17. The Empty Third Spaceport

Raising the Crescent Rose, Xia Ling exerted force in her arm and slammed it heavily onto Benares's head. Then she pulled the trigger, using the recoil to push herself back and dodge the next blow.

Although the blow was essentially harmless because Xia Ling didn't have much Honkai Energy attached to her, Benares was clearly enraged by this provocative action.

After letting out a roar, Benares flapped its wings and flew off the deck to prevent Xia Ling from jumping up again.

Then, a breath containing strong Honkai Energy fluctuations was sprayed towards Xia Ling.

Of course, Xia Ling easily dodged this attack, which had almost no regard for accuracy. On the contrary, the Father-class Mech on the deck was inexplicably hit by a cannon shot.

"Hey, little Bella is pretty well-behaved. She flies away on her own with just a little coaxing."

Seemingly provoked by Xia Ling's address, Benares swooped down directly in Xia Ling's direction, seemingly intending to deliver an ultimate headbutt to Xia Ling.

Seeing Benares's cooperation, Xia Ling wasted no more time. She waved towards the bridge and instantly appeared several hundred meters away, while teasing Benares with intermittent shots.

Soon, Xia Ling completely aroused Benares's hatred, and the two figures disappeared into the distance.

At that moment, Einstein also got through to Theresa.

"Ms. Theresa, I see that your Helios appears to be returning to port?"

"Yes, we encountered some issues on the way, and the current situation doesn't seem suitable for storming the Schicksal Headquarters."

"It's alright, just rendezvous with this ship. After all, this is the Schicksal Headquarters, so it's better to be safe. I have already dispatched the Titan Mech force to escort you."

"Titan Mech?" Theresa asked curiously. "I remember these mechs are quite difficult to manufacture..."

"That's right. In this operation, Anti-Entropy deployed 70% of its Titan Mech." Einstein said something terrifying in a calm voice, "This number of mechs is enough to take down one of Schicksal's spaceports even if we launch a full-scale attack."

"Unless Otto fires a Honkai Energy Fission Bomb at Schicksal Headquarters, I can't think of any reason why they could be wiped out."

"By the way, where is Xia Ling?"

"Benares attacked us just now, and Xia Ling lured her away," Theresa said with some concern.

"Benares was severely damaged in the Second Honkai Outbreak, but you don't need to worry about Xia Ling's safety." Einstein paused for a moment, "Now there's something else that's more important."

"Otto seems to be continuously replenishing Sirin's Honkai Energy, and the consequence of this action is that the Honkai has begun to spread from the Schicksal Headquarters as the core."

"I have notified all branches of Anti- Anti-Entropy to prepare for the Honkai outbreak. I estimate that Otto also has a similar plan. However, in order to prevent this Honkai from spreading globally, we still need to make cutting off Sirin's Honkai Energy supply our primary objective."

"Once the Hyperion is in position, we can launch the attack."

"I understand." Theresa nodded. "It really is the exact same process... During the Second Honkai Outbreak, it seems that the goal was also to prevent Sirin from getting close to the 'Tower' to obtain Honkai Energy, right?"

"There are still some differences. After all, this time the energy source is other floating islands, and this energy channel can be cut off, making it much simpler than the Second Honkai Outbreak."

"Next, let's begin preparations for a full-scale attack on Schicksal."

Meanwhile, Xia Ling had already brought Benares to the outer area near the Schicksal Headquarters.

It's fortunate that Xia Ling was equipped with the Kishinuma, so ordinary Honkai Beast wouldn't attack her. Otherwise, she would have had to clear out the smaller monsters while fighting the dragon, which would have greatly increased her workload.

Just as she had guessed, it wasn't long before she sensed a familiar presence.

"Hey, isn't this Fu Hua?"

Xia Ling waved to Fu Hua, who was dressed in black armor in the distance.

"Teacher Xia Ling..."

"No, that would mess up the generations. Just call me Xia Ling."

Xia Ling waved her hands repeatedly. "I've already looked at the Anti-Entropy files. Although there aren't many records about you in them, according to the records, you could easily beat me up."

"So, Fu Hua, are you here on orders to take over this dragon?"

Fu Hua's expression darkened, but she still explained, "That's right, Benares is extremely dangerous, and we can't let her roam around."

"Okay, then I'll leave it to you."

Xia Ling nodded decisively and prepared to leave.

"Wait, Xia Ling... Xia Ling, I'm very sorry about what happened at the academy that day."

If Xia Ling had shown disgust or rejection towards Fu Hua would probably have felt better. However, Xia Ling's nonchalant attitude, as if nothing had happened, only increased Fu Hua's guilt.

"You're still hung up on that matter..." Xia Ling stopped, dodging a claw strike from Benares.

"Hmm... alright, I'm not in a rush anyway. Since you want to talk, I'll talk to you."

Xia Ling smiled, as if she were not high in the sky, but still in the school office, answering questions for her class representative.

"You think Kiana showed signs of awakening in the data space, which is proof of her emotional instability, so there's a possibility that the Second Herrscher could awaken, right?"

"Yes, and I have certain mental abilities, and I can sense that Sirin's consciousness is indeed becoming more active."

Fu Hua made the same judgment as that day.

"In fact, your analysis is correct, and what you are seeing is indeed reality."

"But the problem is, you know the Second Herrscher well enough, but you don't know Otto well enough."

Xia Ling shook her head slightly. "You may have many contingency plans for Otto's behavior, but what actually happens often exceeds your imagination."

"For example, what if Otto wanted Kiana to watch Sirin kill us one by one, gambling that Kiana could have a mental breakdown before she completely overwhelmed Sirin's consciousness?"

"Otto, he..."

Fu Hua was about to say something, but she suddenly realized that Otto might actually be capable of doing such a thing, and she was momentarily speechless.

"See, you can't accept it anymore, can you?"

Xia Ling winked mischievously.

"Of course, since I only have guesses, I can't tell you the so-called truth. It's better to find out the truth yourself."

"But... sigh, Fu Hua, you're just too honest."

"If I were you, I would probably have punched Otto in the face and tasted what it felt like to make his steel-faced cheeks creak."

"In short, despite what happened, I don't think we will be enemies."

"As for you... all I can say is, be careful."

After saying that, Xia Ling waved her hand and disappeared from Fu Hua's sight.

Chapter Seventeen: The Deserted Third Airport

By the time Xia Ling returned to the Hyperion, quite some time had passed. Theresa had successfully reunited with Einstein and was preparing to head towards Schicksal Headquarters once again.

"Hey, where are Mei and Bronya? I can't see them."

Xia Ling looked around but did not see the two people who had been following Hyperion.

"Mei underwent surgery to remove a bomb that had been placed in her heart and is currently resting."

Ain answered her question, "As for Bronya... she is still learning how to use Star of Eden."

"Star of Eden?" Xia Ling asked with interest, "The original?"

"I guess so... It has undergone some modifications. In short, given her current condition, although she can't use the rated zero power, she should be fine for normal use."

Ain was clearly unsure whether Star of Eden, which had been modified so Anti-Entropy that it was almost unrecognizable, could still be considered the original.

"In short, the formal offensive is already being prepared, and based on our previous predictions, the place we are going to attack is here."

Ain opened an electronic map, in which the location of the Third Airport in the Schicksal's floating island group was marked in red.

"The third airport?"

"That's right, the Third Airport." Ain explained, "In terms of the structure of the Schicksal Headquarters ... uh, wait, you don't seem to have been to the Schicksal Headquarters."

"Then let me explain in more detail."

"Unlike normal floating island technology, the floating islands of the Schicksal Headquarters are themselves a weapon capable of large-scale energy transfer."

"This structure seems to be related to some secret plans within Schicksal, but it has little to do with our actions today. What I want to say is that Otto, if he wants to awaken Sirin, will certainly not use the Honkai Energy stored in just one floating island, but will draw on the Honkai Energy of all the surrounding floating islands to supply it."

"However, building an energy barrier requires Honkai Energy, maintaining the operation of the floating islands also requires Honkai Energy, and even the control of the mechs and the operation of the autonomous protection system all require energy. Schicksal cannot equally draw energy from all the floating islands at the same time. Since that is the case, it must have weaknesses."

"So, the third airport is the location you chose?" Xia Ling suddenly realized.

"That's right, the Titan Unit are ready."

A cold glint flashed in Ain's eyes. "Next, let the Schicksal's mechs see what a real mech force is like."

In Heimdall Laboratory.

"Your Lord Bishop, the Hyperion is heading towards the Third Airport."

Rita was keeping Otto informed of the latest developments.

"As expected, she was just trying to annoy me before. She's capable of doing something like that... In that case, let's inject Honkai Energy again."

"If we raise the Honkai Energy to the critical point, Sirin's consciousness will awaken in just a few hours."

"Let Durandal go and meet up with Xi to continue the task of cleaning up headquarters. We no longer need her to cover for us here."

"Rita, go and inform Fu Hua that your mission is to stand by at the energy transmission node near Heimdall Laboratory."

"Next, I will give the third airport directly to them."

"After they occupy the Third Airport, they will definitely come here to cut off the Honkai Energy supply from the other floating islands to Heimdall Laboratory. You need to stop them."

"Of course, it's okay if we can't stop them, as long as we delay them for enough time."

"Yes, Your Lord Bishop." Rita nodded. "But... I remember you said that someone in the Far East Branch possesses the Corrosion Key, didn't you? If that's the case, why don't they just remotely cut off the Honkai Energy supply from the Third Spaceport?"

"Don't worry, now that I know they have the Corrosion Key, I've already made preparations."

"It's impossible to completely block the power of the Corrosion Key, but if we just want to buy time, there are plenty of ways."

"I actually hope they slowly wear them down with the Corrosion Key. They haven't realized yet that the most precious thing for them right now is time."

"As long as they can suppress Sirin's consciousness again before Sirin fully awakens, my plan will be half successful. But as things stand... whether they can see Kiana before that time comes is still an unknown."

"Ms. Theresa, the mech forces have occupied the outer perimeter of the airport and are ready to launch an attack at any time."

Outside the third airport, Ain sat inside a Titan Mech, directing the mech forces to sweep through the airport's perimeter.

"The Hyperion is also in position and providing fire support."

Theresa responded immediately.

"Himeko and I have already landed inside the Third Airport and are cleaning it up. Xia Ling is on her way to the Third Airport's command tower. Once she's in position, we can hack into the Third Airport's control system."

Tesla's voice came through the communication, and the background noise sounded very loud.

"The Schicksal's Demi-human Machine is really dilapidated. I don't understand why they would invest resources in this thing."

The Titan casually grabbed a Demi-human Machine, and with a sickeningly loud sound, the Demi-human Machine quickly entered a state of needing to be sent back to the factory for major repairs.

"Compared to Honkai Beast, these mechs seem more like they're designed for humans." Himeko, wielding her greatsword and sweating profusely, said, "Honestly, I'd rather face multiple Temple-class Honkai Beast than be entangled by a dozen of these things."

"The good news is that you really don't have to deal with them anymore."

Tesla's voice came through Himeko's earpiece. "Look, the defense system at the Third Airport has ceased fire."

"We're safe for now."

With the defense system shut down, the Hyperion successfully entered the Third Airport, Ain, controlling the mech forces, quickly took control of the Third Airport.

"Xia Ling, how are you? Are you alright?"

Upon seeing Xia Ling emerge from the control center, Theresa quickly went to greet her.

"No, rather, I didn't see anyone at all." Xia Ling shook her head. "The entire control center that is still functioning is all automated machinery; you can't see any living people at all."

"This is not good news..." Ain's voice came from a Titan: "I just checked the damage to the Titan Unit. Only one was completely destroyed. The reason was that the landing system suddenly malfunctioned, causing it to fall off the edge of the floating island during its parachute landing."

"Furthermore, the resistance from Schicksal didn't even manage to destroy a single mech, which is clearly abnormal."

"That's right. We didn't encounter Valkyrie units on the ground. As for the number of Schicksal's Divine Machines, there were quite a few, but they were pitifully few. They were mostly autonomous machines and various variants of Demi-human Machine."

Tesla confirmed Ain's guess. "If Schicksal really only had this much protection, then we probably wouldn't have needed five years to rename Schicksal to Anti-Entropy."

"There can only be one reason why our infiltration went so smoothly: Otto let us in on purpose."