Tell Her I Like Her.

The clamor of a life torn apart lingered in his ears, and the young man gazed silently at the receding scenery outside the window.

Sitting opposite him was a maid, whose attire was less flamboyant than usual. She wore Valkyrie armor, with an iron-gray scythe at her side, its blade gleaming with a chilling light.

Her brows held a chilling edge, as if she were about to rush to the next battlefield at any moment.

Rita glanced at Su Qing'an's expression; as before, she still couldn't see through the boy's thoughts.

He clutched the sword case he had taken from the St. Freya Academy, his dark eyes empty except for the sunlight reflecting off the glass.

There were no emotions, no fluctuations.

However, Rita's warrior's instincts allowed her to understand Su Qing'an's unusual behavior.

If one had to describe it, that restrained will was like a piece of steel that had been forged a million times, shattered, cut, and trampled, only to be gradually solidified again by the burning and indifferent stubbornness within the soul, in a posture of endurance and gritted teeth, into a brand new and as stubborn as ever.

It's a strange yet apt description.

This was a judgment she made secretly.

Rita had always thought she knew Su Qing'an very well, and that even the people who spent every day with Su Qing'an couldn't know him better than she did.

But even now, the maid has to admit that perhaps she still can't see clearly what lies within the boy's heart, a vast and unfathomable ocean.

He is somewhat similar to Durandal beliefs.

Su Qing'an's vision of the future and its outcomes was too narrow and bleak. He was like a complete pessimist, yet he possessed a passion and tenacity for life that most optimists lacked.

Even though their perspectives and directions are completely different, their determination to move forward is always somewhat similar.

"Mr. Su, would you like to change into the armor that His Lord Bishop prepared for you?"

"Based on the time, we should be able to successfully rendezvous with the Hyperion in about ten minutes."

Upon hearing this, Su Qing'an said:

"Okay, thank you for your help."

The vehicle they were in was the same private plane that Rita had flown in.

The armor Rita mentioned was recently developed for her by Otto; it was housed in a transparent chamber radiating a blue glow, quietly awaiting the user's arrival.

Because of the time constraints, and because the man himself did not expect to be able to provide much assistance to the boy, its effectiveness was almost the same as that of the most ordinary standard Valkyrie armor.

At the St. Freya Academy, Su Qing'an had basically figured out how much of a boost the Valkyrie Armor could give to the Valkyrie. In other words, it would allow him to kill the Honkai Emperor in his normal state without using [Thousand Stars].

However, this increase was insufficient after using the Stigmata. Su Qing'an did not refuse because he understood that part of the coincidence was due to Otto's doing, so he naturally had no reason to refuse a little help from the instigator.

Su Qing'an didn't expect the armor to boost his damage output, but the defensive capabilities that could withstand some attacks were worth wearing in themselves.

Inside the transparent cabin, with the help of a robotic arm, the boy donned the all-black armor.

Unlike typical Valkyrie who opt for a close-fitting and lightweight design, Otto himself seemed to understand Su Qing'an's weaknesses, and he focused most of his abilities on defense.

In addition, whether it was anticipated or a last-minute modification, this armor also has an internal breathing system. Combined with the helmet, which is from the same manufacturer, it can theoretically survive in water for more than 24 hours without external oxygen replenishment.

The boy stood there indifferently, his armored appearance resembling that of a warrior who had slain a dragon and donned its scales.

The menacing and heavy design outlines various patterns that show signs of Honkai Energy flowing through the armor and emanating a faint crimson glow. Ancient poems praising victory are engraved on the armor, and every detail is meticulously crafted, allowing one to unconsciously understand the meaning that the maker imbued in the process of creation.

Victory! Victory! Victory!

Victory is the prerequisite for building history; victory serves as a benchmark for the regret of defeat; victory is the inevitable ending in too many myths.

Otto...

You want me to win.

It's truly a twisted sense of humor, but isn't the defeat of a hero a necessary element of an epic narrative?

I only ask... to have no regrets.

Su Qing'an understood perfectly well that there must be something in that ruin that would surely lead to his death.

That's precisely why he had to come.

If even Himeko myself, who could reach above A-rank by burning everything, is destined to die, then what about Kiana? Yuno?

And then there's the girl burdened with the destiny of becoming the Third Herrscher, the little girl who loves to add marshmallows to her coffee.

Yes. Since nothing happened in their original life trajectory, they will naturally remain unharmed now.

There are two Herrscher, one Pseudo-Herrscher, one A-rank Valkyrie with rich combat experience, and one with combat power no less than A-rank.

Even if they're only half-baked, it's really difficult for such a lineup to cause any trouble.

That's right, it's very easy to deceive yourself by holding onto such thoughts.

But Su Qing'an did not escape.

To outsiders, the fate that the boy worried about and the future that he feared were all baseless and baseless delusions.

Even Otto didn't think they would all be wiped out inside, but only Su Qing'an understood.

In the real world, there are always some truths that are hard to explain, and in life, there are always some battles that you are destined to face alone against the sea of people.

You can't explain it to anyone, so it's only right that you bear it alone.

As for whether he would win or lose, he didn't know.

Su Qing'an only knew that she would regret it if she ran away.

Then you can't escape.

But he had worked his way up to this point, and perhaps this was the only time Su Qing'an had considered running away...

The image of those swaying eyes in Qinghai flashed through Su Qing'an Qing'an's mind as she put on her helmet. The sound of the helmet being connected to the slot, along with the crisp sound of steel twisting, echoed throughout the room.

The slight upturn of the boy's lips vanished without a trace, and no one could see his expression anymore.

Rita glanced at Su Qing'an's current appearance and said softly:

"It looks like a good fit, but it's a bit of a hassle for Mr. Su to accommodate the Lord Bishop's interests and hobbies."

Su Qing'an glanced at the armor on his hands; it didn't affect his sword-wielding. He said:

"No problem."

Did you ask the headmaster for the data?

Rita handed the recorder to Su Qing'an and said:

"They successfully arrived at the entrance to the Nine Nether two hours ago. Here are detailed reports and data from before the signal was lost, along with corresponding maps."

Su Qing'an took the instrument and asked:

"They've gone missing? When?"

Rita thought for a moment and said:

"The signals from the seabed have been intermittent, and the data has been transmitted in installments, so the loss of contact is normal given the previous situation."

"If you were to ask when the last time the signal wasn't interrupted was, it would be twenty-three minutes."

Su Qing'an silently counted in her mind, "Twenty-three minutes?"

The boy opened the sword case, took out the [Calming the Tempest] sword, and after hiding it in the concealed slot in the armor on his back, he looked up and said:

"We can prepare to part ways now, Miss Rita."

"By the way, could you help me bring this sword case back to St. Freya? There's something very important inside."

The maid seemed somewhat surprised by Su Qing'an's request. She first took the sword case, indicating her agreement, and then asked:

"Excuse my bluntness, but does Mr. Su believe there's a possibility he might not be able to return?"

Su Qing'an thought for a moment and said:

"Valkyrie write their wills before going on missions, at least for their first mission. If they have the opportunity to continue on missions, they might add or change the contents of that will depending on the situation."

"That's how soldiers are; they must be prepared for the consequences of death every time they go into battle."

He paused here, then continued:

"But such a reason shouldn't be hidden from Miss Rita, so if I had to give the real reason, it would just be a simple premonition."

Rita looked at the image on the sword case; it depicted an ancient tree, withered and decaying.

Branches droop low, green leaves turn to ash.

She said softly:

"A soldier's intuition is often very accurate."

The boy gazed at the sword case, a gentle smile spreading across his face hidden beneath his armor. Inside were things he had prepared long ago.

He thought that perhaps only what was placed in this sword box would definitely be seen by someone.

Su Qing'an asked:

"Miss Rita, are you heading to the battlefield along the coast of Shenzhou?"

Rita nodded in response:

"That's right."

The plane's speed gradually decreased, and it was getting very close to the coordinates of that sea area.

In less than a minute, he will venture alone into the loneliest and darkest depths of the sea.

The boy said softly:

"If Miss Rita sees Hua, please pass on a message for me."

The maid was holding the sword case. She couldn't see through Su Qing'an's face and expression as he spoke, but the tone of his voice was completely different from his previous calmness. It was as if he had subconsciously softened his tone, with each syllable pressed down in the gentlest place.

"Please speak."

Su Qing'an recalled that brief but leisurely time and said softly:

"I have loved you since 55,000 years ago."

I'm sorry I couldn't say it myself, Hua.

Rita Rossweisse remained silent, stunned.

She used to think that someone like Lady Fu Hua would always travel alone to the unreachable beyond.

But now it seems there's someone even more stubborn than her who, knowing everything, still chose to follow in her footsteps.

After a long silence, she asked:

"Is this a confession of love, or a last will and testament?"

Su Qing'an did not answer the question directly:

"If—and I mean if—I don't come back, please pass on my message."

Rita said in a comforting tone:

"Mr. Su, there are no 'what ifs'."

"You will come back alive, and then tell Lord Fu Hua yourself."

She then made a joke:

"I'll be there to help you out then."

Su Qing'an murmured softly:

"At that time?"

He understood that the gentle-natured maid had remembered his words.

However, that is enough.

The vehicle hovered over a thousand meters above the sea, and Su Qing'an knew that the time had come.

The boy silently brushed past Rita and headed towards the hatch.

She asked:

"Aren't you going to meet with Lady Theresa first?"

Su Qing'an didn't turn around; he continued walking forward and replied:

"No need. The situation is urgent, the headmaster will understand."

"Finally, I wish you good luck in your military campaign, Miss Rita."

That's all.

He opened the hatch and jumped out.

The boy's body sank into the sea of clouds, like a tiny, fading black dot on a sheet of rice paper, disappearing from Rita's sight.

The maid's mind wavered for a moment just as the black spot completely disappeared.

For some reason, after hearing the boy's words, she also felt that this scene might be their farewell.

In her relatively short Valkyrie career, this wasn't the first time she had experienced such a farewell.

It's just a possibility... let's assume we really won't meet this time.

She would feel a little more regretful.

Because, whether it's Lord Fu Hua or Mr. Su.

They are all very, very good people.

Sometimes, however, we are simply not in control of our own lives.

As Su Qing'an fell from the height into the sea, he unleashed his sword, the arc as natural as a swimming fish creating countless silver waves that smoothly sliced through the Seawater, the cut as smooth as a straight track.

In just a split second, the boy successfully fell into the Seawater through this brief gap.

The presence of the armor allowed his power to completely deviate from its normal state.

The key to performing well lies in mastering the craft. Su Qing'an experienced countless battles alongside the armor almost without any adaptation process.

A bunch of data icons appeared in front of Su Qing'an's eyes. The recorder that Rita had given him earlier was installed on the armor and automatically linked to the virtual screen on the helmet.

Through voice recognition, it can also execute other, more efficient commands.

For now, the boy only needs it to serve as a proper road sign.

Normal swimming speed would certainly not meet his expectations, so the assistance of Honkai Energy is necessary. In the past, he might have needed to constantly use [Calming the Tempest] to unleash sword-shaped attacks from behind to achieve the desired speed.

But now that we have this armor, many things don't have to be so complicated.

Honkai Energy surged around him like a tide, guided by his thoughts. The [Calming the Tempest] and the armor, blessed by Rin, both had the effect of isolating the Honkai Energy from causing harm to himself.

Therefore, even though Su Qing'an is currently in the normal stage, he can use Honkai Energy a little more recklessly.

The jet-black armor, pulsating with Honkai Energy, flowed with crimson veins, while the boy's eyes, visible through the outer layer of his helmet, displayed the corresponding color.

As they approached the deep sea, Su Qing'an resembled a demon from hell, wielding the power of magma.

He whispered:

"Third-level power, boost propulsion, start."

[Asyouwish, sir]

Then, a silent roar filled the surroundings.

The demon, accompanied by countless streams of fire, hurtled towards the Nine Nether like a meteor.