Honkai: Oh No, I’ve Become the Herrscher of Corruption?! - Chapter 54

Before Cecilia stretched countless towering mountains, their distant peaks spewing molten lava that cascaded down their slopes.

Her current position was a relatively flat valley nestled between these peaks—a perfect stage for a boss battle.

Hundreds of meters away, Elysia stood with a bow in one hand and an arrow in the other, smiling playfully at her.

“Elysia… So you’re my final opponent?”

At these words, Elysia stuck out her tongue and made a teasing face.

“Well, you saw it yourself—the last anchor point had no symbol. Who shows up as your opponent is completely random among the ten of us… probably? If anyone refuses, I’ll step in for them. Anyway, our meeting just proves that lovely maidens are destined to attract each other~”

“Ten of you?”

“Ah… Pardofelis isn’t much of a fighter, nobody would let Griseo battle, and Aponia… well, she’s a special case in the Elysian Realm. No matter how many times you reset, you won’t find them here.”

“Oh…” Cecilia nodded vaguely at the unfamiliar names.

“Elysia, shouldn’t we… begin?”

Elysia waved her hand dismissively. “No rush~ It’s not like we’re on a five-minute timer. Battling such a beautiful girl requires proper mental preparation! But if you’re eager, we can start now.”

“Then forgive my rudeness!” Cecilia tightened her grip on the Black Abyss White Flower and charged at blinding speed.

“Her weapon’s a bow—if I close the distance before she fires, I can—”

Yet Elysia sidestepped the S-Rank Valkyrie’s assault with effortless grace.

“My, so impatient~” With a light backward step, Elysia widened the gap, leaving behind a cloud of pink powder. Cecilia inhaled it unawares, and dizziness instantly clouded her mind.

Shaking her head, she barely dodged an arrow and pressed forward.

Though she managed to close in, Elysia’s movements flowed like an elegant dance—no matter how Cecilia swung her lance, she couldn’t land a single hit.

With White Flower’s healing, Cecilia shook off the dizziness. Realizing conventional tactics were futile, she planted the lance’s tip into the ground.

The earth beneath Elysia split open, massive vines erupting to ensnare and hoist her into the air.

“My, what a creative way to use Black Abyss White Flower! It seems it’s found someone it truly likes~” Even bound, Elysia remained unflustered, freeing herself in an instant.

Cecilia hadn’t expected to trap her—only to buy time. As Elysia landed, she dashed forward again, denying her the chance to nock an arrow.

But to her surprise, Elysia didn’t retreat. Instead, she glided toward Cecilia with light steps.

A missed strike—then a peculiar force struck Cecilia. It didn’t hurt; if anything, it felt soothing. Yet the impact sent her flying.

Black Abyss White Flower spun through the air before Elysia caught it. By the time Cecilia rose, the lance’s tip rested at her throat.

The truth was clear: Elysia had been holding back, yet Cecilia had still lost decisively.

“Seems I’m just a bit better~” Elysia returned the lance with a smile.

“Even if this isn’t the real Black Abyss White Flower, I can tell—it really does prefer you.”

Cecilia blinked in surprise, then understood.

“So… you were its first wielder.”

Elysia shrugged. “Yep! But it never suited me. A bow fits me far better. Still, Cecilia, you’re not upset at all! I had at least five ways to cheer you up ready, but now they’re wasted~”

True to her words, Cecilia remained upbeat.

“In my era, there’s an old saying from Shenzhou: ‘Beyond every person, there’s someone greater; beyond every sky, a higher heaven.’ Today, I’ve lived it. Fighting a Flame-Chaser stronger than me is a chance to grow. Why would I be sad?”

Losing to Elysia, who stood just half a step below Kevin, was no shame.

“My, Cecilia, you’re such a brave and sunny girl. I like you more and more~”

Elysia practiced what she preached—her arms slid around Cecilia’s waist from behind, her face nuzzling into her shoulder.

(Pretend there’s an image here)

Watching the live feed, Enoxia wore a look of utter satisfaction.

“This! This is what I wanted to see!”

As the idol of at least half of Anti-Entropy’s Valkyries, Cecilia was unfazed by such closeness. If anything, compared to time with colleagues like Kira, Elysia’s figure was notably pleasing, their contact oddly comfortable.

“Mmm… Regular exercise really does help maintain a good shape.” While Elysia explored Cecilia’s physique with appreciative hands, Cecilia silently approved of Elysia’s own form.

Ten minutes later, the Elysian Realm’s resident flirt finally reverted to the Deputy Leader of the Flame-Chasers.

Ahem. “You must be tired, Cecilia. How about we head back to the lobby and rest before your next adventure?”

Truthfully, Cecilia had wanted to leave the moment the return anchor appeared—but pushing Elysia away mid-embrace felt rude.

Back in the lobby, Elysia eagerly guided Cecilia to Eden’s sofa.

“See? Told you~ Eden’s sofa is so comfy, you’ll never want to get up. This room’s plenty big—when you’re tired from exploring, just sleep here. It’s fine~”

As she spoke, Elysia snuggled closer again.

Meanwhile, in a frozen wasteland, Kevin stared coldly at the suddenly appearing Enoxia.

“Friend or foe? Choose.”