LIGHT NOVEL Chapter 314: Raven's Despair
"You ruined my life, destroyed my home, and yet I can't even avenge myself. All because you're a Herrscher." Raven's voice cracked with emotion. Her crimson eyes, wide and unblinking, locked onto Kiana.
"The birth of a Herrscher is a catastrophe. This world should be fair, but why… why do you, who have killed so many, go unpunished? Why don't you show even a shred of remorse?"
She scrutinized Kiana's face, searching for any hint of guilt or anger.
But Kiana's expression remained calm, betraying nothing.
The burden Kiana carried, the price she paid for being a Herrscher, was far beyond Raven's comprehension. Everyone hated Herrschers, everyone feared them. But no one understood that Kiana hated herself the most.
She could have ended it all, escaping responsibility, ending the endless struggle.
But then, who would carry the hopes of those who had perished?
Humanity was hopeless against the Honkai. If no one stood up to fight, if the only response to tragedy was to run, then the future truly was bleak.
Her time wandering in ARC City had been the darkest period of her life. It was Ren who had guided her through it. Now, having experienced so much, Kiana was growing stronger.
The girl's resolve hardened. She knew her purpose, her reason for existing.
Of course, these were burdens she bore alone, understood by no one. Looking at the enraged Raven, Kiana slowly lowered her greatsword.
"I have a path I must walk, a reason to wield this power. I don't care about your hatred, but I won't let you stand in my way."
Kiana's calm demeanor silenced Raven. Confusion swirled in her hateful gaze. As she met Kiana's clear blue eyes, all she saw was a tranquil lake reflecting the moonlight.
ARC City, Nagazora, Coral Island…
Memories flashed through Raven's mind. She'd encountered Kiana several times. Back in ARC City, the girl's confusion had been palpable, even oblivious to Raven's ordinary sniper rounds. Now, she radiated unwavering determination.
Ironically, Raven, once resolute, was now lost, clinging to hatred to fill the void within her.
The stark contrast intensified her sense of defeat. She slumped to the ground, staring blankly at the blizzard-swept sky.
"You win."
"Now, tell me. What is World Serpent's objective here?"
Though resentment lingered, Raven revealed the truth.
"World Serpent detected the birth of a new Herrscher and came here to capture it."
"Really? For a Herrscher? What does World Serpent have to do with Herrschers?"
"The Stigmata Project." Seeing Kiana's expression darken, a twisted smile crept onto Raven's face. "Yes, the same project you stopped in ARC City."
"World Serpent hasn't given up? What's your target this time? Are you planning to use Coral Island as your new testing ground?"
Kiana's unease brought Raven a perverse satisfaction.
"Don't worry. The ARC City experiment was just a preliminary stage, inefficient and cumbersome. The Stigmata Project's current goal is to capture Herrscher cores. Once we've collected all thirteen, we can proceed to the final stage. Then, all of humanity will be saved. The world will be free from the Honkai's threat."
"I doubt an experiment that sacrifices millions is as simple as you claim. Even if it could save civilization, the price would be too high for humanity to bear."
To gain something, one must pay a price. This was an immutable truth of the universe.
"Think what you want. I've lost the children. My life is meaningless. Whether it's true or false doesn't matter to me anymore. The next time we meet, I might just be another infected zombie, a rotting corpse."
"The children… You became like this because of them?"
Having interacted with Su, Kiana knew the children weren't dead. Durandal had relocated them to a Schicksal branch. She started to tell Raven the truth, but Raven cut her off.
"Hah. The children seemed to like you. But to a Herrscher like you, they're just a few insignificant victims among countless others."
"…" Suddenly, Kiana no longer wanted to reveal the truth.
"Back to the topic. If the Stigmata Project needs Herrscher cores, I should be your target too, right?"
"Of course. But attacking you was my personal vendetta. The Second Eruption destroyed my home. The Great Eruption a few months ago destroyed my purpose. I have nothing left. Revenge against you is all I have."
"You're not alone in this Herrscher hunt, are you? You're strong, but not strong enough to handle a Herrscher on your own. Where's your partner?" Kiana asked.
"Partner…" The fervor of her vengeance momentarily forgotten, Raven remembered Night Owl, her supposed backup.
But the new Herrscher wasn't here. Night Owl should be safe.
Seeing Raven's concern for her partner, Kiana shook her head slightly. "Your plan won't succeed. I advise you to leave Coral Island immediately. I fought the new Herrscher of Ice. She's nearby."
Before Kiana could finish, a powerful surge of Honkai energy erupted from the frozen urban district. It was the moment of Chen Tianwu's desperate gamble.
Both women's expressions darkened, sensing the Herrscher's power. Kiana glanced at Raven, deciding to deal with the Herrscher of Ice first.
"Stay here. I'll handle the Herrscher of Ice. If all goes well, I'll try to save your partner too."
She sheathed her greatsword, turning to leave.
As Kiana walked away, a flicker of conflict crossed Raven's face. Honkai energy had a corrosive effect on the mind. Doubt could lead to corruption by the Honkai Will. Raven's resistance was high, but her resentment towards fate had weakened her resolve.
Her hand slowly moved to her waist, retrieving the last Staff of the Underworld. She raised it, aiming at Kiana's back.
Tzzz.
A golden beam fired from the Staff, striking Kiana.
Completely surprised by Raven's betrayal, Kiana reacted instantly, spinning around and raising her greatsword to block the bullets that followed.
"Is that all you can do? Sneak attacks?" The flaming greatsword arced through the air, reaching Raven with blinding speed.
Raven barely managed to raise her Seven Thunders of Retribution in defense, but the force of the blow brought her to her knees.
Coughing up blood, disbelief filled her eyes. "You were hit by the Staff of the Underworld. How…?"
"I never said I defeated you because its effects wore off." Kiana's strength was overwhelming. Raven's rifle dipped under the force, nearly transforming.
Kiana didn't hesitate. Infuriated by Raven's repeated betrayals, she kicked Raven squarely in the chest, sending her flying.
Raven tried to get up, but finally realized that Kiana hadn't won through luck. It had been pure strength.