"Principal Theresa, the Science Department has detected a massive fluctuation of Honkai Energy in Nagazora."
Late at night, in St. Freya Academy located in the Far East, Theresa was jolted awake from her dreams by the emergency communication chime. Hearing the content of the report, she rubbed her eyes, still feeling a lingering grogginess.
"Has a new Honkai Beast appeared? All survivors in Nagazora have already been evacuated, so there's no need to be overly anxious. I'll notify Himeko to handle it once day breaks. In the meantime, you just need to make sure that Honkai Beast doesn't leave the city."
"No... it is an existence with a fluctuation far more intense than a Honkai Beast. We in the Science Department suspect it is... a Herrscher fluctuation."
"Impossible!"
Theresa was wide awake in an instant. She hurriedly changed into her formal nun-style habit and activated the visual comms, seeing the equally incredulous faces of the Science Department staff on the other side.
"Only one Herrscher is born with every Honkai eruption! Raiden Mei, the 3rd Herrscher, is currently right here at St. Freya Academy!"
"The Honkai Energy fluctuation observed this time is indeed weaker than that of the 3rd Herrscher. We suspect that because Nagazora lost its governing Herrscher, the vast amount of residual Honkai Energy has begun to cluster.
It is attempting to gestate a new Herrscher. However, we believe this energy is insufficient to form a new Herrscher Core. The rate of composition will be extremely slow, but if left to its own devices, it will eventually become a threat."
"I understand. It seems this must be dealt with immediately."
"Then, Principal Theresa, should we contact Major Himeko and the flight crew of the Hyperion on your behalf?"
"...No need. They just returned from Nagazora. Even though they didn't go through a grueling battle, we shouldn't disturb their rest. I'll go personally. If the target is an unformed Herrscher, I'll be more than enough on my own. Prepare a small destroyer."
"Understood."
Ending the transmission, Theresa hoisted the giant cross resting in the corner of her room onto her back. It was an object larger than her entire body, weighing a staggering one hundred and fifty kilograms a relic of the Previous Civilization, a weapon left for future generations to combat the Honkai.
A normal person had no way of using it. Even an A-rank Valkyrie with impressive strength like Murata Himeko, who wielded a greatsword, could not use it in combat. But Theresa could, for she was born with divine strength. To her, swinging this intricate giant cross like a common blunt instrument to crush enemies was no trouble at all.
"Where is the Principal planning to go?"
Theresa, carrying her giant cross, saw Hua Yi as she left her residence. Hearing his question, she quirked an eyebrow.
"I have business to attend to, naturally. And you? Why aren't you sleeping at this hour? Insomnia?"
Hua Yi let out a lazy stretch.
"I've been in a coma for a whole day before this; isn't it only natural that I can't sleep now? Speaking of which, I'm bored. If the matter the Principal is about to handle doesn't involve privacy issues, could you take me along?"
Theresa narrowed her eyes at his words.
"Did you hear something?"
"Not at all. I simply came out for a stroll because I couldn't sleep."
"Then continue your stroll. I am indeed heading into a battle, but there is no need for you to follow. I can handle it."
"If you can handle it, then just consider it taking me along to see the world. It's a good chance for me to experience St. Freya Academy's deployment procedures in advance."
"...Your greatsword hasn't been completely repaired yet. It's still in the Science Department."
"Then we'll just go get it. Lead the way, Principal."
Seeing that Hua Yi was clearly determined to follow, Theresa recalled the decent combat power he had displayed previously. She didn't think he would be a drag on her. The girl sighed and finally relented.
"You fellow... I can't tell if you really know nothing or if you've had this planned all along. Fine, follow me. We'll head to the Science Department first to retrieve your greatsword. I can't have you going into battle empty-handed."
The Science Department of St. Freya Academy was housed within a building that blended a high-tech aesthetic with European architectural styles. Despite the late hour, the department was still bustling.
Most were busy processing data regarding the changes in Nagazora; they would eventually report to Theresa the exact location where the Honkai Energy concentration was highest the most likely place to find the immature Herrscher.
As the situation was urgent, Theresa didn't exchange many words with the staff. After retrieving the partially repaired Nitrogen Crystal Sword, she and Hua Yi headed to St. Freya Academy's helipad, where a small flight vehicle about a dozen meters long was already waiting.
Having learned about the situation in Nagazora from Theresa, Hua Yi looked at the craft on the pad. Compared to the unimaginably massive floating warship, the Hyperion, this vehicle looked a bit meager. He couldn't help but speak up.
"I thought we'd be taking the Hyperion over."
"The Hyperion doesn't appear on the helipad; it has its own dedicated hangar. This incident happened suddenly, and we don't expect to run into major problems, so a scout destroyer is sufficient. Don't look down on it.
While it wasn't designed purely for combat, it is still equipped with missiles and medium-caliber autocannons. It's more than enough to handle common Zombies or Honkai Beasts under ten meters."
"Under ten meters? I could slap one to death with a single sword strike."
"Tsk. I told you, it's a destroyer intended for non-combat use. Compared to the Hyperion, its strengths are its maneuverability and its cruising speed. Enough, let's go."
"Allow me to ask, Miss Theresa... do you know how to fly this destroyer?"
"No need to worry. All transport vehicles at St. Freya Academy are equipped with an autopilot system. They're more reliable than human control."
Theresa pulled Hua Yi aboard.
Thanks to the presence of the Leonov Anti-gravity Engine, this destroyer was capable of vertical takeoff and hovering, just like the Hyperion and other flight vessels.
After Theresa performed a series of operations on the electronic screen to confirm their destination, the destroyer rose into the sky.
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