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Xia Chen felt as if someone was calling his name.
"Xia Chen, wake up! Wake up!"
The voice sounded urgent, and instinctively, Xia Chen tried reaching out but found he couldn't grasp onto the person calling him.
"C'mon, hurry and wake up!" The tone carried a note of reproach, yet it seemed hazy.
Despite this, he couldn't help but ask himself, "Who am I?"
"Xia Chen? Xia Chen?"
He felt like a drowning man, devoid even of the strength to struggle for breath.
Until that voice penetrated his mind, continuously stimulating his nerves.
"Someone is calling me..."
As if struck by a sudden epiphany, Xia Chen's thoughts began to race, and he recalled whose voice it was.
His eyes suddenly opened to see Ana standing before him, filled with relief and surprise. "Thank goodness, you're alright."
"What happened...?"
As he spoke, Xia Chen was startled by his dry and hoarse voice, feeling as if his throat had been scorched by fire.
"You had a high fever for three days," Ana took a deep breath and said, "The doctor believes it's due to an unknown viral infection. However, they haven't identified the specific source yet."
"Great, at least you've woken up now."
For an S-rank warrior to be incapacitated by a virus was incredibly rare, but such an unlikely event had indeed occurred.
Initially, Schicksal's medical team suspected that Honkai might have evolved a new virus specifically targeting Valkyries, prompting all Valkyries to prepare stringent protective measures. Later, they discovered only Xia Chen fell ill, making the situation even more peculiar.
"Your temperature has already dropped. We'll continue observing you for two more days. If there are no further symptoms, you should be able to discharge temporarily."
The attending physician informed Xia Chen about his condition. Rubbing his nose, Xia Chen replied, "Thank you."
After the doctor left, Ana anxiously asked Xia Chen, "Are you still feeling any discomfort? Is there anything you'd like to eat? I can bring it for you."
"Not right now."
He gently took her hand and reassured her, "Just your company is enough; my body recovers quickly."
Despite these words, Xia Chen's mood was far from good.
The simulator had vanished from his possession.
Along with its disappearance went the items stored in the System backpack: Kukulkan's Breath and some Honkai Energy Fragments.
Although he anticipated this possibility, when the golden finger truly disappeared, he felt unprepared.
However, Xia Chen swiftly adapted to the change.
Without this golden finger, perhaps he wouldn't have encountered Aponia at all.
As this thought crossed his mind, the voice of the Commandment intruded again, asserting its presence:
"Not a lover."
Xia Chen remained silent.
"What's wrong? You look so pale, are you still not feeling well?" Ana watched over him carefully, concern evident in her voice. "Should I call the doctor back?"
"No need to trouble them; I'm afraid the doctor can't resolve this issue."
Taking a deep breath, Xia Chen replied, "It's due to the Will of Honkai."
Unsure how to explain Aponia's presence, he could only blame it all on Honkai. After all, Honkai has committed countless acts, so adding one or two more is quite normal.
"Isn't that even more dangerous?"
"The danger has been resolved; I still possess my Stigmata," he paused before continuing, "A few days of rest should suffice now."
Although the System had vanished, his Authority as the Herrscher of Wind remained intact, and the Stigmata were still present. Consequently, Xia Chen continued to stand at the pinnacle of combat power in this world.
Ana sighed with relief, "Don't push yourself too hard. If anything happens, you must let me know."
"Mm-hmm."
He changed the subject, "By the way, how long was I unconscious? Did anything significant occur during that time?"
"You've been unconscious for a whole week." Ana's words surprised Xia Chen; he hadn't anticipated being out for such a lengthy period.
However, what she mentioned next caught his attention even more.
"Kiana entrusted Rin with using Jizo Mitama to manifest the Herrscher of the Void. Then, together with Raiden Mei and Bronya, they convinced the Herrscher to communicate with the Will of Honkai. Dr. Einstein claims to have found a way to decouple Honkai from civilization."
"A solution already found?" Xia Chen was taken aback, expecting this process to take much longer.
"I don't know the details." Ana shook her head, her focus solely on Xia Chen, paying little attention to other matters. "But you can ask Wendy; she likely has more insight on this topic than I do."
"No need to ask," thought Xia Chen, forming some guesses in his mind.
Since Einstein had access to the Holy Mark Terminal and Kiana communicated with the Will of Honkai, it meant that the puzzle pieces for victory were essentially complete.
The next step, undoubtedly, would be waiting for Finality's arrival.
No, based on Xia Chen's understanding of Einstein and others, their next move might not be simply waiting but rather forcing the arrival of Finality.
Currently, Durandal appeared to be the only human capable of bearing the burden of Finality.
Perhaps at this very moment, Durandal was already preparing for what's to come.
Xia Chen suddenly felt an urgent need, a strong desire to see Durandal immediately.
However, he quickly suppressed that thought.
Why should he go meet her? To persuade her not to follow Einstein's plan? But visibly, it seemed like the only viable strategy to defeat Honkai.
Or perhaps to comfort her and alleviate her worries? What right or position does he have to offer solace?
Just based on something Finality once mentioned?
"I'll rest now; you should take some time off too," Xia Chen said to Ana. "Don't worry, I'm fine now. Thank you for all your hard work during this period."
"Alright, it wasn't really much trouble." Ana smiled warmly. "I'll be going then. If anything comes up, please let me know."
"Sure."
Xia Chen nodded in agreement.
After Ana left, he slowly exhaled, closing his eyes to rest.
However, it wasn't long before another visitor arrived, unexpectedly - Rita.
"I heard from Ana that you've woken up. Are you still experiencing any issues?"
The maid had brought some fruits and thoughtfully prepared them as a fruit salad. She remarked to Xia Chen, "Many people were quite worried when you collapsed."
"I'm fine now," Xia Chen smiled. "Thank you for your concern. I don't expect it to happen again."
"Just don't push yourself too hard," she said. "Lady Durandal intended to visit personally, but she's been very busy lately. Please understand."
"There's nothing to forgive. Everyone has their own responsibilities to attend to." Xia Chen naturally comprehended this.
After a moment, he continued, "However, Ana just mentioned that something significant occurred during my absence this week."
"You've heard about it?" Rita's eyes briefly showed surprise before she asked, "What are your thoughts on the matter?"
"I'm not sure," he replied. "It may not be the best outcome, but my understanding is limited."
"That's what you say too," Rita sighed.
Xia Chen couldn't help but notice, perhaps only imagining, a hint of anger flickering in Rita's eyes—a rare sight indeed.