My Game Studio is Full of Valkyries?!

Elysia secretly wondered if Hokuto had done it on purpose.

Laying the groundwork in the Herrscher of Sentience bridge voice lines just to set up this dramatic reversal—

If that was the case, then well played.

She found her gaze drifting unconsciously outward.

Just in time to see Hokuto being swarmed by a few girls over the previous story developments.

She blinked, a teasing smile playing on her lips.

Even someone kind, beautiful, and cute... like her couldn't help but say: serves you right!

Just look at Kiana—half the tissues Rita had given her were already used up.

"Kiana, are you feeling a little better?" Elysia asked with concern.

"I'm fine now. After seeing the Herrscher of Sentience's scene, my mood suddenly got a lot better."

Kiana told herself not to dwell on the upcoming plot. Just savor the present joy.

"Right now, the Herrscher of Sentience is basically the officially designated source of happiness in Honkai Impact 3rd."

From a character design standpoint, that's exactly her role.

But she's not just a pure comedy character—

On the contrary, many players think the Herrscher of Sentience is quite strong. And yet, whenever she appears, people can't help but laugh.

Because she always delivers unexpected punchlines.

Strong and hilarious—Herrscher of Sentience, undisputed queen of cuteness.jpg

...

Elysia gave everyone a moment to enjoy the segment.

Once the hype in the stream cooled a bit, she brought the focus back to the main story.

Fu Hua, having obtained the Herrscher of Sentience's powers, used Taixu Sword God to sever the link between the doll and its hosts.

With that, she and Bronya could now go all-out without hesitation.

However, as a result of that strike, the Herrscher of Sentience's authority triggered the power-snatching mechanism of the Herrscher of Dominance—and her powers were stolen.

"So that's it... so this is what it feels like to have your power taken."

Bronya looked at Fu Hua with concern: "The Herrscher of Sentience... how is she doing?"

Fu Hua shook her head: "She's fine. It's just... our connection got cut off."

"But," Bronya asked further, "I didn't think she'd actually agree to help you."

That question made Fu Hua visibly awkward.

"To be precise... she didn't agree. She just hesitated for a moment. But I was in a bit of a hurry..."

Smart as ever, Bronya instantly pieced things together.

"Then... she must be absolutely furious right now."

Absolutely.

Right now, the Herrscher of Sentience was definitely livid.

After all, Fu Hua had just perfectly demonstrated the age-old saying: the greatest threat comes from within.

But based on a certain dormitory Easter egg from a previous version—one of Hokuto's later updates—

Yes, the Herrscher of Sentience gets mad.

But she's also easily appeased.

She has an incredibly high tolerance for Fu Hua.

You could even say Fu Hua is her favorite person.

When she says she's mad, it's more like sulking because that old fossil refuses to be honest.

Maybe deep down, she understands—Fu Hua had no choice.

After briefly discussing the Herrscher of Sentience's situation, Fu Hua and Bronya decided to focus on the now—rescuing Kiana.

They launched a joint assault on the obstructing doll. Now empowered with the Herrscher of Sentience's authority, the doll also began using those powers in combat.

Although it had just acquired that authority and could only use it clumsily—just enough to obscure Fu Hua and Bronya's vision—

When combined with the Herrscher of Reason's mech constructs, it still caused considerable trouble.

"...If you're so good, why don't you try fighting this thing blindfolded?"

The doll mocked them arrogantly.

Fu Hua ignored the provocation and calmly instructed Bronya on how to respond.

"Bronya, lock your target's position in your mind. Just move toward Kiana's location."

Bronya followed her instructions.

While fighting, they steadily moved in Kiana's direction.

Seeing this, the doll leapt out again to mock them—its words swollen with hubris.

"Move in that direction? Hahaha, easier said than done! With the combined powers of two Herrschers, I—"

As the saying goes: pride comes before a fall.

BOOM—

Before it could finish, a sudden thunderclap rocked the entire Dominance Theater.

A crimson lightning bolt tore through the skies, reducing the doll to ash.

The game screen cut sharply to Mei.

Turns out Mei had struck from a distance, using her Conquest authority to overwhelm the Dominance power—affecting every doll.

The doll, now cornered, tried one last trick.

It imitated Kiana's voice, hoping to shake Mei's resolve.

'Kiana': "Mei, there's no need to fight anymore. Come home with me—to St. Freya. Everyone is waiting. Let's go back to the past. This time, we'll never be apart again."

But this crossed a major line.

Mei's eyes turned cold.

"I don't need to go back to the past. And neither does she!"

Her Conquest authority surged.

The ghostly armor behind her drew its weapon.

CLANG!

An electrified strike landed squarely on the doll.

The Conquest authority spread across its body, clashing with the Dominance power.

The dolls in the theater collapsed one after another, and the objects they had constructed disappeared.

But this strike had also cost Mei a great deal of strength.

She'd be kicked out of the Dominance Theater before long.

[Hahaha! The internet-addicted doll got electro-shock therapy from Boss Mei.]

[You Dominance dolls dance around like lightning junkies, but you get zapped harder than the Herrscher of Thunder! Serves you right!]

[Watching the Herrscher of Dominance get rekt is satisfying, but it's a shame Mei won't get to meet Kiana... a bit of a regret.]

The viewers in the stream buzzed with comments, while Elysia sighed softly.

"Sigh~~ I was hoping we'd get a 'Graduation Herrscher Reunion,' but it looks like Mei's about to leave."

"..."

No one responded to Elysia's playful quip.

She turned, surprised, only to find Kiana looking strangely serious again.

"What's wrong? Weren't you doing fine just now?"

"...It's nothing. I just want to focus on what's coming next." Kiana replied quietly.

"So serious? Don't tell me it's a really heavy scene coming up?"

Elysia guessed aloud and tapped the device to advance the story.

A roll of thunder sounded.

The scene shifted to St. Freya Academy.

When Elysia saw Himeko and Kiana on screen again, she understood.

So it's the academy segment.

No wonder Kiana's expression was so serious.

She still didn't know what awaited her.

"What's that sound?" In-game, Kiana looked startled.

"Probably something happening outside?"

"Outside... you mean everyone?"

Unlike the hesitant Kiana, Himeko already understood.

"Looks like they're fighting a Herrscher. That means time, which was frozen here, is finally starting to move again."

She smiled slightly.

"Didn't I tell you? Kiana—you were never alone."

Before her words finished, a second, louder thunderclap echoed.

Kiana: "..."

Himeko: "..."

Kiana knew—her friends outside were battling a Herrscher.

Her time with Himeko was running out.

The two stood in silence for a long while.

Eventually, it was Himeko who spoke first.

"Are you ready, Kiana?"

"...I understand, Miss Himeko." Kiana answered with quiet resolve.

Himeko smiled and turned.

"Come on. Let's walk a little farther together."

After hearing that exchange, everyone—Elysia and the stream viewers alike—felt their hearts clench.

The mood grew solemn.

They all knew what was coming.

Kiana and Himeko were about to part ways.

Just the thought of it made Elysia's smile falter.

Smiling through the pain, smiling to say goodbye—it was the right thing to do, but still...

She didn't want to let go.

None of them did.

Even before the farewell arrived, their hearts were already aching—

Their breathing grew heavy.

The stream's live chat dimmed noticeably.