The Seele in the image didn't know the reactions of the people outside.
She replied to the voice in her heart: "As long as we figure out the history of this World Bubble, we can find the answers to these questions."
"There must be information about this world in the archives."
The current goal was to head to the archives.
To figure out what this world was really like, and also to search for a way to escape the World Bubble.
The two walked silently, moving without making a sound.
A few minutes later, the perimeter of the archives.
Sakura stopped and lowered her voice: "The files are on this floor. Stay here for a moment and don't move."
"The path to the archives is guarded. It seems we can't bypass them this time."
She looked at the corridor outside the archives and shook her head helplessly. It was clear that Sakura didn't want to fight the guards.
Hearing this, Seele felt a bit panicked: "Then what should we do?"
Sakura said in a firm tone: "I have a way. Follow me closely, keep your head down, and don't make a sound."
As they approached the outside of the archives, a patrol robot scanned them with its mechanical eyes flashing red.
"#Warning: The area ahead is non-public. Please show your identification.#"
The mechanical guard reminded them in a cold voice.
Seele could feel a chilling gaze; the fine hairs on her body stood up in fear.
But Sakura didn't panic. Instead, she said in a calm, steady voice: "Sakura. Identification Number: CM-004."
"Identity verification in progress—"
The patrol robot verified the identity. Three seconds later, it reminded: "Identity verification passed. Good evening, warrior of the Flame-Chasers."
Seele was stunned, wondering in surprise: "Flame-Chasers?"
"We caught an escaped experimental subject."
Sakura patted Seele.
Although she was incredibly surprised to hear this, she cooperatively lowered her head.
"She refuses to speak. Dr. MEI asked me to check the archives to see which floor she escaped from," Sakura explained.
The patrol robot was silent for a second, then said in a mechanical voice:
"Permission verification failed. You do not have permission to access the archives."
"Sigh~ Still not working?"
Sakura sighed, a bit of annoyance seeping into her frustrated expression.
Seele's heart was thumping. If they were caught by the patrol robot, their plan would surely be ruined.
They might even be caught and thrown back into prison—that pitch-black little room from earlier.
Everyone outside the screen was also watching this scene nervously.
The information they could gather now was that Sakura was actually a warrior of the Flame-Chasers, but Seele was not.
If Sakura abandoned Seele, she would definitely be finished.
Just then, the next scene left Yae Sakura outside the screen completely shocked.
A single sound was heard!
—Slash!
The blade left its scabbard, and a swift strike cut the mechanical guard in half.
Holding the cold sword, Sakura lowered the hilt and said to Seele beside her: "We have to break through by force. Seele, hide behind me."
Hearing this, Seele plucked up her courage and said: "S-Seele can fight too!"
After a hard battle, the two dealt with the pursuing enemies... Meanwhile.
Outside.
Rin held back a laugh, puffing out her cheeks like a hamster.
"Yae Sakura-jie is still so... bold."
Theresa tried to smooth things over awkwardly, using "bold" to replace the word "reckless" that almost slipped out.
Since there was already a Sakura, she now called Yae Sakura by her full name instead of a nickname. "Theresa-jie, you don't have to hide it~ Hahaha! Sister is just like that. Sometimes when she encounters something she really can't solve, she gets a headache and just uses brute force. In that regard, you could say she has none of a shrine maiden's personality at all."
Rin's words made Yae Sakura purse her lips, questioning her life choices.
She hadn't noticed it before, but looking back now, it seemed she had never used strategy when facing enemies.
"Isn't this just going Musou? A physical breakthrough is still a breakthrough," Kiana complained.
"So stealth means... killing everyone who sees you. Bronya has learned."
Hearing everyone's discussion, Yae Sakura's face rarely turned red, and she quickly looked away.
"Let's keep watching."
...In the image.
When Sakura saw the glowing pattern on Seele's chest, she said in surprise: "Seele, that power of yours... is it a Stigmata?"
"Stigmata? You know about Stigmatas?" Seele was confused.
"Ah... sorry, I was just a bit surprised. Don't worry, you have a wonderful power. You haven't done anything wrong, and you shouldn't be locked up here."
For some reason, Seele felt that Sakura's voice sounded a bit somber.
The two walked into the interior of the archives.
Sakura: "The system is checking the records of personnel movement in each area. This will take some time."
Seele stepped forward and looked at the dense records in the archives, couldn't help but exclaim: "So many files, how impressive..."
The voice in her heart said: "By the way, do you know how to operate this equipment?"
"Seele will try her best. It should be similar to reading a book."
"I hope you don't cause any trouble."
Seele was dazed, but she accidentally pulled up a file.
She cried out in surprise and joy: "Success! This is a recording!"
Sakura was also surprised by Seele's good luck.
In the document, the automated voice of a researcher spoke slowly:
"The disaster caused by the 11th Herrscher is far more serious than we expected. It can be said that the Flame-Chasers were precisely the party that suffered the heaviest losses in this crisis."
"We have lost too many MANTISes. The remaining personnel can no longer maintain the unit's structure. For strategic reasons, they will be temporarily assigned to various armed squads until new combat forces can fill the current vacancies."
"I hope the MANTISes can coexist harmoniously with ordinary people..."
Hearing the file, Seele was startled. It seemed the Honkai in this world was far more serious than in reality.
Sakura-jie must have a very important reason. Perhaps it's related to the girl she's looking for.
Better to just ask her directly.
Seele made up her mind and returned to Sakura's side, suddenly finding her staring blankly at the cherry blossom pendant in her hand.
The pendant emitted a faint glow in the silence, illuminating the last trace of warmth in the corner of Sakura's eyes.
Noticing Seele's gaze, Sakura looked up: "What's wrong, Seele?"
"Nothing, I just feel like Sakura-jie is very familiar with this place."
"Are you worried? Don't be afraid. I was indeed once a member of the Flame-Chasers, but now they are my enemies."
"So, I won't hurt you, much less take you back." Sakura said softly.
Hearing the word "enemies."
Not only was Seele shocked.
Even the people outside the screen couldn't help but widen their eyes.
Why would they be enemies?
What exactly did the Flame-Chasers do?
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