Bronya spoke to Dark Seele in the manner of a parent.
Although Dark Seele clicked her tongue in displeasure, she still said, "…Everyone has their own strengths, okay?"
It had to be said that the tsundere Dark Seele acting like this nearly made some viewers laugh until they cramped.
On the television, after thirty minutes of narration passed, the tripartite meeting finally began.
The content was quite concise: it was a discussion on how to resolve the Stigmata Plan and even overcome Finality.
Forty-two hours passed after the meeting ended. Kiana, with her ponytail, stretched lazily.
"Ah… That was a really good sleep."
Seeing this scene, audiences across the country couldn't help but complain one after another.
"Slept for 42 hours in one go. As expected of the Firefly, easily doing what we can't!"
"Kiana stretching just now was really cute. I'm in love, I'm in love!"
"Big lazy tuna Kiana, I really want to take her home and raise her properly!"
"I'm really afraid that damn dog director is still thinking about knifing our ultimate invincible super TM cute Kiana even at this point!"
"Damn, the person in front, stop telling horror stories, okay!"
"If he really dares to do that, I'm going to consider camping at the dog director's door for 24 hours!"
"..."
Seeing the group chat somehow starting to go off-topic, Kalpas silently handed his phone to Hessian.
Hessian's old face darkened, but he then revealed an extremely bright smile.
Honkai Impact 3rd indeed no longer had any knife-heavy plot.
But just because this drama had no knives didn't mean there wouldn't be any in the future…
For some reason, even the mighty Kalpas felt a chill down his spine when he saw the smile on Hessian's face.
Kevin, who was secretly slurping noodles, stiffened. He subconsciously glanced at Hessian, wondering who had provoked him.
Never mind, it didn't matter. Slurping noodles and watching TV was more important.
On the television at this moment.
Kiana, who still didn't know how long she had slept, thought to herself, "But… did the alarm clock malfunction?"
"It looks like everyone else is already busy at their respective posts."
"The reason no one woke me up today… is because we're officially starting Dr. Einstein's plan afterward."
"So everyone wanted me to rest well and sleep until I naturally woke up?"
Looking at Mei, Bronya, Fu Hua, and Susanna working busily below.
Kiana nodded and said, "Then… before going downstairs, let me review all the steps of the plan once more."
"Step one: Use the Eye of the Sea Abyss and the communication devices everyone reinforced to contact Durandal and Su Shang, who have just returned near Earth."
"Step two: After meeting up with them, use the power of the Herrscher of the Void to guide the Seed of Sumeru to mark St. Freya's scattered information as much as possible across all latitudes."
"Step three: Use the Imaginary renormalization technique to integrate these scattered pieces of information into one within an independent dimension, obtaining a concrete and stable beacon."
"And the final step is to use this beacon to deploy our combat forces there, directly confront the Imaginary invasion, and launch a counterattack."
"The success rate of each step is probably closely related to my performance…"
"It's fine. As long as I handle it with a calm mind, these things aren't difficult for a Herrscher."
Just as Kiana was talking to herself and cheering herself on.
"Yes, besides, the first step of this plan has already been achieved."
Durandal's smiling voice came through, causing Kiana to widen her eyes slightly.
"…Eh? Durandal?"
Kiana turned around and asked, "You… have already returned?"
Durandal nodded, "Mm, we arrived half an hour ago."
"Thanks to everyone, navigation went without any trouble. Su Shang has gone to catch up on sleep right now."
Kiana first showed understanding, then asked with concern, "Oh… haven't you gone two days without rest? Are you okay?"
Durandal said, "It's fine. Schicksal has plenty of technology to support Valkyries fighting through the night."
"As for why I let Su Shang rest first but appeared here myself—the second step of the plan needs the Seed of Sumeru, right?"
Kiana said hesitantly, "Even so… alright, I understand."
"However, after executing this plan, you should also hurry and get some proper rest, okay?"
Durandal agreed, "Mm. Rita has already reminded me about that."
Kiana smiled, "That's good. So—without further delay, shall we head downstairs?"
Durandal happily said, "Sure."
The two sisters walked together. Although Durandal's hair color was different and Kiana was not a simple clone.
When they walked together, they truly gave off a harmonious feeling.
Even if their hair colors and even appearances were not entirely the same, it still made people feel that the two had a very good relationship.
Durandal took the initiative to speak, "I heard these temporary communication devices were all set up by Bronya using the power of the Herrscher of Reason over the past two days?"
Kiana said, "Actually, it also wouldn't have been possible without Susanna's hard work."
"If not for her, even if we could still contact the others…"
"It would have been very difficult to grasp the required specifications for the Cosmic Juggernaut when setting up these communication devices."
"According to Bronya, in that situation, the difficulty of helping you accurately locate Sea Abyss City would have been much greater."
While the two were talking, Bronya was not far away.
Turning to look as well, Durandal nodded in approval and said, "…Indeed."
"However, Nagamitsu launching her out like that was still too reckless. Though that's probably just their style."
Kiana laughed upon hearing this. At this time, Susanna noticed the two and hurriedly greeted them.
"Lady Durandal!"
Durandal turned to look and said, "We were just talking about you, Susanna."
Susanna said in pleasant surprise, "Eh?"
Kiana added from the side, "Mm. We were saying that without your help, Durandal and Su Shang might not have arrived at Sea Abyss City so smoothly."
Susanna scratched her head and said, "Ahaha… I only did some of my own job duties."
Kiana said, "But that doesn't change everyone's desire to thank you."
Durandal agreed, "Yes, well done, Susanna."
Probably because she was praised by her idol, Susanna immediately straightened her back and said, "Susanna will work twice as hard!"
Durandal laughed helplessly, "Alright, without further delay, let's begin the second phase of the plan."
"Should I deploy the Seed of Sumeru here?"
Kiana nodded, "Mm, of course. We also need to stay in contact with Dr. Einstein. She will guide us step by step on the specific methods."
After successfully meeting up, Kiana and the others immediately began implementing the plan to reclaim St. Freya.
As for another Valkyrie who had a deep connection with that academy…
...
After losing consciousness for nearly three days, her adventure was just beginning.
An unfamiliar place.
A pair of big azure eyes had just opened, filled with bewilderment and doubt.
If described in the style of a horror novel, people might say—
I believe the most merciful thing in the world is that the human mind cannot correctly catalog and organize the world itself.
Please remember, until the very end, the terror in my heart was never caused by anything visible.
I am writing these words under obvious mental strain, because by tonight, I will no longer exist.
Unknowingly, Kevin's voice seemed to surge into her ears once again.
"We are still no different from the plants and trees on the ground, drilling wood for fire, slash-and-burn agriculture…"
"Even after flying into space, humanity still cannot escape its childhood."
"Any wisdom in the universe is limited by its own mode of existence. This is not an obstacle that can be overcome by will."
Kevin's previous words seemed to echo in her ears, causing the awakened Theresa to fully regain her senses.
"Kevin… does the mode of existence you spoke of also include the scene before my eyes?"
As her consciousness continued to clear, Theresa began to perceive her surroundings.
This place was quiet and desolate, yet seemed filled to the brim by some invisible thing.
In the substance that could perhaps be called air, there lingered a sweet yet dangerous scent…
Like nitroglycerin resting on the tip of the tongue.
Theresa didn't know how long she had been trapped here.
Strangely, her body felt neither the fatigue after intense battle nor the hunger and thirst of being trapped for many days.
"..."
Theresa tried to awaken the power of Vishnu within her body, hoping the bizarre scene before her was also a dream that could be devoured.
But clearly, that was impossible.
No matter how hard Theresa tried, nothing unusual happened before her eyes.
However, it wasn't entirely in vain. At least it let her know that the space before her was definitely not a simple illusion.
"No matter what, stopping here is definitely not an option."
Theresa subconsciously wanted to start moving, but she encountered an attack after just a few steps.
"Is this also… an Imaginary Tree Envoy?"
It was not an Imaginary Tree God Envoy, but something of a lower level.
Theresa quickly engaged it in battle and had just begun to gain the upper hand.
The next moment, a dangerous feeling struck from behind, but it was not aimed at her.
Indeed, the Imaginary Tree Envoy was directly blasted apart by an unknown attack.
Behind Theresa, a middle-aged white-haired uncle was holding a gun in a firing posture.
"Sorry about that, shorty…"
"I stole one of your prey."
Hearing this familiar voice, Theresa couldn't help but widen her eyes, as if in disbelief.
The middle-aged white-haired uncle, or rather Siegfried, walked over and said, "Hey… Theresa, what are you spacing out for?"
Theresa said, as if she couldn't believe her eyes, "Siegfried… is it really you?"
Siegfried said unceremoniously, "Hmm? What… did you see a fake me somewhere, or have you drunk too much bitter melon juice and finally gone stupid?"
Theresa pursed her lips and laughed, "…Alright. No one else would say something so silly."
"So—is this the place where World Serpent imprisoned you?"
While the two were talking, national audiences had already silently started spamming what could only be called "barrage":
"Father-in-law, please accept this son-in-law's bow!"
No helping it. Not to mention Durandal, adding the popular accompanying maid Rita made it even higher.
Kiana was even more of a heavyweight, the undisputed female protagonist from the very beginning.
With two such daughters, it was no wonder a large number of audiences started playing this kind of nonsensical joke.
Later investigation even revealed that among them, the female audience ratio was actually higher.
At the same time, on the television.
Siegfried waved his hand and said, "Not exactly, but… this matter is probably going to take a while to explain…"
Thus, Siegfried started from when he was attacked at the Anti-Entropy base last year.
"…Anyway, from then on, I was imprisoned by them in the Kaslana Stigmata space."
"You just said you also fought the leader of World Serpent there?"
Theresa said, "Yes. His name is Kevin. He is the ancestor of the Kaslana family and a hero of the Previous Era."
"But he is also…"
Before she could finish, Siegfried continued, "—A sinner of this era, right."
Theresa said in surprise, "…You know what Kevin is doing?"
Siegfried shook his head, "No, but not long ago, he took away all the power of Chimera."
"If not for that, I wouldn't have been able to appear before you like this."
Theresa said in a low voice, "Kevin… he seized the authority of the Herrscher of Finality and is advancing the Stigmata Plan."
"According to him, this is the only way to prevent the Herrscher of Finality from destroying the world."
"Even though… all humans who cannot awaken Stigmata will fall into eternal sleep because of it."
Siegfried couldn't help but scratch his head, "Herrscher of Finality? What exactly happened outside while I was locked up?"
Theresa said with complicated emotions, "Mm… a lot has indeed happened in this past year."
"In just four hundred days, the newest Herrscher numbering went from the Fourth to the Twelfth."
"Even Otto has already passed away."
"But precisely in the face of these difficulties, the children of St. Freya have grown a lot."
Speaking of this, a gratified smile appeared on Theresa's face.
"Kiana—she defeated the personality of the Herrscher of the Void and became the Herrscher of Flamescion who fights for humanity."
"Just like Mr. Welt, who we are all familiar with."
Siegfried said with emotion, "Is that so… Then next time we meet, I'll have to treat her like a proper young lady."
Theresa smiled, "Goes without saying?"
"On the other hand, if you keep acting as sloppy as you did just now, she'll look down on you, you know?"
Siegfried also smiled and said, "Kiana won't be as petty as you say."
He had raised this daughter himself—how could he not know?
At this time, Theresa looked at Siegfried's left arm and couldn't help but ask, "Speaking of which…"
"Siegfried, was your left arm restored inside the Stigmata space?"
After Siegfried lost an arm back then, it wouldn't be an exaggeration to say he became a stray dog.
Even while staying at Anti-Entropy, he could still be captured and taken away by World Serpent.