Collapse, but Stand users

As you expected, Himiko successfully became a Stand user.

[You did the same, informing the Fire Moths that the Herrscher had been defeated after they detected the Honkai energy fluctuations.]

The easy defeat of several Herrschers has greatly boosted people's confidence in fighting the Honkai.

But you know that you only have an intelligence advantage; the road for humanity to fight the Honkai is long and arduous.

After Himiko joined the church, you asked Mebius to help you retrieve the Herrscher core, and then asked Velvet to create the Divine Key, Judgment of Heavenly Fire.

The increasingly concentrated Honkai energy is causing a continuous increase in the frequency of high-level Honkai Beasts appearing.

Although Velvi provided equipment for the Firemoth, she spent most of her time researching Divine Keys afterward, so the equipment she provided did not become widely available.

To improve your combat capabilities, you approached Mebius to inquire about the progress of the Fusion Warrior project.

"It's difficult to make progress without experimenting on living people," Möbius replied.

[Considering that you have essentially gained control of the Firemoth, you are now bringing the Fusion Warrior plan into the open.]

Despite knowing the extremely high mortality rate, many people still signed up to become volunteers.

Kevin also signed up to be a volunteer, but you rejected him.

Meanwhile, Mei was invited by Mu because of his achievements in quantum mechanics.

May accepted the invitation, and to appease Kevin, you arranged for Kevin to go with her under the pretext of protecting her safety.

......

"Hey, Pucci, I did it!" With the first success story, Möbius excitedly shared it with you.

Before Father Pucci could answer, Mebius grabbed his hand and ran toward the research institute.

Seeing Mebius so excited for the first time, Father Pucci let her pull him toward the research institute.

Father Pucci was somewhat surprised to see the first successful case.

It wasn't Kevin, it wasn't Mebius, and it wasn't Alicia.

“My name is Sakura, Father Pucci.”

"......I see."

To test the strength of the fusion warriors, you then arranged for Qianjie and Ying to spar.

As a result, Sakura's speed as a fusion warrior is still beyond what Senju can keep up with in his current form.

Afterwards, you invited Sakura to have dinner at the sanatorium. Perhaps because she was concerned about your identities, Sakura did not refuse.

"No need to be so respectful, Sakura. Just treat me like a friend."

"...Yes, Father."

Father Pucci, seeing Sakura's hesitant expression, asked again, "Is there any other question?"

“I have no friends, Father.”

Hearing Sakura's answer, Father Pucci couldn't help but smile.

"Well, you have it now."

Then you turned around and didn't see the struggle in Sakura's eyes.

......

At the dinner table, everyone chatted, and Sakura felt a little uncomfortable in this relaxed and pleasant atmosphere.

Father Pucci didn't take it seriously, assuming that Sakura was just getting used to the life of risking her life and was having some trouble adjusting.

After the meal, one or two stars had already appeared in the sky. Seeing that it was getting late, Sakura bid farewell to everyone.

"I'll take my leave now, Father Pucci."

Father Pucci nodded and handed Sakura the cross.

"This is?"

"A symbol of our own people."

"I'm already a moth drawn to the flame."

Sakura listened to your answer in silence for a while, and then refused.

“I cannot accept this, Father.”

Father Pucci nodded and said, "It's alright, everyone has their own ambitions, I won't force you to join."

"Oh, and remember to say hello to your sister for me."

Sakura shuddered upon hearing Father Pucci's words.

"......OK."

......

A few days later, Father Pucci kept his promise and made time to spend with Aponia.

Having grown tired of the scenery on Dusk Street, Aponia suggested visiting other cities.

The wind brushed against my cheeks, carrying a slight chill.

"Father, it's autumn now, go buy some clothes."

Upon hearing Aponia's words, Father Pucci quickly said, "I've heard there's a beautiful lake nearby, why don't we go check it out?"

"Yeah, that's okay."

Father Pucci breathed a sigh of relief when he saw that Aponia had agreed.

Upon reaching the lake, the two rented a small boat and rowed towards the center of the lake.

'Having mastered the basics of the fire-chasing moth, I haven't heard of the poisonous pupa.'

'Did Sakura refuse my invitation because of that?'

'Poisonous pupa, cherry blossoms, lakeside, date...'

'What's with this feeling of déjà vu?'

"By the way, Aponia, don't you think...?"

Hearing that Father Pucci seemed to have not finished speaking, Aponia turned to look at him.

"What's wrong, Father...?"

But when he turned his head, he clearly saw that Father Pucci's heart had been pierced by a samurai sword.

With the sword drawn, Aponia saw who the murderer was.

It's Sakura, who was having dinner with everyone yesterday.

Aponia opened her mouth to question Sakura, but no sound came out.

Sakura gave Aponia a complicated look, then turned and left.

Aponia touched Father Pucci's slowly fading body temperature, paddled with all her might toward the shore, and then carried Father Pucci on her back to the nearest hospital.

"Don't die, Father! Don't die..."

"Hey, Aponia, what are you doing?"

Alicia's voice came through, and Aponia seemed to have found a savior.

“Father, Father…” Aponia’s voice trembled as she showed Alicia Father Pucci’s condition.

After checking on Father Pucci's condition, Alicia immediately sensed that something was terribly wrong.

"Quick! Back to Twilight Street, I'll take you to find Möbius!"

“You…you take the priest back first,” Aponia said, panting.

Without saying a word, Alicia carried Father Pucci on her back and hurried towards Dusk Street.

......

"Bang!" The research institute door was kicked open. Möbius looked up, somewhat annoyed, and said, "Who's so rude? Before coming in..."

"Möbius! Quickly save Father Pucci!"

When Mebius saw Alicia's flustered appearance and Father Pucci on her back, his expression turned serious.

After placing Father Pucci on the operating table, Mebius examined the priest's wound and frowned deeply.

"Go and call Seele here."

......

After everything went black, you realized you might be dead, but after waiting for a long time, there was no notification that the simulation was over.

A warm current entered my body and then converged towards my heart.

'It seems you've made a miscalculation.'

When he opened his eyes, he saw Seele crying as she treated him.

"Father, you're finally awake!" Seele said excitedly when she saw you were awake.

Having narrowly escaped death, you've come to realize that you no longer possess the powerful physique that Yoshikage Kira had in that simulation, and you must be extremely cautious.

Seele did everything she could to heal you, but for some reason your body just wouldn't fully recover.

[In the following days, at everyone's request, you stayed in the sanatorium to recover from your injuries.]

Everyone asked Aponia what had happened, but she remained silent.

......

"I'm going to perform the Fusion Warrior surgery, Dr. Mebius."

Mebius looked at Aponia, whose eyes were lifeless, and felt a sense of fear.

"If you don't agree, I will force you, Doctor."

"...May I ask why?"

"To protect the priest, and to kill her with my own hands."

Mebius swallowed hard and agreed to perform the surgery on Aponia.