267 Humanity has lost, Hua

"That's not actually what I'm getting at." Mobius frowned, a puzzled look on her face.

"Well, then spit it out already! How am I supposed to know what you're after if you don't tell me?" The Herrscher of Sentience folded her arms and glared at Mobius, tapping her foot impatiently.

"Okay, okay, sorry! I was just curious… about Otto. Does he exist there?" Mobius asked, her voice softening.

" Of course there is. In fact, when he said there was no Otto here, it made me even more surprised." the Herrscher of Sentience said matter-of-factly, fanning himself with his small hands quickly.

"Come on, you know what they say: a cockroach can survive anything! The guys barely made it through a few centuries – that's rookie numbers!" The Herrscher of Sentience flashed a cocky grin, her pride returning in full force.

"Before Herrscher of Domination, my memory is correct. It should be quite different here. Tell me, if you have anything else you want to ask, just say it. For the sake of old friends."

The Herrscher of Sentience waved her hand, her eyes filled with pride again.

A hush fell over the room. Then, Hua spoke softly, her voice almost hesitant, "I just want to know... will the Herrscher of Sentience still be born in this world?"

If it is still born, will it still be another her?

"Yes, after all, the Herrscher of Ice is still awakening, and there is no movement from the Herrscher of Rock. It's straight to the next one. The progress is a bit too fast, and it can't keep up with the development of science and technology. " Mobius frowned and said, she has been paying attention to the progress in this area.

This world's progress had caught her attention.

After all, being alive again was a golden opportunity. She wanted to complete experiments she'd only dreamed of in the Elysian Realm, the kind that required data and subjects that were just impossible to find there.

"Well, uh... you see..." The Herrscher of Sentience stammered, fidgeting with her hair. A faint blush crept across her cheeks. "It's kind of... complicated."

Luo Mo quickly stepped in to smooth things over. "It's like this – in our world, there won't be a new Herrscher of Sentience popping up anytime soon. She's already filled that spot, you see. She's... well, she's unique. The other Herrschers might take a bit longer to show up than usual."

He left it at that, not wanting to dive into any more details about how this Herrscher came to be.

Anyway, sooner or later he would have guessed that the Herrscher of Sentience must have come from him, and he couldn't hide it from the other party.

"Hey, these videos are pretty cool! They really give you a good overview of how things work here. But, uh, I gotta say, the part about me feels a little... skimpy. Next time, give your girl a little more spotlight, okay?" The Herrscher of Sentience flashed a cheeky smile, quickly changing the subject to avoid the awkwardness of her earlier boasting.

"The great and powerful Herrscher of Sentience deserves her own highlight reel! Check it out – I'm the star of the show!" She puffed out her chest with a dramatic flair, a naughty twinkle in her eyes.

Luo Mo nodded and complimented her, saying that he should make the child happy and let Fu Hua learn more(how to coax child).

"Whoa, now this is more like it!" The Herrscher of Sentience's eyes sparkled with excitement as she watched the video. "Punching Durandal, kicking Kevin's butt, tearing Bronya apart... This really captures my badass style!" She slapped Luo Mo on the back with an approving smirk.

Fu Hua and Hua looked at each other speechless, How could someone so different from them share their face and name? It was a puzzle neither of them could solve.

But so what? they both sighed.

Meanwhile, the other Flame-Chasers watched the exchange with a mix of confusion and curiosity.

Some couldn't help but stare, while others fell deep into thought, pondering the implications of this new, unpredictable Herrscher of Sentience.

The conversation was temporarily suspended and a new plot began.

---

What the memories shared, though, was that they all came from different parts of Fu Hua's life.

Some were from when she was young and just starting out, and others were from later, more grown-up times. Together, they painted a picture of who Fu Hua was, and how she changed over time.

Some memories showed Fu Hua all alone, deep in her own thoughts. Others showed her looking back on good times with friends, or the dark years of licking wounds in the corner,

One important memory showed Fu Hua as a student, when she met a girl full of energy and excitement. This girl was really important to Fu Hua, because she helped Fu Hua open up her heart and feel the warmth of friendship for the first time.

Even though the girl sometimes said or did silly things, Fu Hua really cared about her.

But just as these memories started to come together, a powerful Honkai energy surge interfered, blocking Fu Hua from receiving a message she was meant to get.

It was easy to imagine what losing the message meant in that era.

The person who sent the message was a captain, and she was like a mentor to Fu Hua, someone who had guided her and helped her grow up.

The captain had also taught Fu Hua that forgetting can sometimes be like a bitter medicine – it's not always easy, but sometimes it's necessary to let go of sad things, especially after a Mission. The captain believed that people need to find happiness in order to heal from their pain.

That's why, even though Fu Hua was usually quiet and reserved, the captain had encouraged her to dress up in a beautiful traditional cheongsam and go to a party. It was a chance for Fu Hua to try and move on, to find some joy and connection.

Sadly, these conversations with the captain were just memories now. The devastating Fire in Australia a year ago had taken her life.

[Wow, Himeko! Did Teacher Himeko appear as Captain Fu Hua in the previous era? It's true, even in pre-civilization she was still a beacon of enlightenment for students]

[In other words, wouldn't this mean that Himeko died twice?]

[? ? ? What devil, what made you become like this? ]

The next memory feather transported them to a different time and place: the base of the Twelfth Herrscher, after the devastating nuclear explosion in the last remaining human city.

Before, we saw this moment through Sakura's eyes, and she witnessed Kevin's incredible strength firsthand. No matter the cost, he always carried out his duties as a warrior, solid in his determination.

But now, Fu Hua's perspective reveals a different side of Kevin – a side that has never been seen before. She witnesses a moment of vulnerability, a glimpse of the deep sadness he feels at the loss of a fellow comrade.

This is a Kevin who is not defined by his strength, but by his shared grief and the weight of his responsibility.

In the aftermath of the devastating Honkai eruption, Fu Hua acted swiftly. She activated her personal weapon, Phoenix Down, to calm the minds and protect everyone in the base.

Then, she raced towards the top of the building, her heart pounding with urgency.

As she reached the third floor, she saw a sight she hadn't expected: Kevin, leaning against the wall, his usual strong demeanor replaced by a look of utter despair.

Fu Hua knew that Divine key couldn't directly affect Kevin's mind, But she also knew that he wasn't someone who easily gave in to despair.

Seeing him like this, so defeated and lost, raised a sense of suspicion in her heart, Something didn't feel right, and she was determined to find out what was going on.

"Sakura... is she alright?" Fu Hua asked, her voice filled with concern.

"She's dead. " Kevin whispered, his voice barely audible, as if the words were being forced out of his throat.

"But thanks to you, if you hadn't acted so quickly to stop the virus from spreading, I'm afraid no one in this base would have survived."

" It seems to be good news. " Fu Hua responded quietly.

She desperately wanted to offer some comfort, but the words seemed to catch in her throat. She didn't know what to say to ease the pain of her comrade.

Fu Hua understood the immense burden Kevin carried. He always put the weight of the world on his shoulders, always sacrificing himself for the greater good. Now, with the loss of Sakura, she could only imagine the immense grief and guilt he must be feeling.

"There's... there's more bad news," Kevin said, his voice heavy with sorrow. "The three major cities... they're completely gone. The virus took over the defense systems and launched every single nuclear weapon towards the populated areas of Earth."

Kevin was leaning against the wall, but the light from behind didn't shine on his face, so he couldn't see clearly what his face looked like.

Fu Hua's knees buckled, and she slumped against the wall beside him, her eyes wide with disbelief. "What...? I... I'm so sorry..." she stammered, her voice choked with emotion. "I thought... I thought it was a mental attack... I couldn't... I couldn't protect the computer..."

The realization of their failure hit her hard, the weight of the devastation crushing her spirit.

She stared blankly ahead, lost in a haze of despair and guilt.

"It always seems to end this way, doesn't it?" Kevin's voice broke the silence, tinged with a weary bitterness. "These outcomes... they hardly surprise you anymore."

Fu Hua remained silent, unable to offer any words of comfort or denial.

"Humanity always wins... but it's a miserable victory," Kevin continued, his voice low and heavy. "We pay a tremendous price, sacrifice everything, just to scrape by with the smallest of wins. And each time, the Honkai's attacks grow stronger, more devastating. We've managed to hold on until now, the twelfth time..."

He paused, his gaze distant, as if staring into the abyss of their shared despair. "But deep down, everyone knows... we've known for a long time... that every victory is just a temporary illusion, a way to mask the true defeat. It's just a way to make us feel a little less miserable."

"Humanity has lost, Hua," Kevin finally said, his voice barely a whisper, as if he were speaking more to himself than to her.

"I never thought I'd hear you say that... I thought anyone could give up, but you... never," Fu Hua said, her voice filled with surprise and disbelief.

Kevin met her gaze, his eyes filled with a profound sadness. "Do you... want to hear the truth?" he asked quietly.

Fu Hua nodded silently, her heart pounding with anticipation.

"I didn't give up... because I never really fought for anything," Kevin confessed, his voice barely above a whisper. "I... don't care. What is the Honkai? What happens to humanity? It doesn't matter to me."

The words hung in the air, heavy with the weight of his confession. Fu Hua stared at him, her mind reeling. It was as if he were revealing a dark secret, a hidden truth that he had kept buried deep within himself.

"I didn't join the Fire Moth to save the world or protect peace," Kevin continued, his voice raw with emotion. "I've always been selfish... but somehow, I kept going. I kept moving forward, even though I didn't know why."

"I can't admit this to anyone... I can't admit it to her... especially not to her," he said, his gaze falling to the ground, a deep weariness and sorrow etched into his features.

It was as if the weight of his confession was crushing him, threatening to drown him in its depths.

Kevin's confession caught Fu Hua completely off guard. She, like everyone else, had always seen him as the strongest warrior, a symbol of unwavering determination. The idea that he had never truly believed in their cause was unthinkable.

But then again, who could honestly say they had always held onto such a lofty ideal? Perhaps great dreams are often built upon ordinary desires, the simple human need for hope and purpose.

In this moment of vulnerability, Kevin appeared incredibly fragile, as if he could shatter at the slightest touch. It was a stark contrast to his usual enduring demeanor, and for the first time, he seemed like an ordinary person, burdened by doubt and despair.

"We're all the same, Kevin," Fu Hua said softly, her voice filled with empathy. "No one is born a hero. We're just ordinary people who found ourselves on this path.""

She spoke from her own experience, having left her home and seen so much of the world. But even with all her travels, she still wasn't sure if she was following her own true path.

She had always followed others: the captain, Dr. Mei, and even Kevin. She had walked in their footsteps, believing that it was her own journey, but now she wondered if she had simply been following the paths laid out by others.

"But the truth is, no one forced me to do any of this," Fu Hua continued, her voice thoughtful. "I'm walking a path I chose. Even if I don't always like it, it's still my choice. I could stop at any time, turn back..."

She paused, feeling a bit awkward as she tried to comfort Kevin. Maybe it was because she sensed how much he needed it, or maybe it was because he was the one sitting there, vulnerable and lost.

"It's okay, Kevin," she said gently. "And no one has the right to blame you for anything."

As the words left her mouth, Fu Hua couldn't help but feel a sense of sadness. She wondered if her own words sounded a bit hollow, reflecting a sense of disillusionment within herself.

"...but I do," came a whisper, so soft that Fu Hua almost doubted if she had heard it correctly.

She leaned in closer, her eyes searching Kevin's face for any sign of emotion.

"I'm not giving up, Hua," he said, his voice stronger now, though still tinged with weariness. "We won't give up."

He raised his head, his gaze firm as he looked directly at Fu Hua. "Humanity will win," he declared, his voice firm and resolute.

The despair that had clouded his eyes moments ago was replaced by a fierce determination, a burning fire of hope.

In that moment, Kevin was once again the warrior he was always meant to be, the leader who would guide humanity through the darkness.

[Time and time again, the Twelve Herrschers appeared, and each time, humanity managed to win the battle. But in the end, we lost the war, we lost the entire battlefield...]

[ No matter what the cost, humanity will definitely defeat Honkai! 乆乆乆乆]

[I never imagined that Kevin could be so vulnerable. He's always been the strongest warrior, but his reason for fighting wasn't to protect the world... It was something else entirely.]

[Hidden swords, sacrifices, and loss... Sakura died, the sister who always protected her younger sibling, is gone. And then, Kevin declares that humans will definitely defeat Honkai... ]

[It's like another story of pure love. Kevin's reason for fighting was always the woman standing before him. Otto calls him a good comrade, they're both just fighting for their own beloved.]

[I've hated Kevin, questioned him, understood him, respected him, and even found myself admiring him... Oh, why couldn't I have been born a woman? Why you can't be Woman?]

---

"Tsk tsk, Kevin, you're only willing to admit defeat when no one's around," the Herrscher of Sentience struck in, a playful smile on her face as she glanced at Kevin.

It wasn't that she was trying to make fun of him, not really. But Kevin always seemed so serious and reserved, and she couldn't resist teasing him a little, hoping to catch a glimpse of a different side of him.

"Um... sorry, Kevin," Sakura said, her voice soft and apologetic.

She had never seen Kevin so vulnerable before, and a part of her knew that it was because of her, because of her sacrifice. It pained her to see him like this, but she couldn't change what had happened.

" This has nothing to do with you, Sakura... it's just that mankind did fail at that time. Perhaps it has been long since the sinking of Mu Continent. "

He took a deep breath, his eyes fixed on his own hands as if searching for answers in their lines and creases.

But even though they were fighting for someone, wouldn't that mean protecting both the world and the person they cared for?

"You and Otto are similar, in a way," the Herrscher of Sentience observed. "He only sees Kallen, but at least you still care about the world a little. Although, to be honest, I don't think he cares about it much at all."

She chuckled lightly, then added, "Maybe you two should have a chat sometime... start a podcast about the struggles of warriors in love?"

The Herrscher of Sentience leaned forward, curious to see Kevin's reaction to her teasing. But before she could get too close, Fu Hua discreetly nudged her back, shooting her an annoyed look. Some things, it seemed, were better left unsaid.

" It doesn't matter, we won't fail again this time! " Elysia said with a gentle smile,

The images of some of her comrades in the video were also shown, which made her a little sad. This is not good, this is not good.

No matter what, if you cry in front of Luo Mo, you will be laughed at severely by him.

Elysia believed so much, as if she would laugh at him if he cried, but it seemed that she rarely had this opportunity...

"Hey, Old Antique, didn't you already know that you have to go your own way? Why do you have to listen to others?."

The Herrscher of Sentience glanced at Fu Hua angrily and asked the other party.

Fu Hua ignored her.

" Speaking of ordinary people, I feel like we are the only ordinary people here ~ Even Sister Hua has become an immortal, a Herrscher or something. " Pardo said dejectedly, her tail also listless.

"Don't worry, Pardo," Vill-V said reassuringly. "I'm sure you've done something amazing too."

"Really? Do you really think so?" Pardo perked up, her eyes sparkling with hope.

"Absolutely!" Vill-V grinned, her smile taking on a mischievous glint. "Just help me with this next experiment, and whether it succeeds or fails, you'll be famous! You'll go down in history!"

Vill-V's words were like a tempting whisper, and she continued to coax Pardo with promises of glory and recognition. "Come on, Pardo," she urged. "It'll only take a second..."

"Is it done?" the Herrscher of Sentience asked, her curiosity piqued.

"Well, she's just... unconscious," Vill-V replied confidently. "Don't worry, she's not in any pain or anything."

"Oh no!" Pardo cried, a wave of panic washing over her. "Sister Vill-V, if this doesn't work, maybe we could try using Can instead? You always say she's practically a part of me, right?"

Pardo said in a panic, raised his hands forward, and betrayed his good partner Can in the next moment.

Obviously previous night, when they had been planning to split their stolen loot equally. But now, faced with the possibility of failure, Pardo was willing to sacrifice anything to ensure success.

"Meow meow meow...?" Can in question, let out a series of confused meows, wriggling in Pardo's grasp as she tried to escape her impending fate. Her fluffy tail twitched in protest, as if she knew what was about to happen.

"Just kidding, just kidding, Can! Stop tickling me!" Pardo squealed, laughing as she tried to wriggle free from Can's playful grasp.

The fluffy feline had taken her suggestion a little too seriously and was now batting at her with her paws.

"Oh, I'm not joking, Pardo," Vill-V said, her smile still in place but with a hint of trouble in her eyes. "This is a golden opportunity to make your mark on history, to finally break free from the shackles of ordinary life."

Vill-V's voice was light and playful, but her words held a dangerous undertone.

"Ordinary is just fine," Pardo chimed in, her ears perking up. "We're happy just soaking up the sunshine." She gestured towards the lively scene unfolding around them.

"Look, life here is simple, noisy, and full of sunshine. At least for now, we don't have to carry the weight of the world on our shoulders or risk our lives on the battlefield." Pardo was trying to defend her own preference for a peaceful, carefree life.

Elysia watched the joyful laughter filling the hall, then turned to Kevin with an outstretched hand. "So, Kevin," she said warmly, "there's no need to be so hard on yourself. It's okay to be a little selfish sometimes."

Her smile softened as she continued, "Failure is just a part of life, but it's the journey that truly matters. What people remember is the spirit of perseverance, the courage to face the Honkai twelve times. And we," she gestured towards the group gathered around them, "we are a testament to that colourful, vibrant life."

Elysia's words resonated with a newfound hope, her smile radiating warmth and encouragement.

" Of course we will not give up, nor will we stop here. We will overcome the Honkai and welcome the dawn and future that we have not seen. "

" Just like Fu Hua, she has found the path of her own choice; and we must also put down those unnecessary burdens ~"

As she spoke, Elysia's eyes showed a hint of playfulness, she cleared her throat and said,

" 'I understand the big principles of protecting the world, but how do you ask me to endure all this... Happiness is more important!' " Elysia plagiarizing other people's lines 

"That was a long time ago..." Kevin murmured, his voice barely above a whisper.

He wanted to say that he had almost forgotten about it, that the pain and grief had faded with time.

"I know," Elysia replied softly, her gaze meeting his. "But I wasn't there then, was I? So as your friend, I want to make up for it now."

A gentle smile touched her lips as she continued, "Think of it as a way to rewrite the past, to create a new ending for all of us."