Although Welt was always the one getting the short end of the stick in the plot, Bai Lu still felt a twinge of anxiety facing Old Yang—Welt Yang—in person.
"I… my name is Bai Lu. I escaped from the Tower of Babylon." he said, feigning fear.
Despite being in his twenties, Bai Lu's youthful appearance—barely sixteen by looks—had always been a source of teasing, even before transmigrating.
"The Tower of Babylon, huh… Don't worry, we'll get you somewhere safe," Walter replied, eyeing Bai Lu's innocent face without suspicion.
"The guards there aren't exactly elite, but it's hard to believe a kid like you escaped on his own."
Just then, a short girl with fiery red pigtails leapt down from a Titan mech, bundled in a thick cold-weather suit that made her resemble a giant lobster.
"Dr. Tesla, don't scare the child," said another short girl with blue hair, descending beside her.
"Chicken Head, I'm just being cautious," Tesla muttered.
"A few days ago, all those monsters vanished. That's how I escaped," Bai Lu explained. "The others were taken away by a girl named Theresa."
Walter nodded. "Looks like we're a step behind. But with her awakening confirmed, we need to be ready."
Bai Lu's mouth twitched. Great. So much for hoping things would calm down.
"Why didn't you leave with the others?" Walter asked.
Bai Lu's heart skipped. He scrambled for a believable answer.
"I… I didn't trust them."
Walter accepted it without pressing further. The Second Herrscher was his priority.
"I have a friend who's still there. Can I go with you?"
Though they hadn't planned to bring Bai Lu along, his persistence wore them down. Eventually, they agreed.
Meanwhile, Siegfried and two A-rank Valkyries—arrived at the Siberia snowfield. Honkai Beasts surrounded them, and the trio was itching for battle.
"Don't let a single one escape!" Siegfried roared, charging forward. Each bullet from Shamash tore through the beasts.
Suddenly, a powerful force descended from the sky, vaporizing hundreds of Honkai Beasts. A man in brown hovered above.
"Who? No… That's the leader of Anti-Entropy!"
Siegfried recognized Walter instantly. The Valkyries reported his arrival to Schicksal HQ.
Due to Sirin's presence, both factions agreed to avoid conflict. Walter proposed an alliance, and Siegfried—already favorably inclined toward Anti-Entropy—accepted.
Soon, the joint team arrived at the Tower of Babel. Bai Lu volunteered to lead the way.
Seventeen kilometers away, Sirin had teleported to a massive Honkai energy crystal. She felt its power calling to her—this would be the site of her first chrysalis.
She remembered Bai Lu's parting words:
"Where are you going? I can take you directly!"
"Little Sirin, be good. A powerful group is coming soon. I need to blend in and prepare."
"Huh? I can just make them disappear!"
Bonk! Bai Lu knocked her head twice.
"Sirin! Stop trying to erase people! Great power can make you lose yourself."
"If you find a place that boosts your power, go there. You need strength too."
"Ah~ You're not much older than me. Why do you sound like a grandpa?"
"I'll come find you. Don't worry—I have a way."
Now, Sirin entered the crystal, letting its energy transform her.
Inside the Tower
Siegfried's group reunited with Theresa. After investigating, they concluded Sirin was the mastermind.
Bai Lu immediately stood up, protesting. "Sirin didn't do it!"
The others realized Bai Lu's connection to Sirin. Walter saw an opportunity—perhaps Bai Lu could sway her to humanity's side.
After debate, they agreed to let Bai Lu speak to her directly.
Dr. Einstein guided the team, unlocking Judah's Hunter Mode. They tracked Sirin's location and arrived at the cocoon.
Bai Lu rushed in. Theresa tried to stop him but was pulled in as well.
Outside, the Nightfall Twins awoke, blocking the others.
Inside the Cocoon
Theresa fell into Sirin's illusion. Bai Lu's vision went black. When he opened his eyes, Sirin's face was inches from his own, smiling mischievously.
He jumped back, exhaling sharply. Too close!
It was his first time face-to-face with a girl like that. But to him, Sirin was like a younger sister.
"Hey, don't do that—it's scary!"
"Hehe, did I scare you? Oops~"
Bai Lu sighed. "Sirin, did you see those people outside?"
"Those annoying adults..? Want me to make them disappear?"
Bonk! Bai Lu tapped her head again.
"What's going on in that head of yours? Listen carefully!"
"Okay, okay, I'm listening."
"How do you feel about your strength?"
Sirin smiled, but Bai Lu cut her off.
"No exaggerated descriptions, please."
She pouted. "I feel strong. I even have a subordinate—Benares. I named it after Bella."
"Bella would cry if she saw that."
Sirin's eyes flickered, imagining Bella's reaction.
"Oh! Something on the moon is calling me."
Bai Lu's eyes lit up. "Sirin, later—pretend to be corrupted. Fight them. Get used to your powers. I'll make sure they don't kill you."
"When it's time, go to the moon. I'll wait for you on Earth."
Sirin frowned. "You think I'll lose?"
"Just be careful. And watch out for them."
Though her words were playful, Bai Lu knew she understood.
Sirin wasn't the same as before. Bella and the others were her anchor. She wasn't fanatical anymore.
The Honkai's influence remained, but so did her memories—painful and beautiful. She still had friends. The future wasn't entirely dark.
If things went well, Sirin's descent could be prevented. Maybe even Cecilia's sacrifice could be avoided.
But would the situation in reality really be that simple?