Clues / I Can Do It ...

The empty streets echoed only with the bloody night wind, and no one discovered the murder except for a surveillance device hidden in a corner, its indicator light blinking faintly.

*...* At the other end of the monitoring network, the little young girl who had witnessed the murder with her own eyes widened her eyes, unspeakable fear filling her heart, but before she could cry out, she tightly covered her mouth. She clenched her teeth hard, not daring to look at Gray Serpent's corpse a second time; she knew that once she exposed herself, the snake would tear her to shreds.

Because of this, she also failed to see a flash of gold in the eyes of the Otaku who had died first, followed by the unnatural twitch of a finger on the corpse of Gray Serpent, which should have been completely lifeless.

Gray Serpent's body had long undergone large-scale modification, and aside from necessary internal organs and other flesh-and-blood tissue, almost everything had been turned into mechanical creations. And this was also the reason Rita chose to make a move directly; intelligence data could not be transmitted through brain memory and must be stored within these chip structures. As long as she took the cybernetic chips, she would eventually find the data she wanted.

Besides, according to the information provided by Bishop Otto, the group led by Theresa who were truly preparing to trade with Gray Serpent would probably arrive here immediately.

"Who knows, there might even be some unexpected gains..." Toying with Gray Serpent's red cybernetic eye, Rita revealed an ambiguous smile.

More than ten minutes later, just as the dust settled, a group of young-looking girls were hurriedly approaching this place. Anyone who didn't know better would have thought they were high school girls who had arranged to go shopping together.

"Principal, are we really going to trade with that unknown intelligence broker?" Walking through the quiet city, Mei always felt a sense of unease in her heart.

In this city that was prosperous beyond belief, even Theresa, who was no longer young, felt a bit unsure, but she still shook her head and reassured her student: "Although intelligence brokers are double-dealing fellows and trading with them carries no small risk, after leaving headquarters, our sources of intelligence have been completely lost. This is already the only clue we can find regarding Kiana..."

"No matter how great the risk, we must try it."

In fact, had they not accepted Anti-Entropy's help, the people of St. Freya would be no different from stray dogs. Aside from possessing the Hyperion, they were basically hunted by Schicksal wherever they went. Even to avoid exposing themselves, they could only dock the Hyperion in international waters and take a helicopter to this city themselves.

"No, it seems far too quiet here; everyone, be on your guard." Before they even reached the agreed trading location, Theresa keenly sensed the abnormality. When they arrived at the scheduled street, all they saw was a ground full of corpses.

The visually shocking bloody scene made all of them feel a strong sense of discomfort, but they were Valkyries who fought Honkai Beasts after all. After steadying themselves somewhat, they began to search the scene for traces.

"They were all cut by sharp weapons. The wounds are clean and decisive, and it doesn't seem like the work of ordinary people," Theresa made a preliminary judgment. "On the contrary, these victims are basically equipped with firearms. To fight so many firearms with close-combat weapons requires at least a qualified Valkyrie level."

"Principal, this person seems to be Gray Serpent, the one we agreed to trade with." While the others were observing the environment, Bronya had already identified Gray Serpent's identity through her Heavy Bunny.

"The murderer only used a single strike, but unlike all the others, he wasn't attacked directly. It seems that before death, the two might have communicated." After confirming Gray Serpent's cause of death, Theresa instead fell into confusion. "With almost no signs of struggle, Gray Serpent seemed to know he couldn't escape. The only possibility is that he knew the person who killed him, and that person was an existence he couldn't fight against."

"No matter what, our trading target is gone now, and Kiana's whereabouts cannot be known. For now, we can only retreat back to the Hyperion..." The risk of coming to Sky City this time was too high, and Schicksal had been eyeing them for a long time; acting rashly was not wise.

Of course, Su Jue was not going to let them leave just like that. Slightly manipulating the threads, the last remaining chip on Gray Serpent's corpse emitted a faint fluctuation. Bronya, standing right beside it, froze and hurriedly controlled Heavy Bunny to carefully check the source of the signal.

"Wait, Principal, there is something fishy about Gray Serpent." After another meticulous scan, Bronya quickly discovered the large-scale modifications on Gray Serpent's body.

"This is cybernetic modification surgery. Gray Serpent should have implanted quite a few bionic devices during his lifetime, but the neural chips and bionic cybernetic eyes that should be here now seem to have completely vanished. On the contrary, valuable belongings were not taken away... The murderer most likely did it for the intelligence on him."

"You mean the other party might also have come for Kiana?" Mei was somewhat nervous; right now, what she worried about most was someone finding Kiana before her.

"Not necessarily. It could also be for other intelligence. The murderer took Gray Serpent's cybernetic eye, which should be the authentication key for the entire intelligence network... If we can seize it back."

Theresa confirmed Bronya's thought. "Then we can get clues about Kiana once again."

"And, the murderer probably didn't even notice that Gray Serpent still retained a final biological chip used for permission identification." A smile appeared on Bronya's face as she removed the final clue from the inside of Gray Serpent's wrist. "Relying on this authentication chip, I can enter Gray Serpent's territory and find his backed-up intelligence."

"A wise man thinks a thousand times yet makes one omission!"

Indeed! Absolutely!

Gray Serpent, Rita, and Su Jue nodded in involuntary agreement.

Of course, aside from Su Jue, the other two did not know the current situation. Sky City was now like a huge hunting ground where three factions had long since prepared, set traps, and quietly waited for their prey to take the bait. Their purposes were all different, but the victims had been chosen as the same—the people aboard the Hyperion.

Upon confirming that Theresa and the others had taken the biological chip tampered with by all three factions, Su Jue also immediately rushed to the next area. Schicksal and World Serpent were both organizations that had laid their plans for years; if he wanted to eat meat, he had to take some risks, and there was also an unstable factor that he needed to deal with himself.

Chapter 47 Clues

Inside the dominion space, it remained utterly silent, with only the occasional sound of colliding puppets bringing different tones.

"Are you awake?"

A boy's voice reached her ears. The red-haired puppet trembled slightly, then slowly opened her eyes. Yet upon locking gazes with those golden pupils, even Himeko could not help but feel a surge of fear, though she hid this emotion very well.

"Although I don't know what you were planning that triggered the backlash of the dominion threads, I hope there won't be a next time." Without excessive interrogation or superfluous anger, Su Jue merely stated it calmly.

Murata Himeko did not speak, instead carefully sensing her new body. Her original body had suffered severe injuries due to the puppet's backlash, basically losing all mobility. After changing into the puppet body, although it was somewhat stiff, she felt incomparable lightness. There was no need to worry about the stigma's backlash, nor did she care about the corrosion of the Plague Gem. Aside from lacking the blessing of God-Slaying Armor, she for a moment thought she had returned to her peak. The only problem was that the threads' control over her own body was clearly much stronger; even with just a casual thought from Su Jue, he could replace her will.

Although the new body was wonderful, Himeko also understood what this meant.

"Do you need me to fight?"

"Yes, your two students and the principal have already arrived in this city. Ever since the Herrscher of Void awakened, they have completely degenerated into traitors of Schicksal. Today, Schicksal's S-Rank Valkyrie Rita has already set her sights on them..."

Her heart sank slightly. She hadn't expected that the worst possible thing would happen after her death. As a top-tier faction, Schicksal could easily handle a few young girls, but since Su Jue had instructed her this way, it certainly wouldn't be that simple.

"They are going to encounter an item called a modified body. That is a trap set for them by World Serpent, and Rita has also set her sights on it, preparing to use it to wipe out your lovely students in one go. I don't care what purpose they have, but I need this item."

"At the necessary moment I will have you participate in battle, possibly against Rita, or possibly against your students, but I do not want a dead person appearing in front of them... Do you understand what I mean?"

That soul-deep piercing pain had still not dissipated. Of course Himeko knew what Su Jue meant; he was a Herrscher in the shadows, and any thought of exposing his whereabouts was betrayal. She managed her urge to help Theresa and the others very well, no longer naively thinking of defying Su Jue.

When the instructions were finished, the gold in the Herrscher's eyes dissipated, returning once more to the cold yet still somewhat human Su Jue. Noticing this, Murata Himeko breathed a sigh of relief, feeling as though she had discovered new information.

"Lord Bishop, I have already contacted Gray Serpent according to your instructions, but the other party is unwilling to provide any valuable clues." In an unknown corner of the city, Rita, who had just finished killing someone, lingered alone and connected the communication with Otto.

"Then he is no longer needed."

"Yes, I have already given them 'aftercare treatment', but right before death, he seemed to mention some strange words—being targeted by a snake..."

"*...*" Seeming to have heard unexpected information, Otto pondered for a moment before explaining, "It seems this fellow is World Serpent's agent planted in Sky City."

"Then this intelligence is actually a bait set by World Serpent? Then..."

"Don't worry, I will handle World Serpent personally. You continue executing your plan—I suppose you have prepared a trap."

"Of course, Lord Bishop."

The communication hung up. Rita looked up at the neon lights flashing on the high-rise building and, with a flash, vanished from the spot.

On the other side, Theresa's group, having obtained the chip and finally acquired a clue, naturally would not easily give up. Although they constantly faced the risk of being discovered, in order to recover their companion, the few of them resolutely decided to head to Gray Serpent's territory.

Yet unlike the hideout of an intelligence broker as imagined, Gray Serpent's stronghold was not only heavily guarded, but also deployed a large number of Sky Patrollers, quickly delaying their movements. Fortunately, with Bronya, a top-tier hacker, utilizing the authentication permissions of the biological chip alongside hacking skills, they finally managed to reach the core area.

However, standing before everyone was a thick, heavy metal door that isolated most of the space, surrounded everywhere by dense circuitry and complex electronic locks.

"This is very abnormal. As an intelligence broker, Gray Serpent couldn't possibly afford this many mechs." Theresa, who had managed St. Freya's school expenses for years, keenly discovered the financial problem. "And the setup here doesn't look like a stronghold; rather, it looks like it's protecting some precious equipment."

"No matter what, the biometric authentication chip is indeed effective; we must hurry up and crack it." Driving Heavy Bunny to interface with the stronghold's control system, Bronya began borrowing permissions to hack. "Leave the guard duty to you all."

"Mm." Theresa nodded. Yet looking at this heavily guarded building, Raiden Mei tightly frowned, seemingly pondering something.

For some reason, the moment she arrived here, Mei always had an uneasy feeling, as if she were being targeted by something dangerous.

Come to think of it, Gray Serpent's death was far too bizarre. If it had followed a normal plan, with the contact person dead, the group should have immediately retreated. Yet the murderer, after taking all the authentication chips, had uniquely left behind the single remaining one—was that really just the murderer's oversight?

"Principal, do you still have the camera found at the scene?" Mei asked. At the scene of Gray Serpent's death, besides Gray Serpent's subordinates and himself, a camera had unexpectedly been discovered.

The camera had fallen into a pool of blood, but where the corpse should have been was empty. The style of the camera was civilian, just like some innocent bystander caught up in this murder. Because it might hide some information, they had brought it with them, but these photos were basically just everyday snapshots.

"Yes, did you think of something?" Theresa handed the camera to Mei, who quickly began flipping through them photo by photo. Suddenly, a casual selfie caught her attention.

"This is a photo of the murder scene. The shadow on the glass behind this man when he took a selfie... That's a maid outfit and a scythe?"

"Good. The clues have been given to you. Go let our S-Rank Valkyrie experience the power of the protagonist halo; I'll take over here."

Chapter 48 I Can Do It

Rita Rossweisse—this name was not unfamiliar to Raiden Mei. As a famous S-Rank Valkyrie of Schicksal, she had always been the target of admiration for everyone at St. Freya. But after breaking ties with Schicksal, they truly felt how troublesome the other party was.

"If it's Rita, according to the Bishop's style of operation, Gray Serpent was very likely killed by her, and this chip is most likely a trap she intentionally left behind." After receiving the reminder, Mei and the others immediately reacted. However, Bronya was currently at the critical stage of cracking Gray Serpent's lockdown and could not step away temporarily.

"Then the Principal will be responsible for guarding Bronya, and I'll go scout out the other party's whereabouts. If possible, I'll try my best to stall her." Looking at Bronya, who was operating Heavy Bunny with all her might to find clues about Kiana, Mei steadied herself and silently cheered herself on in her heart.

I can do it, I can!

"Then you must be careful. Once you find Rita, do not fight her; fall back as soon as possible, and we'll retreat together to the Hyperion." Although separating was not a wise choice, reconnaissance was necessary. They currently had no idea of Rita's whereabouts, and once they fell into the other party's trap, a total wipeout here was a strong possibility.

After formulating the plan, Mei temporarily left the team, while Su Jue, controlling the [Father] puppet on a distant high-rise, also silently withdrew his gaze.

Theresa and the others separating was entirely within Su Jue's expectations. The data inside the camera could only be considered one of the backup hands he left behind; even if Mei hadn't found those photos, he would have found a way to draw the people away.

Now the puppet machine was right in front of them, but after all, that thing was a trap prepared by World Serpent for the Hyperion crew, and various patrol mechs had long been deployed inside the stronghold as guards. Wanting to forcefully seize it was not easy.

Of course, for Su Jue, who had acquired Himeko's puppet, this could only be considered slightly troublesome, but why put in effort when he could get something for free?

With Bronya, a top-tier hacker, around, cracking the defense system would be much easier. Furthermore, the puppet machine possessed top-tier encryption; even if he gave it to Su Jue right now, he couldn't use it, so it was better to wait until the protagonist group rescued the puppet machine before he took advantage of the chaos to rob it. Directing Mei to intercept Rita could not only delay Schicksal's progress, but also weaken the protagonist group's strength.

The best-case scenario, of course, was that Mei was directly eliminated by Rita, and his side seized the opportunity to launch a surprise attack, directly taking out Bronya. By then, with only Theresa left isolated and helpless, Su Jue could send a puppet driving a little car to follow her, selling her whereabouts to Schicksal or World Serpent. Even if the Vishnu bloodline within Theresa awakened, it would be a mutually destructive battle, which was pure profit for a Herrscher either way.

Unfortunately, even Su Jue himself felt this was somewhat fantastical. Setting aside whether these factions were truly so easily fooled, if Theresa were genuinely pushed to the extreme and the Hyperion fired its main cannon directly at Sky City, even his ashes would be scattered.

"It seems that if I want to act as a hunter, I still have to wait patiently." Looking at the dark area on the roof of the building left untouched by light and shadow, the puppet sighed and said somewhat helplessly, "Do you think I'm right, Mr. Gray Serpent?"

On the other side, Mei had already snuck to the edge of Gray Serpent's stronghold along the anticipated route.

Gray Serpent's stronghold shows no signs of being broken into; it seems we arrived first. But if Rita took the biometric authentication in advance, why did she lie in wait without moving? Pondering silently in her heart, her mind began analyzing potential dangerous locations. Unless she had no way to crack the authentication chip's permissions and preferred to wait for us to walk right into her trap.

After obtaining the intelligence, our most likely evacuation location... is right here.

The moon filled the sky, casting silver radiance upon that figure dressed in a maid outfit.

The instant Mei saw Rita, she had already assumed a combat posture. Clearly she should have concealed herself and quieted down, but the moment she thought of the experiments the other party had performed on Kiana, the flames of hatred burned continuously.

Her blade left its scabbard, slicing through the moonlight. The Pulse Armor: Crimson instantly amplified her speed, slashing backward toward Rita.

Clang—

The crisp, pleasing sound of metal clashing rang out as the katana swept past the maid's hair, narrowly shearing off a few strands, but that was all. In the very instant of being ambushed, Rita had already reacted. Choosing not to swing her heavy pole-scythe, the very dagger that had previously killed Gray Serpent appeared in her hand, perilously blocking Mei's attack.

"My, how dangerous." Even when facing such a thrilling ambush, Rita quickly regained her elegance, gently patting her full chest with her left hand and putting on an expression of 'how terrifying'.

"Tch." The ambush having failed, Mei could only glare at her in annoyance, searching for the next opportunity to strike.

"Ambushes aren't exactly an honorable method, Miss Mei. Can you tell me how you found this place?" With a mocking smile at the corner of her lips, Rita put away her dagger.

"Honorable? That sounds truly ironic coming from you. What you guys at Schicksal did to Kiana was hardly honorable at all. If we hadn't accidentally discovered your clues from the camera, we probably would have fallen into your trap this time around."

"A camera? Clues?" Filtering her experiences and searching for keywords, Rita quickly locked onto the target, but that man should have been killed by Gray Serpent's people...

Now was not the time to dwell on this. Since the other party had delivered themselves to her doorstep, how could she easily let them go? "It seems Lady Theresa and the others have already found what they wanted, which is why they sent you to stall for time. So, have you prepared yourself to fight me?"

When that fair hand grasped the shaft of the scythe, Rita's entire demeanor turned murderous. Mei's heart tightened, but she immediately cheered herself on once more.

Raiden Mei, you can do this. This time, it's your turn to protect Kiana.

Yet before her thought could even settle, the hard concrete floor was torn apart by the tip of the scythe as if it were paper, and in the blink of an eye, the blade had already reached Mei.

Her pupils contracted instantly, and Mei only had time to press her hands downward with her katana to parry. A heavy force transmitted along the scythe; her arms went numb, and she took several steps back in succession to discharge this force.

Is this the strength of an S-Rank?

Only upon truly exchanging blows did Mei genuinely feel the disparity in strength, yet she quickly readjusted her posture, seeking an opportunity to attack the moment Rita's next strike arrived.

Chapter 49 Crimson Snake

Boom—

A parked, abandoned car on the roadside was split in two by Rita's sweeping scythe, its high-energy rechargeable battery immediately turning into roaring flames upon being severed by the sharp weapon.

Amidst these suddenly ignited flames, a flash of blade light reflected in Rita's surprised eyes, striking viciously against the armor on her side.

A trace of blood seeped through, and her expression of surprise turned into admiration. "I thought you were merely relying on the Gem of Conquest to hold on until now; I didn't expect you would still muster the courage to attack me. It seems I underestimated you."

By now, Mei was somewhat exhausted. Only after fighting a true S-Rank did she realize how terrifying their power was. Even though the residual energy of the Gem of Conquest within her body was still supporting her movements, she was already somewhat helpless in the face of the dual suppression of technique and strength.

"Cut the crap, I'm not that easy to take down." Her hair had grown brittle from the scorching heat of the flames. Mei took a deep breath of the searing air; the muscles in her arms were already aching from the continuous weapon collisions, but she still struggled and slashed out a final strike.

"Die for me!... Urgh." Faint purple light seemed to spark within her pale purple eyes. Yet after she poured her all into that slash, what she saw was not Rita falling, but her own silhouette flying backward.

Bang—

Her flying body smashed against a car hood, the iron plate instantly buckling inward. Her airborne body still did not halt, tumbling heavily onto the ground.

A sharp, burning pain in her abdomen scorched her nerves. Her widened eyes were filled with disbelief. Under Rita's heavy spinning sidekick, her stomach contents had nearly been kicked out. The terrifying force instantly destroyed her mobility, and after rolling several times on the ground, she could no longer hold it in, vomiting a mouthful of blood.

"Struggling is meaningless. When your strength cannot match your promises, struggle only brings tragedy."

Her weapon had already slipped from her hands in mid-air, and Mei could only watch helplessly as the sharp scythe grew closer and closer. Like a grim reaper preparing to reap, Rita walked step by step right up to her.

"Farewell, Raiden Mei."

The bright light reflected by the sharp blade tip under the moonlight, followed by an instantaneous downward slash. The bright moon shone pure.

Screech—