The Plan / Dispersal

But he still rushed into the blood-red torrent, and was swallowed by death without looking back.

But Elysia didn't let herself show any more sadness. There were still people waiting for them to save, and that was everything Lin wanted to protect. She had to fulfill his wish.

At least for now, neither Elysia nor Hen can continue to be sentimental.

"Prometheus, take Lin back."

Elysia looked away from Lin's face, stood up, and watched as the Titan's cockpit door gradually closed and Prometheus's empty pupils disappeared before turning back to listen to the roar of the Titan's engines and the howling wind that whipped her clothes around.

Let's save all the sorrow for after everything is over.

"Elysia, from what I've observed, the roots of this tree are tangled and intricate, making it impossible to clear them all at once. Cutting it in the middle might be easier."

After giving Elysia a brief moment of peace, Hen recounted detailed combat intelligence to her. Because this tree was a level below the threat level of Emperor-class Honkai Beast and Herrscher, there weren't many Titans assisting him.

"No... Hen, you've forgotten something." Elysia's tone was much calmer than before. Her pupils were fixed on the Giant Tree that looked like a demon dancing wildly, and her lips parted slightly. "Even if it is Honkai creature, it will still follow common sense to a certain extent and cannot be separated from the realm of science."

"Even if a tree is cut in half, its main root will still survive. Moreover, this tree is already one of the most resilient organisms in the world. Even if most of its root system is removed, it may not be able to kill it."

"What should we do then?" Hen gritted his teeth, wanting to punch the inner wall of the Titan's cockpit. He was in no better mood Elysia.

The Honkai killed Lin, but Hen believed that Lin would accept this ending calmly, and they would all accept it because they were soldiers who were always ready to sacrifice themselves.

But he couldn't accept it... that in a time when humanity was causing internal strife, killing each other, and burning everything they had done to the ground, Lin was dragging his broken body onto the battlefield and dying for it.

The significance of those who died, the significance of Lin, seems so insignificant in the face of this ridiculous world.

"What to do... Since the Sixth Herrscher possesses two completely different Herrscher, she can either infuse life into this plant or destroy it with the other power."

Hen suddenly raised his head.

"You mean..."

Have you heard the story of the strongest spear and the strongest shield?

Chapter 105 The Plan

After utterly destroying the figure, the porcupine raised its head and let out a triumphant roar.

It was incredibly grateful that the Herrscher it served had bestowed upon it such wisdom, enabling it to defeat that human at this critical juncture.

In an attempt to repeat its previous tactic of ambushing her from above, it paid closer attention when firing the beam. Sure enough, she made the same move as before, allowing it to adjust its direction in time to disintegrate her.

As expected, that human was already at his last gasp; now he could tear the rest of the humans to shreds one by one...

"Bang!"

A tremendous force came from its abdomen.

"Howl--"

It was horrified to discover that its weakened state, having once again depleted its Honkai Energy, was no longer able to stop the force from lifting its front body. Coupled with the injury to its hind hooves, its massive but unbalanced body was thrown off its feet.

"You're so proud of having a little bit of wisdom; in a sense, you really are very human."

A deep red figure, positioned on the ground, coldly stared at the porcupine that had been knocked away, its right fist resting on the hilt of the greatsword stuck in the ground.

"But unfortunately, I've seen real intellectuals before. You're at most on par with me in terms of intelligence... Ha, that sounds like I'm belittling myself a bit."

The figure that jumped up was actually Himiko a Honkai zombie and lifting it into the air, making it look like she was the one who jumped.

It was a gamble, but thankfully, she won.

"Anyway, die, you idiot."

Fireworks shot into the sky, Himiko her greatsword, launched herself from the ground, ignited the flames in mid-air, and soared straight past the Honkai Beast's height.

Then, with a roar, she delivered the decisive blow.

"Boom!"

The flames engulfed the screaming porcupine's body.

Kevin stared blankly at the vanished family of three, and things he loathed swirled in his mind.

Mei's departing figure, the betraying teammates, Lin's death, fragile lives...

That was a symphony of anger and despair.

The seed planted in his heart had unknowingly taken root, sprouted, and grown strong, gradually devouring his emotions and leaving only increasingly indifferent rationality.

The world has fallen into a distorted vortex. Even if he once wanted to go against the tide, that original intention has been lost in the long-term cruelty.

He thought of Mei's increasingly natural smile over the years, and unconsciously... he suppressed the emotion in his eyes.

"Waaah—"

A cry pulled Kevin back to reality. He saw the Sixth Herrscher raise her hand, and a fierce Black Mist rushed towards him. He could only grit his teeth and continue to dodge the attacks.

However, he noticed the childish cry, and in the instant he dodged, he looked at the spot swallowed by the Black Mist.

Pupil, dilated.

The child the couple was holding was crying amidst the ruins, emitting heart-wrenching screams.

His location was some distance from where the couple had originally stood, just outside the range of the Black Mist.

Did they... throw the child out at the end?

Kevin stared in disbelief at the tiny, fragile life.

The hope of life stirred within Kevin with each of his cries.

Here, we will defeat her.

Even if it's just for this child, we must defeat her here! We cannot let anyone else die!

In that instant, the change in his gaze caught the attention of the Herrscher.

"Kevin, can you hear me?"

As Kevin prepared to attack, the voice in the communicator made him pause for a moment. Then, he dodged the scythe attack with a sidestep, activated his flight device at full speed, and flew into the sky like a streak of light.

"Elysia ..." Kevin naturally recognized the long-lost voice. He glanced at the Sixth Herrscher was following behind him and closing the distance.

This speed is faster than before. Is it because the familiarity with the powers is still increasing?

"It seems the communication is working fine." Elysia quickly assessed the situation through the static on the other end of the line. She asked, "Are you fighting the Sixth Herrscher?"

"Yes."

"Is she chasing after you?"

"..."

Kevin didn't reply, because two streaks of Black Mist were stabbing at his back from tricky angles. He stopped accelerating and stood still, performing a Cobra Maneuver to perfectly avoid the Sixth Herrscher and the Black Mist.

"Kevin, listen up. We have a mission that requires your cooperation, or more precisely... the cooperation of the Sixth Herrscher."

"Can it succeed? As it stands, the effects of those pollen are close to those of the Sixth Herrscher's powers. The Black Mist probably won't be able to have any effect on it."

Hen floated in the air with the Titan that was attached to Elysia, observing the Giant Tree that was blooming at an undiminished rate. He stared at the pollen and asked.

He didn't have high hopes for Elysia's plan. The idea of a creature being killed by its creator was something that mostly only appeared in myths and fantasy works; it was a dramatic performance rather than a real battle.

"Based on the data of the Companion Honkai Beast of the First Herrscher to the Fifth Herrscher, their abilities are similar to those of the Herrscher, but their nature is completely different."

Elysia didn't show much anxiety. She was just paying attention to the situation on another battlefield. After a while, she breathed a sigh of relief and said to Hen, "Besides, don't you find it strange that the Herrscher, the Emperor-class Honkai Beast, and the Giant Tree are separated this time?"

"Isn't it because this time the Herrscher retained a larger portion of her consciousness, so she devised a plan to disperse her forces?"

"That's probably only one of her objectives. While this might disperse her forces, there's no need to divide her into three groups. The Emperor-class Honkai Beast can be sent out to attack the Fifth Branch, but she herself can remain on this tree, protecting it on one hand and having it protect her on the other."

Upon hearing Elysia's analysis, Hen suddenly had a flash of inspiration and seemed to understand something.

The existence of this tree could serve as a place for the Sixth Herrscher to familiarize herself with her powers. The dispatched Emperor-class Honkai Beast would be enough to delay the Fifth Branch's progress. Furthermore, once fully developed, this tree would possess the ability to destroy the Far East. Therefore, in theory, the Sixth Herrscher could familiarize herself with her powers and protect this tree here.

This is far more effective than dividing the forces into three routes, which disperses the troops while also relaxing one's own defenses.

What could have made her do that?

Power.

Her powers are indiscriminate, and she could very well harm this tree.

"Having wisdom is not necessarily a good thing. In most myths, gods or humans who possess self-awareness and wisdom are often the first to be punished."

"If we are enacting a myth, then the Sixth Herrscher and her retinue are playing that role."

The last day of the month is a holiday.

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Chapter 106 Dissipation

The sea brings a damp, incense-like scent, and the evaporation of water vapor under the swaying sun is accompanied by cool spots.

Lin put down his teacup, the aroma of tea lingering on the rim was dispersed by the wind, the gloom under the parasol shifted with the traces of the sun sliding across the blue sky, and the fine white sand was painted with a leisurely trail by the small crabs that came ashore.

After finishing his story and telling the others, Feng Qi leaned back in his beach chair, wanting to take a nap.

He closed his eyes, and the familiar darkness enveloped him.

Is that all?

Only... that many?

Lin Lue opened his eyes with some surprise and saw the soul furthest away from him looking into the distance, sipping a glass of flat cola.

No expression.

Setting down the cup, Hun continued, "Team Member Lin, your story is too short. To this world, it's like a tiny, insignificant ripple in the ocean... No, even among humans, your life is very short."

Is it short-lived?

But weren't Delta, Anna, and Soul's lives also short?

"To put it bluntly..." Soul said casually, "I didn't get enough of what you wanted to hear. Next time, tell me something longer."

"..."

"You should go back. Even if it's painful, you should finish the journey instead of getting lost in this illusion like I did."

The beach, the ocean, the birdsong—everything you could see was like a shattered glass, peeling away.

At the same time, the people smiling in the sunlight also shattered.

Lin seemed unmoved by all of this. "I can't go back anymore."

Whether it's a hallucination before death or a dream after death, he can't go back to the body that has stopped breathing.

"Sure, Team Member Lin, do you remember that thing we discussed together before?"

"..."

"Do you remember now? Hehe... The time is almost up."

Are you a spirit? Or are you just a memory of mine?

Lin stood amidst the shards, looking at the girl who was gradually crumbling, starting from her legs.

"Who knows? Maybe the real Soul isn't as wonderful as you imagine, and you're not as omnipotent as she fantasizes..." Soul seemed to have let go of something and smiled. "But you're still so handsome, Team Member Lin. We've all been hurt and trapped in our own illusions, yet you can still firmly believe in your path."

"The same as you."

"Me? No way... I've been running away all along. When Team Member Lin was around, I hid behind you. After you left, I hid behind the mask of madness. I really... envy you."

Hun suddenly remembered something, and with a "ah," he smiled at Lin and said, "By the way, Team Member Lin, can you give me a hug?"

"..."

Lin nodded and slowly walked forward toward the girl who was gradually collapsing.

But the moment his fingers touched the girl, her form disintegrated into the darkness.

The smiling "goodbye" was never even spoken.