Fortunately, that scene only flashed by briefly.
Amid this battlefield filled with smoke and gunfire, the viewers' attention was quickly diverted.
After temporarily resolving the crisis,
Dr. Tesla hacked into headquarters' information database and discovered that a ship had entered the headquarters' laboratory several hours ago.
Upon hearing this news, Himeko immediately asked: "It's not far from the laboratory here—should we break in?"
Theresa said: "I'm afraid it's not that simple. The headquarters' laboratory has a massive defensive barrier. With our firepower, it's hard to breach it forcefully in a short time."
Himeko seemed to realize something: "We don't have that much time."
Theresa didn't catch the implication, assuming she meant the Valkyrie troops returning after dealing with the Honkai beasts: "So we have to use another method—we need to shut down the large Honkai reactor in this area to cut off the barrier's energy source."
Himeko immediately said: "This plan sounds good. Let me go then. You all stay here. Once the reactor is shut down, immediately pilot the Hyperion to breach the barrier."
"But what about you? The enemy's reinforcements will definitely arrive soon—you'll be surrounded." Theresa was extremely worried; this decision was too bold.
Himeko smiled and said: "Don't worry. I was a former member of the Valkyrie assault team—breaking out of encirclements is my specialty."
"But…"
Before Theresa could say more, she said in a firm tone: "Trust me, Theresa."
Seeing this, Theresa could only agree.
Fortunately, Dr. Tesla decided to allocate some mechs to go with Himeko.
Himeko said: "Leave them all on the Hyperion. Firepower is needed more here."
Tesla said without mincing words: "I make the decisions—no arguments! When you're ready, come find me outside!"
The communication was directly cut off by her.
Himeko could only helplessly look at Theresa.
Theresa's tone was also somewhat heavy: "Good luck, old friend."
Mei quickly added: "Major Himeko, please be careful!"
Himeko patted her head: "Don't worry, Mei. You should start thinking about what to eat for the victory celebration after the battle."
Finally, Himeko went to Einstein's mech: "Aren't you going to persuade your friend to stay?"
Einstein replied: "I can't persuade Dr. Tesla—no one can."
Seeing this, she could only go outside and find Tesla: "I'm ready. Let's go."
Tesla looked at her with a meaningful gaze: "Looks like your suicidal trip isn't happening this time."
Himeko said calmly: "Heh, I don't know what you're talking about."
The audience wasn't stupid.
By this point, almost everyone sensed something was wrong.
They questioned one after another: "No way, are you really going to stab Himeko?"
"Are you sick? The atmosphere makes it feel like Himeko is going to die—they promised no more knives!"
"Everyone calm down, it probably won't happen. After all, Dr. Tesla is there, and there are so many mechs with her."
"How could they keep stabbing? This is one of the main forces—most likely, this is where they cure her illness."
"Don't forget about Fu Hua. Earlier, she was the one who lured away the Judgment-class Honkai beast for Himeko. Look! She's back at headquarters too."
"Fu Hua is Himeko's student after all—don't worry, there won't be a knife."
"This plot is deliberate: make you think she's going to die, then have Fu Hua save her to redeem herself. You'll see—I've seen through it!"
And the plot developed just as these people guessed.
As soon as Fu Hua returned to headquarters, on the Bishop's orders, she went with Rita to calm Theresa down.
Fu Hua also proposed her condition: "Do not harm their lives."
Rita smiled and said: "Please rest assured. The Bishop also does not wish for Lord Theresa and her subordinates to be injured."
When the two arrived at the scene,
Tesla was controlling the mech troops, smashing all of Schicksal's mechs.
She was smugly laughing: "Schicksal is pathetically weak—a bunch of scrap metal. Calling them mechs is an insult to the Titans."
Before she finished speaking,
Rita had already appeared on a mech: "Oh… so this is Anti-Entropy's new mech model? It looks like… cleaning it up will be a bit troublesome."
"Doctor, careful!" Sensing the threat, Himeko immediately protected Tesla behind her.
In the next moment, the nearest several mechs were shattered under Rita's scythe.
"That's enough, Major. Please surrender." Fu Hua also appeared behind her, restraining her weapon: "Put down your weapon. I won't hurt you. Coming here was a mistake on your part—Kiana, she…"
Himeko said frankly: "She is not the real Kiana. Theresa and I have known that for a long time."
Fu Hua didn't understand: "Then why are you… Her power is very unstable—she could go berserk at any moment. Letting her roam free is a threat to humanity."
Himeko snorted coldly: "While spouting grandiose words, you're pushing an innocent girl toward death. Fu Hua, is this your justice?"
Fu Hua slowly lowered her head and said firmly: "To fight against Honkai, sacrifices are unavoidable."
"Major, you should understand better than I do—misplaced compassion will only lead to more terrible consequences."
Himeko shook her head: "You don't understand what 'sacrifices are unavoidable' truly means. Fu Hua, what is truly terrifying is not how many lives this world takes."
"But how many people it makes accustomed to the loss of life."
Sigh…
Fu Hua let out a sigh.
She knew mere persuasion was pointless.
She could only use force to stop them.
The two of them were no match for either Rita or Fu Hua alone.
In just a few seconds, they were defeated.
To avoid harming their lives, Fu Hua confined them at headquarters.
The scene switched
to Theresa's side. While waiting for Himeko's signal, they also removed the bomb from Mei's heart, allowing her to unleash her combat potential—though the Third Herrscher's consciousness would gradually awaken as well.
At that moment,
a sudden change occurred. All of Schicksal's defensive shields were disabled, and all defenses became weak—it was clearly deliberate.
Before they could figure out the reason,
space violently fluctuated.
Mei, who was inside the ship, was instantly pulled into the sky, falling into a familiar embrace.
"Kiana?! Are you okay?" Seeing clearly who was holding her, Mei felt relieved.
"I'm fine. I'm great… great enough… to feel like I've been reborn…" Kiana's tone grew increasingly strange, until it was completely unlike her.
Intense Honkai energy continuously overflowed from her body.