With a flash of red light, a warrior clad in crimson Mitama Demon Armor appeared beside the longsword.
Pulling out Jizo Mitama in one motion, the Mitama Demon Armor slowly surveyed its surroundings before finally seeming to identify the enemy, turning its hollow eyes towards the man. The cold, gleaming black longsword pointed directly at the man's chest.
Seeing that ferocious red figure, the unease in Higokumaru's heart immediately dissipated, and her weakened body regained some strength. Because she knew that he would be arriving soon.
"What the hell is this?"
The man stared in surprise at the suddenly appearing demon-armored warrior, a hint of confusion flashing in his blue-glowing eyes.
But soon, a wild laugh returned to the man's face.
"No matter what you are, crumble under the power of a god!"
Laughing heartily, the man waved his right hand, and a black sphere shot straight towards the demon-armored warrior.
Swish!
The demon-armored warrior swung its longsword. Jizo Mitama traced a long, narrow black trajectory in the air, slicing straight through the center of the black sphere with a high-pitched whoosh.
Boom!
The black sphere, cut by the Divine Key, split in two. The out-of-control Honkai Energy exploded violently, creating a sizable storm.
Ignoring the raging blast wave, the demon-armored warrior swung its longsword again. Black flames erupted, and a magnificent steel warhorse leaped out of the fire, raising its head to let out a loud neigh.
With a light push on the horse's back with its left hand, the demon-armored warrior vaulted onto the warhorse.
With a heavy stomp of its four hooves, the steel warhorse shot towards the man like an arrow released from a bow. The demon-armored warrior on its back also leaned low, its black longsword raised high.
Watching the charging demon-armored warrior, a disdainful smile appeared on the man's face as he shouted loudly, "With something like you, even if I just stand—"
Before he could finish, the steel warhorse's speed suddenly increased. The black longsword came down heavily, and the protective shield in front of the man shattered under the sharpness of the Divine Key without holding for even a second. If he hadn't dodged quickly enough, he would have been decapitated.
Glancing with lingering fear at the longsword in the demon-armored warrior's hand, the man was immediately overcome with rage. Although not many people had seen his embarrassing state, the feeling of making a fool of himself still set his anger ablaze.
"Damn you, shatter under the wrath of the First Herrscher!"
With a loud shout, the man stomped his right leg heavily, and his body shot towards the demon-armored warrior like a cannonball. Pitch-black spheres followed him like shadows, and the expanding gravitational field caused the ground to sink several inches.
Evidently, facing this demon-armored warrior that had made him lose face, the man was truly enraged.
Seeing the man charging towards it, the demon-armored warrior met him without fear. The steel warhorse bent its four legs slightly to adapt to the distorted gravitational field, its raised black longsword gleaming with a terrifying cold light.
......
In the underground area of St. Freya's central cathedral, a place usually devoid of human presence.
This was the most secret place in all of St. Freya, where its highest-level secrets were stored, many of which even Theresa, as the Principal, had no authority to access.
But today, this peace was destined to be broken.
Stepping past the great door carved with the crests of Schicksal's three great families, Theresa's gaze was fixed on the intruders as she yelled, "This is as far as you go! I've seen through your tricks!"
"Oh? Is that so?" Hearing Theresa's voice, Cocolia turned her head with a light laugh. "You didn't go to rescue the Third Herrscher. It seems what's here is more important in Otto's eyes. But, are you really not worried about that little girl?"
Looking at the smiling "Mother Fox," a trace of anxiety flashed in Theresa's eyes, but her face remained calm. The Judah lance in her hand pointed towards Cocolia. "If you're just trying to buy time, there's no need. Even with Schicksal's core computer, it would take seven hours to crack what's here."
As she said this, the expression on Theresa's face couldn't help but relax. In her view, the moment she stepped in here, victory was already in her hands.
"It's seven hours, thirty-two minutes, and forty-six seconds, Ms. Theresa."
The blue-haired girl who had been standing with her back to Theresa spoke up.
And along with her steady voice, an electronic sound followed: "Password decryption successful."
The blue-haired girl slowly turned around. Facing the astonished Theresa, she explained in the same steady tone, "Cracking the password here indeed takes a very long time, which is why I specifically left a backdoor back then. It seems Mr. Otto was careless after all, not discovering it for sixty years."
Sixty years?
Such a long span of time, combined with the face that had repeatedly appeared in textbooks, a shocking guess flashed through Theresa's mind.
But, there was no time to think about it now!
Gripping the golden lance in her hand tightly, Theresa couldn't help but feel anxious.
Seemingly noticing Theresa's urgency, a smile tugged at Cocolia's lips as she said unhurriedly, "Titan mech A2304, observation system offset, quantum state disengaged."
As the command was issued, three Titans suddenly appeared in the air in front of the two from Anti-Entropy.
Looking at the mechs that appeared out of thin air, Theresa was shocked. To materialize from a quantum state, this was a technology that not even Schicksal had yet mastered.
But facing the towering gray mechs, the petite girl showed a disdainful smile.
"To bring out toys for bullying children like these, I'm really being underestimated. Let the Principal teach you a good lesson on the proper etiquette when facing an S-rank Valkyrie!"
The giant golden cross slammed down heavily. Golden lances unfolded one by one, their sharp tips reflecting points of white light as a murderous aura filled the air.
......
In the dormitory area, the man thrust his fist into the chest of the demon-armored warrior. The surging Honkai Energy instantly churned the warrior's insides into a chaotic vortex.
Watching the crimson demon armor shatter and gradually dissipate, the man's gaze fell on the black longsword that had dropped to the side, a few glints of excitement flashing in his blue eyes.
He touched the several sword cuts on his cheek, as if he could still feel their astonishing sharpness. If it weren't for this sword, that suit of armor would have posed no threat to him at all.
But now, this sword belonged to him.
With a satisfied smile, the man reached for the black longsword.
But in the next moment, an alarm bell suddenly went off in the man's mind. He looked up, only to see a streak of cyan light filling his vision.
Boom!
A cyan streak of light descended from the sky, a terrifying sonic boom following close behind. A violent gust of wind swept out, stirring up countless clouds of dust.
When the view cleared slightly, the man was no longer there. There was only a person in silver armor slowly retracting their leg, while a muffled thud came from the wall on the other side.
His gaze swept over everyone present. Ming Yu quickly passed over the slightly weakened Queen of Thunder and the unconscious but unharmed Bronya, his eyes finally landing on the pink-haired girl leaning against the wall in the back.
With an open palm, Jizo Mitama naturally fell into his hand. Ming Yu walked quickly towards Higokumaru.
"Sorry, I'm late."
Dispelling the light wings behind him and the silver mask covering his face, Ming Yu's face was filled with remorse and worry as he spoke softly to the pink-haired girl.
"No, Big Bro Yu arrived at just the right time." Seeing the figure walking towards her, the girl's eyes instantly filled with a bright light, and she squeezed out a smile on her pale, paper-white face. "Heroes always make their entrance at the end, after all."
Looking at Higokumaru's weak smile, Ming Yu's heart ached, and he said with a hint of reproach, "Someone who lets their companions get hurt can't be called a hero!"
Seeing that Higokumaru wanted to say something more, Ming Yu quickly cut her off, "Alright, you should go back and rest! Leave the rest to me."
His gaze shifted to the hole in the girl's abdomen, and a blazing fire of rage flashed in Ming Yu's eyes.
Although Higokumaru, being composed of Honkai Energy, had no vital points, this kind of attack, also composed of Honkai Energy, was still extremely damaging to her. If he had been a few minutes later, Higokumaru might have really dissipated before he arrived.
"But..."
Glancing towards Mei and Bronya, a hint of worry flashed in the girl's eyes.
"It's fine." Patting the girl's head, Ming Yu gave her a reassuring smile. "Don't worry, I've got everything under control."
Feeling Ming Yu's concern, Higokumaru gave a brilliant smile, nodded at Ming Yu, and then transformed into countless cherry-colored points of light, returning to Jizo Mitama.
Watching Higokumaru completely disappear, Ming Yu slowly turned around. His blood-red eyes stared intently at the man slowly crawling out of the wall, and it seemed as if an endless sea of blood was churning within them.
"You seemed to be having a lot of fun just now, didn't you?"