Alice in the Land of Steam

Chapter 1461 Is this exactly what I wanted?
The Satanic Church, a branch of animism, has gradually strayed into evil due to its extreme ideology. It is said that even members of other evil god cults like the Dawn of Calamity or the Order of Death find their methods unacceptable. The most infamous of these is the secret technique of creating sacred artifacts through human blood sacrifice combined with the extraordinary abilities of the "Creator" pathway. However, these artifacts cannot be controlled by ordinary means. Only by subjecting a pure young girl to 128 forms of blasphemy, allowing her soul to remain uncorrupted, and then killing her and fusing her soul with the artifact, can it be used. But the one who controls it must be that girl's blood sister, the so-called… Black Witch.

The success rate of creating artifacts in this way is extremely low, but they often have bizarre and difficult-to-deal-with effects. For example, the artifact [The Item in the Box] controlled by Katerina can banish the target to the gap between reality and illusion, and replicate it among all life forms in the Mirror Star world according to the target's strength level, creating an illusion that is always stronger than the target. If this illusion cannot be defeated, the target will be sealed in this alternate dimension and trapped in an eternal and desperate struggle.

Admittedly, there are indeed many ways for the weak to overcome the strong in this world, so the imprisoning ability of the object in the box is not foolproof. However, those who successfully escaped from other dimensions in history took at least three days and three nights. The example of Hino, who was imprisoned for less than a second and then violently destroyed the other dimension, even impacting the relic itself, is extremely rare. Moreover, she didn't encounter any illusions created by the object in the box within the other dimension. Not only Leonhart, but even the Black Witch Katerina had never heard of such a situation. The only two plausible explanations she could think of were: first, Hino's strength was indeed, as Perec said, the strongest person on this planet; therefore, the object in the box couldn't find a life form stronger than her, and thus couldn't replicate her.

The second possibility is that... there exists a life form even more powerful than Xino, but its status is too high, perhaps even surpassing a true god. The object in the box cannot even make contact with it, let alone copy it.

But no matter which possibility it is, it makes one feel so... powerless.

The young knight, having broken free of her cage, had no time to concern herself with the thoughts of these imperial demigods. The instant she landed, she turned her head to look in the direction Perec had fled, only to find that her speed was astonishing. In that brief second, she had already flown several kilometers away, becoming a blurry black dot on the salt and sand horizon. This was definitely not the level she had displayed earlier. Hino narrowed her eyes slightly, her gaze precisely capturing a region shrouded in vast clouds above the boundless clear sky of the Intersea. Within the clouds, a massive, humanoid figure could be vaguely seen, following in the footsteps of the witch on the ground, heading towards the destined battlefield.

Without a doubt, that was the construct piloted by Pereike. Although there was currently no information about this machine, and its size was far smaller than the Earth Witch Scarlet Nightgate, the Astral Apostle Alien Philosopher, and the Turbine Mothership Nidhogg, for some reason, when gazing at the huge shadow moving through the clouds, Hino felt a slight sense of oppression. She had never experienced this feeling, not even when she was fighting the Alien Philosopher alone in the boundless universe.

We must not let it break through this battlefield!
Hino's gaze pierced like an arrow towards the fading shadow on the horizon, the deathly stillness of the salt sea contrasting sharply with the oppressive aura emanating from the five demigods behind her. She spurred her horse, and Brandy transformed into a streak of light, galloping forward—

However, the fluctuations in space were distorted once again.

The stag-headed spirit, Kapels, silently raised its withered, branch-like forehooves. A thick, almost tangible black mist suddenly rose from the salt flats, churning with biting cold and ethereal murmurs. Wherever the mist reached, even light seemed frozen and swallowed. The moment Hino plunged into the mist, her sense of time and direction were simultaneously disrupted. Brandy's hoofbeats echoed in the mist as countless overlapping, ethereal sounds, as if hundreds of warhorses were galloping in all directions.

"Mohoro, stop her!" Leonhart's deep voice pierced the fog. The Thunder Giant roared, raising his arms high. The sky suddenly darkened, and countless lightning bolts emerged from the clouds, weaving into a gigantic net of lightning covering several kilometers, crashing down upon the foggy area. The lightning collided with the icy fog, unleashing a destructive energy interwoven with icy blue and blazing white, yet none of them struck Hino directly. Instead, they were used to block her path, forcing her into a confined space, making escape impossible.

Hino pulled on the reins, and Brandy reared up, the Holy Lance White Thorn humming low in her hand. For the first time, a clear anger flashed in the eyes of the young knight from the Gostaff family. To be honest, she'd had enough. Whenever she wanted to do something single-handedly, to change the world like her great ancestors, countless people would jump in her way. It was like that against Carabosse, and it was like that now as she tried to catch up with Perec. She understood that there was never any fairness in battle, and it was impossible to expect a one-on-one knightly duel in a war that determined the lives of tens of millions. Doing one's best to fight for hope was the mindset of a true warrior.

Even so, even so.

She still felt anger, an anger that didn't arise out of thin air; it had been brewing for many years. When her father and mother left her one after another, a flame of anger ignited in the girl's heart; when her relatives and friends suffered calamities because of her curse, self-blame and guilt made it burn even more fiercely; in battle after battle, in defeat after defeat that could not undo anything, the knight of the Gostaff family was as angry as her hair or eye color. Whether in peacetime or in battle, one of the two was always bright red, which was her inexhaustible burning rage.

In everyone's mind, this girl's temperament was gentle beyond what one would expect of a spirited young person, but in reality, she was simply more adept at self-control. Only Brandy, who had grown up with her, knew her true nature; otherwise, she wouldn't always charge headlong into battle, always employing the most dangerous tactics. A warhorse always follows its master, no matter where it goes.

Now that things have come to this, Xinuo finds herself unable to hold back any longer.

Battle, slaughter, crushing, defeating, and destroying all those who dare to stand in her way… this desire is insatiable, like a flame that, once lit, will not go out until the fuel is exhausted. Since ancient times, power associated with strife has always been violent and uncontrollable, filled with fear, conflict, death, and even victory. So how could Shino, as the victorious ruler, be a person detached from worldly affairs? Perhaps a violent side still exists within her nature.

However, another voice in her heart was calling for her rationality, urging her to calm down and not ruin the overall situation for a moment of impulse. She had to catch up with the Plague Witch Perec as soon as possible to ensure the safety of the Feather Mine and hold out until Commander Kylo's army returned to defend it.

So, don't be impulsive, Xinuo...

Thinking of my grandfather's teachings, and the ancestral precepts of the Gostaff family...

Take a deep breath, calm down, and think about the best course of action...

No matter what, we must...

"Sino!"

Am I hallucinating? Why has that voice in my head become so clear, and so familiar, it's almost like...

"Shinho, it's me, Ovira. Can you hear me?" The sudden message startled the young knight. She instinctively looked around, but apart from the frozen fog and the thunder in the sky, she couldn't see the person. So where did the voice come from?
"Don't doubt it, Hino, I'm speaking to you now through the power of the Nibelungen. To make a long story short, are you intercepting Perec and the Axis forces on the edge of the Intersea?" Ovira's voice sounded somewhat hurried; perhaps using the power of the Nibelungen was a huge drain on her, which was why she needed to hurry.

Upon hearing the name of the Plague Witch, Xinuo took a deep breath and finally took the opportunity to calm down: "That's right, she has already left the Intersea and broken through towards the Feather Mine, but it doesn't matter, I will catch up with her soon..." "No, it's not necessary." Ovira on the other side seemed to breathe a sigh of relief: "Don't worry about her, Xinuo, just hold off the Axis army and those Imperial demigods in the Intersea."

How did she know that the Empire's demigods were also involved in this operation? Upon hearing this, Hino frowned, but didn't delve into it, simply saying softly, "I understand what you mean, Ovira, but I don't think this is a good idea. Perec and that unknown construct are, after all, a much greater threat..."

“No, you still don’t understand what I mean, Hino.” Ovira interrupted her: “It’s not a question of who poses a greater threat, but a simple matter of trade-offs—the Feather Mine can withstand the threat of Perec and the construct mechs, but it can’t withstand a fully armed army.”

Hino didn't quite understand what she meant: "Are you sure the Feather Mine can stop Pereike and her construct mechs?"

If they can't stop it, then Auvila's hypothesis will be nothing but a pipe dream, pure nonsense. But for now, Hino can't think of any way for the Feather Mine to deal with Perec.

“It’s definitely possible.” Ovira’s tone was full of confidence: “Miss Cheryl has promised me that she will do everything she can to hold off Perec and that construct mech. Once I return with the Nibelungen to reinforce them, and combine the power of the Sky Battleship Nibelungen with the fairy sword Sidras, we will be able to recreate the legendary Holy Grail. No matter how strong Perec and her construct mech are, they will never be a match for me.”

"Your opponent?"

“Uh, I mean, Miss Cheryl’s opponent.” Ovira brushed aside this minor detail and then said in a very sincere tone, “This is currently the only way to break the deadlock. If we don’t stop the Axis forces in the Interstellar Sea, and take advantage of the fact that the Imperial demigods are not in their main forces, we can wipe out the Lionheart Legion and the Dragon Fang Legion in one fell swoop. Even if you can stop Perec and her construct mechs, the Feather Mine will face a two-pronged attack at the same time. To be honest, the chances of victory are extremely slim. So, Hino, believe me, when have I ever lied to you?”

Hino paused for a moment, then suddenly asked, "It sounds like you've already convinced Lord Carol?"

"Yes, Alice also supports my plan."

"so be it."

"Eh?"

“I will do as you say, Ovira.”

"I...I understand, thank you, Xino!" Ovira's voice sounded relieved, as persuading Xino seemed to be the most difficult part of her plan. Was she really that stubborn in other people's eyes? The young knight couldn't help but chuckle to herself. To be honest, if the power of the Nibelungen combined with the Fairy Sword could truly contend against Perec and her construct mechs, then Ovira's suggestion was indeed the most likely way to win at the moment. Besides, for her right now, it was...just what she wanted, wasn't it?

After thanking her, Ovira fell silent, seemingly cutting off the communication. Their conversation, though seemingly lengthy, was in reality only a fleeting moment to others. The power of the Nibelungen was truly astonishing, capable of achieving telepathic communication regardless of distance. However, why was Ovira controlling it? In Hino's original plan, it would have been more appropriate for Ling to control it.

Forget about these distant issues for now.

Let's deal with this burning anger in my heart first.

The young knight ignored the surrounding mist and the lightning striking from the sky; to her, these were tricks she had long since grown tired of, utterly insignificant. She slowly turned her head, her murderous gaze fixing on Leonhardt, the imperial demigod who was issuing commands. That brief eye contact made him almost think he was being watched by a monster. He instinctively took a half-step back, then realized that he represented the authority of the empire and shouldn't show such weakness. Gritting his teeth, he slowly drew his heavy greatsword from behind him and shouted sharply, "No matter how powerful she is, she is ultimately just one person. This is the time for us to serve His Majesty!"

"Loyalty?"

Hino sneered, her laughter filled with mockery—an emotion rarely seen in her. The knights of the Gostaff family were trained in strict etiquette, remaining humble and courteous even towards enemies, never arrogant.

Of course, there are exceptions from time to time.

That is, when the young female knight suddenly realizes that no matter how mature and composed she is, deep down she is still a young person.

Give me some cats