Not Stupid, But Kind

The surging energy suddenly made the air feel oppressive.

Durandal looked up at the distorted, black hole-like space, took a deep breath, and resolutely stepped into it, disappearing without a trace.

Seeing this, a hint of surprise flashed in Yae Sakura's beautiful eyes, and then she turned to Otto was standing next to her, deep in thought.

"Are you sure it's okay? After all, it's the Divine Key. Jizo Mitama is a special case, but even so, I almost succumbed to darkness along with Hiyomaru."

"You also mentioned that the Jizo Mitama is a special case. Don't panic. The Chikai Ichijo is not an unfinished product. Its Herrscher Core has long since died, and the internal restrictions are all artificially set up, so it won't be too fatal. Besides, Durandal is very strong, so trust her."

"Well, I hope so."

"Hehe, I can monitor her physical condition at any time. If there is any danger, I can use your power to forcibly stop it. So, don't worry too much, everything is under control."

Otto smiled and gave an OK sign.

Five hundred years of trials and tribulations have enabled Otto to remain calm and composed in most situations, so his words of reassurance sound particularly confident.

Yae Sakura's face softened somewhat, but inwardly she was thinking:

'You had no idea Su was in there, did you? If he weren't so easygoing, and it was someone like Kalpas or Mobius, they'd be lucky to escape with their lives!'

As they got to know each other better, Anqi also lost many of her preconceived notions about Otto.

Although I still keep in mind to be 120% focused, at least I no longer get nervous or instinctively want to avoid Otto when I think of him.

Even the most terrifying monster is still just a human, with obvious and fatal weaknesses. In a fair fight, I certainly can't outsmart you, but having a huge information advantage is a different story.

This can be considered a kind of progress, right?

"Huh? Where am I? I am... oh, I am Bianca, a doctor, currently working on conquering—the 'Honkai Sickness'!"

There was no time to think it through; the clock hands indicated that she was going to be late, and the patient was still waiting for her.

Durandal quickly got up, tidied herself up briefly, and rushed out the door.

She also rushed into the test that Su had set for her.

"Honkai Sickness" is a peculiar disease of unknown origin and unclear transmission mechanism. It appears in different regions of the population as if spreading randomly, and is rapidly expanding globally. Furthermore, there is no cure, and those infected weaken and die within a very short time.

Strangely, Durandal didn't seem too surprised by the disease, as if she subconsciously knew of its existence and its inevitable occurrence.

"Sigh, what am I thinking?"

Outside the ward, Durandal looked at her palms, banishing those chaotic thoughts from her mind.

None of those things matter anymore. As a doctor, all she has to do is save her patients.

With unwavering conviction, Durandal pushed open the door to the hospital room.

'Triple trials, three choices. Durandal made the same choice as Su in the first two. Until the final one, when Rita held the Heavenly Fire Judgment and resolved to activate the Stigmata Project ...'

Durandal did not follow Su's path, nor did she break with her; instead, she chose to share the burden with Rita.

Is this a more selfish, and perhaps more human, answer?

Yae Sakura held her sword, the blade embedded in her soft, ample chest, and calmly gazed at the distorted, fluctuating space before her, while inwardly pondering Durandal's experiences and choices.

Yae Sakura couldn't tell who was right and who was wrong.

Even Su herself couldn't explain it.

This was an unsolvable problem; otherwise, Su wouldn't have been captivated by Durandal, but would have decisively judged her as a failure.

Time passed steadily, and the sky gradually darkened.

Rita and Susanna on the periphery were becoming increasingly uneasy. Seeing that the energy output by Chikai Ichijo and the surrounding distorted and fluctuating space remained unchanged, their worries grew.

Even Otto gradually frowned.

Yae Sakura gripped the hilt of her sword several times, but seeing no instructions from Otto when she turned around, she had to slowly let go, displaying an expression of suppressed anxiety.

"Be patient. The data shows that Durandal's body has not suffered any damage. It may be a maze-like puzzle that just needs some time to work."

Seeing Yae Sakura's worried expression, Otto smiled and reassured her.

Yae Sakura nodded slowly.

Otto, however, was filled with mixed emotions.

'It must be the Kaslana bloodline, just like Kallen's, at work, right? We've only known each other for a short time, but we've already gotten along quite well.'

Suddenly, the surrounding light became disordered, and a beam of purplish-black light shot into the sky, releasing intense brilliance.

Durandal appeared before everyone, her blue and white Moonlit Armor replaced by a more magnificent and dazzling gold and blue armor.

Durandal's face still showed a hint of confusion, as if she hadn't quite come to her senses yet. Then, Rita pounced on her like a bird and hugged her tightly.

The breastplates collided, but thanks to the double soft cushioning effect, no harsh sound was produced. Instead, the gray and gold hair strands swayed and intertwined in the air, creating a beautiful and moving scene.

"Durandal!"

"I'm fine, I'm back, Rita."

Durandal stroked Rita's hair, and a smile gradually appeared on her lips.

Recalling the illusion Su created, where she and Rita experienced several brushes with death, Durandal couldn't help but feel a surge of tenderness in her heart as she felt this real warmth and smelled the faint floral fragrance emanating from Rita.

"A black and white trench coat, with a revealing lining, I feel like it would suit you very well."

As she recalled Kevin's art style of Rita, her cool, sassy yet pitiful appearance, Durandal murmured to herself.

Rita released Durandal, looked at her, and blinked blankly.

"Durandal, what did you just say?"

"Nothing... I meant, do you want to try using a greatsword? One of those cool greatswords that shoot flames?"

"Ah?"

"Ahem! Never mind what I said."

Durandal scratched her head, then had to face Susanna's tearful and emotional reaction, feeling helpless amidst the two of them.

At this moment, neither Yae Sakura nor Otto chose to disturb them. Instead, they exchanged a knowing glance and smiled at each other.

"My most outstanding student, didn't you feel disappointed?"

"Indeed, they are all very good children, Mr. Otto."

The two elderly people talked, looking at Durandal and the others with kind eyes as if they were looking at their juniors.

A moment later, Yae Sakura turned around, intending to leave the laboratory. Since she wasn't going to touch Chikai Ichijo anytime soon, there was no point in staying. Maintaining her quiet and reserved persona, leaving silently was the best option.

Then, Durandal suddenly spoke.

"Please wait a moment, Sakura!"

"Um?"

"Um, that senior inside said he wants to meet you."

"Um???"

All eyes were fixed on Yae Sakura looked completely bewildered.

Otto, in particular, was stroking his chin and frowning again.

"Are there still people inside?"

"I can't explain it clearly right now, but he's not a bad person. Although, I don't know why he wanted to see Sakura."

Durandal scratched her head, speaking in a naive and endearing way.

Yae Sakura stiffened for a moment, then slowly lowered her head to look at the katana embedded in her chest.

She was careless. How could she have overlooked the fact that Sakura and Rei from the previous era were among the most painful wounds in the hearts of the Flame-Chasers? Now that the Jizo Mitama has taken shape, as Sakura's comrade-in-arms, it's only natural that Su wants to know about Rei's fate, isn't it?

However, this is only the best guess. What might be worse is that Su has already discovered her identity and is planning to eliminate a Herrscher for the Current Civilization.

For a moment, under Otto's thoughtful gaze, Yae Sakura maintained a perfectly measured expression of doubt, but her heart was pounding.

Chapter 150 It's not stupidity, it's kindness

"Mr. Otto?"

With a natural look of hesitation on her fair and pretty face, Yae Sakura looked at Otto with her crystal-clear eyes, leaving the decision to him.

Of course I was panicked.

But being a seasoned actress, and having already prepared herself to flee if things went wrong, Yae Sakura had calmed down.

What follows is simply a matter of responding to each move as it comes.

"Who is the person in the Divine Key?"

Otto stroked his chin, seemingly guessing who the inviter in Durandal was.

Regardless of the source of the information, Otto had roughly made a basic judgment and smiled slightly at Yae Sakura.

"I understand most of it. Let's go in; there shouldn't be any danger. By the way, Durandal, may I come in with you?"

"Well, Your Excellency, he didn't invite you. However, he said this leaf was for you."

An ordinary-looking Green Leaf appeared in Durandal's palm.

Otto paused for a moment, then shook his head with a wry smile:

"He probably can't stand a schemer like me who's hated by everyone, right? Sakura, let's go in and have a good talk with him."

After all, the Divine Key is still in their hands. If we don't convince this person, nothing else will be possible.

Otto had no choice.

Therefore, Yae Sakura had no choice; refusing would only increase the risk, so she had no choice but to move forward.

"Then, I'll go in first."

Yae Sakura smiled at everyone, gentle and charming, like a sweet wife next door.

Immediately, the long-eared, pink-haired witch stepped into the irregularly shimmering black hole, as if it were welcoming her.

Stepping inside the Divine Key, one is not greeted by the steel and electronic equipment space one might expect, but rather by a tranquil meadow in the woods.

Behind me, a stream babbles; ahead, a winding ancient tree with fallen leaves flutters in the wind; the fragrance of soil and grass wafts into my nostrils, instantly relaxing my mind.

Su stood beneath the ancient tree, her tall figure radiating a gentle, compassionate smile, facing Yae Sakura with utter innocence.

"I am Su. It would be very impolite of me to invite you so abruptly."

"No, it's just that I don't know what you need me for?"

Yae Sakura asked, her voice tinged with genuine confusion.

The good news is that I didn't sense any hostility, and given Su's character, it didn't seem like she was deliberately pretending. So, it seems the situation isn't so bad after all.

Su pointed to the katana that Yae Sakura was holding to her chest.

"This Divine Key is related to a very important old friend of mine. I sensed its presence, so I wanted to express my gratitude to you in person at this final moment."

"Grateful?"

Yae Sakura blinked innocently and tilted her head.

Su nodded.

"Can I take a look at it?"

"Yes, of course."

Yae Sakura handed the katana to Su's hands.

Su opened her eyes, which had been half-closed, drew her long sword, and gently stroked the blade. The gentle smile on her face was replaced by a deep sorrow.

"She left with a sense of peace and relief; she is finally free. Now we can have an explanation. Thank you from the bottom of my heart, Ms. Yae Sakura."

"I... didn't do anything..."

Yae Sakura lowered her head.

This gratitude should belong to the true Yae Sakura, to the Three Great Families and Theresa who made efforts in the Stigmata Space, and has nothing to do with Anqi.