Murata Himeko looked at Akio in front of her. She could sense his sincerity and seriousness. After a moment of contemplation, she smiled and extended her hand, saying, "Then I'll be in your care from now on, Akio."
"Of course," Akio smiled and took her delicate hand. With a thought, the Pseudo-Herrscher Core of Fire appeared in Himeko's palm.
"Huh?" Himeko felt something warm in her hand. She looked down and saw a beautiful red gem resting there.
"What's this?" Himeko's artificial stigma had been destroyed by Akio's power of life and death, and without her powers, she couldn't sense Honkai energy.
"Akio, giving a beautiful gem to a lady right after meeting her is the act of a bad man, you know," Himeko teased, but she still held onto the gem.
She had always known her life wouldn't be long, and in the Honkai world, there were very few good men. She had never been in a relationship, remaining single all her life. Now, in this world, she wanted to experience love.
Akio was handsome, and from their interactions, he seemed like a gentle person. He was also incredibly powerful. If they spent more time together, she might just give it a try.
"While I'd like to say I'm a bad man, Himeko, this gem is a Pseudo-Herrscher Core," Akio said with a smirk. "I've repaired your Vermillion Knight armor and modified the core's energy source to be powered by you. This gem will make you a Pseudo-Herrscher, though it's not as powerful as a true Herrscher."
"Eh?" Himeko was taken aback. "Can I refuse to become a Herrscher?"
To be honest, she had spent her entire life fighting against the Honkai and Herrschers. The idea of becoming one herself was hard to accept.
"Sorry, but you've already accepted my gem," Akio chuckled, pressing the Pseudo-Herrscher Core against her chest.
"Mmm… so ungentlemanly!" Himeko felt the warmth in her chest, her face slightly flushed as she pouted.
Feeling the surging power within her body, Himeko activated the Vermillion Knight armor. A powerful force erupted from her, the flames distorting the air around her.
"Not bad," Akio nodded in satisfaction. Although Himeko was only an A-rank Pseudo-Herrscher, with the Vermillion Knight armor and the Godslayer: Surtr, she could unleash power surpassing that of an ordinary god (beyond S-rank but not quite SS-rank, since it's a Pseudo-Herrscher core, not the true Haste Gem).
"Tsk, I never thought I'd become a Herrscher," Himeko sighed, marveling at the unpredictability of fate. She had spent her life fighting the Honkai, only to end up as a Herrscher herself.
"Teyvat isn't an ordinary world. It has its own extraordinary powers. Without strength, I wouldn't feel at ease leaving you unprotected," Akio said.
"Besides, Himeko, power itself isn't good or evil. It depends on the person wielding it," Akio smiled. "You've trained quite a few Herrschers yourself, and they all fought for humanity."
"Eh?" Himeko looked at Akio, puzzled.
"Kiana first became the Herrscher of the Void, then inherited your will and humanity's hope to become the Herrscher of Flamescion. Later, she passed the trials and became the new Herrscher of the End."
"Raiden Mei first became the Herrscher of Thunder, then met the previous Herrscher of Origin and inherited her power to become the new Herrscher of Origin."
"Bronya, the Herrscher of Reason, later became the Herrscher of Truth."
"Seele gained the power of the 'Sea' and became the Herrscher of Rebirth."
"Fu Hua, due to an accident, became the Herrscher of Sentience."
"They are all Herrschers, but they've always fought for humanity. They are great and resilient warriors," Akio said with a smile. "So, even the power of a Herrscher can't erode their steadfast hearts."
"They all became Herrschers?" Himeko clicked her tongue. Wow, St. Freya had become a gathering place for Herrschers, huh?
"However, Himeko, your power doesn't come from the Honkai. It comes from me. By accepting this power, you'll never be able to leave me," Akio said with a mischievous grin.
"That's fine," Himeko didn't mind. She looked at Akio and raised an eyebrow. "I wasn't planning on leaving you anyway!"
Akio was taken aback, looking at Himeko, who smiled and said, "In an unknown world, having someone to rely on sounds quite nice to me."
"But, Mr. Akio, can you tell me how many lovers you have?" Himeko asked with a playful smile.
"Uh…" Akio hesitated for a moment, then admitted, "Actually, my lovers all think I'm quite the playboy. I have quite a few. I'll introduce you to them."
"I thought so," Himeko said with a knowing look. "From the way that girl Lumine looked at you, I could tell she probably has some feelings for you too."
"But, Mr. Flirty Akio, what if I said I can't accept sharing you with so many beauties? Would you let me go?" Himeko asked with a teasing smile.
"Sorry, I can promise you many things, but not that," Akio leaned closer to Himeko, speaking seriously. "Unfortunately, Himeko, you're already in my embrace, and there's no escaping."
"You're so domineering! You're not even giving me a choice?" Himeko rolled her eyes at Akio.
"Exactly," Akio nodded.
"Alright~ I didn't expect to escape anyway," Himeko laughed. "But before that, can you stay by my side and show me this world?"
"With pleasure," Akio smiled. He hadn't expected Himeko to accept everything so quickly. It was a pleasant surprise.
"Oh, I almost forgot. I have another gift for you," Akio suddenly remembered the Godslayer: Surtr. He already had the Key of the Void: Abyss Flower, so he had no use for it. It was better to give it to Himeko.
Akio's hand glowed, and a massive fiery greatsword appeared, its blade burning with intense flames.
"Surtr!" Himeko's eyes widened. Didn't this sword shatter during the battle with the Herrscher of the Void?
"How about it? Surprised?" Akio asked.
"Of course," Himeko took Surtr from Akio's hands. It felt just as familiar as she remembered.
"Thank you, Akio," Himeko gazed softly at the man before her. Although they had just met, he seemed capable of anything.
This was a feeling Himeko had never experienced in her life, but it felt… quite wonderful.
A/N: Enjoying the story? Read 60+ chapters ahead on Patreon! Your support helps: Patreon.com/nneol