Then Stop Running

Theresa looked at the unexpected message and was caught in a mix of complex emotions. She quickly read through the email several times and understood what the person meant.

Otto Apocalypse.

She knew that person too well.

He gave Theresa sincere and almost doting love, and even now he is like a good grandfather who cares about his granddaughter, always willing to lend a helping hand when Theresa is troubled or worried about something.

Look, just when the girl was feeling sorry for Su Qing'an's future, he gave her another sweet reward.

The fruit called hope.

But few understood better than Theresa how deep the darkness lurked beneath that blond man's smiling face.

[Ancient ruins, suspected to contain natural Stigmata, have been discovered in the seas near Shenzhou.]

The girl summarized the essential meaning of the information, and she murmured to herself:

"Grandpa, why did you tell me this news?"

"You're always like this. Someone as insightful as me should be able to predict exactly what I'll do next."

"But whatever your thoughts, I still have to make the choice you want this time."

"I will go, and the best kids in the entire Far East Branch will go too."

Whether it's Murata Himeko, whose body is constantly being eroded by Honkai Energy, Su Qing'an, who should have had a long future, Nishikujo Sara, whose lifespan is only one year left.

There are still many teachers and students at the St. Freya Academy who have been corrupted by Artificial Stigmata.

Even if it was just to give them a new hope for the future, Theresa had no choice but to make this decision.

She glanced at the communicator, composed herself, and said softly:

"But even if it were as you wish, I would still need some compensation for these children who go on such a risky mission."

One hour later.

Theresa traded the right of all students who carried out this mission for the right to choose their specific positions and assigned areas upon graduation.

Apart from that, they will not be required to perform any tasks during their subsequent school life.

Otto agreed to these seemingly excessive demands without much consideration.

In contrast, on the Hyperion at this moment, there was Theresa, the former S-rank Valkyrie, as the main attraction, with the A-rank Valkyrie Murata Himeko leading the team, and four B-rank Valkyrie also participating.

Kiana Kaslana.

Raiden Mei.

Bronya.

Satou Yunona.

The best students that could be selected from the St. Freya Academy were all the students who lived with Himeko.

Those familiar with the future trajectory will find that this is an incredibly powerful lineup, almost entirely composed of Herrscher.

Although the three of them combined probably couldn't defeat the Pseudo-Herrscher next to them, it's somewhat shameful for a future Herrscher.

However, among the B-rank Valkyrie, they are undoubtedly all contenders who can surpass the definition of this rank at any time.

Kiana even once solo-killed the Emperor-class Honkai Beast Ganesha in a mock battle during the school entrance exam.

Even though the Ganesha replicated in the virtual scene is far inferior to the real Emperor-class Honkai Beast, it still proves that this girl's combat strength can actually be judged and considered using the abilities of A-rank Valkyrie.

The principal's office at this moment.

Nishikujo Sara stood by the window, gazing out. Under her watchful eye, the Hyperion suddenly rose into the air, its reflection on the sea resembling a swimming killer whale.

Immediately, it swept across the vast ocean and sky, heading towards an unknown destination.

After the warship had completely disappeared from sight, the woman, with her hands in her pockets, once again took out her pack of Marlboro cigarettes, which were always the same brand.

Nishikujo Sara understood Theresa's reasons for her choice this time; whether it was the headquarters' order or her own will, it determined the current outcome.

She lit a cigarette, glanced at the documents piled on the table, and a smile appeared on her lips.

May you have great success in your military endeavors.

I hope you don't end up crying because of all this pile of work, you silly nun.

Shenzhou.

A few hours ago.

Su Qing'an stared silently at the cloth bag the girl had tossed into the deep darkness.

It was a peculiar surface phenomenon, like an abyss, as if the earth had opened up a huge hole, and the silent darkness swallowed up all the light.

The wooden carving in the cloth bag may have ended up somewhere, and no one knows whether the immortal's offerings will be successfully delivered.

This method of worship has remained unchanged for thousands of years.

She almost never missed a year, even when the world was ravaged by war and chaos. After dealing with the devastation of the Honkai, the immortal would drag her weathered body to this place.

This stems from Fu Hua's inner stubbornness and guilt.

And perhaps she has been waiting for the day when her friends' souls return to her, so that she can say sorry to them.

Even though the fairy could perfectly imagine their response, she wanted to say it herself: more than the forgiveness of the deceased, the girl probably just wanted to see them one last time.

Even though she knew perfectly well that these were all just empty fantasies.

The dead cannot be brought back to life; this is an ironclad rule of worldly law.

This was a desolate place. The wind blew across the land, lifting the corner of the boy's clothes. A slight chill seeped into his skin, and the atmosphere fell into silence.

Silence, silence, always silence.

After that thin piece of paper was torn, some changes were bound to occur.

Su Qing'an was always tongue-tied; even though he knew the person in front of him was sad, he didn't know what to do.

He also understood that Fu Hua didn't need comforting.

Words would seem pale and powerless in those times. No one understands the truth better than the immortal himself, but that stubbornness is something that cannot be solved.

A long time.

Su Qing'an broke the silence and said softly:

"Let's go."

"The Shenzhou is vast, and it seems the academy principal has set up many routes. We can just pick one, follow it, and then return to the academy."

Upon hearing this, Fu Hua seemed to have just emerged from an illusion. She glanced at the abyss that was only a step away from her and subconsciously nodded in response:

"Good."

Su Qing'an wasn't unaware that Theresa might sabotage the route, but perhaps that was exactly what the two of them needed at this moment.

It can be a catalyst for other things to happen, a way to relax and unwind, or simply a tool for passing the time.

A stubborn young man who refuses to speak frankly, a lofty and indifferent immortal.

If everything in this world has a predetermined ending, then perhaps telling the truth is a better choice.

Together they bore all the sorrow and pain, exchanging their wishes and decisions, and even when the end came, they left no regrets.

When the boy saw Fu Hua's reactions along the way, he finally understood. Perhaps, compared to the trivial details and concerns he cared about, sometimes the existence of regret itself was more distressing.

He tried his best to suppress his emotions, telling himself that he couldn't be so selfish.

But even if he doesn't say it...

Does Fu Hua really not understand?

Ultimately, I was still too half-baked.

Every word, every action.

Aside from not saying it aloud, Su Qing'an had never hidden anything; his current actions were merely self-deception.

She lied to herself that as long as she didn't say anything, that distance wouldn't be broken; she lied to herself that as long as she didn't say anything, even if she died one day, Fu Hua would be less sad.

Then, just a short while ago...

He was hit with a super straight shot by the girl who had always been calm and composed.

Is there anything else you'd like to say?

Su Qing'an suddenly realized that the so-called normal sense of distance had long since vanished.

Having trapped himself in this predicament, he truly discovered his own cowardice and timidity.

He chose to stand still and stagnate in fear because of an unknown future. If he had held such thoughts about other things from the beginning, he would never have gotten to where he is today.

Only by embracing the awareness to sever ties with so-called fate and tragedy, and with the stubbornness and perseverance to reject all future deaths, can one truly succeed.

Only by choosing to ignite such a strong conviction can a young person have a sliver of hope to break free from these constraints.

When Su Qing'an starts avoiding everything in order to sense divine hints, it's no different from admitting defeat.

Because it's as if you already believe you're doomed and have nowhere to run, so you reject all possibilities.

Su Qing'an has never been afraid of death, so she might as well just go for it.

Because if you're not even afraid of death, then what are you afraid of?

Su Qing'an glanced at the girl's retreating figure and whispered to himself.

Then don't run away.