At the location where Theresa, Bronya, and the cyborg were hiding—
A tense silence lingered in the air.
Theresa tried to initiate a conversation, clearly struggling to find the right approach.
Theresa : "Well, um... little girl... we're not bad people."
The cyborg responded immediately, her tone flat and emotionless said : "Then release this one."
Theresa crossed her arms stubbornly.
Theresa : "No."
A brief pause.
The cyborg replied without hesitation : "Kidnapper."
Theresa's eyes widened in disbelief said : "What?! We're the good girls!"
Frustration quickly took over.
She shook her head, clearly flustered.
Theresa : "This is so awkward! I hate it!"
She turned toward Bronya, clearly looking for help.
Theresa : "Bronya, think of something to make this one talk!"
Bronya remained as expressionless as ever—
Though a faint hint of awkwardness showed as she said : "The Principal has been an educator of juvenile subjects for several decades..."
Theresa immediately stiffened.
She avoided Bronya's gaze.
Theresa : "Several decades? Hey! What are you trying to say?"
Quickly redirecting, she pointed at the cyborg and continue : "And I've only taught ordinary girls... This cyborg kid is beyond me!"
Letting out a sigh, she gave up.
Theresa : "Whatever. Handle this machine, Bronya. You're good at this."
The cyborg reacted instantly.
The Cyborg : "Machine..."
Bronya corrected Theresa calmly : "Principal, you said something politically incorrect."
Theresa froze for a moment, realizing her mistake : "Oh dear, I think I did... what's your name, sweetie?"
The cyborg answered without emotion : "Machines do not need names."
Theresa's expression softened, guilt creeping in as she said : "Machine? Oh dear. I am really sorry. I didn't mean what I said just then."
The cyborg continued, her voice steady : "Don't be. This one is indeed a machine.Machines do not need names. We only need a model and a serial number. Just call me... the Ningyo."
Theresa frowned slightly, troubled.
Theresa said : "Did the Gray Serpent modify you into this? That is so evil!"
Ningyo responded immediately : "Evil? Negative. Master saved this one... and all of us. Everyone receives surgical implants in this city...to monitor Honkai levels. Un-augmented individuals are a rare sight."
Theresa listened carefully before asking, her tone gentler now.
Theresa : "When did you undergo your first surgery?"
Ningyo answered without hesitation : "This one does not remember the past... Only memories of the Eruption... Honkai took away this one's parents. This one was also corrupted. Her head hurt... immensely... They gave this one a choice between life and death. Accept the surgery or die. The choice was simple. This one's head was opened. The corrupted portions were replaced with new parts. This one's mind became lighter and faster. Life is nothing but a series of trade-offs.This one lived. This one connected herself to the Web to collect intel from the sea of data."
Theresa look at Ningyo with soft eyes said : "Hmm... you're a victim of the Eruption that took place 4 months ago. An important friend and a student of mine was taken away by the Eruption. I became a Valkyrie to protect people around me. Despite my Valkyrie powers, I was unable to live up to my promise. I couldn't even protect my dearest Kiana..."
Her thoughts drifted.
An image surfaced in her mind.
Himeko.
As Theresa thought to herself : 'Himeko... if you were here... you would know how to take care of this...we couldn't find you and Kouga for 4 months... where are you, girl? Now that we've found Kiana... I hope... I hope that you're still alright...'
Scene Change within Kiana's Crystal necklace.
At the Caucasuskabuto Castle—
Himeko, now dressed in a blue short and a white T-shirt, was testing the weapons stored there, sparring against a strange being that resided within Kouga's soul.
Suddenly—
She sneezed.
Pausing briefly, she wiped her nose and ask herself : "is someone talking about me ?".
Without missing a beat, she grabbed a massive claymore.
Joeshuimu.
She pointed it toward her opponent—
The Catastrophe Gore Nightmare.
And declare : "Okay pal, time for another round."
The Nightmare let out a roar in response accepting the challenge.
Around them, several beings watched the sparring match—
Wizardragon, Beast Chimera, GaoGod, Daizyujin, Tegasword, Kouga, and Yami, ect ect
Back to the present—
Ningyo observed Theresa before speaking again.
Ningyo after hearing Theresa ask her : "They call you the Principal. Are you an instructor?"
Theresa hesitated slightly.
Theresa replies : "Yes... I guess..."
A thought crossed her mind.
then she thought to herself : 'Now what subjects did I exactly teach?'
Ningyo continued.
Ningyo then ask : "Was the girl on the photograph your student? Was she lost?"
Theresa nodded, urgency returning to her voice.
Theresa reply : "That's right! She's a very important student of mine. Can you tell me where she is?"
Ningyo responded—
Unwavering.
Ningyo said " This one wants to tell you.But this one cannot provide intel without the master's authorization. Apologies."
Theresa clenched her fist slightly.
Theresa quietly curse : "Dammit..."
At that moment—
Bronya quickly approached.
Bronya quickly went to theresa and report : "Principal Theresa, a squadron of mechs is heading our way."
Theresa immediately shifted into action.
She summoned the Oath of Judas and told Bronya : "Get ready, girls!"
Beside her—
Bronya summoned Project Bunny.
With that Theresa and Bronya decimated all the mechs that headed their way.
After destroying all the mechs that had come for them, the battlefield finally fell silent.
Fragments of metal and sparks littered the ground.
Theresa stood with the Oath of Judas still in hand, scanning their surroundings cautiously.
She couldn't help but voice her concern: "What is it? Did they locate us?"
Behind her, Project Bunny hovered, smoke drifting from its cannon arms after the recent barrage.
Bronya remained calm as she responded : "Perhaps these police mechs still regard us as criminals."
Theresa shook her head, unconvinced : "These mechs are more than just public safety units."
At that moment—
A holographic projection flickered to life.
Mei appeared, contacting them with urgency as she report : "Principal, Gray Serpent's killer has revealed herself. It's Rita Rossweisse, deputy captain of the Immortal Blades Valkyrie squad."
Theresa's expression darkened immediately upon hearing the name said : "Rita? Ugh. Why now? That maid is a most annoying person."
Mei continued, recalling the encounter.
She placed a hand over her crystal necklace as she spoke.
Mei : "I couldn't hold her off for long… but then my necklace suddenly started glowing. Kouga appeared—or something that looked like him—and struck Rita down before vanishing again before I could reach him."
Theresa listened carefully, her expression softening slightly.
She remembered the nature of the crystal necklace Mei was wearing—
Its ability to summon fragments of Kouga.
Theresa responded calmly to Mei : "I'm glad you're safe."
Mei nodded, then quickly asked : "Any news from your side? Did we get Kiana's whereabouts?"
Theresa shook her head said : "Nothing, and we've been ambushed by a mech squad..."
Mei's expression grew more serious.
Without hesitation, she replied : "I'm heading back to support you."
But before she could move—
Bronya interrupted.
Her voice firm : "Nyet. Bronya has detected...a second beacon signal emitted from Mei's Valkyrie battlesuit.Rita must have planted a tracker on Mei during the fight. Mei, please divert from your original path to confuse Rita."
Mei's eyes widened slightly in surprise.
Then she nodded in understanding : "Understood."