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Unlike Kiana or Xia Chen, Bronya was not officially recognized as a Herrscher by the Will of Honkai. When Joyce was still the Herrscher of Reason, the collective consciousness of thirty thousand individuals severed the connection between the Herrscher Core and the Will of Honkai.
As a result, the source of the Herrscher of Reason's power no longer came from Virtual Space but rather from a space resembling Stigmata, constructed within the combined awareness of those thirty thousand minds.
In essence, the current Herrscher of Reason cannot truly be considered a Herrscher but rather a bearer of Stigmata. However, these Stigmata are exceptionally unique, granting her the Authority of the First Herrscher.
This concept itself is fundamentally deceptive. Therefore, to harness the power of the Herrscher of Reason, Bronya first needs approval from all thirty thousand consciousnesses.
It parallels how Xia Chen requires recognition from Ana or Sirin's consciousness within his Stigmata to utilize their powers. Without this acknowledgment, her strength remains incomplete.
Bronya had never communicated with these souls before, but now she mustered up the courage and proceeded.
After severing her connection with the Hyperion, she began constructing the Moonlight Throne, simultaneously immersing her consciousness within the Core.
"So, this is the new Herrscher of Reason?"
"Still just a little girl."
"Can she handle it?"
With thirty thousand consciousnesses, even if only one person spoke or voiced a single doubt, it amounted to thirty thousand doubts.
This was the simplest yet harshest test for becoming the Herrscher of Reason.
Gaining trust from thirty thousand individuals is incredibly challenging; enduring their collective skepticism without breaking is equally difficult. Even facing online harassment from such a vast crowd would typically shatter most people's mental fortitude, let alone this direct confrontation outside the internet realm.
Despite the overwhelming scrutiny, Bronya remained steadfast.
"Ladies and gentlemen, I may not be the ideal successor, but today, I require your complete power," she asserted, addressing them directly rather than prolonging any trial by doubt.
"Young lady, your body cannot withstand the full strength of the core." A voice echoed in her mind, its identity unknown to Bronya. Instinctively, she replied, "That doesn't matter."
"I need your complete power just once, only once will suffice."
Undeniably, this approach seemed unlikely to pass the test.
However, the Core's examination depended on the consensus of those thirty thousand consciousnesses, and after deliberation, the majority agreed to support her.
"Then let her try."
"The full power of the Herrscher of Reason—I hope it won't adversely affect your body."
As Bronya emerged from her thoughts, she realized that the Herrscher Core within her was supplying an unending stream of Honkai Energy, something the previous core had never done.
Initially, when she obtained this core, she suspected it might be a counterfeit. While Bronya possessed the Authority of Construction, she lacked the ability to connect with Virtual Space.
Consequently, she had never experienced the sensation of her body feeling on the verge of explosion.
"Well then, allow me to construct the pinnacle of human civilization."
She began harnessing the core's power, shaping it into the Moonlight Throne as she remembered it.
"Moonlight Throne, hexagonal array, drive system complete."
"Emission apparatus, complete."
"Core reactor, complete."
"Fire control system, complete."
"..."
Bronya's face turned pale.
A single Moonlight Throne represents the culmination of Anti-Entropy's collective wisdom, and six Moonlight Thrones approach the very limits of what this civilization can achieve intellectually.
The ultimate expression of a Herrscher's Authority mirrors humanity's mastery over physical laws—just as it does Bronya's own bodily limits.
"Moonlight Throne, hexagonal array, formation complete."
"Fire!"
Under Bronya's control, the colossal Moonlight Throne hexagonal array fired directly at the Barrier of Restraint. Harnessing the power unique to civilization creation, it drained her body of Honkai energy.
The source of power for the Moonlight Throne's hexagonal array was her Herrscher Core.
In essence, each strike from this hexagonal array represented the full might of the Herrscher of Reason.
An immense burst of energy instantly evaporated surrounding Honkai Energy, transforming it into intense radiant heat. The overpowering white-hot glow created a spectacle akin to a 'miniature sun' as it collided with the Barrier of Restraint. As temperatures rapidly rose, the barrier absorbed the generated heat.
However, even the Barrier of Restraint had its limits, and Otto seemed to have deliberately set these thresholds. He appeared to know the boundaries of each Herrscher precisely, calibrating his calculations accordingly.
Xia Chen and Wendy successfully rejoined the Immortal Blades squad, their mission being to rescue those trapped within the collapsing Honkai.
Upon witnessing the 'miniature sun,' everyone was momentarily stunned.
Xia Chen assessed his own capabilities; if he unleashed his full potential, he might be able to break through the Barrier of Restraint, but it would leave him significantly weakened for an extended period.
Wendy remarked bluntly, "That girl named Bronya must be incredibly dangerous."
As Bronya activated the Moonlight Throne Array, Xia Chen had already observed this phenomenon.
He nodded and confirmed, "Yes."
"For a Herrscher, their physical body serves as a vessel, while the Core is fundamental. The capacity of the vessel determines the Herrscher's consistent performance, and the connection between the Core and civilization sets their upper limit. Among known Herrschers, the most exceptionally gifted was the Second Herrscher, Sirin. As for the rest... including myself, Bronya, or Raiden Mei, we cannot fully harness the complete power of a Herrscher."
"Bronya is directly exerting her will to tap into her potential, which is extremely dangerous."
Pouring two liters of water into a one-liter cup would only result in overflow. The correct approach would be to use a larger cup, but Bronya's method involves breaking the cup itself.
This was Wendy's first time hearing Xia Chen discuss matters related to Herrschers.
After becoming a Herrscher himself, Xia Chen openly shared all his knowledge about them with Schicksal, collaborating on research. However, these details became classified within Schicksal's secret archives.
Wendy couldn't help but ask, "So if a Herrscher is a vessel, then currently, you are..."
"I am the consciousness of the vessel." He understood what Wendy wanted to say.
"The Herrscher's consciousness is the core, opposite to that of its vessel. However, in this era, Herrschers possess absolute self-will; as for the reason, I'm not entirely sure. You can consider it one of the game's fundamental settings."
To date, his Herrscher consciousness had never surfaced.
Perhaps it was due to his unwavering will.
Or perhaps he was exceptional, being a Herrscher without a separate Herrscher consciousness.
As Xia Chen predicted, after the Moonlight Throne Array fired, the Barrier of Order shattered, and Bronya collapsed heavily onto the ground, gravely injured.
"Big Sister Bronya." Seele rushed over, embracing her with a sobbing voice.
Bronya, breath weakening, looked at Kiana and said, "Foolish Kiana, it's all up to you now."
Just as the Barrier of Order crumbled, a massive numerical barrier descended from the sky, seemingly aiming to envelop the entire city of Klostern.
Despair filled the eyes of everyone present.
At that moment, Xia Chen activated the Herrscher Core, taking decisive action.
This was the final task he needed to complete in Klostern.