Boom—
A battle had already begun? Damn it, I have to hurry…
Seeing dust erupting in the distance, Theresa sped up.
Right after receiving Schicksal HQ's alert that the Fourth Herrscher had appeared in Canghai City, she immediately grabbed Judah and rushed over.
Not only to rescue Kiana—
But because 30 million civilians lived in this city.
Even if most were still hiding in shelters because of the Moonlight Throne disaster, a Herrscher appearing here was catastrophic.
Boom—
Almost there…
After weaving through rows of skyscrapers, Theresa knew she was close.
"Do you know where I can buy ice cream? Why haven't I seen a single person…?"
Grabbing a Valkyrie by the collar with one hand, Wendy questioned her with complete seriousness.
After all, she had to find something yummy after clocking out.
But in this giant human city, she hadn't seen a single person—let alone ice cream.
So she wandered around aimlessly…
Until a squad of humans calling themselves "Schicksal Valkyries" showed up.
Originally, Wendy had been delighted—finally, someone to ask for directions to ice cream.
But instead of answering, they attacked her.
So she had no choice but to beat them all down first.
Then maybe ask again.
Or go watch a human movie.
"Put me down… you damn… Herrscher…"
The Valkyrie in her grasp ignored Wendy's question and instead insulted her.
That annoyed her.
"Let her go!"
A firm, ringing voice echoed across the battlefield.
"Oh? Took you long enough.
Ah—right. Your legs are just too short."
Wendy casually tossed the Valkyrie aside and turned to look at the girl carrying a massive cross on her back.
"You bastard…"
Seeing her Valkyries lying scattered on the ground, Theresa's anger flared.
Wendy may have once been her most talented student—
But that girl was gone.
This was the Fourth Herrscher occupying her body.
"Why look at me like that?
By the way—do you know where they sell ice cream?
Wendy hasn't eaten any in sooo long."
She smiled sweetly.
Ice… cream?
What on earth is she thinking?
Theresa was completely thrown off.
She couldn't guess what the Herrscher was aiming for.
"Not answering? Fine, I'll find it myself.
Talking to you humans is exhausting…"
Wendy sighed in disappointment.
Then perked up again.
If no one would tell her, she'd just search herself.
She was very fast, after all.
"Stop. You're not leaving."
Clang—
Theresa slammed Judah into the ground, blocking Wendy's path.
"You humans are so annoying…
Do you really want me to kill all of you that badly?"
Wendy turned back, visibly displeased.
Judah… I'm counting on you.
Theresa activated Judah.
Golden chains burst out in every direction, lashing toward the Herrscher.
Wendy didn't dodge.
She let the chains wrap around her body.
She didn't even bother moving.
Huh? She's not resisting?
This wasn't what Theresa expected.
"Theresa, is this your trump card?"
Wendy tugged the golden chains lazily.
She didn't even try to break free.
Just watched Theresa with bored eyes.
Does she have some hidden trick? Damn it…
"Where is Kiana? Don't think I can't kill you."
Theresa drew out the gold spear tied to Judah's chains and pressed the tip against Wendy's chest.
Inside Judah's barrier, Honkai energy is nullified.
If the six-core Sirin hadn't possessed the gem of death, she would have died back then.
This time, Theresa would not repeat that tragedy.
Because the Death Core was in Schicksal HQ—far from here.
"Well~ maybe she died?
Humans are so fragile…
Who knows~?"
Wendy tilted her head in thought, then gave that careless, bored answer.
"What—?!
You… you… huff… huff…"
The words struck Theresa like a bolt of lightning.
She staggered, breath caught in her throat.
"Looks like she was important to you~
What a pity…"
Wendy shook her head with fake sympathy.
"…"
"…"
"All of you—leave. Now."
After a moment of silence, Theresa suddenly barked an order to the injured Valkyries.
She needed them gone.
She was about to activate Judah's Zero Rated Power.
"Y-Yes…"
"Let's go…"
The Valkyries, barely able to stand, helped each other limp away.
"You're not leaving?
Don't tell me you're staying to accompany Wendy?"
Wendy watched them go, making no move to chase.
She had no intention of stopping them.
She wanted to toy with Theresa a little longer.
"…"
Theresa didn't answer.
Her grip on the golden spear tightened, and her eyes hardened.
Judah's Oath — Zero Rated Power — Divine Grace Barrier
In an instant—
Countless golden gears materialized in the sky.
All connected by endless golden chains.
Light filled the world—blinding and absolute.
Even the ground turned gold.
Theresa grit her teeth, her body screaming from the backlash.
Because of her Honkai-tainted genes, she too was being crushed by the barrier.
But she could still move.
Even if Kiana really died… I'll bring her back.
She braced herself.
"Ahh… this is uncomfortable…"
"Fourth Herrscher…
Tell me where Kiana is.
If you don't—this spear will pierce your heart."
Wendy's face twisted in discomfort under the barrier.
Theresa pressed the spear harder.
Just one thrust—
And the Fourth Herrscher would die.
"Hmm…
Just kidding~"
Snap—
Wendy shredded all the golden chains in an instant.
"What—?!
You… you broke… huff… huff…"
Theresa's eyes widened in utter disbelief.
Her Divine Grace Barrier—
had absolutely no effect.
What… What is happening…?
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