"...Can you make it, the God-Slaying Gun?"
"I think it's time for it to be put to use."
"I'll go deal with the enemies. Dr. Tesla, I'm leaving this medicine to you."
These three sentences lingered in Kiana's ears, refusing to dissipate for a long time.
She hadn't felt much watching the background earlier, but when this scene truly descended and happened, Kiana was deeply shaken!
She knew Teacher Jizi was the kind of person who appeared cold on the surface but was actually fiery inside.
But she never thought Himeko could be so decisive, without even a shred of hesitation.
She gave up her life, gave up her way out, and the rose-colored youth she had talked about.
Even more, she gave up everything she had!
Sending the only light in her palm to someone else, willing to fall into eternal darkness herself.
Compared to Herrschers like them, Aunt Himeko was just a normal person; her original wish was simply to have a satisfying date.
Why must it be so cruel?
Not giving her even a sliver of hope, and even making her be the one to sever that hope herself.
"Teacher Jizi..."
Kiana sobbed, her eyes feeling warm and heavy, filled with hot tears. Any emotional fluctuation would cause the scalding liquid in her eyes to fall.
At this moment, she remembered Himeko's teachings: a Valkyrie must not shed tears easily and must show her strongest side.
So, Kiana tried to curl the corners of her mouth, wanting to smile, but her dry throat wouldn't allow it.
In the end, she managed a smile, her lips twitching slightly as two lines of hot tears slid down from her chin.
Drip, drip—
In the empty space outside, the sound of tears falling was exceptionally loud.
"Ms. Himeko is truly worthy of being the only surviving Valkyrie of the Assault Squad. She possesses humility, honor, sacrifice, valor, compassion, honesty, justice, and spirituality—every praiseworthy Valkyrie spirit. I see a true warrior."
To the side, Rita couldn't help but offer heartfelt praise. Faced with death and new life, those willing to sacrifice themselves were likely unique in this world.
"Even though Aunt Himeko usually seems unreliable, gets drunk every day, and gives students corporal punishment... she is a good teacher." Mei also nodded in agreement.
Before they could finish, Tesla, biting her lip, spoke up fuming: "Wait, wait, wait, hold on a second!"
"In that scene just now, I was clearly the one tied up! Don't act like you didn't see it, hey!"
"Maid, black handkerchief... it was clearly you, you stinky maid! Dammit!"
After speaking, she glared with wide eyes at the maid who was giggling behind her hand.
"Ara~ These are all things that haven't happened yet. As the brain of Anti-Entropy and the greatest doctor in human history, surely Ms. Tesla wouldn't blame an innocent and weak maid?" Rita coaxed easily.
"It hasn't happened, but—even if you say that..."
Tesla originally wanted to retort, but the flurry of praise from Rita afterwards made her bloom with joy, and she let go of her dissatisfaction.
"It's starting, let's watch first," Fu Hua reminded. "At least Himeko has passed this mental hurdle. Speaking of which, the goal is to inject the serum into the Herrscher of the Void. If she hadn't handed over the serum and used it herself, the mission would probably have failed."
"Next will be the true difficulty."
"How to inject the serum into the Herrscher of the Void... that is an almost impossible task."
..."—Authentication complete."
"Category: Level Zero Authority. Group: Konfident."
"Request approved. Lockdown bay opening. Switching to equipping mode."
"Switching complete. Reactor, supply initiated." Himeko stood blankly in front of the lockdown bay as the phantom of Fu Hua beside her spoke softly.
"Go. When you put on this armor, the Herrscher's gem will begin to corrode your mind."
"..."
Hearing this, Himeko did not hesitate and stepped into the armor bay, light spilling over her silhouette.
The world in her eyes gradually turned into a sea of white.
Like the first light of dawn.
When she woke again, Major Kizuna had disappeared.
In her place, the Vulcan wearing Crimson Knight: Eclipse illuminated the darkest depths of Helheim.
The Godslayer's Surtr, acting as standard equipment, unfurled at her side like wings, and the Gem of Haste on her chest burst forth with crimson fire.
That was the warmest light, the flame that burned life itself!
The 'Gem of Haste', the core of the Herrscher of Flame with the strongest destructive power obtained by Destiny from the Second Honkai, was connected to the Blank Core, turning it into a powerful anti-Herrscher weapon—Crimson Knight: Eclipse.
Because no one could master these armors, they had long been buried in the abyss.
Now, as the Herrscher of the Void watched like a hawk, the Crimson Knight with burning eyes stepped forth.
—The heart is boiling!
—The body has never been this light!
—The wounds can no longer feel pain!
"Everyone, wait for me."
"I'm back."
Himeko gave a soft cry and charged out.
Outside, everyone saw that everything was playing out just as expected.
Following the signal left by Tesla, the Hyperion found Himeko and Tesla. The Herrscher of the Void arrived at that moment, and Himeko faced off against her.
Einstein seized the opportunity to strike the Herrscher of the Void with the Hyperion's main cannon, the Moonlight Throne. However, the hurried shot lacked sufficient power; though it wounded her, the Herrscher of the Void escaped into the Imaginary Space.
The scene flashed, giving the remaining people a few minutes to catch their breath.
A moment later, it was time for the final battle.
Whether it would be life or death depended on that warrior with fire in her heart.
Soon, the scene shifted to the lower deck corridor of the Hyperion.
Himeko leaned against the railing of the medical bay as people continuously ran past her with the wounded.
She instinctively covered her own wound.
The blood could not be stemmed.
"This time, things have really gotten out of hand," Himeko murmured.
No one answered her; only the serum shimmered with a faint light, reflecting a face covered in scars.
"Vrrr! Vrrr—"
The alarm blared, its piercing buzz making the already noisy corridor even more chaotic.
But Himeko's eyes remained calm.
"Alright, time to head out for some fresh air."
She straightened up and began walking in the opposite direction of the crowd.
Time seemed to stand still at this moment.
"Even though they're all just kids who refuse to grow up..."
"I actually quite like this place."
"There's still a long road ahead, isn't there?"
"...Good luck to you all."
Himeko walked slowly, a faint smile appearing on her face.
People holding weapons, people wrapped in bandages, people carrying the wounded, people hauling parts.
People of the Hyperion, people of the Far East Branch, people of Anti-Entropy.
People Himeko had met, and people she hadn't.
People who remembered her, and people who didn't.
One by one, they passed her by.
"I really... want another drink."
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