219 Benares is free...

She walked towards the fallen dragon, reaching out to touch its tarnished scales.

A gentle warmth spread from her fingertips, like sunlight slowly melting ice.

The massive body began to fade, shadows dissolving in the growing light.

A voice whispered, a desperate plea echoing within the brightness...

 Then, a simple drawing flickered onto the screen, a glimpse into the life of the Honkai dragon named Benares.

Always flying since the moment it awoke... "Benares," "Honkai Beast," "Monster."

Those were the names screamed by terrified people as they fled below.

She couldn't hear any of it – the screams, the shouts.

All she heard was the pounding of her own heart, a relentless drumbeat.

Fight for the queen.

Protect the queen who calls herself "Bella."

She flew over icy plains, jagged mountains, across an endless sea of stars... the vast world stretched out below her.

Until finally, she faltered and fell.

she can't fly anymore...

In her last moments, Guarding the memory of the dead dragon, a single thought Whisper in her fading heart.

"My Lady Queen..."

"I want to hear you call my name one more time."

Raindrops fell, hitting the ground, shattering, then fading away. They carried away the soul they called "Bella."

Red scales replaced the scars. The dragon stood up again and spread its wings to declare its new life.

But now, it is just a beast serving the Thunder Herrscher.

It was no longer "Benares."

It was no longer "Bella."

She was gone.

...

This is Bella's story, and though her life as a Honkai Beast was short; her life can be summarized in just a few sentences.

However, the childlike simplicity tells an extraordinary story.

She has always been loyal to her queen, from beginning to end.

"That's why I want to paint her story, add all the colors, and share it with everyone," Griseo said, her eyes bright with a childlike wonder.

Her brush was painted on the board, and the tears hanging down from the corners of the eyes of a sad giant dragon were clearly visible, reflecting the figure of Sirin.

"Yes, let's paint it beautifully. This story is special – simple, yet so meaningful," Aponia said, gently stroking Griseo's blue hair.

"Just like the knights who protect me!" Griseo's eyes sparkled as she dipped her brush in a swirl of bright colors, letting her imagination gone wild.

"Mei... she's become the Herrscher of Thunder." Elysia watched Mei's inner struggle and rage unfold on the screen. 

She had expected such a situation, but such a painful scene still caught her by surprise.

also moved her deeply.

At this time, Mobius on the side said silently with a smile on her lips, "I never thought that Honkai Beast would also have feelings!"

"..." Elysia stared at the other person unhappily, and this sentence made her swallow back the words she wanted to express with emotion.

"Oh?" Mobius tilted her head, studying Elysia's expression. "Snakes are cold-blooded creatures, you know... don't expect me to get all sentimental." She mimicked Elysia's tone, a hint of teasing in her voice.

"I simply don't enjoy these overly touching scenes!"

"Mobius..." Elysia sighed

"Hmm?" Mobius leaned forward, enjoying the way she could rile up Elysia. There was a strange sense of satisfaction in it.

"Tonight, no time to wait..."

"Um?"

...

For the parties involved, it is undoubtedly more important news.

" Bella..."

Sirin bit her lip with her teeth and spoke softly.

As if responding to someone's expectations, her name came out of her mouth.

"Hehe, my lady, Queen..." Bella looked at Sirin and smiled flatteringly.

The words felt right, like a piece falling into place.

Maybe they were a bit clumsy, but they were far better than the tangled thoughts she'd been wrestling with for days, trying to find the perfect way to express her loyalty.

She is a Honkai Beast, and her brain is not that flexible. What she comes up with always makes the Queen angry.

"Idiot... Idiot... Idiot... ! " Sirin grumbled, repeating the word like it was the only one she knew.

"My Queen? What was that?" Bella tilted her head and and approached her queen, confused.

Sirin had spoken too softly for her to hear.

Tears welled up in Sirin's eyes, making her look like a Aggrieved kitty. She wiped them away and finally shouted, "I said... Bella, you're an idiot!"

"Y-Your Majesty!" Bella panicked. Clearly, someone had been bullying her precious Queen!

A surge of anger flared in Bella.

Who dared do this? How awful! Who could bully her precious Queen?

Her eyes flickered over the small group: herself, and Cecilia, who was trying to hide a snicker smile.

Well, that didn't take a genius to figure out!

"Tell me! When did you bully my Queen?" Bella stepped in front of Sirin, glaring at Cecilia with all the ferocity of a protective mama bear.

Cecilia froze, then burst into peals of laughter, slapping the table in amusement.

She had nothing to worry about in front of her daughter.

In confusion, Bella looked at the hateful woman in front of her, wondering what the other person was laughing at.

"It's you..." At this moment, a faint voice came to her ears.

"You're such an idiot. So clumsy, always getting hurt." Sirin shook her head. "Why is my dragon such a fool?"

"Huh?" Bella blinked at her Queen, utterly confused.

"If things go wrong, just run away! Why would I blame you? You're so silly." Sirin's voice softened. She gazed at the bewildered Bella. "You've been with me the longest, Bella. You're like family."

"So... don't get hurt, okay?"

???

!!!

At this point, Bella felt surrounded by happiness, and her brain instantly forgot everything, so she threw herself directly into Sirin's arms. She couldn't tell whether it was a giggle or a whimper.

"Hehehehe, Her Majesty the Queen, Her Majesty the Queen cares about me. Wuwuwu, Sirin, please call me Bella again."

"Bella, Bella, Bella!"

Bella listened to Sirin calling her name continuously, and she was so happy that she felt like something was kicking her, which hurt a little.

He let go of his hand in confusion and looked at Her Lady Queen, who had her hands against hers.

"Ouch! I mean, Bella, your horn poked me!" Sirin frowned, then sniffed indignantly. "Don't just pounce on me like that! Keep your distance next time."

"Huh?" Bella blinked, the happy glow fading as she stumbled back.

"Please, my Queen, I won't do it again!" she pleaded.

"Haha——" Cecilia covered her mouth and smiled, looking at the two people fighting in front of her.

Cecilia watched the two of them, a soft smile on her face. "It seems Bella's feelings for Sirin run deeper than even she realizes," she murmured. "I hope Sirin will learn to be a little kinder to her."

"Bella, let's sleep together tonight. I just... suddenly want to hold you while I sleep. Don't get any weird ideas, okay? This has nothing to do with that game."

"Huh? Oh!" Bella stammered, her face flushing.

"What, you don't want to?" Sirin tilted her head.

"No, no! My Queen, of course I want to!" Bella practically shouted, her heart pounding with excitement.