Valkyrie Lin, under the effects of the Serenity Gem, had turned into ashes right before Doctor Maki's eyes.
Only a transparent barrier had stood between Doctor Maki and her.
The warning soon ceased, while Doctor Maki silently knelt before the barrier, unable to say a word.
His granddaughter's voice still echoed in Doctor Maki's ears.
"The test subject is dead. Hurry and have someone clean up the laboratory, then retrieve the Serenity Gem."
Otto checked the time and turned to leave. "If it is covered in dust, the next experiment cannot proceed."
"Notify every research institute to search for new test subjects."
"Oh... the A-rank Valkyrie Wendy in New Zealand has a twenty-three percent compatibility rate with the Desire Gem? Notify them to begin the experiment immediately."
Otto left just like that.
Leaving Doctor Maki alone in the empty laboratory, staring blankly at the lab before him.
He recalled the time when his granddaughter had first become a Valkyrie.
"Grandpa! Starting today... I'm going to become a Valkyrie!"
"I'll work hard to protect humanity too, just like Grandpa!"
The voices of the past echoed in Doctor Maki's ears alongside Lin's agonized cries from just moments ago.
In the end... Doctor Maki could only cover his face and weep.
"Is this retribution...?"
Morning at the Queen Hotel.
Inside a room.
Kiana had still been groggy in her sleep.
But amid her haze, Kiana suddenly remembered her mission and how she had fainted. She immediately jolted awake and sat up in bed.
What she saw was an unfamiliar room.
"Awake, little girl?"
Doctor Maki sat in a chair by the window, speaking to Kiana.
This reminded Kiana of how she had passed out because of this old man earlier.
"You..."
Kiana got out of bed and walked toward Doctor Maki.
But