Outside the Schicksal headquarters spaceport, explosions bloomed one after another, like fireworks.
"Ms. Theresa, the mecha units have secured the outer perimeter of the spaceport and are ready to launch an attack at any moment," Einstein said softly.
"You're just in time, we're ready here too."
"All troops, prepare for combat, concentrate all firepower, and occupy Schicksal's Third Spaceport!"
With a wave of Theresa's hand, the battle for the Third Spaceport commenced, Theresa's gaze fixed on the engagement unfolding on the large screen.
It had to be said, Anti-Entropy's research in mechs far surpassed current Schicksal's, their firepower was truly fierce.
Schicksal's mechs were no match for Anti-Entropy's, being utterly suppressed. The Third Spaceport was a battlefield, but it was a one-sided affair with Anti-Entropy dominating Schicksal.
"Tch, is it never going to end?"
Himeko frowned, looking at the Schicksal tactical mechs swarming around them, wave after wave.
"It seems... I'll have to use the weapon Ling Feng gave me to end this quickly."
The Blade of the War God, when wielded by someone other than its master, placed a considerable burden on the holder. Even if the master authorized its use, the burden remained, though it wouldn't resist the wielder.
"Boom, boom, boom!"
Several laser beams suddenly shot down from the sky, obliterating all the tactical mechs around Himeko.
Himeko looked up, a smile playing on her lips. "Ha, you're finally here... Hyperion!"
The modified Hyperion looked completely different, possessing the aura of a capital warship, incredibly stylish.
With Hyperion's support, Himeko and the others quickly occupied the command tower of the Third Spaceport.
Inside the command tower, Himeko, piloting her mech, relentlessly destroyed the defensive mechs that entered the tower.
"Dr. Tesla, are you ready yet?"
"It's 1 minute and 58 seconds... Done! The spaceport's defense system is completely down."
As soon as Tesla finished speaking, the incoming Schicksal mechs, as if losing power, all collapsed to the ground with a thud.
"Hmph, that was too easy."
Just as Dr. Tesla was basking in her triumph, Himeko, inside her mech, frowned and looked at the blood she coughed up into her hand, her vision blurring.
"Damn it... just not at the right time."
"Is there... not much time left?"
Although her previous treatment had healed both her internal and external injuries, using artificial stigma still came with immense side effects.
The fierce battle on the transport ship had once again eroded her fully recovered body with the side effects of the artificial stigma.
If she had hit points, she would now have only half left, and this was after a full recovery. Her former self would likely be near death now.
But... she hadn't rescued Kiana yet. How could she give up now!
Himeko wiped the blood from the corner of her mouth. Once she confirmed she was fine, she opened her communicator and called out calmly.
"The defense system is down, we're safe for now. But we still don't know where Kiana is."
Theresa nodded and said softly.
"Give the two doctors of Anti-Entropy some time, they're infiltrating the spaceport's system to search for clues."
"Go see what they've found, and ask Fu Hua about Bronya's condition."
...
"Bishop Otto, I have arrived at headquarters, please give your orders."
"...No response, what's going on?"
After a moment of silence, there was still no reply, which made Fu Hua somewhat perplexed.
Suddenly, a young female voice came from the communicator.
"Master Fu Hua, this is Rita."
"The Bishop has entered the laboratory, and he ordered me to rendezvous with you."
"I've sent you a location signal, please come here to meet me."
With that, the communication ended, followed by a set of coordinates being sent over. Looking at the coordinates displayed on the communicator, a hint of confusion flickered in Fu Hua's eyes.
"Rita...? Why would Otto send that woman?"
Despite her confusion, Fu Hua headed towards the designated location. Along the way, she encountered several Honkai beasts, all of which she easily dealt with.
It was no longer surprising for Honkai beasts to appear at Schicksal headquarters. The descent of the Herrscher had caused this area to erupt with Honkai.
Before reaching the coordinates, Fu Hua spotted Rita in her ice-blue armor from a distance.
"Rita."
"Welcome back, Master Fu Hua. Thank you for your hard work in exterminating the Judgment-class Honkai beast. Would you like to sit down for a cup of tea?"
Rita smiled, lifted her skirt, and performed a standard maid's curtsy.
Fu Hua was not interested. She looked at Rita calmly and asked, confused.
"Why are you here alone? Where is your captain, Durandal?"
"Lady Durandal is still leading the troops to exterminate the Honkai beasts invading headquarters. I received Bishop Otto's orders, so I returned early to await you and assist you in completing the mission."
"There's no need."
Fu Hua said indifferently, crossing her arms.
"This is my duty, Master Fu Hua. I hope you can understand."
Rita clasped her hands in front of her abdomen and said softly.
Fu Hua stared at Rita for a moment before sighing helplessly. She knew that the other party was acting under Otto's orders.
"Alright, what is the mission?"
"Master Theresa of the Far East Branch, leading the Anti-Entropy forces, has occupied the Third Spaceport. The Bishop wishes for us to go and bring her to reason."
"Understood. However, I have a condition: do not harm their lives."
"Please rest assured, the Bishop also does not wish for Master Theresa and her subordinates to be harmed," Rita said with a light laugh.
"Then let's go."
"It is my honor to assist you, Master Fu Hua."
Fu Hua did not reply but turned and left. Seeing this, Rita did not get angry. Instead, she maintained her perfect smile and followed Fu Hua.
Meanwhile, on Himeko's side, Tesla discovered through the system that a spaceship had entered the Helheim Laboratory at headquarters a few hours ago.
This meant that Otto might be conducting the final experiment on Kiana in this laboratory. Some people present were well aware of this.
Except for Sagiri and Keqing, who did not understand.
Helheim Laboratory was a heavily guarded important site of Schicksal. Breaking in would be extremely difficult, let alone the guard force, the defensive barriers alone would be hard to breach quickly with their firepower.
To quickly break through the laboratory's barriers, Himeko decided to take a risk and volunteered to go and destroy the barrier's energy supply – the large Honkai reactor.
Theresa wanted to refuse, but Himeko insisted. Helplessly, Theresa could only wish Himeko success in her mission.
Just as Himeko was about to act, Tesla requested to accompany her. Himeko refused, as infiltrating such a heavily guarded place was undoubtedly very dangerous, almost a suicide mission.
But to save Kiana... to save her student, she was willing...
However, Tesla directly rejected the idea.
Some time later~
Himeko looked back at Tesla.
"We're about to enter Schicksal's defense perimeter. Do you have any combat plans, Dr. Tesla?"
Tesla raised an eyebrow and put a hand on her hip, retorting.
"Combat plan? I think we should just call Otto directly and tell him to shut down all of Schicksal's Honkai reactors."
"Then lay out a red carpet for us to enter the laboratory, and pop a few bottles of champagne to celebrate. What do you think of that plan?"
"Hmph, what kind of plan? Of course, it's to smash everything we see!"
Himeko couldn't help but chuckle at this. She suddenly found this Dr. Tesla quite agreeable.
"Heh, I actually quite like your idea."
The plan was... it was more satisfying to just fight their way through.
With the support of a portion of the mecha units led by Tesla, their operation was indeed much smoother. Soon, the large Honkai reactor was destroyed by these two reckless individuals.
After dealing with the enemies who came to intercept them, Himeko slung her Aurora Greatsword across her back and clapped her hands.
"The nuisances are dealt with, let's retreat."
Tesla looked at the wreckage of mechs on the ground and immediately became arrogant, sneering.
"Hmph, Schicksal is so weak. A pile of scrap metal, calling them mechs is an insult to Titans."
"Oh... is this Anti-Entropy's new mecha? It looks like it'll be a bit of a struggle to clean up."
Before the voice finished, a young, unfamiliar female voice suddenly came from above, immediately making Himeko and Tesla tense.
Looking up, they saw Rita, clad in ice-blue armor, standing on the shoulder of a new mecha, who had appeared at some unknown time.
With a flash of her blade, a tactical mecha was easily sliced into pieces and exploded.
"Dr. Tesla, be careful!"
Just as Himeko raised her Aurora Greatsword, ready to attack, Fu Hua's figure appeared behind her like a phantom.
"This is as far as you go, Major. Please surrender and lay down your weapons. I won't harm you. Coming here was a mistake, Kiana she..."
Himeko's reflexes were extremely sharp. She immediately dodged, pulling Tesla with her, and created distance between themselves and Rita and Fu Hua.
"She is not the real Kiana, Theresa and I already knew that."
Fu Hua paused slightly, then asked, confused.
"Then why are you... Her power is very unstable and could go berserk at any moment. Allowing her to be free poses a threat to humanity."
Himeko, holding her sword, stared intently at Fu Hua and the two of them, sneering.
"While spouting noble words, you push an innocent girl towards death."
"Fu Hua, is this your justice?"
Upon hearing this, Fu Hua clenched her fist and looked deeply at Himeko. The Himeko before her seemed to overlap with the captain in her memory. She sighed.
"Sacrifices are unavoidable in order to fight the Honkai."
"Major, you should know better than I do that misplaced mercy will only lead to more terrible consequences."
Himeko shook her head and said in a low voice.
"You don't understand what 'sacrifices are unavoidable' means."
"Fu Hua, what's truly terrifying isn't how many lives this world takes away."
"It's how many people become accustomed to the loss of life."
With that, Himeko demonstrated her resolve with her actions, raising her Aurora Greatsword and stepping forward to slash at Fu Hua.
Fu Hua sighed and also stepped forward, meeting the attack with a punch.