As they left the warehouse, Raiden Mei carried Bronya on her back, with Kiana assisting on the side, followed by the huddled girls behind them.
The group passed by the "corpse" of the pseudo Herrscher, where vines as thick as car tires covered the ground, with a stack of three or four-meter-high black spheres still emitting smoke in the middle.
The aftermath of the battle was evident, with cracks and craters everywhere, and even the ceiling bore fresh red marks that hadn't cooled yet. Various strange burnt smells filled their nostrils, causing one of the girls to cough involuntarily.
After considerable effort, they finally managed to navigate through the monster's wreckage.
This scene greatly shocked Mei, who couldn't help but turn her head to look at Luo Lin and Fu Hua. The two of them protected the group, occasionally lending a hand to help the weak girls over obstacles.
How did they manage to kill this kind of powerful monster?
Could she become as strong as them?
After leaving the warehouse, Kiana, Raiden Mei, Bronya, and the rescued girls stared blankly at their surroundings.
The buildings around the warehouse, having endured the baptism of a massive Eruption, looked as if they had weathered centuries in an instant, covered in dust with a dimmed color palette. The walls were pockmarked, windows shattered, and debris littered the ground.
Several traffic accidents had occurred on the streets, with vehicles scattered and blocking the way. Fires raged in some areas, billowing black smoke into the sky, while the piercing alarm sounds, distorted and faint due to the interference of Honkai energy, echoed in everyone's ears.
Of course, there were also the inevitable Honkai Zombies and Honkai beasts roaming aimlessly, wreaking havoc.
"So... this is Honkai?" Kiana murmured.
Before this, Kiana had never seen such an exaggerated scene. The Honkai Outbreaks she had encountered before were small-scale, and the locations were relatively remote, mostly affecting villages or small towns.
But now, the bustling city had turned into a dead zone, with thousands of Honkai Zombies wandering the streets and various Honkai beasts instinctively destroying buildings and killing any surviving humans.
The group naturally attracted the attention of some Honkai Zombies, who roared and charged towards the girls. Raiden Mei instinctively raised her gun, aiming at the enemy, but she was stopped by Luo Lin, who placed a hand on her shoulder. "Don't shoot. Let's try to solve this quietly."
"Are you sure...?" the girl with blue-purple hair looked at Luo Lin and Fu Hua as they moved forward, one using fists and the other wielding a variety of weapons, effortlessly dispatching the Honkai Zombies.
It was like a scene from a famous grass-cutting game, Dynasty Warriors XX.(Grass =Mobs)
After dealing with this small wave of attracted Zombies, Luo Lin and Fu Hua led the girls away from the bustling city center towards the outskirts. Along the way, the Zombies and Honkai beasts posed little threat to them.
A dozen minutes later, the group made a brief stop at a small supermarket near the coast. The girls could replenish some water and energy and even use the restroom to freshen up a bit.
"Something's approaching," Fu Hua warned quietly at the supermarket entrance.
Luo Lin's Honkai Radar also detected something, but the familiar fluctuations made the black-haired Valkyrie blink and say, "It seems like someone we know..."
Before she could finish, a white-haired man emerged from around the corner, his gaze meeting Luo Lin's.
A few seconds later, Siegfried lowered the Judgement of Shamash pistols in his hands and greeted somewhat casually, "Hello, Miss Luo Lin and Miss Fu Hua."
"Hello," Fu Hua nodded in acknowledgment.
Luo Lin felt the stigmata on her back churn twice, seemingly expressing dissatisfaction towards someone. She coughed, "...Hello, Siegfried."
Fu Hua looked around and felt the atmosphere was somewhat awkward.
"Um..."
Siegfried shivered instinctively at Luo Lin's tone, then quickly straightened up his posture, "I just took a look around, it seems like you took down a big guy, huh?"
"It was a pseudo Herrscher..." Luo Lin described the situation to Siegfried, who nodded in understanding and voluntarily shared some information he knew, "Although this Honkai seems powerful, it didn't directly destroy the entire Nagazora City. There are still many survivors in areas far from the epicenter..."
Fu Hua asked, "Siegfried, aren't you supposed to be in Anti-Entropy? What's the situation with ME now? Can they mobilize to deal with this Honkai event?"
"After Raiden Ryoma was captured, ME fell into chaos. The radicals took advantage of the situation and tried to infiltrate, vying for leadership... and it got worse after the Honkai. There aren't many Anti-Entropy members left in Nagazora City now; those who could leave already did."
Siegfried smiled wryly, "Luckily, I managed to rescue Raiden Ryoma, and he's organizing a team of mechs to take action... saving some people is better than none."
"I'll remember that," Fu Hua recorded this information on her personal terminal, while Luo Lin, looking at Siegfried's somewhat uneasy gaze at the supermarket behind her, seemed hesitant to speak.
The black-haired Valkyrie asked, "What's wrong? Don't you want to see your daughter?"
"...I haven't figured out how to face her."
"You did pretty well in the consciousness space, didn't you?" Luo Lin raised an eyebrow.
The white-haired man opened his mouth, "I..."
Seeing Siegfried's awkward appearance, not only did the stigmata on Luo Lin's back react, but the black-haired girl also became angry. She grabbed Siegfried's shoulder without saying a word and pushed him inside.
"Alright, girls, we have a guest. Put on your clothes... Kiana? Kiana! Your dad's here to see you!"
Kiana who had been devouring a bag of bread on the ground, jumped up like a rocket and flipped over the shelves, immediately spotting Siegfried being held down by Luo Lin.
"Kiana..."
"Bang!"
Without slowing down, Kiana, like a cannonball, plunged into Siegfried's arms, causing the man to cough.
"You old man! Where have you been hiding all these years!"
"Dad has some things to take care of..."
Kiana pounded Siegfried's chest twice with her fist.
Watching from the sidelines, Luo Lin felt a chill just from the sound. After all, the Kaslana family's strength was formidable, and those who understood knew.
"Is it to fight Honkai?" Kiana asked.
"...Yes."
Siegfried stroked Kiana's head. Even though the stubborn tuft of white hair on Kiana's head still existed, even as a Herrscher of the Void, it was pressed down by Siegfried. The man tidied Kiana's bangs with his hand and looked into her blue eyes.
Really, just like Cecilia...
"Kiana, your bread... Ah..."
At this moment, Raiden Mei ran over. She was holding the bag of bread that had just been sent flying by Kiana. She stared blankly at the scene of father and daughter reuniting.
Her mind couldn't help but think of her own father, and she became emotional for a moment, choking up.
The movements of Raiden Mei caught Siegfried's attention. He turned his head and looked at the girl with blue-purple hair, then asked, "Raiden Mei? Is that you?"
"Yes, she's Raiden Mei, my good friend!"
Before Mei could reply, Kiana spoke up first.
"Becoming friends, huh? Not bad."
Siegfried nodded and took out a communicator from his pocket, pressing a button. "Your father, Raiden Ryoma, I've already rescued him... Want to say a few words to him?"
"What?"
Raiden Mei muttered in disbelief. She took the communicator, and a familiar voice came through.
Raiden Ryoma's voice sounded weak and tired. "Siegfried?"
"Dad!" the girl shouted loudly.
"Mei?? Mei!! Are you okay?"
"I'm okay, I'm fine, sob..."
Raiden Ryoma quickly comforted his daughter, taking some time to calm Mei down.
"Siegfried, can you tell me what's going on?"
"Simply put, your daughter has been rescued by someone I know, Schicksal person i know personally, and she's very safe now..."
Siegfried glanced at Luo Lin and Fu Hua. With one A-rank and one S-rank, how could they not be safe?
Raiden Ryoma was silent for a moment before saying, "I've found some clues about the people who attacked me. They won't give up easily... Considering the current situation, it's not suitable for Mei to stay with me... Siegfried, how are your friends?"
"They're all trustworthy, but the organization Schicksal isn't."
Siegfried said calmly.
"...It seems I need to make a deal with Schicksal." Raiden Ryoma took a deep breath. "Siegfried's friends, I hope you can take care of Mei for me. Whether it's money or research technology, I can provide... But remember, ME Corporation is not easy to mess with. Schicksal may not fear losses, but the allies who cooperate with Schicksal can't withstand the attacks of mechs."
Fu Hua agreed without hesitation, "No problem."
Even if Raiden Ryoma didn't say it, she would still help Raiden Mei. After all, Mei was now the Herrscher of Thunder.
Luo Lin also agreed, "I have no problem."
"Thank you. Next, can I have a private conversation with Mei?"
Raiden Mei took the communicator and bowed slightly to everyone before turning and retreating to the corner of the supermarket.
Of course, this distance was nothing for Luo Lin and Fu Hua. They could still clearly hear the conversation between Raiden Ryoma and his daughter.
"Mei, I want to remind you, be careful when dealing with the people from Schicksal."
"Okay... I know..."
"Take care of yourself."
"Yes..."
"When I'm done with my business, I'll come find you, okay?"
"Yes. I understand."
Raiden Ryoma was not good at expressing his emotions. After struggling for a while, he managed to say, "Alright, Mei, your father is very strong."
"Dad, actually, I... I have superpowers now, the kind that can discharge electricity..."
Raiden Ryoma was stunned for a moment, then immediately asked, "Do you feel uncomfortable anywhere?"
"No, no." Mei replied somewhat nervously, "I just, temporarily, don't really know how to control this power."
The man remained silent for a moment before finally saying, "Okay, my dear, Dad has known for a long time that you're extraordinary. Practice with others more; Schicksal is quite good in this regard..."
"Dad... am I useless? If I were stronger, I wouldn't be kidnapped by others, and I could even save you..."
"No, it's different, Mei. Dad should support you and hold up the sky for you..."
Raiden Mei interrupted her father's words, "I've grown up, Dad. I want to help you."
"...Alright, Mei, then you should train hard and become an A-rank Valkyrie, okay?"
Although he didn't know what this A-rank was, Raiden Mei still firmly replied, "I can become stronger!"
Listening to his daughter's voice, Raiden Ryoma felt a mix of emotions. He chuckled softly in the end, "Okay, then I'll see what skills you can develop. Give me a big surprise."
"Yeah!"
On the other side, Kiana finally let go of her hand and wriggled out of Siegfried's arms.
She looked into her father's eyes, and Kaslana's incomparable intuition came into play again. Kiana spoke up, "Old man, you don't plan on staying long, do you?"
"...No."
"Hmph, I knew you'd be like this."
Kiana kicked Siegfried's leg, causing the white-haired man to inhale sharply.
Kiana scratched her head, letting her stubborn tuft of hair come back out. Annoyed, she shouted, "What do I have to do for you to stay with me? I can help save the world too!"
"You're still young... Alright, alright, you've grown up."
Under Kiana's terrifying gaze, Siegfried quickly changed his tone, "Your current strength is not enough. If you want to help me, you need to be at least an S-rank, right?"
"Ah ah ah ah! Then this lady will be an S-rank for you!"
Siegfried clapped his hands absentmindedly, "Hmm, impressive. I hope you can do it."
"Argh! You make me so mad, old man! Don't you believe in your own daughter?!"
Kiana raised her fist in anger, but Siegfried stopped it with one hand. No matter how hard she struggled, she couldn't move the man's arm, which seemed as if it were made of steel.
"Feel the difference?" Siegfried asked.
Kiana pouted, "Hmph, old man, just you wait! Not only will I become an S-rank, but I'll also become the strongest in the S-rank!"
That's quite difficult.
Luo Lin thought to herself. Just studying alone would give her a hard time.
Still, 'Kiana Kaslana' did become the Strongest S-Rank of Schicksal.
"Beep beep beep!"
At this moment, the communicators of Luo Lin and Fu Hua sounded, alerting them. They opened the projections and found that the green marker representing friendly forces was rapidly approaching on the blurry map.
"Hiss... Verification code... Hiss... Nagazora City is experiencing Honkai eruptions, and the transport ship cannot penetrate deep. Please select a safe location for evacuation..."
"Got it."
Luo Lin and Fu Hua exchanged glances, and the black-haired Valkyrie shrugged her shoulders.
"You're the intelligence officer. You call the shots for evacuation."
"Alright..."
A dozen minutes later, everyone boarded the transport ship and watched as Nagazora City grew farther and farther away.
"Commander, there's a communication request from the floating battleship, Hyperion!"
The Valkyrie driving the transport ship said.
Luo Lin waved her hand and replied, "Connect."
Soon, the transport ship and the Hyperion completed the connection, and a green cabbage head figure flashed across the holographic projection in the cabin.
Hyperion, connection established!
"This is Captain Ragnar Rodbrock of the Hyperion. I need... a report on Nagazora City...huh?"
The communication suddenly stuttered, and on the bridge, all the Valkyries turned to see their captain completely losing her usual composure, suddenly standing up from his chair, eyes wide open.
"...Luo Lin?"
"Captain Ragnar..."
Luo Lin smiled bitterly and waved her hand, "Long time no see."