Chapter 347
The will to survive jolted Rita awake. "Star Platinum!"
With a click, the Stand User's ability activated, freezing time for a moment, allowing only Rita to move.
She looked around, but couldn't see Sakura anywhere.
"Where did it go...? How is that possible?"
Time seemed to stand still, but Rita spotted Sakura's figure hundreds of meters away.
The instant she activated the Star Platinum, Sakura was even faster, flashing to a distance of three hundred meters.
The pause passed in the blink of an eye, and by the time Rita realized what was happening, Sakura had already resumed her movements.
"Blade of Setsuna!"
Before she could think, Rita saw a snowflake fall, and then the space around her froze, and time stood still.
Sword techniques that freeze space, and even time.
Sakura's unique skill had only been used once before, when she fought Kevin. Sakura, who was challenging the space, did not know how to hold back and seized the opportunity to kill Rita.
Her vision went dark instantly, and by the time Rita came to her senses, the challenge was over, and she had already been sent back to the Schicksal Headquarters.
Durandal: "Hmm? Rita, what's going on? Didn't you just leave?"
That back and forth took less than thirty seconds, how could it be so fast?
Rita has broken the record for the fastest run in any challenge dungeon.
Amber: "Rita, are you alright?"
Rita didn't reply; she just lay there on the floor, staring blankly at the ceiling.
Durandal had seen this look before; it was the despair that only a great Valkyrie would show after being struck down by her power.
Sakura: "What's wrong, Miss Rita? Time has flown by, I don't even understand what happened."
Durandal: "She's probably taken a hit. The Valkyrie's will is unwavering; it seems Rita still has room for improvement."
It's decided, I'll drag Rita to be my sparring partner tomorrow!
Elysia: "Sakura, you went too far. Judging from Miss Rita's expression, you must have used your best move right away. That's not good."
Cherry. "?!!"
Rita suffered a setback in the challenge dungeon, what does that have to do with her?
Furthermore, the Valkyrie 'Schicksal mental fortitude is far too fragile; even Raiden Mei was able to persevere for a while under her guidance.
Even though Durandal could hold her own against Kevin when he was weakened.
Could this S-Rank Valkyrie have gotten her promoted through connections? Otherwise, why is there such a huge difference in rank?
[In the scene, Raiden Mei and Durandal meet up and walk forward in the cold wind, breaking through the encirclement of Honkai Beast and arriving in front of Owl.]
Raiden Mei's brows furrowed sharply. "Owl, do you understand what you're doing?"
Betraying the World Serpent and standing on the same side as the Herrscher of Ice is a crime that cannot be forgiven with a simple self-criticism.
"I will rescue Anna, free her from the shackles of the Honkai, and restore her to her human form!"
Chen Tianwu said helplessly.
"I know World Serpent's purpose. You won't give me a chance, and I have no other choice. But Raiden Mei, since you can control the power of Herrscher, I can make Anna do the same."
They are different.
The Herrscher of Thunder's personality voluntarily sacrificed itself, becoming the sustenance for her progress, which is why Raiden Mei is who she is today.
Raiden Mei wanted to speak, but seeing Chen Tianwu's determined action of standing in front of Anna, she couldn't utter a single word.
Chen Tianwu remained silent, holding Anna's hand, their figures gradually disappearing into the blizzard.
Chapter 563 The Extremely Frozen Cold Current
"Don't even think about leaving!"
Durandal leaped into the air, and Black Abyss White Flower swept away the storm in front of her with a single spear thrust, revealing the figures of Owl and the Herrscher of Ice.
Durandal thrust his spear at the Herrscher of Ice again, only to be blocked by a suddenly solidified ice pillar.
The icy wind howled, and swirling blizzards swept through the entire space.
Trees, flowers, and even the ground were frozen into solid ice. In this frigid wasteland, Durandal moved nimbly and maneuvered, confronting the Herrscher of Ice.
The two sides were locked in a stalemate, and lightning flashed amidst the wind and snow, cutting off the space from below.
"Still can't convince you?" Chen Tianwu glanced at Raiden Mei, thinking that as a fellow Herrscher, the Herrscher of Thunder might be able to understand.
Mei drew her sword. "No need for further words, I won't let you stop me."
"Then let's go."
As the Owl raised its weapon, a high-pitched shriek suddenly erupted from the storm.
The Herrscher of Ice summoned a cold current, and blizzards became her wings, covering the sky. Taking advantage of this opportunity, Durandal leaped close to the Herrscher of Ice, holding the Black Abyss White Flower, ready to stab the Herrscher of Ice in the chest.
Chen Tianwu launched a hidden weapon that struck Black Abyss White Flower squarely, causing Durandal's attack to deflect.
The Herrscher of Ice leaped backward, creating distance between herself and Durandal.
Durandal wanted to press her advantage. She planted her feet on the ground, ready to dive and transform into a blue comet at any moment.
But Raiden Mei was a step faster. With the attention of the Herrscher of Ice, Owl Durandal not on her, Mei instantly transformed into flashing lightning.
In the blink of an eye, they arrived in front of the Herrscher of Ice.
Raiden Mei raised her katana high and slashed down at the Herrscher of Ice's face.
"Stop!"
Chen Tianwu roared, but it was too late.
With his speed, he couldn't even catch up with the Herrscher's lightning, let alone stop Raiden Mei's attack.
The raised katana slashed at the Herrscher of Ice, but only just struck the mask on her face; the remaining force was blocked by the icy ice.
"Tsk."
Raiden Mei clicked her tongue, annoyed at her own slip-up.
But as Anna's mask cracked, she could no longer maintain her composure. Anna's appearance reminded her of the moment she parted ways with Kiana.
The same goes for both of them.
One becomes Herrscher, rejected by the world, while the other tries everything to save her.
Mei bit her tongue, trying to regain her composure. She raised her weapon again, but this time, it was Owl's body that blocked the blade.
"Raiden Mei, if you want to kill her, you'll have to step over my dead body first!"
The Owl stood in front of Anna.
His life was given to him by Anna, so Chen Tianwu felt no fear at this moment.
In a flash, Raiden Mei seemed to see herself from her past.
If sacrificing myself can save her life, then I'd be happy to!
At this moment, Raiden Mei stopped attacking, no longer as cold and ruthless as before.
"Raiden Mei, what are you hesitating for?!"
A blue light burst forth from behind Raiden Mei, and the knight's lance pierced towards the Herrscher of Ice's chest.
Meanwhile, a storm erupted from the heart of the battlefield.
"Aaaaaah!"
With a mournful cry, the Herrscher of Ice let out a heart-wrenching roar as massive amounts of Honkai Energy poured out.
The cold wave engulfed the four of them and shook the entire island. Taking advantage of this opportunity, Chen Tianwu escaped with Anna. Durandal was caught in the blizzard and could no longer see the two of them.
Chen Tianwu fled with Anna. He knew the power of the Valkyrie of Schicksal; with Schicksal's tracking ability, she could probably keep track of their movements at any time.
They walked for several kilometers before daring to stop.
"Raiden Mei and the others will catch up soon. I'll hold her off. You go now and don't worry about me."
Chen Tianwu's body was nearing its limit, and he gritted his teeth as he spoke to Anna beside him.
However, Anna was already possessed by the Herrscher's consciousness and did not react at all. Seeing this, Chen Tianwu couldn't help but laugh at himself.
It seemed Anna couldn't hear him. If the two of them were caught, would everything he had done be in vain?
After a long silence, Anna finally responded, "Chen... Tianwu..."
"Anna!"
Chen Tianwu was overjoyed.
"Anna, you're finally back! That's wonderful! You did it! You finally defeated the Honkai! That's great! Now that we can tell everyone you've turned back into a human, we don't have to run away anymore!"
"Let's go back. I'll take you back to the World Serpent!"
Chen Tianwu pulled Anna and turned to leave, but she stood still, refusing to budge no matter how much he pulled Chen Tianwu.
That's enough.
"What's the meaning?"
Anna lowered her head. "Please... let me die."
Chen Tianwu's eyes widened. "Go to hell? Anna, don't joke around, what nonsense are you talking about, why...?"
"I can no longer resist."
Anna stretched out her trembling, shadowy arm, a testament to her desperate resistance.
"My memories are peeling away bit by bit; this is the time I've bought with my last bit of strength. In the end, I want to die as a human being."
"Anna, no, how could this be?!"
Chen Tianwu covered his head and squatted on the ground in disbelief.
He'd waited so long, and Anna was also desperately resisting the Honkai. Raiden Mei could maintain her own consciousness, so why couldn't Anna?
Why?!
"No, there must be another way, Anna, hang in there!"
"I'm sorry, please let me go."
"No! Where are you going? I'll go with you..."
Chen Tianwu reached out to grab Anna, but was trapped by the frozen ice. He could only watch helplessly as Anna walked away.
Raven: "That kid Chen Tianwu is quite righteous, my lord. How about we just let the execution go?"
Even Raven, who had been betrayed by Chen Tianwu, couldn't help but speak up for him at this moment.
Looking back now, that guy used an anesthetic needle and didn't cause any real injuries or deaths, so he was actually quite righteous.
His savior turned into Herrscher; it's no wonder he became radical after getting into this mess.
Jackal: "A traitor is a traitor, merits matter, not intentions. Raven, when did you become so kind?"
Raven: "I've already resigned from the mercenary group. Do you think everyone is as cold-blooded as you?!"
Kevin: "I don't care."
Having seen similar things countless times, Kevin remained calm and unperturbed.
There are countless people suffering in the world, and there are countless cases similar to Chen Tianwu's. In the Previous Era, he saw how many families were broken up and how many wives and children were separated.
Kevin's frozen heart was already colder than the Herrscher of Ice.
Sue: "Kevin, you've really changed so much. Maybe my decision to leave you was a mistake."
Kevin: "There's no right or wrong between us."
No matter how you put it, it all boils down to the word "mission".
Kevin carries the will of the Previous Era and the mission to defeat the Honkai, while Sue has already realized that she has chosen to let the past return to dust, nothing more.