Late at night.
Moonlight bathed the vibrant city, casting a silver glow over the bustling lights.
Sky Dome City was vast.
Even in the dead of night, it wasn't uncommon for Honkai beasts to appear and attack.
Ever since the emergence of the Herrscher of the Void, Honkai activity in this area had become increasingly rampant.
Worse still, once word spread that Kiana had been spotted in Sky Dome City, all sorts of forces began pouring into the city like moths to a flame.
Almost overnight, this metropolis had become the center stage for the world.
Under flickering streetlights, Kagura, Himeko, and Kiana walked together.
The power grid in this district had already grown unstable from the repeated Honkai beast attacks, and the devastation left in their wake was visible everywhere.
Damaged buildings. Burned-out cars.
It was a glimpse into the pure, relentless malice that the Honkai will bore toward human civilization.
Maybe…
Maybe the Honkai really should be wiped out completely.
As long as this planetary will known as the Honkai exists, humanity's survival—and the development of civilization—will always be under threat.
If it continues, it wouldn't be surprising if mankind one day regressed all the way back to the Stone Age…
"All this time, the Honkai disasters in Sky Dome City kept happening nonstop. At first, I thought it was my fault..." Kiana began to share her experience as they walked.
"Herrscher of the Void—Sirin's—consciousness kept tormenting me constantly. I couldn't focus on fighting the Honkai beasts at all.
There were even moments I wanted to just… end everything."
The memories of wandering and fighting alone in Sky Dome City still cast a shadow over her eyes.
"But during that time, I did uncover a few… strange things about this city."
"Oh? Let me guess—you found traces of the Serpent, didn't you?" Himeko asked. "From what you're saying, the one behind all these Honkai outbreaks isn't the Herrscher, but this World Serpent organization doing experiments from the shadows?"
"Yes, that's highly likely… Himeko-sen— I mean, Himeko-sensei." Kiana nodded, then continued.
"This group calling themselves 'the Serpent' seems to be trying to exploit the Honkai by any means necessary.
They want to use Honkai energy on humans—but I haven't figured out the exact details yet..."
"Hmm... so to summarize," Kagura chimed in, "the Serpent is using Sky Dome City as a lab. They want to run Honkai-based experiments and try to create something that surpasses both humans and Honkai beasts. That about right?"
"But that's strange... According to Kevin Kaslana—the Serpent's leader we met in the Sea of Quanta—his goal was to defeat the Honkai completely. He made a vow that 'humanity will triumph over the Honkai.'"
"Wait... no way..."
Something clicked in Kagura's mind.
"Don't tell me… that lunatic Kevin's trying to merge humans and Honkai beasts into some new hybrid species? Or worse—purge all humans who can't adapt to Honkai energy?"
She paused, thinking aloud.
"Whether it's out of revenge against the Honkai will, or just to preserve human civilization, if Kevin believes that humans can only win by completely mastering the Honkai... then this theory kind of makes sense..."
"Hmmm…"Himeko inhaled sharply. "That's… beyond deranged…"
"Yeah…" Kiana frowned. "From the things I've seen during my time here, it really does seem like the kind of twisted thing they'd do.
They clearly don't value ordinary human lives at all..."
'Whoosh—!'
Just as the three of them were deep in conversation, a sharp gust of wind swept past them.
"Ara, now that's an intriguing theory," a graceful, elegant voice echoed through the cold night air.
"Certainly worth investigating later… But for now, Miss Kiana, please come with us to Schicksal HQ. Overseer Otto would very much like to see you."
At the end of the street stood a tall, breathtakingly elegant woman.
She had short, light-brown hair, with long bangs covering her left eye—leaving only a single, wine-red eye visible, gleaming like a gem.
Her combat attire was a blend of black and white with deep navy accents—somewhere between a Valkyrie's uniform and a formal maid outfit.
It struck a perfect balance between sophistication and subtle allure.
The design, while clearly made for battle, featured just the right amount of exposure to give it a striking air of beauty and charm.
And with her stunning figure and poised movements, any ordinary man would've been utterly entranced just by looking at her.
But behind her beauty, there was something else—an overwhelming aura of glacial power that made people instinctively shrink back.
She held a massive blue scythe with casual ease behind her back, as if death itself had arrived and frozen everything in its path.
"Oh my, Miss Himeko. I'm so glad to see you unharmed," she said with a calm smile.
"But please—don't interfere with my duties."
Sensing the killing intent radiating from both Himeko and Kiana, the woman strolled forward gracefully, as if taking a casual evening walk.
"Oh my… there's a new face I haven't seen before," she said calmly. "Forgive me for the oversight—allow me to introduce myself properly."
"My name is Rita. Rita Rossweisse."
Rita's expression was ever composed and confident, her gentle smile carrying an unspoken edge that sent a chill down one's spine.
"I serve as the vice-captain of Immortal Blades, the Valkyrie unit under the Schicksal organization.
I'm classified as an S-rank Valkyrie and serve directly under Lady Durandal."
As she spoke, Rita politely bowed to Kagura.
"Miss Himeko, and the silver-haired young lady whose name I don't yet know—I must remind you both that Miss Kiana is a Valkyrie of Schicksal. She is of great importance to our organization, so I ask that you do not obstruct our mission."
Then, still smiling, she slowly lifted her head. Within her wine-red eye shimmered a chilling glint of murderous intent.
"Of course… if you insist on interfering, I'm afraid I'll have to use force."
'Buzz—!'
As Rita spoke, mechanical drones deployed by Schicksal emerged from all directions, surrounding the trio with unmistakable hostility.
"Tch… this is going to be trouble." Himeko tightened her grip on the Godslayer Blade, her voice low and tense. "Rita is one of only three S-rank Valkyries in all of Schicksal. She's immensely powerful... and, well, technically, she was my colleague and comrade…"
"I thought you were done with Schicksal, Himeko," Kagura teased lightly.
"But I get what you're saying. Don't worry—I don't intend to harm Miss Rita."
"So… what now?" Kiana asked. "Are we supposed to surrender here? Because this sure looks like a fight waiting to happen…"
"We'll try talking first..." Kagura stepped forward calmly.
"Miss Rita," she began, "I understand that Valkyries of Schicksal exist to combat the Honkai. But the disasters in this city weren't caused by Miss Kiana. Are you really planning to apprehend her anyway?"
"One matter has nothing to do with the other, my lovely lady," Rita replied with a composed smile.
"We will investigate the Honkai disaster, of course. But returning Miss Kiana to Schicksal HQ is a direct order from Overseer Otto. Whether she's responsible for the disaster is irrelevant."
"Then… what if I refuse?"
As she spoke, Kagura raised her right hand.
Crimson energy from the Reality Stone coiled around her fingers.
[Reality Rewrite]
[Pseudo Divine Key: Abyss Flower & White Oath!]
'Vmmmmm—!'
Reality shimmered and shifted.
Red energy rapidly condensed into a weapon—a magnificent white lance, detailed with elegant carvings and intricate patterns. Beautiful, yet undeniably deadly.
The moment Rita laid eyes on the weapon, her crimson pupil contracted sharply. Her previously calm expression froze in place.
"You… who are you? Why do you wield that weapon—Lady Durandal's lance?"
Durandal—Schicksal's strongest Valkyrie, an S-rank warrior above all others.
To Rita, Durandal was not just a superior officer—she was an idol, a guiding star… and someone she had vowed to protect with her very life.
To see another person wielding her sacred weapon…
"My name is Kagura Hitomi. That's all I'm at liberty to say."
She pointed the glistening white lance directly at the stunned Rita.
"Miss Rita, I believe investigating the Honkai disaster in Sky Dome City takes priority. Surely Schicksal wouldn't stand idly by while innocent civilians suffer and die, right?"
"If Lady Durandal were here… what would she do?"
"As for Miss Kiana, once this crisis is resolved, Miss Himeko and I will contact Schicksal directly. We'll ensure you have a proper explanation for your superiors. Wouldn't that be a fair compromise?"
Kagura's golden eyes flared with intensity.
"Of course… if you're still determined to face off against this Abyss Flower…"
She smiled calmly, but her aura blazed like a star going nova.
"I'll gladly oblige."