Chapter 351: Humanity's Spark
"Using the mountain range as a reference point, triangulation system established—calculating axis distance…"
"Coordinates are XXX, XXX, horizontal altitude XXX! Comprehensive interference margin: Level Two!"
"Your Highness, transmit the information!"
In the heart of the city, a massive fusion of machine and monster rampaged wildly. From the rooftop of a skyscraper on the far side, a black-haired girl in a gray-green uniform gripped a pair of binoculars, shouting toward another tower where a silver-haired, red-eyed Valkyrie stood.
Valkyrie Fina nodded, quickly jotted down the numbers, pulled back her bowstring, and loosed an arrow carrying the message toward the distance.
Then, with a leap, Fina crossed over to the other building, scooped the petite officer—whose head barely reached her chest—onto her back, and dashed away from the city without looking back.
Whew—!
The wind howled around them. Colonel Feng Xi had to hold her cap down with one hand, shouting over the roar:
"Your Highness, slow down! From the moment my troops receive the coordinates, manually record them, relay them to the satellites, and then trigger the orbital strike—we've got plenty of time to clear the blast zone!"
"Colonel, every second counts on the battlefield. And I've told you already—I'm no princess. That's just a nickname my comrades stuck on me."
As she sprinted across the ruined streets with the girl on her back, Fina's flawless, almost CG-like face showed a hint of helplessness.
Feng Xi chuckled, legs wrapped tightly around Fina's waist as she leaned closer to whisper in her ear:
"But to me, you really are a princess, Your Highness."
"Colonel, no matter how much you flatter me, I'm not going to agree to go on a date with you. I'm five years older than you, and besides—we're both women."
"Tch! Always fussing over details, like some delicate lady."
"Colonel, we are women."
"Ugh, fine, fine! Enough about that. Let's just blow up that hunk of junk that wrecked our base already!"
"Your spatial awareness and tactical calculations are well known, Colonel. Schicksal's Seventh European Division stands ready to follow your command at any time!"
Their banter continued as Fina, powered by the physique of an A-rank Valkyrie, carried them far beyond the city limits.
Meanwhile, on the far side of the ocean, deep within Sin Malti-Entropy's inner HQ, Bronya sat cross-legged on a floating cushion. Around her, countless holographic windows flashed with constantly shifting data as her fingers darted from screen to screen without pause.
In that instant, she intercepted the giant coordinate image drawn by Feng Xi's troops.
"Perfect! The mechanical corruption hasn't reached the satellites yet, so long-range ground imaging is still clear. These readings… they're calibrating an orbital strike, aren't they? Very well—Bronya will deliver your Christmas present!"
Her lips curved into a faint smile as her hands flew faster across the controls, launching the command.
Back at Feng Xi and Fina's side, the two had just reached an underground shelter when a violent tremor shook the earth.
Fina pulled Feng Xi tightly against her, wrapping her taller, stronger body around the smaller officer to shield her from the quake.
Feng Xi didn't protest. Nestled in Fina's soft, protective embrace, she simply focused on breathing evenly, already planning their next move.
When the shaking finally subsided, Feng Xi patted Fina's arm, signaling her to check outside.
Fina nodded, set her down, and rushed out.
Minutes later, she returned, leading a mixed unit of Valkyries and Sin Malti-Entropy soldiers.
Grrruummble—
Feng Xi emerged from the shelter, unscrewed a canteen, and took a long swig of water. Facing the hopeful eyes of the gathered troops, she gave them a smile.
"Congratulations—the monster's been taken care of! But our work isn't over. With our tech weapons wiped out, we're cut off in this sector. The shelters are full of civilians, and they'll need a steady flow of supplies to survive. Our next step is to organize recovery teams back into the city and—hm? Wait. Look over there!"
She pointed toward the sky, where streaks of fire trailed like falling stars, slamming into the distant ground.
Feng Xi's eyes lit up, and a grin bloomed across her dirt-smeared face.
"Reinforcements! Let's move—we'll go meet them!"
She hopped onto Fina's back again, pointing toward the fiery landing site.
Fina gave a helpless little smile, then sprinted off at the head of the column, carrying Feng Xi toward the sparks of hope.
Not half a day later, the previously unarmed Sin Malti-Entropy forces were once again equipped with a vast array of mechanical units. One after another, towering robots stood tall upon the battlefield, bringing with them a familiar sense of safety.
Feng Xi sat on the broad, reinforced shoulder of a Titan, her eyes darting rapidly across a cluster of projection screens. A grin steadily spread across her face.
"Did you find something? Orders from above?"
Fina suddenly appeared at her side, asking quietly.
"The situation's better than expected. Valkyrie Fina—this is a joint directive issued by Schicksal and Sin Malti-Entropy. Effective immediately, I assume supreme command over all of our combined forces. Do you have any objections?"
"Fina obeys the order!"
"Good. Step one—we repair the Moonlight Throne facility, thirty kilometers to the north!"
"Yes, ma'am!"
The troops quickly regrouped, marching in formation toward their new objective.
Meanwhile, Feng Xi continued speaking over the public comm channel, her voice firm and steady:
"The exact mechanism of mechanical infection remains unclear. But whatever medium it uses, its foundation is always Honkai energy. This was first discovered by Dr. Einstein, who then collaborated with both factions' researchers. Together, they designed a countermeasure—a radiation field built upon the framework of a Moonlight Throne device. Our task is to retrofit the Throne, so it generates a micro-scale Honkai-disruption field. Once active, machines within a radius of several hundred kilometers will no longer be silently infected."
"Only after establishing this safe zone can larger-scale reinforcements be deployed, enabling us to rebuild cities, restart production, and rearm our defenses."
"We're fortunate—there's a Moonlight Throne base right on the outskirts of this city. But many other places lack this foundation. So, protecting ourselves is just the first step. Once we've regained combat strength, our next duty is to support comrades trapped in regions without Moonlight Thrones. Everyone, we bear not only our own hope, but the hopes of three neighboring cities as well. From this point on, there will be no room for rest. Do you understand?"
"Yes, ma'am!!" ×N
The resolute chorus of voices echoed through the communicator.
Feng Xi allowed herself a small smile.
Mechanical infection was a strange phenomenon, yes—but Schicksal and Sin Malti-Entropy had run countless simulations, drills, and hypotheses about the Honkai. Brutal as it was to say, they were practically handling this disaster by the textbook.
Moreover, thanks to Sin Malti-Entropy's years of societal reform, evacuation facilities and contingency plans were highly developed. Most civilians retained their composure, discipline, and capacity to cooperate under pressure.
With swift, methodical responses and tight coordination, though the city lay in ruins, the actual casualties were far less catastrophic than one might expect. Feng Xi believed that much of the world would prove similar—not necessarily better, but certainly not much worse.
The higher-ups, too, remained reliable as ever. In less than 24 hours, they had already devised a workable solution.
Yes—the disaster would leave many prosperous cities in ruins. But humanity would not falter here. Feng Xi believed that with all her heart.
"With each Moonlight Throne as a nucleus, we spread the disruption field outward until the infection is fully suppressed… In a sense, this is what they mean by a spark igniting the prairie fire, isn't it?"
Watching the setting sun on the horizon, Feng Xi let out a soft laugh.
…
"Dr. Einstein, we're rapidly regaining lost ground. Current statistics show that 67% of global landmass has already been reclaimed and secured. However, the Far East Moonlight Throne still needs efficiency improvements."
"I understand, Bronya. Mei and Wendy are on their way to my location. Their energy output will be sufficient to power the latest artillery system. With them, our firing rate will increase by 145%. In about 132 minutes, efficiency will reach target levels, expediting the liberation of the Eastern Hemisphere."
"Copy. I'll adjust the global strategy accordingly. Also—what's the progress on studying the infection model and the origin of the outbreak?"
"There are difficulties. For now, my priority is still eliminating the clusters and restoring global control. The compound disruption field over the Far East island chains is too strong; I don't have the time to make adjustments or acquire samples nearby, nor the capacity to pursue deeper research. However, Otto is working on it—I believe he'll have results soon."
Even in the middle of her frantic multitasking, Bronya raised one hand to flash an "OK" gesture at Einstein's equally busy projection before cutting the line.
The very next second, the screens around her filled with one figure after another—Welt, Durandal, Yae Sakura, Seele, Sin Mal, Rita, Ciora… a lineup of high-tier combat forces, all awaiting her instructions.
Bronya's fingers never stopped flying, leaving behind countless afterimages as she typed. Without even looking up, she spoke flatly:
"The plan has been slightly adjusted. I've already plotted new routes for each of you. Based on our latest projections, the Herrscher of Corruption may still be evolving. We must end this quickly—achieve global suppression as fast as possible and shrink its survival space. Accelerate your operations."
"Yes, ma'am!" ×N
With that brief exchange, most of the screens went dark. Only one remained—Sin Mal's.
On it, the slender girl clutched a pair of golden spears. Her specially-forged armor was cracked and battered, dust covering her figure.
"Bronya?"
Sin Mal tilted her head, her still-smudged face showing confusion.
Bronya sighed, her expression stern as she said:
"Don't force yourself to take direct hits. The temporary armor's defenses are limited. You can't use the Black Armor right now, and even with the Key of Domination, it doesn't change your physically weak constitution. Just… be careful. Bronya doesn't want to see you all beaten up—and Sigurd wouldn't be happy either."
"Yes, Bronya! Sin Mal will do her best!"
"Good. Stay safe."
For a moment, Bronya smiled faintly, her usual coldness softening.
Sin Mal's overall combat ability rivaled that of an S-rank Valkyrie. With the God Key aiding her, she wasn't the weakest among the elite—and her destructive power nearly rivaled that of a Herrscher. But the girl was far too stubborn, far too competitive.
Whatever efficiency the Herrscher-tier combatants achieved, she insisted on matching—or even surpassing. Because of that, she looked more worn down and battered than anyone else.
If Bronya didn't step in to warn her, she truly feared this child would cripple herself.
"You promised Bronya—you can't go back on your word. Just stick to the plan. Don't throw off Bronya's strategy."
"…Fine. I'll listen to Bronya."
Though her lips pouted in reluctant protest, Sin Mal finally gave a nod of agreement.
Only then did Bronya exhale in relief and close the channel.
She pulled up the world map next, watching as new regions steadily shifted into safe green zones. At last, her hands paused, and satisfaction flickered in her eyes.
After that brief reprieve, her face hardened once again. More holographic windows bloomed into the command room. Everyone was fighting on their fronts—even Kiana, who couldn't be deployed, was doing her part by supplying massive amounts of energy.
And now, this vast, empty command chamber was Bronya's battlefield.
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