To create Honkai Impact 3rd in a world where Kallen exists.

To be transformed into a painting... she certainly understood what the price was.

--die.

Although she didn't create it herself, it came into being because of her.

...

"To become...a painting of mine?"

Grand Gretchen was momentarily stunned, glancing blankly in Kosmo's direction.

Kosmo nodded slightly. Through the subtle and overt voiceovers, he roughly knew what choice Kosmo would make.

Just like in that conversation, he ultimately rejected Vervière's suggestion.

He didn't want to choose a fragmented way of thinking, which would leave his mind stuck in that moment forever. Even after the data was deleted, it could still be traced back to its source, avoiding the side effects of being perceived as collapsing.

It's not about having to bear everything, like Kevin, fighting to the very end and dying as a hero.

There is no such thing as weighing two evils as long as one believes that the method is worthwhile.

"So... Kosmo, will I... kill you with my own hands?"

Little Greta raised her head blankly and softly uttered these words.

"Maybe... but that will definitely be when I think it's the best choice."

Kosmo answered quietly.

There was no deception or concealment. After seeing Gretchen from the future, he gradually let go of a certain knot in his heart and felt a sense of relief... In the past, he always thought that sending Gretchen to the lonely starry sky was a kind of escape for him.

The ending he could not accept, he made Gretchen bear.

"...Alas, I never expected the various actions you took in the face of this crisis."

Alicia watched as the screen flashed a memory, showing Kosmo, Hua, and Gretchen. At that moment, Kosmo was asking Hua to use the Eighth Divine Key to... deceive someone for him.

Even the power of the Divine Key cannot deceive the Herrscher of Corruption.

So Hua was somewhat surprised and retorted, indicating that this approach was unlikely.

But Kosmo shook his head, and the name he uttered made Hua's pupils dilate, feeling utterly bewildered.

He asked the other party to deceive... Gretchen.

He wanted the other party to use his data to complete a painting... Only after influencing Gretsch's perception could he become an unfamiliar memory of the Herrscher of Corruption, unable to be deleted immediately, thus delaying the process for a longer time.

And... there was another reason—he wanted Gretsch to create a "Kosmo" who could fully unleash his super-powered transformation, yet still retain a heroic heart.

The goal is to create a more mature hero who can accept reality more readily and is no longer afraid or selfish.

He still couldn't face himself like that.

The person he couldn't reconcile with was precisely his past self.

"..."

Little Gretchen blinked, looking at the image of herself painted for Kosmos inside.

There wasn't much sadness in her eyes, only a somewhat unreadable expression, a hint of helplessness, as she pursed her lips.

"But... I think Kosmo is already a hero, whether it's in the battle against the Honkai, or when he chose to stay in the Ark Project, or even when he's silent and trying to look cool..."

"I don't think Kosmo isn't a hero."

"Just like what I said in the game, staying behind to die with the world is heroic; going to find hope is also heroic."

Greta said seriously.

"...(Let's not mention the last one in the parallel structure.)"

Kosmo remained silent.

He wasn't unaware; he simply couldn't accept himself in that way.

"Yes, Ah Mo, I didn't expect you to have so many thoughts on your mind. You don't usually talk to us about them much."

Pado enthusiastically came over and complained to Kosmo.

Unexpectedly, when discussing the figures in their paintings, the other person recounted a simple yet long story of a young boy.

Anyone can see that the boy in the film is based on his own image from beginning to end.

"I didn't expect that you, Kosmo, have always thought this way? The Ark Project... should be something like the Fire Seed Project, or even... more difficult."

Fu Hua sighed, "At least... he would never be a deserter."

She initially thought the other party's goal was to keep Gretsch alive, and he certainly did have that intention, but... she didn't expect it to be mixed with a lot of heroic sentiment.

"Oh no, Kosmo, I'm telling you, the old fogey is about to start his nagging mode, and I'm going to get a lecture."

The Herald of Knowledge had already skillfully covered his ears, looking in the direction of Kosmo with a wicked grin.

"Uh……"

Before the immortal could utter a word, Xiao Shi immediately shut him down, giving him a slightly annoyed glance.

"...Everyone doesn't need to talk about me anymore. Gretchen doesn't seem to have been misled by the Key of Consciousness."

Kosmo couldn't help but say that he was really afraid that if this continued, it would turn into a denunciation meeting against him.

Despite the obvious intent behind his words, no one intended to dwell on the matter further. However… Mebius sighed.

Each plan is implemented according to its own characteristics. She was quite interested to see how amazing Kosmo's transformation would be after being polished over time, but... if it were Gretchen, she wouldn't mind too much.

In the memory of the pale yellow, blurred border, after a long while, the painting was completed.

Greta didn't mind Hua's hesitation and subsequent confession, because she had also lied to Kosmo.

Kosmo wanted his appearance to be altered in the portrait, to be closer to the image he desired... but Gretsch did not do that; she used Kosmo's exact data and colors to complete the painting.

Because she felt... those words were already very close to the truth.

That's exactly what Kosmo looks like.

The realization that the boy claimed he had never grasped was, in fact, already quietly engraved deep within his heart.

"So, although it looks strange, the Kosmo we just saw... was his true form."

"And you still say you're not a hypocrite?~"

The Herrscher of Corruption spoke with interest to Gretsch, who was holding a painting above, her fingers lightly touching the arrow string. She was getting impatient; she shouldn't waste too much time here.

"Then... Gretchen, why are you here?"

"Aren't you worried about betraying his intentions? Kosmo... but you stayed behind so that you wouldn't have to sacrifice yourself."

She tilted her head, somewhat puzzled.

Kosmo was willing to sacrifice himself to paint in order to stop her... but Gretsch didn't need to, did she?

She didn't want to hurt any more people.

For whatever reason.

"Because... I can't leave."

Gretchen replied calmly, without any fear or apprehension, simply stating the facts.

"Ah--"

A hint of surprise, mixed with a touch of helplessness, flashed in the eyes of the Herrscher of Corruption.

She couldn't understand why Gretsch, who was still so young, would choose to stand in front of her, when... it was clearly unnecessary.

But she could no longer stop.

A more threatening enemy has already taken action in places she is unaware of.

Just to survive... Yes, to survive... What's wrong with that?

"Hmm... Huff... Hiss..."

Big Grey frowned her beautiful eyebrows, her hands moving constantly, but she found it difficult to maintain the pose.

This time, as expected, she once again manipulated the Herrscher of Corruption to launch an attack, only this time the target was Gretsch, who was inside the protective shield... that is, herself in Paradise!

If she had to say something, she felt a little reluctant, and her eyes showed some hesitation.

Attacks rained down on Little Gretsch, Kosmo, and the figures Gretsch had once drawn. Arrows struck them, exploding into purple crystals that caused their health to plummet. Beside them was Gretsch's erosion bar, foreshadowing her impending death.

She constantly tormented herself.

She hesitated, glancing up at the few people she knew, wondering if what she was doing was inappropriate, or perhaps... she should find someone else?

Alicia: "..."

Mebius: "..."

They all fell silent, glancing at Luo Mo with some odd curiosity. He had actually come up with such a bizarre idea—to have Gretsch hit Gretsch.

What is this called?

The pain is felt in my heart even though it hurts you.

"That's really mean. How could you come up with such a scheme to bully us? Boss, I... I'm not talking to you anymore."

Little Greta crossed her arms in a huff, tossed her head to the side, and her short blue hair swayed twice, showing her anger.

So... everyone's eyes turned to Pado again. She seemed to realize something and jumped away from Gretchen's side, rubbing her hands together awkwardly and giving an embarrassed smile.

She was just curious about Gretchen's paintings.

There was a rumor circulating online about how much money Ms. Eishi's paintings could sell for, which sparked a debate. She didn't pay attention at first, but then she saw the amount being discussed getting bigger and bigger... She just wanted to prove Gretsch's skills, and she definitely didn't have any bad intentions!

"Although Gretsch's tone of voice is easily influenced by others... she generally narrates according to her own meaning."

Alicia said thoughtfully, her goal so clear that it made Luo Mo blush.

"We firmly deny this viewpoint. For example... these paints, please accept them carefully. Gretchen rarely gives away paints, does she?"

He wiped his sweat and immediately retorted.

Their reasoning was sound and their arguments made Alicia puff up her cheeks in anger.

“…Mebius…Sister, Alicia, are you really going to let me keep watching myself hit myself? There’s only a little bit left.”

"Big Gretchen said resentfully. She felt bad for herself when she saw herself being beaten, but she had no choice because of the pressure of life."