Chapter 154: A Common Enemy
A few minutes ago · Schicksal Third Airport
"These Sub-God Machines really are fragile." Tesla looked at the stationary Sub-God Machines beside her and reached out to knock on their armor. "Such a slender build, it's really not aesthetically pleasing."
"It's actually a different kind of aesthetic, Dr. Tesla." Mei pulled her blade out from a Sub-God Machine. It seemed that after experiencing a crushing initial defeat, Otto had learned his lesson and directly forced the entire Sub-God Machine network offline.
After the network went offline, Rin couldn't directly control them in massive, sweeping areas like before. Fortunately, even though the overall network was down...
...it only sealed Rin's ability to control them on a large scale. If she wanted to, controlling them one by one would still be very fast. However, this also required the others to lend a hand; they couldn't just stride straight through like before.
But for them, before Rin appeared, they had already prepared to fight their way through by force. The current situation was already much easier than they had originally anticipated.
With Rin's help, they only needed to fight half, or even fewer, of the enemy units. Any doors along the way that required authorization could be passed through directly. There was absolutely no need to worry about permissions or hacking.
Tesla didn't even know what she was here for anymore. The original plan was for her to tag along and, if needed, act as a hacker to crack the systems.
But looking at it now, that was completely unnecessary. It could even be described as a smooth steamroll all the way through. However, judging from the original storyline, this was actually a good thing.
After all, if things went according to the original plot, Tesla would be tied up by Rita right about now, even finished off with a bow. Tesla still brooded over that particular event.
"Hmph, you don't understand, Mei. A Titan, radiating a strong metallic texture, incredibly solid, and giving off an endless sense of security just by looking at it—that is what's truly needed."
Tesla clenched her fists, wearing an expression that said 'trust me'. "But these Sub-God Machines, they look pretty, but as a machine, hmph, what does it matter if their materials and processing are more refined than a Titan's with such thin arms and legs?"
"In a one-on-one frontal duel, they absolutely can't beat a Titan. With these chopstick legs, a Titan only needs to apply a little force to snap them. Though, this special energy shield on the surface is somewhat useful."
Even though Tesla said this, she had to admit that the technological level of the Sub-God Machines was indeed much better than their Titans. This kind of special energy shield on the surface could greatly negate the secondary effects caused by energy-based attacks.
Moreover, in terms of armor hardness, it actually performed better than the steel used by Titans at the same thickness. But so what? The worst-case scenario was that she would just upgrade the Titans after going back.
Titans would definitely instantly crush Sub-God Machines.
"Alright, alright, this kind of thing is still very subjective, isn't it?" Himeko waved her hand. She didn't care whether machines were bulky and rough or aesthetically pleasing.
As long as it could fight the Honkai, it was a good thing. From this perspective, there was no difference between a Sub-God Machine and a Titan.
"Hmph!" Tesla snorted coldly, then turned to look at Rin. "We're almost through the Third Airport. Which way do we go next? Hmm, the longer Kiana stays in Otto's hands, the easier it is for something to go wrong."
"We just need to go straight ahead next." Rin raised her hand and pointed forward. "I haven't detected any abnormal signals, but it seems there's still no way to reboot the Sub-God Machine network."
"It was probably forcibly uninstalled, or perhaps the network nodes were directly destroyed. Actively booting it up doesn't seem to work either."
"Then there's nothing we can do." Tesla nodded, then looked ahead. "Have you spotted any ranged units? I suspect Otto might have arranged a massive surprise for us behind this door."
"Regarding that, there don't seem to be any either." Rin shook her head. "Or rather, there aren't many Honkai energy units, nor are there many electronic signals. It's as if there are only a small number of guards stationed ahead."
"A small number of guards again. What the hell is this guy playing at?" Tesla frowned. Along the way, although they had encountered many Sub-God Machine attacks, neither the quantity nor the quality was particularly high.
It felt less like they were sent to annihilate them and more like they were simply there to keep them from getting too bored on the trip. This didn't seem like Otto's style.
Tesla had accumulated far too many doubts along the way, but she probably wouldn't find any answers. After all, Otto wouldn't be kind enough to come over and explain things to them at a time like this.
Of course, it wasn't just Otto; there were many questions on their side as well. For instance, Irene, who came from the Sea of Quanta and possessed god-knows-what information.
She always felt that girl wasn't just simply from the Sea of Quanta, but there didn't seem to be any other explanation. Tesla's thoughts drifted a bit. Since there was nothing she needed to do, it seemed she could only let her mind wander.
However, if her identity as someone from the Sea of Quanta was true, it would also explain why Irene could accurately state her identity when she first met her, as well as know things she shouldn't have known.
If Irene had seen a parallel world, or perhaps the versions of herself or Chicken Nest Head from her world within the Sea of Quanta, it's possible the two of them had told her.
"Miss Tesla, Miss Tesla." Mei called out to Tesla twice at this moment. "We should go, Kiana is still waiting for us."
"Mm, let's go then." Tesla nodded. Then, under Rin's command, the few Sub-God Machines beside them immediately began pummeling the door in front of them.
It wasn't that she didn't want to use technical means to open the door, but when they arrived, this door had already been destroyed, the entire gate mechanically locked.
Faced with a mechanical lock, technical unlocking was useless; it could only be opened by force. This was probably another trick Otto came up with to stall for time.
But before the Sub-God Machines could strike it twice, Tesla and Himeko suddenly felt an immense pressure. The surrounding air seemed to be permeated with something.
"Ugh!" Himeko frowned. She immediately identified what was happening around them. The Honkai energy levels were surging, something she was no stranger to.
The abnormalities in both her and Tesla's bodies were due to the high-concentration Honkai energy affecting them. However, this kind of influence was somewhat negligible for Mei and Rin, who were both Herrschers.
"Damn it, we might be a step too late." As a scientist who had researched the Honkai for years, Tesla also immediately understood the situation around them.
The Kiana they had been worrying about, or rather, trying to save, seemed to have run away with her powers anyway, or perhaps she was beginning to awaken. The surging Honkai energy around them was proof that this was the precursor to a Herrscher's birth.
Great Eruption.
"Kiana..." Worry flashed in Mei's eyes. She turned to look at Rin. "Rin, can you confirm Kiana's current condition? Through surveillance footage or something?"
"Hold on, give me a moment, I'm looking." Rin naturally didn't hesitate, immediately beginning to search by invading the surrounding surveillance systems with the virus.
Soon, Rin saw a rather surprising scene through the surveillance feeds.
Kiana, or rather Sirin, was tightly gripping Otto's neck, glaring at him with a face full of fury. Her mouth was opening and closing as if she was saying something.
But through the surveillance cameras, the audio couldn't be heard.
"Found her, she's right above the laboratory." Rin looked up. Just then, the Sub-God Machines that had previously received Rin's orders managed to forcefully blast open the mechanically locked door.
The moment it was blasted open, they heard Sirin's roar, brimming with rage.
"You bastard, give me back my Mama's life!" Sirin's eyes flashed with gold and blue light, her hand locked in a death grip around Otto's neck.
Meanwhile, Otto looked at the Kiana—or rather, Sirin—before him. A smile appeared on his face. My, I really didn't expect this. Originally, he had only wanted to use Cecilia's matter to provoke Kiana.
After all, if Kiana and Sirin were currently sharing the same body, provoking either one of them would trigger the effect he desired. It made no difference to him.
As for Sirin, the important figures he could think of were Benares and Irene. Regarding those two, he had already deployed missiles and satellites. He originally had backup plans, but...
After all, Irene harbored Kallen within her. Even if it was only a Kallen from a parallel world, it was still Kallen. Therefore, he had canceled the subsequent attacks.
Since it was difficult to find an opening with Sirin, he naturally had to start with Kiana. Yet, he hadn't expected Cecilia's matter to be much more effective than he had imagined.
This single point had directly detonated both of them. Hmm, could this be considered an unintended positive outcome? Enraging both of them was definitely much better than enraging just one.
Sensing Otto's thoughts, the Void Archives, currently residing within Otto's body, felt extremely speechless. Enraging both of them is better than enraging just one? Just how exactly is this guy's brain wired?
"How can you say that, Miss Sirin?" A golden Judgment of Shamash appeared in Otto's hand, its blade forcing Sirin back. "At that time, I sincerely hoped that Miss Cecilia would be able to leave."
"I didn't want that kind of thing to happen either. After all, Cecilia was of very high value to me as well."
"Shut up!" A golden light flashed in Sirin's right eye, and a Lance of the Void instantly materialized behind her, thrusting straight toward Otto.
Seeing the Lance of the Void thrusting toward him, Otto relaxed his grip. With another forceful clench, the simulated Judgment of Shamash instantly dissipated, replaced by a jousting lance.
Next, Otto fiercely thrust the lance forward to clash head-on with the Lance of the Void. At the same time, he didn't forget to continue speaking, "Oh, I assume Miss Sirin is very familiar with this weapon, right?"
"However, considering that Miss Kiana probably doesn't know, I'd better explain it a little. The prototype of this weapon is actually..."
Before Otto could finish his words, the lance in his hand was pierced by the Lance of the Void. After all, it was only a simulated Divine Key. Against the Lance of the Void, which could cut and pierce through space itself, it was far from indestructible.
The sharp Lance of the Void continued its trajectory unabated, piercing straight through Otto's arm along with the lance. Yet Otto didn't care about this body being impaled, continuing his speech.
"My apologies, I was interrupted just now. I will continue. The weapon that was just destroyed was, in fact, the weapon once used by your dear mother Cecilia, the Abyss Flower."
"Shut up!" At this moment, just as Sirin wanted to fire another Lance of the Void, Kiana's consciousness stirred. Kiana's voice came out of her mouth, and she immediately launched a kick forward.
However, Kiana seemed unaccustomed to the sensation of flying under her own power. This kick landed squarely on empty air, completely exposing their back to Otto.
Otto simply raised his hand. A single golden gun of the Judgment of Shamash appeared in his grasp, and he immediately shot them in the back, setting it ablaze.
"Hey, you idiot, cooperate! We're both controlling this body together right now," Sirin spoke directly to Kiana within their consciousness, enduring the burning pain.
She didn't plan to forcefully suppress Kiana's consciousness to take complete control of the body. After all, Kiana was just as furious as she was right now. But this girl needed to show a little cooperation.
"Then you cooperate with me! I don't know how to fly!" Kiana's voice sounded somewhat anxious. She wanted nothing more than to smash her fist directly into the face of the guy in front of them.
"You cooperate with me, idiot! How can your amateur martial arts compare to my Lance of the Void?" Sirin wasn't prepared to yield on this matter. It wasn't as if she hadn't seen Kiana's fighting skills before.
Those moves where she held dual guns but used them as blunt instruments... forget it. She had seen her father use that kind of technique before, but that required special weapons to work.
Relying purely on fists and kicks—do you think you're your Class Monitor?
"Oh my, you two shouldn't get distracted." Right while the two were still arguing, a massive, gleaming golden greatsword swept violently across their front, accompanied by Otto's voice.
Sirin immediately constructed a portal behind her. Just as she was about to lean back and dodge into it, Kiana's consciousness also acted at that precise moment, dragging the body directly to dodge to the side.
And this kind of dodge was far too obvious for Otto. The Judgment of Shamash greatsword in his hands dissipated, turning back into a single gun, and he fired a shot straight at them.
Sirin could only instinctively use a massive amount of Honkai energy to form a crystal shield in front of her. After barely blocking this strike, she spoke angrily to Kiana.
"What are you doing? I had already constructed the portal! What's the meaning of dodging to the side?"
Now, Sirin was already regretting not forcefully suppressing Kiana's will. This was completely a pig teammate! She had already constructed the portal, and this person just dodged away!
They were Herrschers! Moreover, they were the noble, space-attribute Herrscher of the Void! Why would they need to dodge in such a manner? Understand the situation, hey!
Right now, the two of them were like fighting a single enemy with one character, but using two controllers. Both of their commands had the same priority, yet they both had their own ideas.
"If this is the best you can do, you won't be able to avenge Cecilia."
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