Ch. 61Ninti Makes a Friend / Crimson Kite, You've Finally Returned
Chapter 91–92 Summary
Key Plot Points and Events
- Durandal, Theresa, and Welt’s group advance through Chiyou’s enormous body while fighting Honkai Beasts and searching for the rampaging creature’s core.
- Welt transforms their armored vehicle into a fighter jet, but it crashes near a gigantic, pulsating mass of flesh resembling a heart.
- The group discovers Ninti sitting beside a black, flame-edged phantom connected to Chiyou. Rather than attacking, Ninti treats the phantom as a friend and teaches her about stars, snow, rainbows, and friendship.
- Welt realizes that the phantom may be Chiyou’s true consciousness or incarnation. He suppresses his fear and attempts peaceful communication.
- Ninti gives the nameless entity the temporary name “Chiyou.” Chiyou then warns that Welt is dangerous and appears to protect Ninti by pulling her inside the giant heart.
- Before Welt can retaliate, an ancient girl in black robes and a phoenix crown arrives, declaring that Chiyou must answer for the destruction of her people and homeland.
- The girl, later associated with the “Crimson Kite,” launches a massive golden sword attack. Chiyou’s incarnation confronts her, and the two engage in a devastating battle that transforms the surrounding cavern into a sea of lava.
- The main force retreats behind the Iron Pilot squad’s Adamant Shield. Kiana and the others reunite with Anqi, while Cocolia angrily demands to know what happened to Ninti.
- Welt explains that Chiyou pulled Ninti into the heart, apparently to protect her, and that the two may genuinely have become friends. Cocolia reacts with disbelief.
Character Developments
- Welt: Initially prepared to destroy Chiyou, Welt becomes conflicted after witnessing Ninti’s peaceful bond with the creature. His instinct for compassion and faith in possible reconciliation overcome his fear, leading him to approach Chiyou diplomatically.
- Ninti: Demonstrates remarkable innocence, empathy, and emotional openness. She treats Chiyou like a lonely child rather than a monster and actively tries to introduce her to friendship and the outside world.
- Chiyou: Is revealed to possess a developing consciousness and emotions rather than being merely a destructive beast. She responds to Ninti’s kindness, accepts the temporary name “Chiyou,” and protects Ninti from perceived danger.
- Durandal: Remains disciplined and pragmatic, agreeing to cooperate with Anti-Entropy because Chiyou is an immediate threat. She is prepared to confront Chiyou directly if necessary.
- Cocolia: Shows intense concern and protectiveness toward Ninti. Her fear quickly becomes anger when she learns Ninti has been taken into Chiyou’s heart.
- The ancient black-robed girl: Enters as a powerful, vengeance-driven figure seeking to settle a thousand-year-old grudge against Chiyou. Her arrival introduces a personal and historical dimension to the conflict.
Significant Themes
- Compassion versus violence: Ninti’s kindness suggests that understanding and friendship might succeed where force cannot.
- The possibility of reconciliation: Welt recalls Joyce’s earlier reconciliation with a Herrscher, raising hope that Chiyou’s crisis may also end peacefully.
- Innocence confronting hatred: Ninti sees Chiyou as a friend, while the ancient girl sees her only as the destroyer of her people and homeland.
- Cycles of revenge and historical trauma: The ancient girl’s attack reflects resentment preserved across a thousand years, implying that the current battle is rooted in unresolved historical suffering.
- Protection and trust: Chiyou’s decision to hide Ninti inside her heart may indicate genuine concern, challenging the assumption that she is purely destructive.
Character Interactions
- Theresa and Welt coordinate naturally, while Durandal formally joins their temporary alliance.
- Ninti gently educates and befriends Chiyou, introducing her to the concept of “good people” and promising to introduce her to more friends.
- Welt cautiously approaches Ninti and Chiyou, attempting to establish trust instead of provoking a confrontation.
- Chiyou identifies Welt as a danger and reacts defensively by taking Ninti away.
- Cocolia confronts Welt over Ninti’s safety, rejecting his suggestion that Chiyou may be protecting her.
- The ancient girl directly challenges Chiyou, turning the possibility of peaceful resolution into an immediate, catastrophic battle.