"Hummm..."
The ceiling trembled slightly.
The vibration was incredibly subtle, producing barely audible sounds. Unless one intentionally listened, it would go unnoticed entirely.
However, none of the children in the classroom were ordinary individuals. Despite having various limitations, with Honkai Energy coursing through their veins, they possessed extraordinary abilities.
"Big Sister Dean, is there a battle happening outside?"
Sora, who had been molding clay, suddenly looked up and gently tugged on Cioara's sleeve as she passed nearby. With clear, unflustered eyes, she asked innocently, "Is it against Schicksal?"
"No, it's Honkai and the Herrscher."
"Then, can we win? Do you need our help?" Sora asked while grabbing her inhaler and taking a deep breath.
The world was very dangerous.
Although life had been good for everyone from the orphanage since joining Anti-Entropy, they couldn't forget their past experiences.
Cioara fell silent for a moment before vigorously ruffling Sora's soft hair and said firmly:
"You kids should act your age—there's no way I'm letting you join this battle! Seriously, people keep saying this Herrscher of the Void is different and might resort to schemes. With the Alliance Leader unable to personally oversee things here, why else would we be holed up like this? It'd be better if I could just take you far away from all this! But this place is secure enough; no matter how lively that thing outside jumps, it won't reach you. Now go play with your clay obediently!"
After mumbling a bit more, Cioara pinched Sora's cheek, intending to change the subject. However, another child nearby protested:
"Cioara, Big Sister, we know how to use guns—we can participate in battles!"
"Guns? Who taught you that?"
"It was Uncle Albert."
"Click!"
A black pistol appeared in Cioara's hand as she released the safety catch.
"Three Honkai Energy bullets: one for the head, one through the heart, and one into the gut... Should be enough to ensure they're completely dead, beyond any chance of recovery," Cioara murmured ominously.
She had tirelessly managed the orphanage, ensuring every child under her care remained healthy and safe. Her hope was for them to have a childhood untouched by war, growing up happily amidst peace. So what did it mean to teach these children how to use guns and train them for battle? Was it undermining her steadfast efforts?
Cioara felt deeply discontented.
Quickly approaching, Tina explained, "It's not what you think, Dean! It's part of a survival course! Just content from the survival curriculum! Albert is simply following the planned lessons!"
Cioara paused.
Alright, that changes things. She would adamantly oppose teaching children to go to war, but imparting basic battlefield survival skills...there was nothing inherently wrong with that. After all, the nature of such training differs significantly. In a world where Honkai could strike at any moment, no one can guarantee against sudden dangers.
Following her thoughts, Cioara gently tapped Tina's head with the sturdy gunstock and asked, somewhat irked, "Let me ask you this: If I were to fight that brat Albert, whose side would you take?"
"Um... Between Dean Big Sister and Albert, who is stronger?"
"I could still beat him even if I let him use one hand less!"
"In that case, Tina will support Albert!" she nodded firmly, responding without hesitation.
Cioara rolled her eyes, ruffled Tina's hair, and playfully scolded, "So you're siding with the weaker one, huh? Clever little imp!"
By skillfully avoiding the choice of who was more important, young Tina chose to protect both equally. Who else could be as cunningly clever?
Meanwhile, Cioara quietly noted another entry in her small notebook—Today, little Tina said that damn kid Albert is just as important as your Dean Big Sister, Cioara. This slight, I shall remember!
"Rumble—"
Another faint tremor echoed overhead.
Cioara stroked Tina's hair, looked up at the ceiling, and narrowed her eyes slightly.
The battle must be intense up there. Wondering if everything was proceeding smoothly, she remained vigilant.
On the ground, the once pristine and orderly Ruined City was now inundated by countless Honkai Beasts and Zombies.
Remnants of numerous Titans and drones littered every corner of the city, their smoldering wreckage and scorch marks bearing witness to the fierce battles waged here.
Alas, both the quantity and quality of Honkai Beasts and Zombies surpassed those of Anti-Entropy's forces, further compounded by the presence of the Herrscher of a Thousand People amidst this catastrophe. Despite being relatively weaker compared to other Herrschers, they were still unstoppable reapers against conventional Titan models.
"Not bad, huh! Is that all Anti-Entropy Headquarters has got?" Amidst the ruins, a blonde-haired doll stood atop a still-sparking Titan carcass, speaking gleefully.
"Idiot."
Another doll, dragging a heavy machine gun, casually passed by, leaving behind a sarcastic remark.
"You looking to die?"
"What's there to celebrate about capturing a deserted area? Take a closer look at that wall—only by crossing this Wall of Lamentation can we reach our true objective."
"Do I fucking need you to remind me?"
It wasn't just these two arguing dolls; during the brief silence, all present dolls involuntarily gazed upon the towering white barrier that had risen amid the chaos of war.
Over a hundred meters tall, with an impenetrably thick and snow-white texture, its perimeter bristled with countless guns and artillery—this was an impregnable defense. With the combined strength of those present and the swarm of Honkai Beast zealots, even if they were to exhaust themselves completely, they wouldn't stand a chance at overcoming this towering wall.
"We're not equipped for a frontal assault..."
"What does she say? Surely, she'll intervene personally?"
"Shh! Everyone, be alert—I sense immense Honkai Energy approaching!"
"Look at the sky! She's here!"
Not just the sentient dolls but also the countless Honkai Beasts and Zombies felt an indescribable surge of colossal power. Uneasily, they all gazed upward, their movements coming to a halt.
The dense black clouds, obscuring the sun, rumbled with thunder as if welcoming the descent of some formidable presence.
"Roaaar!" A terrifying dragon's roar erupted from the skies, drowning out the sound of thunder. Its reverberations on the ground toppled numerous towering Honkai Beasts.
In the next moment, a massive black hole opened overhead. A beam of white light, laden with countless wind blades and giant icicles, shattered through the cloud layer, hurtling towards the high walls below.
"ROOOAR!!!"
It was Benares's breath, infused with her own power combined with that of the Herrschers of Wind and Ice. With three times the energy of a typical Herrscher, even this straightforward release of raw power could rend the sky apart.
In the Inner City's command room, Bronya activated the pre-loaded code sequence.
"Sequence 13: Dawn, initiate!"
Instantaneously, millions of worker bee sub-units materialized before the torrential dragon's breath, forming massive concentric circles. Flickering arcs connected every nearby drone, creating what appeared to be a colossal electrical artillery battery seemingly conjured out of thin air.
From this electrical fortress, an immense surge of destructive energy erupted, directly confronting the incoming dragon's breath.
"BOOM!!!"