Honkai: Fire Moth Herrschers

"According to Fire Moth's definition, a 'humanoid entity that carries out the Honkai's will and aims to destroy civilization' is what we call a Herrscher. It's important to note that a Herrscher is born when an existing human, a suitable host, has their consciousness replaced by another, chaotic consciousness. Therefore, they do not possess human emotions. In this respect, Herrschers and zombies are the same. So…"

Mikael paused mid-sentence, his explanation of Herrschers hanging in the air of the Golden Courtyard's meeting room.

He could have continued, should have continued: "So, if you ever encounter a Herrscher, don't hold any expectations. Even if it displays emotions similar to a human's, it is absolutely not human. Its consciousness was obliterated the moment it became a Herrscher. That chaotic Herrscher consciousness only possesses some instinctive emotions and inherits some of the body's memories and subconscious."

But if he said that, some of what he wanted to say next would become difficult to explain. Besides…

Having faced three Herrschers directly, he wondered if Ellie had realized this issue…

Mikael gazed at Elysia's profile, at the curve of her ear, at the subtle wrinkle of her nose, lost in thought. The silence in the room thickened, turning almost frigid, but he didn't mind, until Elysia, finally sensing his intense gaze, turned to meet his eyes. Time seemed to start flowing again.

He awkwardly touched his nose. Elysia's eyes crinkled with amusement, as if asking, "Hey! Were you just staring at me? Hmm~ What were you thinking about?"

Though she hadn't spoken, Mikael heard her voice in his mind. He quickly averted his gaze, touching his nose again.

"Actually, everyone here has faced a Herrscher, you know, up close and personal."

Elysia's lips parted slightly. Hua lowered her head.

To everyone else, his statement seemed like an obvious platitude.

Mikael let the words hang in the silent room, allowing them to ferment.

Only Eden and Kalpas were unaware of the true meaning behind his words.

After a brief silence, Eden softly gasped. Kalpas turned, his gaze fixed on Mikael.

Mikael spread his hands. "Well, now everyone knows I'm a Herrscher."

He spoke casually, as if saying something as mundane as, "We're having potatoes for dinner."

"I…"

Elysia started to speak, but Mikael cut her off with a sharp kick under the table.

"…" Elysia closed her eyes. She understood. Mikael wanted her to live as a human, not as a Herrscher.

He would shoulder all the potential blame and pressure alone.

"…" She fell silent.

Mikael's gaze swept over everyone. He knew that everyone present, from Mobius, who had known his secret the longest, to Eden and Kalpas, who had just realized it, had the same question:

"Since you're a Herrscher, why are you… on humanity's side?"

That tone… it had to be Hua.

She had finally voiced the question she'd been holding back.

"Well…"

Hearing that opening, Hua knew Mikael was about to dodge the question again.

"Due to certain circumstances, I escaped that… cage. I'm not a pure Herrscher. I am both human and Herrscher. Therefore, I have the right to choose."

It wasn't that he didn't want to explain, but rather, he couldn't explain, and there was no need to explain.

There was no need because, while these people had questions, those questions wouldn't influence their choices. That's why Mikael dared to reveal this secret.

Why had they joined this small group called Anti-Entropy?

Elysia and Pardofelis's reasons were obvious. Vill-V and Mobius, in Mikael's opinion, were driven by curiosity.

Sakura had joined because she disagreed with some of Fire Moth's methods, and the only leverage Vashak had over her—Rin—had been severed by Mikael.

Hua had nowhere else to go.

Eden joined because she trusted Elysia.

And Kalpas had been "persuaded" by Mikael.

So, the only one truly concerned about this question was Hua.

"Hua, pursuing the motivations of the heart is ultimately meaningless. If someone with ill intentions manages to suppress their evil thoughts and only does good deeds for their entire life, are they a good person or a bad person?"

"…So, you mean, judge by actions, not intentions?" Hua's brow furrowed. She was clearly still struggling with something.

Mikael sighed. "Hua, I promised I would tell you, and I will. But even if I told you now, you wouldn't understand… Let time do its work."

Though seemingly directed at Hua, his words reached everyone clearly, even Mobius, who had dozed off, jolted awake.

"Tch! It's just saying a few words. Did you really need to use your powers?" She offered a half-hearted jab, but her stance was clear.

Then it was Sakura's turn. She finally released her suppressed aura. "Rather than this binary of Herrscher or human, I trust my own judgment. Even if you are a Herrscher, you've always been on the front lines against the Honkai. So I trust you. I believe you are a good person."

"Hmph!" Kalpas was the third to express his stance, which surprised Mikael. Though he only grunted, his inaction spoke volumes.

"Sigh… I never thought I'd get dragged into something this complicated. But since I'm here, I guess there's no running away, right? But Mikael, the day the Honkai is defeated, you better hand over that core. I've been waiting to build the First Divine Key. I've written fifteen drafts of the proposal already!"

"Hoo…" Hua's expression lightened. "Then it's settled, Mikael. I'll wait for the day you tell me everything."

Elysia gave Hua a long look, confusing the latter.

"So… I don't need to state my position, right? I've always been with my dear Mikael." She took Mikael's hand, intertwining their fingers.

"Hey! Ellie!"

He made a token effort to pull away, but failed, his cheeks flushing under everyone's gaze.

"Hehe… Since Ellie trusts you, I naturally do as well."

"I knew you'd say that. Thank you, my dear Eden!" Mikael awkwardly touched his head.

"Pardofelis! Pardofelis! You're the only one left!" Though Rin didn't understand the conversation, she dutifully reminded Pardofelis.

"Ah! What happened? Did Boss Mikael say something just now?"

So… you weren't listening at all…

Mikael gently extracted his hand. This time, Elysia didn't stop him.

He walked to the wall, where floor-to-ceiling curtains, heavy as a stage curtain, blocked all light.

"Alright then, Anti-Entropy is officially established!"

No further words were needed. No rules or regulations needed to be laid out. Everyone understood that Mikael was the undisputed leader of this organization.

Though not everyone recognized his leadership skills, he was undoubtedly the strongest, and the nexus of everyone's relationships within the group.

After all this time, he had finally established a small organization, nothing like the Anti-Entropy of the post-Honkai era.

But Mikael was satisfied. At least, in this cramped, bare meeting room, he could finally show his back to them without fear. A luxury he couldn't have imagined six months ago.

He felt a surge of… something. Triumph? Relief?

He was about to lay down some suggested rules for future operations, and to schedule a time to talk with Mobius…

But before that…

He closed his eyes, dramatically yanked open the curtains, raised his arms, and declared, "Everyone, the sun is rising!"

"…"

The silence behind him was… unsettling. Mikael opened his eyes…

Where were the floor-to-ceiling windows?

This was a wall.

"Vill-V! Where did all the funding go?!"

BOOM!

Everyone in the meeting room froze. The loud crash came from outside.

Mikael's enraged shout still echoed in the room, but he was already gone.