Houkai Universe.
"Sirin, how are things on your end?"
Kiana Kaslana appeared out of thin air beside Sirin.
"Mom, those awful humans bullied me."
Sirin threw herself into Kiana's arms, her face filled with grievance.
"What happened?"
Kiana stroked Sirin's head. She had caused a Honkai Eruption in the eastern lands of the Hell Girl world, while Sirin was doing the same in the west.
"There are so many bad people in that world—they're mean to me."
"How did they bully you?"
"They called me a demon and burned my newly made servant to death."
"Is that so? If they call you a demon, then I suppose I'll be a demon today."
Kiana smiled faintly.
In the Hell Girl world, Ai Enma had become a pseudo-Herrscher, and as more channels formed, the interdimensional passages stabilized—the energy loss from transmission decreasing steadily.
Sirin tilted her head. "Mom, aren't you a god?"
"God or demon—those are merely human names for us. We can be both."
"But since they dared to call my little angel a demon, I'll show them what a real demon can do."
Kiana gently stroked Sirin's silky violet hair.
Then she began to manipulate the Honkai energy within the western region of the Hell Girl world, corrupting several large black rats.
But those rats weren't her true objective.
Even with her power limited, there were countless ways to kill.
This method was simple—pure killing.
Viruses and bacteria modified by Honkai energy possessed terrifying infectious strength.
In the western lands of witch hunts, where religion reigned supreme, countless individuals and groups resisted the Church's authority.
Though their strength was insignificant compared to the vast power of the Church, to the Will of Ruler, they were useful pawns.
After searching for a suitable vessel, the Will of Ruler's gaze settled upon a nun named Incarnation.
She was a devout member of the Church, yet she loathed its practice of burning innocent women as witches.
Because she possessed spiritual power, she knew that those condemned as witches were just ordinary women.
But as a single person, she was powerless to stop it.
All she could do was pray to God every day.
Hoping for a divine answer.
She was a deeply faithful believer—never once had she doubted God.
To the Will of Ruler, she looked like the perfect target for manipulation.
And being naturally gifted with spiritual energy, her compatibility with Honkai energy would likely be high.
As Incarnation slept, she had no idea that an entity from beyond the universe was peering into her memories.
You'll do nicely.
Channeling Honkai energy, the Will of Ruler entered Incarnation's dream.
There she saw the nun, still praying within her dreams.
Religion truly was frightening.
Praying even in dreams—how insane!
Approaching the kneeling figure, the Will of Ruler stopped before her.
Sensing a presence before her, the praying nun slowly opened her eyes and looked up.
She froze at the sight.
"Are... are you an angel?"
Incarnation's voice trembled in awe.
White hair, golden eyes, a radiant halo above her head, and golden diamond-shaped wings of light behind her—wasn't this exactly how the scriptures described an angel?
The Will of Ruler reached out, brushing a hand gently against Incarnation's cheek.
Incarnation shuddered in disbelief.
There was... sensation?
But wasn't this her dream?
She had thought this was merely a vision born from her prayers.
You even realize this is a dream? The Will of Ruler was speechless after reading Incarnation's thoughts.
"Incarnation."
"Angel... my lady, I'm here."
Incarnation's eyes glazed over, her body trembling with excitement.
An angel had appeared!
"Humanity has fallen into darkness and filth. God has sent me to deliver divine punishment."
Originally, the Will of Ruler had planned to pose as God—but pretending to be the one true deity of the Church risked inconsistencies.
So, angel it was.
Her current form was modeled after the Herrscher of Finality from Guns Girl Z.
She truly did look like an angel.
Incarnation's heart trembled with emotion.
Is the Lord finally going to punish the wicked?
"Do you wish to become the voice of God, to purify those who have fallen into evil?"
"Yes, I will fulfill the Lord's will," Incarnation replied without hesitation.
"Raise your head. I grant you divine power."
The Will of Ruler extended a hand, her fingertip gently touching Incarnation's forehead.
For a moment, Incarnation's mind went blank as she accepted the power of an angel.
The Will of Ruler infused her with an entire day's worth of Honkai energy.
...
At the church—
Incarnation awoke in her bed, sitting upright in confusion for a long while before she came to her senses.
She could feel it—the energy flowing within her body.
Is this the angel's divine power?
"Let light banish the darkness."
Before her eyes, a sphere of white light appeared, illuminating the entire room.
Everything that happened in her dream had been real.
She had become God's chosen representative.
...
Morning, five o'clock.
Incarnation prayed as she always did.
The angel had told her that her body could not handle too much divine power at once—she would have to receive it day by day.
Every night, she could meet the angel again.
After finishing her duties, she would return to her room, fall asleep, and receive the angel's blessing anew.
Until one day—
A group of believers arrived at the church, bringing with them several strange patients.
"Father, what's wrong with him?"
The believers stared anxiously at the sick man on the floor, whose skin was covered in eerie violet markings.
"He's been cursed by a witch," the priest said solemnly, glancing at the man as though it were absolute truth.
"..."
Incarnation stood to the side, watching the priest's performance in silence.
This is clearly God's punishment for humanity, she thought.
And yet he lies—slandering others, condemning the innocent.
Humanity had truly fallen into darkness.
Knowing it was divine punishment, she merely watched.
The priest sprinkled holy water upon the sick man and instructed the believers to take him home.
After that day, more and more patients appeared. The townspeople began to hunt for so-called witches.
Incarnation knew the truth: there were no witches. It was humanity's sin that had angered God, bringing forth this punishment.
...
A few days later—
Incarnation followed the priest to the execution grounds.
More than ten young women were tied to crosses, piles of wood stacked beneath their feet.
Among them, she recognized one face.
The town's physician—Rvy.
A noble's daughter, beautiful and kind.
She had saved countless lives.
Yet now, accused of witchcraft by foolish people, she was to be burned alive.
Incarnation turned her gaze to the priest—Father Pucci—who stood before the crosses, reciting scripture and holding a torch. Violet markings crept faintly across his face as well.
Tied to the cross, Rvy looked upon the torch-bearing priest and the shouting crowd calling for her death. A bitter smile appeared on her face.
She had only wanted to study the disease—to find a cure.
But these people believed she had caused the plague.
Their reasoning? She had treated many of the sick, yet never been infected herself.
Therefore, she must be a witch.
Even Rvy herself didn't understand why she hadn't fallen ill. The plague resembled the Black Death recorded in books—but it was somehow different.
It was as though the Black Death had gained sentience, attacking selectively.
Most victims were men.
It truly seemed like the vengeance of a witch.
But that no longer mattered.
Her fate was sealed.
Rvy closed her eyes and awaited death.
...
"Father Pucci, do you wish to go to Hell?"
The priest holding the torch froze mid-motion at the sound of a familiar voice.
He turned, eyes narrowing at the speaker.
"I am a servant of the Lord," he replied coldly. "When I die, I will ascend to Heaven."
"Sister Incarnation, are you trying to defend witches?"
"You and I both know they are not witches."
Incarnation's tone was calm, resolute. She now bore the divine power bestowed upon her by the angel.
Father Pucci, wary of the beautiful nun before him, frowned.
Why did she dare to say such things aloud? Was she not afraid of being burned alongside them?
He studied her closely—and then noticed something strange.
Too clean.
Her entire body was spotless.
Amidst the filth of the square, her boots and robe were immaculate, untouched by dirt or dust.
"Seize Sister Incarnation—she's a witch!"
At his command, two men stepped forward to grab her.
"This body is under the protection of the angel. You are forbidden to touch me."
Golden light flared as Incarnation expanded a radiant barrier around herself.
The two men were hurled backward, crashing into the crowd and knocking several people down.
"You..."
Father Pucci stared in shock, the torch falling from his trembling hand and rolling into the pile of wood.
The kindling had been soaked with oil—once lit, the flames spread rapidly.
"Rain shall fall, to extinguish the fire of sin."
At her words, the sky suddenly darkened, and a torrential downpour began.
In the rain, Father Pucci stood motionless, staring at the radiant nun protected by divine light.
In all his years as a priest, he had never once seen a true miracle—nor had he ever believed in God's existence.