The Infinite Journey of a Certain Flame

"Oh, what a coincidence. Unknown program, you seem to be somewhat similar to me." The sudden teasing male voice made Xilin stop flying instantly, remaining frozen in mid-air for a long time before—immediately hiding in the ruins nearby.

"Huff... Why is this guy here? Damn it, it's so annoying to have to obey different rules in different worlds. If I get chained by Judah, that would be troublesome... He shouldn't have noticed me, right?"

With her back against the wall, Celine cautiously peeked out from beside the broken wall to observe the street.

It's really strange, there are sounds coming out, but you can only hear the voices and not see the people.

It seemed as if the supercomputer that had stolen the body of its former collaborator hadn't said anything at all.

"Am I hallucinating? That can't be right, I'm not afraid of that thing, am I?"

Seeing that the other party had disappeared, Xilin immediately turned around and left the cover, carefully examining the street.

What she didn't know was that while she was trying to find traces of others...

The other person had been standing quietly behind him, staring intently at him for a long time.

"It's incredibly strange; she's practically identical to the second Herrscher of the Void this century. If I didn't know they had already merged into one, I would have thought the Herrscher of the Void had been resurrected by the Honkai God. But considering the truth on the moon..."

Void Treasury hesitated for a moment, then his tone turned serious: "I must control you."

[Author's Note: If you're not very familiar with the Honkai Impact 3rd main storyline, you might not understand why I keep mentioning the moon. Actually, this is my current speculation about the main storyline's ending. I didn't initially intend to delve into it deeply, but after thinking about it, I realized that with so little post-Honkai content, I wouldn't know how to write it, so I had to create an original story based on speculation. The ending I'm basing on is that Kiana becomes a vessel for the Honkai God, and then the Herrscher of Reason creates the Moon Throne to seal the Honkai and the vessel (K423) forever. Based on Mei's explanation in post-Honkai, Fu Hua might exist as a guardian, a watcher, or perhaps a sacrifice.]

[If the ending is different when the main storyline comes out in the future, then there's nothing I can do. miHoYo really knows how to torment people ╮(╯▽╰)╭]

Why is everyone different now? (Post-Honkai Odyssey): Chapter 62 Void Treasury: "Don't arrest me!!!"

The Void Treasury, the treasures left behind by the pre-civilization humanity before their complete destruction by the Honkai, is known as the First Key of God.

Dr. Mei created this weapon using the core of the First Herrscher, the Herrscher of Reason. Its normal form is a golden hexahedron, which can transform into a fluid. It can replicate weapons and items whose construction principles the user understands, including Divine Keys, but the replicated Divine Keys are far inferior to the originals.

Inside is a knowledge space that extends almost infinitely, containing the knowledge of previous generations of civilizations collected by the Herrscher of Reason. This knowledge was preserved along with the Herrscher's core due to the unique nature of the Herrscher of Reason's abilities.

This relic was obtained in Asia by the founder of the Apocalypse family, Shakyamuni Buddha, who called it a relic possessing infinite wisdom. Because "only those with the highest wisdom can break its seal," it was enshrined as a sacred object in the Apocalypse family shrine until it was unsealed by Otto Apocalypse two thousand years later.

The Void Archives possesses self-awareness; it is a combination of the First Herrscher and the super AI Prometheus, designed by May. Its core and microelectronic information are inscribed with the ultimate mission of "saving humanity from the Honkai," thus it cannot love or hate humanity. It governs the library within the Void Archives; any eligible individual needs its permission to enter. The library has no physical form; therefore, no knowledge can be physically taken out of the library, but can only be stored within the minds of eligible individuals.

From the moment she heard the sound, Celine realized that something unclean was behind her. Because she knew this thing very well, she didn't make any rash moves.

Generally speaking, if something unclean appears behind you, you should avoid it as soon as possible. This is especially true for those whose thoughts, behaviors, and logic are already fixed.

You can never imagine what strange things they might do or what they might sacrifice to achieve their goals.

However, Xiaoxilin knew very well that she couldn't act rashly at this moment. Because this guy possessed a tool that was extremely disadvantageous to her!

Mimicry: The Oath of Judah...

This thing can be considered the nemesis of Honkai. Originally, it couldn't handle itself as a tool for traversing worlds, but by sheer coincidence, the host wished for a real body.

The consequence of doing so is that one becomes increasingly constrained by the laws of the world.

To put it simply, if you are intangible and uncertain, then the world will have trouble locating you, and naturally, there won't be much constraint on you. But if you have a physical form, you will have to conform to some basic laws of this world, such as needing to eat when you're hungry, and feeling pain, bleeding, or even dying when you're injured.

"I don't want to get killed by this weirdo, I have to be careful... Luckily, he's at least a reasonable man—I guess so."

Xilin muttered to herself, then slowly turned around, put her hands on her hips, and looked at the Void Treasury.

"Not planning to run away? Heh, that saves me a lot of trouble."

Upon discovering that his prey had not fled, Void Treasury became wary. He raised his hand, and Judah's chains shot out, flying towards Little Sirin.

All of this happened so fast that the person involved barely had time to react.

However, because she had been ambushed by her foolish owner so many times before, Sirin was already very familiar with this kind of trick.

Without a word, she ducked low, landing face-first on the ground, kicking up a cloud of dust and narrowly avoiding Judas' chains. Then...

This little guy crawled on all fours with incredible speed and energy. He was like a little robot, crawling with all his might.

"Wow! Not bad skills!"

Little Sirin's actions in hiding from Judah were so bizarre that even Void Treasury was momentarily stunned. To be honest, he had never encountered such a method of escape in his memory.

Should we say that the world is always changing?

"However, this alone is not enough to stump me. Heh, pathetic little guy."

Void Treasury suddenly waved its hand, and the speed of Judah's Chains suddenly increased.

Finally, just as little Sirin was about to slip into the ruins and escape, her right leg was helplessly entangled by Judas.

"Damn it!"

Before the little girl could even utter a cry of alarm, the Judas Chains coiled around her like venomous snakes, turning her into a tightly wrapped dumpling. With each tightening of the chains, a final, fleeting glimpse of her form appeared.

She was then hung upside down in front of the Void Treasury.

"A brilliant performance. Surprisingly, I thought Judas couldn't control you. I didn't expect that besides your appearance being similar to the Herrscher, the restrictions you are also similar to the Herrscher's."

At this moment, the little one standing upside down in front of her remained calm. Her expression showed no fluctuation, and even though she was bound like a dumpling by Judah, she didn't seem alarmed.

Her composure is so remarkable that it's hard not to suspect she had a backup plan...

"Say what you want to say."

Just as Void Repository was stroking his chin in surprise, Xilin suddenly squeezed out a word through gritted teeth.

What... is going on?

Void Treasury continued to stroke its chin, deep in thought, having no strategy for the little guy in front of it at the moment.

Logically speaking, this guy is a weakling, and I should be able to take him down easily. But the problem is... she's staring at me without moving, and that cold, indifferent look seems to suggest she's completely fearless.

Could this actually be a pre-arranged scheme?

Thinking of this, Void Treasury inexplicably recalled an idiom from its knowledge base: "to lure the enemy into a trap by feigning indifference."

However, the Void Treasury is no pushover either.

"Hmm~ That's great. Actually, I'm just really curious about which world you come from. Hahaha, if you didn't tell me..."

He suddenly changed the subject halfway through his sentence:

"Then don't blame me for being impolite."

Void Treasury smiled faintly, as if he would finish her off in the next second. However, he had indeed underestimated Little Sirin's strength.

"Heh, I want to ask you, why can you see through me? Who are you?"

Celine's tone was utterly calm, as if she were discussing something trivial, without the slightest hint of fear.

Of course, this was nothing but a bluff, and even what they said was just a delaying tactic.

She knew this world inside and out, and already knew what kind of person this guy was. Therefore, she was very clear about his true identity.

"Heh, see through you? That's not that simple. There's an extremely powerful being by your side, a truly powerful being. She's seen through all your secrets. All your privacy is exposed before her eyes, including your identity and all your secrets... I think you might be the biggest factor that helped her escape?"

"Ah, yes, yes, that's so right! Heh heh, aren't I amazing!"

Xilin stood proudly with her hands on her hips, looking radiant and showing no fear whatsoever.

"That's really impressive."

Void Treasury sneered. He felt he had everything under control!

Unfortunately, he could never have imagined that just now...

Kiana had already heard Sirin's cry for help.

Before long, he will be facing a mixed doubles match between two Herrschers!

The thought that this arrogant and domineering key of the gods would soon be captured made Sirin's smile even brighter.

Upon seeing her smile, Void Treasury sensed something was amiss.

"What? Now that I've exposed your secrets, you're deciding to stop hiding them? Very well, then... perhaps I can destroy you next."

Upon hearing this, the smile on Xilin's face instantly froze.

This guy is terrifying! He could take someone's life in a heartbeat! What am I going to do? If Kiana and the others don't realize I'm dead, then all my efforts will be for nothing?

No, no! I don't want to die like this, so confused and clueless!

Thinking of this, Xilin couldn't sit still any longer.

"What a joke! You wicked creature, what right do you have to kill someone!"

"You are not human," Void Treasury replied coldly.

One sentence was enough to slap Xilin in the face.

Although I'm reluctant to admit it, I have to say this guy is absolutely right. I'm really nothing special; if I had to say anything, I'm just a tool.

Strictly speaking, he was no different from anyone else, so naturally he couldn't be protected by Dr. Mei's instructions to 'protect humanity.' Therefore, his destruction was only natural—what a joke!

"Nonsense! I am a human being. Which eye of yours saw that I am not human? Is it because this ugly mask is blocking your eyes that you think so!"

Under the threat of death, little Celine struggled desperately. She looked exactly like a rabbit that had been caught and was about to be slaughtered by the hunter.

To be honest, such lifelike movements are indeed very similar to those of a human.

For a fleeting moment, Void Treasury began to doubt whether she was even human.

Once this concept is involved, things get a bit complicated.

“I think you’re just being unreasonable.” Void Treasury slowly reached out and removed his mask, then looked at the puppet in front of him with a very calm gaze. “If we’re talking about human standards, your body doesn’t even meet the criteria.”

With the mask removed, his face, inherited from a certain bishop, was revealed.

If Theresa were here, she would probably feel nostalgic because of this familiar face, right? It's just a pity that no matter how much Void Archives tries to imitate it, in the end... it can't replicate the real person.

"You're the one who's being unreasonable! You cowardly Divine Key, everyone else has already resolved the issue, yet you still won't let it go and keep causing trouble. What? You're itching for a beating without Otto to put you down, huh? If you've got the guts, put me down, and I'll fight you three hundred rounds. Let's see who's stronger! Come on, you lying liar!!!"

Celine twisted her waist; if her hands and feet weren't bound, she might have danced a couple of moves. Her behavior perfectly embodied the phrase 'unreasonable and disruptive'.

To be honest, encountering such a little guy was something Void Archives never expected.

Of course, he didn't expect... he'd be attacked for no reason? And so harshly? It was downright vulgar language!

The more flustered he appeared, the happier Celine became. Because it meant she had succeeded.

Unfortunately, she underestimated this high-tech intelligent robot.

“I’m sorry, little guy,” Void Repository, who had been thoroughly scolded, raised his hand, and the Imitation Heavenly Fire Judgment Pistol appeared in his hand. “I didn’t lie.”

Seeing the faint glint of light emanating from the gun barrel, Sirin stopped struggling.