The early spring sun was neither cold nor hot, possessing a temperature that was just right. But hearing Ming Yu's words, Higokumaru felt a bone-chilling cold.
For most people, the future of the world was a distant and lofty thing. Whether it was to survive or to perish, time was measured in tens of millions of years.
But for those familiar with the Honkai, it was easy to see the world's end from the increasingly obvious trend—the End!
Especially for someone like Higokumaru, the end of the story was crystal clear. Because it wasn't a prediction of possibilities, but a nightmare she had once experienced.
Following Ming Yu's gaze, Higokumaru seemed to be able to see the scene many years later in the azure sky: a dim, lifeless sky and a dead, silent earth, with the roars of Honkai Beasts echoing throughout the world...
The vortex of the world, wasn't it just such an irresistible trend?
Coming back to her senses, Higokumaru looked at Ming Yu's black eyes again, pursed her lips, and said as if announcing something important, "I... passed the C-rank Valkyrie exam!"
Even if this world was destined to reach a pre-written end, even if all resistance could not stop the world from sliding into the abyss, even if the night was long and the dawn was not yet in sight.
But in this world, there was always a group of people who never gave up fighting. Even if it meant burning themselves, they would emit a fleeting light to drive away the darkness of the world.
The reason why Schicksal was Schicksal was not only because of its unrivaled strength, but more importantly, it had played such a role for thousands of years.
But Higokumaru becoming a Valkyrie was clearly not to burn herself for this cause.
As someone who had died once, although she no longer held such a deep hatred for the human collective as she did fifty thousand years ago, it was still asking too much of her to fight for humanity with all her might.
Even though she had now lost the immense power she had as a Herrscher and had become an ordinary girl, lacking the ability to bring chaos to the world.
Looking at Higokumaru's serious little face, Ming Yu couldn't help but sigh. He didn't need Higokumaru to say it; he could guess what the girl wanted to express next.
More than half a year ago, the girl had said something similar. But at that time, Ming Yu hadn't taken it seriously, thinking it was just a whim of hers.
Due to her physical condition, Higokumaru was not someone suited for direct combat. Although she was thus free from the troubles of Honkai Energy adaptability, becoming a Valkyrie was by no means that simple, even if it was just a logistics Valkyrie.
Lacking a certain level of combat strength, Higokumaru had to do better than others in theoretical aspects to become a Valkyrie, even though combat did not carry a large weight in the C-rank and D-rank Valkyrie exams.
But Higokumaru still did it, successfully passing the C-rank Valkyrie exam.
Although Higokumaru was one rank lower than Kiana and the others, considering the actual situation, Higokumaru, who had not become a D-rank Valkyrie, might be slightly stronger than Kiana, who had only become a B-rank Valkyrie.
Facing such a Higokumaru, Ming Yu couldn't bring himself to refuse. The girl's efforts deserved fair recognition.
Besides, finding Jiu You was not a simple matter. Even if he knew Jiu You wasn't on land, it wasn't as if he could just find a piece of sea, jump in, and automatically enter Jiu You. Ming Yu didn't think the ocean currents would be that kind to him.
If he relied on himself, even with command of the Guangzhou garrison, it would still be a massive project. A mere three days would be incredibly tight.
After a moment of contemplation, Ming Yu let out a long breath and said slowly, "After the promotion exam in a few days, I will have a mission to the southern end of Shenzhou.
So, are you willing to go see the sea with me?"
Meeting Ming Yu's gaze, the girl was slightly stunned, then smiled and nodded seriously.
...
Two days later, at the St. Freya port, Ming Yu and Higokumaru were saying their final goodbyes to the friends who had come to see them off.
Unlike the previous times, this mission was not his alone. Coupled with the reunion after a long separation, Ming Yu had no reason to leave quietly by himself.
"Hmph! Just you wait, Ming Yu! I'll become an A-rank Valkyrie soon too and start carrying out missions independently!"
Looking at Ming Yu in his white naval uniform, Kiana shouted defiantly.
"Yes, yes, Miss Kiana is the best."
Shrugging, Ming Yu said helplessly, his tone full of laziness, all but writing the word "perfunctory" on his face.
Ever since she learned that Ming Yu's mission this time would allow him to command a regional garrison, Kiana had been green with envy, constantly nagging about becoming an A-rank Valkyrie herself, fantasizing about one day leading an army to conquer lands like in the stories.
To this, Ming Yu could only smile and type "hehe."
Sensing the perfunctory tone in Ming Yu's words, Kiana snorted lightly and ignored this tactless fellow, running off to whisper in Higokumaru's ear.
Glaring at Kiana, Mei smiled apologetically at Ming Yu and said softly, "When it comes to dealing with the Honkai, we are still far inferior to you, so offering suggestions would be superfluous. All we can do is wish you good fortune in battle."
"Then I'll take you up on that good omen."
Smiling and nodding, Ming Yu said seriously.
Seeing the look in Ming Yu's eyes, Mei couldn't help but cover her mouth and giggle, her charming appearance making Ming Yu unable to resist taking a few more glances.
"Big Bro Yu, Big Sis Higokumaru, good luck!"
Bronya said with a blank expression, the robot behind her giving Ming Yu a timely thumbs-up.
"Mm."
Waving at Project Bunny, Ming Yu responded solemnly.
After saying goodbye to everyone one by one, Ming Yu, along with Higokumaru, who was also dressed in a white military uniform, boarded the plane that had been waiting for a long time.
Soon, the plane left St. Freya and flew straight into the churning sea of clouds.
Staring blankly at the sea of clouds outside the porthole, Ming Yu couldn't help but feel a surge of emotions.
In less than a year, he had become an A-rank Valkyrie of Schicksal's Far East Branch and had gained the power to directly interfere with the conquest of Jiu You.
Although he was currently only responsible for the preliminary search for Jiu You's development, and whether he had the qualification to enter Jiu You still depended on Theresa's decision, this considerable amount of time was enough for him to do something.
Looking at the clouds outside the window, then at the dazed Ming Yu, Higokumaru tilted her head and thought for a moment before speaking, "Big Bro Yu is also from Shenzhou, right? What is Shenzhou really like?"
"Ah~"
Hearing Higokumaru's question, Ming Yu couldn't help but be stunned.
Although he should be considered a person from Shenzhou, he didn't actually belong to the Shenzhou of this world. Although the two worlds were somewhat similar, they were vastly different in some places.
And after coming to this world, Ming Yu hadn't paid special attention to these things that were unrelated to the main storyline. If he were to answer this question, it would actually make him a little anxious.
But looking at the girl's eager eyes, Ming Yu was too embarrassed to refuse.
After some thought, Ming Yu said in a deep voice, "Shenzhou is a very vast place, and what I have seen is only the tip of the iceberg. However, since you are interested, I will talk about it for a bit. Perhaps, it will be completely different from the Shenzhou in your impression."
"In that case, I'd like to know more about the Shenzhou in Big Bro Yu's eyes."
Shaking her head with a light laugh, Higokumaru indicated that she didn't care about those things.
Turning his gaze to the churning sea of clouds, Ming Yu's voice also became a bit more distant, "Speaking of Shenzhou, it has to start from a very, very long story..."