Chapter 191: "Sweet Pepper Curry, How Can It Be Spicy?"
With Kiana's current body, the consequences of inhaling a large amount of Honkai energy again were already self-evident. Clearly, Kiana knew this, yet she still proposed the plan. This gave the audience an even stronger feeling—Kiana was preparing to face death heroically.
There was no other way. Her pact with Himeko and her promise to Fu Hua meant she couldn't easily give up on her life. However, her consciousness was likely on the verge of being unable to suppress the Herrscher of the Void. she knew she was a time bomb that could kill everyone around her at any moment. Therefore, Kiana intended to resolve the crisis in Nagazora while simultaneously dealing with her own unstable state.
The viewers in the stream sighed repeatedly at Kiana's approach, a sense of powerlessness rising within them. Now, their only hope lay in the deal between Mei and World Serpent.
However, the next chapter of the story began with a monologue from Otto. In it, he revealed the existence of the Imaginary Tree. He wanted to reach the realm of God and ascend the Tree! To do so, the power of the Herrscher of the Void was indispensable—that was the reason he had created her vessel. The various anomalies in Nagazora were because Otto had chosen it as his experimental site; the city still contained a singularity linked to the Imaginary Tree!
In short, the Imaginary Tree and the Sea of Quanta were the two most vital existences in Honkai Impact 3rd, spanning the entire narrative.
After Otto's monologue, the scene returned to the Helios. Raiden Mei, after her talk with Tesla, masked her grief and prepared a plate of curry in the kitchen. Faced with Mei's long-awaited cooking, Kiana was naturally delighted and quickly finished every bite.
["Phew—this refreshing taste, this perfect level of spiciness! As expected, Mei's cooking suits me best!"]
Kiana praised Mei's skill with a look of pure satisfaction. But upon hearing this, Mei's expression froze. To keep Kiana from noticing anything wrong, she quickly forced her smile back.
["I'm glad you liked it. I was worried it might be a bit too spicy..."]
["No way! The spice level was just right. Sweating while eating feels great. I love it!"]
After finishing the meal, Kiana lay back on the bed, smiling at Mei. Listening to Mei's nagging, she comforted her, saying she would be fine.
["Mhm, Kiana, you'll get better... you'll definitely get better. I'll go wash the dishes; you get some rest."]
Raiden Mei left the infirmary and went to the kitchen. Water flowed over her fingertips, falling and breaking into a small whirlpool with a low, sobbing sound. she dried a plate and moved to put it away but accidentally brushed against a wooden bowl, causing a few small items to fall—remnants from making the curry.
They were bell peppers.
["..."]
[Tick, tock... the agreed two hours were almost up.]
[Mei walked out of the kitchen. The corridor was silent, deserted, with only the infirmary light flickering lonely at the far end.]
["Idiot..."]
[she turned and walked away toward the darkness.]
["Sweet pepper curry... how could it possibly be spicy..."]
Mei's words left the real-life Elysia wide-eyed. "Bell pepper curry should be sweet, right? Why did Kiana say it was spicy?"
[Because Kiana was lying. she lost her sense of pain long ago... she wouldn't feel the spice even if it were real, let alone sweet peppers.]
[Yeah, spiciness isn't a taste, it's a pain sensation. Kiana's body is so eroded by the cores that she can't feel pain at all.]
[Doesn't this mean Kiana has lost her sense of taste too? If she hadn't, she would have tasted the sweetness of the peppers, right?]
[In other words, Kiana is just forcing herself to act normal... she said those things because she didn't want Mei to be sad...]
[Sigh...]
This sudden "knife" made the audience sigh. Kiana had finally reunited with Mei and could eat her cooking again, but she had lost her sense of pain and taste, unable to enjoy the flavor. Yet, she still praised Mei's skill to encourage her in her own way. Such a considerate Kiana left the viewers feeling heartbroken.
Obviously, having left the Helios, the only place Raiden Mei was heading was "The Roost." Raven was waiting for her there. When Mei arrived, Sora and the others had already left, and Raven was sitting bored on a corner of a roof. she wasn't surprised by Mei's arrival; she knew she would come. Raven dropped to the ground, kicking up a layer of dust.
["Not a minute early or late, exactly two hours. I like punctual people."]
["As promised, I came alone."]
["Heh, it seems I don't need to ask—you're ready. Follow me."]
Led by Raven, Mei went deep into the shanties. After an iron door opened, Raven let Mei enter alone. Passing through a dark passage, Mei reached a plaza. Just as Raven said, the Great Lord of World Serpent—Kevin—was already there.
["Raiden Mei, you have someone you wish to save, but Schicksal and Anti-Entropy cannot fulfill your wish. I promise you: World Serpent can save that girl."]
Kevin didn't waste words and got straight to the point.
["—What is your condition?"]Mei asked him, knowing he wouldn't help for free.
["You."]
The man's words were calm and brief, yet carried a heavy weight that couldn't be altered or defied. Mei had to face the gravity of that statement.
["I want to know the specific method, and then watch her out of danger. If you can truly do it, I will do anything you ask."]
The meeting between Kevin and Mei left Elysia shocked. "Kevin, I didn't think a man of your integrity would actually target Mei!" she put on a look of mock distress. "And here I was trusting you! I can't believe you're this kind of person! I'm telling Dr. MEI!"
[Whoa, Kevin is in for it now!]
[LMAO, real-life Kevin is catching strays!]
[Hey, do you think a guy as powerful as Kevin kneels on a washboard for his wife?]
[What's that saying? The tougher a man is outside, the more he fears his wife! It's very possible!]
[Durian, washboard, or keyboard—pick one?]
[I support the righteous historian Elysia! Punish the unfaithful Kevin!!]
At the same time, the real Kevin, who was in a meeting at his office, suddenly sneezed. For some reason, he felt a chill on his back. Strange. The AC is on, why is it cold? He was baffled.
Watching Elysia's "stirring the pot" commentary, Su Mu sighed helplessly. "You really want to see Kevin dead, don't you?"
Elysia said solemnly, "Who says! How could Ellie build her happiness on others' pain? You think too poorly of me! How rude, apologize to the beautiful girl Ellie!"
Su Mu chuckled. Right, right, your happiness isn't built on others' pain. Was it because he wasn't "others" to her? she seemed to love making fun of him in the firm. Is this Elysia acting weird, or is she actually Sparkle in disguise??
"Why that expression? Do you not believe Miss Pink Elf~? ♪" Looking at the acting-cute Elysia, Su Mu smiled. "I believe you. I truly do. Here, I have a bowl of chicken soup for you, 'Pangolin' (Traitor)."
Elysia didn't get the reference, but she felt Su Mu was teasing her. Unable to put her finger on it, she let it go. "Anyway, I know Kevin isn't like that, but I am curious—do Mei and Dr. MEI actually have a connection? Why does Kevin want Mei?"
Faced with her questioning, Su Mu smiled. "Do you think I'll spoil it? Elysia, for players who take the story seriously, spoilers are a sign of disrespect!"
Elysia pouted. "Then why did you come to Ellie's room? No spoilers, no leaks—doesn't that make you useless?"
Su Mu spread his hands. "Useless? didn't you see the chat is full of people greeting me? This heat is my purpose here, isn't it?"
[Holy crap, Old Thief has some self-awareness?]
[Wait, he isn't a masochist, is he? He looks like he's enjoying everyone flaming him.]
[Uh oh! What if he really is a masochist? He likes writing depressing plots so players flame him, which in turn satisfies his desires!]
[Watson! You've found the 'Hua' point (clue)!!]
[Brothers, stop flaming him! Don't let this beast enjoy it!!]
Seeing the surge in bullet chats, Elysia was stunned, then gave an embarrassed smile. she couldn't argue with that; since Su Mu appeared, her chat volume had at least doubled. This guy is a literal walking traffic machine.
"I think Kevin invited Mei because he saw her potential power," Kiana proposed. "In the Sea of Quanta, Kevin didn't hurt Bronya or Welt, right? So I think he values Mei's strength! World Serpent's goal is to fight the Honkai, so they naturally want to unite all anti-Honkai forces!"
At that moment, Su Mu, Raiden Mei, and Elysia all stared at Kiana in shock. Their eyes seemed to say: Kiana, you shouldn't possess such wisdom!
"Hey! What's with those looks! Did I say something wrong?"
Elysia thought for a moment. "But Mei isn't a Herrscher anymore, is she? Can Kevin make her one again?"
Watching them speculate, Su Mu's heart was filled with mixed emotions. Honestly, when he first played this chapter, his reaction was the same as Kiana's. He thought Kevin wanted Bronya and Mei for their combat power. During Chapter 17, many players thought Kevin simply wanted to recruit pro-human Herrschers to the cause. Herrschers were unique, and no one suspected there was a deeper meaning.
But in the later plot, everyone finally understood. Kevin didn't want their combat power. He did it for a promise.
Looking at the confused Elysia beside him, Su Mu smiled. He wondered what kind of expression she would make when that part of the story was revealed.
The game continued. Kevin told Raiden Mei that Kiana's body was being eroded by the cores and she was near death. To save her, the extra cores had to be separated immediately. There was only one way: for Raiden Mei to become the Herrscher of Thunder again.
Mei was shocked. Becoming a Herrscher again? Is that even possible? Isn't the Gem of Conquest inside Kiana?
["You are the chosen Herrscher. Your body forever retains the door connected to the Imaginary Tree."]
["When the residual energy from the Third Eruption is absorbed by that door, you will awaken once more, reclaiming the authority of Thunder from Kiana."]
["A new Herrscher Core will condense in your body, and the Gem of Conquest will dissolve and vanish. With one less core, her symptoms will be alleviated."]
The cold voice beat against Mei, making her recall the anomalies of the past few days. Tesla's diagnosis, the sudden dizzy spells, and Raven's abrupt change in attitude. Suddenly, it all made sense.
["As long as I become a Herrscher, Kiana will be saved?"]
["Correct."]
["Then I have no hesitation. Three years ago, she brought me out of the darkness. Without Kiana, I wouldn't be who I am today. For her, I am more than happy to return to that darkness."]
Mei took a deep breath and looked at Kevin, making a request. ["But if I am controlled by the Honkai again, I hope you can..."]Kevin replied: ["You need not worry; that will not happen. What you should truly care about is what happens after you become a Herrscher."]
His words left Mei frozen.
["This time, you can save Kiana. But next time, she will still put herself in danger. she will surely use the power of the Void again and again, for those around her, for this world."]
["As long as the Honkai exists, as long as Herrschers are born, she will definitely stand up, constantly pushing herself to the edge of death—"]
["Until she gives her life."]
["I have seen countless people like her."]
["Even facing death and fear, they firmly do what they believe is right, walking the path they believe in."]
["...They left, and not one of them returned."]
Kevin's words were like ice picks, stabbing deep into Mei's heart. she wanted to argue, but couldn't find a single word. Because that was her deepest pain, and a fact that no amount of sacrifice on her part could change.
END OF CHAPTER
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