When even a feather could still serve as a command token. All the more so a department so large...
--------------------------------
Xueyi is different.
Because of the unique bodies of the people of the Xianzhou, much of their blood and other things remain preserved.
But as time passes, what is meant to fade will still fade.
Xueyi was one of them.
However, after Hanya regained consciousness and learned of her elder sister's condition, she tried every possible method to recover some of the blood Xueyi had spilled on the battlefield.
Well… strictly speaking, it was taken from her own body, just some time after she had died.
She attempted to use this blood to restore Xueyi's physical body.
But reality was cruel, Xueyi, reduced to only consciousness, could not possibly inhabit the created body.
As for whether this act violated the Xianzhou's prohibition, it was very unclear.
The root cause of Xianzhou people falling into the Mara lies in their vast memories. Even with a new body, the excessive memories remain a problem.
Therefore, strictly speaking, this matter was not something the Xianzhou cared too much about, it was a burden only to the one involved.
"Sure enough, in this area, Ruan Mei is still better." Herta shook her head, admitting her own shortcomings.
It couldn't be helped, what she didn't understand, she didn't understand.
She wouldn't trouble herself over it.
Ruan Mei and she were both geniuses. Geniuses each excel in their own fields, and admitting shortcomings in unfamiliar areas was not something shameful.
…
Hanya and Herta came together to the world of Honkai.
This world had already been marked by Godzilla, so entering it through dreams was not difficult.
Just as Miss Messenger had said, in dreams, with enough imagination, you could even ride the Astral Express with Aha to fight the Amber King.
"This is… that world." Looking at the skyscrapers beside her, starlight flickered in Hanya's eyes.
After so many years of effort, she finally saw hope.
"Let's go. I'll take you, to find that person I spoke about."
Without looking back, Herta said this and stepped forward.
Seeing this, Hanya quickly followed.
"Stop! Who are you… Lady Herta, and this one is?" They had only just taken a few steps before being blocked.
Two strangers suddenly appearing at Schicksal headquarters, of course the Valkyries reacted. The surveillance systems weren't broken.
After stopping the suspicious figures, someone recognized Herta, who had appeared just half a month ago.
This was the one whom Lady Rita herself had guided, someone important.
As for the somewhat weary-looking elder sister beside her, though unrecognized… well, cough cough, but if she walked with Lady Herta, could she really be a bad person?
A guest personally received by Overseer Otto, how could they be refused entry?
…
Soon, the two met Otto.
"This time, your return has exceeded my expectations." Otto leisurely poured tea, smiling faintly.
His gaze openly shifted to the silent Hanya.
It was precisely because of this lady, who looked like someone from Shenzhou, that he even began brewing tea.
Sigh, what could he do, Rita was busy with missions, and with these two special guests, the Overseer of Schicksal had to attend to them carefully.
"Half a month, far shorter than half a year. I wonder if Lady Herta could introduce this lady to me? If convenient, I wouldn't mind hearing a little about where she comes from."
After listening to Otto, Herta spoke calmly: "I don't know what the future will be like. I just brought a younger sister who cares for her elder sister here to find some inspiration."
Otto blinked, glancing at the two, who clearly shared no blood relation.
"My name is Hanya. Lady Herta and I are not sisters."
Seeing Otto's confusion, Hanya spoke up on her own.
Mistaking her and Lady Herta as sisters… well, truth be told, the pressure was heavy.
"Hehe, I see. Then, Miss Hanya, what is your elder sister's condition? Do you need inspiration from a clergyman like myself?"
Clergyman? Since when did clergymen have modified bodies?
Mechanical ascension?
…
Hanya's story wasn't long.
But the concepts of time involved within it surprised Otto somewhat.
"As Miss Hanya says, all Xianzhou people are this long-lived?"
"Yes. But the Xianzhou are not without limits. Generally, some will regard the outbreak of Mara as their lifespan's end."
In fact, aside from those Xianzhou who regularly dealt with life and death, most had little concept of mortality. Even if someone nearby was about to fall into Mara, the Ten-Lords Commission would simply take them away.
Thus, most Xianzhou knew little about life and death.
"Longevity…" Otto sighed with emotion. Another being older than himself.
Before this, Otto prided himself on having some depth in terms of age. Until the changes half a year ago, when he truly saw beyond mortal limits.
A long-lived species.
The world was indeed vast and turbulent.
Back to business.
"Miss Hanya, after hearing your story, I truly sympathize. However, my own situation is somewhat different from your sister's, so my methods would not apply."
Otto was not making excuses. In fact, he was genuinely intrigued by her.
As for the reason… In short, he did not wish to miss this rare opportunity.
"If you don't mind the trouble, you can go to St. Freya Academy to find someone named Fu Hua. I believe in this matter she has more authority to speak. Additionally, a man named Welt, leader of Anti-Entropy, might also be of help to your request."
Xueyi, Mara, excessive memories, the connections ran deep.
…
With the information they wanted, the two immediately moved on to St. Freya.
St. Freya Academy.
Built by the Overseer's granddaughter, Theresa Apocalypse, it was an academy dedicated to training Valkyries.
Essentially, this academy had no males. After history teacher Welt resigned, this phenomenon became so extreme it was almost unapproachable.
Standing before St. Freya's gates, Herta remarked faintly: "An academy of only girls, this world doesn't seem too kind to men."
She had seen such academies before, on the planet next to her space station, and on other planets too.
They were usually for training noble ladies, brides, or other strange roles. But one that trained combatants, this was the first Herta had ever seen.
Hmm? The Empire of Glamoth?
Those were clones. They didn't count.
"Mei, please, if this keeps up, Teacher Himeko will punish me again. That woman's clearly bad news, she'll definitely make things hard for me!"
"Kiana, you're always distracted in class. Exams aren't something you can just breeze through."
"Mei-nee doesn't need to explain to that idiot Kiana. She won't understand anyway."
"What did you just say, you little shrimp?! Don't try to drive a wedge between me and Mei!"
A white-haired girl and a gray-haired loli glared at each other, each letting out a cold snort.
The gentle girl between them smiled helplessly, as if she had long grown used to this situation.
Just then,
"Mei-nee! Idiot Kiana! Watch out!"
Bronya suddenly spoke.
Before the two could figure out the situation, the Herrscher of Thunder's consciousness spoke to Mei.
"The two people up ahead are strange, be careful."
That dispirited woman, vigorous vitality and… decadent yet uplifting spirit… very odd.
The other short one, whether it's the aura she gives off or the abnormalities at her joints, both indicate they're not right.
Although the others couldn't feel any abnormality from Hanya, Herta's image was right there, even fools could see something.
Herta noticed their vigilance, but she didn't care.
She was just about to find someone, and now they came on their own.
"I'm looking for someone called Fu Hua, do any of you know her?"
Hanya stared blankly at Herta's questioning.
So this is the perspective of a genius, even questioning is so direct and confident.
"Squad leader? You know squad leader?" Kiana blurted out, making Bronya helplessly cover her forehead.
Sure enough, never expect anything from a single-celled paramecium's brain.
Since Kiana had already spilled everything, Bronya no longer concealed it and asked.
"What business do you have with Squad Leader Fu Hua?"
"To get some inspiration from her, that guy called Otto told us."
Hearing Herta's words, everyone was stunned, and then…
"Otto? Who's Otto?" Kiana looked around, puzzled.
Then…
Bonk! A knock landed, Kiana held her head in pain.
"The Overseer of Schicksal, Otto! At least pay some attention in class!" Himeko roared.
...
Academy Principal's Office.
Theresa swung her little legs, hiding carefully under the desk reading manga.
Bang!
"Principal!"
"!!"
Startled, Theresa skillfully tossed the manga aside, shut the drawer, sat upright, serious and expressionless.
"So it's Himeko, don't slam the door so hard!" Theresa glared at the unapologetic Himeko helplessly.
"Small matter, small matter, but there's something now."
Himeko stretched out her hand pointing behind herself. Theresa knew she wasn't pointing at herself, so she looked past her, seeing the people behind, and froze.
"Hanya, greets Miss Theresa…"
Herta blinked, looking at Theresa sitting on the chair, comparing Theresa's height with her puppet's… it seemed the puppet was a bit taller?
...
The air grew stiff…
It's them.
Theresa looked at Hanya and Herta, her heart heavy.
Half a month ago, Chiyou revived. To support Himeko and the others, Theresa personally led the Hyperion to aid.
From above she had seen Herta standing with Rita, but at that time there was also a hooded woman beside Herta.
That one looked very dispirited.
Theresa didn't know who they were, but she knew her grandfather's ways.
If they were mixed with Otto, then undoubtedly, they were either deceived, or… something else.
"To be direct, we're here looking for someone called Fu Hua."
"Fu Hua, I recall she should be training now, I'll send someone to call her."
"No need, we'll go ourselves."
Without giving Theresa any chance to refuse, Herta walked straight out without hesitation.
Seeing this, Theresa didn't stop them, letting them leave.
When their figures disappeared, Theresa cast an annoyed glance at the silent Himeko.
"Hehe, I couldn't help it either." Himeko smiled, continuing,
"I already messaged Fu Hua just now, she knows."
"Mm, even if they say they mean no harm, better be cautious. Hmph. Let's go, we'll follow as well."
Theresa gave a cold snort, almost about to say more.
But those who knew her knew what she meant.
Anyone tangled up with Otto inevitably had problems. That's assuming they really stood with Otto, and weren't deceived.
...
Moments later, the two arrived at where Fu Hua was training.
St. Freya Academy undoubtedly spared no effort in nurturing.
Every student's living conditions were exceptionally good.
Teachers' even more so.
"Miss Herta, Miss Hanya, a pleasure." Rita was already at the gate, smiling as she welcomed them.
"It hasn't been long."
Throwing this line, Herta walked straight in without looking back. Entering, she immediately saw a heroic young woman seated on a chair.
Seeing them arrive, she stood and greeted them properly.
Herta curiously sensed the aura of the person before her.
Honestly, she hadn't expected to meet such an interesting person here.
"May I ask, for what purpose have you two come?"
"This time we came…"
Hanya calmly stated her request. After hearing it, Fu Hua frowned slightly, pondering.
Previously she had already heard intel from Otto about Herta, knowing people from outside this world had entered.
So seeing Herta and Hanya didn't surprise her.
It was just Hanya's words about her sister that startled her somewhat, she hadn't thought such a thing could exist in this world.
After a moment's thought, Fu Hua spoke.
"Regarding this matter, I am powerless, within my scope I cannot provide effective assistance."
"That much we know, we just want to know if there's any way to keep soul consciousness intact." Herta said.
It wasn't that she couldn't devise methods, but in this field, since even someone like Otto said Fu Hua was an expert, she didn't mind consulting.
A whetstone to sharpen.
Herta just needed some inspiration.
Fu Hua fell silent briefly.
Undoubtedly, Otto had "sold" her out.
It's just, methods of the spirit were tied to the Key of Sentience.
The two before her weren't yet proven trustworthy; if she rashly disclosed information about Fenghuang Down…
Fu Hua hesitated.
Otto had introduced them no doubt hoping she would tell them, but she didn't know if that was right or wrong.
Seeing Fu Hua remain silent, Hanya guessed her thoughts and spoke.
"Please rest assured, Miss Fu Hua, what we seek is only as spoken. If Miss Fu Hua could tell us a little, I would be deeply grateful. If ever Miss Fu Hua requires my aid in the future, I will not refuse."
"You speak too heavily." Fu Hua shook her head slightly, replying: "This is not something unspeakable, nor do you need to offer yourself so."
Fu Hua had thought it through.
It wasn't impossible to tell. Besides, even if she didn't, with Otto's personality, if they really wanted to know, he could tell them.
She never doubted Otto's character.
Precisely because she knew Otto too well, she knew, he wasn't human!
Organizing her thoughts, Fu Hua began explaining.
...
Reality.
Far away on the Astral Express, Welt frowned, suddenly sensing trouble.
A feeling, as if something was chasing him, closer and closer, nearer and nearer, closer and closer…