Under your influence, Pardo and Vill-V joined the Flame Chasers ahead of schedule. Vill-V joined the Engineering Department, but because of her previous dangerous actions, she was confined alone on an uninhabited island. Being with a genius would obviously draw attention, so you chose to join the Tactical Squad, while Pardo joined the logistics division of your squad.
When the nest was overturned, how could any eggs remain intact? You knew that against the backdrop of Honkai, pursuing a peaceful and stable life was clearly unrealistic.
If you wanted the life you desired, then Honkai had to be eradicated.
Of course, you could not attract the public's attention in the process.
So, you needed a hero, one whose radiance could completely overshadow yours.
Whatever credit there was, you could simply give it to her.
You had someone in mind: Elysia.
Not only because she was strong enough, but also because you had leverage over her.
At eighteen, you had successfully lived eighteen peaceful years. There were only a handful of things you cared about.
Yoshikazu Kira, Pardo, Vill-V, Elysia, and the other Flame-Chasers.
Nothing else needed to appear in your peaceful life.
Watching the increasingly dense Honkai Energy, you knew the Herrscher of Thunder was coming.
Honkai had begun to reveal its true face.
Playing house was over.
"Mission complete. Squad, fall back!"
After clearing the Honkai Beasts and zombies from the area, the woman with flame-colored long hair issued her orders.
Himiko, Yoshikage Kira's captain.
Twelve zombies and three Assault Class Honkai Beasts. Neither too many nor too few—nothing that would draw attention.
But...
"Thanks for the effort, boss!" Pardo ran over to Yoshikage Kira and handed him a towel and water.
Feeling the envious and approving gazes of the surrounding squad members, Yoshikage Kira sighed.
I don't want to draw attention, but...
"Thank you, Pardo."
Elsewhere—
"So boring! I want to play with my assistant!"
"Alright, don't cause trouble for your assistant."
"A day without seeing my assistant... I miss him."
"Why did it get so dark?"
"Those clouds are so thick. Hey, Su, is that a person in the sky?"
Thick storm clouds wrapped the sky like black cloth, sealing it airtight. Not a trace of sunlight could be seen between heaven and earth. The only light came from the lightning pouring out of the clouds like Heaven's Punishment.
Boom! Thunder roared, announcing the arrival of the Queen of Thunder to the world!
Honkai had come without warning. The Third Honkai War was fiercer and more violent than ever before.
Honkai was completely exposed before the eyes of the world, and the Flame Chasers could no longer keep news of it contained.
Rumble! Thunder exploded outside the aircraft, yet Yoshikage Kira's heart was exceptionally calm.
Herrscher of Thunder, I'll use you to test my abilities.
Let's see whether my Killer Queen can kill you in one blow.
The Herrscher of Thunder controlled electromagnetism, one of the Fundamental Forces. With proper control, she could directly disintegrate all matter at the atomic level.
But the Herrscher of Thunder chose the simplest and most brutal method—using lightning that filled the sky to bring despair to humanity.
Before the mighty force of nature, the city's steel and concrete seemed so fragile.
Unlike the previous two Herrschers, the Herrscher of Thunder had appeared for only a few minutes before turning Canghai City into a living hell.
"Remember your mission! Avoid combat whenever possible. Prioritize rescuing the people of Canghai City. That's all, dismissed!" After issuing her orders, the red-haired beauty waved her hand, and the Tactical Squad swiftly threw themselves into the rescue efforts in Canghai City.
Yoshikage Kira looked toward the place in the city where the Honkai Energy was most concentrated and confirmed his target.
"Alright, let's hurry and save people too." Looking at the girl who spoke, Yoshikage Kira saw her usual trademark smile, but anyone perceptive could sense the sorrow beneath it.
In the original story, Elysia would have been placed under house arrest at the base because of the Flame Chasers' brilliant upper management's decision.
But you had Elysia persuade the higher-ups under the pretext of testing Vill-V's latest equipment.
Considering Vill-V's bizarre assortment of equipment, the Flame Chasers' higher-ups compromised in order to avoid unnecessary casualties.
The price you paid was that Vill-V would need an explanation from you afterward.
Yoshikage Kira and Elysia searched for the Herrscher of Thunder while rescuing the people they encountered.
"By the way, are you alright? The Honkai Energy concentration here is so high. Don't try to play the hero in front of Elysia just to save face."
Seeing that the Honkai Energy could only cling to the surface of his body, Yoshikage Kira calmly nodded, indicating that he was fine.
"Mm... alright, then. If you feel unwell, remember not to force yourself." After checking on Yoshikage Kira, Elysia continued focusing on clearing the Honkai Beasts blocking their path.
"We're almost there. It's right ahead."
Before Elysia's overwhelming strength, the Honkai Beasts along the way could not stop the two of them at all. Soon, they found the Herrscher of Thunder.
"Hmph. So it was you two insects hunting my people."
"You deserve to die!" The arrogant Queen of Thunder focused her gaze on Elysia and Yoshikage Kira, who had intruded upon her territory. Instantly, Honkai Beasts surged toward them like a tide.
"Girls shouldn't use such rude language."
Raising her bow, Elysia fired arrows at the Honkai Beasts rushing toward them.
"Don't worry about me. Focus on dealing with the Herrscher," Yoshikage Kira told Elysia.
"Then make sure you stay safe, or certain someone will come looking for trouble with me," Elysia said without looking back.
"Then, make sure you accept my feelings properly~" A crystalline pink arrow condensed upon Elysia's bow, then shot toward the Herrscher of Thunder at incredible speed.
"Hmph, petty tricks." The Herrscher of Thunder snorted, but the arrow before her was not disintegrated like the bullets and shells from before. Instead, it flew straight toward her.
"What?!" A flicker of panic appeared on the Herrscher of Thunder's face when she saw her power fail, though it lasted only an instant.
A katana formed from lightning condensed in her hand, blocking Elysia's arrow.
"Oh my, I actually couldn't take you down in one shot?"
"Hmph, what arrogance."
Elsewhere, Yoshikage Kira effortlessly dealt with the Honkai Beasts charging at him.
My Killer Queen can instantly kill even Temple Class Honkai Beasts.
Watching the Herrscher of Thunder descend from the sky to engage Elysia in close combat, Yoshikage Kira knew he would not have many opportunities.
If he failed to kill the Herrscher in one shot, he would die.
But if he could not kill the Herrscher in one shot, then the outcome of this era would unfold as he had known in advance—it would head toward destruction.
For a peaceful life, power is essential.
He drew his pistol and fired at the Herrscher of Thunder. When he saw her block the bullet with her blade rather than erase it directly, Yoshikage Kira knew his chance had come.
"Annoying insect." The Herrscher of Thunder temporarily knocked Elysia back.
Watching the Herrscher of Thunder charge toward him, Yoshikage Kira did not react at all. He merely stood there calmly.
The Herrscher of Thunder rushed over, grabbed Yoshikage Kira by the throat, and raised her blade.
"No!" Elysia's pupils shrank sharply when she saw Yoshikage Kira being lifted into the air.
"Fool. Killer Queen, Sheer Heart Attack." Yoshikage Kira's calm voice emerged.
The scene of the blade piercing through Yoshikage Kira's body never appeared.
The Herrscher of Thunder's blade froze in midair, but her body suddenly exploded and vanished. Only the Herrscher Core fell from where she had been standing.
Elysia, who had no idea what had happened, sat frozen in place, staring at the scene before her in disbelief.
"Huh?"
Before you continue