[Honkai World]
Koji brought Lumine and the others over. The thing he had previously entrusted to Vill-V should be just about finished by now.
"The boss is here. The thing you asked me to make is already complete," Vill-V said with a smile, leading them to the front of a massive warehouse.
Creak, creak—
As the rolling shutter door rose, the scene inside the warehouse was revealed.
"Vill-V, I'll admit this thing is pretty cool, but isn't it basically nothing like a Ruin Guard?"
Koji looked at the enormous technological mecha in front of him, the corner of his mouth twitching. It had none of the weathered, ancient feeling of a Ruin Guard.
It was indeed full of futuristic technology. Every single line was practically perfect, overflowing with the aesthetic beauty of a mecha.
"The core is, isn't it?" Vill-V said, pointing at the mecha's core.
Koji fell silent.
So aside from the core, none of the parts were original factory components. As expected of Vill-V. She really knew how to play around with things. Truly flawless logic.
"Boss, that Field-Tilling Machine core of yours didn't have much energy left either, so I also had to add an extra energy collection device. If it enters high-intensity combat, try to finish things quickly," Vill-V said.
"It's a five-hundred-year-old antique. How much energy could it possibly have left?"
Koji was not surprised at all. After all, it was a creation of Khaenri'ah. The fact that it could still start up after so many years was already enough to prove the level of Khaenri'ah's technology.
Besides, he only needed this thing as an oversized figure. As for something like combat, he had no use for it at all.
"It's so cool. Can you make one for me too?" Lumine asked.
With her relationship with Koji, Koji's could basically be considered hers as well, but having one each was also perfectly acceptable.
"No problem. It'll take some time."
"Your voice sounds a little like Elysia's," Vill-V said, slightly startled.
There were some differences, but the tone itself was the same.
"Hello, I'm Lumine, a Traveler," Lumine said with a smile.
There were plenty of cases where people had similar voices. Teyvat had them too.
"Hello, I'm Vill-V. If you want to distinguish me more specifically, you can call me Expert Vill-V," Vill-V introduced herself.
When it came to building mechas, naturally, the Expert personality had to be the one in charge.
"How's life now?" Koji asked.
"Pretty good. Although I don't really have any old friends I know in this era, I've at least managed to more or less blend in," Vill-V said with a shrug.
They had chosen not to participate in the fight against Honkai. That was a battle that belonged to the younger generation.
The Flame-Chasers from the Elysian Realm had built their own home on an island. Their peaceful life was not bad. Although they had not really had much to do in the Elysian Realm either, living together under the same roof like this gave them something of a feeling of home.
"You didn't go pick up adult Griseo?"
"We're preparing for that. After all, Griseo's crash site is rather far from here," Vill-V said.
Even though she was a genius, it still took time to build a spaceship capable of interstellar travel.
Something like the Ark would be simple enough, but it was too slow. Who knew how long it would have to fly before reaching Griseo's location?
So, the speed absolutely had to be faster.
"Why not borrow Thousand Worlds in One Ride from Schicksal?" Koji asked.
If Kevin personally went to ask for it, Otto would definitely bring out Thousand Worlds in One Ride. After all, he would not be short on this little bit of time.
"Thousand Worlds in One Ride, huh? Opening an ultra-long-distance teleportation route requires crystal cores, and those things aren't exactly pleasant."
"Besides, it might not necessarily work. After all, you said that thing contains one-tenth the equivalent output of the Cocoon of Finality. Interfering with space is still something it can do."
So a spaceship capable of ultra-high-speed flight was the more suitable method. Given a little time, a top genius like her would definitely be able to develop one.
Koji thought for a moment, then said, "I'll take you there instead."
"You should've said that earlier. Then I wouldn't have—" Vill-V's mouth twitched.
"I forgot. I thought you'd already brought adult Griseo back," Koji said with a smile.
"Fine. I'll notify the others and have them come here," Vill-V said helplessly.
Not long after, upon hearing information related to adult Griseo, the Flame-Chasers gathered at once.
Kosma asked about the situation. As someone who had looked after Griseo for so long, he was naturally very concerned about the safety of the other Griseo as well.
"Not yet. Koji said he can take us straight there, so I called all of you over," Vill-V said confidently.
They had a boss now. No need to work hard.
"I can take you there, but there may be a need to fight," Koji said with a slight nod as he felt several gazes fall on him.
"Leave the fighting to us," Hua said.
This was a battle that belonged to the Flame-Chasers.
Although adult Griseo was fine, the fact that someone dared to make a move against Griseo had touched the Flame-Chasers' reverse scale.
"Hmph. I hope that guy can put up a decent fight," Kalpas snorted coldly.
Avenging Griseo was one thing, but he also yearned for a satisfying slaughter.
"Kalpas, don't be careless. That place has beings stronger than Herrschers," Aponia said softly.
"Heh. If you're scared, then don't go."
Kalpas laughed disdainfully. Even the Cocoon of Finality had been defeated. That coward hiding in the Sea of Quanta because it was scared was nothing. During the Previous Era's final battle, he had faced the Herrscher of Finality head-on.
Why would he need to avoid its edge?
"As expected of you," Koji praised while clapping.
A warrior like Kalpas would not fear battle. The only things that could truly scare him were things like peace and quiet slipping away from him.
What he desired most was a peaceful home. Yet that wish was not so easy to fulfill.
In the Previous Era, Kalpas had first descended upon Earth as an alien. He was bound by ignorant villagers and bled. Afterward, he tore apart the Herrscher of Ice with his bare hands, wandered into Dusk Street, and joined Aponia's Sanatorium as a helper. During that time, he had been able to feel something like home…
Fate made fools of people. In this Honkai-ridden world, wanting a home that could remain peaceful forever was destined to be an extremely difficult thing.
"Fighting, huh… I don't really wanna fight, but if it's for Griseo…" Pardo scratched her head.
She was a special case among the Flame-Chasers. Even becoming a Flame-Chaser had happened because of luck. She had successfully become a MANTIS, but she was also among the weakest batch of MANTISes.
Her role was basically just to provide support, using the Second Divine Key, Thousand Worlds in One Ride, to open a gate.
"It's fine, Pardo. Just stand behind me," Koji said, rubbing the kitty's head.
A little kitty like this could just cheer from the back. There was no need for her to personally fight.
"Hehe, that works for me."
As soon as Pardo heard that she would not have to fight, she let out a breath of relief. Even if it was only one-tenth of the Cocoon of Finality, it could still easily turn them into ash.
(End of Chapter)
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