"One of my favorite things," Xingyue said, "is saying 'No' to people who think they're stronger than me."
She smiled, savoring Otto's shifting expression.
Don't think I don't know. Even if I hadn't introduced myself, once you learned about the Herrscher of the Sea or a Planetary-Level Honkai Beast from the Three Families, Far East Branch, or Anti-Entropy, your promise would vanish.
You'd still send Valkyries after me.
So why should I play along?
Otto's smile returned.
"This young lady is truly fascinating."
"Rita, Bianca—please invite our guest to headquarters."
As expected. You've shown your true colors.
Xingyue's lips curled.
"Understood, Archbishop."
Rita bowed gracefully, performed a formal salute, and alongside Durandal, drew her scythe weapon.
Otto gave the sea-haired girl one final, chilling glare before cutting off the communication feed.
Around her, the Valkyrie squad unsheathed their weapons, forming a tight perimeter.
"Hehe…"
Xingyue raised a slender, jade-like hand and gently lifted the transparent veil from her bamboo hat, her smile both alluring and ominous.
"You really think a few Valkyrie squads can challenge a Planetary-Level Honkai Beast?"
She glanced around mockingly.
"They didn't even bring the Alaya-Vijnana Cannon… Oh wait, that's right—you don't have one."
Her voice turned cold, stripped of all humanity.
"Humans… such ignorant creatures."
Durandal raised her hand.
"Prepare for battle!"
The Valkyries instantly tensed, their fingers tightening around their triggers.
Mei and Kiana exchanged uncertain glances. After all, they had previously clashed with these two S-Rank Valkyries—making the situation awkward.
A few seconds passed before Kiana broke the silence.
"Mei, let's go too. We need to bring Bronya back."
"Mm."
They nodded in agreement, drew their weapons, and joined the formation.
Durandal confirmed the squad was ready. The girl at the center hadn't moved.
With a sharp motion, Durandal swung her arm down.
A barrage of specialized anti-Honkai firearms erupted—flames and bullets poured like a torrential downpour, thicker than rain, engulfing the battlefield.
Smoke billowed. Shell casings clattered at the Valkyries' feet. They reloaded with precision, while rocket launchers in the rear fired in synchronized bursts.
But when the smoke cleared, every Valkyrie's eyes widened in disbelief.
The battlefield was scorched and cratered—except for one spot.
The girl who had provoked Schicksal's Overseer stood untouched. Even the grass beneath her feet remained pristine.
A sky-blue light shield shimmered around Xingyue, having absorbed every attack.
"This… this is impossible!" one Valkyrie gasped.
"According to Schicksal's database, even Benares—Judgment-class Honkai Beast from the Second Eruption—wouldn't have survived that unscathed!"
Durandal's surprise was evident, but she quickly composed herself, analyzing the situation with a hand to her chin.
Just as she turned to speak to Rita, a sudden sense of dread overwhelmed her.
Both S-Rank Valkyries instinctively stepped back.
Durandal felt a strange, indescribable tremor in her chest—a chill that crawled down her spine.
Xingyue clasped her hands together and slowly lifted her gaze toward the endless stars above.
"For the death of the ignorant… I offer humanity's prayer."
The world darkened.
A hellish red landscape unfolded—like a forest of demons.
Black flames erupted around them, surging like volcanic fury.
The air turned glacial, as if a ten-thousand-year ice cave had opened beneath their feet. A crushing pressure descended, suffocating and relentless.
Thump… Thump…
Valkyries clutched their throats, eyes rolling back, foam spilling from their lips as they collapsed one after another.
Mei and Kiana dropped to their knees, drenched in sweat, gasping for air.
Only two remained standing.
Rita trembled, her face pale, breath ragged—clearly affected.
Only Durandal stood firm, almost untouched by the overwhelming force.