Chapter 133: As Everyone Knows...
"What the hell?" Several question marks flashed above Himeko's head. "Just what exactly are you guys up to?"
"Hmm, let me think about where to start?" Irene looked at Himeko. There was no point in keeping it a secret anymore. Himeko wasn't an idiot, and there was no need to hide this matter any longer.
"Why don't we start with the fact that you, Himeko, have been feeling much better physically lately."
Hearing this, Himeko raised an eyebrow. Of course she had felt that her body had improved a lot recently. At first, she thought it was some kind of terminal lucidity.
But every time she went to the hospital for a check-up, the indicators given were getting better and better. This didn't fit the phenomenon of terminal lucidity, yet she had no way to explain what exactly had happened to her body.
Originally, Himeko had planned to treat this matter as a coincidence and an opportunity given to her by heaven, just letting it pass. But being brought up by Irene like this, Himeko also understood that this matter probably had nothing to do with heaven.
"Hmm, let's put it this way." Irene leaned against the wall and looked at Himeko. "I didn't just bring myself over from my original world.
"I also brought some technology from our world, such as the Honkai Resistance Enhancement Reagent."
Irene looked at the wide-eyed Himeko and continued, "Well, as for the extent of the enhancement, a single dose can rapidly boost the Honkai Resistance of an ordinary person to at least the level of a second-rate Valkyrie's Honkai Resistance."
Irene had looked into it a bit. As for the Honkai Resistance of most Valkyries today, and what level Himeko's own initial Honkai Resistance would fall under among ordinary people, it was no longer possible to verify.
The only thing that was certain was that it definitely wasn't much better than an ordinary person's, and might even be worse. However, her Honkai Adaptability after enhancement...
Unexpectedly couldn't rank at the top among most Valkyries, but it could already be considered above average.
"Wait, you used such a precious thing on me?!" Just as Irene expected, upon hearing her say this, Himeko instantly blew up.
"That kind of reagent could have been used on more and better people, why give it to me... wait." Himeko suddenly stopped. "Is this what you reached an agreement with Einstein about?"
"Bingo." Irene nodded. "And it's already starting to yield highly effective results. A simplified version that can be mass-produced has already been manufactured. The effect certainly isn't as good as the original, but it can still increase Honkai Resistance to a certain extent.
"Given a bit more time, Dr. Einstein and Dr. Tesla might even be able to research a reagent identical to the original.
"This is the cooperation we achieved."
"..." Himeko opened her mouth, but then looked a bit confused. "Why not hand it over to Headquarters? There are also quite a few strong scientists over there."
"For certain reasons." Irene shook her head. "This is all I can say for now, Teacher Himeko. I hope you believe me; it is absolutely impossible for me to harm you guys."
"..." Himeko fell silent for a moment. "Does Theresa know about this too?"
"She knows." Irene nodded. "Including the matter of giving the reagent to you at the time, Theresa also knew about it."
"I guessed as much." Himeko nodded. After understanding why her body had improved, she also found the reason for Theresa's extra care for her during that period.
"Sigh, really..." Himeko sighed. "I hope nothing major happens later on, but looking at you like this, I suppose that's unlikely.
"Can you disclose anything?"
"I cannot." Irene shook her head. "Knowing too much might actually be dangerous. Alright, the little interlude is over, let's stop here for today.
"Oh, right. As for Wendy, she should be on the bridge right now. She said she wanted to go take a look around herself. If Teacher Himeko wants to, you can go look for her there."
Looking at Irene, who was clearly brushing her off, Himeko sighed. "Fine, fine. I really can't figure out you young people."
"Teacher Himeko, you make yourself sound so old." Irene smiled and then turned to leave. Himeko glanced at the cabin door locking Sin Mal inside to confirm it was deadbolted before leaving as well.
From Irene's words, she had already deduced that Irene wouldn't reveal anything else. Since that was the case, she might as well look for the other person in the know.
She knew Theresa well; her lips weren't exactly sealed tight. She should be able to pry something out of her.
Moreover, she also had to go check on Wendy. She hoped that child hadn't been psychologically affected by the events of these past few years. She also didn't know if St. Freya's technology could extract that Core from Wendy's leg.
However, Himeko had barely taken two steps when she bumped into Theresa. Himeko raised an eyebrow. "What, the higher-ups are dealt with? You came over this quickly?"
"Mhm, they've behaved themselves anyway, and I was more worried about the situation on this side." Theresa shook her head. She knew she was easily fooled. Without Himeko by her side holding the fort, she might have been duped by a room full of higher-ups.
And since Irene had already returned, it meant Theresa had also returned. Since that was the case, their goal had been achieved, and there was no need to entangle themselves any further with those idiots.
Pushing this matter too far wouldn't be very good either.
"Alright." Himeko nodded. "Speaking of which, when did you get here?"
"Just now, what's wrong?" Theresa tilted her head slightly. "I just got here."
"Oh come on, save it, Theresa. You simply don't know how to lie." Himeko rolled her eyes. "Spit it out, what exactly are you and Irene plotting?"
Hearing Himeko's words, Theresa's expression stiffened, but she could only shake her head. "...I don't know either."
"Hah?" Himeko crossed her arms, looking at Theresa. "You don't know what you're doing either? Then what on earth are you and Irene scheming together?"
"Because Irene is doing everything. I want to help her, but I can't help with anything." Theresa lowered her head. She had, of course, heard the conversation between Irene and Himeko.
She also understood that Irene had already laid some of her cards on the table with Himeko. It was a given that Himeko would come back to ask her, but Theresa truly didn't know anything.
"Then what exactly are you two scheming?" Himeko looked at Theresa. "Don't tell me you'd still help Irene count the money even if she sold you out?"
"She would never sell us out." Theresa immediately shook her head. "It's just that I noticed something. You remember where Irene comes from, right?"
Himeko nodded. "Of course I remember. The Sea of Quanta, a place holding the wreckage of countless parallel worlds. I know, what about it?"
"Mhm, Irene comes from a world very similar to ours, yet somewhat different." Theresa looked at Himeko. "Irene experienced everything we've experienced there.
"It's just that the things she experienced there were much more tragic than what we've experienced."
Theresa wanted to explain further, but Himeko suddenly raised her hand to interrupt, wearing an expression that said 'what on earth are you talking about?' as she looked at Theresa.
"To be honest, I really want to feel your forehead right now to see if you're delirious from a fever. Are you sure?"
Theresa nodded vigorously. The things Irene predicted were almost all spot on. Irene's familiarity with them, and everything Irene had done, proved that Irene definitely knew a lot of things.
Moreover, Irene had also nodded in admission; she indeed came from a world similar to theirs, and what she wanted to do was help them avoid a more tragic ending.
Theresa had already experienced Irene's salvation once, which was why she trusted Irene so much. It was clearly a Stigmata that Theresa had obtained by sheer coincidence.
Yet Irene, in a situation where no one else noticed any anomaly, pointed out that there was indeed a Herrscher of Corruption hidden inside, and a Herrscher of Corruption left over from the Previous Era at that.
Irene even actually had a way to resolve it. Theresa couldn't imagine how they would have dealt with this sudden intruder if it weren't for Irene.
Not to mention that Irene's various subsequent actions all seemed to indicate that Irene had some kind of foresight, or that Irene simply knew what was going to happen next.
With all these things happening, Theresa had no choice but to believe it, yet she couldn't help Irene with anything.
"..." Himeko looked at the expression on Theresa's face and sighed silently. "It seems some things happened between you two that I don't know about?
"Is it because of this matter that you trust Irene?"
"Mhm." Theresa nodded. "Not just this matter. Many things indicate Irene's identity, which is why I trust her."
"Is that so?" Himeko nodded. Although it was a bit strange, and even though Theresa was easily fooled, well, it was indeed very difficult to make Theresa trust a person to this extent.
Since that was the case, what Theresa said should be believable. Hah, she really didn't expect Irene's identity to be this complex.
The final cycle in a world parallel to theirs? This might also explain why Irene possessed that Saint Kallen card, which was exactly identical to the one in their records.
However, as she thought about it, Himeko's thoughts began to stray. She then crouched down and looked at Theresa.
"Then, do you think you survived in Irene's world?"
"..." Theresa looked at the suddenly crouching Himeko with some confusion, but upon hearing the question Himeko raised, her face grew even more puzzled. Nevertheless, she still spoke.
"I don't think I survived."
If it weren't for Irene, she might have been poisoned to death the second time she faced the Pseudo-Herrscher, or she might have been killed off entirely unawares by the Herrscher of Corruption hidden within the Stigmata.
Thinking about it now, a cold sweat broke out on Theresa's back. Had she actually, unknowingly, dodged death twice? And both instances bore traces of Irene's involvement.
"I see, then you're in a tough spot." Himeko stood up, looking at Theresa with a somewhat lamenting gaze. "I hope you can really succeed. I wouldn't want the first ship I'm rooting for to just vanish into thin air like this."
"Ah, what on earth are you talking about, you bombshell?" Theresa looked at Himeko with a face full of confusion. The warning from her intuition made her realize that Himeko probably wasn't thinking about anything good just now.
"It's nothing, I just wanted to say," Himeko crossed her arms, looking at Theresa, "A dead white moonlight is the best kind of white moonlight. I'm afraid it'll be very hard for you to compete with yourself."
"Huh?" Several question marks first flashed above Theresa's head, but she quickly understood Himeko's meaning. Her face immediately flushed bright red, and she even unslung Judah from her back.
"Just what on earth are you talking about?!"
"Haha, am I wrong?" Himeko quickly dodged the Judah that Theresa swung down. "It's been a few life-saving favors now. Don't tell me you really don't have the slightest idea in your heart.
"Do you even believe that yourself? Besides, looking at the way you were just now, there's definitely something going on between you two, especially from your end.
"Shut your mouth!"
"Ah, I'm so bored." Kiana sprawled out on the bed. "Aunt Himeko said we were coming out for a vacation, but looking at the situation outside, how is this a vacation?"
When they first arrived in Oceania, Kiana had indeed enthusiastically believed Teacher Himeko's words, treating it as if she was here for a vacation. She was just getting ready to go find something delicious to eat.
But shortly after disembarking the battleship, she noticed a problem. The atmosphere around them didn't really seem like they were welcoming them for a vacation. The vigilant posture of the other party was clearly guarding against them causing trouble.
Kiana, having sensed the problem, returned to the rest area, only to find that Bronya and Mei hadn't prepared to disembark at all. Only upon asking did she learn the reason.
Bronya had already learned their true purpose for this trip through the internal intelligence network. Teacher Himeko bringing them along was likely for the purpose of a demonstration of power.
As for the reason, Kiana had also seen it: the strongest A-Rank Valkyrie who once belonged to them had been crippled by Oceania's experiments.
Given Teacher Himeko and Theresa's temperaments, they were indeed likely here to settle scores. They themselves were purely here to hold the line, so Bronya and Mei had no desire to go out. Only Kiana hadn't understood and had run out cheerfully.
With the current atmosphere, it was definitely impossible to go sightseeing properly or treat it as a vacation. They could only hole up here on the Hyperion.
It wasn't like they could really go cause trouble. Everyone was colleagues, all Valkyries.
Besides, even if they were to cause trouble, it wouldn't be against that group of Valkyries; it would definitely be against the higher-ups. So Kiana could only obediently stay in the rest area with Mei and Bronya.
"We completely lost out this time, what a huge loss."
"Idiot Kiana, you're the only one who didn't realize there was a problem with this trip." Bronya rolled her eyes. If they were really just picking someone up and handing over affairs, why would they need the Hyperion?
Thinking about it carefully, this trip out definitely couldn't be a simple vacation. Moreover, Teacher Himeko had also said to treat this time as a mission drill; it wasn't a vacation for the three of them at all.
"How was I supposed to know something like this would happen?" Kiana turned her face away. "But it really is so boring just staying here."
"In that case, do you want to go check on that Wendy?" Bronya suddenly spoke up. "She should be on the bridge right now. I just saw her on the visitor list.
"The handover should be complete by now."
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