The Battle of Britain could be considered a victory. As Ryan had anticipated, after the fall of the Wind Herrscher, the Honkai Beasts returned to their headless mode.
They no longer gathered to march toward human cities; instead, they scattered between the villages, where the Fire Moths mobilized heavy forces to defeat them one by one. Without the Herrscher and the Judgment-level Honkai Beasts in their way, strategic bombers could freely bomb above their heads.
However, this victory was not complete. Leaving aside the escape of the Ice Herrscher and its accompanying beast, the casualties and damage were beyond calculation. Hundreds of thousands perished, dozens of towns were destroyed, and the remaining people, no matter how much the Fire Moths tried to persuade them, desperately fled toward the European continent, never daring to stay on the island of Britain again.
The Honkai Beasts were of no value, but the human casualties were very real. Even the stationed troops would take a long time to rebuild.
But a win is a win. In today's world, even the most optimistic person wouldn't dare hope for a complete victory. At least the Wind Herrscher had truly fallen, giving the Fire Moths a much-needed morale boost.
Cheers still echoed in Ryan ears. He had already left the Raven; although his recovery capabilities far surpassed that of a normal person, he was still thoughtfully transferred to a hospital for rehabilitation.
They could check anything they wanted, but if they found out something that even Mephisto couldn't understand, I'd consider it a loss. Besides, I don't really care what they think anymore.
A light breeze lifted the pure white curtains, and Ryan gazed out the window. Since the fall of the Wind Herrscher, Britain had returned to its blue skies and white clouds. From the highest-class rehabilitation center, he could see the bustling Thames River.
Many ships were leaving the port, filled with people heading across the Channel. The recent tidal wave had terrified the survivors, and those with any means had started to flee.
But where in the world is there a truly safe place? Perhaps the next Herrscher would appear in that romantic capital or in some city of art.
He thought for a moment but then pushed the thought aside, focusing back on his own matters as he raised his hand.
Honkai Energy at 1700HW, finally approaching the Herrscher threshold, and with the powers of both wind and thunder! His hand clenched into a fist. Ryan had no regrets; if he hadn't won, this city of millions would have become a wasteland, with those people not even getting a chance to escape.
This power also made him further disregard authority. The truth no longer mattered, and the Fire Moths were not idiots.
There were still elements of surrounding forces and Elysia in Canghai City, but the Fourth Herrscher was something he had single-handedly dealt with. The process didn't matter, but the outcome would surely keep the Fire Moth members awake all night.
They had to take it seriously, and they had no choice but to. This was what they called defeating the enemy without fighting.
" Unfortunately. This time, I didn't get to dream, to touch more truths. Are Herrschers no longer fresh?"
"What are you saying, Ryan?"
The crisp female voice made Ryan turn his head, just in time to see Elysia sitting beside him on a small stool, tilting her head with a puzzled look.
Her mouth was full, as she kept taking apples from Sakura, who had already peeled a whole pile of them.
"Elysia, last time you at least brought a fruit basket. This time, you're just freeloading." Ryan covered his face. Elysia arrived after the battle had ended. That bunch of cowardly bastards didn't allow her to join until the battle had started, so by the time she arrived, all she could do was collect the bodies.
"@＃￥@%." "Eat first, we'll talk later!" Elysia immediately sped up her chewing, lifted her chin, swallowed, and then lectured, "Sakura peeled so many and you didn't eat any. Wasting food isn't allowed!"
"I'm not craving it. I wasn't really hungry anyway."
"That's why I'm visiting you and helping you eat~~~"
"Well, you don't have to visit three times a day." Ryan rolled his eyes as he looked at the two girls in front of him.
Same pink hair, different expressions—it really looked like they were sisters.
And when these two pink-haired girls were split apart, it really wasn't just a façade. One was gentle as water, and the other... at least it was socially anxious.
"I'm going to the bathroom. Don't eat all the food, I still have to visit someone else, and I'm too lazy to buy more."
"The ones from the Punishment Sword?" Sakura interjected.
"Yeah, the Wind Herrscher death is partly their doing too," Ryan waved his hand as he left. With these two girls here, he wasn't in the mood to solve things in the room.
Bang.
As soon as the door closed, Elysia immediately picked up a slice of apple with her long fingers, and while Sakura was in a daze, she shoved it into her mouth, grinning mischievously.
"Delicious, right? You're something else. You've been busy all this time and didn't even eat. While it's cute for a girl in love to give all her attention, you should still learn to take care of yourself."
The apple was sweet. Sakura chewed slowly, but as she ate, she felt something was off, and her eyes widened slightly.
"Elysia, what did you just say?"
"A girl in love," Elysia crossed her fingers and smiled happily, "Sitting by the bed of her sick lover, gentle as water, just like in a book, so beautiful."
Sakura face changed. As an assassin, she quickly stabilized her emotions and replied calmly, "I'm not. I'm just fulfilling my duty as a guard."
"But you're not his bodyguard. Besides, which bodyguard would do something like this?" Sakura glanced at the apple peels on the floor, each one as thin as paper, showing just how skilled Elysia knife work was. After a slight hesitation, she offered an explanation:
"I just think that if anyone in this world should rely on someone, it has to be him. But that doesn't necessarily mean what you call love."
Elysia suddenly covered her mouth, acting surprised, making Sakura freeze. She thought she had fallen into a trap and was secretly irritated when Elysia suddenly embraced her tightly.
"Sakura, you're such a straightforward and decisive girl, full of courage. You say what's on your mind without holding back, unlike some idiot who only knows how to be stubborn!"
Huh? Is that a compliment?
Sakura was a bit confused. The tight hug pressed against her chest, making her feel a bit suffocated. She twisted slightly.
"Uh, I'm usually straightforward. If I offended you, I apologize."
"Not at all! Brave girls are very cute! If you're confused, you can always consult me, the expert!" Elysia was full of enthusiasm as she sniffed Sakura long hair, smelling the faint fragrance, making her not want to let go.
An expert? Oh, so that's what this is about.
Sakura was still confused. She subconsciously thought about Elysia's reputation—how many people had confessed to her, only for her to politely refuse. The most terrifying part was that, regardless of gender, no one ever harbored any ill feelings afterward.
But why was she so enthusiastic? And why do I feel like I've fallen into a trap??
"This isn't important. I don't want to trouble you."
"Wrong, wrong, wrong! Battle is important, but keeping a happy heart is even more important♪ And it's no trouble at all because, you know, I really like you, Sakura!"
Elysia was quite the enthusiastic person. Fine, I've been a bit uneasy lately, and it's better to have someone to talk to.
For a long time, she only told Ling certain things, but Rin definitely wouldn't understand this. Her eyes softened as she was about to speak when...
Bang.
The door was pushed open. Ryan, who had been contemplating with his hand on his chin, stood at the doorway. He blinked rapidly.
Two stunning girls were hugging, their fair thighs intertwined, two majestic peaks pressed together, and with the softness of their bodies slightly sinking. There was also Sakura gentle expression.
How do I smell oranges?
Ryan twitched his nose, adjusting his glasses, and it dawned on him. No wonder Sakura patiently peeled so many apples—she had been cutting them for Elysia.
very pleasing to the eye
"Sorry, didn't mean to interrupt." He coughed lightly, stepped back half a step, walked out a few steps, then turned back, smiling as he closed the door.
What do you mean interrupt?
Sakura didn't respond immediately. Then, that usually cold face suddenly turned red, and she quickly pushed Elysia away.
She wasn't angry but had thought of something else—the reason why Dr. Mobius had never succeeded. Because Ryan liked Elysia.
"Hurry, hurry, tell me what you're feeling right now. This can help reverse your thoughts♪" Elysia looked like an outsider, enjoying the situation.
This sudden situation was the best way to reflect someone's inner thoughts. She even felt a bit regretful that Sakura didn't go after him to explain.
"I feel..." Sakura raised her head, her face full of apology. "Sorry, I let you be misunderstood by Ryan. Why don't you go explain it?"
This answer made Elysia blink and tilt her head.
"Huh?"