If not for Evan's reminder, Theresa would have been ambushed by the inconspicuous vine at her feet.
From a distance, they hadn't discovered the abnormality of this forest. Now, observing closely, there were simply too many vines here, like jungle pythons heavily wrapping around trees, buildings, and even the ground, launching attacks like poisonous snakes on Evan and Theresa, the intruders.
Just as Theresa blocked the vines by placing the [Oath of Judah] horizontally in front of her chest, she discovered numerous thorns on the vines. Judging from the force of that attack, the vines' toughness far exceeded normal plants. Those thorns must also have considerable killing power. If she had failed to block in time, she would have suffered serious injuries.
Just as Theresa was grinding her teeth in anger at this insidious ambush, Evan's voice came from beside her.
"One of the ways plants protect themselves and resist predators is to grow thorns all over their stems. But besides that, a more common and effective method is to make themselves poisonous. I don't think these vines are as simple as just having thorns. Be sure not to get hurt, Theresa."
"Thanks for the reminder, but the one who should be careful is you—[Oath of Judah], deploy!"
The giant cross that had always been used as a blunt instrument was placed heavily on the ground by Theresa, unfolding into a crescent-shaped weapon rack. Several spears just appeared on it and disappeared like streaming light the next moment.
Then came the hiss of sharp weapons cutting through the air and the clang of chains moving at high speed.
Within a ten-meter radius, under the [Oath of Judah]'s extremely fierce wide-area attack, everything became pure land. Vines, grass, and trees were all shredded by the spears. Even the fragments were blown away by the air waves created by Theresa through the [Oath of Judah]. Besides Evan and Theresa, all that remained here was freshly turned-up soil.
Truly worthy of the [Oath of Judah], terrifyingly powerful.
Having completed the jaw-dropping wide-area attack, Theresa turned her head toward Evan.
"Next, will you continue following me deep inside to search for the Pseudo-Herrscher, or will you return to the destroyer first? Your injuries haven't healed, so you're not suitable for the upcoming battle."
"If I hadn't reminded you, you would have been ambushed by the vines just now, right? How could I leave with peace of mind? So let's continue acting together. At the very least, the role I'll play won't be a burden."
"...Alright."
Indeed, she had been a bit careless earlier. Theresa couldn't very well force Evan to leave now. After slightly calming her breathing, which had become disordered from the burst attack using the [Oath of Judah], Theresa planned to continue inward following the Honkai energy concentration map's indication, but was stopped by Evan.
"Are you planning to just walk in like that?"
"Otherwise? Those vines are indeed troublesome. I can only forcefully open a path with the [Oath of Judah]."
"In that case, even if you find the Pseudo-Herrscher, won't you be exhausted?"
Exhausted wouldn't be the case, but very fatigued was certain.
Theresa fell silent, while Evan looked toward the depths of the forest that exuded the unknown and danger and spoke.
"It seems this place has already become that Pseudo-Herrscher's stronghold. They're waiting at ease while we tire ourselves. We don't need to personally take risks. Look at this scenery of green trees and red flowers—so beautiful. Wouldn't it be a shame not to light a fire?"
"!!"
Theresa was shocked by Evan's bold idea. Evan glanced at the path they came from and continued.
"Senba Academy, as a girls' school, is surrounded by walls made of steel and concrete, with wide asphalt roads outside—all non-flammable things. With a little attention, we can ensure the flames won't spread to the entire city. So, shall we do it?"
"...Okay."
This guy Evan really keeps bringing surprises.
Theresa agreed. Nagazora City was already an abandoned city from the Honkai anyway. If eliminating a Pseudo-Herrscher only required burning down Senba Academy, the trade would be far too advantageous.
However—
"This time, you're not planning to save the Pseudo-Herrscher? You're actually proposing this kind of idea?"
"As I said before, that Pseudo-Herrscher is most likely a zombie infected by Honkai energy, not human. Besides, even if it really is some unlucky person who entered Nagazora City after the Honkai outbreak and became a Pseudo-Herrscher, they wouldn't have become an idiot, right? An ordinary fire can't burn them to death. Even if the immature Pseudo-Herrscher is really too weak to ignore flames, they'll avoid them. Essentially, this fire is just to burn the vines and forest. Success isn't even certain."
"True."
Then, flames began spreading continuously from one corner of Senba Academy.
"Theresa, one of us should stay here just in case, and the other should go to the area that hasn't burned yet to wait. According to living beings' instinct to seek advantage and avoid harm, that Pseudo-Herrscher will most likely flee in the opposite direction of the flames. Of course, they might also do the opposite. If it's the latter, it proves they have high intelligence."
"And if it's the former, it means they really transformed from a zombie, so there's no need to hold back. Even if the Pseudo-Herrscher chooses to stay put, we'll just go find them."
Theresa completed the second half of Evan's sentence, then picked up the [Oath of Judah] and walked to another direction.
"Let's stay in contact. The Honkai energy concentration monitoring map will show their location. If the Pseudo-Herrscher runs toward you, I'll come back to support you. Since you were able to bring the Herrscher-fied Raiden Mei to the human camp before, don't die at the hands of another intelligent Herrscher this time."
"Don't worry. If the Pseudo-Herrscher runs toward you, remember to notify me."
"You don't believe I can defeat it?"
Theresa turned her head, seeming a bit displeased.
Evan smiled.
"I believe you. It's just that if I don't receive news from you for a long time, I'll worry."
"Tsk, got it. I won't make you waste time waiting."
Now, Theresa somewhat understood how Evan brought the Third Herrscher Raiden Mei to the human camp—with these sweet words, huh?
Tch, it does make one happy to hear. Essentially, it's still a lack of confidence in my strength, just phrased differently to give a completely different feeling.
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