Honkai Impact 3rd: The Girl Who Chases the Flame

"that……"

Blanca, standing nearby, hesitated, as if she wanted to say something but then stopped herself.

"Hmm? Feel free to ask if you have any questions."

Vilvi looked at her and casually took a lollipop from the "Anti-Kevin Armament" that had finally returned to her hand.

“My expertise is in a similar field, and this data… is like a precursor to a mega-earthquake.”

Blanca said with a very unpleasant expression.

"A mega-earthquake? Hahaha, you're joking, Blanca."

Vilvi laughed, as if she had heard something amusing.

"It seems that being a housewife these past few years has made you quite lax. At least you wouldn't have made such an 'optimistic' prediction before you got married."

"Optimistic...? Is it more than that..."

Blanca shivered violently.

"This is not a sign."

Vervi said seriously,

"But... that's true. To give an example, it's like the magical energy that a magical girl usually exudes around her—a tiny aura that she herself can't even perceive. Hmm, do you know what a magical girl is?"

"Yes, I will go with Gretchen to watch it..."

Blanca answered instinctively.

"No, that's not the point! You mean, it's just that the unconscious leakage of power caused geographical changes within the city?"

"Yes."

Vervi nodded and said,

"Speaking of magical girls, I went to see one with Meltina, and it was really fun."

"Nobody wants to know that kind of information, and besides, Melutina wasn't even in university when you were studying here."

Blanca complained.

"Doctor, let's get back to the topic. This isn't something we can just laugh off."

"That foul-mouthed junior went to high school in Metis City. Back then, I mocked her for being in elementary school and even challenged her to math contests."

Vivi, with a lollipop in her mouth, said...

"However, this is not a topic that can be laughed off. Let's just tell Mei to take her men and leave quickly."

"If you know that, then don't joke around. Besides, your behavior is more like that of a primary school student."

Blanca sighed, rubbing her forehead.

"I asked this question seriously, so please answer truthfully."

"Go ahead and ask."

Vervi nodded.

"Do you think we need to notify Dr. Mei to temporarily withdraw from Mu Continent with the core technical personnel?"

"I'll answer you the truth: if you don't leave, you might die."

"Vilvie said without even thinking," she replied.

"Dr. Mei and the others? Indeed, such powerful Herrschers might directly attack the Flame Chaser..."

Blanca shuddered, nodded, and took out his communicator.

No, you misunderstood me.

However, Velvi shook her head.

Is there some change in the situation?

Blanca stopped pressing the communicator and looked at Vervies with hope in her eyes.

"...I'm not talking about Mei and the others."

Vivi took the lollipop out of her mouth. Although it looked like a snack, it actually contained a sedative.

“I’m referring to all the inhabitants of the Mu continent.”

"...What did you say?!"

Blanca's voice instantly rose an octave.

"Dr. Velvi, this is no joke!"

"..."

However, Virvi didn't answer her immediately. She just stared at the data in front of her in silence for a long time before finally speaking.

"Blanca, go back. Take Gretchen with you and leave the Mu Continent."

"........."

"I can't be wrong. This omen is comparable to only one other instance in the history of the Honkai."

Velvi raised her head, her expression complex.

"Okay, I admit I shouldn't be joking, but even I can't stay calm when I see these familiar numbers."

Years ago, I saw something similar, but at the time I didn't realize what it was. In the end, my hometown was reduced to ashes in a fire.

This is the second time I've seen this data. I'm not kidding, Blanca, you're a mother, and you're leaving here with Greta."

"That one and only time..."

Blanca swallowed hard and said, her voice trembling.

"It's the seventh Honkai, isn't it?"

"……Correct."

Vervi nodded heavily, and then she said,

Give me the communicator.

"..."

Blanca silently handed the communicator to Vervière.

Vilvi silently typed a few numbers on it; this was not just a communication, but also represented the highest level of warning.

“…Vilvie, you speak, I’m listening.”

The communicator was connected in one second.

In that split second, Mei on the other end of the communicator probably already sensed the answer.

“Mei, if we fail to stop this Herrscher, the Mu Continent will disappear.”

Vilvi said without any concealment,

"Let Su and the others escort you on your retreat."

"...What are the chances of stopping her?"

Mei was silent for a moment, seemingly thinking, before she asked.

"Hypothesis".

Vilvi forced herself to think.

"Assuming Alicia has now identified her target, the probability of killing and stopping her before she awakens is... extremely low."

"Extremely low?"

Mei muttered something under her breath.

"Killing her before the Herrscher fully awakens, if not handled properly, will only cause her power to become uncontrollable and eventually sweep across the entire Mu Continent."

If we allow her awakening, the final outcome probably won't change much. The only possibility is to first control her, and then, ensuring it doesn't affect the Mu Continent, completely eliminate her.

Velvi bit her finger.

“But Mei, you should understand just how difficult this is. In fact, regardless of victory or defeat, Mu Continent will be in an extremely dangerous situation. Let’s retreat while there’s still time.”

"...cannot be made public."

Mei seemed to be thinking about something; she seemed to have made up her mind.

"While it's the right thing to do, have you really made up your mind?"

Vilvi understood, and she asked in return.

"...I really want to cry."

"If possible, I also think you would feel more comfortable doing it that way."

Vilvi took a deep breath, and her expression suddenly changed subtly; the confusion in her eyes disappeared.

"As the frontline scientific expert of the Fire-Chasing Moth, I propose a plan. Mei, abandon the residents of Mu Continent and take the key members of the Fire-Chasing Moth and escape."

...............

Scholar: "Should we still have her take the lead?"

Expert: "A conductor wouldn't make that kind of decision."

The Great Magician: "..."

Conductor: "In any case, these words still came from Vervière."

The Great Magician: "To abandon all conscience?"

Conductor: "I admit, this was a difficult choice."

The Great Magician: "No, that's an utterly despicable choice. And Velvey is that despicable one."

...............

Themis City

Mei put down the communicator, pressed her hands to her forehead, her voice weary yet resolute: