Honkai Impact: I, The Herrscher of Ice, Am Loved By Players

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Seeing Ana nod, Aponia promptly released Kalpas from his Commandments.

However, almost immediately after lifting them, Ana began regretting it because—Kalpas was incredibly loud.

"Hahaha—Herrscher!"

"Come on! Bring your full power! Hahahaha—"

In contrast to the original storyline where Raiden Mei provoked Kalpas, this time, it was Kalpas taunting Ana instead.

The change in opponents naturally altered the outcome. For instance, if Kalpas had challenged Kevin similarly, Kevin would have simply ignored him, deeming it unnecessary.

As Ana observed Kalpas before her, her eyes flickered with a daring idea.

"Aponia, you can contact Ellie, right?"

"Of course."

"I'll leave it to you then. I would like...for Ellie to crown me, perhaps aligning better with Kalpas and my identities."

"Agreed." Aponia nodded slightly, unsure of Ana's intentions but offering her unconditional support nonetheless. This was the Elysian Realm, a haven for consciousness and memories where many unattainable desires could be fulfilled.

And that was precisely Ana's reasoning.

"No need to call; I'm always here!"

Before Aponia could contact her, Elysia emerged from the shadows behind the statue. Kevin followed closely, also concealed within the darkness.

Noticing Ana's gaze, Kevin merely nodded without speaking. As someone who understood her intentions best, having walked a similar path thus far, he comprehended Elysia well too.

"So, I entrust you with crowning me the Frost Diadem."

As Ana spoke, she took Elysia's hand.

"Certainly, it is my honor."

Elysia reciprocated by holding Ana's hand firmly. Instantaneously, the Authority symbolizing Primogenitor flowed from Elysia, enveloping the entire deepest region.

The power of the Primogenitor lies in turning fantasies into reality. This Authority can be both immensely potent or relatively weak; however, when wielded by Ellie, it reaches its strongest form.

Ellie's pure beauty and charm stem from her eternal childlike innocence—an attribute neither Raiden Mei nor Ana possess.

But these observations have little to do with what Ana just said.

In this moment, no elaborate fantasy is needed. All that's required is for Ellie to unleash her Authority while guiding it accordingly—just as—

With the release of the Primogenitor's power, the Herrscher Domain expands, enveloping the entire deepest region within the starlit sea of the Primogenitor. However, Ellie does not transform into her mermaid form from the game, as she isn't the central character here.

Aponia and Kevin survey their surroundings, astonishment evident in their eyes.

This marks, to their recollection, the second time they've witnessed Ellie utilizing the Primogenitor's Authority. Yet, casting such a dream-like starlit domain is entirely new for her. It seems clear that Ellie genuinely cherishes this visitor.

"Alright, it's your turn now!" Elysia smiled gently and released Ana's hand.

Nodding, Ana unleashed a surge of intense cold energy. Her new Herrscher outfit materialized around her, identical to the one she wore as the Herrscher of Ice in the game.

Indeed, with Primogenitor's Authorities and her understanding of the Herrscher of Ice, Ana successfully transformed into the Herrscher of Ice here.

For Kalpas, the Herrscher of Ice held significant meaning, as she was the first Herrscher he had ever defeated. At that time, Kalpas wasn't yet a MANTIS Fusion Warrior.

"How could I miss such a thrilling performance?"

A sudden voice echoed, and a girl dressed in distinctive steampunk attire appeared beside Ana—it was Vill-V, bearing the Spiral Inscription.

"Greetings, Great Magus. Might I request assistance from your expertise?" Ana asked without any surprise, smiling warmly.

"Certainly, my lovely lady!" Vill-V responded generously.

"I'd like to trouble you, the expert, to design a Divine Key for me," Ana said earnestly. "Hmm, I hope my Divine Key can be similar to the Seven Cleansing Thunders."

This was precisely why she had been waiting for Vill-V.

For Ana, neither Judgment of Shamash nor Abyss Flower were as suitable anymore. She needed her own personalized Divine Key, and as a Herrscher, she possessed the ability to create one akin to Senti's.

As for why she wanted it modeled after the Seven Cleansing Thunders? Ana could now wield various weapons such as katanas, riding spears, dual pistols, and more. Her combat style never relied on brute force but rather on exploiting strengths while mitigating weaknesses.

"Leave it to me; I guarantee your satisfaction!" Vill-V confidently declared, then removed her hat and handed it to Ana with a gentlemanly gesture.

"So, accept this gift first! My Spiral Inscription!"

Feeling the Spiral Inscription flowing into her body, Ana sensed some vague ideas forming, yet they felt elusive, just beyond her grasp.

Perhaps these were what Ana sought—the path mentioned by Su, unique to herself.

"Thank you very much."

Ana responded earnestly, "This inspiration, although I couldn't fully grasp it, is still significant to me. It complements Vill-V's ideas for the Divine Key."

If she could have captured that insight, her chances of Ascension and ultimately survival would likely increase by at least twenty percent.

Vill-V wasn't the last spectator to arrive; not all Heroic Spirits were present. However, both children blessed by Aponia, Su and Griseo, did make their way here.

"Herrscher-nee, I love your colors, so vibrant and beautiful," Griseo observed Ana thoughtfully before expressing sincerely.

"Really? Thank you for your kind words," Ana replied warmly. However, regarding what Griseo said...she had reservations. 'Vibrant' colors? Doesn't that imply she's unpredictable, shifting between good and evil? She...she's unequivocally a good person, okay?!

"I hope to see you outside the Garden of Eden someday."

Ana reached out and gently patted Griseo's head. Before her transmigration, the storyline had already progressed to finding Griseo. Calculating the timeline, Griseo's new armor should be close to completion soon.

If Ana could find Griseo before anyone else in the future, wouldn't that mean... ahem, she simply sees Griseo as her little sister. Although, having a younger sister isn't unwelcome...

Kosma didn't speak aloud, but judging by his sparkling eyes, he likely would have exclaimed—Cool!

With this, Ana had now collected all the missing engravings. Considering the situation, once she obtains Vill-V's design, her journey in the Garden of Eden will come to an end.

In fact, one could say her ties with the Garden would be severed at that point.

Any future events involving her or the Garden would no longer concern her present self. Despite this realization, she felt somewhat reluctant to let go.

Her Ellie still remained unclaimed in her quest for affection.

She hadn't yet ridden the massive whale form of Eden, nor had she gotten a chance to tell Kevin more corny jokes... Unfortunately...

"It's not even time for farewell, yet I already feel a hint of sadness."

Ana scanned the Heroic Spirits before her, managing a forced smile.

"No need to be sorrowful, Miss Ana. We exist here merely as fleeting echoes from past lives. Regardless of what happens, we will always remain."

The speaker was Sakura. She couldn't possibly miss such a competition; she had a close bond with Kalpas, and these battles to refine their martial skills were beneficial for her as well—though now, any improvement might be futile.

Moreover, Ana could be considered half her disciple, destined to inherit her legacy. Even the Divine Key's aspect was...the Seven Cleansing Thunders.

"Herrscher, are you gonna fight or what?"

Finally, after waiting patiently, Kalpas erupted. He didn't mind the other Heroic Spirits observing the battle.

Back when he fought Kevin at Fire Moth/MOTH, Mobius would often spectate, while others occasionally joined, but never this comprehensive as today.

Fine, observe if you must! But why reminisce and wax nostalgic here?! Are you stacking buffs or something? I'm already struggling to keep up! Adding more buffs is just too much.

"Don't rush, Kalpas. After this battle, Ana will soon depart from the Elysian Realm. Let her have some time to chat with everyone, okay?" Elysia stepped forward, attempting to ease the tension.

"Hmph!" Kalpas let out another cold snort but fell silent. With Elysia intervening, what choice did he have? Besides, she still maintained her Authorities, although Kalpas wasn't entirely sure about a Herrscher's energy consumption and recovery rates.

"Very well, since Kalpas is eager for battle, let's engage first!" Ana spoke confidently. On the surface, she seemed engaged in casual conversation with others, but in reality, she was adapting and gaining control over the Ice Authority.

Although not obtained through conquest, Ana's affinity for the Ice Authority was remarkably high, even surpassing her mastery of the Wind Authority. Additionally, during this period, she had been diligently studying to fill her theoretical knowledge gaps regarding ice-related abilities.

Compared to the Herrscher of Ice from the previous civilization era, they were fundamentally different concepts.

As for the original Ana, it's hard to say precisely, but Ana felt that the former possessed some innate talent in controlling the Ice Authority. Otherwise, she wouldn't have been able to harness its power to suppress the Honkai unleashed by the Herrscher's awakening.

Unfortunately, Ana's consciousness was entirely overtaken. In other words, the Herrscher of the Rimestar couldn't truly be considered a Herrscher, but rather a monstrous entity.

The Herrscher of the Rimestar fought purely on instinct; if it had any coherent awareness, both World Serpent and Schicksal would likely face immense casualties in their attempts to confront it.

The destructive power of the previous civilization's Herrscher of Stars was evident to all, and now, it had merged with the equally renowned Herrscher of Destruction, the Herrscher of Ice.

This is precisely why Ana prepared some secret strategies for herself beforehand.

"I crushed the previous era's Herrscher of Ice underfoot like a mere ant. Hopefully, you'll prove more entertaining!"

"Let's begin!" Kalpas roared, his voice shaking the earth as raging flames ignited around him.

"As you wish." Ana's tone remained calm and indifferent, subtly influenced by her Herrscher form—the Herrscher of Ice.

Her gaze fell upon Kalpas, penetrating through those flames, sensing their very essence—energy.

Energy is the source that drives particles' motion, while the Ice Authority enables control over these movements, accelerating or halting them at will—a capability she possessed effortlessly.

However, ice's acceleration cannot match fire's extremes, just as fire cannot achieve ice's absolute stillness.

Complete destruction is terrifyingly powerful, yet utter stasis holds its own fearsome potential.

Facing the imminent blaze on Kalpas' body, Ana merely snapped her fingers.

As if casting some mystical spell, the crisp sound echoed throughout the battlefield, and instantly, the flames engulfing Kalpas extinguished.

Kalpas's so-called "rage" symbolized his fighting spirit, but any combat resolve requires energy to sustain it.

Clearly, Ana had directly cut off the energy supply, causing all particles within him to slow their movement abruptly.

So, what impact did this have on Kalpas? Hmm, imagine your transformation being suddenly interrupted—no significant effect, except for extreme humiliation.

Visually, it resembled a delusional teenager making grandiose statements with no follow-through.

Despite nothing happening, Kalpas remained undeterred, and the flames on his body reignited once more.

"Herrscher, congratulations—you've utterly enraged me! I will tear you apart!"

However, before Kalpas could finish his menacing threat, Ana snapped her fingers again, extinguishing the flames on his body. No matter what Kalpas attempted next, Ana responded with another snap.

Yes, this was Ana's discovery:

She discovered that for MANTIS to enter the Artificial Honkai state, it first required releasing an immense amount of energy, which then activates their Honkai Beast components.

However, Ana could directly manipulate her Authorities to siphon away this energy without any cost to herself. Instead, the transferred Honkai Energy was absorbed by her effortlessly.

Now, she had a rough understanding of why Kalpas annihilated the previous Herrscher of Ice from the earlier civilization.

After undergoing the Surgery, Kalpas' default state became significantly weakened. Originally capable of maintaining his enhanced form continuously, the addition of an ultra-enhanced mode inadvertently diminished the strength of his regular enhanced state.

Facing the Herrscher of Ice from the prior era, Kalpas likely held advantages in close combat and sheer power suppression due to his unique heart, granting him tremendous might.

Nevertheless, at present, Ana still considered Kalpas in his Artificial Honkai state stronger; unfortunately for him, he encountered her today.