The blonde girl's spectral figure stood on the deck of the Nibelungen, the Young Sovereign of Schicksal bathed in the incredulous stares of the Divine Authority Squad's Valkyries and Theresa.
"Wait, Snow Apocalypse—why are you here?!" Theresa struggled to her feet, pointing a trembling finger at the blurry Valkyrie before her.
"Navigator, set the Nibelungen on immediate return course—it's over." The blonde girl's spectral figure ignored Theresa's question and issued a direct order.
"Wait—Himeko is still...!"
"I know—"
"There is no incurable wound, no inescapable depths. All that has been lost will return in another form—"
"Theresa Apocalypse—your duty is to return to New Schicksal's Command and take charge, not to run off and weep yourself to death."
"Welt Joyce is dueling Otto Apocalypse. Houraiji Kyuusyou is stalling the Immortal Blades' Captain and Vice Captain... Murata Himeko has chosen to face her student alone."
"Each has made their own choice."
"The two Anti-Entropy Doctors commanding the Titan Troops only have a superficial understanding of Valkyrie combat strategies."
"And you... abandoned your position as Commander-in-Chief to chase after your 'dear friend'? Perhaps you thought your usual adjutant could handle everything, just like always."
"I..."
"But—that was half of Schicksal's armed forces, still engaged in battle against the Honkai... They needed you far more than Murata Himeko ever could—"
"But—!?"
"But Himeko is one of your few true friends, isn't she? Leave Murata Himeko to me, and time will give you the answer."
"—My nominal niece... little Theresa Apocalypse—do you have any more questions? Shall I conjure a lollipop for you, pop it in your mouth, and pat your head to comfort you?"
The Blonde Girl's figure began to dissolve, her illusory projection on the verge of vanishing. Without waiting for Theresa's reply, she turned her back, took a step toward the direction where the Hermes had disappeared, and scattered into motes of light, vanishing without a trace.
"...The storm has already arrived. It will not halt its advance because of any individual's hesitation—Theresa."
The girl's words left only echoes lingering in the bridge.
-
"Headmaster Theresa, just as we pursued them, the requests from Headquarters have been flooding our communication channels."
The warship's adjutant pulled up a blue holographic screen. The glaring red "999+" unread messages immediately seized the attention of everyone on the bridge.
"Headmaster, we really should return. Besides, it seems our mysterious Captain does have some sort of plan..."
"...I understand. Nibelungen, commence immediate return to base."
"Acknowledged. The warship is beginning its turn."
"And connect me to the command channel."
After being abruptly jolted back to her senses by Snow's forceful tone aboard the warship, the momentarily heated-up Theresa regained the composure of a Branch Head. She began to assume command of the Schicksal Headquarters' main forces, still engaged in battle.
Of course, after the Adjutant finished inquiring about Murata Himeko's condition, the Headmaster inevitably received a thorough dressing-down.
"Let time reveal the answers..."
The white-haired nun cast a deep, lingering glance in the direction where Hermes had vanished.
-
Sirin was ecstatic, her excitement beyond description. She felt like bursting into song, but her earlier barrage of provocative remarks seemed to have drained her last reserves of words. She babbled incoherently for ages, unable to utter a single coherent syllable.
Yet this didn't diminish her exhilaration. She could feel it—she could sense it—the gaze of the God had fallen upon them, was fixed on this place, on herself.
From afar, at Schicksal Headquarters, Sirin sensed another Herrscher ally, of unknown origin, locked in combat with that detestable blonde girl who had dared threaten her. She couldn't understand why this ally was also attacking her own subordinates, but surely those were just accidental strikes—
"Bella, can you feel it? The God is watching us! We are being observed by the God! That gaze is filled with admiration for us and mocking amusement at humanity—"
"Hurry, Bella! Catch up to that Human. She will be the first sacrifice in the grand spectacle I am preparing for the God!"
"...As you wish."
Transforming into her dragon form, Bella accelerated to catch up with the Hermes ahead. Sirin, in her euphoric state, remained oblivious to the pity and sigh hidden in Benares's tone...
Oh, my Queen, the Great God is indeed watching us—
But it's certainly not the one you knew before...
And my dear Queen... Haven't you sensed anything amiss? Or is it because we're too close, blurring your perception?
It's you who are being scrutinized by the God's mocking gaze!
-
"Finally caught you, little mouse! Become my sacrifice to the God, and celebrate my rebirth!"
Within the unfolded imaginary space, the Second Herrscher floated on the deck, her gaze locked onto the red-haired Valkyrie before her.
"Sacrifice? You flat-chested brat, all talk and no substance!"
Murata Himeko unleashed her full mockery, drawing the Herrscher's hatred to its peak.
Sirin glanced down at her own body below the neck, then back up at Himeko's chest, accentuated by the Key of Blankness. Fury surged in her heart, malice rising in her gut.
"Human! What are you saying?! I'll rip those useless lumps of fat right off you! Rip them off—!"
The Herrscher's roar cut off abruptly, like a TV losing its signal. Then, a comical scene began to unfold before Murata Himeko's eyes—
"Hey, are you there? Your trial account has expired! Time to force a logout! And it's past 3 AM—why aren't you off work yet?!"
In an instant, the golden pupils were overwritten by blue as Kiana Kaslana, the body's true owner, was immediately "bullied" out of her own max-level, fully-equipped account.
-
"Ah... so this is what power feels like?"
The white-haired, blue-eyed Herrscher clenched her fist, reveling in the surging power coursing through her body—this endless, boundless power—
Himeko grimaced, watching the white-haired figure before her, unsure whether it was the Second Herrscher or Kiana, suddenly gripped by a strange frenzy. She debated whether to just rush in and beat her up first.
"Are you... Kiana or the Second Herrscher...?"
To be safe and avoid attacking the wrong person, Murata Himeko cautiously asked the white-haired girl, remaining on guard.
"POWER—!"
But Kiana, now transformed into a power monster, seemed to ignore Himeko entirely. With a triumphant shout, she leaped into the sky...
"This is Power!"
"..."
Murata Himeko watched the white-haired clump soar into the sky above!, her expression resembling that of that one meme with the old man and his phone on the subway.
"Don't mind her. That's definitely Kiana. She's just temporarily... overexcited."
Behind her, a familiar voice she hadn't heard in ages spoke up. Drifting golden motes coalesced into a human form.
"...Long time no see, Teacher Murata Himeko."