"Truly unbelievable... how did he endure that kind of pain? Unable to stand, unable to move..."
Within a certain bubble world, grievously wounded by a Shamash Assault enhanced by the power of Finality, the Herrscher of Finality had fallen endlessly through the Sea of Quanta until crashing into this world.
At this moment, the Goddess of Honkai looked utterly wretched.
She had smashed the earth into a vast crater. The two wings of Honkai light behind her were already shattered, and the divine ceremonial gown she wore had been burned so badly that it could no longer conceal her divine body.
Even her exclusive divine spear of world destruction had fallen somewhere unknown.
And just then.
"Found you. Mm, as expected, you're still alive."
"Hmph! You won... How puzzling. That strike just now was powerful, but compared to the damage I inflicted on you in the past, it was insignificant. Why is it that you, Elias, can endure every time, while I collapse after a single blow?"
"...Just a difference in physical constitution."
Elias shrugged. No matter how powerful the Herrscher of Finality was, she was still a Herrscher. And Herrschers, in the end, were mages. Wasn't it normal for mages to be fragile and low on health?
She merely had a locked health bar cheat. But her actual health pool wasn't that high. The length of her health bar was nowhere near that of a Planet-class Honkai Beast, nor could it compare to Elias, who was a MANTIS born of Project Chimera.
Thus, once she lost the protection of the power of Finality, Elias could easily wound her to the brink of death.
"No... it's not just that..."
Lying on the ground, the Herrscher of Finality shook her head. Her somewhat dimmed golden eyes stared straight at Elias.
"There are other factors. Willpower? Yes... I don't have something like you do—something you're willing to protect at all costs."
"Then what about a reason to fight?"
"What is that supposed to be?"
The Herrscher of Finality remained expressionless. A reason to fight? She had none. She fought simply for the sake of fighting Elias.
In truth, aside from her near-invincible authority and the mission bestowed upon her by the Honkai, she had never possessed anything at all. And precisely because of that, she found the white-haired boy dazzling beyond measure—and was drawn to him.
"In any case, I lost. Kill me."
The Herrscher of Finality glanced at the greatsword in Elias' hand. It was still in the form of Endless Finality.
That meant he could at least unleash one more strike infused with the power of Finality—enough to kill her.
And Elias had no reason to spare her.
Through the memories once transmitted by Taixuan Eminence, the Herrscher of Finality knew that in the Previous Era, Elias had not killed her because he needed her to reset civilization so that the Current Era could be born.
But now, that reason no longer existed.
Although she regarded Elias as an opponent, to him she was undoubtedly an enemy—a threat capable of easily destroying human civilization, one that must be eliminated.
"Feel proud, Elias. You will become the first human to kill Finality. No... it seems you would actually be the second..."
"Oh? And who's the first?"
Elias paused, asking curiously.
It certainly couldn't have happened within the Milky Way. Earth was the final stop of the Honkai within this galaxy. So it was most likely something that occurred elsewhere in the universe.
He had long suspected that the Honkai did not exist solely within the solar system. Perhaps in other corners of this vast cosmos, the Honkai was also testing civilizations.
The universe was so boundless. In that case, it wouldn't be strange if some alien civilization had defeated Finality.
"It's not important. She's somewhere very far from you—beyond the sea of stars. You and her will likely never meet in your lifetime. And... although she defeated the Honkai as well, unlike you, Elias, she ultimately failed to protect anything."
"Is that so? That sounds rather tragic."
Elias felt a trace of sympathy—and a bit of regret. He would have liked to meet the one who had defeated Finality before him.
"Enough. Do it. Or are you planning to torture me before killing me?"
"...Aren't you afraid?"
"Hmph! Who do you take me for? I am the Herrscher of Finality—the god who brings destruction to civilization. How could a god feel fear?"
Even fallen to the earth, the Goddess of Honkai remained proud, noble, and beautiful.
Actually... I am a little afraid. But as a god, I can't beg or cry out. And... at the very end, at least leave him with a better impression of me.
"Ahem. I heard that."
Elias coughed lightly, indicating that he also possessed the authority of the Herrscher of Sentience. Even if it was far inferior to Finality's, she was now severely injured.
That was enough for him to overhear her thoughts.
"!!!"
The Herrscher of Finality's eyes widened. Embarrassed and furious, she grabbed a stone from the ground and hurled it at Elias. It was the only attack she could manage in her current state.
"Guh... Kill me. Hurry."
"Uh..."
Elias couldn't help but laugh helplessly. Then he raised Endless Finality and pointed it at the goddess' slender neck.
His instincts told him that if he severed that pale neck now, he could end the life of the Herrscher of Finality.
But...
To his surprise, he found himself unable to strike.
Huh? Why can't I bring myself to do it? Is it because I kissed her before, and now she kissed me too? No, no, no! This ancestor can destroy the world on a whim. I can't just casually let this opportunity slip away!
The threat posed by the Herrscher of Finality was simply too great. From an objective and rational standpoint, killing her now was undoubtedly the correct choice, rather than attempting to reform or tame her.
Besides, she already asked for it herself. If I don't grant her wish, wouldn't that be a bit impolite?
Elias took a deep breath. The sword in his hand moved a little closer to her throat. He kept telling himself that he had to consider the safety of the world.
He couldn't be bewitched by the beauty of this Goddess of Honkai. Nor could he be moved by what she had said earlier.
This was the time to harden his heart!
However, when Elias saw the crystal tiara resting upon the Herrscher of Finality's head, his sword halted once more.
"You're still wearing it..."
"Hmph. I just haven't bothered to take it off."
"Liar."
This was the apology gift Elias had left fifty thousand years ago after desecrating this goddess. If she had truly just been too lazy to remove it—if she truly did not care—then the tiara would not still be perfectly intact.
They had just fought a world-ending super battle. The mere aftershocks had been enough to shatter bubble worlds. And this tiara was made of nothing more than ordinary crystal.
It bore no protection from the power of Finality.
Logically, it should have been crushed into the finest dust under the terrifying pressure of Honkai energy during their clash.
And yet, at this very moment, it still rested flawlessly upon the head of the Herrscher of Finality.
There was no doubt—she had diverted a portion of her power to protect this crystal tiara.
She had not even cared when her divine ceremonial gown was burned to the point of barely covering her body. Yet this tiara was the only intact object remaining on her.
"..."
Elias fell silent for a moment. Under the incredulous gaze of the Herrscher of Finality, he released Endless Finality.
The flaming sword fell to the ground and instantly pierced into the soil, scorching the surrounding earth into blackened wasteland.
"Elias, what are you doing?"
"...I'm making a wager. I'm betting that in the future, you won't destroy the world I love. Heh. I've already saved the world so many times. So even if I act willfully just this once, I think heaven will allow it."
"What... did you say?"
The Herrscher of Finality stared at him in astonishment. She had clearly not expected Elias to choose not to kill her.
"Besides, I've already spared you twelve times. No—this makes thirteen. Letting you go once more shouldn't matter. I rather like the number thirteen anyway. It represents [Falsehood]."
"Elias, you've made a mad decision."
"I know. But I've never regretted any decision I've made—past, present, or future. So... Herrscher of Finality, please don't make me regret this one."
Elias knelt on one knee beside her. Their golden eyes met, each reflected within the other's equally radiant gold.
"Make a contract with me, Finality."
"A contract?"
"That's right. After we return to the proper world, you will join St. Freya Academy. And from now on, you will obey me. You are not allowed to refuse my commands. As long as you agree to these two conditions, I'll treat you the same way I treated the other Herrschers of the Previous Era."
Elias spoke with unwavering seriousness. The Herrscher of Finality froze for a moment, then frowned in dissatisfaction.
"Obey you? On what grounds? Elias, do you think I need such charity?!"
"Twelve times. No—thirteen. I've defeated you thirteen times now."
"So what?! Are you saying that because I lost to you, I must become your slave?"
The Herrscher of Finality grew angry. She grabbed the white-haired boy by the collar like a furious cat about to pounce and bite the human who dared offend her.
Even in defeat, even with humanity, she was still the Goddess of Honkai. And a god's pride could not be trampled.
She would rather die at Elias' hands now than live on as a slave in humiliation.
"You've misunderstood. What I mean is that this is a competition between you and me. Right now, your score is thirteen points behind mine."
"What? A competition?"
"That's right. You want to fight me, don't you? Then from now on, I'll fight you once a month. And starting next time, it'll be a one-on-one duel. I won't even summon Heaven Devourer."
As he spoke, Elias activated the authority of the Herrscher of Rebirth, healing the Herrscher of Finality's injuries.
"Win a match, gain one point. The one with the lower score must unconditionally obey a command from the one with the higher score. You can choose to refuse—but that means you'll never get another chance to seek revenge against me. Of course, I won't make any excessive demands of you."
"!!!"
The Herrscher of Finality stared at Elias in shock. Not only her—even Jyahnar beside them looked equally stunned.
"If it's like that... then fine. But Elias, aren't you afraid I'll break the rules later and threaten your world?"
"I believe you won't. I'm betting that you won't. And if you do... I'll hate you for the rest of my life."
Elias pronounced every word with force. This was perhaps the greatest gamble of his life. Because at least for now, he still did not have absolute confidence in defeating the Herrscher of Finality.
If the Goddess of Honkai truly did such a thing, then Elias would likely be powerless to stop her.
But he chose to believe.
He believed in this goddess who would rather die than abandon her pride. He believed in this woman who treasured the crystal tiara he had given her.
He believed she would not make him regret this choice.
"Hmph! Very well. I accept this contract."
The fully healed Herrscher of Finality stood up.
She would not do anything that would make Elias regret his decision. Not only because a god's pride would not allow such despicable behavior.
Perhaps also because... she did not want to be hated by the white-haired boy.
"Good. Then show some sincerity first."
"Sincerity?"
"You're not allowed to resist what happens next."
As he spoke, Elias constructed a marker pen, then held the Herrscher of Finality's chin and drew an ugly little turtle on her peerlessly beautiful face. He even had Jyahnar hold up a mirror for her.
"Hmph! Just that? You can go further if you like."
Strange... why don't I find this disgusting?
Though she spoke indifferently, inwardly she was surprised. Such an impolite act—and she truly did not feel repulsed.
Was it because she was being magnanimous? Or because the one doing it was Elias?
"Go further? Fine. Then lift your leg," Elias said, raising an eyebrow.
"Like this?"
The Herrscher of Finality froze briefly, but still obediently raised her delicate foot.
I could admire these legs for ten lifetimes!! Ahem... good thing that was only in my thoughts.
Elias felt momentarily dazzled, but decisively wrote a tally mark on the goddess' leg—adding one stroke to form the character for "correct"—and even explained its meaning to her.
"I—I don't care at all. Hmph!"
"...All right. Seems you're quite obedient indeed."
Seeing the Herrscher of Finality act stubborn like a certain snake yet not explode in anger even now, Elias felt both surprised and relieved.
And honestly—when the Herrscher of Finality blushed while pretending to be indifferent, she was unbelievably cute.
At that moment, Elias felt someone tug at his clothes. Turning his head, he saw Jyahnar.
"Elias, I want one too."
The Herrscher of the Sea looked at him eagerly.
"Uh, Jyahnar, want what?"
"I want the same mark as Finality."
"Pfft—!"
Seeing Jyahnar already lifting her leg on her own, Elias nearly lost his composure.
"Ahem! Let's go. We're heading home. There's a huge celebration feast tonight, and I don't want to miss it."
"It's fine. It's just writing a mark. It won't take long. Elias, please."
"Is acting cute some innate skill of girls? Guh—! If you do that, how am I supposed to refuse?!"
Jyahnar blinked adorably and put on a pitiful pleading expression. Elias took a deep breath and, with trembling hand, wrote the same tally mark on her leg.
The Herrscher of Finality crossed her arms and shot Jyahnar a sideways glare. If she knew the term "love-brained," she would certainly have mocked her.
"All right, satisfied now? Let's go back."
"Hm? Aren't we going to deal with the people in this bubble world? There's someone over there who's been peeking at us this whole time."
"It's fine. She's just worried about her own world. We were the ones who barged in and scared her. Let's go."
Elias shook his head. Following the coordinates of the proper world recorded within his Herrscher Core, he opened a portal home. He paid no attention to the distant, "weak" presence observing them.
Several hours after the three of them left, the owner of that presence finally emerged. She looked at the spot where Elias, the Herrscher of Finality, and Jyahnar had stood earlier, her heart still pounding with lingering fear.
"Thank goodness they've left. Those three Descenders were far too terrifying!"
In this world, the god who called herself "Heavenly Principles" let out a long breath of relief.
But she quickly realized she had celebrated too soon.
Faint violet patterns began to appear across her body—the marks of Honkai energy erosion.
"!!!"