To find Kiana, Theresa and her Valkyries traveled to Arc City in Shenzhou.
An intel dealer known as the Gray Serpent had agreed to provide information regarding the Herrscher of the Void.
However schicksal intervened, they sent an agent to hunt them down.
A brutal chase unfolded across the high-tech metropolis—
A bloody hunt in the shadows of neon and steel.
In the end, schicksal seized the data.
Theresa's last remaining hope now rested on the Gray Serpent's still-living "asset."
Combat Operations Center, Hyperion. Open sea off the Arc City coast.
Inside the command room, Theresa stood at the front, with Mei and Bronya positioned behind her.
Not far away, Yae Sakura stood quietly, observing.
Before them, holographic projections of Einstein and Tesla hovered in place.
Theresa took a breath, then summarized everything that had happened.
Theresa: "That's how it happened... we failed. We couldn't locate Kiana. We only managed to save this little girl."
Einstein responded calmly, her tone reassuring.
Einstein: "Don't blame yourself, Madam Theresa. You escaped Rita's hunt and brought back the Ningyo. It's our last hope."
Theresa frowned slightly, recalling the encounter.
Theresa: "Rita is just as dangerous as before. Don't be tricked by her harmless appearance. There's something eerie in her eyes when she smiles at you all sweet and innocent."
At the mention of Rita, Tesla visibly grimaced.
Tesla: "Ugh. Are we talking about that evil woman again? I swear I'll tie her up, stuff her into a cannon, and fire it!"
Einstein sighed softly.
Einstein:" I know it's hard for you, but please at least try to keep your voice down, Dr. Tesla."
She then returned to the main discussion.
Einstein: "Back to the main topic. The Ningyo's database has been formatted. She's now in sleep mode. All functions were shut down. I'll try to restore data structures and locate Kiana. The formatting erased all of the data on her quantum drive, but fortunately part of her brain structure is still human. I shall attempt memory recall and access her human brain data. We'll need to give her a new ego."
Einstein stepped closer to examine Ningyo—
Her expression shifting slightly in surprise.
Einstein: "Her quantum computer has powers that outrstrips both Schicksal and Anti-Entropy's tech. Is this the World Serpent's work?"
Theresa's eyes widened slightly at the name.
Theresa: "World Serpent ?Schicksal archives describe it as a secret sect specialising in making Honkai weapons. They seldom operate in the open."
Tesla crossed her arms, adding on.
Tesla: "Rumors say that the World Serpent is implementing various cybernetic testing... They say that humanity must propel its stagnating evolution and live as one with the Honkai."
She then pointed directly at Ningyo.
Tesla : "This child proves that they really meant what they said. Could you think of anyone as crazy as they are besides the Schicksal Overseer?"
Einstein glanced at Tesla with a neutral expression.
Einstein: "I guess there is one. She's just not into cybernetics... yet."
Tesla immediately reacted.
Tesla : "Hey! Tunguska was just an accident. I tried my best to repair the damages."
Einstein turned her attention back to Ningyo.
Einstein: "Restoration failed. The formatting was quite extreme. I must use another approach."
She then turned toward Theresa.
Einstein needed more processing power.
Einstein : "Madam Theresa, I'll need to use the Hyperion's processors."
Theresa nodded without hesitation.
Theresa : "Understood. The password is TERITERI."
For a moment—
Silence filled the room.
Everyone turned to look at her.
Theresa froze—
Then quickly blushed in embarrassment.
Everyone there stop and look at Theresa with Theresa blush in embarressment.
Theresa : "Hey, stop staring at me like that."
With that—
They began the process.
As Einstein and Tesla were busy with their work, the quiet hum of the Hyperion's systems filled the room.
Suddenly, an alert cut through the silence.
System: "Warning. Unauthorized comm request received."System: "Incoming encrypted transmission. Requesting connection."
Einstein didn't hesitate.
Einstein: Put it through.
The main screen flickered to life and revealed Cocolia.
Cocolia: It's been a while, Professor.
The room immediately tensed. Everyone was shocked to see who had contacted them, and several members instinctively went on guard.
Einstein narrowed her eyes.
Einstein: "Cocolia...?"
Cocolia calmly scanned the room through the screen before her gaze settled on Bronya.
Cocolia: "Bronya, my sweet darling. I'm glad to see you're alright."
Bronya's face went pale at the sight of the familiar yet distant figure. She lowered her head, remaining silent.
Cocolia spoke again, her tone casual, almost as if nothing had changed.
Cocolia : "It's been a while. What's going on?"
Einstein responded evenly.
Einstein : "Thank you. Everything is still alright."
Cocolia's expression sharpened slightly as the conversation turned serious.
Cocolia : "The Herrscher of the Void is a global catastrophe. I'm obliged to act as an enforcer of Anti-Entropy."
Einstein didn't waste time.
Einstein: "I'll be straightforward. What do you want, Madam Cocolia?"
Cocolia leaned forward slightly, her voice firm.
Cocolia: "I know you're searching for the Herrscher girl all over the world. But Schicksal is always one step ahead of us. Nothing we could do about that. Our resources are limited. It's hard to keep pace with Schicksal. Beating them is even harder. My military experience tells me that we will lose eventually."
Theresa glared at the screen, clearly displeased.
Theresa : "Are you telling us to give up looking for Kiana?"
Cocolia immediately denied it.
Cocolia : "No, that's not what I mean. We should pick the fight where Schicksal is weakest and stay ahead of them."
Tesla crossed her arms, intrigued.
Tesla: "Interesting plan, Cocolia. But how do you propose we stay ahead of them?"
Cocolia's tone turned strategic.
Cocolia : "I believe getting the Herrscher is only part of their plans. My troops are being attacked by Schicksal. Otto wants something else. The Gem of Desire, one of the four Herrscher cores. And don't worry yet, girls. We still have it. He intends to gather all 4 cores to fully restore the Herrscher's power. That guy is a true maniac.Instead of looking for the Herrscher girl, I think we should relocate the Gem of Desire to somewhere safe. We will keep the final piece of the puzzle away from Otto's hands. And it's way easier, don't you think?"
Einstein remained calm, analyzing every word.
Einstein : "Are you asking us for help, Madam Cocolia?"
Cocolia gave a faint smile.
Cocolia : "I prefer to call it mutual assistance.I know you don't trust me, professor. But you should keep in mind that I've always been a loyal Anti-Entropist."
She then turned her attention directly to Theresa, her voice softening slightly in persuasion.
Cocolia : "Madam Theresa, I believe Otto is our common enemy. Set your doubts aside, ladies. We must fight Otto together."
Theresa said nothing, her silence heavy with suspicion.
Einstein broke the pause.
Einstein : "Well, where should we meet?"
Cocolia answered without hesitation.
Cocolia : "In the Western Pacific. 11°20.9' N, 142°11.5'E. Don't keep me waiting."
The transmission suddenly distorted—
—and then cut.
Einstein leaned forward.
Einstein: "You're stationed in the Deep? Cocolia? Do you read me?"
Theresa turned to Einstein.
Theresa : "Where is that place?"
Einstein explained calmly.
Einstein : "A secret underwater base of ours. I guess Schicksal is getting close to that location."
Through the interference, fragments of Cocolia's voice could still be heard.
Cocolia : "Otto has deployed... to take... he seems pretty intent..."
Einstein frowned.
Einstein : "What's going on? Signal interference?"
Suddenly, the screen flickered violently.
System: "An unidentified signal is breaking in."System: "Hyperion's defense protocols have failed."System: "Registering noise interference... System overloading..."
The display glitched and then changed to reveal a new figure.
Gray Serpent.
Gray Serpent: "Pardon me for the intrusion. Let's finish the deal we left hanging in Arc City."