Honkai Simulator: Not for Kidnapping Herrschers!

"Amber said headquarters hasn't ordered the Oceanic Branch to halt the experiment."

"Then it seems the situation is worse than you or I thought," Himeko said, a headache already forming.

Ever since the North American Branch's betrayal, the Oceanic Branch had become a crucial base for curbing Anti-Entropy's development. Due to Australia's natural advantages, this region was responsible for supplying the headquarters with numerous mineral resources and developing corresponding technologies.

However, no one had expected that the Oceanic Branch, which should have been loyal to headquarters, would be infiltrated by so many moles.

At this moment, they didn't yet know the crucial role of the Gem of Desire, but they had already keenly sensed that their most important mission now was to protect Wendy.

Theresa said, "Himeko, you guys find an island to land on first. The Hyperion can easily handle these weaklings. Wait for me, I'll be there soon."

After all, the Hyperion was Schicksal's most technologically advanced aerial battleship, equivalent to a flying aircraft carrier.

Unless Anti-Entropy directly deployed the Titan legion, they truly wouldn't stand a chance against the Hyperion.

"It's the only way."

Himeko ended the communication, feeling her headache worsen.

Wendy, who was beside her, suddenly spoke, "Teacher Himeko, an emergency landing might be very troublesome. Without the aircraft's defensive shield, we'll be like fish waiting to be slaughtered."

Although Wendy hadn't participated in frontline combat or training recently, her fundamentals were solid.

She continued, "And I don't know if you've noticed, but while our cabin is being damaged, the enemy's firepower hasn't increased. They're actually giving us time to choose."

Himeko's eyes scanned the radar instruments.

There were too many enemies; that was her thought.

When she first encountered them, Himeko had thought it was just a few scattered, reckless kids. However, no one had expected the other side to bring out a number of aircraft equivalent to a national air force.

Even with Himeko's excellent piloting skills, she couldn't constantly perform extreme evasive maneuvers in the air.

She said, "In this situation, there's no other option but to land. We can't just crash into the sea, can we?"

Himeko naturally knew that an emergency landing was very dangerous.

But if they didn't land, they would fall into the sea.

"No, I'm not against an emergency landing. I'm suggesting a method that might create a relatively safe opportunity for us."

"Teacher Himeko, there should be spare parachute packs on the aircraft, right?"

Himeko replied, "Every aircraft is equipped with at least ten parachute packs. What's wrong?"

"Then I'll need you to listen to me from now on."

Between Australia and the Far East, the entire Pacific Ocean needed to be crossed.

A chase was unfolding in the stratosphere above the sea.

Just as Wendy had said, after noticing the aircraft was damaged, the enemy's firepower didn't increase. It seemed they intended to capture Wendy alive.

Chen Ran could only blame himself for this situation.

Unless he chose to die again and rewind time by an hour.

He felt a wave of powerlessness.

Although the System had rewarded him with Valkyrie combat techniques, those were just techniques; they hadn't granted him corresponding physical enhancements.

However, Wendy, the target of their pursuit, showed no fear.

She had Chen Ran find heavy objects in the cabin and tie them to three parachute packs.

"If my guess is correct, they want a living Wendy," Wendy paused and said. "It's late at night, and dropping parachute packs will definitely make someone think someone is parachuting."

"So, this will draw away some enemies."

Because it was dark, the enemies could only see parachutes descending. They couldn't be sure if the target was truly on the parachute, so they had to go and capture it.

Himeko, who was piloting the aircraft, spoke, "I've found an island."

Wendy's eyes turned sharp. "Release!"

Chen Ran opened the cabin door and pushed the supplies, tied with parachute packs, downwards.

As expected, when the parachute packs opened mid-air with the supplies, many aircraft stopped pursuing their aircraft.

They had successfully executed a tactical deception.

Himeko's eyes narrowed slightly. "It worked?"

"There are still too many of them."

Wendy said calmly, "Next, we jump."

Himeko's eyes sharpened. "If they don't wait for the third batch, they won't know how many parachute packs we have."

"Tricking them once is enough. If we do it more than once, this aircraft will be targeted."

Wendy said, "When we jump later, don't open your parachute packs too quickly; that would be too obvious."

Himeko nodded. "Understood."

Even though Wendy's legs were disabled, her mind was not dull.

Himeko began to set the flight path for the aircraft, searching for the next island.

Meanwhile, Chen Ran silently secured the parachute for Wendy.

"I'm sorry, I didn't expect this situation. I thought finding the Far East Branch would be enough," he said with a guilty expression. "Instead, I've brought you into danger."

"No need to apologize."

Wendy, instead, took his hand, looked at him, and said with a beaming smile, "On the contrary, I'm very happy."

"I thought you had truly given up on me," she murmured.

"What?"

"Nothing."

Wendy took a deep breath and said, "Chen Ran, after this is all over, let's go soak in a hot spring together."

"Sure."

Chen Ran smiled and said, "Then it's a deal."

"Mhm."

About ten minutes later, Himeko spoke, "Found another island, prepare yourselves."

Chen Ran directly picked up Wendy and then opened the cabin door.

Himeko arrived quickly as well, bringing her Greatsword of Sunfire along.

"I'll leave Wendy to you. It's inconvenient for me to hold a weapon," she told Chen Ran.

Chen Ran gave an ok gesture.

His physique was at least above normal human standards, and he directly picked up Wendy.

Both of them had a parachute pack on their backs.

"Time to jump," Chen Ran said.

The girl's hands clutched Chen Ran's waist, her eyes showing no fear.

Instead, a flicker of heat flashed in her eyes.

"Let's jump, I'll protect you," Wendy said.

Chen Ran chuckled, amused and exasperated. "Of course, I'm the one protecting you!"

Chapter 22: The Answer is I Like You

"Aaaaaaaaah!"

This was Chen Ran's first time experiencing something so thrilling.

He hadn't even learned to skydive during his time with the Flame-Chaser.

Let alone skydiving while holding a girl.

Even though he wore goggles, watching himself plummet towards the ground with his center of gravity constantly shifting made him absolutely certain he never wanted to do it again.

Wendy, held in Chen Ran's arms, felt no fear. On the contrary, if Chen Ran could see, he would notice the gentle smile in her eyes beneath her goggles.

Even now, as Chen Ran screamed in fear, he still held her tightly.

This was the first time Wendy felt protected. Although the person protecting her was somewhat frail and occasionally childish and mischievous, she could feel the warmth in his heart.

She suddenly felt that this wasn't so bad after all.

Even though fate had cruelly taken her legs, she could still experience the tenderness of being loved.

"Chen Ran."

Amidst Chen Ran's screams, she softly said, "If we both survive, let's start dating."

The wind scattered her words.

The boy and girl were still falling rapidly.

Chen Ran also started to get tired of screaming.

Wendy suddenly spoke, "Open the parachute!"

The large parachute deployed, and their descent slowed.

Then, a strong gust of wind blew, pushing them away from their intended island.

Chen Ran looked at the sea below and sighed, "This is bad. How do I adjust the parachute's direction? I don't know how!"

Being in mid-air, they were essentially at the mercy of fate.

"I have good news and bad news."

Chen Ran pushed aside the parachute on the unfamiliar island, then detached a rope from it and tied Wendy to his back.

"The good news is we weren't discovered by the enemy," he said. "The bad news is, we're separated from Himeko."

In the almost boundless night sky, an unfamiliar island was a very dangerous place.

No one knew if there might be strange venomous insects and snakes here.

Chen Ran's body was breathing shallowly. Wendy, slumped on his back, whispered, "The night is our best cover. The enemy will definitely have intel that Teacher Himeko is an A-rank Valkyrie, and they'll also value me, so they won't act rashly."

They didn't expect to fool the enemy with just the parachute; that would be an insult to their intelligence.

However, Wendy's goal was to use the darkness to buy time.

"As long as Headmaster Theresa can get here before dawn, we'll succeed."

She continued, "From now on, we need to avoid making any noise or light, in case the enemy also crash-landed on this island to search."

Wendy might not have much experience in this regard, but she had enough knowledge stored in her mind.

Chen Ran nodded.

He carefully observed their surroundings.

There was no moon tonight, and the stars weren't very bright. While he wasn't blind, it was close to being half-blind.

He could only walk cautiously, looking for a place to hide.

"I hope Himeko isn't too far from us," Chen Ran murmured.

Wendy didn't speak.

Since Chen Ran had tied her up, she could only lie quietly on his back. There was too little light here, and the girl could see very little.

It was like playing a pixelated game.

Listening to Chen Ran's footsteps and breathing, she suddenly asked, "Can I ask you a question?"