The Fire-Chasing Herrscher Who Destroyed the World

Himeko gently stroked Kiana's head.

Kiana bit her lower lip tightly until her lips stopped trembling, then continued to ask:

"By the way, Teacher Jizi... I have another question..."

"It's so rare that you actually take the initiative to ask questions - tell me."

"Finally... Teacher Jizi, what you said to the Thousand Herrscher at the end. [Not fighting for a wonderful new world, but fighting for all the good things in the world], these two sound similar. But in fact, there seems to be a big difference between the sentences, which is... uh..."

"You want to ask, why not fight for a wonderful new world, but fight for all the good in the world?"

"Uh-huh!"

Kiana nodded repeatedly.

"In the end, it's a very simple truth. Kiana, everyone's room will be dirty sometimes, but no one will just destroy the room and buy a new one just because the room is dirty. Every normal person will do it. The decision is undoubtedly to clean the room, even the lazy person will choose to call housekeeping service, right? "

"Yes, but... I know some individuals among the Thousand Herrschers, and based on their experiences... this world is not that good for them, so I also feel that that beautiful new world is not good for them. It seems good?"

"But, there is still something wrong, right?"

"!?"

Ji Zi spread her hands a little tiredly:

"Of course, I have never experienced or even know the pain they have suffered. No matter what I say, I have an attitude of standing up and talking without hurting my back. But just because of the bad things I have suffered, I deny the whole world and will Is it right to deny other people’s pursuit and maintenance of beauty, and even deny everyone else’s life?”

Kiana was too stunned to reply.

From her point of view, for an experience like Xiaobai's, it might be worthwhile to change her identity and start over in a different world, erasing the pain and happiness of the past.

She even had this thought - if she hadn't prevented the explosion of the Honkai energy piggy bank and the entire Sky Dome City was wiped out, the villain who bullied Xiaobai would have died, leaving Xiaobai alone in this world to bear the malice. You will also gain liberation, how wonderful.

But she was still conscious after all, and she knew that it was wrong to do so. No matter how many reasons a person had to become black, it should not affect unrelated people. No matter what, too many innocent people should not be involved.

But other than that, what else can she do to make up for Xiaobai's pain?

It's wrong to let that kind of pain spread to the entire world, but if the Herrscher is defeated, how should the hatred and pain be settled? Even Kiana, who has made up her mind to use everything she has to atone for her sins after everything is over, doesn't know what she can do for those people.

The more I think about it, the more I realize that maybe a new world is the only thing that can heal them.

It was this kind of contradiction that confused the girl. Although she had never told anyone about it, not saying it didn't mean that the confusion didn't exist. It's just that besides Himeko who said those words, she doesn't know who to tell her confusion to.

"Kiana, some questions are destined to be unable to be answered in words."

Jizi carefully considered her words and spoke word by word.

"Let me tell you another story. It was not long after I was [born]. Because I was injected with a false memory at the beginning of my birth, I joined the Valkyrie Force directly after that, and there , I met a Valkyrie captain named Ragnar.”

"..."

Hearing that name, Kiana couldn't help but fall silent. She had already learned from the unsealed files and her smelly dad the general story of the incident in 2010, and that the captain of the Valkyrie Stormtrooper named Ragna, and The entire stormtrooper team, except Teacher Jizi, was...

Of course Jizi didn't know what Kiana was thinking. She just rubbed Kiana's head gently, then squinted her eyes and recalled without sadness:

"At that time, my mind was filled with hatred because of that false memory, but she told me that Valkyrie is the one who brings light to the world, and you should not let obsession and hatred fill your heart. That's right. It was she who found the coordinates of tomorrow for my career as a Valkyrie. It was she who made me find the truth that I wanted to persist in among the falseness. It was she who encouraged me for the first time - [to transform this imperfect world. Become what you want.] But...compared to you, the time I spent fighting alongside her didn't last long."

"It was the disaster in 2010..."

The big hand on the head suddenly became stronger. When Kiana only opened her head, Jizi interrupted her words abruptly:

"Kiana, it is wrong for the Tenth Herrscher to blame you for those disasters and consequences. She cannot see people's own choices, and she cannot tolerate those glimmers of beauty. The next story is what I think What I want to say to you——

"After Captain Ragnar died, I sorted out her belongings. In addition to the clothes, books, and snacks that reflected every moment of her life, there was also a letter pressed at the bottom of the drawer:

"[To my dear comrades--]

"[If someone finds this letter, it probably means that I am dead. All my personal belongings can be transferred according to the regulations of the organization. There should be nothing to worry about in terms of pension. Then take over Come on, let me share a story in this letter.]

"[A few years ago, when I first became an A-level Valkyrie, I was often sent to do some aftermath work in disaster areas. But to be honest, at that time, I felt that participating in this kind of work was simply a waste of my talents. Compared with rescuing those weak and short-sighted civilians, destroying the enemy is the real duty of the Valkyrie - I once thought so. So one day, I mustered up the courage to ask the bishop who came to inspect - send the Valkyrie to greet me. , Can Honkai be eliminated by making amends? 】

"[The bishop glanced at me, and then replied categorically - no. 】

"[I was also stunned at the time. I thought that my impulsiveness would inevitably lead to a lecture or even punishment. But what the adult said next made me change my view on my career. He said - But Tianming has always used this method to convey his beliefs. 】

"[Comrades, this is what I am going to tell you. The work we do with faith, no matter whether the result is as expected or not, will never be meaningless.]

"[We protect those beautiful things, protect those things that will become beautiful, protect those things that we think are important. They may seem small and futile. But that's just because it is just a seed now. That’s all. 】

"[These seeds that breed beauty will one day bloom into flowers all over the mountains and plains.]

"[So, there is no need to be sad for me, comrades. Although I have withered, I have also turned into the soil and fertilizer that gave birth to hope. And the flowers of hope in the future will one day find what they want to protect. ]"

After reciting such a long list of words in one breath, Jizi's breath did not fluctuate, nor was she tired. She only paused for a trivial moment before continuing:

"This is Captain Ragnar's last teaching. To be honest, I didn't fully understand what she wanted to tell us at the time. There was just a voice in the dark, which told me that I should go to St. Freya. And when not long ago …The moment I put on the True Red Armor, I suddenly recalled her words, as if by a twist of fate, I understood everything she said in her letter.”

"..."

"Kiana, I have read the report of that mission - no one knows what happened in that disaster, but the out-of-control Herrscher was suppressed, and Siegfried, who liberated the Skyfire Holy Judgment, also survived. It must have been someone there who made what she thought was the right choice.”

The water element was so abundant that Kiana took a deep breath and closed her eyes tightly to prevent tears from flowing out.

Yeah, why didn't you think of that earlier?

People's perspective is more inclined to capture darkness than light. No one will deliberately praise the good, but everyone is good at picking out the bad.

But in fact, there is always good in the bad.

Not just her, Guinevere and Siren, no matter what the reasons were, they all made what they thought was the right decision at the moment when they needed to make a choice.

Including Xiaobai and her mother, between selling themselves for money and the chance of a new life, or letting themselves go, the girl who had saved them not long ago, they chose the latter.

There are always things in this world that cannot be chosen, but among the things that can be chosen, there will always be people who choose the good one.

Himeko's touch became gentle again, and she could see that Kiana understood what she wanted to express.

Maybe she can't fully understand what she's going through at this moment, just like she did when she faced Ragnar's suicide note, but as time goes by and as she experiences more and more, these are buried in her memory. If so, there will eventually come a day when it will bear fruit.

And this is the meaning of education.

"So Kiana, the answer is very simple, isn't it? Of course this world is not beautiful, but it cannot negate the whole world. In other words, even if it is a brand new world, there will definitely be good and bad things at the same time. When one of them does not exist, the other is even less likely to exist. After all, dialectics is also one of the true meanings of the world.

"Human eyes are indeed more likely to perceive bad things, and because of this, human civilization itself is to protect the spark-like beauty in this bad world. Captain Ragnar saved me, And I became your teacher, and you also saved many people. Some of these people will save more people. One affects a group and is passed down from generation to generation. This is how mankind continues civilization and the fire that symbolizes beauty. This is the legacy of humanity and will continue into the future.”

"Thank you... Teacher Jizi, I understand."

Kiana bit her lip lightly. In the past, she hated endorsements the most, and she had memorized every word of Jizi's words.

It is true that not all words can be understood, but she believes that she will understand one day.

But before that... I really want to spend a little more time with Himeko in this time that doesn't flow...

Boom——

A sudden loud noise interrupted all illusions, and the space shook violently. Everything seemed to be shattered, but it stabilized again within a few breaths.

"Ah, it seems that someone is impatient. Now, time in this space will start to flow slowly."

Himeko sighed to herself, while Kiana lowered her head and fell silent again.

After a while, she raised her head, and Ji Zi looked at her with burning eyes.

The two looked at each other speechlessly, only the hands of time began to turn slowly.

"Are you ready Kiana?"

Jizi smiled, her tone not sad.

"...I understand, Himeko-sensei."

Kiana slowly closed her eyes and said as if she had made up her mind.

"Come on, let's walk a little further."

Ji Zi waved slightly, and then walked ahead on her own.

They walked on the long bridge of Santa Freya.

Once upon a time, Kiana always felt that there was something wrong with the people who designed this bridge and the huge fountain. It not only wasted funds, but also required her to spend more time on the road, so that sometimes she finally got up earlier than usual, but In the end it was late.

However, at this moment, she only hoped that the bridge could be longer and longer.

"St. Freya's yesterday seems to be still vivid in my mind. I remember when you first entered school, you were clamoring to become the strongest Valkyrie. In the blink of an eye, you have grown so much. To be honest, I also want to watch it. You have grown up. I really want to go back to St. Freya, continue to teach you, train with you... write on the blackboard, and go back to the room to have a drink. That time at St. Freya is also my most precious. Memories. Unfortunately... I can't do it anymore. There is still a long way to go, but I don't seem to be able to accompany you any longer. But it doesn't matter, Kiana, you will never let me down. Always remember that there are many people around you who will always support you and protect you, including me.”

Jizi was walking in front alone and chattering. Suddenly, at a certain moment, the light and shadow of the world became much brighter. Large tracts of white floc like snow and petals fell from the sky, dyeing the whole world into spotless white again. .

A door that looked like chocolate appeared not far ahead. Jizi stopped a dozen steps in front of the door. She walked to the railing beside the bridge and looked at the stagnant water, then turned around. , with his side face facing Kiana, and the other half of his face aimed at the door.

"My journey ends here. From here, Kiana, it is your path."

"..."

Kiana was silent, then suddenly raised her head and asked with a hint of hope:

“It all goes away when you leave that door, right?”

She expected to hear a negative answer.

Of course that was impossible, but Himeko didn't say anything.

"I have no idea."

Himeko shrugged.

"But...it should be."

"……Um."

Kiana responded silently.

Ji Zi smiled reluctantly:

"Remember to say goodbye to everyone at St. Freya for me."

"good……"

"Tell Mei Yi not to be so harsh to your friends next time."

"I will."

"Tell Bronya that I am very happy to see her grow now and that she will definitely become an excellent leader in the future."

"I think so."

"Tell Xi'er that she is a gentle and kind child, so she is the least of my worries. It's just that she likes to hide many things in her heart. Sometimes it would be better to talk to Bronya."

"That's what we told her too."

"Tell Fu Hua that although we can't meet again in the future, whether St. Freya is still here or not, she will always be our monitor."

"Um……"

"From now on, Theresa will be the only one left to take care of you. Mr. Siegfried... I always feel that he is the type of person who needs Theresa to worry about more than me. So, you all should be obedient. , Don’t make the principal angry! It’s better to help her more, don’t think she likes to show off, in fact, it’s much harder than us.”

"I know."

"Oh, by the way, I remember Ragnar was also Rita and Hollander's teacher. If there is a chance, let's convey her legacy to them."

"no problem."

"Finally, tell yourself, Kiana...I will always be by your side."

Jizi's brows stretched, and her gentle smile spread silently.

"..."

"..."

"..."

Kiana turned her head away slightly to prevent Himeko from seeing her expression at the moment.

But how could Himeko not know what she was thinking?

"Don't worry, Kiana."

She smiled.

"Just treat this moment as a dream. When you wake up from the dream, everyone will continue to move forward."

"..."

"Don't be afraid to say goodbye. Say goodbye to the past in order to move towards the future."

"...I understand...Mr. Jizi...I understand everything..."

Kiana clenched her fists.

"..."

Tears finally couldn't help but burst out of my eyes at this moment.

"……sorry……"

Kiana could no longer suppress her crying.

"...I know...I know that at this time I should say goodbye to you with a smile...I should walk out of that door with strength..."

White flocs are falling one after another, regardless of anyone's will, as if they are mourning.

"...I know that this place is just an afterimage of memory, and reality is where I should go back...but I still can't help but wonder...as long as I don't walk out of that door, will time never pass... Will this moment never change...I won't even have a chance to say goodbye to you..."

His nasal cavity was so sore that he couldn't speak without pause, and his vision was even blurry, with only the fire-like color standing out.

"...I obviously still have a lot to say to you...those boasts...I haven't realized them yet...This is a dream...I will wake up from the dream...I know...I will go back...will Defeating the Thousand Herrscher... will save the world... Even if it is Mikael, I will defeat him, I will definitely defeat him... I will turn this imperfect story... into what we expect... I just...want you to see all this..."

"Snapped--"

Jizi's palm gently patted Kiana's head, and their eyes met. Kiana bit her lower lip tightly, but the corners of her mouth on both sides could not help trembling and whimpering.

"Of course I can see it. Kiana, as long as you wish, I can see it. Because I am in your heart."

Himeko's tone was somewhat meaningful, but Kiana, who was immersed in sadness, didn't notice it at all.

"…………"

She just let her tears fall down one drop at a time.

"I wonder if Siegfried has told you that? Most parents will tell their children when they were young - it's okay, after we die, we will turn into stars and watch you in the sky. This is not scientific. But I want to believe: Kiana, as long as you believe... I will turn into a star and guard you in the night sky. Even if the torch goes out and the moon loses its light, this unchanging light will still light up for you. Show the way forward. So don't be afraid...I'm not leaving you."

Jizi closed her eyes gently, but something flickered on her trembling eyelashes.

"Being a force for students to move forward is the most romantic destination for a teacher."

"I know……"

"Everything will pass, everything will change, even if this change will take away your whole world. But it doesn't matter - it is also the most powerful force in heaven and earth, and it is enough to open up hope and path for anyone. strength."

"Um……"

"When you are confused, just look up at the stars. I am willing to be there to light up the whole dark night for you."

"...Thank you, Teacher Jizi."

As he spoke, the light and shadow of the world became paler, as if urging someone to move forward.

"……I have to go now."

"Well, go ahead. Take a step forward, Kiana, just move forward boldly. I will always bless you and watch over you. After all-"

He closed his eyes again, smiled, and said that plain sentence:

"After all - you are my student of Wuliangta Jizi."

"……Ha ha."

Kiana chuckled through her sobs.

"Teacher Jizi... I am very happy to be your student! It is my honor to meet you!"

This was the first time Kiana used honorifics when calling Himeko. Although it was a little late, it was not too late after all.

"It's also an honor for me."

Himeko smiled and moved away, exposing the chocolate-shaped door to Kiana.

She gently pushed Kiana's back:

"Go Kiana."

"Goodbye, Himeko-sensei."

Kiana took two deep breaths, and then took a step towards the door.

Then comes the second step, the third step, the fourth...

The footsteps finally stopped.

"Go on, Kiana, everyone is waiting for you outside."

Himeko's voice came from behind.

"I will continue to protect you.

"Although it's the last time, it's not goodbye."

Isn't it a farewell... I wish it was a real farewell... As a dream, everything that just happened was too real. It was so real that it was as if Jizi was still alive, and her consciousness was still living in Jiji. It’s the same thing in Epidemic Gemstones… If that were really the case, how great would it be…

"[When you cry for missing the sun, you will also miss the stars again.] How about it, a great poem, right? Written by Rabindranath Tagore.

"[One night I burned all my memories, and from then on my dreams became transparent. One morning I threw away all yesterday, and from then on my steps became light.] This is also Rabindranath Tagore. If you like it, look for it after you go out. Come and read it.”

Ji Zi's nagging voice of encouragement continued to be heard from behind, but he no longer felt the power of her palm gently pushing his back.

Has Jizi disappeared? Are these the only voices of encouragement left echoing?

Kiana didn't know, and Kiana didn't dare to look back to confirm.

"What's wrong, Kiana, do you still want to hear something from me? It's not good to stop moving forward."

Jizi's voice still didn't stop. Maybe she didn't realize it. It was her who told Kiana to move forward, but her voice didn't stop. How could Kiana be willing to move on?

In this last moment, she began to chatter for the first time:

"You must be obedient and stop making trouble for the principal. But... you are past the age of making trouble.

"It seems like yesterday that I was attending classes at St. Freya... I really miss it...

"I haven't worn that new red dress even once. What a pity...

"You don't have to go to class now, right?

"Remember, help Principal Theresa more in the future. You know? Although she can be a bit arrogant sometimes, she cares about you the most.

"I can rest assured about Mei Yi. You two have always been the best partners. However, if you don't set off, you might not be able to catch up with her."

Kiana wanted to move on, but she always felt that Himeko would say something else, and in the end, she still stayed where she was.

"Well, I'm not a storybook, Kiana.

"Go forward bravely, Kiana. My heart will always be with you.

"I will always watch you grow.

“Maybe we can meet in dreams again in the future.

"It's normal to feel confused about the future, and that's okay. Just do what you want to do.

"But no matter how busy you are, you still have to eat well, but for Kiana... it should be no problem.

"Do you still remember the training when you first entered school? Kiana. I asked you to go together at that time, but you didn't even beat me.

“But now, you must be stronger than me.

"If you stay any longer, there will be people outside who are worried about you, right?"

Kiana's brows relaxed.

Tears flowed and smiles grew.

She finally took the fifth step, however, Jizi's nagging sound like talking to herself was not over yet.

"Why do you think of trivial things the more you get to the last moment?

"Suddenly I miss Mei Yi's cooking. I have always only cooked simple meals. But Fu Hua also made egg noodles for me once. The taste... I really want to try it again. After all, he is the famous Red Kite Immortal. I cook by myself, but it’s a pity that I won’t have the chance to brag with my colleagues in the future.

"In the past at St. Freya, Teresa always took care of me. Although I knew that I should have been a teacher at that time. But didn't Teresa always hide snacks in the bottom of the drawer? It's in the portfolio. I wonder if she found out that I stole it several times? Shh, don't tell her.

"Okay, okay, if I keep talking, everyone's information will be revealed by me."

"Luanluuluo - it's obviously Teacher Jizi and you're just talking to yourself!"

Kiana suddenly wiped away her tears, mustered up the courage to quickly turn around, and playfully stuck out her tongue at Jizi, just like she had done countless times before.

Ji Zi closed her eyes and smiled.

"There are many things. I always feel that there is still time and opportunity, but in the end, they never come true. If you have something you want to do, you should be bold and try it."

When he opened his eyes, he found that Kiana was still standing where she was.

Jizi smiled even brighter, but waved her hands as if impatient and said:

"Okay, let me tell you another story.

"I once heard a story about Kiana. A dead mother wrote many letters to her children before she was alive, so that she could receive one on every birthday. As a reward for the child's strength, she wrote a letter in each letter Enclosed was enough pocket money to buy candy. As the child grew older, there was more and more candy money in the letter.

"She hopes to grow up with her children in this way. Even if she passes away, she can be a mother who encourages her children to grow and accompany them through their childhood. Unfortunately, I don't have time to leave you such a letter. But Kiana, I can always accompany you to grow up. What you learn and inherit from me is the candy I leave to you."

Himeko released her hands on her hips and held them out to Kiana.

There was a small flame in the palm of her hand, as if it would be extinguished by the wind the next moment. Before Kiana could reach out her hand, it merged into her heart.

In an instant, a warm feeling spread throughout the body.

“It will grow quietly as you grow and become your strength to move forward firmly.

“That’s proof that I existed.

“It’s also proof that I will always be by your side.

"Kiana, I have nothing more to teach you. Because no matter what difficulties there are ahead, you can overcome them. You can make the right choice.

"I will always believe you."

Jizi's smile was still gentle, but she... stopped talking.

The light and shadow in his sight have completely turned pale, and the outline of Saint Freya has almost completely faded.

The white flocs floating down from the sky were about to turn into heavy snow, burying Ji Zi's touch of red.

Kiana knew she had to leave.

She held her breath and walked to the door as fast as she could - whenever she paused, she was afraid she would regret it.

Then, she gently put her hand on the door handle.

"Kiana, you are my pride."

Ji Zi's voice came vaguely again.

Kiana's hand on the doorknob relaxed and she resisted the urge to look back again.

She suddenly understood why Himeko said so much in her last breath.

Himeko...she must also hope that time can stop at this moment forever.

Thinking like this, Jizi's last words came from behind:

"Kiana, you will be reborn in the fire. And I, I will be in the fire forever, forever, forever..."

The voice suddenly stopped, and Kiana turned around in panic, but what she saw was...

Ji Zi looked at her tenderly and said nothing.

She already understood what Himeko wanted to say.

so.

Biting her lower lip hard, she pushed her head back to the front, and then Kiana turned the door handle. (End of chapter)