I Am Honkai

"... How should she be dealt with?"

This sentence echoed incessantly in Fu Hua's mind.

Regarding "Hua," the other self born from her own body, Fu Hua had a deeply complicated perception. However, overall, she did not wish to see "Hua" killed.

Fu Hua was uncertain about Selene's true intentions, which was one concern. More significantly, Fu Hua understood "Hua's" nature all too well.

Blunt, irreverent, prone to impulsive decisions, and fiercely defiant—Hua's rebellious spirit was even stronger than that of her original self.

Despite inheriting the same 50,000 years of memories as Fu Hua, her personality was entirely different.

Fu Hua had always been someone who conformed to "authority." From her days as a Flame-Chaser in the previous civilization 50,000 years ago, Fu Hua had always followed authority figures, entrusting decision-making to those she deemed wiser, executing plans given to her without questioning motives or outcomes.

She saw herself as a warrior, a blade—this was Fu Hua's self-definition.

Whether it was obeying Captain Himiko, Dr. Mei, or Otto, Fu Hua rarely expressed independent opinions, often going along with the flow.

Even with Kiana serving as her emotional anchor, mitigating her loneliness and compensating for her personality flaws, Fu Hua still preferred being an executor.

Especially after pledging loyalty to Selene, whether for the preservation of more of humanity or because it suited her nature better, Fu Hua fully embraced her position.

The other "Hua," however, completely overturned Fu Hua's original worldview and mentality. In Hua's own words:

"Dr. Mei? Kevin? Otto? None of them will dictate my path! I am strong enough on my own. I don't need to rely on anyone. I will end Honkai with my own hands—I will rewrite the cosmos!"

While this wasn't much of an issue before, it now presented a massive problem.

Especially the statement: "Ziwei cannot command me."

Ziwei—the Pole Star, symbolizing the emperor. And the Saced Selene Empire was precisely an absolutist monarchy ruled by Empress Selene.

Fu Hua didn't dare to gamble on Selene's lack of understanding of Shenzhou culture in hopes of brushing this off.

To act so insolently under Selene's rule, especially in the presence of generals like Esdeath and Leiva, Fu Hua deeply suspected that this rebellious child would face a severe beating.

Worse yet, if she were captured and brought back, she might even be executed publicly as a warning, right before Fu Hua's eyes.

"Y-Your Majesty?!"

Raising her head, Fu Hua was startled to find Selene's face alarmingly close. Trembling, she quickly drew back, taking deep breaths, her expression a complicated mix of emotions as she struggled to speak.

"What's on your mind? Tell me." Selene seemed intrigued, picking up a napkin to wipe her hands, her gaze commanding and superior as she looked down at Fu Hua.

As for "Hua," Selene was aware that her existence also owed something to Kevin and Otto's actions.

Back then, when Kevin Kaslana awakened and attempted to kill Kiana, Fu Hua intervened. She forcefully dragged Kevin into the dreamscape of [Ember Dust] for an intense battle. Ultimately, Ember Dust's energy was depleted, Fu Hua was defeated, and she fell into a deep slumber.

Fu Hua's body, however, had suffered damage after being struck in the head by Otto. This resulted in her entering yet another 20-year cycle of recovery. Unwilling to wait that long, Otto placed her in a cultivation chamber to accelerate her recovery. Not only were her injuries fully healed, but her physical state even surpassed her prime of 500 years prior.

However, this recovery was limited to the physical body. Fu Hua's mind, especially the damage to her brain, had led to severe chaos. Upon awakening, her consciousness, influenced by the interplay of the id, ego, and superego, reached an unexpected level of consensus.

This resulted in the emergence of a chaotic new consciousness—one that acted purely on instinct and original thoughts, unrestricted by moral boundaries or limitations.

Then, with opportunistic intent, the Will of Honkai chose Fu Hua, in her unconscious state, as the vessel for the birth of the Eighth Herrscher, the Herrscher of Sentience, aiming to erode the nascent will within Fu Hua's body from within.

Yet, predictably, Selene's "meddlesome mother" Will of Honkai bungled the attempt once again.

The Herrscher consciousness failed to dominate. Instead, the sheer immensity of Fu Hua's 50,000 years of memories overwhelmed it, relegating the Herrscher's will to a subordinate position.

The newly-formed Herrscher integrated into this nascent consciousness and believed herself to be Hua, the Immortal Phoenix, Fu Hua—and even adopted the mission of driving out the Honkai as her own.

Regarding the Will of Honkai's ineptitude, Selene could only comment: "Utterly incompetent."

"I..."

If Selene spared "Hua" out of consideration for herself or Kiana, the debt of gratitude Fu Hua would owe would only grow.

Fu Hua was well aware that if Kiana knew, she would undoubtedly choose to help without hesitation. But was it truly wise to risk consuming Kiana's goodwill with her elder sister?

Based on her experiences protecting Shenzhou, Fu Hua knew that emperors, particularly strong and capable ones, tended to be emotionally detached. Their affections were always transactional, measured, and changeable.

Across from her, Selene smiled placidly, but the far more petite and frail Fu Hua seemed to tremble under a weight of shock.

Huh? Was this really such a difficult question? If you just give me an excuse and request her to redeem herself through service, not only will I let her stay with you, but I'll even craft her a body immediately.

Tap. Tap.

Fingers tapped rhythmically on the table as Selene swirled the thick-bottomed glass in her other hand, her thoughts following this train.

Alas, Fu Hua and Selene's thought processes weren't even on the same wavelength.

Still, Fu Hua's cautious overthinking wasn't unwarranted. Her concerns were compounded by Selene's intimidating reputation for wiping out entire clans on a whim. Such ruthless actions understandably made Fu Hua uneasy.

For someone as rigid and serious as Fu Hua, adapting to Selene's mercurial temperament in a short time was almost impossible. Caution was only natural.

You see, the same behavior could evoke completely different perceptions depending on one's position and power. The actions of the powerful are endlessly scrutinized, while those of ordinary people are ignored.

For example, being a "neutral party" has contrasting implications: for the weak, it's called being a fence-sitter; for the strong, it's lauded as the wisdom of a skilled tactician.

After a long silence, Fu Hua finally spoke, "Your Majesty, I hope you can forgive her. For this, I am willing to—"

"Alright."

"—pay any price... Huh?" Before she could finish, Selene interrupted with an almost instantaneous response, leaving Fu Hua stunned and staring at her in disbelief.

"What's wrong? Is it not normal for me to be magnanimous?" Selene asked with genuine confusion.

Fu Hua was deeply moved and immediately clasped her hands in a respectful salute. She had previously thought Selene to be a capricious tyrant, but now she realized she had been mistaken.

"Your Majesty Selene, please." Overcome with emotion, Fu Hua, forgetting any need for flattery, eagerly reached for the wine jug, standing on tiptoe to pour Selene a drink.

Clink!

The sound of glass meeting glass echoed as Fu Hua downed her cup in one go, her joy unmistakable.

Just then, a deep voice resounded, interrupting the moment. "Alex, what exactly are you planning? You insisted I bring that prisoner all the way here..."

A tall figure in gray armor, carrying a power hammer, emerged from behind a screen and entered Selene's view.

"???"

The pleased expression on Lorgar's face froze instantly.

"Your Majesty!"

Clang!

In an instant, Lorgar dropped to his knees like a fervent pilgrim, setting aside his power hammer. He pressed his hands and forehead to the ground, his voice trembling with emotion as tears welled up in his eyes.

Fu Hua, still holding her recently emptied glass of mead, watched Lorgar's fanatical display with a head full of question marks.

A zealot?

Though she was tempted to ask Selene what was happening, the awkward atmosphere rendered her momentarily speechless.

"Yes, yes, Lorgar, my loyal subject, rise." Selene, accustomed to such scenes, used her abilities to lift Lorgar to his feet. She gestured to an empty seat at the banquet table. "Well done. You've worked hard. Take your seat."

"Yes!" Lorgar took a step forward, then hesitated, seeming to remember something. After glancing at Selene for permission and receiving her nod, he turned and called out, "Bring her in!"

"Meow~ Mm, it smells so good... I'm so hungry..."

"Silence! Kneel!"

Before the person arrived, her voice did. Hearing the familiar tone, Fu Hua turned in its direction. "Pardo—?"

"Pardofelis." Even Mobius, who had been teasing Theresa at the kids' table, glanced over.

"Hey, big guy, I'm not a bad person. If you're going to interrogate me, at least let me have a bite to eat first. Ah?! Whoa—! Hua-sister! I've missed you! Right, Canned Food?"

Upon spotting Fu Hua at the table, Pardofelis's cat ears twitched. Tears welled up in her eyes as she called out joyfully.

Hua-sister sitting with these big guys? She's with them? Does this mean they're allies? Then all the hits I took were for nothing?!

"Hmph, you little thief cat. Don't you see me here?" Mobius snorted coldly, displeased that Pardofelis's attention was solely on Fu Hua.

"Ah, ah, Mobius—Snake-sister? Haha, didn't expect you to be here too, uh, haha..." Pardofelis scratched the back of her head awkwardly, her gaze darting evasively.

Then, as if struck by a sudden realization, her frustration spilled out. "Wait a minute! Hua-sister! Hua-senpai! It's me! You have to tell these big guys—I'm one of you! I'm an ally! They hit the wrong person!"

"Is this adorable little thing always so full of energy?" Selene propped her chin on her hand, speaking with amusement.

The smooth brown hair paired with her cat ears was an undeniably fitting combination, evoking an almost irresistible urge to pet her... though the lack of fur at the moment was admittedly a bit of a pity.

"Uh, yes," Fu Hua nodded.

In Fu Hua's impression, Pardofelis's demeanor was entirely disconnected from the somber, grueling atmosphere of Fire Moth. She was someone who could easily find happiness, often slacking off and avoiding missions altogether.

"This... Your Majesty, could it really be a mistake?"

Seeing both Fu Hua and Selene show no hostility toward Pardofelis, and noticing the suppressed laughter of those nearby, Lorgar felt a bit embarrassed.

You bunch of idiots, no wonder you insisted I bring this 'prized catch.' Turns out you just wanted to see me embarrassed. Thinking of how eagerly he'd rushed over upon hearing the news, Lorgar's face reddened slightly.

Shaking her head, Selene's lips curved into a satisfied smile. "No mistake. She is indeed the enemy."

"Mm, for now," Selene added. "Capturing one of the Thirteen Flame-Chasers alive—Lorgar, well done. Prepare a weapon blueprint of your choice, whether armor or arms, and submit it later."

Even the weakest of the Thirteen is still one of them, right? Doesn't the little cat deserve the title?

Hearing this, Lorgar's hands clenched with excitement. "Thank you, Your Majesty!"

"You've earned it. Take a seat," Selene said, gesturing toward an open spot.

For someone like Lorgar, a devout zealot eager for recognition, Selene had no trouble pulling the strings. After all, as long as it strengthened her rule, anything was correct in her eyes.

"Ugh, all that beating for nothing. If I hadn't run fast enough, my tail would've been on fire... No, wait—it was burned! Wuu!" Pardofelis sniffled, her ears drooping.

"It wasn't for nothing. We beat you Flame-Chasers because you needed to be beaten," Selene said flatly.

"You, you..." Pardofelis's fur bristled as Selene's crimson eyes scanned over her. "You're the one who fought with Boss Kevin..."

"Don't bother thinking about it. Kevin Kaslana is dead," Selene interrupted, flashing a toothy grin, as though to frighten her. "I killed him. Except for a few of you, the other Flame-Chasers..."

She made a slicing motion across her neck.

"Waaah..." Curling her tail beneath her, Pardofelis squatted down, holding her head in her hands.

"I am the Herrscher of the End. The entire world is already under my rule," Selene declared as she casually cut a perfectly portioned piece of meat and placed it in her mouth. She cast a sidelong glance at the cowering cat beneath her. "And you?"

"What about Hua-sister and Dr. Mobius..." Pardofelis peeked at them.

"Advisor and handmaid," Selene replied evenly, ignoring Mobius's protest. "What do you want to be, little cat?"

"Hehe, nice to meet you, sister I don't know! I'm Pardofelis. Just call me Pardo," she said, trying to sound cheerful.

"..."

Stare—

Snap!

With a snap of Selene's fingers, a member of the Dark Angels Honor Guard stepped forward, resting a roaring chainsword inches from Pardofelis's face.

"Do you want this chainsword, or this cup of wine?" Selene asked, pushing a goblet of mead to the edge of the table. "Choose one."

Under Selene's gaze, Pardofelis's cat ears drooped into airplane mode, and she shivered nervously.

"Pardo..." Fu Hua called out softly at the right moment.

Locking eyes with Fu Hua's complex emerald gaze, Pardofelis mustered all the courage she could, shutting her eyes tightly. "I-I-I want the wine!"

"Smart choice. Congratulations—you've seized your future."

...

An icy-blue streak shot across the night sky, descending rapidly at over Mach 30.

Anyone able to witness this surreal sight would surely be left speechless. Ice-blue hair streamed in the wind, unaffected by the extreme heat generated by atmospheric friction.

Gazing toward the brightly lit floating island clusters in the distance, the woman glanced at the crystalline prison in her hand. "We're here."

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