face, she relaxed slightly.
Because of her preconceived impression of the Second Herrscher—and since Jyahnar's appearance was almost identical to hers—it was difficult for Kiana not to associate Jyahnar with that giant manta ray.
"Alright. But in populated areas, don't harm anyone, and definitely don't use Honkai energy casually..."
Kiana took her hand and led the way, speaking as they walked.
Jyahnar seemed to listen intently.
In truth, she already knew what to do—those Stigmata worlds had taught her enough to understand human society, at least on a basic level.
Before long, they returned to Belobog—but this time, not to the upper district. Instead, they arrived in the lower city.
They had long known about Belobog's division between upper and lower districts. The lower city was less peaceful, many areas being swallowed by Fragmentum cracks—making it easier for them to move around.
So Kiana had already established a temporary base there and often operated in the area.
Along the way, Jyahnar behaved obediently—she didn't talk much, didn't ask unnecessary questions, and simply listened and observed quietly.
She seemed, for once, surprisingly easy to handle.
Because of Jyahnar's arrival, Kiana's remaining plans for the day were completely disrupted. Her thoughts now revolved around the Stigmata world linked to Jyahnar.
Acheron had followed her once into a Stigmata world, where she'd seen many familiar faces—memories long blurred by time.
It stirred some emotion in her heart, though not much.
What Acheron cared about was something else entirely.
When she had spoken with Yae Sakura earlier, Acheron hadn't entertained such thoughts. But after discovering that every Stigmata could crystallize into a Stigmata Crystal—each containing a Stigmata World within—it sparked a new idea in her mind.
Among the Stigmata Kiana had entrusted to her…
Could there be a similar Stigmata World hidden within?
Acheron had never really understood how the Stigmata Kiana gave her functioned—how exactly it granted her that amplification of power.
Let alone the underlying principle.
Though the Stigmata was etched into her, it still felt foreign—like a weapon in her hand. It could grant her strength, yes, but it was never truly a part of her.
Of course, she had never tried to explore the Stigmata's potential further—to see if it could be developed, if there were powers yet unrevealed.
Now, after witnessing the existence of multiple Stigmata Worlds in succession, a strange thought surfaced in her mind.
Those Stigmata Worlds had all been born after their hosts' deaths, formed when the host and Stigmata fused under the influence of the Honkai.
But still, the idea came to her.
If the host didn't die—could there still be a Stigmata World within the Stigmata?
And if there were… what would it be like?
It was a fleeting thought, one she didn't voice to Kiana. She simply decided she would try later—perhaps then she'd find her answer.
However, that night, Jyahnar—who had been quiet and well-behaved all day—suddenly became restless when she saw that Kiana and Acheron were planning to share a room.
"She can't. Let me do it instead, Kiana."
Kiana, who was in the middle of arranging a new room for Jyahnar, nearly slipped and fell flat on the spot.
Acheron's face darkened instantly. The discontent she had been holding back ever since Jyahnar admitted to hindering her search for Kiana finally burst forth.
"I can't?"
For someone like Acheron, who rarely showed strong emotion toward others, that was like lighting a fuse.
Even when she had seen Ruan Mei getting close to Kiana earlier, she had felt discomfort—but nothing as sharp and violent as what she felt now.
Kiana was startled. She immediately grabbed Acheron's arm, glaring at Jyahnar. "Jyahnar, shut up already!"
You really have no sense of danger, huh? Aren't you afraid Mei will slice you in half with a single stroke? You'll say anything, won't you?!
"Why?"
Jyahnar genuinely seemed confused by Kiana's anger. Frowning, she turned her gaze toward Acheron, repeating in earnest, "She just can't."
"You're saying I can't?"
That did it—Acheron exploded. Even with Kiana holding her back, there was no calming her down.
Coldly fixing her gaze on the woman who had already provoked her to the limit, Acheron tightened her grip on the sword in her hand, barely restraining the urge to draw it.
Her voice was void of all emotion as she spoke:
"Very well. No need for words. Let's fight."
"Mei! Mei, calm down!"
Kiana held tightly to Acheron, whose killing intent was practically overflowing from her eyes—terrified that in a moment of fury, she'd cut down not only Jyahnar but all of Jarilo-VI along with her.
If Jyahnar got slashed once, that was one thing.
But Jarilo-VI wouldn't survive a full-powered strike from the enraged Acheron.
If Acheron unleashed her anger, who knew if anyone in Belobog would still be alive afterward.
"Let go of me, Kiana."
This time, Acheron didn't listen. Her eyes locked on the unfazed Jyahnar, rage boiling so intensely that even Nihility couldn't suppress it.
"You saw it—it's not that I wanted this, but she keeps provoking me."
"You want to fight me?"
Jyahnar's eyes lit up. She stepped forward fearlessly, studying Acheron with interest. "No problem. If you lose, then leave Kiana."
A vein throbbed on Acheron's forehead.
"Jyahnar!"
Kiana finally snapped. She glared at Jyahnar, her voice tight with suppressed anger. "What the hell are you trying to do? My affairs are none of your concern!"
Hearing Kiana's scolding, Jyahnar froze for a moment before speaking in a hurt tone. "But Kiana, guarding you is my duty."
"...Guarding me?"
Jyahnar nodded, her gaze flicking toward Acheron. "I remember what you said before, Kiana—but helping you, protecting you, is my responsibility."
"Her strength isn't much greater than mine. I am your companion Honkai Beast, Kiana. It should be my duty to guard you while you sleep."
Acheron's burning anger came to an abrupt halt.
It seemed that she and Jyahnar hadn't even been on the same page.
Kiana went silent too.
So that's what Jyahnar meant…?
"You?"
Even if she understood now, Acheron's temper didn't vanish entirely. She let out a cold laugh. "You had enough strength to keep me out of Izumo, but couldn't stop Kiana from disappearing?"
There was resentment in her tone.
Kiana awkwardly scratched her arm. She knew why Mei minded that incident so much—because of it, she had been found and taken in by Ruan.
Jyahnar's face stiffened.
"Say something."
Acheron didn't relent. Stepping closer, she pressed, "You stopped me over and over again from finding Kiana—so how did you let Kiana vanish right under your nose?"
At that time, Kiana had still been asleep.
Jyahnar could only sense the aura of Finality; she hadn't seen Kiana herself. As long as Acheron didn't come to disturb her, Jyahnar remained dormant as well.
Who would've thought Kiana would wake so suddenly?
And then vanish from Izumo in an instant—transferring to another world before Jyahnar could even react.
Jyahnar had considered searching for her, but back then she hadn't developed the same awareness she had now, nor did she know where Kiana had gone.
After much hesitation, she ultimately decided to stay and wait—because she believed that when Kiana needed her, she would call.
"Alright, Jyahnar—Mei is my lover. Don't say things that will upset her anymore," Kiana said firmly. "If you make her angry again, I'll send you back."
"...Lover?"
Jyahnar knew what that meant.
But she still couldn't believe it.
Kiana... and that irritating woman?
Lover?
Her brows furrowed deeply, her expression filled with disbelief—as if wondering whether she'd misunderstood the meaning of the word entirely.
Kiana, afraid the situation would spiral further, didn't explain. She simply pushed Acheron toward the door, leaving only a quick warning: "Just don't cause trouble for me. My private matters aren't your concern."
Jyahnar's face fell.
No—she needed to go into the Stigmata World again. She had to confirm what "lover" truly meant.
Meanwhile, Kiana dragged Acheron back to their room.
"She's a Honkai Beast, her brain's not exactly sharp yet—still learning how to act human. Don't take her words seriously, Mei. If you get mad, I'll feel awful."
Kiana pushed Acheron gently down onto the bed, moving behind her to knead her shoulders in an attempt to soothe her anger.
Whether she liked it or not...
Jyahnar was still her Honkai Beast.
Jyahnar had made Mei this angry, and of course, Kiana bore part of the responsibility too.
Acheron, however, said nothing. She left Kiana suspended in silence for several seconds—long enough for Kiana's anxiety to rise as she tried to figure out how to calm her down. Then, suddenly, Acheron turned, seized her wrist, and pressed her down onto the bed.
Her normally expressionless face still held a trace of displeasure.
"Do you also think I can't?"
"Of course not!"
Kiana blurted out without even thinking. "Mei, you're the strongest in my heart!"
Acheron didn't look the least bit appeased. If anything, the bottled-up emotions from the past few days seemed to have finally exploded. She gazed at Kiana and said quietly, "You know that's not what I'm asking."
That tone… Kiana froze for a moment. So it wasn't about strength… was it about that misunderstanding from earlier with Jyahnar?
"O-of course it's the same there too," Kiana stammered, her pulse quickening as she caught a faint trace of Acheron's scent.
"I'm not happy."
Acheron's hand pinned Kiana down firmly, while her other hand traced slowly across Kiana's face.
Inch by inch.
Not sparing a single spot.
"Don't be angry, Mei. Starting tomorrow, I'll make sure Jyahnar behaves herself. I won't let her cause this kind of trouble again or do anything to upset you."
Kiana didn't know why everyone she loved seemed to have a habit of touching her face when they were upset. Feeling Acheron's gentle but deliberate touch, she half closed her eyes, promising earnestly.
"...I really am upset."
Acheron's deep eyes lingered on the girl beneath her as she spoke softly. "Not just because of that clueless creature. There's also... Ruan Mei."
"You often ignore me because of her."
Her tone was calm, but beneath it was a quiet, unmistakable note of grievance.
"...Mei..."
Hearing that, Kiana instantly lost all her composure. She wrapped her arms around Acheron, holding her tightly.
"I'm sorry. It's all my fault."
Kiana felt a pang of frustration in her heart. Maybe she really needed to secretly find someone to teach her time management—if she became a true master of it, then no one would ever feel neglected again.
"I didn't plan to say these things," Acheron admitted, her expression softening at Kiana's touch. "I don't want to make you feel burdened about things that can't be changed."
"But still..."
"I understand," Kiana interrupted gently. "I know you've been hurting too, Mei."
With a quick shift, she tightened her grip on Acheron's hands and rolled them over, pressing her down instead.
"Don't bottle things up, Mei," she said softly. "The one who's in the wrong is me. I don't want you to bear that unhappiness alone because of me."
"For you, Mei... anything is okay."
She guided Acheron's hand to her flushed cheek, holding it there, and looked into her eyes with complete sincerity.