Outside.
Seeing Kevin's arrival in the image.
For some reason, Fu Hua felt a complex emotion.
She had forgotten many things, but this person, Fu Hua could not forget.
The leader of the Thirteen Flame-Chasers of the anti-Honkai organization "Flame-Chasers" under the United Nations of the First Civilization Era, ranked "I," humanity's strongest protector, the person closest to the Flame-Chasers' great ambition, the "Hero" recognized by everyone.
The world firmly believed that he would eventually lead humanity to defeat the Honkai!
However, in the future that followed, what Fu Hua saw was not Kevin as a hero.
Those cold eyes were hollow and void of anything—no emotion, no Remembrance, no warmth, not a single trace of what should be in a human's gaze.
This man transcended time and stood outside the cycle of reincarnation; his eyes had witnessed opportunities that mortals could never dream of and had endured the sorrow of all things perishing.
But all of this, everything these eyes had witnessed, had been forged by an extraordinary will into a block of heartless, indifferent ice.
So, what exactly happened?
Her sealed memories, the memories she was unwilling to recall.
Perhaps they were in the following images.
"So... such cold eyes. Eek! This person is so scary. Liliya, did you see that?"
At this moment, Rozaliya shivered; she was intimidated just by seeing Kevin.
"Why is it him again? Why is this guy everywhere!"
Kiana was speechless. Every time in the Challenge Space, this man named Kevin would appear. Was he a fly? Was he everywhere?
In the image, Kevin blocked Sakura's path.
"This is as far as you go, Sakura."
Kevin's figure made it impossible for the two of them to continue forward.
"Step aside, Kevin. I know exactly what I'm doing," Sakura said coldly.
Hearing this, Kevin wanted to persuade Sakura to give up, so he said: "I know too, which is why I must stop you. Sakura, stop before things become irreversible!"
"Your actions are already equivalent to betraying humanity."
But these words, far from making Sakura want to give up, made her even more furious.
"Betraying humanity?" Sakura chuckled. When had she ever wanted to protect humanity?
Everything she did was only for Rin.
What did others, or humanity, have to do with her?
But to get Kevin to leave, Sakura still explained, her tone containing infinite fury: "Rin is innocent! She hasn't done anything. You can't just decide she's a threat, and you certainly can't imprison her!"
At this, Kevin said in a cold tone: "A special Honkai Energy reaction was detected in Rin's body. Without a doubt, she is the 12th Herrscher."
Before he could finish, Sakura retorted with an even more intense voice:
"What does a Honkai Energy reaction prove? Both you and I have Honkai Beast factors in our bodies, yet we are the MANTISes who protect humanity. Rin doesn't have any symptoms; she can control that power. She won't hurt anyone."
"You... you can't take away her life."
By the end, her emotions were unstable, and even a hint of murderous intent appeared in her eyes.
Facing the situation, Kevin said: "Sakura, I understand how you feel."
"But the 11th Herrscher's ability exceeded everyone's imagination. No one could have imagined that disaster would descend in that form. We cannot afford another loss like that."
"Rin's situation is very special, but she must be monitored. Please believe that Dr. MEI will make a wise judgment."
Sakura's tone became increasingly urgent; Kevin's obstruction made it feel as if a fire was burning in her heart.
"I don't doubt Dr. MEI's character, but I cannot trust the Flame-Chasers!"
"I don't care what happens to me, but now that Rin has fallen into their hands, I will never sit by and watch!"
"—Step aside!" Her powerful words made Kevin frown, and he shouted: "Sakura, the Flame-Chasers need you. We need you."
"I won't hurt you, but I will never let you pass through here."
He placed the Greatsword of Fire across his chest, the scalding temperature causing the space to ripple and churn.
Clearly, he did not intend to let Sakura leave.
At this moment, Sakura took half a step back, her mouth still saying: "Kevin, although we have fought side by side for so long... you probably haven't seen my true ability even once, have you?"
Kevin was taken aback upon hearing this, his expression becoming increasingly solemn.
Sharp blades flashed with cold light, and the Greatsword burst with sparks. The tension between the two was so thick it felt as if space itself had frozen.
The white-haired swordsman walked toward his target.
One step, two steps... then, in a sudden flash, light roared!
Then, the person in his sight disappeared.
"What?!!!"
Kevin exclaimed in surprise. He instinctively turned around, only to find that the two people who should have been standing in front of him were already behind him.
Without looking back, they ran deeper into the corridor, while an alarm sounded at an inopportune moment.
"An attack alarm? It's not them; it's coming from another floor. This is bad!" he muttered heavily.
As if in response...
Dr. MEI's voice appeared in Kevin's ear.
"Kevin, where are you? I need you to strike immediately!"
"MEI, what's going on?"
"A Herrscher has awakened."
...The onlookers outside.
They watched as Seele and Sakura fled.
Strangely, Death Soldiers actually appeared inside the base!
The two were on high alert, and then it was Seele!
In her eyes, a crimson glow reflected out, and the Stigmata on her chest also erupted with a terrifying red light.
Seele's Stigmata showed an abnormality, losing control and subsequently going berserk!
However, it didn't last long before it calmed down.
Could it be a resonance between Herrschers?
At that moment, Seele suddenly felt a very angry and sad emotion.
"What exactly is going on with this World Bubble?" Seele said slowly.
Sakura comforted Seele, telling her about her own convictions.
The two quickly arrived at the 31st basement floor.
Just then.
The alarm roared, exploding in everyone's ears!
Reaching the 33rd basement floor, there were many bloodstains on the ground.
That flowing brownish-red and the thick smell of blood stimulated Sakura's heart.
She left behind a sentence and turned to leave: "Protect yourself. I'm going to find Rin. Once I bring her back, we'll leave this place!"
Sakura sped through the corridor, her figure passing one iron door after another. The intensifying alarm constantly stimulated the young woman's nerves.
Faster, just a little bit faster!
Rin... where are you?
The door to the confinement room was not locked.
"Everyone has something they want to protect, and it has nothing to do with strength."
"Even the weakest person can find ways to protect their important treasures."
"No matter what, they don't want to lose it, and will protect it at all costs."
Sakura suddenly remembered the words she had just said to comfort Seele.
At this moment, she was about to meet Rin.
As long as she takes her away.
As long as she takes her away... the two of them can go see the cherry blossoms together.
Sakura burst through the door, impatiently—
Toward the depths of the room,
She looked—
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