Kiana: Whoa, Otto, you're really going to...! / Hyperion: See you again~

When I ran into her in the training room before, she asked me how to write an article to express her admiration for Theresa if I wanted to submit it to Schicksal Weekly. So I mischievously recommended a text on gratitude to her.

I didn't expect this girl to take it seriously.

"She might as well write 'I am the lucky charm of Schicksal'!"

Theresa was speechless after hearing the whole story.

"It's okay, look on the bright side. At least it cheered you up, didn't it?"

With Xia Ling's full efforts, the remaining affairs of Schicksal were quickly sorted out and completed, and Theresa also set off for the Hyperion as promised to begin preparations for the space exercise.

As for Xia Ling...

She was currently curled up on the large bishop's chair, her jade feet, encased in black stockings, resting leisurely on the armrests of the chair, while she continuously modified the training schedule for the Valkyrie on the terminal in her hand.

"Xi and the Void Archive have basically completed the preparations... Next, we need to call Kiana over."

"Considering the need for secrecy... thankfully there's a part before the main storyline where the Hyperion goes to outer space for exercises, otherwise it would have been really difficult to hide the changes to Kiana's training mission from Theresa."

Xia Ling gently pressed confirm on Kiana's new schedule and revealed a smile that resembled that of a dark villain.

If we ignore the fact that the girl's actions were almost entirely aimed at getting herself killed, then the dimly lit room did indeed create an atmosphere of a mastermind behind the scenes.

Chapter Two Kiana: I'm super, O (eight) scattered other jiu ball equipment blame witch bar to!

"Beep beep—"

"Um?"

Kiana raised her hand to shut down the simulated enemy in the training room, wiped the sweat from her brow, and then picked up the terminal.

"Training mission changed... Next mission: Special simulation training at Sky Island #4?"

Kiana scratched her head, somewhat puzzled.

"Sky Island Number Four? Isn't that... the place Sister Xia Ling used to develop the new version of the trial system?"

"But I remember Xia Ling saying that this system couldn't be opened before the Finality? How come there are training facilities there?"

Since returning from the Elysian Realm trial a week ago, Kiana has been immersed in intense and exciting training.

No one knew when the World Serpent would begin its operation. Although everyone was aware of everything that had happened in the Previous Civilization, understanding the Stigmata Project did not equate to acceptance.

Everyone has the potential to become a hero, but sacrificing the future of the vast majority of humanity to defeat the Honkai is something they absolutely cannot accept.

However, Elysia disappeared after the trial ended.

Xia Ling explained that she couldn't leave Elysian Realm for too long, which is quite reasonable. If Elysia could have stayed away from the Elysian Realm for a long time before... then Kevin wouldn't have had to go to such lengths to recruit Herrscher into the Elysian Realm.

In short, since I've assigned myself this task, it must have at least been personally approved by my period, but considering the word "top secret" before the task...

"Durandal, I'll be leaving for a while."

Kiana called out to the simulation room next door.

"What's wrong, Kiana?"

Durandal emerged from the training room. Having cultivated their relationship through the previous trials, and with the two sisters already sharing compatible personalities, in just one month, her relationship with Kiana had rapidly progressed from ordinary friends to close confidantes.

Durandal found her younger sister increasingly adorable, showing signs of developing a sister complex.

"My aunt has assigned me a special training mission, so I need to leave for a day."

"Ah, I see. Then please be careful."

Durandal's voice sounded somewhat puzzled. If she remembered correctly, Theresa should already be preparing for the exercise.

However, considering Kiana's special status as Herrscher, it's normal that her training tasks are different from those of ordinary people like her.

After saying goodbye to Durandal, Kiana quickly changed her clothes and then took a transport plane to Sky Island #4.

After all, the headquarters has strict detection of Herrscher abilities. If you accidentally trigger an alarm while using your abilities, you'll be in big trouble.

"This should be it..."

Before long, Kiana arrived at the location marked on the terminal. It was a laboratory door that was tightly closed, and from any perspective, it didn't seem like a training place at all.

Although she had some doubts, Kiana still knocked on the laboratory door since she was already there.

"They're here."

What came from inside the door was a crisp, childlike voice.

That voice... is it Little Xi?

Kiana was taken aback. She recognized the voice very well. Not to mention the several times this little painter had been connected to them, she had often seen this little girl when she was in Durandal not long ago.

However, I haven't seen Xi much these past few days. It seems that this is the project she's been busy with lately.

But as the laboratory door opened, Kiana froze.

Because she saw a familiar blond man in the laboratory.

"Otto?!"

Almost instantly, Kiana's attire transformed from fitted casual clothes into the attire of the Herrscher of Flamescion, Flame-Chaser Greatsword appeared in her hand, which she swung at "Otto" without hesitation.

"Wait, wait, I'm not—"

Before he could even speak, the attack came. Otto could only conjure a golden cross to block Kiana's blazing flames.

"The Mimicry of the Divine Key? You still say you're not Otto!"

"Kiana, calm down. He really isn't Otto..."

A somewhat "sloppy" Durandal suddenly appeared in front of Kiana, blocking Kiana's flaming sword with a black and white spear.

"Haha, Kiana, you're still hostile towards Otto..."

At that moment, Xia Ling's voice slowly drifted in from outside.

In fact, she had already arrived, but she wanted to take the opportunity to give the newly acquired Void Archive a good talking-to, which is why she didn't show up in time.

That's right, the "Otto" here is not Apocalypse, but... the Void Archive who borrowed a body from Xia Ling.

As Xia Ling spoke, Kiana immediately stopped her attack and turned to look behind her.

"Sister Xia Ling? What happened...?"

"Ahem, let me explain it to you."

Seeing Kiana's puzzled expression, Xia Ling began to state the "reason" she had prepared beforehand without hesitation.

"First of all, this 'Otto' is the Void Archive, the First Divine Key. Because he was carried by Otto for five hundred years, he was pickled and flavored. Therefore, Otto's Soul Steel body was chosen as his body. Of course, it is only temporary."

"As for Xi... or rather, the reason for bringing you all here is to conduct a highly confidential study."

Kiana, you should still remember the Key of Blankness, right?

"Of course, but that thing... Sister Xia Ling, didn't you say you found it in the Theater of Domination and are currently researching it?"

"That's right, we've made some progress in our research. I'm sure you wouldn't understand the specifics, Kiana, but the current requirements are quite simple."

Xia Ling pointed to a stack of drawing papers in the corner.

"I need Xi to draw a batch of Herrscher of Flamescion cores for my experiments, while you and Void Archive... are the materials for Xi to copy."

Of course, this is a lie. What Xia Ling needs is not a batch of Flame Herrscher Core, but a core with a simulation degree that is almost equivalent to the original.

After all, to carry out her and Vill-V's plan, they first needed to gather all twelve Herrscher Core —the others were easy to obtain, but the Flame Herrscher Core was the only exception; one was in Kevin's possession, and the other was with Kiana.

Therefore, she needs to use her Core of a Thousand Laws as a base to "draw" a Flame Herrscher Core that is indistinguishable from the real thing.

As for the core that has a time limit... lol. If she uses the Key of Blankness has fused twelve cores, it's hard to say whether she can even survive a minute of the King's Set.

It's uncertain whether she or Flame Herrscher Core will survive, so this restriction is essentially meaningless to her.

But she certainly couldn't tell Kiana that, since Kiana also had a deep impression of the Key of Blankness. If she did that, Kiana would definitely be alerted by her actions of collecting the cores— Kiana, who had almost lost Xia Ling several times, would absolutely not allow Xia Ling to use such a plan.

So... I'm sorry, Kiana ~

Looking at Kiana, who showed no suspicion of her motives, Xia Ling felt apologetic in her heart.

Chapter Three Hyperion: See you again~

[Hyperion maneuver, relay signal tracking stabilized, ship enters lunar orbit, main engines shut down.]

"Well done, Ai-chan."

Looking at the group of (E-1) phosphorus I (4) warm (9) cabbage-headed girls floating in front of her, Theresa praised them.

"Help me connect to the command centers of Schicksal and Salt Lake Base."

"Hi~ Theresa."

As soon as Xia Ling's projection appeared, she greeted Theresa.

Good morning, Xia Ling and Ain.

"Hello, Theresa, it seems everything is going well."

The Doctor with blue curly hair appeared on the other end of the communication.

"How effective is the newly installed gravity simulation device on the Hyperion?"

"Very good, even more stable than when the Hyperion was navigating in the atmosphere before... If I weren't sleeping alone, I would have thought I was still in St. Freya's bed."

"Then you should really thank Bronya. She helped Dr. Tesla develop a system that uses a replica of Star of Eden to provide regional gravity."

"Really..." Theresa smiled with a hint of relief, "Without realizing it, these children have all grown up."

"Alright, let's get down to business. Ai-chan, how's the Hyperion doing?"

"Hyperion, ready at any time!"

"Looks good. Well then, let me repeat the plan for this exercise—" Ain said, opening the terminal in her hand.

"This exercise aims to test the Hyperion's deep-space cruise system and fully automated combat system after its unmanned upgrade, and in the process, enhance our command's operational scheduling capabilities."

"According to the exercise schedule, today's main subjects are: deep space artillery fire, extravehicular combat, and electromagnetic silent cruise."

"Let's start with the extravehicular combat training. We'll need to make some preparations for the remaining two training items."

At this moment, another voice broke into the conversation.

Good morning, Himeko.

Xia Ling greeted her, "Aren't you going to the extravehicular activity later?"

"I'll pass. Compared to fighting in outer space, commanding a fleet seems to be my forte. Besides, Theresa might not even agree to me fighting outside the spacecraft."

Himeko shook her head with a wry smile. After the incident involving the Thousand-Man Herrscher was over, Theresa forbade Himeko from personally engaging in combat anymore, instead relegating her to the sidelines and focusing on her duties as an instructor and captain.

After all, Himeko's Honkai Energy adaptability problem has not been truly resolved. If she is allowed to run wild, her body will probably return to its previous state in a few years.

Therefore, before the invention of technology that can harmlessly use Honkai Energy, Himeko will likely only be able to operate on the front lines as a fleet commander.

"It's alright, this mecha is nothing, I, the headmaster, can handle it all by myself."

As she spoke, Theresa took out a specially made cross. Since the main enemies in this exercise were mechs, she did not bring the Judas' Vow.

Xia Ling said that she needed to study the techniques of using the Power of Restraint more recently. In addition, she also artificial Honkai outbreak to ensure her combat power. Therefore Theresa simply handed Judah over to Xia Ling for the time being.

"In that case, I wish you a successful exercise. I'll go back to my work now."

Seeing Theresa preparing to leave, Xia Ling nodded to Himeko and Ain and then cut off the communication.

After all... Stigmata Project is about to be launched, and she needs to make some preparations in advance.

A moment later, Theresa returned to the cabin.

Theresa rubbed her arms, which were a little cold from the extreme temperatures of outer space, and was about to return to the bridge when she saw Himeko looking serious in the corridor.

"What happened, Himeko?"

As a longtime partner, Himeko's expression clearly indicated the seriousness of the situation.

"... Just now, we encountered some problems with our voyage."

Himeko handed a chart to Theresa.

"Starting this morning, the Hyperion's actual course has deviated somewhat from the theoretically predicted course."