"Yes."
Xia Qi considered it. In the original storyline, after Welt and the others entered the Quantum Sea, they were discovered by Kevin, who put them through quite an ordeal.
Einstein was sent out of the Quantum Sea by Welt, but Welt himself remained inside, paying the price of his first death to create a barrier and labyrinth separating reality from the Quantum Sea.
It was only then, within that labyrinth, that Kevin came to understand Welt's past and realized he was a Herrscher fighting for humanity.
Therefore, Xia Qi had no doubt that Kevin would attack her on sight, even if she had Himeko by her side. Kevin had long since frozen himself in time on the day MEI died.
Right now, he was a beast seeking revenge against the Honkai, and also humanity's most resolute "savior."
But she had no choice but to go where Kevin was.
Because both the familiar presence she sensed and Seele were in that direction. There was no way Kevin wouldn't have noticed them and appeared there. In fact, it was possible that he was the very reason they had all gathered together.
"He will attack Bronya. Bronya does not believe this will change."
Xia Qi said calmly.
As for whether she was a Herrscher with humanity like Elysia? No, he wouldn't be able to confirm that from the outset. Even if she was accompanied by humans, a fight would break out regardless. After all, Welt had also been accompanied by Einstein.
"Listen, Bronya."
Himeko frowned deeply, her expression growing much more serious.
"Although going with you might not be of much help, you need to understand that if you go with Bronya alone, without me, the danger you face might be even greater. After all, you two share the same appearance, one is a Herrscher and the other a human. You should understand that this will definitely cause some kind of misjudgment on his part."
"...Bronya understands."
Xia Qi nodded.
"Then, Teacher Himeko, let us go together."
"Yeah."
Himeko nodded in satisfaction.
"I also..."
Kiana couldn't help but want to join in, but Welt's voice cut across hers. "Then I will lead the others and follow behind you. I will track the correct direction based on the energy traces you leave behind. If a battle breaks out, I will arrive immediately."
"Please do, Mr. Welt."
Xia Qi nodded.
"Hey! I want to go too!"
Kiana couldn't help but shout. She knew Xia Qi and the others might be in danger, and she wasn't content to simply follow behind; she wanted to help them directly.
"I'm sorry, Kiana, but your strength isn't sufficient." Xia Qi shook her head. "Bronya cannot protect too many people at once."
"...I."
Kiana's expression dimmed slightly.
"It's alright, Kiana."
Raiden Mei gently took Kiana's hand, her expression soft and worried as she looked at her.
"It's okay... After we return, I'll keep working hard. In the future, I'll definitely do better. But for now..."
"Don't worry, Mei... I'm not that foolish either. I'm just a little worried... Hmph, when I get back, I'm definitely going to train even harder! Sooner or later I'll surpass Bronya!"
"Bronya looks forward to it."
Xia Qi looked at Kiana, a gentle smile appearing on her face. The tenderness in her eyes, and the trust and expectation hidden deep within them, left Kiana momentarily stunned.
"Then, let's set off."
Under Kiana's gaze, Xia Qi turned and led Himeko and Bronya toward the direction she sensed, flying off.
"Let's rest here for ten minutes and investigate the energy medium of this place."
Welt spoke calmly, taking out instruments with Einstein and beginning to explore the Quantum Sea.
"..."
Kiana watched the direction Xia Qi had gone and couldn't help but touch her chest. A look of confusion and doubt appeared in her eyes.
For some reason, she had just felt a strange unease and a pang in her heart.
"Kiana."
Raiden Mei held her hand tightly, her gaze gentle and worried.
"It's nothing, Mei. I'm fine." Kiana shook her head and said nothing more.
In the distance.
Xia Qi led Himeko and the others, flying toward where she sensed Seele.
Along the way, there was nothing but the unchanging deep blue space, along with giant rocks and landmasses formed from fragmented dark red rubble, floating in the boundless void.
Occasionally, some Quantum Honkai beasts appeared, and Xia Qi unhesitatingly destroyed them with virtual weapons as they flew past.
After flying for about half an hour, Xia Qi slowly came to a stop on a wide stretch of land.
"Bronya, did you find her?"
Himeko looked at Xia Qi, frowning, her whole body tense and ready for battle.
"No, there's still some distance."
Xia Qi shook her head, staring into the distance. Then she exchanged a glance with Bronya beside her, and they both saw the same uncertainty in each other's eyes.
"What's wrong?"
Himeko looked between them, puzzled.
"Teacher Himeko... Bronya feels that what she is searching for is rapidly closing the distance between us."
Xia Qi stared ahead into the void, intense vigilance in her eyes.
"Bronya feels it too. Seele..."
Bronya also gazed in that direction alongside Xia Qi. She couldn't hide her excitement, but there was tension and confusion in it as well.
"It looks like the worst-case scenario has already come to pass." Xia Qi said calmly. "We need to prepare for the worst."
"Kevin has Seele?"
Bronya turned to Xia Qi and asked.
Xia Qi nodded. "Yes. Bronya does not believe Seele could sense our presence, nor does she believe everything would be this... straightforward."
"Ha."
Himeko smiled helplessly, then gripped her Corona Blaze and rested it on her shoulder. "If it's not straightforward, then we'll use our strength to make it so."
"Yes."
Xia Qi nodded.
Then, standing there with the others, she watched ahead.
What she and Bronya sensed was rapidly approaching. Estimated arrival in half a minute.
And soon enough, a white dot appeared in the distance, expanding rapidly in their field of vision.
Quickly, the full form of that white shape revealed itself before them.
All three of them widened their eyes at once. Looking up at the thing that had appeared in the void above, something incredibly familiar, their faces wore expressions of shock and disbelief.
"How is that possible?! How could it be here?!"
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