Sirin Awakens

Ragna smiled bitterly to herself; she absolutely could not accept the idea of her entire team being wiped out.

But... this matter can't be avoided.

Military orders are absolute, and that's no joke. Moreover, most of them have families, and some have even brought their families to Schicksal.

Although she has a strong appeal, she is powerless in this matter.

Moreover... she actually has a lot of feelings for Schicksal, of course, Schicksal is not the same as Otto.

For example, the auntie serving food in the cafeteria, the slightly mentally challenged AI in the training room, and oh, and that little girl Rita.

Besides, Ragna wasn't the kind of person who was afraid of death.

"... Liu Bai, are our enemies Honkai Beast?" Ragna tried to get more information from Liu Bai.

If it's Honkai Beast, then Ragna doesn't matter. Even if it's Emperor-Class Honkai Beast, if sacrificing them can help them hold out until the main force arrives and defeats them, then it's a worthy death.

Countless predecessors have done this, so there is no reason for them to back down.

It's absolutely impossible for Liu Bai to use this to coerce them into defecting.

"No, your enemies are Siegfried and K423."

That's the worst possible answer— Ragna thought to himself.

Pointing a sword at your own people is no honor, especially when the other party— Siegfried —is a hero of the Second Honkai War, not to mention the husband of the Cecilia.

Cecilia is almost an idol of the Valkyrie of her generation.

That's so disgraceful.

Ragna sighed inwardly.

"Do it your way."

Liu Bai suddenly spoke up, "Although it may sound a bit childish, I really have no right to use alarmist rhetoric to insult a soldier who is dedicated to his duty."

"... Huh?"

Even Himeko was surprised this time.

But Liu Bai hadn't finished speaking.

"But on the other hand, there are things I want to do... Miss Ragna, can you understand?"

"...?"

This time, Ragna was a bit confused.

"You mean..."

"Can I ask Himeko for leave?" Liu Bai asked. "I remember Himeko still has some leave this year, right?"

"...sure."

Ragna hesitated for a moment before nodding.

"I'll give it to you right away..."

"No need, I've already approved it."

Liu Bai showed the leave request that had been approved by Ragna on the tablet.

"..."

Seeing this, Ragna's lips twitched slightly.

"Alright, let's make a temporary landing."

"... What do you want to do?" Ragna was also a little confused at this point.

"Nothing much, Captain Ragna, just do what you think is best, we'll handle the rest."

The transport ship gradually descended.

"Let's go, Himeko."

Liu Bai half-pulled and half-dragged Himeko off the transport ship.

"... Liu Bai, if you don't give me a good reason, don't blame me for turning against you."

"The reason is that I am better suited to working with the Anti-Entropy Force than with the Stormtroopers."

Liu Bai just realized why he insisted on going with Ragna.

Being with Ragna is like having a pair of threes and fours in your hand; you can only rely on others' help. But if you return to Anti-Entropy, you'll have a royal flush in your hand, and you can do whatever you want with it.

If Edison can't do it, then let him! Don't forget he's the true Alliance Leader of Anti-Entropy!

It's important to keep the initiative in your own hands.

"I've already messaged Welt. We're very close to Siberia now, and someone will be coming to pick us up soon."

"... Okay, whatever you say."

Himeko's face showed a thoughtful expression, but then it became strange.

"Speaking of which, I always get the feeling that you don't really want to go back to Anti-Entropy right now, is that just my imagination?"

"Because if I suddenly go back... I have a feeling it will cause turmoil for Anti-Entropy."

"...?"

Chapter 197 Sirin Awakens

"Hahaha~ Turbulence? I never expected that you would have such self-awareness, senior."

On the Anti-Entropy fighter, Joyce couldn't help but burst into laughter after hearing Himeko repeat what she had said.

"Senior, if you were to suddenly return, the situation might turn into the Three Kingdoms period... no, the Five Hegemons of the Spring and Autumn period? Or, at worst, the Seven Warring States period?"

"Joyce, you bastard, stop spreading alarmist rumors."

The tablet floated up and hit Joyce on the back of the head.

"Where is this exaggeration? Look, Princess Nancy, Dr. Einstein, Dr. Tesla, Professor Planck, and Dr. Schrödinger in the Sea of Quanta, that's already five, isn't it?"

Joyce counted on her fingers.

"And..."

Joyce glanced silently at Reanna, who was piloting the plane.

Although it's not nice to say it like this, isn't this dutiful knight princess the most dangerous one?

"Mr. Joyce, why are you looking at me like that?"

With her keen senses, Reanna glanced at Joyce with some confusion.

"...nothing."

What's it to him!

Let the seniors resolve their own relationship problems! He just needs to bring a small stool and eat popcorn.

"I have a feeling you want to say something." Reanna glanced at Joyce again.

As a senior figure in Anti-Entropy, she is not easily fooled.

"Your imagination."

"Well, I guess I've gotten used to the way young people think." Reanna sighed, then settled down to fly the plane.

Joyce breathed a sigh of relief when she saw that Reanna wasn't pressing for details.

"So I think it might be quite right of you not to go back directly." Joyce steered the conversation back on track. "I think it would be better if you met with them one by one first, so that everyone could have a sense of 'superiority'."

"Why do I feel like your idea is a bit of a jerk?"

A frowning expression appeared on the tablet.

"Are you really reliable?"

"Isn't this reliable?" Joyce said seriously. "I think this method can effectively soothe everyone's emotions."

"I just feel like this is a little bit off..."

Liu Bai stopped abruptly halfway through his sentence.

Wait a minute, even though I didn't do it intentionally, wouldn't you say I've done it at least once?

First, there were real-life Einstein and Planck.

Then there's Schrödinger in Durandal's simulation.

And then... or rather, finally, Bronya simulated Edison.

As for Tesla... well, let's not even mention it.

"You should stop with your terrible idea."

After a moment of silence, Liu Bai stopped Joyce, partly because of his own reasons, and partly because Himeko's gaze was becoming increasingly strange.

"I think you should explain the current situation in more detail."

"I don't understand the situation. Let Sister Reanna explain."

When it came to serious matters, Joyce immediately raised his hands in surrender.

"... Don't you care about important matters at all?"

"Because I'm wounded, okay?"

Joyce said matter-of-factly.

"Senior, do you know how much I paid back in Siberia? How can you bear to let a wounded soldier travel all over the place?"

How much of your strength have you recovered now?

Liu Bai was too lazy to waste time arguing with Joyce and asked directly.

"Um... even after ten years, my strength has only recovered to 90%."

"Even if you use this tone, it can't hide the fact that you're completely healed—you really have been staying home playing games, haven't you?"

"I'm researching the history of Schicksal..."

Joyce, feeling quite guilty after being exposed, said, "I think that given Otto's personality, he would definitely leave some important information about Schicksal in 'Kallen Fantasy'."

"..."

Liu Bai silently looked away.

"Reanna, would you mind telling me about the current situation?"

"Of course it's convenient, Lord Alliance Leader."

Although she was flying a plane, multitasking was not difficult for Reanna.

"The situation is quite complicated now. The Valkyrie Stormtroopers of Schicksal, Siegfried, K423, and us are all entering the fray."

"That's what Reanna said calmly."

"Schicksal's targets are Siegfried and K423, while our target is Schicksal's Valkyrie Stormtroopers..."

"Wait, Sister Reanna, why is your target the Valkyrie Assault Team?" Himeko was a little unsteady on her feet.

"Isn't beating people so badly they can't go to the battlefield also a way to escape a powerful enemy?"

Reanna told a lame joke.

—Even though Himeko didn't want to laugh at all.

"The simplest way to make the Stormtroopers legitimately sever ties with Schicksal is to 'annihilate' them, isn't it?"

This is a ghost... wait, this actually seems to be a solution?

Himeko was slightly taken aback before she came to her senses.

"...suspended animation?"

"They could even become martyrs."

Reanna chuckled twice. "Maybe the Veterans Cemetery will even put up a tombstone for them—well, I know it's not funny, really."

Many of Reanna's comrades-in-arms also lie in the Veterans Cemetery.