18. Xia Ling: "Guess Where I Am" / 19. Theresa: "Guess What I'm About to Do"

"However, since we're already here, even if this is Otto's trap, we have to go through it."

Ain said in a deep voice, "I just checked the internal communication data of Schicksal. A few hours ago, a spaceship entered the Heimdall Laboratory at headquarters."

"Following this news, from the time Kiana was kidnapped, there have been frequent spaceships entering and leaving this laboratory, more than three times the frequency of other places."

"It's almost certain that Kiana was transported here," Tesla said. "That's not a good place. You know what Otto will do to her."

Theresa paused for a moment, then said, "... We need to hurry."

"However, before we get there, we have to do one thing first." Ain held up one finger.

"According to the data from the Schicksal Headquarters, there are three energy supply lines connecting the Heimdall Laboratory. Even if we choose the optimal line, we still need to destroy three transmission nodes."

"One of them is on the east side of the third airport, and the other two are on the west side of the third airport."

"So, we have to split our forces into two groups?" Himeko asked, holding her greatsword.

"To be precise, it's three routes," Ain added. "There's also a route that will attack Heimdall Laboratory while its energy supply is cut off."

"Then I'll take care of the rest of the way." Himeko accepted the task without hesitation. "Don't worry, before Valkyrie, I was Doctor from Caltech, so you don't need to worry about the technical issues."

"Who's worried about that!" Theresa's voice rose slightly. "Once the energy transmission line is cut off, you'll almost certainly be instantly surrounded, given your current physical condition..."

"Don't worry." Himeko patted Theresa's head. "I'm a former member of the stormtroopers, breaking out of an encirclement is something I'm very familiar with."

"I just checked the number of mechs." Tesla tapped the screen a few times. "Since there were almost no losses in the previous battle, we can deploy a batch of mechs to operate with you."

"I'll go too, otherwise there'll be no one to command these mechs."

"Let's leave these mechs on the Hyperion; they're needed more here..."

Before Himeko could finish speaking, Tesla rudely interrupted her, "My decisions are final, no arguments! That's it, we'll be responsible for the two western sections..."

"Wait, Dr. Tesla," Xia Ling suddenly said, "I'll take charge of the two on the west side. You guys go to the east side."

"Huh? You're responsible for both of them by yourself?"

"In terms of combat power, I'm not alone." Xia Ling waved the Stigmata Space Mark on her hand. "As long as I get close to that area, whether it's one node or two nodes, it doesn't make much difference to me."

"However, I may still need some time. I just checked, and the entire system of the Schicksal Headquarters is covered by a special protective measure. It seems to be the work of Void Archive."

"Is there nothing the Corrosion Key can do about these things?" Theresa asked, puzzled.

"No, Otto never intended to defend against the Corrosion Key. The method he used was probably similar to spending half a minute building a low-difficulty maze where the solution is obvious at a glance, but it takes a minute to get out."

"Simply put, it is not difficult to erode these protective systems, but the time required is greatly extended, which is why I cannot directly carry out continuous erosion on the outside from here."

Xia Ling's expression was serious. "It's clear that he's also stalling for time, and what he's waiting for... is quite obvious."

"So, if there are no problems, let's set off as soon as possible."

Xia Ling paused for a moment, then said casually, "Oh, by the way, Theresa, come with me for a second."

"There's something I'd like to discuss with you."

To the west of the third airport, there is a small floating island.

"I never expected that this floating island, which doesn't look very big, actually has two energy transmission nodes buried on it."

Wearing Scale Cloak, Xia Ling walked on the floating island as if no one else was around, brushing past several autonomous machines.

"I can understand your desire to sever the energy transmission pathway as soon as possible." Yae Sakura's voice sounded somewhat troubled within the Stigmata Space: "But are you sure it's okay for me to be in charge of one of the lines...?"

"Although I have some understanding of modern machinery, operating this kind of thing..."

"It's okay, just insert the Kishinuma directly. The Corrosion Virus will take care of the rest."

Xia Ling comforted her, "Moreover, since we don't need to control the corruption of the Kishinuma, we will have plenty of time."

"Speaking of which, Xia Ling, I feel that the person who used to be stationed here seems to have left."

Yae Sakura's voice was tinged with worry. "That person is quite strong. Are your companions really alright?"

"You didn't recognize Rita directly, but the one stationed here should be Fu Hua." Xia Ling pondered, "Fu Hua must have received a message from Rita's side and was afraid that something might happen to Himeko and the others, so she went there directly."

"Don't worry, it's not a problem even if they get caught over there. In fact, their group was designed to be caught anyway."

"Otherwise, in this kind of semi-infiltration and semi-surprise operation, bringing so many Titans would be no different from being a burden."

"So, you deliberately let yourself be captured?" Yae Sakura's voice was full of confusion. "There's such a method of combat?"

"Of course, they didn't intend to be arrested, but that was part of my plan."

"Moreover, not only them, but I will also cut off communication with the Hyperion and enter a state of no contact."

Xia Ling's fingers gently brushed over the mark in the Stigmata Space: "At that time, you should be able to appear directly from Theresa's Stigmata, right? Please make sure to protect their safety."

"Don't worry, this is simply my duty."

"But Xia Ling, what are you going to do? Don't you need my help?" Yae Sakura's tone was somewhat tactful. "After all... I think that warrior named Durandal seems quite strong."

"I'm not looking to fight Durandal ..." Xia Ling sighed. "If Theresa really does things my way, then Otto's plan will be greatly affected."

"Given the nature of the Sirin Project, neither Durandal nor Rita could help Otto stop Theresa and the others from killing Sirin outside."

"At that time, in order to ensure the smooth progress of the plan, he may choose to get involved himself."

"If that's really the case... then I'll just have to give our archbishop a surprise."

Chapter Nineteen Theresa: Guess What I'm Going to Do

Schicksal Headquarters, east side.

"Dr. Tesla, is this your plan?"

Looking at the group of Titan Mech running rampant on the floating island, Himeko felt her lips twitch slightly.

"There's nothing we can do, plans can't keep up with changes." Tesla's signature loud voice rang out from a red mech the same color as her hair.

"Who knew this place was actually a Honkai Energy reactor? In that case, there's no point in trying to cut it off. Let's just demolish the whole thing, and our mission will be complete."

"But it's really strange, there's not a single living person here. Could it be that Otto sent all the people from headquarters to the central floating island?"

"I have no idea what instructions His Lord Bishop has."

A gentle female voice sounded from behind Tesla: "But... saying there's no one here might just be because you haven't noticed."

"Tesla, watch out!"

Himeko's eyes narrowed, and an energy blade instantly slashed out from the sword's edge, flying towards Tesla's back.

Taking advantage of the aftershocks of the explosion, Tesla hurriedly jumped off the mech. Almost simultaneously, the red mech that had been able to play with the Demi-human Machine like mud was instantly torn to pieces.

"Rita..."

Himeko stood with her sword drawn, blocking Tesla's path, her expression grave.

"Don't panic, Himeko. Our mission is almost complete. Now we just need to retreat as much as possible. We can save as many people as we can."

Tesla said in a low voice.

"Trying to retreat? I'm sorry, His Lord Bishop's orders are..."

"Lord Bishop orders are simply to lock them up."

The black Shadow Knight, Moonwheel, fell directly from the sky, blocking the path between the three.

"Major, give up resisting. In your physical condition, facing two S-class enemies at the same time is tantamount to suicide."

Fu Hua appeared to be threatening Himeko, but in reality, she used her body to block Rita's attack route.

"That's true, but if you just arrest us like this, then my title as the ace of the Far East Branch would be a bit undeserved."

Himeko forcefully activated the Artificial Stigmata within her body, and the armor on her body began to glow slightly.

"At the very least, we should hold you off for a while."

As the Titan Mech scattered across the floating island gradually converged, Himeko's aura grew even stronger.

"...I'll handle this. Rita, you go deal with the Titans." Fu Hua hesitated for a moment, Void Grip had already appeared in her hand.

"If you wish." Rita smiled and nodded, then vanished.

"Come on, let me see how much stronger you are than me?"

With a sickeningly loud scraping sound, Himeko's heavy sword drew a silver arc as it slashed upwards towards Fu Hua. The heavy sword seemed weightless in her hands, drawing arcs in the air.

Fu Hua didn't dodge; instead, she pressed forward, her black and gold gauntlets unleashing dazzling speed as she directly blocked Himeko's attack.

The gauntlets clashed with the greatsword, occasionally unleashing bursts of Honkai Energy. For a moment, the two appeared to be evenly matched.

It seems she really is getting old... Himeko's expression remained unchanged, but a trace of worry flashed through her heart. If this continues, she won't be able to hold on for much longer...

"Xia Ling, I've got this sorted out, right...?"

Through the Stigmata Space, Yae Sakura reported her progress.

"Now, just like you said, various boxes with red triangles are starting to pop up on the screen. Does that mean... it's a success?"

"Sure, as long as it's the same pattern as the one I just saw here."

Xia Ling glanced at the terminal. "Judging by the time, it should be about right."

"Yae Sakura, you can go to Theresa's place next."

Xia Ling took off her communicator, glanced at it, tossed it aside, and fired a final shot.

The communicator exploded instantly, turning into a pile of fragments.

"From now on, I'm going to disappear from the map." Xia Ling smiled slightly. "Remember to do as I say and don't reveal my location."

"Don't worry, I won't tell anyone else." Yae Sakura nodded. "However, Xia Ling, I still don't quite understand. Even if you're going to act alone, why cut off communication with the Hyperion ...?"

"If Otto is personally involved, then there's one thing we can't avoid: the Feather Dust of the Void Archive Mimicry." Xia Ling explained, "On the Hyperion side, apart from you, no one else combined has any mental resistance. In other words, apart from you, no one else's memories can be hidden from Otto at all."

"If I want to operate covertly, I absolutely cannot tell Theresa and the others about my whereabouts. Once they know, it basically means that Otto knows as well."

"Given the current situation, once Otto discovers Theresa's next move, he can easily connect all my previous plans."

"At that time, the situation on the field will be like a game of chess, a contest between two open strategies, and my disappearance at this moment will become the only hidden move on the field, used specifically to defend against Otto."

"Alright." Seeing Xia Ling's resolute attitude, Yae Sakura didn't ask any more questions, "Then I wish you good fortune in your military endeavors."

As she spoke, Yae Sakura's body vanished instantly.

"Fu Hua, I need to take these two people to the prison, so I'll be leaving now."

With the unconscious Himeko and Tesla bound in a tortoise shell style, Rita gave a slight bow.

"Next, it would be best if Lady Fu Hua did not linger here any longer and returned to report as soon as possible."

"Well, it seems there's been a problem in the area I was in charge of before. I need to go check it out, and then I'll return to headquarters to report back."

"Lady Fu Hua, are you afraid of something?"

"I'm curious," Fu Hua said in a deep voice, "The bishop told me that Kiana needs to receive continuous treatment at Heimdall, so why is the bishop completely unprepared now that the Far East Branch is trying to take her away?"

"I'm not entirely sure either, but His Lord Bishop must have his own plans."

Rita's smile remained unchanged, but she was inwardly troubled.

The bishop's request was to prevent Fu Hua from interfering with the battle between the Far East Branch and Sirin near Heimdall Laboratory. Given that, the only option was to find a way to keep Fu Hua calm for the time being...

"However, if Lady Fu Hua is so curious about Kiana's whereabouts, why not go back to headquarters and ask her yourself?" Rita's smile became enigmatic. "Perhaps... Kiana isn't in Heimdall Laboratory?"

Rita's delaying tactic was clearly effective, Fu Hua's face showed a thoughtful expression.

"In that case, I will go back and ask Otto myself."

On the other side, Hyperion is on the other side.

"Theresa ..." Einstein patted Theresa on the shoulder. "Himeko and Tesla's communication has been cut off. At the same time, the energy supply to both the east and west locations has disappeared, and the energy barrier outside Heimdall Laboratory has also disappeared."

"It's time to set off."

"..."

Theresa remained silent for a moment.