NOVEL NEXT WORLD Chapter 176: Losing Control
"Can't, or won't?"
The distrust in Kiana's eyes was clear. Himeko tried to speak, but Kiana cut her off.
"You said if I wanted to understand my feelings, I should talk to him directly."
"That was when you were healthy! You can't use Honkai energy anymore! You'll collapse! Kiana, this isn't the time to be stubborn. And he *can't* escape, he can't talk to you."
Kiana bit her lip. She knew her condition was critical, but she wouldn't back down. "Tell me the plan. I'm going with you."
Himeko sighed. She couldn't stop her. If she refused, Kiana would use her Herrscher powers, making things worse.
"Fine. But you need to control your Honkai energy first."
…
"My organization is called Obsidian Concord. We formed after the Great Eruption, mostly victims of the disaster. The Honkai destroyed our homes, so we banded together for survival."
"Kiana, you know ordinary people are helpless against the Honkai. Only together can we protect our homes. Obsidian Concord is an organization of ordinary people."
Himeko explained as they walked through the rebuilt ARC City.
The reconstruction was progressing rapidly, the city changing every day.
"So this city… is under Obsidian Concord's control?" Kiana looked at the people around them. They didn't seem afraid of the Honkai. Even the public service announcements featured Honkai beasts, explaining safety procedures.
"Yes. A month ago, World Serpent planned to implement Project Stigma here. Obsidian Concord learned of their plans and took action. But we were too weak to confront them directly."
"Thankfully, you stopped the Honkai bomb, saving the city. And when Schicksal attacked, our leader held them off, allowing the civilians to evacuate."
"The leader… is Ren?" Kiana pieced it together.
"Yes. He's a true Herrscher. Only under a powerful Herrscher's protection can we survive and thrive. He protected us, shattered the old order, and gave us a chance to rebuild."
They reached the newly constructed district, a miniature city, shops and stalls lining the streets. It was lunchtime; people were eating.
They stopped at a noodle stall. A simple meal cost only 5 yuan, unimaginable in the old ARC City, where even the cheapest food was exorbitant.
"See? This city is thriving. There's no longer a massive gap between the rich and the poor. This is what Obsidian Concord has achieved." Himeko's eyes shone with pride.
"Is it, though?" Kiana looked at the smiling faces, everyone seemingly optimistic, but she felt a chill.
"Nee-chan, want to learn about our super ultra cute Kiana-chan?" The children from yesterday reappeared, stopping passersby, handing out gifts.
A different girl approached Kiana this time. Kiana, instead of ignoring her, knelt down and patted the girl's head.
"Tell me about Kiana-chan. I'm curious."
"Really? You'll love her once you hear her story!"
The girl launched into the tale of a magical girl, Kiana listening intently. But the story felt… familiar, a story she'd seen in her own memories, a story about someone named Sirin.
The girl, energized by her topic, continued despite her dry throat.
"In ARC City, Magical Girl Kiana protected everyone, driving away the white Honkai beast. But the bad guys planted a giant bomb! Kiana-chan sacrificed herself to send the bomb into space, saving everyone!"
"..." Kiana remained silent.
"So, what do you think? Want to learn more? We built a memorial for Kiana-chan! It opens today!" The girl, her eyes shining with excitement, reached out to take Kiana's hand.
But as she touched Kiana's arm, she recoiled, as if shocked.
Kiana's face paled. *She's covered in Honkai energy! That child…*
But the girl seemed unharmed, just confused. She shook her head, then turned and left.
"Magical girl…" Kiana looked at the girl, the story eerily similar to her own experience, though she hadn't been Sirin, hadn't died sending a bomb into space.
"It's a story based on the Herrscher of the Void," Himeko explained. "We can't fight the Honkai alone. Obsidian Concord relies on the people. They need to understand the Honkai to fight it."
"And the Herrscher of the Void's story is a stark reminder of humanity's folly. If not for that experiment, none of this would have happened. You know this."
"It's time. We need to rescue Ren from Schicksal. Our destination: Nagazora City."
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After Himeko left, Kiana went to a deserted area outside the city, an overgrown wasteland.
"Class Monitor, did you hear that?"
*Yes. She started talking just before you woke up. I didn't detect any other presence.*
"She was waiting for me. Waiting for me to come here, to wake up, to hear that conversation, to learn about this city."
Kiana dug into the dirt, uncovering the skeletal remains of a white cat.