[Time Manipulation]
[Reverse Localized Time]
Instead of using conventional medical treatment, Kagura invoked the power of the Time Stone to counter the effects of the anti-Honkai serum "Godslayer Lance" on the two Valkyries.
By reversing the flow of time in Himeko and Kiana's bodies, she completely purged the serum's influence.
No one could have predicted that a serum—originally developed to combat the Herrscher of the Void.
And save Himeko from being completely consumed by Honkai energy—would one day be used by World Serpent as a weapon against the very Valkyries it was meant to protect.
It was... revolting.
"Phew... I can't believe we got ambushed like that," Himeko muttered, exhaling deeply as her strength returned. "But why were Valkyries targeted specifically? That's not random..."
She turned to Kagura with a weak smile. "Thank you, Kagura. I owe you one. If you hadn't been here, Kiana and I might not have made it out alive."
"No need to thank me. This isn't about favors or debts anymore." Kagura gently tidied up Himeko's disheveled red hair.
"We might be from different worlds, but I'll never stand by and watch when people commit such inhumane acts—casually discarding lives like garbage. That's not something I can ignore."
"Himeko, Kagura—look over here!" Kiana called them over. "Check out what I just found!"
She had flipped over one of the Death Weavers Kagura had taken down and dug through the restraints.
Inside, she discovered a label indicating the origin of the equipment.
Though scorched from the battle, the label's writing was still legible.
"Divine City Pharma... I knew it!" Kiana clenched her fists. "I've been suspicious of this company ever since I started investigating the recent outbreaks.
Every Honkai disaster seems to revolve around them. And now this? There's no doubt—they're working with World Serpent!"
"I agree," Kagura said, nodding.
Using her White Moon battlesuit's built-in holographic interface, she scanned the surrounding wreckage.
Sure enough, components from the destroyed Death Weavers all pointed back to Divine City Pharma.
"There's strong evidence that World Serpent is conducting biological experiments through this company.
They may even be behind the creation of these artificial Deadwalkers—the Death Weavers."
"Deadwalkers..." Himeko looked down at the scattered remains with a tremble in her voice.
"They're the most tragic fate a human can suffer—completely consumed by Honkai. We Valkyries destroy them not out of hatred, but respect. Because... they were once human. Like us."
She balled her fists, trembling with fury.
"And now World Serpent turns them into tools... molding the dead into weapons... just to hunt Valkyries? It's... despicable."
"Ah! That reminds me!" Kiana's eyes widened.
"Remember the data we found earlier in the drone mech from the city's defense unit? Rita—Miss Rita was dispatched by Schicksal to investigate Divine City Pharma! Could she be in danger?"
"Hm..." Himeko crossed her arms in thought.
"If Otto sent Rita of all people, this wasn't just a routine inspection. As vice-captain of Immortal Blades, she's done deep-cover missions like this before. She's the perfect hunter."
She frowned.
"If World Serpent's targeting all Valkyries indiscriminately, then Rita—and her entire squad—could be in serious danger. Especially if she's gone in deep..."
"World Serpent. Divine City Pharma..."
Kagura rose to her feet, eyes narrowing as she looked toward the city cloaked in the descending night.
"Enough talk. Let's move. This time... we're going to wipe these filthy snakes out completely."
Will destroying World Serpent save the world?
No one knew for sure.
But one thing was certain:
A group more ruthless than Otto's Schicksal—if left unchecked—would only lead to more tragedy.
No matter how noble the justification, when actions stray from righteousness,
the path to self-destruction becomes inevitable.
———————————————————————
— Divine City Pharmaceuticals Industrial Zone — Underground Research Facility —
The corporate lobby lay in complete darkness, devoid of any life.
The automated security mechs were all silently deactivated, sprawled across the floor without a trace of struggle.
A tall, elegant figure moved gracefully through the sterile research halls of Divine City Pharma, her every step poised and silent.
Her gloved fingers skimmed across holographic terminals, pulling up files, logs, and encrypted data.
"Hm... quite the haul tonight," she murmured to herself, eyes gleaming as she skimmed through the intel. "Looks like this place warrants a deeper investigation."
Production numbers for medical serums didn't match the documented usage.
Massive vaccine shipments had vanished without any trace of where they'd gone.
Even worse—some syringes labeled as vaccines were filled with a strange serum that enhanced Honkai energy activity within the human body.
"To say this company is clean..." Rita smiled coldly, "Even a brain-dead sea slug wouldn't buy that."
Her eyes landed on a large sealed alloy door at the end of the corridor.
"So, what sort of secrets are you hiding behind that oh-so-innocent corporate mask, hmm?"
She smirked, confidence radiating from her beautiful face.
"When the prey is this tempting, how could I possibly resist?"
"Immortal Blades—on standby," she said calmly, activating her comms. "Be ready for combat at any moment.
If we receive any... uninvited guests, I'll be counting on you all to give them a proper welcome."
Rita was elegant, but never careless. She knew better than to let her guard down deep in enemy territory.
But the moment she stepped into the heart of the underground research lab, the secrets of Divine City Pharma were laid bare before her—and what she saw made even her hardened heart tighten.
Rows upon rows of sealed incubation pods lined the chamber.
Inside were deformed monsters.
Lifeless human bodies.
And worst of all—creatures shaped like Deadwalkers, bearing Valkyrie stigmata etched into their backs...
It was a grotesque biological testing ground, stripped of all humanity.
Here, horrific Honkai fusion experiments weren't an exception—they were the norm.
A grotesque factory of suffering.
But before Rita could even voice her outrage, danger struck.
"Well, well... we meet at last, Valkyrie of Schicksal—Vice-Captain of the Immortal Blades—Rita Rossweisse."
A massive monitor flickered on.
An unfamiliar woman appeared on screen, her expression cold and unreadable.
"What a shame. Curiosity kills the cat, Miss Rita. Now that you've uncovered our little secret... your curiosity will be your death sentence."
"Hmph. You certainly talk a big game," Rita replied coolly, her scythe already glowing with deadly intent. "Do you have any idea who you're speaking to?"
The woman chuckled darkly.
"How amusing. You Valkyries are all the same—so arrogant. So convinced of your own strength. But you're nothing more than relics."
As she spoke, metallic cylinders suddenly dropped near Rita's feet—canisters containing the same anti-Honkai serum gas used against Himeko and Kiana.
"A gift from Serpent," the woman said. "One for you... and one for each of your precious subordinates."
"Struggle all you want, little Valkyrie. Let Serpent hear your screams as you die. That will be... delicious."