Honkai: Oh No, I’ve Become the Herrscher of Corruption?! - Chapter 27
Enoxia walked over to Sirin and gently patted her back. Under her soothing touch, Sirin’s emotions gradually settled. After hearing Enoxia’s explanation about the illusions, she understood one thing clearly—Cecilia had not lied to her.
Her wish wasn’t simply to see her mother again. Deep down, she knew the dead could not return to life; her mother’s passing was an irreversible truth. What she truly longed for was to meet someone who could love her the way her mother once had. Coincidentally, after learning of Sirin’s suffering, Cecilia’s greatest wish was for Sirin to receive the warmth of a family’s love. In this way, the two of them had unknowingly yearned for each other.
“Where is this place? And how do we get out?” Siegfried surveyed the pitch-black surroundings. Though he was eager to return to reality, he had no idea how to navigate this unfamiliar space.
“This… is likely the boundary between reality and dreams. See those doors over there? If the light inside has faded, it means the person has broken free from the illusion. But if the light still shines, they remain trapped. Mr. Welt and I discovered that in this space, we can wake those inside by interfering with the illusion from the outside. As for how to leave… I’m afraid I don’t know.”
Ahead of them, three doors still glowed with light. Enoxia guessed they belonged to Shigure Kira, Shub-Niggurath, and Cheng Lixue.
That Theresa had escaped before her came as no surprise—after all, she carried the Vishnu genes, which allowed her to literally devour the dream. With Oath of Judah’s “Lost Child Prevention Mode”, she might have already returned to reality.
As for Bella… huh?
Just then, everyone noticed that Sirin, Cecilia, and Siegfried’s figures were growing faint. After exchanging puzzled glances, the three of them vanished on the spot.
“So, once ordinary people completely break free from the illusion, they can return to reality after lingering here briefly… That’s surprisingly considerate.”
Just as Enoxia had guessed, the moment the three disappeared from that eerie space, they found themselves back on the snow-covered plains of Siberia. Before them stretched an area entirely shrouded in an ominous black mist.
“My Queen!” Bella rushed to Sirin’s side, supporting her as she noticed her dazed expression. The experiences in the illusion had left Sirin deeply shaken, and she hadn’t fully regained her composure.
“Ah… Bella… You’re safe. Thank goodness…” Sirin clung tightly to Bella, tears streaming down her face once more. Memories of the past flashed through her mind—especially the image of Bella’s despair-filled eyes. Though she knew this Bella wasn’t the same one from her memories, Benares’ human form had been crafted almost identically based on her recollection. For now, she allowed herself to indulge in the comfort of this resemblance.
After sobbing into Bella’s chest for a while, Sirin slowly steadied herself. Bella could sense it—the usual regal authority had returned to Sirin’s gaze.
“Bella, what’s the deal with that tiny Valkyrie?” Sirin glanced toward Theresa, who had also returned to reality before them. Still weakened from the backlash of God’s Key Barrier, even with Oath of Judah, Theresa stood no chance against Sirin in a one-on-one fight right now.
Hearing this, Bella immediately knelt. “My Queen, forgive me! That Valkyrie was no match for me, but her cross-shaped weapon was… unusual. To rescue you, I had no choice but to… temporarily cooperate with her.” She pressed her forehead to the ground, awaiting Sirin’s judgment.
Sirin yanked her up. “What did you see in the illusion?”
Bella frowned, trying to recall, then shook her head.
“I… don’t think I ever entered one. When you were swallowed by that black mist, I tried to save you but failed—and got caught in it myself. But after the mist enveloped me… nothing happened. I just flew out. Every time I tried to go back in, some force repelled me.”
“Are you sure nothing happened?”
“Well… My thoughts do feel… sharper than usual?” Bella scratched her head, only realizing this subtle change after carefully reviewing everything.
“Hmph… As long as you’re unharmed.” Sirin ruffled Bella’s hair affectionately.
“For now, let’s deal with that troublesome Valkyrie. Then, we’ll settle the score with Schicksal.”
“As you command.” Bella bowed deeply in a flawless knight’s salute.
…
Meanwhile, on the other side…
“Cecilia, Siegfried… I’m sorry I couldn’t be of more help. I’m just glad you’re both safe.” Theresa, still weak, spoke with a hint of guilt.
“You held your own against that Herrscher-class beast—that’s impressive enough. Even if our instruments couldn’t detect anything from her, the fact that she defeated Cheng Lixue in one move suggests she’s at least a Judgment-class.” Though Cecilia’s words were meant to comfort her, Theresa let out a bitter laugh.
“If saving Sirin hadn’t been more important to her than killing a Schicksal Valkyrie, I’d already be in the afterlife. From the moment I escaped, she showed no hostility—just kept asking what I’d seen, if I’d found Sirin. Even when I couldn’t help, she never got angry. She just kept searching for a way back in.”
“A Honkai beast that serves a Herrscher with absolute loyalty… That’s something even the Previous Era never recorded.” Cecilia watched as Bella knelt before Sirin in the distance, deep in thought.
“Theresa, you’ve made direct contact with the Herrscher of IceFall using Oath of Judah. Did you notice anything unusual?” Theoretically, God’s Key Barrier should nullify all Honkai energy within a minute—yet it had collapsed in half that time. No one would believe that without proof.
“Cecilia, I know what you’re asking. I’m certain—that Herrscher wasn’t using Honkai energy. That’s why the barrier could only weaken her, not negate her powers completely.”
The three exchanged glances and sighed in resignation. There was no doubt: the Herrscher of IceFall possessed abilities beyond her Authority, all fueled by that mysterious energy. Schicksal had fought the Honkai for centuries, yet now they faced an enemy wielding an entirely unknown power. None of them knew how to handle it.
“Report the situation to headquarters, then rest here and wait for their response.” Cecilia’s suggestion met with unanimous agreement. Nearby, Sirin and Bella also stood by, waiting. Until they found a way to counter its regenerative abilities, reckless attacks would only waste their strength.