Chapter 74

Raiden Mei: "The price is that I can't cook."

Durandal: "... Are you serious?"

Not being able to cook—what kind of bizarre price is that?

Could it be that amazing culinary skills are traded for amazing power?

If it were really that easy, why would Schicksal need to open a Valkyrie Academy? They could just have all the Valkyrie learn to cook, and then directly convert their culinary skills into combat power, making everyone at least A-rank Valkyrie.

[Chat Group is expanding... Congratulations to Wendy on joining the Chat Group.]

Theresa: "Wendy?!"

Theresa was taken aback by the arrival of the newcomer.

Kiana: "Auntie, do you know this new girl, Wendy?"

Theresa: "I... I'm not sure if this Wendy is the same Wendy I know. If she is, she's in the Oceania Branch now."

When Wendy's matter was mentioned, the headmaster's face showed regret.

Once the most outstanding student at the St. Freya Academy, a young girl who became S-rank Valkyrie and was considered destined to become the fourth S-rank Valkyrie, she became a vessel for the Gem of Desire due to an experiment.

What's most unacceptable is that Theresa herself recommended her to go.

Wendy: "Why is there a voice in my head? And who are you? Is this a new experiment arranged by the Oceania Branch?"

Pardofelis: "... This tone and line inexplicably reminded me of someone."

Danzhu: "You mean Dr. Mobius, we can all guess that."

Kiana: "Oceania Branch, Auntie, looks like it's that Wendy you know."

Theresa: "Um... I'm sorry Wendy, because of my recommendation, the Gem of Desire caused your legs to become paralyzed due to the failed experiment. You were supposed to become S-rank Valkyrie."

Feeling guilty, Theresa didn't feign any remorse and immediately apologized.

Cang Xuan: "It seems like there's a story behind this, or even a huge secret. Is it really okay to just say it out loud?"

Durandal: "It's not a secret. Wendy's experiment to transplant the Gem of Desire failed, so in order to stabilize the Gem of Desire, she became its vessel... Schicksal's database didn't hide this fact."

Raiden Mei: "So, Schicksal has used Miss Wendy as a vessel for the Gem of Desire, why not just take the stone out?!"

Himeko Murata: "The Gem of Desire contains powerful Honkai Energy; its instability is enough to destroy several cities. Is that alright?"

Raiden Mei: "..."

The group was speechless.

No one wants the Gem of Desire to destroy several cities.

However, because of this, a girl who should have become S-rank Valkyrie was paralyzed in both legs, robbing her of her dreams and freedom.

A girl who was once a prodigy has fallen to the bottom of a valley.

To study the Gem of Desire, they subjected her to all sorts of experiments—what's the difference between that and killing her?

Chapter 120 Who is the Herrscher of Wind?

Kiana: "That's outrageous! Absolutely outrageous! Is there really no other way to preserve a broken rock?!"

Everyone felt a deep sense of injustice.

Wendy: "No, it's okay. I volunteered for the experiment, and Gem of Desire to remain stable only inside my body."

Wendy: "I've accepted all of this. As Valkyrie, this is my duty... my duty..."

Although that's what they say, anyone could hear that Wendy was feeling down, and there were some unstable factors involved.

Kiana: "No, absolutely not! At worst, we can move the Gem of Desire to an underground base, or somewhere deserted. To make Wendy make such a huge sacrifice for a reason like that—what's the difference between that and the high-ranking members of the Previous Era's Fire Moth?"

The noble sacrifice themselves for the base.

Although not all Oceania Branch are despicable, there are also Valkyrie fight for all that is good.

But those Herrscher ordered research experiments on Wendy voluntarily stored the Gem of Desire them, under the guise of studying the power of the Herrschers to protect the world, are nothing but scoundrels.

Elysia: "Since you've put it this way, we have no reason not to help."

Raiden Mei: "Elysia, do you have a solution?"

Elysia: "I'm just a cute little girl, how could I possibly know about devices that can store Honkai Energy? But Mobius has one, Danzhu and Cang Xuan definitely know about it too."

Danzhu: "We do have it, but we only have the data and knowledge of the experimental apparatus; we can't manufacture it."

Even a skilled cook can't cook without rice; that's roughly the idea.

Although Danzhu and Cang Xuan were two lazybones in Mobius's laboratory, their annual workload was less than Klein's daily workload.

But after all, he was someone who survived in Mobius's laboratory and carried out the Kindling Project, so he still had a lot of knowledge from Previous Era in his mind.

The only problem is that they are in a Death Space, which doesn't have the ability to create anything.

Bronya: "That's easy. I still have a three-day Herrscher of Reason Trial Card. As long as you tell me the principle behind the device, I can build it."

Wendy: "Why, why are you all helping me like this?"

Bronya: "Because Bronya was once paralyzed in both legs due to an experiment, I understand your pain. But as long as the Gem of Desire is removed from Miss Wendy's body, you will definitely recover."

Wendy: "Thank you, Sister Bronya."

In the Oceania Branch's laboratory, Wendy hadn't received any kindness from others for a long time.

Since being brought to the Oceania Branch and becoming paralyzed in both legs due to her Gem of Desire transplant, all that awaits her is day after day of experiments and a future she can't see.

This belated act of kindness, though unfamiliar and perhaps not even genuine, at least warmed her parched heart once more.

Kiana: "Bronya, I didn't expect you to be so reliable at a crucial moment. Wendy, you wait, Auntie, hurry up and apply to transfer Wendy to our side so we can retrieve the Gem of Desire."

Theresa: "..."

Himeko Murata: "Useless Kiana, Miss Wendy can't leave the Oceania Branch."

Theresa's silence and Teacher Himeko's words plunged Wendy's heart, which had finally felt warmth, into a deep abyss, leaving it cold and chilling.

Kiana: "W-why? Didn't we already find a way to save Miss Wendy?"

Danzhu: "The Gem of Desire, which remains stable within Miss Wendy's body, has extraordinary scientific research value for the Oceania Branch... That's probably the reason."

Cang Xuan: "Truly, it's a simple and straightforward answer; even Danzhu could come up with it."

It wasn't hard to guess.

From the perspective of the Oceania Branch, neither losing the Gem of Desire nor Wendy, the experimental subject, is an acceptable price to pay.

As long as the Gem of Desire remains within Wendy's body, a stable Gem will be the best material for studying the power of the Herrscher.

As for Wendy's personal feelings, the loss of an S-rank Valkyrie?

What is that? Is it edible?

Although there are only four S-Rank individuals currently on the Schicksal Records, for them, the benefits of Wendy's promotion to S-Rank are far less than the research value of the Gem of Desire.

Therefore, even if Theresa applied to the Schicksal Headquarters, the Oceania Branch would never agree.

Kiana: "How can you do this? We can always go and rescue Miss Wendy! In the end, we'll settle things with our fists."

Bronya: "Yeah, count me in."

Perhaps because they shared a similar plight, Bronya and Wendy always felt an inexplicable sense of closeness. Kiana proposed a rescue plan, Bronya agreed without hesitation.

When she was paralyzed in both legs and had no one to rely on, it was a very difficult time.

Durandal: "Is it really okay for you to discuss snatching someone from the Oceania Branch right in front of me?"

Kiana: "What, Durandal, are you going to stop us? Or are you going to tattle on us to Otto? If so, we won't be polite to you either!"

Durandal: "Alas, if you can guarantee that the Gem of Desire won't go out of control... this is the only time."

The strongest Valkyrie couldn't help but sigh.

Perhaps it was the guilt she felt for taking Kiana from Mei, or perhaps it was her sense of justice, but she chose to compromise in the face of the Valkyrie's small threat, a threat that stemmed from her naivety and overflowing sense of justice.

Ultimately, she also disapproved of some of Schicksal's experiments, but her position prevented her from doing anything about it.

But that doesn't mean she'll stop others from doing it.

Kiana: "Hehe, this is more like the strongest Valkyrie I used to admire. Here's a big red flower for you."

Durandal: "Sigh... I just can't do anything with you."

Durandal shook her head, thinking that she was just an employee and the affairs of the Oceania Branch were not her responsibility. She should let the bishop worry about it.

Anyway, she was just training at the Schicksal Headquarters and didn't know anything.

Wendy: "Thank you, thank you so much. This place is heavily guarded. Are you really here to rescue me?"

Theresa: "This dean is a woman of her word... Judah, my Judah will come in ten days after he wakes up!"

Theresa wanted to say she would go immediately, but then she thought that her Judah was still asleep, and it was not a good time to attack the Oceania Branch.

[Q&A begins.]

[There are countless Herrscher of Honkai, half of whom are St. Freya, and most of the rest are also involved. So, in the Far East Demon Cave, which one is the Herrscher of Wind?]

[A: Theresa.]

[B: Himeko Murata.]

[C: Fu Hua.]

[D: Wendy.]

Durandal: "?!! Wait, the Far East Demon Cave, the Herrscher Academy!! Principal Theresa, I think you really need to explain this to me now."

Chapter 121 The Holy Lyre der Himmel, The Authority of Wind

Durandal, the Strongest Valkyrie of Schicksal, who is bound to fight the Herrscher to protect the world, looked bewildered and glanced at Theresa with great confusion.

The meaning behind their eyes was obvious without even needing to guess; it was something like, "Aren't you the Valkyrie Academy?" or "Is Schicksal just throwing money at you to raise a bunch of Herrscher?"

Theresa: "Innocent! Durandal, let me explain... I mean, I mean, I want to clarify! I'm running a legitimate Valkyrie Academy, there's nothing fishy about it! Please help me explain!"

Kiana: "Ahem, Lady Durandal, I'm innocent! We are all Valkyrie who will fight the Honkai to the very end."

Raiden Mei: "I'm innocent! I'm just a cook, I don't have that kind of power at all!"

The Herrscher of Reason, "I'm innocent! I..."

Fu Hua: "Little Senti, stop causing trouble."

Okay, what could have been explained before seems to be completely inexplicable now that the Herrscher of Reason has appeared.

How can I prove my innocence when a bunch of Herrscher have emerged from the St. Freya Academy?

I need help urgently!

Elysia: "Haha, this is so funny, so incredibly funny! Little St. Freya is almost dominating the Herrscher rankings, it's hilarious!"

Danzhu: "When Chi Yuan was surprised to learn that she had become Herrscher, I was stunned, but I could accept it."

Cang Xuan: "But now another Herrscher has appeared. Even I'm starting to wonder if something went wrong somewhere."

Theresa: "Ah!!! There's absolutely nothing wrong with the St. Freya Academy, which is headed by the academy head! Teacher Himeko, it must be Teacher Himeko's fault!"

Himeko Murata: "... Theresa, just so you know, you're on the shortlist too."

Looking at the shortlist, not only Theresa's name but also her own, Teacher Himeko felt uneasy.

The fact that four Herrscher emerged from my class makes the situation unclear.

If she were to become Herrscher herself, things would become rather complicated. At the very least, Teacher Himeko would need to go back and write a proper self-criticism.

Fu Hua: "But why am I on the shortlist too?"

Danzhu: "Could it be that you, Immortal, intend to monopolize the positions of the Herrscher of Reason and the Herrscher of Herrscher of Wind?"

Cang Xuan: "Danzhu, why don't you try answering? Maybe it was Chi Yuan who did it."

Danzhu: "No, I haven't even finished washing a month's worth of socks yet, I'm not falling for that."

The students from the St. Freya Academy were all praying that the position of Herrscher of Wind wouldn't fall to them.

Theresa and Teacher Himeko are the only two survivors in the group. If this continues, the reputation of the St. Freya Academy in the group will be completely beyond saving!