Chương 37: Volume 1, Chapter 37: Xia Chen's Question, Ana's Answer
"You're truly amazing." As Ana handed Xia Chen a bottle of saline water, she couldn't help but praise him, "Among all of us, you might be the first to directly challenge Durandal, even if it was only within the Memory Battlefield."
"Hmm, I thought you'd mock me for winning so clumsily at the end." Xia Chen took a sip, feeling more composed now.
"How could you?" Ana shook her head.
For her, simply mustering the courage to face Durandal was commendable enough.
Xia Chen smiled, but there wasn't much joy on his face.
The gap between him and Durandal remained vast, evident in various aspects.
Currently, it seemed that only through Stigmata could he narrow this distance with her.
Having played the game before, Xia Chen understood well the unique power of Stigmata. However, to his disappointment, Schicksal's research on Stigmata primarily focused on harnessing artificial stigmas for controlling Honkai energy and resisting its corruption.
As for fully unlocking the true potential of Stigmata...
Schicksal's understanding appeared limited to these aspects.
Since artificial stigmas lacked elements unexplainable by modern science, their comprehension inevitably had boundaries.
To truly explore the depths of Stigmata's capabilities, there was only one place to turn:
The World Serpent.
However, he wouldn't consider this until the genuine Herrscher of Ice emerged.
Ana looked at him skeptically, "No way, winning yet still unhappy? How high are your standards?"
Clearly, the girl noticed his dejection.
She sighed dramatically, adopting a soothing tone usually reserved for comforting children, "Alright then, let's go eat something. Surely food will lift your spirits."
Xia Chen suppressed his thoughts.
The two left the training room and headed to the cafeteria, which still had food available.
Concerned, Ana advised, "Don't eat too much tonight; it's not good for your stomach."
"I understand," he replied, appreciating her caring nature.
Suddenly, as if remembering something, Xia Chen asked Ana, "By the way, do you know any of the Valkyries from the Oceanic Branch?"
"Not really, why do you ask?" Ana responded with a hint of amusement, "Is there someone who caught your eye?"
She cut into her steak with knife and fork, the sound of the blade scraping against the plate audible.
"No, I just heard about a prodigy Valkyrie from the Oceanic Branch." Xia Chen paused before continuing, "Wendy, who achieved A-rank at only 14 years old. I'm curious if she's attending this assessment meeting?"
"Having a talented opponent like her would indeed be fortunate for me."
He was contemplating whether there might be a chance to intervene before Wendy becomes a Herrscher.
Unlike natural-born Herrschers, Wendy technically belongs to the category of artificially created ones.
It was the Herrscher Core falling onto Wendy that transformed her, rather than being designated by the Will of Honkai itself.
However, discussing such future predictions directly wasn't possible; he could only approach the topic indirectly.
Of course, if there was no chance for redemption, it would be futile to pursue.
At this point in time, he couldn't significantly alter events.
Ana rolled her eyes and said, "Speaking of geniuses, the one sitting across from you is one too."
She shook her head, continuing, "While talent determines potential, that's something for the future. As for Wendy, we haven't received any updates lately."
"As to why she didn't attend the assessment, that's an issue within the Oceanic Branch itself. How would I know?"
"I see," Xia Chen murmured thoughtfully.
He couldn't directly reveal that Wendy would become a Herrscher. However, the simulation scenario had left him somewhat bewildered.
"Your expression tells me you're hiding something from me," Ana observed suspiciously. "Go on, what's troubling you so much?"
"Ana, can I ask you a question?" Gathering his courage, Xia Chen asked, "If someone with strong moral convictions turns into a Herrscher, what should you do?"
"Kill them."
"And what if that person is someone you deeply care about?"
Ana's gaze remained resolute. "Still, kill them."
Unaware that Xia Chen referred to Wendy, Ana had witnessed cities ravaged by Honkai and experienced the chilling depths of the dream realm herself. It was precisely these experiences that made her stance unwavering.
"Even if I became a Herrscher, I would end my own life immediately."
Slightly taken aback, Xia Chen unconsciously grasped her hand. "That's not what I meant."
Realizing he might have sounded too intense, the young boy hastily released her hand. "Sorry, I got carried away."
"It's alright." Ana returned the gesture by holding his hand firmly. "This is simply the fate of a warrior. Despite my youth, I've long been aware of this responsibility."
"If, just hypothetically, I were to become a Herrscher, you should kill me right away."
Don't hold onto me foolishly like in that dream, she thought inwardly.
Xia Chen fell silent.
The System had provided him with only one Gun of God, and given his current position, its existence was undoubtedly classified, even within Schicksal itself. No completed versions of the Gun of God existed publicly.
Moreover, the Gun of God merely addressed the symptoms, not the root cause.
Unless he could obtain a second one, he wouldn't consider using it on Wendy until after the appearance of the Herrscher of Ice.
Then, Wendy's fate...
He felt somewhat disheartened.
"Now, don't look so serious," the girl said, gently pinching his cheeks. "Come on, give me a smile."
Xia Chen couldn't muster a smile.
"Seriously, even food can't cheer you up? Do I have to feed you myself now?" Ana sighed, then cut off a small piece of steak with her fork and knife.
"Come on, open your mouth."
Xia Chen complied.
"That's better." The girl brought the meat to his lips, nodding contentedly. "Don't worry about the future right now; it only adds unnecessary stress."
"I remember there's a saying from Shenzhou, 'There is always a way when one reaches the mountain.' Did I get that right?"
Xia Chen nodded. "Yes, you did."
Although the Gun of God merely addressed the symptoms rather than the root cause, it didn't mean the System had nothing else to offer. Moreover, if Kiana and Mei could overcome the influence of Herrscher consciousness, why couldn't Ana?
His eyes gleamed intensely. "Ana, promise me this—no matter what happens, keep living, okay?"
"Why bring this up suddenly?"
Xia Chen simply gazed at the young girl.
"Alright, alright, alright." With a feigned look of resignation on her radiant face, she fed him another piece of beef. "I promise, happy now?"
Despite her exasperated tone, the joy in her eyes betrayed her true feelings. She wasn't sure what that dream signified either—was it just a dream or a glimpse into the future?
Yet deep down, she felt genuinely happy.
"Now promise me this too, stop worrying so much. Overthinking can lead to premature hair loss."
"What kind of nonsense is that?"
"It's based on research from the Science Division," the girl said earnestly. "Excessive thinking and frequent brain activity increase stress, which affects some... uh, cells or something - anyway, it leads to excessive scalp oil production causing hair loss."
Xia Chen was momentarily speechless.
Well, if that's truly science...
He decided then and there, he wouldn't dwell on it anymore. No point in unnecessary worries.
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