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

"You already know the truth in your heart, but you just won't admit it, and you keep deceiving yourself by saying, 'I will definitely bring you back.'"

Kiana stared wide-eyed at the doll, her heart trembling.

She never expected to hear news of her again from the enemy.

"It seems you already know who it is from your expression. 'She' is the most vulnerable part of your heart, a wound that will never heal!"

"...When that moment comes, will you still believe in the beauty you speak of?"

The puppet's head turned around again, and the volume increased accordingly, as if foreshadowing the climax of the entire play.

Several dolls surrounded Kiana, but didn't launch any attack. They placed their hands on Kiana's shoulders, and one of them showed her a gem.

—The gem that countless people, including those seeking destiny and anti-entropy, are searching for.

It was entirely red, suspended in the air, and one could almost feel the intense heat of a burning flame.

"How about it? Does it look familiar? Do you remember... who was holding it?"

"Plague...gem?"

Kiana first showed confusion, hesitation, and helplessness in the Dominate Theater.

Even the strongest warrior has a weakness, and those who have traveled the world will have unfulfilled regrets.

"Yes, just like you think,"

"Himeko Murata is already dead."

The doll's sinister voice mocked in her ear, its eyes fixed on the stunned Kiana, but a smirk played on its lips.

In this dark theater, the deepest malice of humanity is displayed without any concealment. The tolling of death rings out on Himeko.

In the softest part of my heart, I reopened the wounds that had just healed.

Then, after all the buildup, they stabbed him hard.

The audience below the stage clapped and laughed, and the heterochromatic pupils popped out.

The words on that note seemed to fit the scene somewhat inexplicably.

【Huh? Himeko-sensei—my Himeko-sensei!!】

[Holy crap, I didn't expect there to be a hidden twist here! Doll, take back what you said, you'll die a horrible death!]

At this moment, Kiana was truly struck at her weakest point. Could she really hold on? Holding onto her dream, harboring the thought of wanting Ran to see it for herself, she was now facing the irrefutable evidence of her own death.

[I'm depressed, this won't do. When is miHoYo hiring? I need an interview, quick!]

A long silence fell over the villa after those words, even Himeko-sensei could only manage a wry smile.

What is this? You just came out and immediately saw evidence of 'your' death?

How can anyone feel good about this?

"...Himeko, teacher? Dead?"

Unconsciously raising her voice, Seele spoke, her small mouth slightly open, repeating the doll's words.

Her small eyes held a great deal of confusion; she had already cried more than once or twice during the last lesson.

Based on the main storyline involving Kiana in the game, along with some off-screen analysis, she initially thought that Himeko would make a strong comeback later in the story.

Unexpectedly, in the next scene, she found her last hope for survival.

This has undoubtedly officially sealed Himeko-sensei's fate.

She looked utterly bewildered and refused to accept it... What, what about those online comments?

"...It's always so unpredictable. Kiana too, she persevered despite so many verbal attacks, but in the end she was defeated by me?"

Himeko smiled helplessly, looking at the gem in a daze.

But now, Kiana possesses that gem, which is quite a coincidence.

"Hey, trust Kiana. Even in this situation, she remains steadfast in her beliefs and won't dwell on past sorrows."

The Herald of Knowledge defended Kiana, saying...

I've already been defeated by her once, so instead of making excuses, I'd rather portray Kiana as more formidable; that would be a better explanation.

Besides, she didn't say anything wrong. If Kiana loses her fighting spirit, she won't be able to win that match.

"...This kind of development, telling me about Himeko-sensei's death face to face, they really are... disgusting."

Kiana pursed her lips, looking displeased.

“They are enemies after all, though I’ve never seen such a disgusting enemy,” Bronya added.

...

In the Golden Courtyard,

"..." Alicia fell silent, looking at the screen with some anger.

She felt that causing destruction was wrong, but the doll's words undoubtedly angered her; it really would say anything...

Whether it's the malicious judgment against Kiana or the final exposure of her wounds, it's all a painful blow to the deepest part of a person.

If they run into Kevin, they might also dare to make a fuss about May's matter.

Whether this kind of guy is strong or not is one thing, but he makes people hate him from the bottom of their hearts. From this point of view, he is very good at influencing emotions.

"Tch... The Ruler of a Thousand Men!! Very well, still the same as always, utterly despicable!"

Qian Jie narrowed his eyes, clenched his fists, and tensed his muscles.

Anger has been ignited, and the flames are raging fiercely.

"Tsk—, in terms of attracting hatred, someone can actually surpass a thousand tribulations? That's truly unexpected."

Mebius's serpentine eyes were fixed on the puppet's expression, as if trying to find all its weaknesses in order to ensure a foolproof operation in the future.

The grudges we didn't get back then, we'll settle them all on them now.

"Huh? Mebius, do you want to fight?"

"Fight? Sure, sure, Qianjie, you haven't forgotten your current strength, have you?"

Mebius, unfazed, instead giggled and shouted.

What's there to be afraid of without the Holy Mark? Do you really think the two of them are still on the same starting line? With Alicia around, she can't bully the weak with the Holy Mark.

Besides, she's not someone who likes to fight.

But to say that she is afraid of Qian Jie now is completely untrue.

"Heh—wait a minute, I just need to vent my anger on someone!" Qian Jie said coldly.

He's not stupid. Ying Jie just doesn't have any extra exclusive Stigmata, it's not like he doesn't have suitable three-star Stigmata. Velvet still has some backup, giving a few skilled fighters some Stigmata for urgent use.

But as mentioned at the beginning, it's uncertain whether the memory can remove the stigmata. If it can't, then its abilities have been wasted.

He wouldn't be so foolish as to gamble directly. He could just let that pink-haired woman share some of the power, and it wouldn't be too difficult to fight to a draw.

"Alright, you two, stop arguing... Sigh, Luo Mo, really, this time, Himeko in the game is really going to be killed off."

Alicia looked somewhat unhappy and lowered her head, saying...

Is death the only outcome of sacrificing oneself? Hoping for a miracle is indeed unlikely.

...

"Himeko...is she still dead?"

Theresa pursed her lips, feeling somewhat reluctant.

Her companions, who had stayed with her here for years, saw Himeko as far beyond just a teacher.

They had long been her indispensable assistant and companion.

"Himeko is undoubtedly an excellent Valkyrie teacher, setting a good example for her students on how to behave," Kallen remarked.

"A familiar human... Himeko-sensei?"

Yuexia glanced at the screen twice, then quickly returned her gaze to Luo Mo.

"Himeko-sensei, she has indeed carried on Instructor Ragnar's words completely. These are things that every Valkyrie should do."

Durandal said seriously and politely, "Is that right, Rita? You think so too?"

"Ah? Yes, of course, Lady Durandal."

Rita probably didn't expect Durandal to ask her about it so suddenly, and quickly agreed.

In her eyes, both of them were indeed worthy of respect.

"...Don't make it sound like a prayer. Himeko-sensei is still alive and well."

Luo Mo reminded them, indicating that they should restrain themselves.

“But in the other world, she lost her last hope of survival…” Theresa said with a touch of melancholy.

"As an ordinary person, it would be very difficult for her to withstand the power of the Herrscher of Flame's core."

Luo Mo neither admitted nor denied it, and said calmly.

Chapter 162 When Two Insects Fight Each Other, One Must Lose

"How is it? How is it? Does she look familiar? Do you remember who was holding her?"

"Yes, yes, give me your answer—Himeko Murata is dead!!"

The doll continued its incessant chatter, creating a constant commotion.

But Kiana didn't react with the pain, wailing, or despair she had imagined.

She simply lowered her eyes, filled with sadness and longing. The memories of those everyday moments almost shattered her, but she knew that she still had things to do.

And the promises he made to her.

She simply closed her eyes briefly, and when she opened them again, she had regained the calm and strength of a warrior.

His calm gaze remained undisturbed, unchanged despite the storms of life.

"Hey! Are you deaf? Or can't you understand human language? Himeko Murata is dead. Dead, dead, dead! Did you hear me?"