NOVEL NEXT WORLD Chapter 262: Wendy
The rule of the Taixu Sect: Those who succumb to inner demons must be eliminated.
This was the precept left by Fu Hua, the founder of the Taixu Sect, and also the root cause of the disaster 500 years ago, likely influenced by a certain someone's strictures.
Of course, this wasn't important to Ren. As a Herrscher, he was inherently opposed to humanity from the moment of his birth. He wasn't succumbing to inner demons; he was the demon.
As long as this rule existed, there would be an inherent conflict between him and Li Sushang. Even if she didn't act, Ren would force her hand. The Herrscher of Sentience was about to be born, and to ensure his safety, he had to experience the full power of Taixu Sword God.
Schicksal sending Susannah with Li Sushang was undoubtedly Otto's doing. Given Otto's nature, he would definitely mislead Li Sushang, turning her against Ren.
That way, even if Ren saw through the scheme, Li Sushang would keep him occupied, preventing him from retaliating against Schicksal.
Otto's cunning was undeniable. Even with Schicksal stretched thin, he could still orchestrate such a plan with minimal effort.
However, he had clearly misjudged Ren's intentions. Otto misleading Li Sushang played right into Ren's hands; he was worried she wouldn't act. He had initially been concerned that the clues hidden in the arcade game weren't obvious enough.
Now, with Otto's help, Li Sushang's killing intent towards him was probably amplified tenfold.
But he couldn't rush things. His mental vulnerability hadn't been resolved yet. Facing Taixu Sword God now would likely end badly.
And it seemed the considerate Otto had taken this into account as well.
"Otto Apocalypse, we shouldn't be enemies…" Ren murmured with a hint of regret, but the killing intent in his eyes was unmistakable.
He picked up one of the cubes he had placed in the city, holding it up to the sun. Faint purple Honkai energy swirled within the small device.
These cubes, originally intended as lures, would now, under Ren's modifications, become crucial tools in resolving his mental weakness.
He closed his eyes, and the long-dormant Domination threads connected. When he opened his eyes again, his vision had shifted to another part of the city.
"Welcome, my god."
Ignoring the voice in his mind, Ren controlled the female puppet's body, rising from the sofa. A faint golden light flickered in the puppet's eyes as he walked to the balcony, looking down at the street below.
Murata Himeko was walking away, carrying the still-sleeping Kiana on her back. Seemingly sensing his gaze, she turned and waved.
Ren returned the gesture with a smile, his expression then turning serious.
The unrelated parties had left the stage. It was time to set up his own theater. In a place unknown to anyone, the power of Domination began to churn.
…
Earlier…
Clink.
An empty beer can arced gracefully through the air, landing perfectly in a trash can. Passersby startled, glancing at the figure leaning against a lamppost.
But it wasn't a drunken vagrant they saw but a beautiful red-haired woman.
"Sorry." Waving at the pedestrians, Himeko offered an apologetic smile.
Once they were gone, Himeko frowned. "Even this body can't handle this much strain."
While Himeko had enjoyed drinking in the past, it was mostly to alleviate the pain of Stigmata erosion. As a puppet, with a renewed body, she rarely drank anymore.
However, this time, the energy expenditure had been too great. She needed some alcohol to ease the weakness caused by Honkai energy depletion.
Since Ren's death, Himeko had taken on the role of the city's guardian. In addition to her daytime duties, she patrolled the city every night.
The eastern suburbs, where she was now, had been the first location of the Honkai eruption, hours before the outbreak in the city center. Himeko had detected the anomaly the moment the Honkai Beasts breached the perimeter and had rushed to the scene.
After rescuing Susannah, she had poured all her energy into eliminating the beasts.
Even a puppet body, without the Herrscher of Domination's direct control, could be injured and exhausted. Moreover, the Herrscher of a Thousand core had limited energy.
Although Ren had provided her with more reserves than even Rita, an S-rank Valkyrie, a puppet without its master was like a rootless weed. By the time she had eliminated all the Honkai Beasts, Himeko's Honkai energy was completely depleted, leaving her unable to even walk.
She could only buy some alcohol and recover by the roadside.
"If that little guy were still here…" Looking at the passing pedestrians, Himeko couldn't help but think of Ren.
As Ren's primary puppet, Himeko had thought she knew him well enough. While he had a bit of a temper, he was a good person overall. However, after his death, as she took on more responsibilities within the Obsidian Concord, she realized that Ren had done far more than she had imagined.
"If he were still alive, he and Kiana would have been a good match."
"If only I had noticed sooner…"
But there were no "ifs". Ren was dead.
Himeko sighed, punching the lamppost in frustration, leaving a faint dent.
Her Honkai energy seemed to have recovered slightly. It was time to go home; someone was waiting for her.
Himeko still lived in Ren's former home. In the almost completely rebuilt ARC City, that remote suburban house had somehow been preserved.
By the time she reached the residential area, Himeko's strength had mostly returned. She carried a bag of groceries, a considerable amount. Of course, Himeko knew her own cooking skills, so these ingredients were actually for someone else.
Walking down the familiar street, through the narrow alley, she heard a faint singing voice coming from her home.
I wish I could wake from the dream each time I dream.
There's a long night coming soon, I'd shine as the last shine.
…
This song… perhaps it's more fitting for me.
As this thought crossed her mind, Himeko reached the doorstep. The person inside seemed to sense her arrival. The singing stopped, and the door opened.
"Welcome back, Himeko-sensei," a girl with short, dark green hair greeted her. Himeko looked and saw the girl sitting in a wheelchair.
Sunlight filtered through the clouds, illuminating the girl. Her emerald eyes sparkled like gemstones.
"Good morning, Wendy."
"Good morning, Himeko-sensei. Let me take the groceries; I'll start preparing breakfast." Despite being in a wheelchair, Wendy didn't need any assistance. She turned her chair, effortlessly hooking the grocery bag onto the side.
Looking at Wendy, Himeko said with concern, "Wendy, why don't I…"
"No need~" Wendy's voice trailed off as she wheeled herself into the kitchen.
Himeko watched her, a sigh escaping her lips. "Her consciousness was too severely damaged. Even with a new body, it will take a long time for her to walk again."
"Why worry so much? I think she's much happier than you realize." A melodious voice, rich as fine wine, flowed into Himeko's ears. She looked up and met the gaze of a woman with golden eyes and long, wine-red hair. "She's found meaning in her life and is striving for it. Why cling to the past?"
"You're right. We both owe our existence in this world to that boy. Dwelling on past memories would be a waste of his efforts. What about you, Miss Eden? Have you moved on from your past?"