"Send off my daughter?" Cocolia frowned.
"What are you talking abou—"
Her voice cut off.
Xingyue's empty eyes locked onto Bronya, who was speeding toward her.
Swoosh!
Bronya's velocity bent the wildflowers around her. She was pushing far beyond her normal limits.
But to Xingyue, her movements were slower than a crawling insect.
At the perfect moment, Xingyue seized Bronya's head and slammed her into the ground.
Thump!
The earth trembled. Titans nearby staggered. A shallow crater formed beneath Xingyue's palm, Bronya's head buried deep in the soil. Her eyes rolled back—unconscious.
"Bronya!" cried the woman in the mecha, her voice cracking.
"Damn it." Cocolia muttered, her nails digging into her palms.
Now she understood what Xingyue meant by "sending off her daughter."
"Mecha squad, retrieve Bronya and the Gem of Desire—"
Her voice faltered. She bit her lip, hesitating.
Then came another blow.
"Schicksal forces detected nearby. Approaching fast."
"Damn it! Why now?!"
Cocolia slammed the console repeatedly.
"Wait!"
A flash of inspiration struck. She changed her orders.
"All units, activate tactical stealth and withdraw."
From Xingyue's perspective, the mechas halted mid-charge, shifted colors, and retreated—not out of New Zealand, but to a nearby position, clearly waiting.
"Haha! So that's your plan, Ms. Cocolia? You really are an old fox."
Xingyue quickly deduced the situation: Schicksal's S-Rank Valkyries were arriving. Cocolia had calculated that continuing the fight would risk Anti-Entropy's annihilation in a pincer attack. Better to let the two sides clash and pick up the pieces.
A clever plan.
But you're going to be disappointed, Ms. Cocolia.
She had accounted for everything—except one crucial detail.
And just as that thought passed, Schicksal's forces arrived.
A woman with short ash-blonde hair, dressed in a white maid uniform and wielding a curved scythe, stepped forward. Her wine-red eyes and tear mole gave her a delicate, noble air.
Behind her, another woman in dark blue Valkyrie armor, carrying a long spear, joined her.
Rita and Durandal—Schicksal's elite.
Behind them, a wave of Valkyries surrounded Xingyue, Bronya, and Wendy. Others broke off to tend to Kiana and Mei.
But they were a beat too late.
Rita, observing the unfamiliar girl, sheathed her scythe and clasped her hands.
"Durandal-sama, the Fourth Herrscher has been confirmed. However, Miss Wendy is in the hands of a stranger. Should we consult the Archbishop?"
Durandal brushed back her golden waves.
"Transmit battlefield footage to headquarters."
A virtual screen appeared—Otto.
"You must be Otto, right?" Xingyue said, raising her head.
Otto coughed lightly, then smiled.
"No need for introductions, it seems."
"Then let's get to the point. Miss, please hand Wendy over to Schicksal. In return, I guarantee—by the authority of the Archbishop—you may leave unharmed."
His tone was firm, his smile unwavering.
"Schicksal will not pursue this matter. Consider us friends who met by chance."
Otto added, calculating. With Bronya and Wendy down, and Rita and Durandal present, he felt confident. Surely this girl wouldn't risk herself for strangers.
"I haven't introduced myself yet," Xingyue said, hands on her hips.
"Oh! My apologies!"
Otto bowed politely.
"Beautiful lady, forgive my eagerness."
His eyes never left her.
"No matter. I'm surprised the Archbishop cares about such details."
Xingyue smiled.
"Allow me to introduce myself. I am Xingyue. By your naming conventions, a Planetary-Level Honkai Beast—or, the Herrscher of the Sea."
Otto's eyes flickered.
"As you said, if I release these two, I may leave safely. Is that promise valid?"
"Of course. My word is my bond."
"I see, I see! Hahaha! What a profitable deal—trading strangers for personal safety."
Xingyue laughed.
"Schicksal never mistreats its friends…"
Otto extended his hand, confident.
"However, I refuse."
"What?!"
Otto's voice cracked.