Under the gaze of her original self, Dark Wendy paused momentarily before shaking her head vigorously, dismissing any lingering thoughts. With gritted teeth, she snapped:
"Don't look at me with that expression! If it weren't for that bastard forcefully intervening, do you think I'd be this considerate towards you?!"
Wendy shook her head, still smiling warmly:
"Indeed, I can sense your anger and fixation. If we were alone, regardless of my resistance, you would compel me to accept Herrscher's power—yet I now understand that deep down, only you genuinely care for my well-being, wanting to protect and support me in your own way, isn't that right?"
"...I'm just doing this for myself!"
"But I am you, and you are me."
"...Nonsense! Rubbish! Wishful thinking! I never had such foolish ideas!"
In response to Dark Wendy's resistant outburst, the original Wendy sighed softly and swiftly grasped her hand.
Dark Wendy's movements halted once again, staring stiffly at their intertwined hands, suddenly feeling unable to move.
The original Wendy smiled apologetically and said,
"I'm sorry."
"Huh? Why apologize all of a sudden?"
"I was always unaware of your existence. Never did I imagine there would be another version of myself, constantly bearing sorrow and despair, with no way to alleviate it or share it with others, carrying this burden alone. I can't fully comprehend your pain, but I know for certain it must be far greater than losing my legs."
Dark Wendy's expression faltered momentarily, the hostility present in her eyes since her appearance wavered. Then, with a grim look, she exclaimed:
"I'm not that weak! Don't pity me!"
"But I cannot help but feel sympathy, because you are me. If even I cannot empathize with myself, who else would care about my feelings?"
"Naive and foolish! You should just obediently listen to me! Merge with me now; our combined strength will be enough to drive that irritating bastard away!"
"You know I won't agree," Wendy said helplessly.
Then, as if struck by a sudden thought, her gaze shifted slightly, and she softly added, "Besides, he's not really...that much of a jerk or annoying."
"You're blushing again!" Dark Wendy jumped in anger—yet still didn't release her grip on the original Wendy's hand.
Continuing in exasperation, Dark Wendy pressed on, "Ask yourself honestly: since you've known him, have you ever successfully refused that guy? If this continues, one day when he wants you to warm his bed, would you reluctantly yet eagerly climb onto it, body betraying your words? What exactly is good about him? Can't you show some backbone?!?"
"I wouldn't do such a thing!"
"That lacks conviction entirely!"
"No, why are you getting so worked up?" Wendy blinked, looking perplexed at Dark Wendy.
Dark Wendy's face flushed red with fury, teeth gritted as she enunciated each word slowly:
"Because I am you! There's absolutely no way I would like that wooden, dim-witted, idiotic, and super colossal jerk!"
"No... No, I don't like him... It's just...just that he helped me a lot..." Wendy lowered her head, feeling as though her heart might stop and her breath freeze, despite being within the consciousness world.
The mere mention of "like" by Dark Wendy suddenly made something click for the original Wendy, causing a blush to rapidly spread to her soft, full earlobes.
Dark Wendy glared at her, wanting to unleash a torrent of insults but unable to muster any more harsh words.
After a prolonged silence, Dark Wendy huffed angrily, "In any case, I won't give up unless they kill me outright. For me to forgive those past actions is absolutely out of the question!"
"Then, please do it for me, okay? Can you help?" The original Wendy took Dark Wendy's hand, gently shaking it while blinking expectantly with pleading eyes.
Dark Wendy's pupils contracted, and one foot involuntarily stepped backward. "I... I can't agree! Your naive and weak-minded approach, I absolutely cannot endorse."
"I'm not that naive either! Your presence itself proves I'm not someone who passively endures everything without any backbone, right? I still remember those researchers with their drastically shifting attitudes, who deceived me, and those who mocked and ridiculed me. I won't forgive them easily... However, I don't want to outright reject everything. If you're also a part of me, please, try to understand. We will only protect what we truly wish to safeguard. If anyone tries to bully us again, I'll firmly say no. I refuse to let myself suffer anymore because I know when I'm hurting, you feel even more pain."
"You..."
Dark Wendy gazed at her other self, her expression wavering.
"Please, another me, I know this is difficult for you, but give me a chance to prove myself. If I fail, then at that moment, I'll gladly welcome you as my true self." Wendy pulled Dark Wendy closer, embracing her waist, and spoke earnestly yet gently.
Dark Wendy's fierce expression softened momentarily, trembling slightly before she raised her hand to caress the original Wendy's hair.
People cannot deceive themselves, just as they cannot deny pleas from their own selves.
"Only this once..."
After a long pause, Dark Wendy helplessly lowered her gaze.
The original Wendy looked up, beaming brightly at her other self.
Dark Wendy turned away, not out of dislike, but because the smile was too foolish and blinding, causing discomfort—it was simply that.
Zeke's vision blurred momentarily as he returned to reality, his vacant eyes gradually regaining their focus.
"How did it go? Everything smooth?" Fu Hua stepped forward, addressing Zeke now that his consciousness had stabilized.
The consciousness domain was both complex and perilous, especially with the influence of the gemstone's power at play. Fu Hua couldn't even begin to fathom the risks involved.
During their relatively short time together, Fu Hua had come to fully appreciate Zeke's capabilities and his limitless potential for the future. As the core force against Honkai in this era, she desperately hoped nothing would happen to him. If not for Zeke leaving no room for refusal, Fu Hua wouldn't have agreed to assist in such a task.
Zeke closed his eyes, rubbing between his brows—partly to alleviate mental fatigue, partly to process the memories from the consciousness domain. He said, "It went well enough. The gemstone's power gave birth to the Herrscher Aspect. Fortunately, Wendy held her own and managed to reach an understanding with it, convincing the Herrscher to cooperate with us."
"Convinced...the Herrscher Aspect?" Fu Hua's pupils contracted.
This feat was akin to a miracle, unachieved even in the previous era. Could humans truly persuade a Herrscher? Although she was aware of Welt's existence, encountering such a situation again, particularly one where she played a direct role, was undeniably astounding.
"It's not that simple. First, my presence provided Wendy with the confidence and opportunity to engage in dialogue with the Herrscher. Second, since the Herrscher is newly born, her personality has not yet been fully distorted. Third, Wendy possesses an exceptionally strong will; even without me saving her, she could have endured for several more years in that hellish Oceania Branch environment. For someone like her, convincing a newborn Herrscher Aspect, though challenging, isn't impossible."
"But it's still astonishing. So you're saying, if everything goes smoothly, this child could become a human wielding Herrscher powers, much like Welt?"
"As I've already stated, it's not that straightforward. The Gem of Desire continues to influence the Herrscher Aspect. As time progresses, during her next outburst, persuasion might no longer be effective. Moreover, her body cannot withstand the gem's corruption any further; otherwise, she truly may perish."
Based on Zeke's analysis, Wendy's physical condition had become extremely unstable, constantly risking her life at any moment. Her ability to endure for several years under the harsh conditions at the Oceania Branch in the original story was nothing short of miraculous.
Now, Zeke didn't want to gamble on another such miracle occurring.
"...You're right. Then let's proceed with removing the gemstone," Fu Hua agreed, slightly disappointed.
It wasn't due to a lack of resolve but rather because the significance of having a Herrscher with a human heart on the battlefield against Honkai was immense. Such an entity would serve as an even higher strategic asset than a Divine Key!
Zeke nodded.
"Phase three... The apparatus is functioning normally, and the Soulium is prepared. Let me finally witness the true form of the Gem of Desire."
Calmly, Zeke muttered to himself as he inputted the next command, watching the instrument panel display steadily increasing concentrations of Honkai Energy.
Soon, a faintly green, diamond-shaped gemstone slowly floated from Wendy's chest, emitting an eerie dark-green glow along with an even more suffocating surge of potent Honkai Energy.
"So this is the 'Gem of Desire'?" Zeke whispered, his lips curling slightly in anticipation.