"Ah, breaking news! That pain-in-the-ass Herrscher made a sudden 90-degree turn mid-flight and is now heading straight for Africa. Is this brat planning to blow the Nile River away with a tornado?"
Simon Lailey stared at the newly transmitted data, her lips twitching.
"The Schicksal Africa Branch members are already asking how to handle this..."
"What did you tell them?" Theresa asked, her gaze fixed anxiously on the Valkyrie from the Intelligence Department.
"What else could I say? I told them to stock up on ice cream sundaes —the kind with extra toppings—to coax the little tyrant away. Since we can't defeat her, we might as well appease her majesty with some treats."
"Besides, while the Herrscher situation is urgent, there's no point in panicking. We have no way to directly capture a ghost moving at a steady Mach 10."
"So, our current priorities remain securing the Gem of Desire and rescuing Miss Bronya, the B-rank Valkyrie from the Far East Branch who was abducted after being mind-controlled."
"Wait a minute, Miss Simon Lailey," Himeko interrupted.
"Regarding Wendy... hasn't Overseer Otto at Headquarters said anything about her?"
"Overseer Otto? No. When he heard that this Herrscher's physical form could accelerate to Mach 10, and possibly even faster, he initially tried to intervene."
"But according to rumors—and I must stress these are just rumors, I'm not slandering the Overseer here—when he personally confronted this troublemaker, he got beaten up so badly he looked like a panda, with matching bruises around both eyes. After that, he completely gave up."
"They say he muttered something like, 'Assassins with immunity to crowd control and a sprint skill? What the hell are you doing, Mihoyo...?' Though that doesn't quite fit the Overseer's usual demeanor, so take it with a grain of salt."
"In short, the Overseer has concluded that since this Herrscher can't be defeated or captured, and hasn't caused any significant damage, it's best to simply ignore her."
Simon Lailey paused, picked up a nearby water glass, and took a sip to soothe her throat before continuing.
"Therefore, our current priorities remain Miss Bronya and recovering the Gem of Desire. The good news is that Ninti, an A-rank Valkyrie from the Divine Authority Squad, has already infiltrated Cocolia's final battleship."
"That old woman came with four warships, but after the battle, only one remained. According to Ninti's report, even that last ship was in terrible shape. They were forced to crash-land at the airport, and the ship will ultimately need to be scrapped."
"Based on Ninti's description, the ship was practically stripped down to the parking brake. Tsk, tsk, tsk."
"Ahem, back to the main point. Ninti followed them onto a transport plane... that plane is currently heading toward the newly rebuilt Nagazora City New District. Based on our analysis, their destination is likely ME Corp's current headquarters building. Note that New Nagazora City falls under the ambiguous jurisdiction of both Schicksal and Anti-Entropy, meaning both factions have the power to intervene."
"New Nagazora City? Why would they take the Gem of Desire there? Is that bastard planning to trigger another Honkai eruption?!"
Theresa's voice rose sharply. She glanced at Mei beside her—
"Hyperion... no, Simon Lailey—Kyuusyou, are you there?"
"I'm here. What's the matter?" Kyuusyou peeked out from the corner of the screen.
"The Hyperion is too conspicuous. We need to transfer to the Nibelungen assault carrier and approach ME Corp near New Nagazora City."
"Understood. Perfect timing. I just finished some modifications at Headquarters to greatly enhance the Nibelungen's stealth capabilities. The Nibelungen's hangar is ready to receive the Valkyrie Squad from the Hyperion at any moment."
"Then I'll leave it to you, Mei. Kiana, let's head to the Nibelungen. Himeko, take the Hyperion back to St. Freya Academy..."
The red-haired Valkyrie grabbed Theresa's arm.
"Ha! As if I'd abandon my students and pilot the ship back myself. Don't even think about it, Theresa! Adjutant, transfer control. You guys take the Hyperion back to St. Freya Academy."
"Theresa, we're going to New Nagazora City together."
"Himeko... Alright! Hyperion Valkyrie First Squad, prepare to board and transfer to the Nibelungen. Target: New Nagazora City. Rescue Bronya, and if necessary, reclaim the Gem of Desire."
-
On the Nibelungen, similar orders were being issued in rapid succession.
"Assault ships, commence turning maneuvers. Prepare to receive Valkyrie First Squad from the Hyperion—all personnel. Target: New Nagazora City. Engines, prepare to engage afterburner."
Standing in the Captain's seat, Kyuusyou barked out the orders.
"Simon, maintain contact with Ninti. We need real-time intelligence from within ME Corp."
"Understood."
"Technical Officer, activate optical camouflage and counter-surveillance measures before entering New Nagazora City. Retract all internal gun turrets into their bays."
"Acknowledged."
"Acting Captain Kyuusyou, Headmaster Theresa's Valkyrie Squad has been successfully received."
"Full speed ahead to New Nagazora City! Stop Anti-Entropy Executor Cocolia before she can pull any more tricks!"
"Oh, and Simon—continue monitoring Wendy's movements. Even though she removed the Gem of Desire from her own body, we can't rule out other intentions she might have for it."
"Snow... Snow... you really know how to make trouble for me..."
Kyuusyou gazed down at the bustling crowd on the bridge below, muttering softly to herself.
"Kyuusyou, we've arrived."
Theresa and her group emerged from the elevator behind the bridge, while Mei and Kiana, who had followed them onto the bridge, curiously surveyed the warship's interior.
"It feels much smaller than Aunt Himeko's Hyperion, but it's so sci-fi!" Kiana whispered, her eyes wide with wonder as she scanned the ship's interior.
The Nibelungen Ship's interior was constructed from black-gray metallic panels, etched with flowing golden energy patterns that gave the illusion of a futuristic spacecraft rather than an aerial battleship.
"You call me 'Teacher' so sweetly when you want something, but now it's back to 'Auntie'—?!"
A vein popped on Murata Himeko's forehead as she heard Kiana's mutterings. Her merciless iron hand shot out and grabbed the White-haired Knight Miss by the ear, twisting it mercilessly.
"Ow, ow, ow! I'm sorry, sister Himeko! I'm sorry!" Kiana yelped, immediately begging for mercy.
"Hmph! Who's your 'sister' anyway...?"
Pleased by Kiana's repeated calls of "Sister," Himeko released the girl's ear, sparing her this time.
"Alright, enough fooling around. Let's discuss the battle plan," Theresa said, looking helplessly at the group behind her.