Honkai Impact: I, The Herrscher of Ice, Am Loved By Players

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Meanwhile, following Otto's directive, Theresa rushed to the church but began questioning his orders. In her view, even if crucial Takemikazuchi files were hidden within the church, their value couldn't possibly compare with her beloved students—notably including Raiden Mei, the third Herrscher.

However, sensing Otto's conviction and urgency, Theresa still followed his orders. Recalling the incident in the training room earlier, perhaps Grandpa had invested something significant in Kiana.

Unfortunately, Theresa was unaware that Ana's return swiftly brought Raiden Mei's battle to an end.

As Theresa arrived at the church, events unfolded according to their original course. She encountered Cocolia and Einstein, leading up to Theresa's personal showcase—Schicksal's S-rank Valkyrie using Judah to crush Titan machinery.

Meanwhile, as planned, Einstein successfully deciphered the church's code, allowing Theresa to finally witness one of the true secrets hidden within—the Sirin Project.

Theresa was indeed aware of this project, but she didn't know its specific details.

When she saw the sleeping girls in each cultivation tank, all bearing striking resemblances to her beloved Kia-chan, Theresa felt her entire worldview crumbling.

Involuntarily, she recalled what had transpired in the training room moments ago. If Kiana's subconscious adversary turned out to be Siegfried, then perhaps...

Theresa considered an implausible possibility, but no matter how she tried to dismiss it, she couldn't. Even more disturbing thoughts began surfacing...

Watching Theresa tremble uncontrollably, Einstein sighed.

It had to be said that Bishop Otto truly doted on her. To protect her, he wove a comforting illusion around her with lies. Unfortunately, now was the time for Theresa to awaken from this dream.

Einstein slowly approached and whispered softly into Theresa's ear:

"Let us make a deal."

"I've completely cut off communications here. Mr. Otto won't know what's happening."

"We went through great lengths to infiltrate this place just so we could have a proper conversation."

"To protect those dear to our hearts..." The faces of loved ones flashed before Einstein's eyes one by one: Planck... Schrödinger... Joyce...

From afar, Cocolia scoffed but held her tongue. Though she appeared cold and heartless, there were still people she cherished—the children at the orphanage.

However, Cocolia's radical nature often led her to employ unconventional methods, which frequently backfired with unintended consequences.

She couldn't be considered unequivocally evil, but she was far from being a suitable mother.

***

Due to Ana repelling Welt earlier than expected, Kiana never had the chance to support Raiden Mei as depicted in the original timeline. This left Kiana feeling somewhat unsatisfied.

Watching the boisterous girl beside her, Fu Hua could only shake her head helplessly.

Well, well—Kiana had no idea what formidable adversaries she would have faced if not for Ana's intervention.

Nor did Fu Hua know exactly what Bishop Otto had done to Kiana. If everything proceeded according to his plan, crushing a counterfeit Herrscher would be a mere formality.

The Scroll of Nuwa remained close by Fu Hua, albeit in its quantum state, concealing its presence.

Cocolia paid the price of Seele's disappearance and Bronya's severe injury to obtain this technology, yet it had already been mastered long ago in the previous civilization, even widely implemented on a large scale.

Otto might have had access to this technology as well, but he chose not to utilize it.

Ultimately, Otto was fully aware of the limitations of machinery. Even during the powerful previous civilization era, their reliance lay on MANTIS fusion warriors, not these inferior contraptions. In combating Honkai, Valkyries remained the primary force, with machinery serving as secondary support.

Or, more precisely, they depended on Herrscher-level powerhouses.

No one would seriously believe that, with the technology of the previous civilization era, they couldn't even create something as basic as Titan mechs. That would be grossly underestimating Vill-V and her team of mechanical experts.

Late at night, within the eastern forest of Saint Freya Academy, owls hooted from their perches, adding to the eerie atmosphere.

Amidst the woods, Welt darted like a bird startled by danger, swiftly fleeing while frequently glancing back over his shoulder.

Despite no pursuers behind him, he couldn't shake the feeling that the terrifying Valkyrie was chasing him down. Unaware that her vine manipulation stemmed from the Abyss Flower, he attributed it solely to the power of a Herrscher's Authority.

He wasn't facing just any Valkyrie; she was indeed a formidable and genuine Herrscher.

"Damn...! How could I possibly die here?!"

"Those damn Valkyries... One day, they'll pay for this!"

Ironically, even as Welt uttered these threats, Ana's image never crossed his mind. Confronting that particular Valkyrie filled him with despair and a sense of utter helplessness.

She was someone he simply couldn't defeat, despite being the First Herrscher himself...

As Welt ran frantically, too anxious to notice, a figure suddenly emerged from the trees ahead. It was a young man wearing glasses, exuding an intellectual demeanor.

Welt collided with the figure, knocking them both to the ground.

As he looked at the man lying beneath him, Welt felt a sense of familiarity but couldn't quite place where they had met before. He must be a teacher from Saint Freya Academy—refined and harmless.

"Tch, I thought it was someone significant, turns out just another educator." Welt raised his hand, forming a gravitational singularity within his palm. Having endured frustration throughout this journey, he now sought an outlet for his pent-up emotions.

Just then, another voice sounded behind Welt.

"Mr. Welt..."

Caught off guard by this sudden interruption, Welt turned in surprise to find Einstein, one of Anti-Entropy's Enforcers.

"May I assist you?"

"Oh! It's Lady Einstein! Perfect timing!" exclaimed Welt.

"As soon as I take care of this guy, hurry and escort me back to Anti-Entropy!"

Unbeknownst to Welt, the person he had knocked down slowly rose to their feet, carefully dusting themselves off with a contemplative air.

"No need, I can handle this myself," the man said, steadily approaching Welt.

Meanwhile, Welt remained focused on Einstein, still somewhat startled.

Suddenly, something swift pierced through the air. Welt's pupils contracted as he slowly reached for his chest, where an inexplicable bloody hole had appeared.

Not far from him, embedded deep into the ground, stood a pitch-black lance. The vegetation around it withered, signaling decay and decline.