[Exhausted from carrying numerous bags, Siegfried rests on a store chair, unable to shake off the mysterious man's words from his mind. "What am I thinking?
I should be content with such a happy and perfect family."
"Even as [the real world] marches step by step toward destruction?"
Siegfried suddenly looks up—the mysterious man stands before him once more. "Siegfried, every second you linger here makes reality more dangerous."
"Or do you intend to abandon the fight and drown in this false dream?"
Walter's stern question echoes as the scenery around Siegfried distorts again, his left hand transforming into the claw of a Honkai beast. Just then, a loud "bang" shatters the surrounding glass. Siegfried drops to the ground, shielding his head for safety. Meanwhile, Sirin, clad in new clothes, faces the falling shards with utter confidence, not even bothering to dodge. "Sirin!"
Cecilia's voice rings out. Without regard for her own safety, Cecilia shields Sirin in her arms as glass rains from above. "Don't be afraid. Mommy will protect you."
"Ich liebe dich (I love you), Sirin."
The scene shifts to the hospital within the mall. Siegfried listens as the doctor analyzes his wife and daughter's injuries, expressing regret over the "gas explosion" that occurred in the shopping center. Sirin and Cecilia sit on a bench. Sirin bites her lip tightly, her fists clenched in complex emotions. "Again... she held me."
"Why is her embrace always so warm? Why does it feel so... safe?"
"Mommy..."]
Kiana: "Mom is really so gentle..."
[Hana]: "My, my~ After enduring so much suffering, the little girl finally feels a mother's warmth again~ How could anyone bear to ruin this for her?"
[Elysia]: "Cecilia is such a gentle and beautiful person~ The Pink Elf would love to meet her~"
[Mobius]: "Elysia! Is that really all you want? Don't make me expose you!"
[Siegfried]: "Huh?"
[March 7th]: "Can't we just... help her find peace and live happily?"
Dan Heng: "March, the ones who matter most are the living people outside."
[March 7th]: "Sigh... I know. But I still wish she could have a good ending."
[In reality— "Everyone, fall back in order! Those still able to fight—stay with me and cover the retreat!"
Valkyrie Lewis and her squad face an unrelenting horde of Honkai beasts.
Their priority is ensuring the injured Valkyries retreat—at the very least, to avoid total annihilation. Just then, Anti-Entropy arrives with their massive mechs, having struck a deal with Overseer Theresa of Schicksal. Dr. Tesla's mech units have already joined Schicksal's southern forces, but there are no reinforcements left for the northern front. Einstein reassures her—Theresa has already gone to support the northern battlefield. With time running out, Einstein modifies the Alahato's engine into a makeshift [Moonlight Throne], though its output is only 20% of the original due to rushed modifications. They need the right moment to strike. "The right moment? Things are only getting worse! At this rate, both our forces and Schicksal's will be wiped out in two hours!"
Over comms, Tesla is the first to crack under pressure. Einstein anxiously awaits word from Walter. Despite everything, she can't suppress her worry. Then—as if sensing something—Einstein suddenly looks up. A faint silhouette materializes before her, pointing the way. "Tesla... do you see it?"
Inside her cockpit, Tesla bursts into tears of relief. "Yeah... He's back!"]
[Stelle]: "Uncle Yang still carrying the team!"
[March 7th]: "Sooo~ Uncle Yang, what's your relationship with Miss Tesla?"
[Honkai Star Rail·Walter]: "..."
[Vill-V]: "Even death was part of the plan? Now that's impressive."
[Firefly]: "The Honkai beasts' reproduction speed reminds me of the Swarm... though they're nowhere near as terrifying."
[Silver Wolf]: "Comparing them to the Swarm already says enough about their spawning rate in Imaginary Space. They've won by default."
[Pardofelis]: "Compared to the beauty of dreams... reality is brutally harsh."
[Eden]: "The starker the contrast between dream and reality, the greater the impact when reality strikes!"
[Elysia]: "My dear Eden~ Must you say such scary things?"
[Einstein pilots the Alahato, charging toward the coordinates Walter indicated. "I'm closing in on the 2nd Herrscher. Commence operations in thirty minutes.
Please ensure Schicksal's forces evacuate Siberia within that window."
Tesla weeps openly—another suicide mission, another farewell to comrades. "Understood. Don't die on me, Egghead. You both better come back alive."
Her voice cracks with emotion. Einstein smiles as she cuts comms, her resolve hardening. "We will. Tesla, Joachim... we will meet again."... Elsewhere—after losing Siegfried—Sharb faces both the pseudo-Herrscher of Thunder and the Judgment-class Honkai beast Benares alone. Even with Shiqiyu Luo's support wielding the Black Abyss & White Flower, they stand no chance. "Hey... Luo. You okay?"
Sharb struggles to stand, leaning on her weapon for support despite her injuries. The Judgment of Shamash hangs at her waist. Shiqiyu Luo is in worse shape—gasping on the ground, her body already corroding from wielding the Abyss. Given time, Honkai corruption will claim her life. Nicolas points his lance at Bella, buying time with sheer desperation. The Divine Key must be returned to Siegfried and Cecilia. But courage means nothing against overwhelming power. A thunderbolt—larger than a person—plummets toward Sharb! Then—golden chains streak across the battlefield, annihilating the lightning. A loli nun bearing a massive cross arrives—Theresa charges into battle!]
Kiana: "Aunt Teri! Never thought you'd actually save the day!"
[Theresa]: "Kiana~ What's that supposed to mean?"
Kiana's expression clearly reads: I can't believe you pulled it off. Theresa fumes. So what if she messed up a few times? Was that really necessary?
[Theresa]: "Now it's my turn! Watch and learn!"
[Otto]: "As expected of my granddaughter—utterly reliable!"