MGSFV?! Chapter 472: The Herrscher of Truth; Office Politics
"Brilliant statement."
Hokuto snapped out of his daze and couldn't help clapping for Elysia.
"What you said makes a lot of sense."
He even deliberately used an honorific.
"Right? I think what I said makes a lot of sense too."
"..."
After watching the scene just now, Elysia decided to take a short break—to catch her breath.
Besides…
She had a small question about the scene she just saw—something she wanted to ask Hokuto.
Ah, it's not like she didn't understand anything. Essentially, Bronya overcame her inner demons despite Hare's interference and broke through her limits. The overall structure was very clear.
The legacy of the Herrscher of Reason, three hundred thousand thoughts…
Joyce, Joachim, Bronya, and the countless others who shared the same belief…
They all once lived proudly, never wavering…
The Herrscher of Reason may no longer merely represent a single Herrscher. Just like how the Herrscher of Humanity no longer only represents Elysia, but all Herrschers who fight for beauty.
The Herrscher of Reason had taken on a deeper meaning.
So then…
"By the way, what's the name of the current Herrscher of Reason?"
"Hmm? That was already mentioned in the previous cutscene, right? She's called the Herrscher of Truth…"
"Oh! So it's the Herrscher of Truth!"
Elysia responded in sudden realization.
But Hokuto, standing next to her, quickly reminded:
"It's the Herrscher of Truth."
"Yes, the Herrscher of Truth."
Elysia nodded sincerely at the reminder.
"Is something wrong?"
Her voice carried a bit of innocent confusion: "Look—Herr-sch-er-of-Truth."
"Every word matches what you just said."
Hokuto: "..."
Elysia's reply forced Hokuto to say it plainly.
"You said the True·Herrscher of Reason."
"Huh? Isn't that right?" Elysia blinked. "Don't tell me Bronya is the Fake Herrscher of Reason!?"
"…I've decided to put this conversation into the game." Hokuto was out of energy to argue.
"Hahaha, just joking~~ I apologize!" Elysia quickly pleaded.
"Even if you apologize, I'm still putting this conversation in the game."
Hokuto had only said it casually, but thinking about it again…
"I think this exchange is genuinely fun."
"..."
"Hmm… if you insist, I guess I won't oppose it too much."
After all, jokes between her, Hokuto, and the others being added into the game wasn't a new thing.
She was already used to it.
"Sigh~~ I've sacrificed too much for the Honkai Impact 3rd household."
"Shouldn't you reflect on why you're constantly the source of memes?"
"Hmm? Doesn't that just prove I'm clever and witty?"
Hokuto: "..."
"All right."
Elysia didn't keep joking: "Enough chatting. Time to resume."
"Mhm…"
Hokuto responded, also returning to his observer role.
But just as he turned his focus back—
Ding~~
The phone next to him vibrated lightly.
Old Timer Not Home: [Are you there?]
It's All Otto's Fault: [Not here.]
Old Timer Not Home: […] You're clearly here. Quick question—what element is the new Herrscher of Truth?
Xiao Shi even clarified she didn't type the name wrong.
Dead. (Manual clown emoji.)
It's All Otto's Fault: [Why are you asking?]
Old Timer Not Home: [Uh… nothing really, just that Old Timer was curious. Told me to ask.]
"..."
How to say this…
Does Fu Hua really need Xiao Shi to ask what element the Herrscher of Truth is?
That was a terrible lie.
So, should he call her out?
…Forget it.
She's a kid after all. Not everyone is an old fossil.
It's All Otto's Fault: [Imaginary-type, Ice elemental damage, S-rank character—elemental support.]
Old Timer Not Home: [Hmm?]
Old Timer Not Home: [So the Old Fossil's going to get replaced by Truth, huh?]
Old Timer Not Home: [Hahahahahaha.]
"?"
Old Timer Not Home, are you really this smug?
Wanna see me forward this chat to the real Old Timer.jpg
And besides…
Seele: 0.0
What goes around, comes around.
Heaven spares no one.
You're laughing this hard now—makes people worry what kind of strange reaction you'll have when you go through the same thing later.
Of course, Hokuto knew perfectly well which things should and shouldn't be said. He wouldn't actually forward this to Fu Hua.
Although, he was very curious what would happen if he did…
"Ahem."
"Forget it, forget it."
...
Back to the story.
Bronya was explaining her transformation.
After she became another Herrscher Core herself, the original Herrscher of Reason Core disappeared.
But…
"Bronya can feel… they've become a part of her in a different form—and will adapt to the future as she continues to change."
"Is this what they call retrospective insight?"
Hare looked at Bronya seriously.
"No need to be modest. From what I know, your transcendence was smoother than any Herrscher's before."
"Three hundred thousand thoughts… just remembering them could overwhelm any human brain—let alone changing their form."
[Herrscher of Sentience says even one mind is too much to handle（]
[??? Even this can turn into a joke?]
[Xiao Shi: What is wrong with you people!!]
After praising Bronya, Hare shifted the topic.
"But… this is who you are, Bronya.
Thank you, for showing me what it truly means to be the Herrscher of Reason."
[Does Hare still remember she once said: "The Herrscher of Reason is nothing more"?]
[Hare: I've cut ties with my past self (hard).]
[Can everything be solved just by cutting ties? (Dog emoji)]
[Yes yes yes (Manual clown emoji)]
"—Alright, like I said before, if this were a stage-clear game, you've certainly passed my level."
"Just to be clear, I don't have the ability to reverse Project STIGMA—neither does my Lord."
[Her Lord? Kevin?]
[Come to think of it, Kevin might be happy to see Bronya change like this?]
[I feel like Kevin would just say… "This… still isn't enough."]
[Perfectly Kevin.]
The chat was heating up fast.
Just the kind of energy someone wanted.
Mhm…
He had a feeling chat was about to get even hotter.
Because—
"But now that things have come to this, I'd feel a bit bad blocking your way any longer."
Hare said this while stepping back.
A portal silently opened behind her.
Bronya hurried to stop her.
But a sudden sound behind her threw her off.
"~~"
It was Fu Hua.
"For the rest, ask your Class Monitor."
Hare gave Bronya one last deep look and left her with a meaningful final message.
"Bronya Zaychik—your growth has exceeded everyone's expectations…"
"Even hers."
[Her???]
[Huh?]*n
A flood of "Huh?" swept across the livestream chat.
See? Players did have a more "enthusiastic" reaction.
[Is she referring to Alexandra (Duck's mom), or Misteln?]
[Hare, can you please not drop riddles on your way out??]
When will World Serpent stop this riddle-spewing tradition?
[Couldn't it be Gray Serpent 1904? Bronya not only became a Herrscher, she transcended—totally beyond expectations.]
[It said she, not he! How can it be Gray Serpent?]
[Don't assume Gray Serpent's gender! (Furious) (Dog emoji)]
...
And although players were furious at Hare's cryptic exit—
Perhaps it really wasn't the time to mention Alexandra.
That would cause too much of a stir.
Whether the writers intend to leave it buried forever or detonate it at the right time—
We'll see.
For now, set it aside.
After Hare took advantage of Bronya's distraction to leave—
Kiana and the others rushed over.
"Uh… Bronya… what was that just now…"
Kiana scratched her head, standing in the same frame as Bronya.
Normally, with this rare instance of her paramecium brain overloading, players would be roasting her by now.
But… the situation didn't quite go as expected?
For context: Bronya was now modeled in her Herrscher of Truth battlesuit.
[I kept wondering why her halo floated so high—turns out… the halo adds to her height.jpg]
[Epic growth: Bronya finally became taller than Kiana.]
[Better than high heels, huh? (Mist)]
[Got it—Duck intentionally raised the ring. (]
[Duck: Steamed bun? You jealous? Hands on hips.jpg]
"You guys have the weirdest focus points."
Elysia, who was appreciating the interplay between Truth and Flamescion battlesuits, couldn't help commenting.
"No way Bronya raised it on purpose, right?"
"Right, 'Otto'-san?"
Hokuto: "..."
"'Otto'-san, why so quiet?"
"Mm… it really has nothing to do with the Bronya in-game."
As for whether it involved anyone else—
Well, let's just say there may have been a tiny bit of office "politics" involved? (Mist)
"Knew it."
Elysia didn't question further.
Then went back to admiring the designs.
Back in the story—
Faced with Kiana's confusion, Bronya blinked and countered:
"Hmm? Is something wrong?"
Mei stepped in to explain for her:
"Probably too many things."
In just a blink, Bronya had changed outfits.
"Hmm..."
Bronya looked down and briefly examined herself.
Recalling a similar moment in the past, she looked to her side.
After reforming the Herrscher Core, the first thing she had done was construct a new mech for her "partner."
That "partner," of course, was Project Bunny.
It now hovered quietly by her side—looking very different than before.
But Bronya gave no special comment.
"All right, let's help—"
Bronya clearly wanted to get back to the mission.
But then—
The unexpected arrived…?
"Bronya-nee!!"
Okay, not unexpected.
It was sugar!!!
Seele suddenly appeared—cutting right to the chase—and gave Bronya a huge hug.
Crisp. Clean. Direct.
You really are the best, Seele!
Looks softest—but actually… hehehe.
[Seagull ship best ship!!! (Waves big flag)]
[miHoYo gets it—sweet sweet sweet. Nothing's sweeter than Honkai Impact 3rd!]
[This is exactly what I wanted!]
They love when miHoYo just shoves sugar straight into their mouths.
Hahaha~~
[Screenshot~ Screenshot~~ (Elf Lady voice)]
[Wait, why's Seele here? I kinda forgot.]
"—Of course I called her here."
Whose voice?
Naturally, our glorious Lady Herrscher of Sentience!
Now say it—thank you, Senti!
"You made such a ruckus and didn't invite me? How rude is that?"
[Glory hog mode (Senti exclusive)]
[Yay! Senti MVP!!]
[Thank you, glorious Lady Herrscher of Sentience!]
[Heh heh~ it's no big deal~~ don't mention it.]
As Senti showed off—
Fu Hua, now awake, interjected:
"Hmm… Xiao Shi, now's not the time for jokes. We still have a lot to do."
She called her Xiao Shi?!
Didn't Senti once say "Stop calling me Xiao Shi"?
So how would she react to Old Timer calling her that?
Players were instantly curious from that one simple name.
"...Wait a sec!"
Just as expected, Xiao Shi perked up.
But before she could respond—
Fu Hua followed up with:
"You helped me a great deal. I must thank you personally later."
"?"
"Uh—Old… You…"
Senti was so flustered, she couldn't even form a sentence.
[Flustered Senti—definitely weak to direct affection.]
[Did the Old Timer just surgically unlock her emotional EQ?]
[Master healer: Kevin.]
[But… what was Senti going to say? "Old" what!?]
[That's a miHoYo teaser. You'll have to imagine that yourself (]
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