To create Honkai Impact 3rd in a world where Kallen exists.

...

No matter how difficult the road ahead may be, I will always be by your side...

This time, I must work with Mr. Stargazer to save Rita…

These are the words in your heart when the mutation occurred, and also your original intention for this journey.

If nothing unexpected happened, then the unexpected did occur: the Seven Star Formation failed to seal Huo Dou, and over the years, the opponent had developed some kind of connection with the ruins.

At this point, the formation had become the enemy's strength.

Just before the demon was about to break free, you stepped forward, lured the demon away, and headed to the seaside.

At the last moment, you leaped off the cliff.

Amidst the deafening explosions, as I fell, rocks rained down from above, and I could hear the background noise of Mr. Iron Fist releasing his anchor point.

Perhaps, this time, no matter what, you saved them.

"It seems like I'm the only one who's going to die."

You smiled helplessly, and then everything went blank.

...

"Sacrificing oneself to save their future? While not perfect, it's not entirely unreasonable either."

Karen glanced at the screen, thinking the matter was over, and prepared to close it.

She thought that this was already the answer the other party had given.

But things are clearly not that simple.

"Don't rush, Your Excellency. Judging from my voice acting, there's clearly a lot more to come. Please, stay tuned."

Rita stopped massaging and instead smiled at Karen.

Even she was somewhat emotionally affected by what happened next.

It was an indescribable sorrow; the soul grieved, and a voice in the heart cried out to dissuade the person, but knew it was futile.

The pain between life and death is not the most terrifying thing. What is even more unbearable is watching the most important person in your life embark on a path of no return, while you have to silently endure it.

This applies to both her character in the story and to stargazing.

Boss Luo is indeed a master of this art, but... if Lady Durandal saw this, I wonder if she would be jealous?

"Sigh, is there more to come?"

Karen frowned, then said, "Let's postpone the meeting for now, it's not an important one anyway."

If Karen were new to politics, she would definitely prioritize business and complete the meeting.

But how should I put it? She's not a novice anymore.

Moreover, she had experienced too much today and wanted to relax. Watching videos like this didn't require much brainpower. Besides, going to those meetings would just mean listening to the other side arguing.

Based on experience, it usually takes about seven or eight more meetings like this to reach a final result.

Ugh—it's so annoying! Can't we just resolve this quickly, like a battle?

"Yes, as you command—"

...

"Himeko-sensei? Can I go now? School's over—"

Kiana stood ramrod straight at the classroom door, carrying a bucket of water in each hand. She stared at Himeko, who was expressionlessly supervising her, like a pitiful little kitten.

She just said something wrong, right? Is it really necessary to punish her according to school rules? Although Kiana certainly doesn't feel ashamed at all in front of the students coming and going...

But Mei is waiting for her. What if she gets kidnapped by some unknown guy?

Could Ms. Himeko compensate me?

Kiana was indignant, screaming wildly in her heart, but she remained calm on the surface, looking even more pitiful.

She lowered her head, stealing glances at Himeko-sensei's expression.

"Tsk," Himeko glanced at her twice, sighed helplessly, and waved her hand to indicate that she could leave.

She wasn't really planning to let the other person dawdle here for half an hour; it wouldn't be a problem for their physical condition at all.

However, it's important to let your teachers and elders know that you respect them.

Kiana was overjoyed and hurriedly put down the bucket and ran towards Mei. She aimed precisely and pounced, and the cook got a late-arriving bug.

...

Dreams eventually end, or rather, under Mr. Iron Fist's protection, you will not truly die.

You woke up to find the ancient battlefield now a vast expanse of yellow sand, the sea dried up, and everything around you transformed into a desert.

You can vaguely see a poplar tree not far away.

Trees in the desert are truly a rarity, I thought to myself.

But soon they saw another figure under the tree. Approaching, they focused on the figure's silhouette, body type, and clothing, and realized it was Rita.

But, is that Rita?

You were somewhat alarmed. Her cheeks were gaunt, her body weak, and she, who had always been so attentive to her appearance and demeanor, seemed to have had her very essence ripped out; she was lifeless.

His eyes, which used to always be smiling and gave off a cheerful vibe, are now empty and tired...

You've seen that look before.

Of course you've seen it.

That look appeared on the face of the "Sage King, the Star Gazer," who unified the world.

Only when you lose the most important person in your life will you show such a hopeless look in your eyes.

Only when I see you does my light brighten slightly.

You guessed what was going on, but dared not say it; you just looked at Rita, your heart filled with turmoil.

Rita said slowly,

The previous calamity was successfully destroyed, but its death explosion was particularly devastating. Jormungand, which was originally built by the sea, was turned into dry land by the evaporation of the sea due to the explosion, while the snow country of Shikzal had its snowfields melted and turned into a vast sea.

While the explosion was tolerable for the Huang Empire, it brought annihilation to the other two countries.

Rita slowly revealed the news of the two envoys: they had not disappeared, and both countries had sent two reinforcements upon receiving the message.

They thought that with the victory over Huodou, their army could return safely, but instead, there was no news of them.

Rumors spread like wildfire.

Faced with this situation, the two countries refused to negotiate and chose to jointly attack the Huang Empire.

And stargazing...

"What's wrong with Lord Stargazer?" you asked anxiously.

"Guanxing...she plays the zither at the city gate every night, arranging the evacuation of the city's residents while spreading news of internal strife within the Huang Empire, thereby ensuring the complete evacuation of everyone in Huangyue City,"

Rita's eyes dimmed with sadness; it was unclear whether she was recalling the stone man's words from years ago.

"From this day forward, you two will have immortal bodies. If there are no external calamities, you will live forever."

"Guanxing, she will fight to the death and never retreat."

If there are no external threats?

Yes, isn't this an external threat? Unless she doesn't care about the Huang Empire... A trace of sadness flashed in Rita's eyes.

But how is that possible?

The few words struck you like a thunderclap.

In the end, was it Guan Xing who died? What was the point of my trip?

Or is this the future I want to go to?

You feel somewhat dazed, as if the road ahead is a complete mess.

Rita handed you the list of reinforcements and envoys from both countries, along with a map of the advance, and said,

"I'm waiting here for the captain, just to relay a message from Lady Stargazer, and to pass it on to... her."

"Iron Fist is in your hands now, Mr. Assassin."

Assassin, Mr. Assassin?

So, you didn't even realize that you had already revealed your identity?

Looking at Mr. Iron Fist, your heart is filled with even more sorrow.

She knew everything, yet she still chose this path; this wasn't the future she wanted.

It's not what I want either.

...

[After slashing Rita the Stargazer, miHoYo, have some decency! (Sharpening knives)]

[They've already saved two people, but now the Huang Empire is in trouble again. So, is it true that one time isn't enough? But it's alright, there will always be a day when we grasp all the details.]

[Go for it, Captain! I'll definitely find a happy ending for Stargazer and Rita! We've already got Rita, we can't let her go!]

[If Guanxing could just give up the Huang Empire, he could live on with Rita... But she is the Sage King... She can watch over the ruins for a thousand years, or she can stand alone until the very last moment.]

Perhaps... this isn't the future that Guanxing wanted; she expressed her wishes in the most direct way, driven by her own will.

"So, you can make that kind of expression too, Rita?"

As he stared at the screen, he forgot to fan himself with the feather fan in his hand, his gaze somewhat blank as he stared at Rita's tearful expression in the video.

She had never seen that expression on Rita before.

But... "If I made you like this, I feel a little guilty."

Her fingers tightened, the joints of her grip on the feather fan turning slightly white, and she gave a seemingly helpless smile.

"But why didn't you return it then?"