One-way traffic

"I will do everything in my power to take Kiana back from there, and no one can stop me!"

Is that so? Accelerator didn't say anything more.

After exchanging a glance with Hatsune Miku behind her, he turned around.

"…but."

Nevertheless, the girl still said the same thing to him.

"And I'm also really grateful to you for saving Wendy and Bronya..."

"...That's just unnecessary."

Accelerator slowly walked away from there.

"That's why I said it from the beginning."

“You little brats are not suited to be heroes.”

The white figure disappeared at the end of the corridor.

Theresa, who stayed where she was, quickly adjusted her state of mind.

"Let's get ready to go."

Now that Bronya has been healed, there's no need to elaborate on the rest.

"Prepare for a formal attack."

"Target... Schicksal Headquarters!"

——————————————————————————————————————————

An area that resembles a floating island.

The island is enormous, stretching for tens of kilometers.

It probably relies on some kind of special propulsion device as its power source... Even when floating in the air, it will not fall or sway at all.

"Bishop Otto."

Inside the laboratory-like building, several staff members stood.

"The progress rate has reached 84%."

"not enough."

He responded with this casual remark.

Otto Apocalypse is a man who serves as the bishop of Schicksal headquarters.

Right in front of him, a huge culture tank was filled with a purplish-red liquid.

And among them, there was only a lone girl.

A sleeping girl with long white hair.

"Based on the current efficiency of Honkai energy, it will probably take another hour and fifteen minutes for the Conqueror Gem within her body to fully awaken."

"This dosage is simply not enough to wake up Sleeping Beauty."

Otto waved.

"What I need is a fully awakened Herrscher, not someone who is only half-baked."

"So you should understand what I'm talking about, right?"

"As ordered."

Several researchers immediately sprang into action.

click-

With a sound like a gate being pulled, something was injected directly into the culture tank in front of us.

The purplish-red liquid was turning into a deeper color at a speed visible to the naked eye.

“…Ugh.”

"The reaction has taken effect, and the fusion progress rate has reached 87%."

"Keep going like this, gradually increasing my supply of Honkai energy, so that the queen from fourteen years ago can return to this world."

Fourteen years ago, that was the time when the Second Honkai Impact occurred.

Everyone here knows perfectly well what Otto is trying to do.

He couldn't help but slightly raise the corners of his mouth.

"Bishop Otto."

Then, another figure appeared behind him.

A chestnut-haired girl dressed in a maid outfit.

"As you predicted, the Honkai consciousness that briefly awakened within K423 has already connected with the Judgment-class Honkai Beast located in the Second Honkai Remnant in Siberia."

"How is the protective netting being set up?"

"The headquarters of Schicksal is now completely covered by a protective net of high-concentration Honkai energy, so you don't need to worry about anyone intruding."

"Humph."

But Otto still just smiled dismissively.

"You know what, Rita? For us, this is just a thin film that can temporarily protect us; it's not a real lifeline."

Are you referring to Theresa of the Far East branch?

The maid, who was called Rita, then laughed.

"According to the detection, Theresa is also rapidly approaching the headquarters of Schicksal. Although she is not using the usual Hyperion, the S-class Valkyrie from the Far East branch is still on that warship."

"If they rely on the power of that S-rank Valkyrie, they might be able to break through our protective shield... At that time, they will most likely meet the Judgment-class Honkai Beasts that came from Siberia directly."

"By then, you won't need to worry about anything. The Judgment-level Honkai Beast is still beyond the capabilities of those Valkyries. And while that S-rank Valkyrie is holding off the Honkai Beast, the Sleeping Beauty you've been waiting for is expected to wake up soon."

Rita had already planned all of this out.

Since the Far East Branch's goal is to retrieve Kiana, Theresa and her group will undoubtedly head to Schicksal headquarters.

In the brief preceding period, Kiana's Honkai personality also awakened, thereby activating a Judgment-class Honkai Beast located in the Siberian region—the Second Honkai Remnant Zone.

At that time, this Honkai Beast will inevitably clash with the Far East Branch's warships.

"There is also intelligence indicating that the conservatives on Anti-Entropy's side seem to have joined forces with Theresa and the others."

"Oh, what should we do then?"

"You don't need to worry about that at all."

Rita wore a perfect smile.

"At that time, I will personally take action and defeat all those enemies."

When Rita said this, her tone was so calm, as if she were discussing an incredibly simple everyday problem.

Otto, of course, understood why she could say such things so easily.

"As expected of you, Rita."

Otto clapped his hands and praised without reservation.

"As expected of Rita Losweiser, one of only four S-rank Valkyries, her words are truly awe-inspiring."

“I am completely unworthy of such praise, Bishop Otto.”

Rita couldn't help but let a faint smile appear on her face.

then.

"But do you know there's actually one more thing?"

Otto looked at her.

He couldn't help but squint his eyes slightly.

"—Do you really think that our enemies are only this bad?"

Subsequently.

A tremendous sound came directly from outside the headquarters of Destiny.

"Warning! The protective shield surrounding the Schicksal headquarters has been subjected to a highly impactful attack!"

"The shield's remaining energy is 99%...0%! The shield has been completely destroyed!"

"All units are requested to prepare for immediate evacuation. An unidentified target has infiltrated the interior from the outer perimeter of the Heavenly Mandate area—!!"

——Huh?

Even Rita, who usually doesn't easily change her expression no matter what happens, couldn't help but be slightly taken aback.

Followed by.

The outer wall of the laboratory collapsed instantly.

——————————————————————————————————————————

boom! ! !

The shock spread directly from the outer wall, and then—

The entire colossal, continent-like headquarters of Destiny was instantly shaken by an earthquake-like shock.

"--What?"

Rita couldn't help but gasp in surprise.

When they came to their senses, the outer wall of the laboratory had already collapsed.

Countless pebbles rained down on the people around them.

"Lord Otto! Watch out!"

A rose-like scythe instantly appeared in Rita's hand.

The girl's body shot out like a cannonball, and then...

Countless flashes of sword light erupted.

Those rubble walls that should have caused significant damage to the surrounding area, even destroying the experimental equipment, were all easily cut down by her scythe.

Rita landed back on the ground.

The researchers were surrounded by panicked voices, and…

Applause.

"Hahaha! That was absolutely amazing!"

That was Otto's voice.

Despite the extent of the damage to the laboratory, he could still laugh out loud—no—

The expression on his face was one that he had expected long ago.

"I knew you'd come here. After all, this stage was prepared especially for you, wasn't it?"

"Lord Otto...?"

Rita, standing beside him, looked ahead.

Inside the smoke and dust kicked up after the wall collapsed.

—Something is slowly walking towards us.

"Didn't I tell you already, Rita? This battle isn't as simple as we think."

“Your idea and plan are indeed perfect. Theresa will indeed be blocked by the Second Herrscher’s familiars. Even Anti-Entropy’s mechs are not much of a threat to us.”

"Your entire plan is flawless."

"Unfortunately, you have no idea about the existence of another person outside the plan."

When Otto finished speaking, he finally emerged from the smoke and dust.

She is neither a Valkyrie nor a Herrscher.