Kiana wasn't in Academy City. She had disappeared from here a while ago. Theresa didn't know where she went, but she believed Kiana would come back.
Because Senba Academy was where it all began, and it was also where it would all end.
In a certain underground wine cellar in Academy City.
Ryn sat to the side with his cheek in his hand, watching Theresa hug a wine barrel and chug it down.
To watch the most important person to you die before your eyes, to see the Kiana you doted on become the destroyer of the world, to see the academy you built with your own hands be destroyed, the smiles of your former students turn to ash.
Even a weapon as tough as Judah had become battered and worn after five years of fighting countless Honkai creatures.
How much more so for a human heart made of flesh...
After the Great Honkai Eruption, Theresa had been constantly running away, hiding here and fighting alone... drinking herself into a stupor...
"Take this medicine and food to Bronya and the others. This is all stuff I've collected recently. *Hic*~"
Theresa pointed to the room on her left while letting out a drunken hiccup.
"I don't have the face to see those kids, so I can only sneak supplies to them... But the resources in Nagazora City have been almost completely scavenged. Take Bronya and the others and leave Nagazora City. Find a safe place to live."
But then, as if she suddenly thought of something, Theresa's tone changed.
"Forget it, you'd better hide here for a while. By my count, the 'Gray Moth' squad will be back soon. If Himeko and the others find out you're a Herrscher, they'll definitely try to cut you down."
"I see. Speaking of which, I've been hearing about this 'Gray Moth' squad, but I haven't even met Himeko yet." Ryn stood up and went to the location Theresa had pointed to, to get the medicine she had collected.
"But even if Himeko wants to cut me down, I have to go back. Not long ago, the Fire Moth faced an attack by Honkai creatures, and many people were injured to varying degrees. Theresa, your medicine is very timely... timely..."
Ryn stared at the production date on the medicine in his hand and was silent for a long time. But it made sense... the production lines were long gone. The medicine now was all from five years ago; how could it not be expired...
"..."
"Make do with it... We have no other choice..."
Even if Theresa didn't say it, Ryn knew. He could only silently put all the medicine into his backpack. Which medicines were still usable and which weren't, he would leave that for Emisha to decide. She was the doctor.
After packing everything up, before leaving, Ryn stopped and looked at Theresa, who was still sitting on the floor drinking.
"Are you sure you won't come with me? Bronya and the others definitely won't blame you..."
"No. Remember not to tell them I'm still alive... If you can, I'll ask you one last time: take them away from Nagazora City, find a safe place, and live peacefully... Don't think about killing Kiana to end all this anymore. Humanity is already extinct..."
"A Grand-aunt this pessimistic... I really find it hard to accept." Ryn shook his head, sighing endlessly.
Before leaving, Ryn left behind the repaired Oath of Judah. Theresa was strong, but she was even stronger with Judah in hand.
With the Judah that Kiana had shattered, Theresa was able to sweep through the Honkai creatures of Academy City. Now, with a fully repaired Judah, Ryn no longer needed to worry about her safety.
"Take care, Grand-aunt. I can't agree to your request. I will tell Bronya and the others about you."
Ryn took one last look at Theresa, then shot into the sky, flying towards the Fire Moth.
Theresa didn't say anything more, just quietly leaned against Judah and continued to drink herself into a stupor.
————————————
After returning to the Fire Moth, Ryn went to see Bronya and told her that Theresa was still alive.
"..."
After hearing this, Bronya was neither angry nor happy. She just said she wanted to be alone for a while.
So Ryn had to leave first and prepare to find Emisha to distribute the medicine.
On the way to the Medical Department, Ryn ran into a very happy Penglaiji Ryn, who was skipping along.
"What's up? What's got you so happy?"
Penglaiji Ryn chuckled and spun around in front of Ryn.
"Ta-da! Haven't you noticed anything different about me today compared to yesterday?"
"A bit more lively. Did you get your memories back?"
"No, no, look closer!"
Penglaiji Ryn spun around again, then looked at Ryn expectantly.
The face was the same, and the clothes were the same ones Seele had given her before. Ryn scratched his head in confusion. Could it be...
"You learned how to use Honkai energy to clean stains off your clothes?!"
"Uh..."
Penglaiji Ryn froze for a moment, then huffily tugged at the Fire Moth armband on her left shoulder.
"It's this! After we got back this morning, Bronya officially recognized us as members of the Fire Moth! Although there wasn't a grand ceremony, this is such an honor!!"
Penglaiji Ryn was overjoyed. This meant she was no longer a person with amnesia drifting alone in this world; she now had an official identity: "a member of the Fire Moth."
After speaking, Penglaiji Ryn took out an armband and a badge printed with the Fire Moth emblem from her pocket and gave them to Ryn. Then, with her hands on her hips, she said to Ryn in the tone of an officer:
"Hmph, you snuck out this morning, so Bronya asked me to give these to you. By the way, because you snuck out, Bronya said she's going to punish you severely by making you follow me around and assist me when you get back."
"You little brat... I just saw Bronya, she never said anything about that punishment..."
Ryn smiled as he took the armband and badge, then reached out and flicked Penglaiji Ryn's forehead.
The flick hurt so much that Penglaiji Ryn winced, clutching her forehead with tears welling up in her eyes.
(The Fire Moth's emblem is the same as the one in Honkai Impact 3rd, and the badge is also very similar to the one given in the game.)
"Let's go, come with me to the Medical Department to find Emisha."
"No way... Emisha is so fierce when she scolds people. You go by yourself..."
Penglaiji Ryn shook her head and turned to run.
"Resistance is futile. Since I ran into you, I don't want to go get scolded all by myself either."
Ryn grabbed the back of the fleeing Penglaiji Ryn's collar, then, dragging a large bag of medicine with his left hand and carrying Penglaiji Ryn with his right, he walked towards the Medical Department.
However, the expected foul-mouthed tirade from Emisha never came. Instead, Emisha very solemnly accepted the sack full of medicine.
After carefully and meticulously inspecting the medicines, Emisha bowed deeply to Ryn and Penglaiji Ryn to express her thanks.
"Thank you. To be able to collect these relatively intact medicines outside of here... Thank you for your efforts. With these medicines, many people won't have to die... Thank you."
"But this medicine..."
Emisha shook her head at Ryn, signaling him not to say any more. The people in the Medical Department would sort out which ones were still usable and which were not.
Although the results of the inspection might be very grim, such a large bag of medicine was enough to rekindle the hope of survival for the patients.