Herrscher Paradise

"Turn to ashes before me, you ant!" the 'Herrscher of Death' roared at Himeko, who blocked her path, and hurled a ball of pitch-black mist toward her on the deck.

"Sorry, but I can't grant you that wish. After all, my mission was never to defeat you!" Himeko's armor kicked into full power as she raised her greatsword and met the 'Herrscher's' attack head-on!

So this is an A-Rank Valkyrie? I wonder what an S-Rank Valkyrie is like...

Just as that thought crossed her mind, a golden cross materialized out of thin air at the upper-right edge of the screen.

The massive cross unfurled in midair, firing twelve golden spears that pierced through the 'Herrscher of Death' as she struggled against Himeko.

"Damn you, Valkyrie! But... I am immortal!"

Even with her body impaled by the spears, the 'Herrscher of Death' did not die—the core's built-in regeneration kept her alive.

"The Herrscher of Death's regeneration is such a nuisance!" The twelve golden spears, as if sensing something, flew back toward a figure that had suddenly appeared on the deck, slotting neatly into the golden cross behind her.

It didn't look like she'd just appeared out of nowhere—more like she'd been there but wasn't caught by the camera for some reason...

"Principal Theresa, please hold the Herrscher back for me. Let me try the final blow!" Durandal, her high ponytail swinging, rushed in from behind, wielding Abyss Flower.

Logically, Durandal should be faster than Theresa and should have arrived earlier.

But as luck would have it, on her way here, she'd run into a rampaging Honkai Emperor, and ever 'helpful' Durandal had taken the time to put it down...

"It's useless! I cannot be killed! Ants, I am a messenger of the gods—you will all die!"

After repeated heavy blows and setbacks, the 'Herrscher of Death's' mind was on the verge of collapse. She glared venomously at Durandal, spewing threats without pause.

Gazing down at the devastated city from above, Theresa slammed the massive cross from her back heavily in front of her: "Enough, Herrscher. End your sins here! Durandal, I'm about to use that move. Can you launch an attack under those conditions?"

"I can!" A flash of resolve crossed Durandal's eyes as she hoisted Abyss Flower high onto her shoulder.

"Good! I'm counting on you, Judah! Domain expansion!"

"Judah's Oath, Zero Rated Power—Grace Barrier, open!"

A blinding golden light blazed from the golden cross. At its center, countless fine golden gears spun at high speed in the air.

From the farthest ends of the gears, golden chains imbued with binding properties materialized out of thin air, shooting toward the 'Herrscher of Death' where she stood and locking her firmly to the ground.

"What are you doing? My power... my power is gone." The 'Herrscher of Death' knelt weakly on the Hyperion's deck, staring in terror at her own hands, as if trying to reclaim her lost strength.

"Go! Abyss!"

Even someone as strong as Durandal felt the strain under Judah's Oath's Zero Rated Power.

Suppressed, she hurled the weapon in her hand—a weapon of immense power—like a javelin with all her might.

Its target: the Herrscher bound tightly by Judah.

"Damn it, I can't move! No, don't!"

This time, the 'Herrscher of Death's' wounded body did not regenerate as before. She stared blankly at her pierced chest, murmuring, "This... how is this possible!"

Crack!

A crisp shattering sound rang out from the 'Herrscher of Death's' chest as the artificially enhanced gem fragment, unable to bear the strain, broke apart.

Along with it, shattered to dust and nothingness, was the 'open-hearted' body of the 'Herrscher of Death'.

So this is an S-Rank Valkyrie! That's some serious power.

By the way, what was that lance-like weapon?!

Xina stared in awe at the Abyss Flower in Durandal's hand. Even through the screen, she felt a deep tremor in her heart, as if she shared some special bond with that lance.

"How is this possible?!"

Watching the Herrscher's body disintegrate into ash before their eyes, leaving nothing behind, Durandal and Theresa exchanged stunned glances, disbelief written on their faces.

Why did the Serenity Gem, which held the Fourth Herrscher's authority, vanish after her death?

Logically, shouldn't the gem containing the Herrscher's authority remain after the Herrscher dies?

Could it be...

As if struck by an unpleasant possibility, both Theresa and Durandal's expressions darkened.

When Judah's Zero Rated Power ended and Durandal had recovered some strength, she turned with a grave expression: "Senior Theresa, I need to return to Destiny Headquarters and report this to the Bishop in person. I'll take my leave now."

"Mm." Theresa nodded, watching Durandal's figure disappear over the distant horizon.

"Himeko, let's head back!"

Theresa withdrew her gaze and walked with Himeko across the deck, now pockmarked and scarred from the Herrscher's rampage.

It wasn't until they stepped back into the Hyperion's command room that Xina finally saw this S-Rank Valkyrie up close, the one carrying the enormous cross.

The Far East Branch's strongest combatant wasn't as tall as she'd imagined—in fact, she was... very... ahem...

Aside from the somewhat mature-looking nun's outfit she wore, everything else about her wasn't much better than an elementary schooler.

The only thing Xina couldn't figure out was how someone so... petite could swing around such a huge metal cross.

In the end, unable to come up with an answer, Xina decided to chalk it all up to the all-powerful Honkai.

"And who might this young miss be...?" Theresa looked Xina up and down with curiosity.

"She's Xina, a survivor of this Honkai eruption." Fu Hua stood up and recounted the entire sequence of events from beginning to end.

"Since she's a survivor of the Honkai, let Bronya take her to the Medical Room and use the instruments to check her body. We'll see how her condition is."

Theresa took a brief moment to understand the situation, nodded to indicate she had taken it in, then moved to the side to begin writing the report materials for Otto.

Two S-Rank Valkyries had spent a great deal of effort just to take down one Impostor, and the real Herrscher hadn't even been seen. Such a major incident had to be reported to the all-capable grandfather.

"Miss Xina, please follow me." Bronya rose from the console and walked over to stand before Xina.