Making Honkai Impact lll In A World Where Kallen Exists [Continuation]

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To be honest, regarding the monsters' forms and Mei's question about them mimicking humans, the group in the Golden Courtyard had some insights.

Or rather, they had encountered similar beings before.

"Hey, Griseo, those monsters... did you draw them?"

Mobius, after a moment of silence, turned to the blue-haired girl beside her.

This time, Griseo wasn't lost in her art. She was sipping milk tea quietly while her bare feet swung gently in the air, wrapped in a sky-blue jacket that covered her petite frame. She looked incredibly serene.

Some said Griseo was like a mirror, reflecting the essence of whoever gazed into her eyes.

Mobius didn't share that opinion. To her, Griseo was a blank canvas, requiring careful attention to avoid accidentally imprinting the wrong things on her.

Still, she couldn't help recalling the lines spoken by Griseo's Valkyrie counterpart:

"Bow to my paintbrush! And graciously accept these colors!"

Those quotes were enough to irritate Mobius to no end.

Secretly, Mobius fumed, blaming Raiden Mei and Elysia for "spoiling" Griseo.

"So cute. I wonder what Griseo will look like when she grows up!"

Elysia pinched Griseo's cheek playfully.

"Grandma Mobius, I drew them. Don't you remember? I'm in charge of artwork at the company."

Griseo paused her milk tea sipping and answered Mobius with earnest seriousness.

"No, Griseo, that's not what I'm asking."

Mobius sighed, rebuffing Griseo's comment. Her sharp eyes locked onto Griseo. "I meant… do you think the monsters look similar to anything you've drawn before?"

"Not at all. Why?"

Griseo tilted her head, her small face thoughtful for a moment. "Don't worry, Grandma Mobius. Kosma is keeping my paintings safe. They won't run off on their own."

"..."

Mobius's brow furrowed deeply. With Kosma guarding them, she felt even less assured.

On their journey through the stars, there was no Kosma Demon.

But as for the people beyond the heavens... well, regardless of their relevance, they didn't seem particularly clever either.

And certainly, they wouldn't be more of a threat than the current state of Honkai.

It was just a casual question, nothing more.

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After a series of setbacks, they finally managed to find Welt.

At this moment, Welt was no longer known primarily for his identity as the First Herrscher but was instead recognized by many as the creator of Arahato.

Under Mei's persuasion, he agreed to evacuate from this place with Joyce ahead of the others.

But just as they were stepping onto the train, under the strange and ominous clouds gathering outside, Welt gently patted Joyce's head while gazing out the window. In his heart, he might have been lamenting that this world was no longer his battlefield.

Even someone as skilled as him, adept at enduring the harshest conditions, had reached an age where he needed to step off the stage of war.

At that moment, a familiar voice called out to him.

A hand rested lightly on his shoulder, reminiscent of a moment many years ago when he had faced an old friend in the biting cold, the two gazing silently at one another.

"Hello, old friend. Isn't this quite the coincidence?"

Golden hair cascaded behind the man, and the white ceremonial attire he wore was embroidered with intricate golden patterns, both majestic and luxurious. His face remained as handsome as the one in Welt's memories. With a faint smile curling his lips, his fingers, glinting with the metallic sheen characteristic of machinery, lightly stroked Welt's shoulder.

"Once again, you have refused my invitation. And once again, you stand before me."

"You... how could you..."

Welt adjusted his glasses, his pupils filled with shock.

"There's a monumental achievement awaiting your efforts, a victory for you to claim. Consider it, you and I, joining forces to expel the Honkai..."

He spoke softly, his tone calm, yet his eyes carried a hint of mischief and the confidence of someone in total control.

Using his characteristic cadence, he casually presented a proposal capable of reshaping the world.

"After all… tell me, who would believe that the greatest enemy of civilization lies sealed in a place so easily reached by humanity?"

The golden-haired man raised a glass, the amber liquid inside swirling elegantly in the transparent crystal. He smiled gracefully, urging Welt, "This isn't expulsion, it's escape. True expulsion means finality."

"And now... I need your power, First Herrscher..."

"..."

Welt only shook his head ever so slightly, almost imperceptibly. Adjusting his glasses, he replied, "Allow me to decline."

After all, the man before him was nothing more than a coward, resorting to assuming the guise of a long-deceased individual.

Welt's own reason and judgment were unwavering.

However, young Joyce beside him seemed to have encountered a strange phenomenon, emitting the oppressive aura of gravity, belonging, of course, to another Herrscher of Reason.

This immediately drew the full attention of "Otto."

His gaze slowly shifted toward the small clone boy, his expression tinged with both curiosity and surprise.

"...Oh? Another First Herrscher?"

Meanwhile, Mei's trio continued to explore the mysteries of the city and the enigmatic former Overseer of Schicksal.

They appeared to be gradually uncovering the truth.

At several of the locations this "Otto" had visited, they discovered traces of golden fragments and energy fluctuations from Divine Keys, though they might also have been caused by a Herrscher.

Yet by now, no unknown Herrscher remnants should exist.

Given the other party's familiarity with Otto, their identity became increasingly evident.

The First Divine Key, the Key of Revelation, Void Archives.

Long ago, this Divine Key had disappeared. Even after the Great Honkai Eruption, despite some speculation during the subsequent reviews, everyone agreed it must have been lost in the dimensional space Otto had taken it into.

And now, it had reappeared in an unknown city, surfacing before the group, connected to a new enemy.

"Even in death, there are still those who prove my existence." —Otto Apocalypse

"As time passes, the once unruly Void Archives has entirely taken Otto's form."

"Once again, an attempt was made to cooperate with the Herrscher of Reason. And once again, the offer was rejected."

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In the recording studio

"Otto Apocalypse. He's truly a lingering ghost, isn't he? I didn't expect even the Divine Key he used to end up mimicking him in the end."

Kiana sighed deeply, then rubbed her temples as if recalling something unpleasant. She muttered, "I can't imagine… could there still be traces of him in the later plotline?"

Such a detestable man, and yet he had accomplished something so monumental.

Even though her hatred for him persisted, after witnessing his long yet brief 500-year life, her emotions had grown more complex.

As the saying goes, his actions were nothing more than the ultimate act of selfishness. There was no need for future generations to judge them.

At the same time... no one should carry on his legacy of harm.

"Hmm... but no matter what, Otto is indeed dead. Uh... do you all have to look at me like that? Isn't this what you all wanted in the first place?"

Luo Mo laughed awkwardly.

Outside the window, the scenery was breathtaking, the sunlight brilliant.

"So... that's why so many bottles of champagne were brought out that day?!"

Su Lu couldn't help but sit upright and interject.

A few scattered words floated through the air, it was the voice of the Herrscher of Dominance.

"Indeed, even we puppets must harshly condemn him!"

"Judgment, this man before us is guilty beyond measure."

"Oh, looks like even the Herrscher of Dominance can't stand him," Kiana said with a grin, hands on her hips. Her braided pigtails swayed slightly with her movements.

"I was just following everyone's wishes. I seem to recall someone saying they wanted to have a drink before Otto's death."

Luo Mo kept up his stubborn front.

"Sure, sure, you're the boss. Everything you say is right."

Su Lu rolled her eyes, gritting her teeth.

What kind of boss writes heartbreaking stories that even target their own employees?

She had always thought they were on the same team. Oh, right, there was precedent with the sweet pepper curry incident last time.

Recalling her past experiences, Su Lu's usual soft gaze turned sharp as she stared daggers at Luo Mo.

"So, will Otto reappear later?"

Bronya tugged at Luo Mo's sleeve, signaling him to look her way.

"Hmm… A person's existence isn't easily erased, especially someone like Otto. In the days ahead, you might encounter this old friend quite often, maybe in memories, through people or events related to him, or even as a replica. Anything is possible."

Luo Mo indirectly answered her question. After all, he never liked revealing everything outright.

How else could he gauge everyone's emotions? That would be a loss, much like Elysia now, who, after learning the truth, probably wouldn't bet against him anymore.

That was truly a pity.

He still wanted to see Elysia cry, especially when it was because of a tear-jerking plotline.

(TL: I hope you get scammed again by system)

"…What about grown-up Bronya? When will she make her appearance?"

She tilted her head, her pale gray eyes blinking. Her face showed little emotion, but her interest was obvious as she asked the question she cared about most.

"Uh…" Luo Mo was momentarily at a loss for words.

"Why? Bronya participated in the voice acting, so she should appear, right? If I remember correctly, it seems… it happens during Sister Mei's unfavorable battle situation."

She scrutinized his expression, faintly suspecting something.

Could it be… the updates would stop at her part?

The secrecy was so tight that even she hadn't seen the finalized artwork. Well, she had caught glimpses, but they felt fake, so much so that she doubted if they were really her.

That's why… she wanted official confirmation.

"Ahem—very soon, you'll see."

For his excellent and dedicated employee, Bronya, Luo Mo decided to make a reasonable concession.

After all, they were all so familiar with one another. Continuing to brush her off wouldn't be ideal, and more importantly, he decided to boost her goodwill toward him.

When she discovers that, without Honkai energy, her abilities eight years later are inferior to her current ones, she'll surely start overthinking things…

For example, what exactly did the boss mean by his cryptic words back then?

"…Alright."

Bronya pursed her lips, slightly surprised by his final response. She didn't press further.

She just wanted to confirm the image she had seen and quiet her restless heart.

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At St. Freya, inside the villa

"The Void Archives, huh… For a moment, I really thought he was coming back."

Kallen shrugged and gave a wry smile, her eyes still deep and filled with reminiscence.

She missed that comrade, that great inventor. But in her heart, she clearly understood one thing, he was gone.

His soul rested on the Isle of Graves. The lifelong mission he had fought for had reached its final chapter.

He had achieved all there was to achieve in life.

So, there was no reason for him to return.

Especially in a world without Kallen.

"Still, I do recall what Otto said back then, that without the Void Archives, there'd be one less nuisance. What did he mean by that?"

Kallen sighed softly, but her expression remained calm, with a faint smile.

She simply remembered their last meeting, a few brief words, and ordinary matters that lingered in her heart.

And Otto's words were always right, always so far-sighted.

In his world, the Void Archives had indeed become a nuisance.

"Who would've thought that a Divine Key could cause trouble? Did it develop self-awareness? Sigh, I wonder when my Judah will gain self-awareness and help me handle administrative work?"

Theresa glanced at her old friend, the cross still stood quietly leaning against the corner wall, bathed in sunlight.

If Judah had self-awareness, its first task would likely be to replace this useless headmaster.

Compared to a headmaster who only acted cute, a capable and efficient Judah was obviously a better fit for St. Freya's expectations of the role.

"Should we be on guard, Grandma?" Theresa tilted her head and asked.

"…In theory, yes… but this world no longer has the Void Archives. Even its core has been split in two."

Kallen tapped her granddaughter's forehead with her finger as a reminder.

Perhaps this could be seen as clearing a major obstacle for Theresa's future leadership, making her political journey smoother?

"Oh, right, I almost forgot about that," Theresa nodded in understanding.

Then she tossed aside the pillow she had been hugging and reclined. "So, it seems like nothing interesting is left, just fighting the Void Archives and defeating those so-called beings from beyond. Let's rush through the story!"

"Except for the combat scenes, which are particularly entertaining."

She chuckled as the screen showed Mei's figure leaping through the air, lightning crackling as it cut through monsters. The controls were exceptionally smooth.

"…Then let's try the final battle. But there's a level cap. The game has added an option to lift the cap, but the fights ahead will be tougher. Little Theresa, let's see your skills."

Kallen smiled as she handed over the controls to Theresa, watching her eagerly but cautiously reach for them.

"Hmph—I've been playing with Cecilia all this time! Her skills are amazing, and I'm not far behind!"

Theresa declared confidently.

And so… the final battle began.

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(TL/N: Don't forget to put on your headphone, and play "Oaths")

In their exploration, they finally arrived at the airborne city, a floating structure Carol had named Sky Demon Fortress. The three stepped onto the staircase leading toward it.

At the end of the path, a long-awaited voice echoed, Void Archives had been waiting for a while. It had even thoughtfully cleared out all the enemies blocking the way because... they had brought it the most critical key, the power of the Herrscher of Reason.

Just as Otto had once sent an invitation to the Herrscher of Reason, Void Archives also desperately needed this power.

Although... both had been met with rejection.

But… so what?

It still acquired exactly what it needed.

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