I've already said this isn't a life simulator!

Chapter Nineteen: Fanatical Worship Will Lead to Disastrous Consequences (4122)

Although the Moth of Flame has you under house arrest, everyone knows that if you really want to act, almost no one can stop you. However, most people harbor a sliver of hope... what if? Right?

But soon, you shattered everyone's hopes... because you began to act again, under "His" will.

You walked effortlessly out of the room where you were under house arrest. Those who were watching you and trying to stop you had all fainted from the intense burning sensation, while you went straight to Möbius's laboratory.

[In front of Mebius, you gripped your sword tightly and slowly pointed the cross-shaped hilt at her assistant—Klein.]

[Immediately, flames erupted, and screams filled the air.]

Your actions naturally provoked Mebius's retaliation, but you didn't care. The flames would protect you, "He" would shelter you... The flames formed a special "barrier" around you, blocking all of Mebius's attacks.

[You ignored the crazed Mebius until the flames burned Klein's body to ashes, and a crisp sound rang out as something fell to the ground. You could clearly see the crystal-like "Herrscher Core" lying quietly on the ground before you turned away without a word and continued walking in another direction.]

Mebius didn't chase after you, because only now did she understand why you had come... But understanding doesn't mean comprehending, and comprehending doesn't mean forgiving.

Your rude and impolite behavior will never be accepted by her, much less forgiven!

Of course, even if you knew, you wouldn't care. You were simply carrying out "His" will, summoning flames to render the other "Herrschers" within the Flame Chaser incapable of action... As for death, that was only a matter of time.

However, your actions did not receive the understanding and support of the masses, and even pushed you to the opposite side of almost everyone—because among these "Herrschers" were not only several soldiers with good reputations, but also Qianjie's adjutant and a high-ranking member of the decision-making team.

[But that's not all. You ask a few people to drive you through several cities, killing a thousand people inexplicably with flames.]

Although it was eventually confirmed that these people were all "Herrschers," your terrifying execution capabilities undoubtedly instilled fear in everyone and made you even more repulsive.

The "Tenth Herrscher Extermination Campaign" has ended, almost entirely single-handedly, in just three days, most of which were spent traveling. However, people are far from happy... because your sudden act of killing others with flames caused some social unrest, forcing the Flame Chaser to expend energy on calming the public.

[Especially since rumors have spread among the public that "the Firemoth is indiscriminately killing civilians"... People don't care whether those people are actually "Herrschers" or not; they only see a "fusion warrior" belonging to the Firemoth indiscriminately killing civilians.]

As for the "Herrscher Core" that fell to the ground at the end? How can you assume that thing was a "Herrscher Core"? What if it was just a crystal someone was carrying?

This kind of ridiculous lie is so clumsy that it's laughable... yet some people still believe it.

Because people don't care about the truth; they just need an event to vent their fears and frustrations.

That's all.

More importantly, this incident undoubtedly proves to everyone that you have the ability to target and precisely pinpoint "Herrschers," so... why didn't you participate in the previous two "Herrscher Extermination Campaigns"?

Are you harboring ulterior motives?

[During the "Eighth Herrscher Extermination Campaign," did you really refrain from intervening to give Aponia leverage to force others to accept her help?]

[During the "Ninth Herrscher Extermination Campaign," you were also trying to cripple humanity's industrial capabilities so that the focus could shift to the ocean, allowing you to encounter that special Honkai Beast, Skadi. You didn't say a word then, did you?]

People speculate about your past behavior and find that everything makes sense.

Suspicion, doubt, fear, hatred... a wave of dark emotions washes over you.

And you don't care about this.

Is that really the case?

You may not realize it, but you know that you are praying for longer and longer periods, and that your hand is gripping the cross pendant tighter and tighter.

You feel you're drifting further and further away from the person you initially hoped to be, but you promised "Hero" you would obey "Hero's" words and actions.

You...don't regret it.

As expected, you were imprisoned. The Moth of Flame could no longer allow such a dangerous entity as you to continue operating outside, and you voluntarily entered the transformed "Deepest Place."

You don't know why, because you should be "innocent," yet you believe yourself to be "guilty."

You feel lost, but thankfully, you have Aponia by your side, and the "Princess" of the "Deepest Place"—Gresh.

Although Gretchen's companion Kosmo is highly wary of you, he cannot stop Gretchen from getting close to you. This is partly because you truly saved Hen's life, allowing Gretchen's father to survive, and partly because... Gretchen really likes you.

Because you always exude a "warm" aura, your colors leave almost no distinct mark on her. Apart from Gretsch's frequent paintings of seaside scenes at dusk, you have had virtually no influence on Gretsch.

Now, during your time in detention, you have ample time to reflect on the very reasons for your confusion.

However... the Honkai won't give you time, but it will give human civilization time.

The Eleventh Herrscher has been born. This Herrscher is extremely strange, almost completely countering Fusion Warriors. A barrier that isolates all energy opens up and slowly expands outward, gradually and bit by bit devouring the already scarce human cities.

Furthermore, even worse situations are unfolding elsewhere.

The ocean seems to have undergone an even worse anomaly, as if it has spiraled out of control or been summoned. Massive numbers of Honkai Beasts have emerged from the ocean and are ravaging the remaining cities. Immense Honkai energy is surging from the ocean depths, providing a continuous supply of "troops" for the Honkai Beasts on land.

Countless people wailed, countless people died.

On one hand, there's the "Eleventh Herrscher," already extremely difficult to deal with, and now even more specifically designed to counter "fusion warriors."

On one hand, there's the aid of the ocean, a seemingly endless tide of Honkai Beasts.

The situation was extremely dire, and the Fire-Chasing Moth was suddenly driven into a corner.

In the end, the Firemoth was even forced to release a portion of the "darkness" sealed within the "deepest depths" in order to gain more power to fight against the Honkai.

After a fierce battle, the Firemoth managed to save humanity's three remaining cities, but the Fusion Warriors were also decimated, leaving only fourteen, including you.

This time, no one cheered for victory, no one celebrated it; the scene before them was nothing but a "tragedy"—a "tragedy of restraint."

[And the suspicion and hatred towards you among the crowd has not eased in the slightest, because they believe that you knew that the "Eleventh Herrscher" would manifest and the disaster of the Honkai Beast Tide would occur the moment you were imprisoned in the "Deepest Place," but you gave no warning whatsoever.]

Faced with such a terrifying disaster, the Fire-Chasing Moth will definitely need your help and the help of those imprisoned. The Fire-Chasing Moth will have no choice but to release you and seek your assistance... All of this is being "guided" by you from behind the scenes.

In their eyes, you are already an "utterly wicked person".

Of course, among these people, there are also those who have always stood by your side, who understand you, and who love you, such as Aponia, Gretchen, Alicia and Eden, Kevin and May, and... those who received your help in Twilight Street.

Yes, some people in Twilight Street are lucky enough to have survived to this day, and some have even joined the Fire Moths to do some logistical work.

And they are also your followers in the Moth Chaser series, even some fanatical...believers.

They have already come to regard you as a "messenger of God" and can no longer break free from this mindset... The "leaders" have brainwashed them with propaganda, and they willingly accept this idea. They believe that you are the messenger sent by "He" to guide them to a better future, just as you transformed the "chaotic land" of Twilight Street into the "Garden of Eden." You will surely bring salvation to this world under "He's" guidance.

They firmly believe this.

But... whenever you see the fervor hidden in their eyes, a certain unease involuntarily rises in your heart.

[But immediately, your attention was diverted from this matter, because the "Twelfth Herrscher" had appeared, namely Sakura's younger sister—Rin.]

[This time, you were the first to discover it, even before the detection equipment for the fire-chasing moth.]

Faced with the current situation, you should have simply eliminated Rin, as that would have been the right thing to do. "He" had also said that you could participate in any of the battles to subdue the "Tenth Herrscher" and beyond. It was also "He's" guidance that allowed you to learn about Rin's condition this time.

[But faced with Rin, who was only detected as having "Herrscher wavelength" but showed no signs of becoming a "Herrscher," you felt somewhat lost.]

[Especially when Ling learned of your purpose, she did not show panic. Although she was still somewhat afraid, she... did not intend to run away.]

She is a sensible and intelligent child. She already understands how dangerous "Herrschers" are to humanity, and therefore, she is willing to be "punished."

Looking at Rin, who was trying to appear brave but was actually trembling with fear, you felt a little lost.

Is the person before me truly a "Herrscher"? Do I really have to do this? To harm a child...?

[And... for some reason, you seem to be very resistant to the "Harm Bell" action... Is this the first time you've resisted "His" will, and it's a very clear one at that.]

If you feel lost, grip the cross sword at your waist with one hand and the cross pendant at your chest with the other, and ask "He" for guidance.

"If you can't make up your mind, think about it for three days before taking her life."

[He spoke casually]

"Why three days later?"—you asked instinctively.

"Oh? You want to know?"

The tone of "He" rose slightly.

"...No, I'm sorry." — You finally realized what was happening and responded with deep apology.

【“…………”】

[His interest seemed to have waned, and he fell silent.]

You truthfully conveyed His will and promised to come and "punish" Bell in three days.

Many people have begun to take action because of your words.

Scientists are busy studying the abnormalities in Ling's body.

Sakura was hesitating about whether to commit that transgression.

Ordinary people are still toiling for their tomorrow.

[And some people, because of your words, have gone...mad.]

Three days later, you set out on the path to "Slay the Bell" as promised.

[You know that Sakura has "betrayed" the organization and is going to take away her last remaining family members, even if the other party is a "Herrscher"; you know that Kevin and Hua have gone to stop her; and you also know that what you are about to do is something you do not want to do—to swing your sword and unleash flames towards the child and towards "hope".]

But...you continue on, because you believe that "His" will...must have a deeper meaning.

He will surely bestow kindness upon the world.

However, when you arrived at Bell's cage, you froze on the spot.

Before her eyes, the soldier who was supposed to be guarding the bell was pointing his gun and using the bayonet to repeatedly stab the bell, which was tied to the cross, mutilating the girl's body.

[It wasn't just the soldiers; some staff members, perhaps cleaners or food delivery workers, also unleashed their greatest malice upon this girl with excited faces.]

They focused intently on tending to the girl's limbs, while simultaneously trying their best to keep her alive, as if performing some terrifying and evil ritual.

And you remember them, they... are all people you helped in the twilight streets, people who still trust you, follow you, and even fanatically believe in you.

You don't understand their behavior, so much so that your thoughts freeze for a moment.

【Clattering sound】

You can feel something inside you... shattered.

When they saw you coming, they excitedly waved the tools they were carrying.

"Look, our priest has come! Our dear priest! Look! We have punished this wicked girl before you, this monster in human skin! Look, our priest!"—that's what they shouted to you.

You didn't respond, nor did you know how to respond. You just stared blankly into the girl's eyes, those lifeless and desperate eyes.

When she noticed your gaze, she responded with a look full of confusion, her pupils seemingly overflowing with despair.

What followed was an overwhelmingly clear sense of resentment.

Chapter Twenty: The Shattering of Faith