Collapse, Kiana's Cross-Dressing Strategy, Then

"What's going on? What are those things?"

"No, that's Anti-Entropy mechs! Anti-Entropy is invading!"

"What are those spiders? And there are people on them?!"

"They're Bio-Mechas! How could Anti-Entropy have something like this?"

On the main platform, Otto quietly observed the Anti-Entropy forces surrounding them, making no move.

Theresa was stunned. She never expected Anti-Entropy to attack the Far East Branch at this particular time.

The Valkyrie assault squad had already formed combat formations, ready to sortie at any moment.

While there was a contingency plan for the current situation, Anti-Entropy's actions were far too unexpected.

A circular shield immediately descended, establishing a temporary defensive line between the mechs and the Schicksal personnel.

At this moment, most of Schicksal's people were unarmed. Many Valkyries were in disarray, with only a small portion consolidating into squads and contracting their defensive perimeter.

After issuing his command, Ragna looked in Bai Yan's direction.

The latter had apparently returned from somewhere and stopped beside Raiden Mei, who was bandaging Kiana. He held a practice sword in his hand.

At this moment, Bai Yan was wearing two earrings.

"Anti-Entropy? Why are they attacking now?" Kiana reacted, about to get up.

"Wait, if the situation feels wrong, let's not act rashly," Raiden Mei warned, holding Kiana down.

The silent standoff didn't last long. High above in the sky, a flying craft slowly emerged from the clouds that obscured the sun.

It hovered above everyone's heads and delivered the first words of the attack.

"A pleasure to meet you, Bishop of Schicksal. I am Jackal of World Serpent."

Upon hearing the voice, Bai Yan was instantly dumbfounded.

Jackal.

Why did she have such a grand entrance?

At this point in time, shouldn't World Serpent be lurking in dark corners?

This is too much of a death wish, isn't it?

Bai Yan had noticed the Bio-Mechas earlier, but he hadn't expected World Serpent and Anti-Entropy to attack together.

No, they were teaming up for a death wish.

He glanced at Durandal and Rita, then stealthily looked at Theresa, whose brain was trembling.

A guess gradually formed in his mind.

He wasn't entirely sure and needed confirmation.

He suddenly chuckled, deliberately making a slight sound.

Kiana stood up and walked over to Bai Yan, asking curiously, "Xiao Yan, what are you laughing at?"

Bai Yan's smile didn't fade as he cheerfully replied, "I'm laughing at Anti-Entropy's incompetence and World Serpent's lack of intelligence. If they had just blown up the Far East Branch's armory and the academy's bridge right from the start, wouldn't we have been trapped?"

Boom!

Boom!

Two deafening explosions sounded, one from the direction of the weapons warehouse and the other from the bridge.

"..."

"It seems World Serpent isn't so 'unintelligent' after all. What do you say, little girl from Schicksal?" Jackal's voice carried a hint of mockery.

Everyone's gazes snapped towards them, as if looking at fools.

Raiden Mei covered her face, unable to watch.

Even Kiana felt embarrassed, offering a sheepish laugh before hiding behind Bai Yan.

Jackal ignored all of this and directly gave an order.

"Heh, open fire."

Countless mechs suddenly began firing, unleashing firepower as if it were free.

At this moment, the shield activated, barely blocking the barrage of fire.

However, the shield quickly began to dim, clearly unable to sustain itself for long.

"Haha..."

"Xiao Yan, stop laughing!" Kiana shook Bai Yan's arm from behind, her expression conflicted as she tried to stop her friend's baffling behavior.

"Don't worry," Bai Yan said casually, "I'm laughing at Anti-Entropy's incompetence and World Serpent's lack of intelligence. We have three S-rank Valkyries in Schicksal. Those mechs are nothing but mere trifles before them. The enemy simply doesn't have any high-level combatants."

Raiden Mei, upon hearing this, walked over to try and pull Kiana away, seemingly worried she might catch stupidity from this idiot.

Theresa, on the platform, also heard Bai Yan's "brilliant theory," but even she felt that the girl's statement was utterly baffling.

"What is that child saying?!"

Otto remained seated, his expression unchanged, observing the unfolding events in silence.

Rita and Durandal showed no reaction upon hearing this.

The former narrowed her eyes, carefully observing the enemy's position, while the latter stared at the aircraft, lost in thought.

The next moment, the mechs ceased firing.

"Alright, then I'll show you what true high-end combat power looks like."

Everyone was taken aback. They watched as the aircraft lowered a staircase, and a figure slowly descended.

Otto's gaze sharpened slightly.

"Allow me to introduce myself."

The person nodded, then looked towards the VIP stands and declared proudly, "The First Herrscher, Welt."

Otto sat up straighter, staring intently at the familiar figure.

"What an unexpected person..."

Herrscher?

Everyone who understood the implications of that word collectively gasped.

Durandal tilted her head, filled with confusion. She couldn't help but steal a glance towards Bai Yan.

Bai Yan just wanted to laugh; he could barely keep his lips from curling.

As everyone knew, the real Herrscher of Reason was currently recuperating while teaching, and was probably having a breakdown over the current situation.

It was tough on Old Yang, having to deal with such a group of people, even tougher than dealing with Zhou Tianzi.

"First Herrscher?" Kiana exclaimed, turning to look at Raiden Mei. "Is that very powerful?"

In her impression, weren't Herrschers just something you could beat down with a baseball bat?

Bai Yan suddenly recalled a saying.

A Herrscher must have a core.

Volume 1: Chapter 34: Welt Might Be Done For

"Enough talk, hand over the Herrscher of Thunder, and we'll spare your lives."

Hearing this declaration, Theresa, who had somehow managed to shoulder Oath of Judah, immediately leaped from her seat.

She angrily shouted, "You want to snatch someone from me? Dream on! No matter who you are, I'll smash you today!"

With that, she grabbed Oath of Judah and swung it towards the Welt copy.

The latter was prepared and immediately activated his authority, causing Theresa's movements to falter.

But she quickly overcame the intensified gravity and continued to swing Judah wildly.

The copy repeatedly retreated, scattering broken stones that stung when they hit his face. He quickly increased his power, further intensifying the gravity.

As if that weren't enough, the copy conjured two Titan mechs and had them punch simultaneously, forcing Theresa to defend.

Casually blocking, Theresa immediately counterattacked, smashing the melee mechs in a few moves. However, she was quickly distracted by new mechs created by the copy.

The two engaged in a back-and-forth exchange, one attacking with brute force as if venting some dissatisfaction, pouring all their strength into it; the other could only parry.

There was a raw beauty to this battle, but it didn't stop everyone from entering spectator mode.

Kiana, however, became more and more engrossed, cheering Theresa on: "Go Auntie, smash that guy!"

As if hearing her niece's cheers, Theresa's movements quickened, her massive cross swinging with great force.

Otto shook his head, inwardly chuckling at his earlier misjudgment.

This fake was nothing like the real deal.

This scene of battle, however, held a different meaning for Bai Yan.

This copy's combat power was a bit too high. Perhaps World Serpent had provided more technical support?

Welt didn't have the qualifications to block Theresa.

Bai Yan tightened his grip on his greatsword, his attention long gone from the battlefield.

Why were World Serpent and Anti-Entropy doing this? Was it fun to run into trouble?

Just as everyone was watching, a sudden change occurred.

A dark shadow appeared out of nowhere and suddenly lunged towards Raiden Mei.

As it neared its target, the shadow extended a hand and firmly gripped the girl's shoulder with terrifying force that chilled the bone.

Raiden Mei had no time to react, simply standing there blankly.

The strength in that hand was immense; she had no doubt the person could easily lift her.

She closed her eyes.

This time, no one could save her.

She had temporarily moved away from Bai Yan and Kiana's position.

The distance was about 5 meters, but at this moment, it felt like an eternity.

The next moment.

The owner of that hand suddenly paused, as if falling into a state of confusion.

In the eyes of the shadowy figure, Raiden Mei suddenly burst with endless dazzling purple light, causing it to be temporarily blinded.

Originally, this wouldn't have stopped its actions.

But then, when the shadowy figure's vision suddenly recovered, it felt as if the hand gripping Raiden Mei's shoulder had lost all sensation!

In that split second of hesitation, the shadowy figure's attempt to grab Raiden Mei failed.

As the shadowy figure reacted, a lance whistled through the air, and it reflexively dodged the attack just in time.

The lance plunged deep into the floor, standing firmly between Raiden Mei and the shadowy figure.

At this point, the shadowy figure looked up and saw Durandal approaching.

She drew her lance and thrust it backhand. The shadowy figure dodged the attack in a somewhat clumsy manner, then quickly retreated out of the opponent's attack range, warily watching the Valkyrie before it.

Stopping firmly, the shadowy figure turned its gaze to Bai Yan, who had quietly appeared in front of Raiden Mei.

Bai Yan held a practice sword, his icy blue long skirt fluttering in the wind, as he quietly stared at the shadowy figure.

One Sword Startling Swan.

This technique could currently strip away one of the five senses in an instant. Although the duration was short, for someone of Durandal's level, this amount of time was enough to reverse the situation.

"What was that just now?" the shadowy figure asked softly.

Bai Yan could see the shadowy figure clearly. The figure was completely shrouded in a black robe, and even its voice was electronic, making it impossible to discern its identity.

"To stop you from taking her."