Honkai: Oh No, I’ve Become the Herrscher of Corruption?! - Chapter 24

[Spread further,let it ripple outward，until it fills every corner of the world.]

[One day, She fell from the heavens. People looked up—and saw the starry sky.]

[I am a Herrscher… but I also want to be human. Just like… Her.]

[Thankfully… there’s still a chance to make things right…]

…

Countless memories flooded her mind—some familiar, others completely foreign. The sheer volume of information left her in disarray.

“Huh? Wasn’t I just in Siberia? What is this…?”

The scene before her had nothing to do with Siberia.

Strange structures loomed in the distance, buildings rising amidst rubble and ruins. The wreckage coiled around the towers like vines, twisting into avian-like shapes, as if declaring itself the center of the world.

Cherry blossoms bloomed between the structures, their petals scattering in the wind, dyeing the sky a soft pink. A lone moon hung on the horizon, seamlessly embedded into the scenery.

Ahead of her stretched an open plaza, its ground paved with neatly cut stone tiles.

“This is… the Elysian Realm!? But Kevin’s still sulking in the sea—how did I end up here…?”

“Hey~ How are you feeling?”

A familiar voice rang out, making her whip her head around—but she couldn’t pinpoint its source.

“Sounds exactly like Elysia from my memories… Though, this illusion is scarily realistic.”

Enoxia was certain: if this were the real Elysia, she wouldn’t be hiding. The real Elysia would’ve immediately popped up, teasing her about their resemblance, proudly claiming that “it’s all thanks to my good genes—I’d look gorgeous in any color!” before glomping her without hesitation.

After all, the infamous “Elysian Realm’s Lesbian” would never shy away from a girl who looked just like her.

More importantly, she was the Herrscher of Corruption. In the original story, the Herrscher of Corruption was undeniably despicable—but also terrifyingly powerful. As Aponia herself had declared: “In the digital world, the Herrscher of Corruption is akin to the Finality.”

Yet even after “Elysia’s” voice appeared, Enoxia couldn’t detect her presence. That could only mean one thing:

This wasn’t the real Elysian Realm.

“If only this weren’t an illusion…” Sighing, Enoxia raised her voice:

“You’re not her. You can never be her. Just like the ‘me’ from another world, you’re nothing but a poor imitation.”

“Elysia” didn’t take offense.

“True. This is a dreamscape shaped by one’s deepest desires. Yours was to visit the Elysian Realm and meet the real Elysia. But as the Herrscher of Corruption, you’d be near-omnipotent within that digital space—so of course, you’d instantly realize this isn’t the real thing.”

“Oh? No denial, no anger?”

Enoxia was surprised. Normally, illusions would double down, trying to lure their victims deeper into the dream. For it to admit its own falseness was unexpected.

Then again… manipulating someone into staying trapped in a dream was something the real Elysia would never do.

“Because I’m an illusion born from your memories of Elysia. Like a character programmed by a developer, my words and actions follow a set code. A model without knees can never jump, no matter how ‘intelligent’ it is.” Her tone was eerily calm.

This “Elysia” had independent thought, unshackled by external control. Unlike the Herrscher of Sentience’s brain-trickery, this felt more like a new lifeform—one sculpted from memories, yet distinct.

Had this not been a digital space, and had Elysia not been… Elysia, Enoxia might’ve actually fallen for it.

“Won’t you show yourself?”

“No need. Since I’m not the Elysia from your memories, there’s no point in mimicking her appearance—lest you accuse me of butchering her character.”

“…You’ve got more self-awareness than that other Herrscher of Corruption.”

“Tell me everything you know.”

“So greedy~ But I’ll oblige. After all, the real Elysia would always answer your call… Now, where to begin? Ah—from your perspective, I am an illusion crafted by the Herrscher of IceFall , using your memories.”

The “Elysia” construct knew little about its creator—like why the Herrscher of IceFall could regenerate rapidly or conjure illusions. But Enoxia still gleaned useful intel:

• Her voice resembled Elysia’s because Elysia was whom Enoxia most longed to see.
• The dream’s subject reflected one’s deepest desire.

“Last question: How do I leave?”

If merely realizing it was a dream wasn’t enough, there had to be an exit condition.

“Without external interference, the only way is for your ‘most desired person’ to vanish from the dream. The most straightforward method… is to kill them with your own hands.”

Enoxia clicked her tongue. This power was insidious. Even knowing it was fake, killing the person you yearned for required immense resolve.

Her thoughts drifted to Sirin, Seele, and Welt—those who’d lost their most precious ones. If they were trapped here, faced with the departed… would they ever choose to wake up?

“Done with your questions? Then my purpose is fulfilled.”

The calmness in “Elysia’s” voice set off alarms.

“Wait—are you…?”

“The real Elysia sacrificed herself for the next era’s future. Though I’m not her, my values shouldn’t differ. If my self-destruction can help you break free… then so be it. Though, can an illusion even ‘sacrifice’ itself?”

Her voice wavered between doubt and resolve.

“You’re less of an illusion and more like… an Elysia from a distant bubble universe. Different, yet fundamentally the same.”

Though she couldn’t see “Elysia,” Enoxia felt her smile.

“Thank you. My existence was fleeting, and we hardly bonded… but I still helped you. Even if my life can be summarized in a few strokes, it’s still a story that exists because of me. I think… that’s what the Elysia in your memories taught me.”

“Mmm… In a way, we’re alike. When you find what you’re missing, you’ll understand.”

As “Elysia” dissolved, the dreamscape collapsed. Darkness swallowed everything—except for a single shaft of light in the distance. If she followed it, she’d return to the Siberian tundra.

But Enoxia had a better idea.

As the Herrscher of Corruption, wreaking havoc from inside the Herrscher of IceFall would be far more effective.

Deliberately, she plunged deeper into the darkness, merging with the Herrscher’s consciousness.

The void stretched endlessly until faint glimmers emerged—several half-open doors.

Just as she moved to inspect them, one door burst open, flooding the abyss with blinding radiance. Enoxia shielded her eyes—

—and when the light faded, a man stood before her.

Welt Joyce, the resurrected Anti-Entropy Sovereign, had arrived.