Starting from the Collapse World, I became the behind-the-scenes boss

"Hehehe! That's quite rare. I thought you two would start fighting each other first!"

You know, we went through a lot of trouble to put you all together!

He gestured wildly as he spoke, the Otto doll's face also full of a mocking smile that seemed to invite a beating.

"..."

Looking at the hideous faces before her and hearing their unbridled words, Mei immediately took a deep breath and slowly gripped the hilt of the Seven Thunders of Purification.

To think that such methods could sow discord between her and Kiana is far too naive.

boom--

A flash of light appeared in an instant, followed by a deafening roar of thunder that echoed throughout the theater, completely drowning out the incessant chatter of the Herrschers.

A moment later, when the thunder and lightning subsided, the corridor where Mei and Kiana were standing had been deeply pierced by a sword mark, and the figures of several Herrschers had long since turned to dust and disappeared.

"Mei? You..."

Seeing the black-haired girl unhesitatingly unleash her full Herrscher of Thunder form, Kiana's face immediately showed a hint of panic.

According to their previous strategy, they should have avoided using Herrscher powers as much as possible when facing a Herrscher of Dominion.

"Well--"

With a muffled groan, and most of the lightning on her body suddenly extinguished, Mei shook her head calmly, "If we just keep running away, we will never be able to defeat the Herrscher of Domination."

As she spoke, Mei's expression hardened slightly as she felt the power within her body, which used to flow as smoothly as her own, become extremely sluggish.

As expected, the current Herrscher of Domination can now influence her.

but……

Several more arcs of lightning leaped from her fingertips, and a faint smile appeared on Mei's lips.

Just as she had thought, while the Herrscher of Dominion could take away her powers, she also had the ability to take them back.

Even though she only possesses 10% of her peak power now, it's enough for her to do many things.

"what?"

Upon hearing Mei's words, Kiana blinked, her eyes filled with confusion.

But seeing that Mei had already started walking deeper into the theater of domination, Kiana did not hesitate and chose to follow.

"Come to think of it, it seems like it's been a long time since we fought side by side together."

Looking at her friend beside her, who exuded a sharp aura, Kiana couldn't help but sigh.

Even though it's only a few months in terms of time, the events of Mount Taixu, Queenstown, and now the Herrscher of Domination... all these events have made Kiana feel that time is much longer than it actually is.

"Yes, it has been a long time since that incident on Coral Island."

Upon hearing this, Mei's tone became more wistful.

With the influence of events such as the Paradise of the Past, her perception of time became blurred.

"Um……"

Kiana responded softly, a hint of dazedness flashing across her eyes as she looked at her best friend, who was still in her Herrscher of Thunder form.

Thinking about it carefully, ever since Mei revealed her feelings for the boy, the two of them have never had such a peaceful relationship.

Even though this dominant theater is clearly fraught with danger, it is far from safe.

But perhaps intimidated by Mei's recent strike, the Herrschers dared not show themselves too much, leaving them a relatively quiet time alone.

Recalling the three of them together at St. Freya, Kiana lowered her head slightly: "I'm sorry, Mei, I never knew you liked Hen as much as I did..."

Looking back from the present, Mei actually showed signs of this a long time ago, but she just didn't realize it.

If she had realized this sooner, perhaps things would have been different between Mei and the boy...

Wait, what was she thinking just now?!

Realizing this, Kiana felt a surge of anger.

Even if she knew Mei's feelings for the boy beforehand, would she really just hand over Shihen to him?

Impossible! This is absolutely impossible!

"..."

Upon hearing the white fluffy ball's words, Mei couldn't help but fall silent for a moment.

If she remembered correctly, it should have been Kiana who expressed her feelings for the boy first, right?

Mei felt a slight pang of guilt, but she did not regret what she had done.

Even though she and Kiana are best friends, she is unwilling to back down in the slightest when it comes to matters concerning the boy.

Once she has resolved everything and returned from the World Serpent, it will be time to definitively determine the hierarchy between her and this white furry ball.

But before that...

Mei glanced at Kiana again, shook her head, and said softly, "At this point, there's no point in saying such things anymore."

We have no choice until we truly defeat those enemies.

Honkai, [Walter White], Kevin... If these three mountains aren't removed first, everything they currently possess will be as fleeting as a mirage, easily shattered and destroyed.

"Mei, you're right."

"Let's settle this properly after everything is over!"

Kiana smiled slightly, her face unconsciously becoming brighter.

Although she hasn't forgotten all the sacrifices Mei made for World Serpent, it's impossible for her to just give up like that.

After all, she is the Kaslana Knight who will bravely face any situation!

"Hmph~ Then you're not allowed to cry later!"

Thinking about all the plans she had made for the future, Mei's face immediately lit up with a confident smile.

When it comes to matters of the heart, she doesn't think she'd lose to a fool like Kiana.

"I should be the one saying that!"

Kiana smiled and said, her confidence no less than Mei's.

"..."

Looking at the smile on the white fluffy ball's face, even though she knew this was the other party's usual behavior, the strange behavior that Durandal had shown two months ago still involuntarily popped into Mei's mind.

"Kiana..."

Taking a deep breath, Mei's expression instantly turned serious. "I know everything about your trip to Queenstown with Hen last time."

"what!?"

In an instant, Kiana's face was filled with horror, and the tuft of hair on her head suddenly stood up.

Seeing this, Mei became even more certain of her suspicions.

Knowing how to deal with Kiana, Mei tilted her head slightly to hide the expression on her face, and added in a cold voice, "The headmistress told me."

Given Durandal's current complicated identity, she couldn't guess that if Kiana and the boy really did have something happen, Theresa would definitely tell Durandal.

"Huh? Aunt Flo..."

Upon hearing this, Kiana immediately became anxious.

However, Mei still turned her head away, only showing the white fluffy ball the back of her head, expressing her deep dissatisfaction through her actions.

"Well……"

Clearly sensing her best friend's emotions, Kiana bit her lip and slowly said after a long while, "Mei, once everything is over, I will definitely have Hen give you the most beautiful wedding in the world!"

Although she felt somewhat resentful, she saw Mei's efforts and was willing to give her an equal return.

Even if it was a happiness she herself had never experienced.

"Um!?"

Suddenly, Mei stumbled and couldn't help but turn around to look at the resolute-looking white fur ball. For a moment, she felt as if her whole world was collapsing.

Chapter 182 Otto: Does White Mask really like Dumb Goose?

On the other hand, when Mei's wisdom caused her to break down, Durandal also met her match.

"Only one Herrscher of Domination? Isn't that underestimating me a bit!"

In the spacious, castle-like hall, as she watched an Otto doll slowly emerge from the shadows, a self-deprecating smile appeared on Durandal's face.

“Yeah, I think so too.

"Let me hold you back, Durandal. That Herrscher of the Void is giving me far too much credit."

Stepping out at a leisurely pace, the puppet revealed a mocking smile, and a large, gleaming golden sword materialized in its hand. "After all, even if you are my student, there are always those who surpass their teachers."

"You are……"

Seeing the golden greatsword in the newcomer's hand and hearing that incredibly familiar tone, Durandal's expression changed drastically. "Bishop Otto!?"

“That’s right, Durandal, I am indeed the real Otto Apocalypse.”

"With so many Herrschers causing trouble by impersonating me, it's truly comforting that you can still recognize me."

Otto's smile softened into a friendly one as he spoke.

"why?

Why are you here?!

Without hesitation, she summoned the Black Abyss White Flower. Durandal glared at the blond man before her, her beautiful blue eyes filled with rage.

Even though she no longer had any expectations of Otto's moral bottom line, the fact that he directly stood on the side of the Honkai still surprised her somewhat... and filled her with extremely strong anger.

In any case, Otto was once the bishop of the Church of Destiny and the leader of the largest anti-Honkai organization in human history!

But now, the other side has chosen to be a pawn in the collapse?

"There's no need to make that face, Durandal."

"Don't you know very well what kind of person I am?"

Ignoring the girl's anger, Otto smiled and said, his tone still as cynical as ever.

"So, those things...were all true?"

Thinking of the incriminating evidence that Walter White exposed when he succeeded to the position of bishop, Durandal's expression suddenly became complicated.

Even though she was absolutely certain about those things, hearing the man she once regarded as a father figure admit them still had an extraordinary impact on Durandal's heart.

"To still harbor illusions about someone like me at this point is not the behavior of the strongest Valkyrie."

With a light laugh, Otto spoke, his calm expression carrying a slight hint of reproach, as if he were still reprimanding the girl from the position of the Bishop of Destiny.

"I just never imagined you could be that despicable."

She took a deep breath and said in a somber tone.

Having spent ten years in a mentor-student and friend-like relationship with Otto, she couldn't simply let go of those memories of teacher-student affection all at once.

"That's your own problem."

For five hundred years, I have remained unchanged; those so-called impressions are merely things that others have arbitrarily attached themselves to.

He chuckled softly as he explained, noticing the blonde Valkyrie's increasingly grim expression. Otto's grin widened even further. "Alright, let's get back to the main topic: why I'm here..."

You could say this was a transaction.

Someone didn't want you here, and that guy just happens to have something I need, so I came.

As he spoke, a thoughtful look flashed in Otto's eyes, his consciousness seemingly returning to the Domination Theater not long ago.

…………

Moments ago, they dominated the theater.

"..."

Looking at the theater that was now so familiar, Otto felt somewhat annoyed.

Although he had figured out why he was opened by the Herrscher of Domination, things had come to this point, and nothing he did would have much of an impact.