On the devastated island, terrifying traces left by the battle could be seen everywhere. The Honkai energy remaining from the Herrscher was quite deadly to ordinary people.
Therefore, it was likely that this Stairway to the Stars, the path for human civilization to reach space, would be completely erased from the map afterward.
Mei, who had rescued Raven, did not leave immediately, but continued to linger for a while.
The changes in Twilight Street had allowed her to witness more stories of ordinary people, and had also touched her heart.
Pardofelis's death had allowed Mei to grow a lot. It was not until this moment that she truly realized what Kiana had experienced during her wandering period, and also understood what that girl was fighting for.
This was almost a qualitative change for Mei, who had always fought only to protect.
She understood the meaning of the Obsidian Concord's existence and truly accepted the beliefs conveyed by the organization. But the creation of the Obsidian Concord was pinned on Kiana becoming the savior.
Mei did not intend to continue this.
She was determined to lead the Obsidian Concord into the future in her own way.
This Coral Island retained the memories left by Kiana's battle. Mei had not been able to participate in this operation in time, but she knew that Kiana must also be desperately trying to save the world.
Looking at a broken baseball bat stuck in the ground, Mei stopped. She subconsciously imagined Kiana wielding a baseball bat in battle, but shook her head and dispelled the image.
For her, her memory of Kiana still remained on the reckless girl at St. Freya Academy. But she also knew very well that, just like the change in her own mentality now, Kiana had probably also changed her fighting style long ago.
Mei Raiden had walked out of the shadows of her childhood, and also walked out of Kiana's protection. The feeling of wanting to keep Kiana by her side forever had faded unconsciously.
What she was obsessed with was perhaps not Kiana, but the dependence born from a lack of security.
"I'm a little curious, I shouldn't have much to do with you, why did you choose to deliberately rescue me from Schicksal?"
Raven's voice interrupted Mei's thoughts. Her gaze shifted from the baseball bat on the ground and fell on the other woman.
Raven at this time was really too weak, with almost no blood on her face. If it weren't for Mei's support, she probably wouldn't even be able to walk. But even so, Mei could clearly feel the other woman's belief in survival.
With the intelligence provided by the Obsidian Concord, Mei knew what Raven was doing it for.
"Because you are the only World Serpent executive I have come into contact with."
"Just that simple?" Facing Mei's understated answer, Raven obviously didn't quite believe it. After all, she knew very well what she had done. Whether it was almost assassinating her in ARC City, or trying to kill Kiana more than once, they were basically irreconcilable grudges.
Even if Mei wanted revenge like Rita, Raven was prepared. But now the other party only gave this reason, which made her somewhat unbelievable.
"Yes, I need to join World Serpent, so I need a referrer. And you are the only executive I have met, so I chose to come to you." Mei looked at Raven's expression, guessed what the other woman was thinking, and added, "Don't misunderstand, this doesn't mean I forgive World Serpent for the sins committed in ARC City. It's just that World Serpent has something I need."
"I see." Raven nodded, "But if I remember correctly, your organization has always had plans to recruit from the outside. You can completely choose to join World Serpent through normal means."
"I don't have much time, and I don't have time to slowly go through promotion assessments. And as far as I know, one of the ways to quickly become an executive is executive referral. Besides, isn't your World Serpent always short of people?"
"That's right. As a Herrscher, yet still having to take the assessment with ordinary members, World Serpent isn't stupid enough to do that." Raven agreed with her statement, and then asked somewhat疑惑地, "But how do you know World Serpent is short of people? The number of executives has always been kept secret, and outsiders can't possibly know."
"That's not related to you. You just need to introduce me to the Lord of World Serpent. I'll figure out the rest myself."
With the amplification of the Herrscher of Reason's consciousness and the computing power provided by the puppet, the Obsidian Concord's mastered network technology had long penetrated most organizations. Apart from the Previous Era Elysian Realm as the core network, World Serpent's peripheral actions were basically undefended to Ren.
And when Mei truly chose to become the leader of the Obsidian Concord, most of the forum's permissions were naturally unlocked for her. Therefore, it was not difficult to know World Serpent's movements. Including Raven's information on Coral Island this time, it was also learned through the forum.
World Serpent had only 6 executives in total. Apart from Moth and Chen Tianwu who had already died, the remaining ones were only Jackal, Raven, Gray Serpent, and Hare.
Although there was no detailed information on these four, Mei understood that an organization as large as World Serpent only having four executives was definitely short of people.
Of course, Mei didn't know that the Obsidian Concord, which had detailed intelligence and numerous members, actually only had herself, including the members and the leader.
"Heh, you're so sure I'll agree to you?" Raven chuckled lightly. She still remembered the destruction caused by Moth vividly. Now Mei almost didn't conceal her purpose at all, yet she was still choosing to send her into World Serpent. She wasn't stupid enough to that extent.
"Well…" Mei was not surprised by Raven's answer. She just smiled and said softly, "I wonder if Miss Raven knows the name 'Raven's Nest'?"
"!"
…
After some negotiation, Raven, who originally didn't want to agree easily, now couldn't wait to send Mei into World Serpent as soon as possible. As for what the organization would encounter, she no longer cared at all.
"Little Kong…"
"Don't worry, they are very safe. When things are done, I can provide you with their location, provided that you ensure that I can really meet Kevin."
"Naturally." Raven let out a breath of stale air, feeling that her body had become much lighter. She looked at Mei and silently suppressed the guilt in her heart. Anyway, Kevin had also said before that he wanted to recruit Herrschers.
Bringing Mei Raiden over now just happened to meet Kevin's requirements.
Having reached a deal, the two did not continue to talk, but just continued to move on Coral Island.
Mei stayed on Coral Island of course not only because this was where Kiana had fought, but because the forum clearly mentioned that Obsidian Concord members were involved in this operation. If she was lucky enough, she might be able to get to know other organization members in advance.
Kalpas and Ren were both people who had left a deep impression on Mei. If possible, she wanted to have more contact with people in the organization, perhaps to avoid more tragedies.
…
"Thank you for your rescue."
A girl's voice came from behind her. Himeko, who was packing up her equipment and preparing to evacuate, stopped moving. She turned her head and found that it was Bernice, the vice-captain who had been responsible for the evacuation earlier.
To avoid running into Schicksal's rescue troops, Mei and the other puppets had deliberately chosen a relatively hidden area. She didn't expect to be found by the other party. But looking at the other party panting for breath, she probably had been looking for her ever since she woke up.
"Helping each other on the battlefield is only right and proper, no need to mind it." Casually waving her hand, Himeko didn't take saving people to heart.
Although Otto and Schicksal were not good people, Valkyries were indeed excellent warriors who saved humanity. Bernice, as a B-rank Valkyrie, although not powerful in combat, her performance on the battlefield was indeed that of a qualified Valkyrie.
"In any case, you did save my life. If possible, please tell me your name. I will remember it forever." Bernice bowed deeply, and it could be seen that she was thanking her from the bottom of her heart.
Himeko was somewhat hesitant. The other party was a Valkyrie of Schicksal, and she, as Ren's puppet, was naturally on the opposite side. If she revealed her name, there was a high risk of exposure. But looking at Bernice, who was bowing, she felt a little unbearable in her heart.
Just as she hesitated, a message suddenly entered her mind.
[Permitted.]
Getting Ren's affirmative reply, Himeko breathed a sigh of relief. She instructed, "Just call me Himeko, but remember not to reveal it to anyone."
Getting a reply, Bernice nodded emphatically, vowing again and again that she would never reveal it, and then left here.
Watching the girl's leaving figure, Himeko couldn't help but reveal a smile, "I thought I could get rid of the Herrscher's control."
[But you don't seem to regret it.]
"No way, that little guy who's tough-mouthed but soft-hearted doesn't seem that bad. Since that's the case, why bother thinking about leaving?"
[You look very smug. Have you forgotten the pain of soul-tearing? Don't forget, I am a real Herrscher.]
"Yeah, yeah, yeah." An obviously perfunctory voice popped out of Himeko's mouth. She turned around and packed her weapon into a special container. The other puppets had already evacuated through the space channel, leaving only herself.
"I've lived for so many years. I can still tell whether a person's essence is good or bad. Although you've always acted as a Herrscher, children like Wendy and Eden were able to survive because of you."
"I'm already someone who has died once. Schicksal's propaganda that Herrschers are enemies is no longer meaningful. We were all reborn because of Herrschers, and even my student is a Herrscher. As long as they are really fighting for humanity, what does it matter if they are Herrschers or not?"
[Aren't you afraid that your guess is wrong?]
"So what? If you really want to destroy the world, I definitely can't stop you, but Kiana definitely can."
[…]
Looking at the girl beside her, Ren was briefly silent for a moment, and then changed the subject.
[Alright, the leader of the Obsidian Concord is here. You should know what to do.]
"?" Hearing Ren's title, Himeko was stunned. Wasn't the Obsidian Concord an organization created by Ren? Leader?
Just as Himeko was still in doubt, a voice came from behind her again.
"Hi… Him… Himeko-sensei?!"