"It seems Miss Yae is now filled with fighting spirit."
The young man, noticing that much of the aura of death that had previously enveloped the shrine maiden had dissipated, spoke.
Inspired by Otto's deeds, Miss Yae Sakura's spirits had clearly been considerably uplifted.
She felt that her previous self had indeed been too pessimistic and decadent.
"However, just being full of fighting spirit isn't enough."
Li Zihan, whose gaze had often lingered on the fox-like shadow beneath Yae Sakura's feet, spoke.
"Your body might not be able to support you in your quest to find a way to revive Kallen."
This assessment could definitely be described as hitting the nail on the head.
Yae Sakura and Higokumaru were almost fused into one. The former Herrscher named Higokumaru was constantly scheming to take over her body, attempting to reappear in the human world.
The reason she was currently hiding so obediently was entirely because Welt Yang, who possessed the complete authority of the Herrscher of Reason, was right here.
Simply put, she was afraid of a beating.
However, Welt Yang was, after all, the Sovereign of Anti-Entropy. He had many matters to attend to daily and couldn't possibly follow Yae Sakura around all day to intimidate Higokumaru.
Moreover, if Old Yang really did trail Yae Sakura all day, Tesla would probably transform into a mother tyrannosaurus in minutes and strangle Old Yang.
"Until I reunite with Kallen, I will overcome any hardship, no matter how difficult."
Miss Fox Spirit, whose obsession with Kallen was, in a certain sense, no less than Otto's, looked solemn, as if making an oath.
"That's truly admirable love."
Li Zihan, feeling increasingly bewildered by the aesthetic preferences of the girls in this world, muttered.
He had tried expressing his interest in Miss Banya before, only to receive countless "good guy" cards.
Your great kindness is unrepayable; henceforth, this one is willing to go through fire and water for you.
That was probably what Miss Banya meant.
Li Zihan thought, unaware that Miss Banya's actual idea was to sell out her little sister.
Yae Sakura was also a top-tier beauty, yet she was completely won over by the dense Saintess Kallen's line, "From now on, you are not alone, because I will fight alongside you!" and looked utterly devoted.
Honestly, Li Zihan felt the system was messing with him.
The wish he made in his dream was clearly to find a world where he could "tiētiē" (be close and affectionate) with beautiful girls, and then he was sent to the Honkai world.
As a result, most of the beautiful girls in this world were yuri, and he could only watch them "tiētiē" with each other.
He might as well just go back to Misaki City and confess to Kuonji Alice.
Li Zihan, feeling that there was something seriously wrong with this world, was in a very foul mood.
However, speaking of which, should he try confessing to Raiden Mei?
Suddenly remembering that Miss Mei's sexual orientation was still normal, he felt a little tempted.
Although he had lolicon tendencies, that didn't prevent him from liking Yamato Nadeshiko types.
Maybe he should try it after he got back.
If it succeeded, it would be a huge win; if it failed, it wouldn't be a loss either.
The magus, completely unconcerned about how difficult it would be to remain friends after a failed confession, thought.
Haven't you seen the fate of the Green Hat King Otto?
Five hundred years ago, if he had just expressed his feelings properly, followed Kallen, and dealt with Higokumaru, he would have gone straight to the "Father" route.
A loving couple, admired by all.
Even Sakura Green-Green would have cried watching that.
But that idiot's brain short-circuited. He insisted on being secretive, sending people to deliver Judah while he himself stayed in Vienna.
He would have won if he just pressed forward (A'd up), but instead, he learned from some doujinshi artist and ran from the finish line towards the starting line.
Now look at him, single for five hundred years, and "admired" by wearing a green hat.
However, before that, he had to resolve Yae Sakura's matter first.
The young man, very interested in the Divine Key known as Jizo Mitama, smiled lightly at Miss Yae Sakura.
"But even if the Herrscher of Erosion is weakened, her abilities aren't something you can resist with willpower alone."
"I believe, Miss Yae, you should be aware of this."
Yae Sakura remained silent. Her physical condition was indeed extremely poor.
Higokumaru was indeed in a half-crippled state, but no matter how crippled, she was still, to some extent, an Apostle of God.
If things continued like this, it was only a matter of time before Higokumaru seized her body.
"Miss Yae, are you willing to trust me, to entrust your Stigmata to me, and let me help you dispose of Higokumaru's will?"
The young man, who had long ago figured out how to deal with Higokumaru, extended his hand to the shrine maiden, his expression sincere.
Hand over her Stigmata?
Yae Sakura's beautiful brows furrowed slightly. Her current situation was very special; if she lost her Stigmata, her physical body would very likely collapse.
If it were before, she wouldn't have minded giving away the Stigmata that carried everything of hers, but now...
She wanted to live, until she saw Kallen and Rin awaken.
"Please don't worry about the vessel. Creating a body for a soul that has lost its physical form isn't my area of expertise, but it's not difficult to do."
Li Zihan said.
He had a pretty good relationship with a certain Grand Puppeteer (with a loli-complex), so even if he couldn't make a good vessel himself, he could ask her to help create a puppet.
"Afterward, I will create a new body for you, Miss Yae."
The shrine maiden said nothing, merely staring at her feet for a long time, then raised her head to look at the two people opposite her.
Her body, in truth, couldn't hold out much longer. If she lost control, it could even lead to Higokumaru's revival, bringing disaster.
In that case, let's take a gamble and trust him.
The shrine maiden thought, sensing an inexplicable kindness from the young man opposite her.
She then stood up and walked towards Li Zihan.
"Are you insane? If you hand over the Stigmata, we'll both die!"
Such an action undoubtedly enraged Higokumaru, who had been lying in wait.
Extremely dark black mist billowed up, transforming into a giant black fox, launching another sudden attack at the young man in front!
Even if he had a "compatriot" protecting him, she had to pulverize this human who wanted to steal her power.
Then, a dark red protective barrier unfolded in front of the young man. The First Herrscher's power intercepted the giant claw that carried enough force to tear apart an Emperor-class Honkai Beast.
"Herrscher of Erosion, I can't watch you kill the 'messenger'."
The First Herrscher's voice sounded, and then, a dark red sphere lit up in his hand.
It was the Mimicry Eden Star.
Through the Herrscher of Reason's ability, after understanding the Divine Key, Eden Star, he could reproduce Eden Star out of thin air using his own power.
A crimson sphere manifested in front of Higokumaru without warning, spinning and absorbing everything from the outside world towards its center.
Without even letting out a scream, the fox formed of black mist was completely devoured.
In ten thousand times gravity, not even light could escape.
When all was calm, the black mist that had emerged from the shadow beneath Yae Sakura's feet had completely vanished.
The shrine maiden, who had been entangled with Higokumaru for practically a lifetime, watched this scene, and for a moment, her heart felt somewhat empty.
Higokumaru... died just like that?
"Herrschers don't die that easily."
Seemingly noticing Yae Sakura's strange reaction, Li Zihan spoke to her.
"Her core consciousness is still within your Stigmata. To erase it, we must strike at the source."
"This one understands."
Yae Sakura, roughly understanding the situation, took a deep breath, walked to Li Zihan's side, and placed her slender hand on his shoulder.
Yae Sakura's power surged into the young man's body like flowing water.
Then, the cherry blossom-like graceful figure dispersed like foam.
Simultaneously, a brand-new Stigmata formed on the magus's body.
"How do you feel?"
Welt, who hadn't expected Li Zihan to implant Stigmata containing a Herrscher's will into himself, asked.
"For now, it's still normal."
The magus, with Judah already operating within his body, felt the new power and spoke.
"If any special situation arises, I will ask for your help, Sovereign."