Honkai: Oh No, I’ve Become the Herrscher of Corruption?! - Chapter 90

At some point, Enoxia appeared before Sirin. It was clear she had been watching the entire conversation between Sirin and Bella.

“You… I don’t believe it.”

Seeing Sirin’s puffed-up cheeks, Enoxia couldn’t resist reaching out to pinch them.

“Don’t underestimate yourself. Back then, a single word from Cecilia was enough to change you. So your words can change me too, you know?”

“I’ll accept your earlier criticism, but you can’t just say things like that. Your relationship with Cecilia is mutual. Right now, you’re the only one who can take care of her as her daughter. Who knows? Maybe when you meet Theresa and Siegfried someday, they’ll even thank you for looking after her so well. You didn’t destroy her family—you brought it honor.”

Sirin’s face remained scrunched up like an unhappy kitten’s. “Hmph. You talk a big game, but in the end…”

Thud!

A dull sound interrupted her as Bella collapsed to the floor. Sirin immediately rushed to help her up.

“I’m… the most important… to Her Majesty… I can stay… by Her Majesty’s side… forever… Hehehe…”

Bella had been so overwhelmed with joy by Sirin’s words that she fainted, a trickle of nosebleed dripping onto the floor.

Before long, Bella woke up on Eden’s sofa.

“Your Majesty, I’m sorry… I was just… too happy.”

Even now, the joy in her eyes was unmistakable.

“Elysia is waiting for me. I’ll see you later.” With that, Enoxia vanished, returning to Elysia’s room.

“It seems Sirin’s heartfelt words affected you quite a bit.”

The moment Enoxia returned, Elysia pushed her onto a stool and began playing with her hair from behind.

“Of course, sincere words can move me. I’ll accept criticism, but that doesn’t mean I’ll change. If mere words could drastically alter someone, then ‘obsession’ wouldn’t be called ‘obsession.’”

Elysia plucked a strand of Enoxia’s blue hair and held it up against her own pink one, scrutinizing them—though, naturally, she found no real difference.

“I’m curious… Why are you so afraid of ruining other people’s relationships? You’re such a wonderful girl, and Sirin, me—we’re all kind and strong, aren’t we?”

She combed through Enoxia’s hair, tied it into twin tails, then shook her head in dissatisfaction and let it loose again.

“Elysia, do you think people are equal?”

The sudden seriousness of the question made Elysia pause mid-motion.

Without waiting for an answer, Enoxia continued:

“The fact that equality is a goal countless people strive for proves how unequal the world is. Take fighting the Honkai, for example. An ordinary person—or even a soldier with a gun—wouldn’t stand a chance against a single Charger-type Honkai beast in a one-on-one fight. Yet a B-rank Valkyrie can easily take down a Chariot-class Honkai beast, something as tall as a building.”

“But against a Emperor-class like Parvati or Asura? A B-rank Valkyrie would be helpless. Meanwhile, for Herrschers like us, annihilating such beasts is as easy as lifting a finger.”

“In terms of ability, the gap between humans is immense. Some spend their whole lives worrying about their next meal, while others are born with the power to defy physics and level cities effortlessly. From this perspective, true equality is impossible.”

“But what about the soul? If we disregard ability, are people equal in spirit? Someone like you, who loves everyone, would say yes. But reality tells a different story. If souls were truly equal, discrimination wouldn’t exist.”

“Yet from my perspective, regardless of background, every human soul is equal—because they are equally fragile.”

“Whether it’s an S-rank Valkyrie like Cecilia or an unarmed civilian, a slum dweller or a billionaire in a mansion… If I wanted, I could override their free will, redefine their sense of right and wrong. I could reshape their very cognition.”

“The closeness between people depends on how they perceive each other—or, poetically speaking, how their souls interact. But all human souls are equally vulnerable. And I… am the one most likely to distort them without even realizing it. A single misstep, and I might turn someone into a completely different person. I’m living proof of that.”

“That’s why, for me, the relationships I cherish most must be kept at a distance. Otherwise, one day… I might end up eroding them without meaning to.”

“But…” Elysia smiled softly, “isn’t the fragility of the soul the very reason people seek each other out? Bonds are formed because we’re vulnerable.”

She pulled out a flower crown from somewhere and placed it on Enoxia’s head.

“The first lightning strike, the first spark of fire—every leap humanity has ever made began with fear. The more you fear eroding others, the more likely you are to hurt them accidentally. The only way to overcome erosion is to face it. Someone has to be the first to try, right?”

“Elysia, I understand what you’re saying, but… but…”

“But you’re afraid the first person won’t get to taste the crab—they’ll just die from its poison? That’s okay. When Mobius develops new biotech, she always tests it on herself first. So… I don’t mind being the first to face your erosion.”

“No! Absolutely not!” Enoxia’s mind screamed in alarm, memories flashing before her.

“You’re right—running away isn’t the answer. The only way to resist erosion is to confront it. But the one who takes that risk… can’t be you!”

Not all humans deserved salvation. Letting heroes become sacrifices on the path of progress while the unworthy reaped the benefits? That was something Enoxia could never accept.

“…Still, if you really want to change, shouldn’t you take a step forward? Like… shortening the distance between us? Growing closer? Being more… proactive when we’re together?”

Enoxia stood and pulled Elysia into an embrace.

“Thank you… sister.”