Hermit and Kiana trailed behind the pair. As the laboratory doors swung open, Kiana was surprised not to find the researcher's remains she had expected. She turned to Hermit, puzzled.
"Where's the body...?"
"Naturally, the Second Herrscher cleaned it up. What's so strange about that?"
"Eh? Then how are Theresa and the others supposed to get in...?"
"...I thought the Kaslana Family was just stubborn and simple-minded... Why are you such a blockhead?!"
Hermit turned her head, and even through the mask, Kiana could feel her incredulous gaze.
"Hey! Who are you calling a blockhead?!"
"Your beloved Auntie is here on orders to investigate Schicksal's own research institute... and you're asking me how she's going to get in...?"
"If you're not a blockhead, then who is...?"
The masked woman rolled her eyes and ignored Kiana's bewildered state, hurrying after Theresa and the others.
"Hey, wait for me!"
Snapping out of her daze, Kiana raced after the group as they disappeared into the distance.
-
"Patricia discovered something amiss in the surveillance footage. According to the historical records of the Babylon Honkai Energy Reactor, starting at 10 PM last night, the reactor's output power vanished completely for a full five minutes."
"That's the world's third-largest Honkai energy reactor. The power output lost in those five minutes is no small matter at all... However, the surveillance footage there is encrypted, and Patricia's clearance level isn't high enough to access it."
"So they decided to investigate in person..." Hermit explained patiently to the white-haired Clump, trailing behind Theresa and Patricia.
Soon, the group arrived at the reactor area at the bottom of Babylon Tower. The central pillar of the Honkai Reactor is connected to all the upper floors of the tower, supplying them with energy.
Patricia, leading the way, suddenly bent down to examine something, while Theresa shrank back nervously, glancing around anxiously.
"Even Auntie has moments like this, pfft... hahahaha!"
"It seems Patricia has already found a loophole left by the Second Herrscher's actions..."
Hermit watched the Silver-haired Valkyrie's movements, while Kiana, trailing behind, loudly mocked Theresa's hesitant peeking. Suddenly, a chilling cry for help echoed through the circular hall:
"Save... save me..."
"Is anyone there?! Please come help us!"
The hollow, weak pleas for help reverberated through the hall.
"Waaah! Ghosts—!" *2
Theresa, up ahead, and Kiana, beside Hermit, reacted identically.
"You two are just as scared... What's so funny? That's just the voice of a normal human girl, a bit distant, making it sound hollow."
Hermit shook her head and dragged Kiana toward the sound's origin. They passed through a gate and took an elevator down to a lower level.
A four-story prison tower came into Kiana's view. The cries for help they'd heard earlier at the Babylon Honkai Energy Reactor had originated from this very place.
Having learned her lesson, Kiana didn't foolishly rush forward to try and pry open the iron bars this time. Instead, she turned to Hermit, shrouded in her hood and mask, and posed her question:
"Didn't you say everyone in this tower was dead? Who are these children, then?"
The White-haired Clump pointed at the few surviving children huddled in the cages, her eyes filled with suspicion as she glared at the Hermit.
"Do you... do you really think they count as human to this laboratory?"
"They're experimental subjects from the Advanced Systems Department. Most of them won't survive the next experiment. The Honkai energy corruption, malnutrition, and abuse have already ravaged their bodies."
"How could this happen...? How could those researchers treat these children like this?! Aren't they living, breathing human beings, just like them?!"
The child, yet untainted by the world's cruelty, bombarded the Hermit with questions, seeking an answer—one she likely already knew but refused to accept.
"These children are no more than lab rats or monkeys in the biological laboratory... No, even lab rats and monkeys are subject to health and hygiene standards... For them, as long as they can move and are still alive, that's enough..."
"How could... they do this?"
The girl's pupils dilated, her eyes vacant as she stared at the emaciated children reaching through the bars, begging for help.
"They were the lucky ones..."
Hermit watched Theresa and Patricia rush from behind, beginning to release and comfort the girls trapped in the cages.
"?" The girl turned her gaze to Hermit beside her, a flicker of anticipation in her vacant eyes.
"Your Auntie, Theresa Apocalypse, as an S-rank Valkyrie, might be considered... failing. As an elder, she might not score full marks either. But her genuine innocence and kindness deserve at least a 90 out of 100—she made a decision."
"What decision?!" Kiana's voice was urgent with anticipation.
"They became the first students of St. Freya Academy... though some of them ultimately succumbed to their weakened bodies..." Hermit shook her head.
"But at least they spent their final days enjoying a beautiful time at the academy."
"So, most of the children here eventually became my seniors?"
"Naturally," Omega nodded. There was no need to hide the truth.
"Then I can find them at St. Freya Academy?"
The listless white-haired clump suddenly perked up with excitement. However, Hermit mercilessly doused her enthusiasm with a bucket of cold water:
"No matter how wonderful St. Freya Academy may seem, it remains a Valkyrie training institution. Most of the children here died young on the Honkai battlefield. Even those who retired rarely lived past 30—being a Valkyrie is inherently a short-lived occupation, and the harsh training they endure here leaves lasting scars."
Hermit shook her head, sighing as she watched the girl freeze up again.
"If you wish to see them, visit the cemetery at St. Freya Academy. The first row contains their graves..."
"...I will," Kiana said solemnly, nodding firmly.
"Let's continue our previous topic—hmm, they've all been released now. Do you see that little girl with the purple hair?" Hermit observed the distinct purple figure in the crowd.
"I see her. What about her?"
"That's the Second Herrscher, Sirin."
"Ah? Let me take a look—she's actually quite cute... She'd be even cuter if she didn't have that 'you owe me a million bucks' expression on her face." Kiana leaned in, scrutinizing the purple-haired girl for a long moment before commenting.
"...Do you really think that's possible?" Hermit shook her head helplessly.