A beautiful girl who transmigrates into a Herrscher of the Void is treated like an elf and conquered

They confirmed that Kurumi's presence had moved far away to the rooftop, while Shido was sneaking around by the window, whispering to his "sister."

Chinatsu, who was lying on the ground pretending to be a comatose girl, finally cautiously opened her eyes a barely perceptible slit.

Hidden beneath her long eyelashes, her icy blue eyes scanned the surroundings rapidly, like the most sophisticated detectors.

(Safe! Kurumi went upstairs to contemplate life, while Shido is tattling on her. Perfect opportunity!)

She let out a long, silent sigh of relief, feeling even more exhausted than if she had just taken a hit from a "Reversal of Fortune".

(I managed to fool them! I finally fooled them! Heaven knows how many brain cells I wasted making up this flawed yet plausible "history"!)

The thought of how she had come up with a brilliant idea in a moment of inspiration, using Welt's Stand to improvise and somehow manage to drastically alter and piece together the experiences of the Anti-Entropy Ancestor into one of the "origins of the spirits" in this world made Chika want to give herself a thumbs up.

(Mr. Joyce, Mr. Yang, sorry to borrow your names! You're not even on set anyway! You can't exactly drive the Starship Train and kill me, can you?)

(That's perfect! "Walter Yang" is a tragic hero who inherited the will of the previous Herrscher of Reason, while I, "Hououin Chika," am the "lucky one" chosen by the hero and possibly becoming the next Herrscher of Reason! The two identities are completely separated! Perfect!)

She felt the core crack within her body slowly repairing itself, and the faint but reconnected Herrscher powers that belonged to her, which made her even happier.

(Although the core was damaged and will take time to repair, at least they managed to cover it up and the alias was saved!)

Chinatsu glanced at Shido, who was standing by the window with a serious expression, still reporting the situation to Kotori, and the little devil in her heart began to stir.

(Look how scared this kid is! His CPU is probably about to overheat. He looks so confused, like he's wondering, "Who am I? Where am I? What did I just hear?" It's really... hilarious!)

(And Kurumi, she's probably questioning her existence on the rooftop right now, isn't she? "Living for a tomorrow that can't be reached"? That's probably beyond her comprehension, isn't it? Hehe.)

However, simply leaving Shido bewildered wasn't enough. Chinatsu knew that to leave an indelible mark on a harem protagonist's heart, to the point where the thought of her would cause him heartache, the "chosen girl" setting alone wasn't compelling enough.

(Compared to a dead, unremembered "white moonlight" who can only live on in memories, wouldn't a "white moonlight" who was once pure and kind but might "turn dark" or "fall" because of the heavy burden of power and memories be even more heart-wrenching and unforgettable?)

A brilliant (and wickedly funny) idea formed in her mind, almost making her burst out laughing. She quickly bit down hard on the soft flesh inside her mouth to keep her "comatose" expression from showing.

(Yes, that's it! Give him a memorable 'awakening' moment! He can't laugh now, he has to wait until the final performance is over!)

She adjusted her breathing, making it even weaker and more disordered, as if she were immersed in some kind of terrible nightmare.

At the same time, it began to carefully mobilize the little bit of rational power that had just been restored, not for construction, but for... fine-tuning its own physiological performance.

A few seconds later, just as Shido ended his communication with Kotori and, with a complex and worried expression, turned his gaze back to the "unconscious" Chinatsu—

He saw that the girl lying on the ground suddenly began to tremble slightly.

Her delicate brows were tightly furrowed, as if she were enduring immense pain. Her originally serene (pretended) face became somewhat distorted, and fine beads of cold sweat even seeped from her forehead.

“…No…don’t…” A faint, tearful, and fearful murmur escaped from her pale lips.

Shido's heart clenched instantly, and he instinctively wanted to rush over. "Hououin-san?!"

However, the next second, Chika suddenly opened her eyes!

But those were no longer the icy blue eyes that Shido knew, eyes that held a cool or occasional smile. Those eyes were now filled with bewilderment, fear, and… a depth Shido had never seen before, a depth that seemed to have accumulated countless years and pain!

A contradictory feeling of almost "inhuman" calmness intertwined with chaos!

Her pupils seemed unfocused, staring straight at the factory roof covered in cobwebs and dust, as if she could see something else through it.

“…burning…it’s all burning…” Her voice was hoarse and broken, filled with heartbreaking despair, “Joyce…Mr…everyone…”

Tears streamed down her cheeks without warning, soaking the hair at her temples and the dust on the ground.

Then, as if finally noticing Shido beside her, she slowly and stiffly turned her head. Her eyes, brimming with tears yet strangely calm (acted), looked at him, filled with unfamiliar scrutiny and a kind of... heaviness and weariness as if carrying the weight of the entire world.

She stared at Shido for several seconds, as if trying to confirm who he was.

Finally, she forced a smile that was more like a grimace than a cry, and in a voice barely audible yet carrying an eerie echo, she whispered:

"Itsuka... classmate...?"

"I think I... had a... really long... really scary dream..."

"In my dream... there were flames... there were shooting stars... and there was a... sorrowful... soul named Walter..."

After saying that, she seemed to have exhausted all her strength, her eyes slowly closed, and she "fainted" again.

This time, however, her brows were still furrowed, and a glistening tear still clung to the corner of her eye. She was curled up there, looking incredibly vulnerable and... full of ominous mystery.

Shidou: "!!!"

He froze on the spot, his mind completely blank.

(A dream? Flame? A shooting star? Walter's... soul?!)

(Could it be... that the inheritance Mr. Walter mentioned earlier... isn't just about power... but also memories and... emotions...?)

Looking at Chika's exhausted sleeping face, which seemed to have experienced endless trauma, and that glaring tear stain, Shido felt as if his heart was being squeezed tightly by an invisible hand!

A mixture of pity, protectiveness, and helplessness and panic in the face of unknown changes overwhelmed him like a tsunami.

(My classmate from Phoenix Academy...is she...is she still the same person I know?)

Chinatsu (inner monologue): (Perfect! Now let's see if you won't hold a grudge against me forever! You little virgin, obediently struggle in the sea of ​​guilt and curiosity! Ahahaha!)

(On the surface): She remains motionless, maintaining the image of a fragile, sad, and comatose girl burdened with a heavy fate.

Chapter 103 Teasing, Speculation, and Social Death

Shido held Chinatsu, who was still "unconscious" and had tears still on her eyes, in his arms, his feelings a jumble of complicated emotions. He was worried about Chinatsu's condition.

Distracted by her earlier "dreaming," he completely failed to notice the barely perceptible upturn of the corners of the "unconscious" girl's mouth in his arms.

Just then, the shadows shifted slightly, and Kurumi's figure reappeared silently in the workshop like a ghost.

She immediately spotted Shido, who was holding Chinatsu with a conflicted and worried expression, and a hint of amusement flashed in her golden eyes.

She gracefully tapped her chin with her fingertips, a knowing, slightly teasing smile appearing on her face.

She spoke in her characteristic sweet yet mischievous tone:

"Oh my, young man, it seems you're making rapid progress!" She deliberately dragged out the last syllable.

"Although I learned the dark truth of the world by some accident, I also happened to encounter a girl closely related to this truth, with a mysterious background and strange powers."

"The premise of them relying on each other through thick and thin, and eventually falling in love... does sound quite dramatic and touching!"

She tilted her head, as if she were watching an interesting stage play.

“However,” she changed the subject, her tone slightly teasing.

"Even if it's a script arranged by fate, shouldn't we consider the heroine's own wishes and condition? Holding her tightly while she's unconscious might be seen as taking advantage of her vulnerability, young man~"

"No, no, no! That's not how it is! You've misunderstood!"

Shido blushed instantly, like a cat whose tail had been stepped on. He tried to explain in a flustered manner, but his movements were restricted because he was holding Chinatsu, and he was so embarrassed that he broke out in a cold sweat.

"I... I just saw Phoenix Courtyard... she seemed to be in a lot of pain and said some strange things. I was worried something had happened to her..."

He stammered as he hurriedly recounted how Qianxia had suddenly started talking in her sleep, cried, and looked at his unfamiliar and pained eyes after waking up.

He blurted out all his speculations, including that "Walter's legacy may include memories or even emotions," in an attempt to prove the "purity" of his actions.

After listening to Shido's description, Kurumi's playful smile faded slightly, replaced by a thoughtful expression.

She walked closer and carefully examined Chinatsu, who was "unconscious" in Shido's arms, especially the remaining tear stains and her still slightly furrowed brows.

“Hmm…” She gently twirled a strand of black hair with her fingertips, “According to Mr. Welt Yang, the first ‘Herrscher of Reason’ was Welt Joyce.”

In the final moments, he indeed copied and incorporated the 'thoughts' of all the city's inhabitants into his own spiritual crystal.

Her gaze became somewhat profound, as if she were recalling some knowledge related to "consciousness" and "time".

"Therefore, it is not impossible for Walter Young, as the successor, to copy his life experience, knowledge, and even... thought patterns into the core and leave them to the next successor."

She looked at Shido and confirmed his guess, "Your speculation makes a lot of sense."

She paused, then offered two possibilities, her tone calm and scholarly, yet making Qianxia, ​​who was eavesdropping, inwardly exclaim that she was an expert:

"The key question is, what form does this 'inheritance of thought' take? Is it like creating an 'artificial intelligence AI' capable of independent thought and possessing an independent personality, accompanying the inheritor deep within their consciousness, guiding or even...interfering?"

"Or is it simply a matter of categorizing all memories, knowledge, and emotional experiences, like compiling every detail of a person's life into thick books, and then storing them in a 'library' made of spirit crystals for later inheritors to freely consult and comprehend, without possessing the ability to actively intervene?"

Kurumi's analysis was clear and logical, instantly revealing the core of the problem and making Shido more aware of the complex situation that Chinatsu might be facing.

She may be facing not only a powerful force, but also one or countless heavy "lives" belonging to others.

(Ms. Kurumi, you are truly my best wingman! This analysis, this level of sophistication! It has elevated the setting I hastily made up to a whole new level!)

Chika silently gave Kurumi a thumbs up.

(Yes, yes, it's that kind of high-level possibility! The more complicated it is, the more difficult my situation seems, and the more it will arouse Shido's protective instincts and curiosity!)

As Shido listened to Kurumi's calm analysis and looked at the "fragile" Chinatsu in his arms, he imagined that she might be fighting against an ancient soul deep in her consciousness, or being forced to browse through the tragic and painful memories of others.

...His heart clenched even tighter, and he unconsciously tightened his grip on Qianxia's arm.

(Phoenix Academy student...you must hang in there...)

He was completely unaware that the girl in his arms, who was "fighting with an ancient soul," was secretly overjoyed.

And he silently decided that the next time he "woke up", his acting skills would be even more superb, and he would make sure that the image of this "girl who carries sadness and secrets" was deeply rooted in people's hearts, so that this innocent boy would get more and more involved in the "rescue" and "exploration" journey.

Kurumi's undisguised worry and tension were clearly visible to him. A meaningful smile appeared on her lips again, but she refrained from making any more teasing remarks.

Some seeds, once planted, will naturally take root and sprout. She, however, is content to be a quiet observer, occasionally... watering the seeds.

Chapter 104 Awakening, Farewell, and a "Surprise" Reward

Chinatsu, who was pretending to be Sleeping Beauty, lay in Shido's arms. Finally, under Shido's worried gaze and Kurumi's thoughtful look, her body trembled slightly again.

This time, it was no longer the performative ramblings of the past, but rather as if something within him was fiercely conflicting and merging.

She slowly and with great difficulty opened her eyes.

Those icy blue eyes now resembled shattered glass, reflecting not the clarity of an ordinary high school girl, but a vortex of chaotic, heavy light and shadow.

Confusion, like being lost in a thick fog with no way out; pain, as if her soul was being torn apart and forcibly stitched back together; hatred, directed at the root of suffering and injustice; grief, for the departed heroes and the burning past... All sorts of extreme emotions clashed and tore wildly in her eyes, almost crushing her last vestige of self-awareness.

Her breathing became rapid and broken, and her fingers unconsciously dug into Shido's arm beneath her, her knuckles turning white.

Shido's heart was in his throat. He subconsciously held his breath, and even though he was scratched and bleeding, he dared not make a sound, for fear of disturbing her.

Finally, the chaotic storm gradually subsided deep within his eyes.

However, all the confusion, pain, hatred, and sorrow that existed in my eyes did not disappear. Instead, like ore thrown into a furnace, it was forcibly forged and tempered under extreme temperature and pressure, eventually condensing into a kind of almost cold, indestructible determination.

The storm in her eyes had subsided, replaced by a calm that was almost like stagnant water, but beneath that calm lay an unfathomable heaviness and resolve.

That look sent a strange shiver down Shido's spine.

It was as if I were seeing a martyr about to step onto the gallows, or a warrior burying his last bit of tenderness with his own hands.

They are equally broken, equally burdened with the lives and missions sacrificed by others, and equally willing to burn themselves out without hesitation for a certain goal, with a kind of resolute determination that is almost like atonement.

She supported herself with her arms and, extremely slowly and with a sluggish feeling as if every joint was groaning, struggled to stand up from Shido's arms.

Her movements no longer possessed the lightness of a young girl; instead, they resembled those of a prisoner burdened by invisible shackles, her movements carrying a kind of sluggishness akin to that of a newborn, yet strangely stable.

She looked at Shido, forcing a forced and apologetic smile.

"Itsuka-kun..."

Her voice was unusually hoarse, weak as if she had just survived a disaster, yet clear and undeniable: "I'm so... sorry... for making you see me like this."

She turned her head slightly, seemingly unable to meet Shido's eyes, which were filled with pure worry, and interrupted him before he could speak, her voice lowering as she continued:

“I… I already know. I know the truth about the ‘Elves,’ I know the weight of this power, and I also know… the mission I must complete.”

Her fingers quietly tightened around her arm, her knuckles turning white again from the force.

“Walter… He entrusted everything to me. Those memories, those pains, those unfulfilled ideals… and also, this power and guilt of the ‘Herrscher of Reason’.”

Her tone was calm, yet carried a heartbreaking sense of resignation.

"About this world...about the origin of the elves...about the crimes of DEM..."

With each word she spoke, the determination in her eyes deepened, but the deep-seated sadness remained.

Then, she did something that made Shido's mind go blank for a moment.

She finally raised her head and looked at Shido again, her icy blue eyes filled with a mixture of sorrow and determination, like ice and fire intertwined.

"So, Shidou."

Her voice was soft, yet it struck Shido's heart like a hammer.