Before Theresa could speak, Keqing, standing beside Mei, shook her head decisively.
"That's right, just as Keqing said, that idea won't work."
Theresa nodded in agreement.
Think about it, an infiltrator who knows the whereabouts of S-class Valkyries must have immense authority. Who knows when she might be ambushed?
Fabricating a potentially nonexistent high-level mole with such an excuse is simply not worth the risk.
"Bronya proposes – 'Anti-Entropy is the main culprit behind this Honkai, their goal is to target S-class Valkyries, which is why she was marked the moment she appeared.'"
Theresa pondered for a moment, then shook her head. "It sounds plausible, but there are still flaws. If the target is an S-class Valkyrie, Anti-Entropy's forces are severely lacking in combat power..."
"Sigh~ Let's just listen to this lady's excuse," Kiana said confidently, hands on her hips.
"Actually, I discovered that the Durandal forces' movement route is the 'Golden Coast Tourist Route' that's been famous lately!"
"We'll just tell her that Anti-Entropy's forces were just passing by and coincidentally ran into Durandal and the others. That way, it'll make sense~"
...
Suddenly, the surroundings fell silent. Keqing and the others' mouths twitched uncontrollably as they listened to Kiana's excuse, their minds filled with silent complaints.
Who in their right mind uses a flying battleship for tourism?!
"Even a weed wouldn't believe that!" Himeko voiced their collective thoughts.
"No, it might work. Although it's fantastical, there are no obvious flaws. I'll try it first, you guys wait."
With that, Theresa's voice disappeared from the communication channel. A moment later, Theresa's voice echoed back.
"She actually believed it!"
"Pfft!" Himeko, who was drinking water, suddenly spat it out. Keqing and the others were also stunned.
Their eyes conveyed their current thoughts... She actually believed such an excuse?! Are you kidding me?!
"Could it be that overly honest people are just like fools?" Theresa scratched her head in confusion.
"I have a feeling Durandal is a sensible person. Maybe we could become good friends," Kiana chuckled. However, she then realized something was amiss. "...Wait, who are you calling a fool!"
Theresa ignored Kiana's protest and ordered, "Less chatter. Our primary objective now is to find Wendy."
"Yes!"
Mei quickly pulled Kiana along and followed the main group. Soon, they arrived at the designated coordinates.
Wendy, flying in the sky above the plaza, sensed the commotion and turned her head, only to see Kiana and the others catching up again. She said fiercely,
"You're really persistent! Then I'll teach you a good lesson!"
"Hmph, those are my lines." Kiana drew a line across her nose with her thumb and aimed her gun at Wendy.
"Miss Wendy, please believe us. You've only been misled by Honkai energy and lost your way," Keqing stepped forward to persuade her.
"Wait, Kiana, Bronya wants to say a few words to Wendy."
"Don't come any closer, I don't want to, I don't want to talk to you, Bronya, don't come any closer!"
The once fierce Wendy's eyes instantly lost their ferocity upon seeing Bronya approaching her, and she kept retreating.
Bronya looked at Wendy gently, understanding that the other party was still conscious, and said softly.
"Wendy, you always remind Bronya of... a younger sister named Seele, from the orphanage back then."
"Seele, like Wendy, was a strong and gentle child. Although Seele's consciousness was once controlled by Honkai, she eventually overcame it."
"When Bronya underwent modifications, it was also very painful, and even... still is..."
"But... as long as there is a glimmer of hope ahead, one should press forward firmly. Bronya understands Wendy's inner pain."
"...Therefore, Bronya can also understand Wendy's strength in enduring this pain."
"So, please don't give up. No matter what, Bronya will believe in you."
Wendy's pupils contracted slightly, her expression very complex, but the intensity of the Honkai energy emanating from her body was slowly decreasing.
After Wendy returned to normal, she looked up at Bronya and said earnestly.
"...I... I believe Bronya-sis... If Bronya-sis believes in me, I'm willing to... believe in myself one more time!"
"That's great! Miss Wendy seems to have regained consciousness."
"Phew... That's a relief. Alright, let's head back to the Hyperion," Keqing breathed a long sigh of relief and returned the Ryonagi blade to her Divine Key.
Just as they were preparing to return to the Hyperion, the Heavy Cannon Rabbit suddenly aimed its muzzle at Wendy and, with a deafening roar, fired a scorching beam of light.
*Boom!*
Keqing reacted instantly, the Ryonagi blade appearing in her hand. With a flash, she appeared behind Wendy, and a purple shield blocked the explosion's damage.
"Stop! Bronya! What are you doing!?" Mei exclaimed in surprise.
"Bronya-sis! Why did you attack me!? Did you... were you lying to me just now!? I... I can't trust anyone anymore!"
Seeing Bronya suddenly attack her, the impact on Wendy's psyche was immense.
In an instant, Wendy completely abandoned resistance to the Honkai consciousness, and her Herrscher core was reactivated, transforming her into her Herrscher form.
Helplessly, everyone had to engage Wendy in battle once more, fighting back and forth.
*Bang!*
Kagura, hidden within the wind, was about to ambush Wendy, but was immediately repelled by a wind blade from Wendy, revealing her form.
"Wind Herrscher?"
Kagura was very serious. Wendy being the Wind Herrscher, ambushing her from within the wind was like showing off in front of a master.
In that case, she would face her head-on!
Just as Kagura was about to charge for a strike, she suddenly sensed five flying battleships rapidly approaching from ten miles away!
Without a doubt, it was Anti-Entropy.
"Everyone! Anti-Entropy is here! Less than a few miles away! With their speed, they'll likely arrive in a few minutes."
"What!" Mei cried out in surprise, retreating to dodge several wind blades.
"We need to finish this quickly!"
Keqing shouted. Although she didn't know how Kagura knew, one thing was certain: the longer they stayed here, the more dangerous it would be!
At this point, everyone stopped holding back and unleashed their full power!
This made Wendy feel immense pressure. Continuous lightning sword energy, surprise attacks, laser beams, and elusive cat claws. Only Mei's attacks felt slightly easier for her.
"So troublesome!"
Wendy continuously stimulated the power of her Herrscher core, and a gale immediately erupted around her, creating a tornado that neutralized everyone's attacks.
Inside the flying battleship, Cocolia was surprised by Kagura's words. How did this little girl know their location?
"Welt! Go deal with this little girl." Cocolia turned to look at the Welt clone behind her.
"Yes~" Welt replied perfunctorily and then left the battleship.
"Someone's targeting me." Kagura's brows furrowed. The moment Cocolia harbored ill intent towards her, she sensed it.
And... they had dispatched a supersonic fighter jet!
"It seems they're coming for me..."
Kagura looked up in that direction. With her eyesight, she could see a supersonic fighter jet rapidly approaching.
Regardless of whether it was for her or not, she couldn't let it affect them!
"Keqing! You guys quickly subdue Wendy!" With that, Kagura stepped on the Mist Wind and flew towards the supersonic fighter jet.
Just as she was about to collide with the supersonic fighter jet, Kagura's speed did not diminish. The Mist Wind beneath her feet flew into her hand, and she drew her sword.
Under the sharpness of the Mist Wind, the supersonic fighter jet was instantly sliced in half.
*Boom!*
The supersonic fighter jet exploded into fragments, while Kagura remained unharmed. She could easily cut through bullets.
A mere supersonic fighter jet was easier to slice than tofu under the edge of the Mist Wind.
"Oh, an interesting little brat. Let me, the First Herrscher, have a go at you! Once I capture you, I'll make sure you taste my power."
Welt also remained unharmed, looking at Kagura opposite him, he licked his lips with excitement.
"Bring it on!" Kagura's brow furrowed at the sight, but there was no fear in her eyes.