And in the very next second—
Under everyone's tense gaze—
Behind the Herrscher of the Void, a spatial rift suddenly formed!
In an instant, it swallowed her entire body!
"Imaginary Space?! She took massive damage, but she still managed to escape!"
Tesla clenched her fist, speaking unwillingly.
"Withdraw immediately."
Einstein made the call without hesitation.
They had to retreat while the Herrscher was forced to flee and catch her breath!
After firing the Moonlight Throne once,
the Hyperion no longer had the capability to continue fighting.
With Einstein's order issued,
all combat personnel hurriedly began the evacuation!
[Kiana: Thank goodness… that attack forced Sirin back…]
[Raiden Mei: Hah… it didn't endanger Kiana's life. That's probably the best outcome for now…]
[Tesla: No choice. At this point, retreat is the only option!]
[Honkai · Himeko: But… Kiana hasn't come back yet!]
[Honkai · Himeko: Retreating like this—I can't accept it!]
[Honkai · Himeko: I… have the responsibility and obligation to—]
[Theresa: You idiot…]
And as if confirming Himeko's resolve—
On screen, Himeko did not retreat with the others.
Inside the lower corridors of the Hyperion.
Himeko leaned against the railing outside the infirmary.
Wounded soldiers rushed past her one after another.
She subconsciously pressed a hand against her injuries.
Blood wouldn't stop flowing.
"This time… things really got out of hand…"
She muttered to herself.
No one answered her—
only the serum's faint glow reflected a face covered in wounds.
A piercing alarm rang out, making the already chaotic corridor even louder.
Yet the world in Himeko's eyes remained calm.
"…Alright. Time to get some fresh air."
She straightened up and began walking—
against the flow of people.
At that moment, time seemed to freeze.
Before countless astonished gazes—
Himeko walked on, murmuring softly, slowly, yet with unshakable resolve.
Opposite the crowd.
Toward the direction her heart had chosen.
"Even though they're all grown-up troublemakers…"
"I really did like this place."
"There's still a long road ahead of you all, isn't there?"
"…"
"I wish you… good luck."
At that moment—
Those holding weapons,
those wrapped in bandages,
those carrying the wounded,
those hauling equipment—
People aboard the Hyperion,
people from the Far East Branch,
people of Anti-Entropy—
Those Himeko knew,
those she didn't—
Those who remembered her,
those who didn't—
Passed by her one by one.
"…Really want to have another drink."
At the hatch.
Sunlight spilled across Himeko's face.
Infinitely beautiful.
In an instant—
As Himeko's movement and direction became clear—
Shock rippled through the group chat!
[March 7th: Wait—where is Himeko going?!]
[Xiangling: That's not the evacuation route!!]
[Furina: Wait… she isn't going to…]
[Xianyun: She's going to bring Kiana back.]
[Kiana: Auntie Himeko! Don't go!!]
[Raiden Mei: But… Kiana's consciousness has already been overtaken by the Herrscher!]
[Star Rail · Welt: As long as the Herrscher can be defeated—it's still possible!]
[Theresa: We can retreat first and plan properly!]
[Honkai · Himeko: Theresa… this is a responsibility I must shoulder.]
[Theresa: But… but…]
Amid the cries—
Outside the Hyperion—
Benares' massive body slammed through the ship's artillery fire, charging straight in!
At the same moment—
Himeko's figure surged upward like a blazing flame!
The next second—
With a single strike!
The gigantic dragon's body crashed down!
Benares was defeated by Himeko!
Only now did everyone in the chat truly grasp
just how terrifyingly powerful this armor was.
But just as Himeko raised her blade to finish Benares—
With a dull boom—
The world before her eyes suddenly changed!
A boundless void spread before everyone!
The cold, queen-like Herrscher of the Void slowly descended through the air.
Himeko had been dragged into Imaginary Space along with her?!
"You think… you can escape?"
Sirin gazed down at Himeko like an ant.
"Are you ready to face death?"
With nothing more than a raised hand—
"Struggle as much as you like."
With that cold, emotionless voice—
Himeko was sent flying instantly!
No resistance at all!
Along the path of her flight,
a massive cubic barrier rose from the void!
Boom!!
With a heavy crash—
Himeko's body slammed violently into the wall!
Outside the screen, everyone's hearts clenched!
Within this space…
The Herrscher of the Void was simply too powerful.
Could Himeko…
really stand against her?!