Chapter 176 Kevin VS Fu Hua! Former Comrades, Now...
Durandal told Kiana that this lab was a thousand meters underground; Kiana had no hope of escaping.
Kiana was shocked that her thoughts were seen through so easily. Was the insight of Schicksal's strongest S-rank Valkyrie really that sharp?
["You don't need to be confused; your thoughts are written on your face. Your body is covered in wounds, and you are constantly suffering from the erosion of the Herrscher Core. Even while unconscious, you were constantly leaking Honkai energy."]
["Regardless of whether you could do it before, at least right now, you cannot control the power within you."]
["Leave this place, and you will become a time bomb."]
["It seems you understand my words. Then you should know what you must do."]
Kiana could only temporarily abandon her thoughts of escape; her physical condition was far worse than she had imagined.
In a subsequent report to Otto, Durandal expressed surprise that even though Kiana had continuously used Herrscher powers, the Honkai energy within her was only growing stronger. Otto revealed a startling fact: the Honkai energy from the bomb detonated over Arc City hadn't dispersed; it had vanished without a trace.
The Herrscher of the Void had absorbed all of it.
["Back to the point. Since she's awake, start the experiment immediately."]
["Start now? Isn't that a bit hasty? she still harbors strong hostility toward Schicksal."]
["I don't believe that after everything that has happened, there is any way to make her trust Schicksal again. On the contrary, in my view, her current state will allow her to manifest the power I wish to see."]
This statement from Otto made Senti, who was playing the game, jump up in rage.
"Hah! This guy certainly has self-awareness! He's done so many heinous things—if not for him, Kiana wouldn't be like this! Now that she's back in his hands, he's definitely looking for new ways to torture her!"
Fu Hua shook her head. "At the very least, Otto won't harm Kiana right now. The answer he seeks requires the power of the Herrscher of the Void. To him, the stronger Kiana becomes, the higher the success rate of his quest..."
Senti clenched her fists, fuming. "It's so annoying! Why does Durandal have to help this tyrant? she and Rita don't seem like bastards like Otto, so why must they follow his every order?"
Fu Hua sighed. "Admittedly, from our perspective, Otto is an irredeemable villain. But the problem is that in the eyes of those Valkyries, he is likely a very diligent and responsible Overseer. After all, under his direction, Schicksal truly has protected many innocent civilians."
Senti clutched her head and shouted in frustration: "Argh! So annoying! I really want to rip the mask off this hypocrite Otto! Show those Valkyries exactly what kind of monster their Overseer is!"
[The energy from the Honkai bomb was all absorbed by Kiana? Doesn't that mean her current state is extremely dangerous?]
[Clearly, Kiana's body can't handle using Herrscher power continuously... After absorbing that much energy, can she really stay safe...]
[Durandal said it too—Kiana is an unstable bomb right now, ready to go off at any moment...]
[Fu Hua isn't responding. Did she really die in the battle against the Herrscher?]
[Don't go! Class Monitor, don't leave!!]
The viewers were worried about Kiana's situation. Fu Hua, who had been helping Kiana all this time, had fallen silent. Thinking back to her last words in Arc City... to suppress the Herrscher personality, she likely gave every ounce of her strength. The best-case scenario was temporary slumber due to exhaustion; the worst was that she had dissipated...
Under the anxious gazes of the audience, the plot advanced.
To complete the experiment, Durandal took Kiana out of the lab and to the surface. The ruins of the city were buried under wind and sand; as far as the eye could see, there were only broken buildings and yellow dust. This was where Schicksal had been conducting its experiments.
Kiana tried to pry useful intel from Durandal, but she got nothing. she looked for a chance to flee, but Durandal saw through her intent and stopped her effortlessly.
["If you want to leave, don't use those methods."]
[Durandal generously undid Kiana's restraints.]
["Defeat me like a warrior, then leave with your head held high."]
Kiana knew she couldn't bypass Durandal. This battle was unavoidable.
["Good talent. You always find ways to counter my moves quickly, but your training is clearly insufficient."]During the fight, Durandal was clearly at ease, even finding the leisure to lecture Kiana on how to fight.
["(Dammit, she's still in the mood to teach me! But she's so strong...! I only realized after clashing that she might be stronger than anyone I've ever met!)"]Though Kiana was unwilling to admit it, she recognized how powerful her opponent was.
["Crush your opponent with offense, wait for the moment they show a flaw, and then deliver the fatal blow."]Durandal's teaching continued.
["I don't need you to teach me!"]With a crack of displaced air, Kiana lunged forward like a projectile, aiming a kick straight at her. Unexpectedly, a dull thud erupted from her waist, interrupting her movement. Durandal easily dodged her strike and returned an identical kick, sending Kiana flying.
Kiana was shocked to find that Durandal also knew the Kaslana Gun Kata! That move just now was unmistakably Kaslana style. Durandal critiqued Kiana's current fighting style, calling it a messy farce of a performance.
["You can't even master basic combat techniques; you are not prepared. You cannot control your power, Herrscher of the Void."]
Durandal's evaluation made the real Kiana in Pardo's stream grumble in dissatisfaction. "What's with this? That lecturing tone is exactly like Big Sister! Did they have to make it this realistic even in a place like this?"
Pardo Felis asked curiously: "I've been meaning to ask, Sister Kiana, how do you usually get along with Sister Bianca?"
"Need you even ask? Why do you think I ran away to Arc City?" Kiana wailed. "Big Sister is always like this. she shows no mercy to anyone, including herself... Have you seen her go to the gym for an entire night every single day after work? she's a literal demon of muscle!"
"You're just lazy; it's not that I'm overly diligent," Bianca glanced at her. "Proper exercise keeps your body healthy and helps with sleep and recovery. You're lazy because you lack necessary exercise. Your physical and mental state is compromised, so naturally, you just want to lie there like a salted fish."
Pardo Felis clapped from the side: "It seems Bianca's standards are indeed strict... but she has a point! For the sake of your health, Sister Kiana, you should exercise when you have time."
Kiana turned her head away with a look of total refusal. Exercise? What for? Isn't staying home eating snacks much better?
Bianca sighed. "Forget it. I don't expect her to have healthy habits now. The fact that she can survive alone at all is the greatest progress she's made."
"Haha..." Pardo Felis didn't know what to say, but inwardly she thought: We really have to pay respects to the legendary 'Tuna-lover' Su Mu, otherwise Sister Kiana might have actually starved to death on the street.
She continued to manipulate the controller, watching the screen.
["..."]
[In the months wandering Arc City, Kiana had experienced countless battles alone.]
[However, this time was different.]
[A primal instinct told Kiana that there was a chasm between her and Durandal.]
[This was not an opponent that could be defeated by 'force' alone. she had to find another way.]
[At that moment, a flash of inspiration hit her—Fu Hua's teachings—]
["The so-called Sword Heart—think of it as a way to put your body into a competitive state... Before a match, clear your thoughts and relax your body..."]
["Sense every change within your form..."]
["Until, besides the power flowing within you..."]
["You know nothing, you feel nothing."]
Recalling Fu Hua's words, Kiana gradually emptied her mind.
["Sever delusions, constrain the breath. Know nothing, feel nothing..."]
As a feather fell onto a water surface, Kiana opened her eyes. Both eyes had turned gold, like burning flames. Void Lances manifested around her, surrounding her body like a sword formation.
Seeing the change in Kiana, Durandal was stunned for a moment, then recognized it. This was Taixu Blade Ki.
Senti's eyes widened at the sight. "Holy crap! Old Timer, this Taixu Blade Ki is that powerful? It can actually help Kiana control the Herrscher power? Is Kiana becoming an immortal cultivator now?"
Fu Hua spoke: "Though it's called Blade Ki, at its core, it's a method of controlling Honkai energy. It's easy to see that in this Honkai world, many mystical phenomena are tied to Honkai energy. Like the myths of Chiyou in Shenzhou being a Judgment-class Honkai beast..."
"Everything is Honkai energy, huh? Is there anything it can't do? Like your spirit being bound to Kiana... isn't that like the 'Old Man in the Ring' from those novels? Haha, Old Timer should be called the 'Old Lady in the Ring'!"
Fu Hua rolled her eyes at Senti's teasing. This kid's skin is getting itchy again. she really needs a lesson!
In the game, after Kiana adjusted her state, Durandal did not continue the fight. her goal had been achieved; a Kiana with awakened power met the requirements for the experiment. Quantum Shadows began pouring from rifts in the sky, surrounding Kiana. Durandal had already left, leaving Kiana to face them alone. While these monsters weren't a major threat to her, their numbers were overwhelming, pouring out of the void incessantly!
In her desperation, Kiana used her spatial power to launch a Void Lance. The rift that had been open was shattered like a mirror by the lance, and then it vanished. After finishing the task, Kiana and Durandal were silent on the way back to the underground base. The slightly softened atmosphere had returned to freezing point.
["Big liar. You said you'd let me go if I won."]
["You only dealt with the shadows; our duel had no conclusion."]
["I just showed my real skill and you stopped fighting. How can you be like that? So sneaky."]
["The skill you speak of is Taixu Blade Ki.... I remember it being Fu Hua's unique technique. When and where did you learn such an art from her?"]
["...I don't want to answer that."]
After a moment of silence. Looking at the Durandal beside her, Kiana finally couldn't hold back the question she had been wanting to ask.
["Why? When I was still at St. Freya, I heard many stories about you. Everyone treated you like a hero."]
["The strongest S-rank Valkyrie of Schicksal—that title was my dream, my goal."]
["But you choose to stand with Otto."]
["Do you know the truth of all this? Do you know the experiments I endured? Do you know what that man has done?"]
["Why... you are so strong, you aren't a bad person..."]
["Why do you help Schicksal?"]
Facing Kiana's accusation, Durandal replied calmly.
["If not for Schicksal, who would protect the billions on this planet from the Honkai? You were once a Valkyrie; you should know this well."]
["There is no absolute good or evil in this world, only missions."]
["And I, I only fight for my mission."]
Durandal's words left Kiana speechless; she had no rebuttal. Their dialogue left the viewers feeling a sense of helplessness.
[Kiana has every reason to hate Otto. He ruined her life and turned her into this! her hatred is logical. But seeing the hero she once admired choose to stand with him... it's no wonder she's in so much pain.]
[But Durandal isn't necessarily on Otto's side, is she? she stands with Schicksal, the organization that protects humanity.]
[Otto is a bastard, but his Valkyries truly do give everything to protect people.]
[At least until Kallen is resurrected, Otto won't let the world be destroyed by the Honkai. Even if protecting humanity is just a byproduct, and even though he's killed many, the number of people who have survived because of him is not small either...]
Senti shouted irritably: "So annoying! Would the world really end without Otto? Even without him, someone else would surely stand up, right? Doesn't the saying go: 'The times make the hero'? Even without Otto, maybe there would have been a 'Lotto' or a 'Motto'!"
Her comment sparked a massive debate in the chat. Some felt the world would be better without Otto, while others argued that despite being a total bastard, he was a vital existence for the world—without him, things might be even more tragic.
[During the Black Death in Europe, Otto truly saved tens of thousands. Without him, the death toll would have been far higher.]
[But he's killed plenty of people too! Surely the world wouldn't just explode without Otto?]
[Maybe it actually would... remember, the lore of Honkai 3rd is supernatural. It's a different concept. In such a world, one person's existence can truly shift history. Simple example: if Kevin were strong enough to solo Finality, would the Previous Era have been destroyed?]
[Wow, it's so frustrating. Otto is so hateable, yet he's that important?]
The debate over whether the world would "explode" without Otto continued, with everyone holding their own views. Such a split was inevitable. Even if you asked Su Mu, he couldn't play the judge. A thousand readers, a thousand Hamlets. If everyone thought exactly the same way, humanity wouldn't be humanity.
Amidst the arguing, a sudden turn occurred in the game. Mechs dropped from the ceiling, crashing through. Piercing alarms and explosions rang through the base—World Serpent was invading!
While Durandal was busy fighting the mechs, Kiana fled the base and reached the surface. Observing from the shadows, she found the enemy numbers overwhelming. This was Schicksal territory, yet World Serpent was invading with impunity. But for Kiana, this was excellent news. Bypassing the mechs wasn't difficult for her.
Kiana rose to leave, but a figure in the distance caught her eye.
["Mhm? Who is that?"]At that moment, as if sensing her gaze, the man looked up. The focus across a kilometer allowed her to see his face clearly. ["...Kevin Kaslana?"]
At the same time. At Schicksal HQ, Otto confirmed the experimental data, verifying that the Herrscher of the Void's power could interfere with Imaginary Space. his goal accomplished, he received Durandal's report about the attack. Otto simply told her to protect the Second Divine Key; it didn't matter if Kiana escaped. Regardless, she couldn't vanish; as long as she lived, she couldn't fully evade Schicksal's eyes.
Seeing Kevin personally arrive at the North Africa base left the viewers wide-eyed.
[Wait? Kevin is going to fight Schicksal?]
[Whoa, Durandal vs. Kevin? I really want to know who is stronger: Schicksal's strongest S-rank or the Previous Era's strongest MANTIS!]
[But Kevin might not be here for a full war. Schicksal is the public organization protecting humanity and the primary force against the Honkai. To defeat the Honkai, Kevin wouldn't destroy Schicksal.]
While everyone wanted to see Kevin and Otto fight—preferably with a shot of An-Utu to Otto's face—they knew the possibility was slim. No matter how much they hated him, they had to admit Otto was talented. And such talent was exactly what Kevin needed to fight the Honkai.
In the game: World Serpent mechs under Jackal's control searched for their prey. The vanguard had already breached the base and engaged Durandal. The Herrscher of the Void hadn't been found yet, and the search was intensifying. Kevin ordered Jackal to pin down Durandal while he handled the Herrscher himself.
Although Kiana tried to hide, Kevin found her just as she was about to leave the ruins. Facing the Kevin who suddenly appeared before her, Kiana was paralyzed; she couldn't even shiver. The man's deep gaze seemed to awaken the fear carved into the deepest part of the human genome—the look of a predator watching prey.
["Are you here... to kill me?"]The man didn't answer. Kiana only felt a surge of searing flames toward her chest. The flaming greatsword pointed straight at her heart without hesitation—then pierced her chest.
At that critical moment, a feather fell. Fu Hua's silhouette appeared before Kiana, shielding her.
["Hua, long time no see?"]
["Kevin, stop."]
Under Fu Hua's intervention, Kevin made no further moves. He gazed at the Hua before him. Her silhouette differed from his memories; time had changed many things. But the greatest change was that a former comrade now stood on the opposite side.
The audience, who had feared for Kiana, felt their nerves relax the moment Fu Hua appeared.
"Holy crap! Old Timer! You are the GOAT of saving the day!!" Senti jumped for joy. How many times had Fu Hua saved the day now? Throughout Kiana's journey, Fu Hua's role in her growth was vital! Without her, Kiana would have lost her consciousness to the Herrscher and fallen into the abyss long ago.
[Fu Hua, my hero!!]
[Oh my god! Fu Hua!]
[This is the definition of the King of Rescues. The value of this support is through the roof!]
[Every time Fu Hua shows up, I feel a mysterious sense of security... Seeing Kiana shielded behind her, I get it now! she's the 'Mother Hen'!]
[LMAO, Mother Hen Fu Hua protecting the chick Kiana? Does that make Kevin the mean eagle?]
[Not Mother Jingwei? Not Mother Jingwei?]
Amidst the jokes, the in-game Fu Hua's expression was exceptionally grave. she was Kevin's former comrade; she knew better than anyone the terrifying power the man possessed. It was not something Kiana or her current self could rival. There was only one path left for Kiana.
["Kiana, run. Don't look back."]
["What?"]
["I wanted to walk a bit further with you, but it's time to say goodbye."]
["Class Monitor? No...."]
["Remember our promise in Arc City? You gave your word. I will buy you time. Now, leave this place."]
["...."]
["If you die here, your promise to change the world becomes a hollow lie. Do what you must; that is your responsibility."]
["Class Monitor, I understand... I'm sorry."]
[The girl lowered her eyes and turned to run, as if she couldn't bear one last look. she ran faster and faster.]
[Her silhouette faded into the dust until she was swallowed completely.]
["Goodbye, Kiana."]
Fu Hua's words sent a shock through the stream. They understood—Fu Hua intended to sacrifice herself to hold back Kevin and buy Kiana time to escape!! If Himeko sacrificed herself as the flame to light the path to tomorrow, then Fu Hua was doing the same. Her companionship in Arc City had bound her fate to Kiana's. They had become both teacher and friend... But she could no longer continue. It was a somber moment for the viewers.
["Hua, you've changed."]Kevin's eyes looked slightly sad. Long years had changed much, for both him and her. ["Perhaps I have."]
["Fenghuang Down... you know it cannot interfere with my senses."]
Within the environment created by the Divine Key, amidst the mirror-like water and sky, Kevin and Fu Hua faced each other. Their reflections below were their Previous Era selves. Fu Hua stepped forward, standing firm as a mountain. she slowly reached out her hand, palm up. For an instant, a flash of nostalgia appeared in the man's eyes. This was the silhouette that had stood by his side countless times fifty thousand years ago.
"I am not interfering with your senses. I am showing you everything I have experienced... and my state of mind."
In that moment, countless phantoms appeared behind Fu Hua—silhouettes of herself across different eras. Merging those pasts and memories into one, she thrust her palm forward.
The final strike... this was all she could show.
While Fu Hua and Kevin fought, Kiana kept running. she hated her weakness and her helplessness against Kevin. If not for Fu Hua, she might have... she was just a weakling fleeing. Even if she could tear apart mechs at will, it was just meaningless venting.
The reckless action finally allowed Kiana to regain her calm. But as her heart steadied, more confusion and difficulty flooded in like a tide. she looked into the distance, dust obscuring the sky. she had no choice; if she didn't keep moving, she would be buried by the sand.
END OF CHAPTER
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